President Chris Joyce presided. 

Thoughts on one year of pandemic remoteness:

 

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” -  Christopher Robin

 

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” - Winnie the Pooh

 

“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” - Eeyore

 

“If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient.  It may be simply that they have a small piece of fluff in their ear.” - Winnie the Pooh

 

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long.  If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” - Winnie the Pooh

 

“Could be worse.  Not sure how, but it could be.” - Eyore

 

“If possible, try to find a way to come downstairs that doesn’t involve going bump, bump, bump on the back of your head.” - Winnie the Pooh

 

 

Chris Joyce announced that there will be a board meeting on Wednesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m. Please request the link if you are interested in attending. All are welcome.

 

From Linda Gerber: The International Service Committee is meeting on Monday, March 22, from 7:15 - 8:30 a.m.. If you are interested in learning more about the impact of our club's service abroad, please join us. The agenda will be sent in a separate email. If you would like to attend, let us know and you'll get a copy, too. Everyone is welcome! 

 

Zoom Link:

Meeting ID: 845 6203 1364

Passcode: 829258

 

Zbig Skiba reminded everyone that when you reply to someone about a specific message that is part of an E-mail chain, to reply only to the person who sent it and not to the entire group. Also, try to limit the length of the chains by starting a new one when the subject shifts.

 

Ann Weatherhead indicated that there is still room for 6-7 people in Affordable Housing 101, taking place on April 13. Please contact her if you are interested.

 

Susan Prout announced community service grants that were decided upon and awarded this week.  They are as follows:  Second Baptist Church:  $1,350 for their Tuesday soup kitchen; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: $1,350 for their Wednesday lunch ministry which they coordinate with St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church; Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church: $1,350 for breakfasts they serve to the homeless housed at the Margarita Inn; First Presbyterian Church: $950 for packing supplies needed for carry out lunches served on Saturdays. Myra Janus explained that these grants focused on addressing food insecurity and that Kat Banakis, rector of St. Luke’s, had helped the committee contact the churches involved in providing food for the soup kitchens. The Interfaith Action website has much more information about these efforts:  http://www.interfaithactionofevanston.org

 

Ann Weatherhead spoke briefly about the grant awarded to the Evanston Latinos, who were awarded $2,000 to help families with burial expenses for relatives who have died from Covid and to help pay utility bills so that students have access to the Internet. These families are sometimes undocumented and do not have access to benefits, or need emergency assistance but are reluctant to ask for help. About $4,500 has been reserved for further grants.

 

Chris Joyce announced for Katherine Peterson that she has reserved a fire pit at Emily Oaks Nature Center for Saturday, March 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., to celebrate the Spring Solstice. The gathering will be limited to 25 people. Please contact Katherine if you are interested in coming.

 

 

 

Bryant Wallace boasted the people from our club who attended the Chessman Virtual Gala. A great time was had by all. Clarence and Wendy Weaver of C & W Market and Jennifer Easton of Jennifer’s Edibles were honored for their contributions to address the problem of food insufficiency in the community. Chris and Joy Joyce attended as well as Kate Collinson, Linda Gerber, Kathy Tate-Bradish, David Simmons, Ann Weatherhead, Bruce Baumberger.  Joy and Chris reported that the music was fabulous and the students who are served by the program, truly impressive.

 

Helen Olorosa boasted Bruce Baumberger for keeping the Friday gatherings going that lift everyone’s spirits. Please join them at 5:15 p.m. each Friday.

 

Sergeant-at-Arms Nick Powers shared some fun facts about St. Patrick and St. Patrick’s Day.

 

 

 

 

David Spitulnik gave an informative presentation about effective leadership. Starting out with “Why Are We here?”, ask the questions: "Where do you want to get to?; By When?"  Setting yourself up for inspiration and insight, you go faster alone, but further together.

 

Next think about what you consider to be long term. Is it next week, next month, next year, or three to five years from now?  Then ask, “What do you want to look like when you get there?” The next question is “How ready are you for your journey?” You need to know where you are starting from and what it is you want to have happen. Finally think about “Nice to Know” versus “Need to Know” in the context of your long-range plan. The next question has to do with your milestones and tasks. You need a destination checklist and hold essential conversations in order to chart your path.

 

The three “I’s” of an insightful leader are intelligence, inclusion, and influence. For intelligence you go beyond understanding what they have done before to determine what solution fits best in the current environment; how your ideas fit with the team around you, and having the presence of mind to know your strengths and weaknesses. Including all team members will help you understand what you have or don’t have.

 

It is important to embrace any and all differences for a complete perspective. You need to find people who have the skills to complete your team and strategic partners who can answer questions and refer people to you. He shared his experience working setting up a partnership in Spain for Motorola.

 

There are two types of leaders: The Organizational Chart Leader who is ultimately responsible for all activities and delegates and assigns responsibilities, and the DeFacto Leader who knows how to get things done; knows who has answers to questions and may also be the subject matter expert. An insightful leader is a life-learner who listens to others around him/her; admits when he/she doesn’t know the answer and constantly seeks feedback.

 

Mr. Spitulnik also shared his experiences being part of the board of The Youth Job Center of Evanston. He stressed the importance of teaching the youth involved in the program not only specific job skills, but habits as well, such as being on time.

 

For more information go to Dspitulnik@Spitulnikadvisors.com.

 

 

 

Our speaker, David Spitulnik

 

 

Bruce Baumberger – March 18

 

 

Lincoln Janus – March 17 – 6 years

 

Scott Kaplan – March 20 – 21 years