Presiding was President Chris Joyce, who began the meeting with Why We Are Rotarians. 

 

The Thought for the Day was presented by Jim McGuire.  Black History Month is a time to recognize the important role of Black individuals in American history and celebrate their achievements while acknowledging that there is still work to be done in the movement toward racial equality. To help you reflect on what Black History Month means, I have rounded up some of the most moving quotes from influential Black figures.

 

“We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” ~Jesse Owens, world record-setting Olympic athlete

 

“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.” ~Thurgood Marshall, first African American U.S. Supreme Court member

 

“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” ~Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut

 

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~Harriet Tubman, Abolitionist

 

“… history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” ~ Michelle Obama, first Black First Lady

 

 

Chris Joyce announced this week in Rotary World:

 

Covid Vaccination Task Force:  We’re working to promote and assist vaccination in our five counties. If you have information or ideas you’d like to share, send it to: vaccination@rotary6440.org​.

 

Covid Vaccination Information Speakers Series:  D6440 will host a number of terrific speakers who will educate us on the vaccines and vaccination. All are welcome; we encourage Clubs to invite their community partners. The events will be both on Zoom and streamed on Facebook Live. Details coming soon.

 

At noon next Wednesday the 10th and again on Friday the 12th Dr. Stuart Marcus, Chief Clinical Officer of Amita Health.

 

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, will speak to Rotarians from across Illinois at a special event the week of February 15th.   She is familiar with Rotary’s commitment to eradicate polio and will be asking for our help.

 

Dr. Jim Keller, Chief Medical Officer at Lutheran General, at noon on February 22. 

 

We will hear from both Rafael Malpica, Community Outreach Coordinator with Advocate Aurora, and a Spanish-speaking physician, at a later date.

 

Youth Program Fall Victim to COVID-19 ​​ The Governors Line and RYLA Chair Sean Nelson have reluctantly decided to ​cancel RYLA for this spring​. The availability of locations, the complications of scheduling, and the uncertainty at schools proved too great. Those clubs whose District Grant funded RYLA attendees will be contacted to discuss options. For the same reasons, ​we’ve also cancelled this year’s Youth Assembly​. We’re now planning the Assembly for November and will schedule a fall RYLA session in addition to our normal two programs in the spring of 2022. And Long-Term Rotary Youth Exchange will be paused until the 2022-23 Rotary Year​. We hope to offer Short-Term exchanges in the Summer of 2022. We’re searching for those who will work to reboot Exchange. See this ​flyer​ and this ​call for volunteers​.

 

Katherine Peterson announced that Club Service meets on Wednesday, February 10, at 7:30 a,m,, via Zoom.  Everyone is welcome.  She also recapped the invitation to all club members to join the United Way of Illinois Equity Challenge, a 21-week program that encourages shared learning, action and growth  in weekly self-guided content to gain deeper understanding about the impacts of systemic racism and inequity.  The discussions start on Thursday, February 11 at 12 p.m. via Zoom and weekly thereafter until July 1.  Please contact Katherine to join us.  All are welcome.

 

Ann Searles announced that Community Service will meet virtually today at 7 p.m., Feb. 9.

 

Ann Searles also had updates from the Sunshine Lady.  Sam Lovering fell recently and had a cracked pelvis and bruised ribs, and suffered the worry of a possible COVID exposure.  However, tests were negative!   Sam appreciates calls. 

 

Ann Searles herself spent time in the emergency room with a painful, swollen knee.  She is better today. 

 

Linda Gerber reported that last week NaKorn was looking to contribute the meals to an organization in need.   They were referred to Ann Weatherhead and together Linda and Ann made last minute calls, and distributed 65 meals to Evanston Latinos, including two families with COVID that had 15 individuals in each household.   NaKorn also shared they were ready to donate again the following day.  Ann also ran to Crossroads to pick up meals for the Interfaith Action, doing double duty on Friday. 

 

Joy Joyce announced that Books & Breakfast is going to continue in a remote format even with a limited return to school.  The program site director affirmed that more volunteers were still needed for remote Books & Breakfast & Joy encouraged members to reach out to Chris and Joy about the opportunity to volunteer.

 

Ann Weatherhead stated that there are restaurants that are offering meals to take to places like the warming center at Interfaith.  They are $5 a meal for a hot meal.  This action not only provides food to those in need, but also helps the restaurants to stay open. 

 

Kristin Brown announced that she does volunteer work with the Produce Mobile at the Levy Center, which is another place that needs help.

 

Katherine Peterson announced that she has done delivery for C&W, but will be out of town till March so delivery volunteers are needed.  Reach Bryan Wallace for that opportunity.

 

 

Nick Powers shared one fun fact, and facilitated Roasts & Boasts:

 

Bryant Wallace boasted Jean Saunders and Katherine Peterson for helping with deliveries of groceries for C&W, which was much appreciated. 

 

Katherine Peterson boasted Chip Uchtman for beautifying the club’s website to a much cleaner look.

 

 

 

 

In June 2020, Evanston/Skokie School District 65 welcomed Dr. Horton as the new Superintendent of Schools.  Prior to joining the District 65 team, Dr. Horton served as the Chief of Schools for the Jefferson County Public School System in Louisville, Ken.  He began his career in Chicago Public Schools, where he was a middle school teacher for 10 years before moving into building administration.  He transitioned into a central office role in 2014 in East St. Louis, where he served as the Deputy Superintendent of Achievement and Administration, before heading to Jefferson County Public Schools in 2018.  

 

Dr. Horton shared his plan for the Miracles Framework for Continuous Improvement, 2020-2021 School year, focusing on long term systemic improvement.   MIRACLES is an acronym for this new framework, M – Motion towards Equity.  I – Improved Instructional Core.  R – Relevant and rigorous course of study.  A – Attract and retain high quality staff.  C – Commitment and accountability.  L – Learning environments that support student success. E – Establish expected targets driven by success.  S – Sound fiscal stewardship.

 

Dr. Horton addressed the plaguing achievement gap, not just in District 65, but in District 202 as well, his one of the largest in the state.  He continued emphasizing student voice as an important tenant of this framework of improvement.  He meets with students in person regularly to see how they are experiencing school. 

 

This work is to recenter teaching and learning and create positive experiences for students, educators, and families.  There is an ongoing commitment to communication, collaboration, and transparency.  Dr. Horton went on to outline an extensive framework for making these continuous improvements based on a series of specific tenets that take up these improvements in very specific ways.  An outline of the detailed specifics of these tenets and process is available on-line at:  https://www.district65.net/domain/657

 

 

 

Gui (Rotary Exchange Student from Brazil)