President Bryant Wallace called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. on the dot with the ringing of the bell and also read our land acknowledgment statement: “We acknowledge that Evanston and Rotary International sit on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa, as well as the Menominee, Miami, Ho-Chunk, and other tribal nations. It was also a site of trade, travel, gathering and healing for more than a dozen other Native tribes.”
Allison Plier read “Why We Are Rotarians” and presented the thought for the day from Ambassador James Joseph. He would refer to Martin Luther King, Jr's quote about the arc of the universe being long, but it bends towards justice, and he would add to that, “and we have to bend it."
Announcements
Bryant Wallace –
It is Rotary's Birthday on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. There will be a celebratory party at the Beverly Art Center, 2407 111th St., Chicago, which is the home of the Beverly Rotary Club. We'll put that email out to anybody that wants to come.
The Evanston Noon Club is having a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22, at noon and they're inviting the new executive director for the Evanston Library, Yolanda Wilbur, and it's going to be an opportunity to get a chance to meet her,
Maribeth McClery gave a report on the Global grant in partnership with Global Kampala. The grant is for economic development and child health care in Kampala.
Neil Gambow offered club members the chance to join the scribe ranks to help with the weekly newsletter. Doing the newsletter takes about 90 minutes each time you do it and it only happens once a month – tops. Anyone interested should contact Joan Borg. We need the help, as a few of our scribes have dropped off because of extenuating circumstances in their lives.
Roasts and Boasts
Jackie Mackboasted Bryant Wallace for talking with her niece’s boyfriend to give him hope and encouragement.
Susan Prout roasted herself because she forgot we were meeting in Sherman Plaza and actually went to the RI building instead.
Program - Oliver Ruff - OAC
Mr. Ruff is an educator who retired after serving 36 years as a K-12 teacher, assistant principal, and was a professional development consultant with Northeastern Illinois University, principal, mentor for teachers and principals, and an educational consultant.
He has a deep passion for serving people and helping youngsters and students reach their educational aspirations. His goal has always been to help obtain equitable and relevant educational parity for all students, especially students who have been underserved or overlooked for whatever reason. His motto is “High Expectations. No Exceptions. No Excuses."
Mr. Rupp told us about his upbringing in Georgia and his arrival in Evanston. He is a product of the District 65 school system and Evanston Township High School. Upon retirement from the education community, he was given a cash award and decided to put that money to use giving scholarships to underserved youth heading off to college.
Along the way, he started a non-profit organization, www.oac.org, to grow the scholarships from $100 to the current level of $1,000. Any student receiving a scholarship is guaranteed that amount for four years upon proving they are enrolled in their college of choice.
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