President Brad Weiss welcomed members to the meeting.  Charlotta Koppanyi eschewed French philosophy for some words from Lebanese-American writer Kahlil Gibran:“You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” 

 

 

Dave Stumpf, President of the Noon Club, encouraged members to attend his club’s annual Pizza Fest.  A tradition for more than 30 years, Pizza Fest is an all-you-can-eat pizza and pop extravaganza.  It will be held on May 16, 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., at Gigio’s and will benefit the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Mudlark Theatre, and the Ridgeville Foundation. 

 

Jason Orloff, also a member of the Noon Club, is coordinating his club’s efforts in the Fourth of July parade.   He displayed a (you are the) ‘missing piece’ costume as one option for parade attire.   Dick Moenning will be promoting the Parade in our Club.  More details will be forthcoming

 

The concept of a “Big Idea” for our club was proposed at the Visioning exercise in January.  Kristin Brown and Marv Edelstein role-played a brief follow-up discussion.  Whether our club decides to choose a major focus for our efforts -- or one (or more) of Rotary’s established areas of focus, a “big idea” could help to marshal our energies. Club members are encouraged to add their “big ideas” to the large Post It sheets around the room.

 

Rotary International anticipates many visitors to One Rotary Center during the weeks before and after the Convention in Atlanta. For this reason, they are hoping to enlist and train new volunteer tour guides.  Guides (at least 18 years of age) must enjoy interacting with others and be capable of walking for 60 minutes.  Tours will be offered on Monday through Friday from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Mandatory training will take place on Friday, May 27.  Please respond no later than Friday, May 19, if you are interested. 

 

Gary Peterson announced that a dozen Rotarians, spouses and Interactors participated in the recent Golf Road Cleanup.  He noted that Myra subbed for Linc Janus, and Sri Sakthivel misread the time, arriving at 7 a.m.  Thanks to all who helped!

 

Brad Weiss presented some highlights from the previous night’s Board meeting.  Neil Gambow created two important documents for Youth Exchange students and their families.  Youth Exchange will become a line item for years to come in the Foundation budget.  Our club is currently considering new meeting locations in Evanston.  If you have strong opinions about our meeting venue, or connections to locations that could accommodate us, please contact Brad.    He also clarified that prospective members eat free.  (New Rotarians are not billed for breakfast until their second meeting as a member.)  There will be one last Board meeting of the 2016-2017 club year, involving both new and outgoing Boards.    

Wines of the World – a wine tasting with Master Sommelier Alpana Singh – will take place on Wednesday, May 24, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Terra & Vine restaurant in Evanston. Linda Gerber explained that the event (which includes eight carefully chosen international wines and hors d’oeuvres) will benefit the Taste of Evanston!   Tickets ($45 each) may be purchased from Terra & Vine’s web site:  http://terraandvine.com/   -- and $10 from each ticket will be donated to the Taste of Evanston.  What an enjoyable way to support the three training programs that are today’s focus!  Please contact Linda with any questions.    

 

Randy Usen explained that he and Mike Merdinger are heading up Taste of Evanston Sponsorship solicitation.  Taste of Evanston is seeking companies or individuals willing to give from $500 to $5,000.  For this donation, they will receive favorable publicity and tickets to the event – and their donations will fall right to the bottom line.   Randy and Mike need company and contact names.  They will do the rest, providing info packets to potential sponsors and following up in person.   Bill Glader suggested Bramer Animal Hospital and Nels Johnson Tree Experts.  Please let Randy or Mike know your best suggestions!

 

President-Elect Marv Edelstein reminded incoming Board members that the District is offering position training on May 20 at Oakton Community College as part of the 2017 District Assembly.  Please let Marv know if you plan to attend and/or wish to carpool to the event. 

 

Sam Lovering announced that he needs a flexible, coachable crew member to help him sail his boat from Waukegan to Chicago on Friday, May 12.  The journey will take several hours and the weather is unpredictable.  The voyage will happen rain or shine.  Please let Sam know if you’re available to help.

 

Don Gwinn participated in our District’s recent Ak Tenamit project and learned that a local Guatemalan Rotarian was selling coffee to benefit the Rotary Foundation and provide water filters to local residents.  Don took orders for the fair trade, one-pound bags of coffee ($12 each) and the product has arrived!  Please see Don to pick up your “Good Coffee for Good” or to order for future delivery. 

 

Brad returned several ‘lost and found’ items from the recent Board meeting and auctioned off a Rotary water bottle.

 

Displaying a Rotary polo shirt, Ann Searles informally polled members on their interest in purchasing navy or yellow polo shirts with the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary logo.  Receiving a positive response, Ann will research the available options and will have order blanks soon.

 

In Ken Green’s absence, Ilana Seligman announced that our club will be participating in a Soup Kitchen on Monday, July 3, at Second Baptist Church.  We will be staffing two shifts (10 a.m-noon, noon-1:30 p.m.) and details will be forthcoming via email.  

 

Brad commented, after seeing this year’s Rotary Rose Bowl float, that it is both impressive and highly visible.  If anyone is donating to the 2018 Rose Bowl Rotary float, please contact Brad.

 

 

Ann Searles boasted the following Rotarians who helped with the recent Aging Well Conference: Ann Weatherhead, Steve Carlson, Chris Joyce, Jackie Mack, Guy Riendeau (RC of Evanston), and John Searles. Kudos to Ann for her organizing efforts and to Charlotta Koppanyi for her successful presentation. 

 

Marisa Naujokas boasted Lesley Peters who donated a group brunch to last year’s Taste of Evanston.  Marisa, Paul and Kristin Brown, their spouses and others enjoyed a delicious meal on Saturday.

 

Steve Steiber boasted his son, one of 2,200 newly minted engineers at Georgia Tech.

 

Dick Moenning praised the Evanston Fire Dept’s Ambulance Service for their highly professional care after his recent tangle with a floor lamp.

 

Bruce Baumberger boasted our own filmmaker Bill Glader for removing the “woosh” from a video of Jack Blaine (past District Governor and amazing Rotarian) talking about Rotary’s polio eradication efforts.   We’ll look forward to seeing the video at an upcoming meeting. 

 

Don Crost boasted his granddaughter’s 1^st birthday.

 

Dale Bradley displayed two very fun bikes for young children that he purchased as prizes for a bike raffle.  Dale plans to sell only 100 raffle tickets at $10 each, netting $1,000 for our club’s Foundation or our “big idea.”  Raffle tickets will be available next week. 

 

 

 

Explaining the Taste of Evanston’s “Hungry for Work” theme, Bill Glader introduced three local non-profits focused on developing job skills: No Boundaries (a program of JJ’s List), the Evanston Work Ethic Program (an outgrowth of the Forest E. Powell Foundation), and Evanston ReBuilding Warehouse’s Workforce Training program.

 

J.J. Hanley of JJ’s List/No Boundaries explained that her organization is a connector between people with disabilities and businesses in the community.  The unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is twice the normal unemployment rate, and those with mental challenges face even greater obstacles.   No Boundaries offers workplace training skills to adults with disabilities, preparing them for employment in the local community.  In J.J.’s words, “Everyone who wants to work should have an opportunity to do so.”

 

J.J. urged the audience to keep an open mind about including disabled adults in their work places.  Matthew LaChapelle and John Doetsch, participants in the program, joined J.J. and shared some of their experiences.  Both young men begin their days by checking their email and their calendars, then working at local businesses or training with their mentor/coach.  Matthew currently holds down two jobs, working at Walmart and Lou Malnati’s.   A team player, Matthew has a strong work history and has received several promotions.  John is currently looking for work and enjoys being with people and being part of a community.  An impressive 77% of No Boundaries participants have found and kept employment.

JJ’s List/No Boundaries receives no state funding, depending instead on its own fundraising.  They are excited to partner with the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club on Taste of Evanston. 

 

Bill Glader then introduced Natalie Joy from the Evanston Work Ethic (WE) program.  Acknowledging that not everyone needs a four-year college degree, the Work Ethic program seeks to help ETHS students improve their career and technical employment outcomes while meeting the needs of local employers. Selected high school juniors are matched with mentors for two years, receiving comprehensive career readiness training.  In addition, they receive a $500 stipend for continued career education and ongoing support.

 

WE is currently working with seven students, interested in pharmacy, pre-health, hair styling, software coding, auto technologies and culinary arts.  The students visit Oakton Community College and are encouraged to pursue two-year degrees or technical certifications.  WE also conducts workshops, focusing on important skills such as communications, resume writing, community service and financial literacy. For practical experience, WE students participate in 2 ½-month summer apprenticeships at local businesses such as Art+Science and Bennison’s Bakery.   Several WE students successfully participated in RYLA this spring.   The Work Ethic program is pleased to work with the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club as a Taste of Evanston partner.

 

Bill then introduced Lou Dixson of Evanston ReBuilding Warehouse (ERW).  The Workforce Training program is currently conducting a seven-month program in Deconstruction that prepares individuals for living wage jobs in the deconstruction/construction industry.  Many of the participants face chronic barriers to employment (previously incarcerated, housing unstable, etc.).  In addition to manual training, the participants receive weekly paychecks and attend classes in budgeting, finance, nutrition, and sex education (taught by our own Kathy Tate-Bradish!).  Lou proudly boasted that her current crop of trainees just received their Renovation, Repair and Painting Certificates!

 

Lou introduced a brief, but moving, film showing participants in the process of dismantling a fine, old home with attention and care.    As the video concludes, the Workplace Training Program “rebuilds lives.”  Lou’s crews are currently taking down two vintage apartment buildings in Chicago.  The reclaimed building materials are sold at ERW’s 14,000 square foot warehouse to support their education, job-training, and job-development programs.  Lou noted that the warehouse is currently “full to the gills” and encouraged Rotarians to stop by for a look.   

The Evanston ReBuilding Warehouse looks forward to collaborating on the Taste of Evanston!

 

 

 

Dave Stumpf, RC of Evanston

Jason Orloff, RC of Evanston

 

 

J.J. Hanley, JJ’s List & No Boundaries, speaker

Matthew LaChapelle, No Boundaries, speaker

John Doetsch, No Boundaries, speaker

Lou Dixson, Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse, speaker

Natalie Joy, Evanston Work Ethic Program, speaker

Dan Coyne, prospective member

Lucas Albright, prospective member

Suzy McNamara, prospective member

Miguel Hernandez, prospective member

Luiz Abreu, Youth Exchange student

 

 

Janet Remen – May 9

Steve Steiber – May 16