Stories

• Supported  St. Anne's proposed home for refuge girls through garden clean-up and planting, and donation of needed items. (ongoing)
• Supplied the Wheeling Township Food Pantry with over 1400 dozen eggs and 1000 blocks of cheese throughout the year, shopping and making deliveries 3 times each month.
• Helped with construction on the Nyakijumba Primary School in Kabale Uganda (January) and helped fund its continuing construction (May)
• Conducted vision screenings in area schools and provided dozens of low income students with prescription glasses.
• Partnered with Arlington Cares at the Share the Love Food Drive (February)
• Provided Easter baskets for WINGS (March)
• Provided new shoes for local elementary students (April)
• Packed food at Feed My Starving Children (May)
• Issued Global Awareness grants to area high schools that supported international exchanges, model UN, and cultural awareness programs
• Handed out water at the Memorial Day parade ceremony (May)
• Partnered with Rolling Meadows Interactors to pack Thanksgiving baskets (November)
• Supported the Wheeling Township Food Pantry with two special "summer shops." (July)
• Volunteered in the food pantry at the Community Resource Center
• Handed out candy at Trunk or Treat (October)
• Prepared and served dinner at the IMD Guest House (once a quarter)
• Collected jams and jellies for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry (October)
• Collected baking supplies for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry (November)
• Collected coats for the Community Resource Center  (December)
• Helped to fund Eagle Scout projects 
• Bought holiday gifts for needy families (December)
• Funded Shelterbox
• Funded global grants in Uganda (Maternal and Child Health), Cambodia (WASH), Nepal (Education/Technology)
• Awarded Community Grants to Connection to Care, District 214 Educational Foundation, Greener Good, Hopeful Beginnings, Kindred Life, Northwest Compass, NSSEO Foundation, Special Leisure Services Foundation
• Supported the Ak'Tenamit school in Guatemala

In 2021, we adopted a new vision:  Service Above Self- Locally and Internationally.  While there are sure to be oversights,  this is a list of how we spent our time, talent, and resources in support of this vision in 2022:

• Supplied the Wheeling Townhip Food Pantry with over 1400 dozen eggs and 1000 blocks of cheese throughout the year
• Conducted vision screenings in area schools (February and November)
• Partnered with Arlington Cares at the Share the Love Food Drive (February)
• Volunteered at Rahab's Daughters "Brave this is Me" workshop (April)
• Provided Easter baskets for WINGS (April)
• Packed food at Feed My Starving Children (May)
• Refurbished the el Rodeo school in Guatemala (April)
• Partnered with Rolling Meadows Interactors to pack Thanksgiving baskets (November)
• Bought holiday gifts for needy families (December)
• Partnered with Kiwanis to sort books for Bernie's Book Bank (November)
• Handed out candy at Trunk or Treat (October)

Imagine Rotary” is the 2022-23 presidential theme that RI President-elect Jennifer Jones revealed on 20 January. She is asking Rotary members to dream big and take action: “We all have dreams, but acting on them is a choice. Imagine a world that deserves our best, where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.” 

The logo for the theme was designed by Riki Salam, an Australian artist and graphic designer specializing in contemporary Indigenous art, design, and communications. He also created the 2023 Rotary International Convention logo which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, thus connecting the two by a shared visual language.   

Meaning of the design elements

There is, of course, a deeper meaning behind each element of the design. 

Hello Ms. Baker,

On August 8, 2019, we all really enjoyed the presentation of our lunch speaker Kevin Kuhn of the Forest Preserves Cook County.  His engaging style and interesting topic prompted many questions from the attendees. The Forest Preserves is comprised of approximately 72,000 acres of ecologically diverse land in Cook County, and covers approximately 10% of all land in Cook County. The most well-known properties of the Forest Preserves are Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanical Gardens. The Forest Preserves is primarily concerned with a conservation plan for the next century, which will restore the Preserves habitat, especially the restoration of native plants that are under attack from invasive plant species. The first step is to restore 30,000 acres of land in the next 25 years, and if the land is restored, animals will return, including bald eagles, turtles, and birds. The Forest Preserves depends heavily upon donations from partners and help from volunteers, including volunteer trail watchers, whose slogan is “ if you see something, say something“.

In our Foundation minute, Mary Jablonsky told us how the Rotary Foundation can enable small clubs or small projects grow into ones having even larger impact.  Our fundraiser “Duffer”/Northwest Special Recreation Association golf outing is shaping up well; contact Brian Meyer to volunteer, sponsor or arrange a foursome.  Finally, please do your best the August 20 meeting: a good crowd will add to the impact of the special honors our club is giving to Rotarian and retired AH Police Chief Jerry Mourning and our Village President, Tom Hayes. 

• Effective July 1, we will be changing the timing of our billing.  Instead of billing in arrears, we will bill in advance.  As a result of this change members will receive two bills in July-  one for the last quarter and one for the upcoming quarter.  If you have questions about this, please contact Dave Weiner or incoming treasurer Harry Vaswani.

• There is still time to sign up for the New Membership Event on Wednesday, May 22 at the Arlington Ale House.  Although targeted for newer members, all members are invited to attend.  In addition to fellowship, Joe Musolino will be sharing information on the Rotary Foundation.
• Sue Duchek is looking for generous Rotarians who would like to support Salute by joining the Mayor’s Challenge.  (Mayor Hayes will donate $5 for every person who beats his time in the Salute 5k/10k.)  If you are interested in joining Picket Fence, please contact Sue.

• Wendy Davis reported that Viator House has several opportunities for volunteers.  If you are interested in finding out more, contact Wendy.
• Jason Ivy announced that he is putting together an order for Russell-Hampton.  If you have lost your Rotary pin and want a replacement (or a back-up) let Jason know.
• Mary Kendall reminded everyone of the opportunity to do a service project with the District’s Youth Exchange students on April 25.   It will be at Moretti’s Ristorante in Mt. Prospect from 6:30 to 8:30.   If you are interested, sign-up on line or contact Mary.

• Our “first Thursday social event” for April will be held on Wednesday, April 3 at Peggy Kinnane’s at 5:30.   Please register if you are planning to attend.
• There WILL be a meeting on April 4^th.  
• Karen Baker announced that the Community Services committee had approved the purchase of one month’s worth of groceries for Viator House.

Cmdr. Joseph Pinnello and officer Andrew Gatz were honored as co-recipients  -- the first time there's been a tie in the 30-year history of the recognition.  Pinnello was the point man on the village's Community Addiction and Recovery Effort, which launched last July to connect residents who abuse opioids with local resources. 

In the photo, In the photo, officer Gatz accepts one of the awards.  His boss, Chief Gerald Mourning, said the young officer has "all the traits of a great leader...Gatz has devoted his personal time to training probationary officers and is known for his high level of professionalism", Chief Mourning said.  To read more about these officers, what motivates them, and the programs they have supported, click here.  [Story and photo are courtesy of The Daily Herald (Christopher Placek and Joe Lewnard). ]

• Our club will be supporting Hawks Care, a new program at Harper College that offers students free food, personal hygiene supplies, school supplies, lunch/grocery/gas cards and other resources.  Betsy Kmicek is looking for volunteers for next week to help with shopping for needed items.  If interested, contact Betsy.
• There is a volunteer opportunity to assist Midwest Blind Bowlers March 15-17 at Arlington Lanes.  For more information or details contact Karen Baker.
• Mary Kendall has two volunteer opportunities with Junior Achievement:   She is looking for Career Day speakers for Friday, March 22 from 8-11:30 at St. Peter’s.  She is also looking for weekly volunteers to teach a Junior Achievement class to kindergarteners.  If you are interested in volunteering, contact Mary Kendeall.
• The Rotary Book Club is meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 at Sue Ducheck’s house.  This month’s book is The Underground Railroad by Colin Whithead.  This is open to any interested Rotarian.
• The annual Calderwood Luncheon will be held on March 9 at Rolling Green.  If you are planning to attend, you must register by end of business on February 25^th.  We would like a good turnout for this annual event honoring the Arlington Heights police officer of the year.
• Congratulations to Mary Jablonsky, who was awarded with a “Paul Harris + 3.”

• Friday, November 30 is the last day to sign up for the Holiday Party at Rolling Green on December 6^th.  There will be no regular meeting that day.
• We still need volunteers for Holiday Gift Shopping on December 9th.  This year we will be buying gifts for 12 families/50 people.  As in years past everyone will meet at Target on Rand Rd. at 9 am.  Unlike years past, this year’s post purchase wrapping will be at Peggy K.  You can sign up on line, or contact Neil Scheufler.

• Next week’s First Thursday Meeting will be a celebrity cook-off at Waverly Inn.  Spouses, as well as prospective members are invited to attend.   Registration is required.  Deadline for registration is next Wednesday.
• Jon is looking for volunteers to help pass out Santa Run postcards at Trunk or Treat.  Friday, October 26^th from 6-8:15.  Contact Jon for details.
• DECA service opportunity.  DECA is a national business role playing competition where students compete individually or in teams of 2 in a variety of business disciplines.  Judges are wanted for the practice competition (Friday Nov. 16,  8am-1pm at Forest View Educational Center), the District competition (Friday, Jan. 25, 7:30 am -12:30pm at the Stephens convention center).  If you are interested in finding out more about this, contact Chuck Frankiewicz.
• The District is looking for Salvation Army bell ringers for Friday, Dec. 7 at Woodfield Mall.  Family members are welcome.  Glenn Garlick is looking for tentative commitments by Monday, October 29. 
• Invitations to the holiday party at Rolling Green are out.  Please RSVP.

• The technical term for prisoner is offender
• 95% of offenders will be released, but 43% will be reincarcerated.  Of those reincarcerated, 19% will be convicted of a new crime, and the remainder will be sent back on a technicality.
• The US incarcerates more people than any other country in the world.  In Illinois we currently have 40,000 inmates.
• In Illinois, inmates must have someone claim their clothes and possessions within 30 days of incarceration or they will be thrown out.  As a result most offenders are released in grey sweats with canvas shoes and $ 10.  
• The prison population is disproportionately minority and poor.

• Everyone that is signed up for the End of Summer BBQ is asked to bring a donation of paper goods for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry. 
• Registration for the Santa Run is open.
• One Rotary Summit will take place on October 20^th at Harper College.  It is a training day that is open to all Rotarians.
• The First Rotary Reads volunteer opportunity will be Wednesday, September 26^th.  Please email Marc Poulos if you can attend.

• Don’t forget that there is no meeting next week.  Instead of our regular lunch meeting, we will be meeting at Peggy Kinane’s from 6-8 pm for our “First Thursday” social networking.  Registration is required.  If you have not yet registered, you can sign up by clicking here.
• The club is exploring ways that our club can financially assist victims of the recent River Trails fire in Prospect Heights both through the District and directly as a club.  For those wishing to provide hands on assistance, here are two opportunities to help sort and stock shelves with clothing and other items that have been donated:
  • Ruffalo’s Grocery at the corner of Palatine Rd. and Milwaukee.  Friday, July 28 10:00 am
  • River Trails Condo Association Building, 811 Apple Dr, Lower Level,  Prospect Heights,  Friday July 28 9am- 9pm.
• The Chicagoland Korean Club will be celebrating their 10^th Anniversary with an evening of traditional Korean entertainment to be held at Christian Heritage Academy, Northfield. The reception will start at 4:00 PM with a light meal of  Korean cuisine followed by the performance at 6:00 PM.  One of their sponsors has made it  possible to offer special discounted tickets for all Rotarians to promote  Korean music and dance.  ($10 for the performance, $30 for the performance and reception).  If you are interested in attending, please contact John Kim Johnkim797@yahoo.com.
• Volunteers and foursomes are still needed for the golf outing on September 13.   There will not be a regular meeting that day due to the golf outing, so if you are not a golfer, please plan to volunteer.  See Brian Meyer for more information.

On July 19, 2018 the speaker at our Rotary club lunch meeting with Beth Mosher, the Director of Public Affairs for AAA Auto Club.  AAA was founded in 1902 and now consists of 30 affiliated clubs across the US.  AAA has 58 million members, which is 25% of all drivers, and is the largest paid membership organization and United States.  AAA is involved in insurance, banking, travel planning, discount and rewards programs, driver education, and traffic safety.

The AAA traffic safety foundation focuses on driving and traffic safety for kids, teens, and seniors.  The kids program includes a focus on car seat installation and safety, the school safety patrol program, bicycle and helmet safety and the new bike repair program.  The foundation’s senior program focuses on keeping seniors on the road as long as safely possible, and the CarFit program that familiarizes seniors with the updated technology and basic equipment of cars.

The foundation’s teen program includes significant research regarding distracted driving, which has revealed several levels of “mental distractions”.  Mild distractions include the car radio and audiobooks, and moderate distractions include talking on mobile phones. The most dangerous distractions include the use of voice activated texting systems.  The foundation’s research has shown that these voice activated systems create, rather than cure, safety problems primarily because of the cognitive distraction that occurs when using the systems.  AAA works with automobile manufacturers to make the systems safer.  Teens are the most at risk group, and the foundation’s research shows that the biggest distraction among teens isn’t a teen drivers use of a mobile phone while driving, but rather the presence of other teens in the car.

More information can be found at https://www.aaa.com. 

• Do you know a Rotarian, (or non-Rotarian) who you would like to recognize at this year’s Installation Dinner?  Time is running out to submit your recommendation.   President Jim Thomson is accepting forms until next Tuesday’s Board meeting.  Click here to download a form.
• THERE WILL BE NO MEETING ON THURSDAY, JUNE 14.  Instead new officers and directors will be sworn in at the Installation Dinner on Saturday, June 16.  Registration for the Installation Dinner closes at noon on Friday, June 8.   If you’re reading this after June 8, please note there will be no accommodations for late registrations or walk-ins.
• Mary Kendall is looking for volunteers to teach financial literacy to elementary students on June 26 from 9am- 12pm.   She will provide training for the volunteers.  If you’re interested in volunteering or learning more, please contact Mary.
• The Elk Grove Rotary Fest is next  week.  They can use volunteers as well as guests.

The speakers at our May 31, 2018 Rotary lunch were Mike Kerley of Road Home, the Care Center for Veterans and their Families at Rush University Medical Center, and Danny C., a veteran and participant in Road Home programs.  Mike is the Road Home outreach manager and described how service members have been impacted by the invisible wounds of war. Since 9/11, over 2 million service members have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 850,000 of those deployed have been deployed at least twice; 31% of those deployed suffer from PTSD or a similar war-induced mental health issue.  As many as 20 veterans per day commit suicide, and between 2005-2009 an active duty service member committed suicide every 36 hours.  The goal of Road Home is to provide the necessary care to service members and their families to heal the invisible wounds of war and reduce these statistics.  One of the major programs of Road Home is the intensive outpatient program (IOP), which is a three-week in patient program that includes a holistic approach (including yoga and nutrition), individual therapy, and group therapy.  The final week of IOP involves the participation of family members that will have the biggest impact on the participant’s healthy recovery.

Danny C. delivered an emotional message about Road Home that left us all speechless.  He spoke of his combat experiences in Afghanistan and how those experiences have resulted in significant post dramatic stress disorder for him.  In short, Danny’s life and relationships were destroyed as a result of his experiences in Afghanistan, and he has found that only Road Home allowed him to be able to start to recover.  In Danny’s words, Road Home “saved his life.”  Especially helpful to Danny was the education he received at Road Home about his symptoms from people who really cared, and even the fact that the Road Home chaplain is ex-special forces.  Rotary members can help Road Home by completing IOP participant welcome bags (we stuffed 100 bags after lunch), volunteering for IOP outings, donating funds to host dinners at the IOP guest house, and donating tickets to area sporting and cultural events.  For more information, see https://roadhomeprogram.org/

• Thank you, Wendy Davis: members signed thanks/acknowledgement cards for veterans, and will be inserted into Welcome Bags to vets who participate in the “Road Home” program at Rush Hospital, administered by fellow Rotarian Will Beiersdorf.
• EG Rotary Event reminder: The Elk Grove Rotary Fest will take place June 13^th- June 18^th.
• Conversation and driving for some visitors from India, please contact Linda Borton.  Planned itinerary (see “more” for description).  .
• Mark the Date for President-Elect Jon Ridler’s induction dinner, June 14 !  There won’t be a noon meeting.
• Kerry Pearson asked for school supplies and suit cases so that the Prospect High Rotary Interact Club can send needed items to Africa and make them available to low income kids in our own area.  Contact Kerry for more info.
• Brian Meyer found a meaningful experience in Mock Interviews at South Jr. High, noting he used the occasion to let students know of the High School Rotary Interact clubs and the good work they do.  Other Rotarians participate in the “interview” too and have said it’s a very meaningful break from our busy business days.  Thanks, Brian for your involvement
• Bob (Larsen) Paddock was happy to have celebrated Norwegian Constitution Day, and for the several Lisagor Awards won by the Daily Herald staff for journalistic excellence.
• Jon Ridler was both happy and resigned for the upcoming college life of his daughter.
• For changes for our meetings and membership procedures, see 5/17 Board Meeting Notes in story below.
• Fine Master of Happiness (and good posture), Dr. Joe Musolino, entertained us and garnered fees for charity via today’s Rotary Quiz. To see if you know the answers, read "more".

• The Elk Grove Rotary Fest will take place June 13^th- June 18^th.
• Board Updates
  • The Club and our Foundation are in good shape financially.  The Club is essentially at budget for the year.   The Foundation, in spite of starting the year with a budgeted deficit is now projected to increase its reserves by a significant amount.
  • Each year the Club is eligible to apply for District Designated Funds (“DDF”)to support a club based project.  For the past few years we have applied and used our DDF to fund the George and Marion Harris Book Scholarships.  Next year, we will be taking a different direction and will apply our DDF funds to support the Wheeling Township and Harper College food pantries.
  • In keeping with Rotary’s focus as a non-denominational service organization that is welcoming to people of all faiths, the Board has decided to replace the weekly invocation with 10 seconds of silence for individual prayer and reflection.
• Volunteers are needed for the Memorial Day Parade to help pass out water at the beginning of the parade and afterward at the ceremony at Memorial Park.   Anyone who is interested should contact Jon Ridler.
• Jon Ridler, our incoming President, discussed some new things that will be coming up next year as he starts his term:
  • The Installation Dinner will be June 16^th at Big Shots.  Invitations will be going out soon.
  • The Club will be piloting a new membership level, where members will only pay for the meals at the meetings they attend at the time of the meeting.  Members wishing to continue to pay dues under the current method will still be able to.
  • In order to encourage more club fellowship, the first Thursday of each month will be an afterhours social event instead of the regular Thursday meeting.

The speaker at our April 26 lunch meeting was Michael Brandson, an educator and personal coach at the Northwest Community Hospital Wellness Center.  Michael spoke about the impact of aging (sarcopenia), and the benefits that postural awareness and resistance training can have on reducing the effects of aging.  The physical effects of aging start at age 24 and accelerate quickly, especially after age 50.  After age 50, aging-related risk factors include obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and deterioration of leg and hip musculature.  However, with resistance training (the medicine against aging) many of the risks and health problems associated with aging are preventable and reversible.  Recent studies have shown that a longer lifespan is also a benefit of resistance training.  With the impact of aging on our musculature and metabolism, focus bracing in our posture is increasingly important.  If certain critical joints or body segments are not stable, movement becomes difficult and potentially harmful or impossible. 

To improve and control your posture, Michael suggested a bracing sequence, in which you straighten your feet on the floor, squeeze your butt cheeks, inhale then exhale, draw in your navel, and brace your abs; then press out your chest, press your shoulders back and favor your elbows in, place your head up and back and tuck your chin in; then breathe diaphragmatically, with rhythm.  Michael’s essential resistance training exercises are the bridge, plank, squat (or leg press), row, chest press (or push-up), step up, lat pull down (or pull up), lunge, shoulder press, and the dead lift.  Michael called us all to engage in a wellness action plan that includes postural awareness/bracing, and flexibility and balance training every day, cardio training five days per week for 35 minutes per day, strength training at least two days per week.

For more information you can reach Michael at 847-618-3647 or by email at mbrandson@nch.org.

On April 12, 2018, the speakers at our Rotary lunch were Nicole Espinoza and David Robb of the Social Services Division of the Village of Arlington Heights.  Nicole is the Social Services Coordinator, and David is the Disability Services Coordinator.  The Social Services Division recently shifted its focus to a holistic or wellness approach that doesn’t look only at the specific need or event that prompted an individual to seek assistance, but rather evaluates all of the potential needs of the individual and utilizes connections with many partners in the community to provide services to individuals of all ages and demographics.  The holistic approach includes a mental health assessment, which is initiated for all individuals who contact the division.  The division also now provides referrals to and a payment subsidy for outside counseling services for individuals who need specialized treatment.  The division also is actively involved in crisis intervention with the Village police and fire departments when mental health issues are involved, and training of police and fire professionals to deal with mental health issues.  Division services also include an emergency assistance fund to provide temporary or short term hardship funds, the holiday assistance program, and other programs.  In his role as Disability Services Coordinator, David Robb is actively involved in assuring that the facilities, programs and services offered in the Village are accessible to the disabled.  He also counsels with local businesses to make their own businesses more accessible on a voluntary basis, as well as investigating complaints regarding lack of accessibility.

Our club regularly contributes to and participates in Social Services Division programs such as the Thanksgiving baskets, gift cards, holiday giving program, and the immunization clinic.

On March 1, 2018 our Rotary lunch speaker was Rhonda Serafin, the manager of Adult and Family Literacy at High School District 214 Community Education, the recipient of a recent Rotary grant.  Rhonda spoke about the new high school equivalency certificate (formerly known as the GED).  The GED was revised in 2014 to ensure that those that pass the test have the skills and knowledge necessary to take the next critical steps in their lives.  The GED contains subtests for reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, and is offered in Palatine, Evanston, Crystal Lake and Chicago.  District 214 Community Education received a grant from our Rotary Club in the amount of $1938, which was used to purchase vouchers that allow students to purchase practice tests and pay the $30 fee to take the GED exam.  Without these vouchers many students would not be able to practice for or take the exam.  Testing services estimate that only 60% of current high school graduate would pass the GED.  If you’d like to take a free practice GED test for yourself, visit the following websites:  https://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/freepracticetest, or https://www.4tests.com/ged

On February 1, 2018, the speakers at our rotary lunch meeting were Cheryl Wendt and Patty Homan, both of Lutheran Life Communities.  Today we learned how music was able to change lives through a grant from Rotary.  Lutheran Life Communities used the grant it received from Rotary to fund its Songs By Heart program.  The Songs By Heart program was created by Nancy Gustafson and brings music to Alzheimer’s patients at many senior communities, and is entirely funded by private donations.  The program utilizes the power of music to teach, transform and heal.  The Rotary donation brought the Songs By Heart program to Lutheran Life Communities 20 times for the enjoyment of Alzheimer’s and memory care patients and their families.

Paddy closed the lunch with a terrific performance of the Irish classic “Danny Boy“ sung in both English and Irish languages, which certainly changed our lives, at least for a little while on a cold Thursday.

• It's almost here! Register for Valentine’s Day luncheon, to express appreciation for those special/significant guest(s).  It’s next week …Cooper’s Hawk will have a special menu and Metropolis will supply a comedian.  [Will the comedian be as good as our Fine Masters? Attend to find out.  ]
• If you want to attend the next club board meeting, you of course can.  It’s this coming Tuesday, 2/13, 11:30 a.m.. at the Double Tree here on Algonquin.
• Thank you, Mary Stitt, for reminding us to bring paper products next Thursday.  The supplies will be taken to the Elk Grove Township food pantry; food stamp recipients can’t use their stamps for basics like toilet paper.
• Training will be 2/17 at Harper, a week from Saturday.  It will include grants and use of social media.  See the District website for sign up and more information www.rotary6440.org
• Save the dates, 5/17 to 5/20, for the nearby and especially enjoyable District Conference at the world-class Blue Harbour Resort along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  See the Dist. website for more.
• Remember, on 3/8/18, don’t come Cooper’s lunch meeting! [you'd have to pay for your own meal and do without Rotary fellowship. : )  ]  The special Calderwood luncheon honouring our police and the Officer of the Year will be held at Ditka’s.  Sign up on our website very soon since a good early count is needed; the event fills up quickly.

• Save the Date – March 8, 2018 – for the Officer-of-the-Year Award is given by the family of deceased former A.H. Police Chief and Rotarian, L.W. Calderwood, as a way to recognize excellence in the police dept. as well as preserve the legacy of Chief Calderwood.  The Arlington Heights Rotary Club has had the honor of hosting this annual luncheon and ceremony as a way to support our town's police department and recognize the contributions of a former Rotarian.
• Consider going to the International Convention in Toronto June 24- June 28.  And closer to home, the District Conference will be May 17-20 at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan.  For more information see other entries/links on this website page.
• Birthdays for December and January were celebrated with cake (thanks Sheila) and song.  And our special thanks go to their sponsors for making the club stronger...bringing in these fine members!  For the list, read More.

1. Where does Rt. 66 Start here in Chicago?
2. The Willis (Sears) Tower has one of the fastest elevators in the country; how fast does it go?
3. First TV station in Chicago to broadcast completely in color?
4. Approximately how many museums are there in Chicago?
5. 9/26/60 was the date of a broadcast in Chicago which was the first of its kind.

Announcements and happy fines-

• The District Conference will be in Sheboygan this year, and should be a great time.  To encourage attendance, the Club will pay $ 100 toward the cost for up to a limited number of attendees.  If you are interested, see Jim for more information.
• The Rotary International Convention will be held in Toronto from June 24- June 28.  Registration is open, and the District has reserved a block of rooms.  For more information check the district website:  www.rotary6440.org.

Several Rotarians are starting the New Year with happiness:  Mike Clements celebrating his new home inspection business, and soliciting sponsors for the Lions Club’s Chili Cook-off, Dave Weiner, who made it to the meeting after arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday, and Kris Neimann, who is on the road to recovery after spending Christmas in the emergency room with the flu.   Bob Paddock and Bill Kmiecik- happy to see each other, and Wendy Davis who talked Dave into going on the District service trip to Guatemala. 

 

Finemistress Millie Palmer testing our knowledge of New Year's Eve movies

• President Jim Thomson shared a Thank You from the Wheeling Township Food Pantry for the Thanksgiving baskets donated by the club.  
   
• Jim also reported that the preliminary financials from the Santa Run show a net income of $ 60,000 + and thanked everyone for their help in making this year’s Run a big success.   He went on to report that the Club is on budget year-to-date, and that the Foundation is currently $ 40,000 ahead of budget, a situation that is partially based on timing. 
   
• David Jaffe thanked everyone for attending the Holiday party last week, and gave a special shout-out to everyone who brought a toy for our Toys for Tots donation.
   
• Ron Crawford announced that he could use some hands to help with the annual bike distribution.  It will be held on Saturday, December 16 at old Chamber office by Village Bank on Arlington Heights Road. 

• Santa Run T-Shirts will deliver on the 30^th.  You can order them by contact Linda Borton, bortonsobon@att.net or another member of the SantaRun Committee.  As of Monday we’ve had more pre-registrations than in any other year at this time -- about 80 ahead of last year.  Don’t forget to volunteer – it’s fun and a help to the club!
• Like good cake? Good speakers?  Sign up sheets were passed around for responsibilities in coming months.  Help the club by contacting our club administrator Dave Jaffe for more info, david.jaffe@cbexchange.com.
• Our holiday party is Th, 12-7, 5:30 p.m. (it’s free for members, $35 for guests),  at Cooper’s Hawk.
• The popular holiday shopping for the needy in town has been  bumped back to 12/10, 9 a.m. at Target (Thomas and Rand Roads).  Sue Duchek encouraged us to sign up on line for this family-friendly event.
• No meeting next Thursday, but we will meet 11/30, two days before the Santa Run on 12/7.
• Few Birthdays but Great Cake!  Karen Banker may not have found many birthday Rotarians, but did find many who were willing to eat cake.
• Giving Tuesday, or anytime before it !  Mary Jablonski reminded us that Rotary is a philanthropic organization.  She notes that we can participate in our club’s Giving Tuesday, which follows black Friday and Cyber Monday by giving at next meeting, or on line.  If you give, club will give a point for Paul Harris points for each dollar (if you haven’t used your club points, you can get 2 for 1 credits.  Contact Mary for more info -- mljablonsky@comcast.net.  If you go online for this, put your member number in the online form, and indicate “Shared Funds”.  56% of Rotarians don’t have an account on MyRotary.org.  On the site, simply put in your email address.  MyRotary is the international site and is different than ClubRunner.
• Public Image -- Dr. Joe Musolino as public image director encouraged us to take a “selfie” in front of Linda Borton's home: the former club president and current district AG has a Santa Run sign in the yard.  Send your selfie-sign photo to him at drjoemuzz@gmail.com.  It’s the yellow house on Euclid west of the library.  He’ll post it on Facebook and challenge Rotarians (as well as get social media publicity). 
• As the Happy Fine Master, he gave away what some said were “really nice” dollar store turkeys to folks who went to another club to promote our Santa run, and he reminded us of long-time member Judge Ryan’s encouragement for successful fining (happy or otherwise).

• Mary Cay Chisholm was happy to introduce the 9th audiologist at her practice.  And there was happiness to see members of the Whisler and Silverman families with long histories of service and Rotary involvement.
• Bob Arnold – grandson who had one the Santa Run last year is recovering from serious illness, and will be okay.   Bob, expressing thanks to those who contributed,  was also happy about the Journey’s fundraising gala he and his wife Mary Edith had chaired – it was the most successful fund raising gala for Journeys.

"A pair of juniors from Buffalo Grove High School commanded the room last week at the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights lunch meeting.  Lauryn Lintner and Christina Ruterschmidt, both of Arlington Heights, captivated their audience with descriptions of their summer exchange trip taken with Buffalo Grove's German Club to Neu-Ulm, located in the Bavarian region of southern Germany."  For Eileen Daday's full story in the Daily Herald, click http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20171120/rotary-connections-aid-teens-visit-to-germany .  For additional comments from the student's presentation, click "read more".

Daday wrote, "Among the nearly 80 club members in attendance was Mike Silverman himself, who beamed with pride as his granddaughter described her impressions of Germany. But club members pulled out a surprise when they honored Silverman himself, making him an honorary club member for life.  In fact, Silverman and his wife hosted more than one dozen Rotary students over the years, and three of their four children lived overseas through the exchange program, including staying in Sweden and Brazil.  "It's such a great thing, because kids go and find out that everyone around the world is the same."  Club members recognized Silverman and his more than 45 years of service to the club with a standing ovation."  For the complete story, click on the link above, or here.

The new member/ World Polio Day/ Cooking Class event on Wednesday night at Dave’s Specialty Foods was a big success.  Kudos to Jason Ivy and the membership committee for organizing such a great event.  

• Thanks to Kerry Pearson, Bob Paddock, Dave Weiner, Kris Niemann and Ron Crawford who volunteered to man the Club’s Trunk or Treat Booth on Friday night.   They each received a bottle of wine (left over from the new member event) for stepping up.
• Volunteer Registration for the Santa Run is up and running on Clubrunner.  This is an “all hands on deck” event for the club. 
• Thanks to Mary Kendall and the members of the Rolling Meadows Interact Club who volunteered to dress in Santa gear and walk through town delivering Santa Run posters and postcards.
• We are still collecting travel size toiletries.   There is a bin where they are collected by the greeter’s table.

Over the years, the Rotary Santa Run has become a mainstay in our community, and a fun way to help raise money for multiple local charities and international organizations. It’s also been successful. This year’s Rotary Santa Run is celebrating ‘10 Years and Running!’  Kicking off in 2008, the race has grown to include thousands of runners, walkers and reindeer alike, and in that time, the RCAH has raised over $250,000.

At our October 5^th rotary lunch meeting, Phil Zaleski spoke about the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, of which he is Executive Director. The Alliance is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1982 with the mission of fire safety, burn prevention and the support of burn survivors. The Alliance has a staff of three employees, and is guided by a volunteer board of 11 members.  The Alliance is involved in fire prevention education and advocacy, the support of burn survivors, and legislative advocacy in favor of its mission.

The largest program to support burn survivors is Camp I Am Me, which was formerly known as Burn Camp. The camp takes place on 70 acres of a YMCA camp in Ingleside Illinois, and has been the signature program of the Alliance for 27 years. The camp is one week long and draws from state-wide, and attracts burn victims ages 8 to 16 years. The camp involves traditional daily camp activities, as well as activities designed to build the self-esteem of burn survivors. The camp averages approximately 70 campers per year, and has a staff of 60 full-time staff members,.  The staff includes volunteers from fire service, medical personnel and burn survivors and camp alumni.

Alliance programs to support burn survivors also include Family Day, scholarships to the International Burn Survivor Conference, and the Young Adult Summit. Family Day is designed for burn survivors younger than eight years old and is meant to provide an opportunity for families and parents of survivors to interact. The scholarships to the Conference are approximately $2000 per person, and 5 to 6 scholarship recipients are named each year.  The Summit is effectively a continuation of I Am Me Camp for 18 to 25-year-old burn survivors. The Summit includes workshops that are that teach life skills and personal growth for burn survivors. For more information visit www.ifsa.org. 

• Our condolences also go to Jim Thomson on the passing of his father (an Honor-Flight participant last year) and to Jim Hassenplug, on the passing of his father. 
• Mary Stitt of our Community Services Committee asked that we bring basic household supplies to the Steak Fry.  She said that though we give $6,000 to the Wheeling Food Pantry, rules are such that those in need can't get much of such things as toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, napkins, tooth paste.  Please bring such things from home or perhaps from Costco or the like.  Also, keep in mind the box we have at our weekly meetings for those travel toiletry items you collect.
• September is an enjoyable, busy, and important month for us -- the Annual "Steak Fry"/BBQ is Sept. 8 and is now even more affordable – cost of a guest is $30 instead of the previous $50!  And Sept. 14 is our second biggest fund raiser, the Duffer of the Year golf outing in conjunction with NW Special Leisure Services organization.  This  year it's honouring our own Neal Scheufler.  Let’s all make a special effort for this success.  Please sign up for Foursomes, sponsorships, volunteer opportunities and especially dinner even if you’re not playing golf -- it's Fun, Frolics, Fairways and Funds!
• Ron Crawford encouraged us to think about the district’s spring service trip to Guatemala (the Buffalo Grove Club has one too).  There will be an informational meeting 11/1.  Cost is about $1,700 and includes airfare, hotel and meals.  Volunteers will be comfortably housed, and will be hosted/welcomed by local Rotarians (often a very unique experience for visitors).  We'll work at the Ak Tenamit school compound for 4 days and this year will travel to see some remarkable ancient ruins.
• Our guest today was Jennifer Burnidge’s daughter Ashley.  Welcome!
• If you’re not getting the Rotarian Magazine, please let Larry Niemann know ( wl_n550@msn.com ) .  It’s great reading and is paid for through your dues.

The speakers at our lunch meeting on August 10, 2017 were Chuck Frankiewicz and Dave Zuehlke, who both gave their classification speeches.

Chuck spoke about A Soldier's Journey Home, which is an organization that he is associated with that builds homes for veterans that are severely injured in the line of duty. The core of his volunteers are firemen and tradesmen.  The organization has built homes in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Illinois.  After identifying a qualified recipient veteran, the group meets with local village representatives, identifies a general contractor, obtains donations for materials and labor, and (after building the substructure), completes the final construction of the home in an amazing 10 days.  The organization’s largest corporate benefactors are Home Depot, First Midwest Bank, and several large general contractors.  Students from Hersey, Rolling Meadows, and Buffalo Grove High Schools all contribute their time and effort to fundraising and assistance with construction. For more information please see www.soldiersjourneyhome.org.

Dave Zuehlke became a member in January 2017, and is a neighbor of Wendy Davis.  Dave grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and received his bachelor of science and MBA degrees from Michigan State University. Dave is a builder, loves sailing and photography, and includes woodworking, gardening and cooking among his many hobbies. He is also active in the Boy Scouts and his church. Dave’s first career was with Amoco Corporation where he served in financial, accounting and administrative positions in both Detroit and Chicago. His second career, which started after his retirement from Amoco, is in remodeling in maintenance with his son. The focus of their company is in residential, condo associations and senior facilities. 

• Karen Baker asked us to please take a moment to fill out the brief 4-question survey linked below to indicate what type of ‘Local’ Charities you would like us to donate our resources, and how to do so.   We appreciate your valued input. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KMHF7FT
• Jon Ridler said to contact him (jridler@arlingtonhcc.com or  847-253-1703 ) for discounted tickets to the Cubs-Brewers Road Trip and game Saturday, July 29^th, at Miller Park (honor our Veteran friends from Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Madison, Milwaukee and Tomah VA Center).
• Betsy Kmiecik said to feel free to stop by and promote our Santa Run fundraiser at our booth in North School Park, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday 8/1.  Ho, ho, ho…the More the Merrier…here and at the event!
• Congratulations, Ron Crawford, for your contributions to the Rotary Foundation, and for you work for our club as well.  In the photo, Ellen Young, past district governor, acknowledges his efforts with a pin chevron.
• Linda Borton said we need 4-5 volunteers for the next Village Immunization Clinic, Monday, August 14th  from 5:00- 7:00 at the Village Hall.  For info/registration, click here.
• Happiness is wonderful, and may be tax deductible.  Keep in mind our Happy Fines can be put in the green table envelopes for acknowledged credit to the Rotary Foundation (as can our Every Rotarian Every Year $100 donation). 
• Today’s fine Fine Master Ron Walter found shared Happiness from us from the following: Linda Borton (vacationing), Jon Ridler (Chamber’s “Mane Event” booths are all sold!), Millie Palmer (vacationing with family), Ron Crawford ($300 earned through club bike project was given to Rotary Foundation), Ron Walter (Jim’s recovery!  Here, here!).  
• For the Master’s quiz about Facts Which May Surprise You About Your Fellow Club Members, see/click “more”.

In his final Foundation Minute of the year, outgoing Foundation Chair, Jon Ridler, announced a major change for the club.  Effective immediately, we will be discontinuing the “mandatory” $ 4 weekly fine assessment .   Instead, members will be given the opportunity to voluntarily contribute to the Rotary Foundation’s Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY)  program. 

The EREY program recognizes clubs in which every member contributes $100/year to the Rotary Foundation (TRF).  Historically the Club has made an annual donation to TRF on behalf of each club member- a donation which has been financed in part by the weekly fine collections.  Jon and the Foundation committee hope this change will represent a more direct philanthropic connection for club members.  There will be envelopes on the tables each week for anyone who wants to make a cash contribution, or members can write a check to The Rotary Foundation. 

This does not mean the end of finemasters, or fun and frolic.  The finemasters will still be collecting happy fines- and testing our knowledge, but the donations will now be purely voluntary.