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Russell Hampton
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Upcoming Events
Young Leaders Committee
Via Zoom
Sep 15, 2021
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
 
Evanston Lighthouse Beach Cleanup
Sep 18, 2021
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
TASTE OF EVANSTON
Sep 19, 2021
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
International Service Committee (ISC)
Via Zoom
Sep 20, 2021
7:15 AM – 8:30 AM
 
Leadership Team Meeting
Northwestern University Ford Building
Sep 22, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Tree Planting at Twiggs & Butler Parks
Twiggs Park gazebo east of Ecology Center
Oct 02, 2021
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Community Service Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Oct 12, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Club Service Committee - Zoom
Zoom
Oct 13, 2021
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
 
International Service Committee (ISC)
Via Zoom
Oct 18, 2021
7:15 AM – 8:30 PM
 
Club Service Committee - Zoom
Zoom
Nov 10, 2021
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
 
View entire list
Meeting Notes from September 14, 2021
The Light for September 14, 2021
 
By Kate Collinson
 
President Linda Gerber welcomed members to the meeting before Rebeca Mendoza led the group in the Why We Are Rotarians statement.  Rebeca also shared a Thought/Word for the Day – ancestors, citing a Native American proverb. “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors.  We borrow it from our children.”   Are we being good ancestors?  Rebeca stressed the importance of being mindful of the earth and what we’re leaving our children. 
 
Announcements
 
Bruce Baumburger congratulated Thor Davidson of the Rotary Club of Wheaton on his recent selection as District 6440 Governor for the 2024-2025 club year.  Thor joined us at our meeting, feeling “a little overwhelmed,” but excited to work with the clubs of our district and the governor line.  Having been a Rotarian in three states, he described District 6440 as exceptional!  We will be seeing Thor again on Sunday when he volunteers at Taste of Evanston.  Past DG Suzanne Gibson and husband Mark, and Rotary International President-Elect Jennifer Jones and husband Nick Krayacich, will also be volunteering this Sunday to make TOE successful!  
 
Chair Bill Glader thanked everyone who has been involved in the TOE planning process.  At this point, the most important thing Rotarians can do is SELL TICKETS!  They are available online and at the event!
 
Volunteer Chair Gary Peterson announced that he would be sending out a schedule to all TOE volunteers on Tuesday.  It’s critical that every volunteer check the full schedule -- even if they’ve done so before -- because assignments may have changed.  Please let Gary know via email if you have a problem with your assignment!
 
TOE Sponsorship Chair Randy Usen thanked those who have provided leads to his team.  At present, we are only about 10 percent short of our Sponsorship goal of $50,000.   This represents a very impressive performance during a difficult time!
 
MaLu Simon explained that we would be checking for proof of vaccination (vax card or mobile/digital version) at the entrance to the event.  In addition, vendors and volunteers in the food tent will be required to wear masks.  Attendees are encouraged to ‘mask up’ when gathering items in the food tent.  Masks may be removed while eating and drinking, of course.  Please adhere to these policies to ensure a safe and successful event!
 
With TOE parking a likely issue on a busy Sunday afternoon, Bruce Baumberger explained that Rotary International will allowing parking for TOE participants in its garage at One Rotary Center.  A van will shuttle people from the garage to the Dawes House from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Email details about the shuttle service will be sent to all participants. 
 
In the Q & A period after the meeting, Keith Banks (who had been experiencing technical difficulties) thanked the ELRC for its support of TOE in recent years.    A new member as well as Executive Director of Reba Place Development Corp., Keith knows firsthand the difference that our dollars have made to the affordable housing scene in Evanston. RPDC is partnering with Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) on a 30-unit project that has nearly doubled in cost during the planning stages.  Rotary TOE dollars have helped fund the pre-development (architecture, legal, etc.) portion of this important project. In Keith’s words, “May TOE live forever, meeting the humanitarian needs of the Evanston community through affordable housing!”
 
Steve Goranson encouraged available Rotarians to help on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, with the Alliance for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Beach Clean-up.  The ELRC is the event sponsor, but all are welcome.  If possible, please register on our club’s website – www.evlrc.org.
 
Chris Joyce announced that the Young Leaders Committee meeting will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 8 a.m. on Zoom.  The discussion will include an update on Rotary youth activities and service opportunities with the ELRC (tree planting, beach clean-up, etc.)  All are welcome!
 
Major Donor Recognition

Evanston Lighthouse Rotarian Steve Goranson was recently recognized as a Rotary International Level 1 Major Donor for his ongoing and substantial financial contributions to the Rotary Foundation.  As Bruce Baumberger explained, Steve received an engraved crystal paperweight and a diamond Rotary pin in appreciation for his life-changing contributions and their legacy of hope. 
 
Steve joins other Major Donors from our Club – Louis Allred, Bruce Baumberger, Steve Carlson, Linc Janus, Sam Lovering, John & Ann Searles, and Chip Uchtmann.   RI designates a member as a Major Donor when his or her cumulative contributions to the organization exceed $10,000. When asked why he contributes to The Rotary Foundation, Steve cited the seven areas of focus – peace, disease prevention, water/sanitation, health, education, economic development, environment – that closely align with his personal priorities. 
 
The oldest, most prestigious service club in the world, Rotary also has among the lowest administrative costs of any nonprofit.  There are many ways to give to TRF (from monthly giving to bequests).  All are important -- and the funds come back to our club for future projects.  As Steve explained, you can trust the Rotary Foundation to spend wisely.  Please consider at least an annual contribution (Every Rotarian, Every Year). Congratulations, Steve, for serving as a wonderful example of generosity!
 
Program
 
Topic:  Rotary’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives
 
Speaker: Nicole Jones, RI Membership Engagement Supervisor
 
Rebeca Mendoza introduced Nicole Jones, RI Membership Engagement Supervisor.  With a BA in International Studies and Political Science from University of Wisconsin Madison and a Masters in Public Service Management, Nicole began her career at Northwestern University.  In 2011 she joined Rotary International where she has worked in Membership Development and Regional Membership, currently overseeing a global team of regional membership officers who support Rotary leaders.   Nicole is well-placed to provide a Rotary Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) update. 
 
Why is DEI important?  Reasons vary.  Rotary International is a global organization with diversity present in its membership.  Diversity has long been a core value of Rotary.  Rotarians represent many cultures, but is Rotary reaching all those who might have an interest in participating?  Are Rotary’s members treated equitably and inclusively?  The world is having a reckoning moment.  It is the perfect time for Rotary to pause, reflect, and improve experiences for members,  potential members, and the global community.
 
In January 2019, the Rotary International Board adopted Rotary’s DEI Statement.  In September 2020, Rotary formed an incredibly diverse 11-person DEI Task Force that is charged with shaping a comprehensive action plan with achievable, measurable, and meaningful outcomes.  The group “hit the ground running,” forming a number of important working groups (Culture, Policy, Education/Learning) with PWC as external consultant.  The task force looked at Rotary’s DEI Statement and built upon it, creating Rotary’s DEI Commitment: 
 
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
 
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
 
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
 
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
 
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
 
Notably, this commitment appreciates the importance of all individuals, with visible and invisible qualities, that may have been a barrier to participating in Rotary. RI also seeks to advance equity within our (global & local) community partners.
 
The Task Force also created the first Rotary global DEI survey. Questions needed to be careful and strategic, as different countries have different norms and assumptions.  Feedback from the survey has been very helpful in evaluating the state of DEI at Rotary and identifying priorities moving forward.
 
Guests and Milestones
 
Visiting Rotarians
 
Evelyn Lee, Rotary Club of Evanston
Donna Gulley, Rotary Club of Northbrook
Thor Davidson, newly selected District Governor for Club Year 2024-2025
 
Other Guests
 
Brien Johnson, a prospective member and guest of Don Gwinn
 
Birthdays
 
Gerry Baumann – Sept. 15
Louis Allred – Sept. 19
Linc Janus – Sept. 19
 
 
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