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

 

The Thought for the Day was presented by Bob Teska: "I expect to pass through this world but once; any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show any fellow human being; let me do it now.  Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”  - Stephen Grellet, Quaker Missionary

 

 

Come help package diapers for the Bundled Blessings Diaper Pantry at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St., Evanston.  Bundled Blessings provides supplemental diapers to families in need through partnerships with local service agencies.  They currently provide bundles of diapers to 440 children each month, which is more than 20,000 diapers. After bundling, anyone who is interested can join us for fellowship and food at the Celtic Knot. Please contact Susan Prout with questions.

 

Gary Peterson provided an off-line announcement that the Rotary Foundation surpassed its annual goal of $18,000 with a total of $18,445 as of May 31, 2021.

 

 

 

 

District Governor Lyle Staab began the program, announcing a series of 10 sessions occurring this week, most are virtual, focusing on RI’s environmental initiative.  The programs are being scheduled during club meetings, believing these meetings would be of interest to Rotarians. The meetings end with the district’s annual business meeting and celebrate many accomplishments.  Lyle’s mantra for the year of environmental focus, “To adapt, to invite, and to matter.”  

 

Rotary issued a policy statement in September 2020 about the environment, that was serious and deep.  Lyle Staab introduced Mark Gibson, who offered to chair the environmental committee, and created a team across the district and who is the champion behind this effort from the club in Hawthorn Woods.

 

Mark Gibson introduced Karen Kendrick Hands, Co-Founder & Projects Director of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), an attorney and advocate for many environmental initiatives, who built a carbon neutral home, and is restoring prairie land in her own backyard.

  

Karen praised the environmental initiative and introduced and spoke about “Protecting the Environment:  ESRAG’s Mission & Dream.”   Karen explained that she was aiming to advance the environmental initiative, and to inspire actions for sustainable solutions through supporting the service of district clubs. 

 

She believes that environmentalism is everyone’s concern. and RI’s intention is to empower local communities to access grants to develop local solutions and innovation, to address causes, and reduce the effects of climate change. 

 

She voiced her enthusiasm for Rotary’s strong and forward looking statement, and spoke extensively about the projects Rotary supported in clubs around the world, and the founding and determination of ESRAG.  She shared her email:  kdkhands@esrag.cor

 

Mark Gibson moderated Q & A, resulting in many resources found in the “chat” feature of the Zoom link shared with all members.

 

Gibson continued with information about Rotary’s 7^th Area of Focus with information available on RI’s website, the district website, and the April “Rotary” magazine, highlighting more environmental focus around the world.  The environmental committee is addressing many unmet needs with hopes that each club will organize their own environmental group. 

 

Plastics are the largest part of the problem, especially the macro-plastics which have migrated into our food and water systems. Please review Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), esrag.org.  Come to the next convention and check the ESRAG booth.  The third Saturday in September is World Clean-up Day. The New Environment: The Annual Symposium of ESRAG RICON 2021 is Friday, June 11. See  https://www.esrag.org/2021-ricon-precon for a great presentation.   See many of the resources shared in the meeting in the Zoom meeting in the Chat feature.

 

Gov. Staab talked about Operation Pollination and elaborated the district’s commitment.  He continued highlighting some of the segments of the upcoming District Conference series, and he encouraged everyone to join the conversation on the district website.

 

 

 

 

 

Many visiting members of District 6440 clubs

 

 

Paul Brown, May 23

 

 

Kate Collinson, June 3, 13 years

 

Brad Weiss, June 6, 15 years