Narayan Murarka presented the word “FOCUS.” He felt this demonstrated what was essential for our club as we need to focus on membership and service. This requires clarity, concentration, discussion AND decision to act.
Mark Gibson reminded everyone that the CFC’s Annual Plant Sale is coming up this Saturday. Also, on May 22 the BACT will sponsor an event at the San Filippo Estate honoring Teddy Roosevelt and the anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. National Park system. Extra shirts and hats are also available for Rotarians to buy after the meeting (some are at no cost.)
Mark is also finalizing a proposed slate for the BBRC Board for 2018-19.
Suzanne Gibson reminded everyone about the May 17-20 District Conference.
Suzanne also indicated the BBRC Board agreed to make the RILEE Iron Lung an honorary member of the Rotary.
Steve Hollis provided final details for the May 5, 11-3PM, Kid Fest at Citizen’s Park where free kites will be provided; food will be for sale; and, 200 tree saplings will be available for planting in celebration of the 30 year anniversary of BBRC. Louis Yee will be taking more photos. More help is needed to construct kites Friday, 5PM, May 4, at the park, and, Saturday at the event.
Mike Martinez reminded everyone that there will be a BBRC get together Thursday, May 17, 5:30PM at Docks in Wauconda.
Virginia Menzimer indicated Pastor Joe Dorociak asked her to share that there will be a bake sale on Mothers’ Day, May 13, following the 10AM service at the Presbyterian Church in Barrington. This is in support of the young people’s mission to Puerto Rico this summer to rebuild a church destroyed in the hurricane. This will be the first “out of country” mission planned for these high school students. Donations can be made to the church directly or through the Rotary Charitable Foundation.
Kris Young indicated that BBRC members Rose Grace, Jeff Wieneke and Marvin Hill were taking leave of absences.
Jim Thompson from the LBS Vets organization thanked all the vets in the room and invited everyone to join his group for the Memorial Day festivities, Monday, May 28, at 12PM at Lake Barrington Shores. Food will be available and a presentation is planned by David Lambertson, a previous Foreign Service ambassador, as speaker. The Vets organization is looking for additional sponsors. Materials were passed to the audience detailing more information about the organization and upcoming events at Freier Farm and Daley Plaza in September.
Brag Bucks / Happy Dollars
Eric Lin wanted to congratulate everyone on their hard work and team spirit demonstrated at the Rendezvous Mardi Gras.
Maria Coons matched Eric’s shout out with an additional “thanks” to Susie Whipple, the liquor baroness, and everyone that contributed to the array and positioning of the raffle items.
Mark Gibson also wanted to thank everyone for the MONSTER job done on Mardi Gras.
Louis Yee expressed delight in his ability to serve as the Mardi Gras photographer catching everyone having fun and “making money!” What’s not to like about an open bar??
Jack Caldwell thanked Maria Peterson for introducing him to a new version of a Manhattan!
Elizabeth McGrath wanted recognition for all who persisted with their acquisition of Mardi Gras sponsors and donations.
Bruce Grabenkort loved Elizabeth’s hat!
Debbie Villers wanted to recognize that Maria Coons was actually called to testify in D.C. right in the middle of all of her Mardi Gras responsibilities; additionally, Jelly Belly’s were available to all in honor of her husband’s birthday, and recognition was given to Katrina Lenk, a Barrington High School alum recently nominated for Best Actress on Broadway.
Guest speaker - Courtney McGovern
Courtney McGovern shared her background with the audience as a prior Barrington High School student, Interact participant and New York University graduate in independent studies for Non-Profit Management.
She and her twin sister Ashley had established the non-profit group Hope’s In while they were in high school, looking for a way to contribute to a better life for the Guatemala families living in Zone 3 near the
landfills. That organization is now six years old, and Courtney has returned to the Barrington area to serve as Executive Director. Courtney thanked the Rotary for their past support and acknowledged the Potters House Global Grant that allowed some of the initial efforts to proceed. Focused on building homes for individual families, Courtney will return to Guatemala this summer with a group of 27 people. Trips are planned for July 2-August 5 and August 5- August 12. A celebration is planned for the completion of the 30th home where all past housing recipients will be invited. Future plans may include computer labs, community facilities and medical equipment/ services in collaboration with Dr. Dale Coy who launched a medical endowment program. Ideally, Hope’s In would like to focus on empowering people, developing the next generation of non-profit leaders and establishing a Hope’s In academy. At the moment, Courtney is working closely with a Rotary contact in Guatemala to launch an NYU research grant project that will evaluate what aid organizations and support are already available in the area; what services are available to disabled children; what are the realities surrounding unplanned pregnancies; what projects, in coordination with other efforts, would seem to provide the longest term good and are sustainable. The Barrington Women’s Club and Rotary are helping to fund two research assistants for this project. Courtney closed her presentation with a request for input from the audience on their ideas on scope, important partnerships and next steps. She was strongly encouraged to join the Rotary, contact Rotary International in Evanston and leverage any local Guatemalan Rotary contacts to identify all the parallel projects that may be underway in the area.