President Linda Gerber welcomed us to the ninth meeting of the 2021-2022 Rotary Year. John Searles recited “Why We Are Rotarians” and gave us the Thought for the Day: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” -- Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

Bruce Baumberger showed a slide illustrating a Member Profile in ClubRunner. Please contact him if you are having trouble setting up or editing yours.

 

Linda Gerber - This coming Monday evening, Sept. 6, marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the beginning of the Jewish new year. We wish our Jewish friends and colleagues a peaceful and healthy new year.

 

Former member Jane Grover was the host for our Rotary Exchange student Othón Ortega Ruiz 11 years ago. She and her family attended Othón’s wedding in Mexico recently, and one of her sons was the best man. Jane and her husband Bill were the godparents of the ceremony. Jane thanked Beth and John Osterlund for convincing her to be a host family. She also saw club member Miguel Hernandez while she was there.

 

Bill Glader – Taste of Evanston is in two and a half weeks. We need to increase ticket sales. Please send a followup email to your friends and family. Check your email for a template and the list of people who’ve already purchased tickets. Kelly Fidei asked us to promote on social media. Randy Usen asked for help identifying possible sponsors; warm leads pay dividends. Gary Peterson needs more volunteers, so consider working for part of the time that you attend.

 

Katherine Peterson announced a special invitation to Rotarians at Perspectives Gallery, 1310-1/2B Chicago Ave, Evanston, on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 5:30 p.m.  We will hear from photographer Doug Haight, who spent two years with the homeless population, along with a speaker from Connections for the Homeless to talk about issues of homelessness in our community.  One of the subjects of Doug’s photographs may be available to speak and answer questions about the experience struggling with homelessness.  Doug is today’s speaker, so join us for this special in-person opportunity to view his work.  Registration is limited, and masks are required. Please contact Katherine Peterson, agingpotential@me.com to register.   Also, everyone is invited to join the monthly Club Service Committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 a.m. via Zoom.  Please connect for details. 

 

Bryant Wallace gave condolences to Keith Banks, whose Aunt Mamie Pearl "Sista" Banks recently died.  Clarence Weaver’s brother-in-law Harry Payne's memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 4, at the First Church of God Christian Life Center, 1524 Simpson St., here in Evanston. The wake will start at 11:00 a.m., with the service at noon. Many condolences from the club to Keith and Clarence.

 

 

Installed as our newest member was Hillary Hufford‐Tucker, owner of QM Consulting. She is a certified professional career coach and “Career Solutionista” for her clients seeking personal branding, resumes, and career strategy guidance. With a master’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Iowa, Hillary combines her corporate communications, brand management, and graphic design background to support clients as they transition to new roles, pivot industries, or shift focus. 

 

When she’s not busy coaching amazing people, she rides bikes, learns about wine, cooks for friends, and travels globally with her family.

 

Hillary moved to Evanston seven years ago with her husband, Dave, and their two children, Quinn and Mackenzie – both are ETHS grads and off on their own.

She is already deeply involved in the Taste of Evanston, thanks to Marisa Naujokas and Kristin Brown.

 

 

 

 

 

Jean Saunders introduced Doug Haight, who received an MFA from Columbia College in Film and Video and is the owner of Evanston-based Fortune Fish Films, where he is a video producer and photographer. He joined Perspective Group and Photography Gallery in 2013 and currently serves as the Board President.  His photography work spans from street work to editorial to portraiture.  Doug  says, “I’m interested in people, in the human condition.  Photography allows me to be places I don’t normally go.  While I’m there I meet people and intersect with the rhythm and circumstances of their lives and if I’m lucky, I’m able to make an image or two that is worth sharing and revisiting.”

 

Doug discussed his photography exhibition, which is currently being shown at the Perspective Fine Art Photography Gallery in Evanston. See My Story is a collaborative, photography-based, multimedia project intended to raise awareness about homelessness in Evanston. He shared something about his process, and a brief bit about the stories of a few of his subjects.

 

Doug spent four years slowly becoming a small part of the community of people who are unhoused in Evanston. He reached out over and over, interviewing hundreds of people, listening to the stories of lives different from his own. People and their stories are the heart of the exhibition, but location is also important.

 

It’s simply not possible to capture the depth and feeling of Doug’s presentation without the photos and his accompanying narration. This project was meant to be seen, and to spark understanding and perhaps action. Doug said it is the biggest project he’s ever done and the one he’s most proud of. The gallery is open Thursday – Sunday, and See My Story will be there until Sept. 26. Contact Katherine to join our club group at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday.

 

Exhibition details: https://perspectivegallery.org/see-my-story-new

 

A few photos and stories: https://www.seemystory.org/participants

 

 

 

Tom Butler, chair of the social justice committee of Ann Weatherhead’s church

 

Katie Sullivan, guest of Carol Bild

 

Jane Grover, past member of our club, host family of Othón Ortega Ruiz 11 years ago

 

Doug Haight, speaker

 

 

Ira Graham, September 5

 

Joy Joyce, September 6

 

 

Dieneba Soma, 12 years