President Marv Edelstein welcomed members to the meeting. Club members recited the “Why We Are Rotarians” pledge.

 

 

Mike Merdinger discussed the upcoming ELRC Rotary Youth Leadership Day. The event will be held at One Rotary Center on Friday, Nov. 17, from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Some 60 students from Evanston high schools are expected. Volunteers will be needed. This is a great opportunity for new members to volunteer and see the great work that our club does for local youth and our community. See Ann Whitehead if you are interested in volunteering.

 

John Osterlund noted that November is Rotary Foundation Month. President Marv has challenged our club in two ways. First, the club needs to raise $18,000 this year for the Foundation. Second, he has challenged us to have 100 percent participation by all club members. As an incentive for members who have not become a Paul Harris Fellow, our District will match $500 for everyone who raises $500 or more for the Foundation. This is a great way to become a Paul Harris Fellow. Finally, Dr. Carol Pandak will visit our club on Nov. 28 to update us on the progress of the Rotary polio initiative.

    

Linda Gerber reminded the members to take the online survey which was emailed recently. The purpose of the survey is to determine the club’s expectation of how to balance club charitable contributions between international and local service projects. So far, 27 members have completed the survey.

 

Scott Kaplan made an announcement on behalf of Ken Green. Hams that have been ordered  will be available for pick-up on Nov.  17, probably at Ken’s house.

 

Marisa Naujokas discussed the 2017 Holiday Sale Drive. She discussed the process and noted that new members should reference the recent emails sent out from committee members which discuss the process in detail. She suggested that members talk to herself or Joan Borg if they have any questions.   She also noted that, if we want items for Thanksgiving, the order deadline is Nov. 10, with delivery Nov. 17. There are 500 Paul Harris points available as a special sales incentives, and can be earned in two ways.  First, if a member sells $600 or more, they will be entered in a drawing to win the points. There are four  certificates available. Second, the rookie who sells the most, more than $200, will also receive a certificate for 500 Paul Harris points.

 

Kate Collinson noted that November is hats and gloves month. She will be happy to accept any donations.

 

Kristin Brown discussed her recent visit to Ghana for the West Africa Project. While she was there, she visited Right to Be Free, the anti-human trafficking project, which our club supports. She visited the Accra Rotary Club, and in exchange for our pennant, she received a copy of their songbook.

 

President Marv noted that a nominating committee is being constituted to recommend next year’s officers. Anyone who wishes either to be on the committee or perhaps is interested in an officer position should talk to Marv.

 

 

Ann Searles boasted the Alphawood Gallery at 2401 N. Halsted Ave., Chicago. The Gallery is hosting an exhibit until Nov. 19 on the roundup of Japanese Americans during World War II. It is very important that we see this exhibit.

 

Albert Menard boasted Joanna Gwinn for donating $500 to the Foundation in honor of Don’s 70th Birthday.

 

Brad Weiss boasted the members of the club that were committee chairs during his presidential year for their excellent and hard work and helping to make it a very successful year.

 

 

Immediate Past District Governor Rick Rivkin made a presentation to Immediate Past Club President Brad Weiss of the 2016-2017 Rotary Presidential Citation. Congratulations to Brad and the club for a remarkable Rotary year!

 

 

Kathy Tate-Bradish made a presentation concerning her recent trip to Kenya. An important fact to be aware of is that, while there are 45 tribes in Kenya, the top five largest tribes constitute most of the population. The Kikuyu are the largest and have dominated the political life of the country. Kathy was there during the period between the most recent elections. The August election was invalidated by the Kenya Supreme Court. Uhuru Kenyatta, a Kikuyu and incumbent, won that election. Another election was scheduled for Oct.  22. There were many demonstrations during the period that Kathy was there. Kenyatta won this election with 90 percent of the vote. Kathy also discussed the economic conditions in Kenya, which continue to be not favorable for most of the citizens. A very interesting presentation.

 

 

 

Neil Gambow received the Paul Harris Plus One award from President Marv.

 

 

 

Bill Vernon introduced members of Troop 929, who  updated the club on various items that the Troop is working on. He noted that ELRC is the sponsor of this troop. He also noted that the club recently voted to provide the troop with funds to purchase a new equipment trailer. The current one recently lost its front bumper! Each scout talked briefly on an aspect of the Boy Scout Troop 929 experience that interested them.

 

Dale Liebforth is the Scoutmaster. He noted that ELRC is the chartering and sponsoring organization. They meet twice a month at Haven Middle School. He said that being a Boy Scout is all about learning leadership, and their presentation today might be the first time the Scouts have talked before a group this large. He stated that many of the qualities that Rotary stresses, like honesty and integrity, are equally important to Scouting. 

 

Aiden Vernon spoke about camping. Camping is an important part of the Scouting experience. It is fun, and it teaches you many skills. There are many activities when they camp, like rafting and rock climbing.

 

Wyatt Hubbard spoke about the High Adventure experience. This is a special Boy Scout program that introduces scouts to the great outdoors, and again provides an opportunity to learn life skills. For example, members of the Troop have gone to Philmont Camp in New Mexico, where they went on a 12-day backpacking trip. Another example is a weeklong kayaking trip to the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. 

 

Joe Liebforth talked about their meetings at Haven. These provide a great opportunity for leadership. They plan their own meetings, for example. Each scout will have a job that will help them learn these skills. They discuss opportunities to advance in scouting, for example, by earning merit badges.  The Boy Scout experience is all about leadership and learning life skills.

 

Evan Rudolph discussed service projects that the troop engages in. The troop has helped ELRC with our tree planting project and also work with us on the beach cleaning project. There are other community service projects that they work on as well.

 

Joe Leibforth also talked about Eagle projects. Eagle is the highest scouting rank. A scout attempting to attain the rank of Eagle must create a project that will benefit the community. He plans it in the greatest detail and oversees every aspect.

 

 

 

 

Suzi Howe, Space Center Rotary

Rick Rivkin, Immediate District 6440 PDG, Northbrook Rotary

Antonio Hallage, Curitiba Leste Brazil Rotary

Robert Zinser, Rotary D1860 PDG

Geeta Manek, Muthaiga Kenya Rotary

 

 

Patrick Mbullo, Northwestern University, guest of Kate Collinson and potential new member

 

Guests of Bill Vernon, and members of Boy Scout Troop 429: Dan Rudolph, Joe Leibforth, Evan Rudolph, Aidan Vernon, Sam Hoff, Evan Lindner, Wyatt Hubbard, Dale Liebforth, and Jim Westphal

 

 

Gary Schultz         11 years

Elaine Clemens    8 years

Eric Schmelling    8 years

Lesley Peters       3 years