Club Goals for this Year

President Jim Thomson described his goals for the club this Rotary year.  Key is member engagement through a mix of service, financial resources and fellowship.  We all have various degrees of these resources, of course.  From the member’s point of view, he simply encouraged us to “Pick something, Do something” and gave several examples of the opportunities Rotary of Arlington Heights provides. 

 

Another important focus is Transparency -- To find out more about what the club does and the workings of the board of directors, members are welcome to attend the board meetings to voice their opinions and ask questions.  And there will be more recognition of members’ Rotary service (for example, through periodic awarding of certificates of appreciation).  Contact Jim if we have someone to recommend for recognition -- Jim.Thomson@allstate.com

 

To read a summary of his comments, please click "more"

There are “hands-on” opportunities in service via our Food Pantry efforts and Food Drives (i.e., Thanksgiving and Christmas), and Holiday Gift Shopping through the village and township.  Others are the Rotary Reads (to Children of families which are in the H.S. Dist. 214 English as a Second Language program) and the bi-monthly village inoculation program.   New this year will be the exploration of additional ways to help the low income residents in the community.  The “Little Library” and support of RI President’s effort to have us Plant-A-Tree for each Rotarian.  Often, club volunteers are needed to support the activities of our various committees (for example, see photo of Santa Run promotion at the National Night Out event) and we’re needed to volunteer for putting on our major fund raiser, the A.H. Rotary Santa Run.  One can also participate and volunteer internationally in the Polio Eradication program and our Rotary District trips to the Ak Tenamit school in Guatemala, or locally supporting special efforts or the Rotaract at Rolling Meadows High and, new this year, Prospect High School.

 

There are financial opportunities through our new approach to weekly celebration and charitable fines in support of Every Rotarian Every Year, also by becoming a Paul Harris Fellow (with special help from the club for a member’s first Paul Harris award),by  becoming a member of the Paul Harris Society (making a commitment of $1,000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation).   There is also support for many Rotary charitable activities, locally and nationally/internationally: RYLA (our participation in the Rotary Youth Leadership program), our George Harris Books Scholarships, and the Digital/mobile X-ray equipment project in Guatemala.

 

There are fellowship opportunities.  Through fellowship we find ideas and encouragement for service, as well as the chance to get to know and enjoy the friendship of others.   Upcoming are the Rotary Steak Fry/Barbeque (9/8 at yard/home Wendy Davis’ generously provides), our Holiday Party 12/7, our Spring Fling and our Valentine’s lunch for significant others and guests, the Installation Dinner and special Officer of the Year luncheon for the police department in the name of former member and police chief, Bill Calderwood.