October 1, 2026

Visiting Rotarians:

The September 24 meeting began with Michelle introducing two visiting Rotarians, Ingrid Waugh and Jennie Herring, both from Rotary clubs in New Zealand.

Inspiration

Gene provided the inspiration, sharing reflections on the importance of appreciating and prioritizing time with grandchildren. He also shared thoughts and well wishes for Tom Swigert and his family.

Induction of a New Member: Jim Orrico

The meeting included the induction of Jim Orrico as a new member. Jim is President of Dream to Product, a contract product design and manufacturing company with its own facility in Evanston. Dave Stumpf is his sponsor and introduced Jim to the club, highlighting his integrity, leadership, commitment to service, and involvement in the community. Please see pictures below.

Aaron Masliansky will serve as Jim’s mentor. Jim shared that he joined Rotary to strengthen his connections within the Evanston community and looks forward to becoming involved in Rotary service and fellowship.

Speaker: Carol Jungman

Our speaker was Carol Jungman of Evanston, a leadership consultant, executive coach, and educator. Drawing on her experience living and working overseas and across different cultures, Carol spoke about Relational Leadership and how leadership develops through the relationships and interactions between people.

Carol introduced the idea of “the space between” people. Each person enters a relationship or interaction with their own intentions, needs, feelings, experiences, assumptions, and personal history. At the same time, there is a shared reality created through observable verbal and nonverbal behavior. Carol discussed the concept of the “three realities,” drawing from Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues by David L. Bradford and Carole Robin, which grew out of Stanford Graduate School of Business’s well-known Interpersonal Dynamics course. Because people interpret interactions through their own experiences, the same conversation can be understood very differently by each person.

Carol emphasized authenticity, trust, listening, transparency, service, and influence as important qualities of relational leadership. She also noted that leadership is demonstrated through behavior and action rather than words alone, and that everyone has opportunities to lead.

Carol encouraged participants to become more aware of the difference between feelings and assumptions. For example, saying “I feel…” can describe an emotion, while statements such as “I feel like…” or “I feel that…” may actually express a thought, interpretation, or assumption.

Some practical approaches Carol shared included naming your intention, asking about your impact, recognizing your assumptions, expressing your feelings while asking about the other person’s feelings, beginning a repair process when needed, and taking space when necessary while making time to return to the conversation.

Carol’s central message was that the space between people matters, and that stronger relationships can be built through curiosity, awareness, communication, and intentional action.

A workshop exploring these concepts in greater depth may be offered in January.

If you would like to learn more and/or dive deeper into relational leadership, please check out Carol's blog posts at https://www.jungfirecoaching.com/resources

Club Announcements

Members were reminded of upcoming club and community activities.

Helen raised money for the Charitable Fund with Orchards and Onions.

Bridget introduced herself to newer members, shared her own Rotary experience of more than 35 years, and encouraged newer members to participate in upcoming service projects and club activities.

Scribe: Jue Myers

• Location: One Rotary Center “Sunken Garden” (behind the Polio Plus statue)
• Event starts at 9:00 am, walk begins at 10:00 am
• 1.5 mile circuit to lakefront and back; estimate time to complete 30-60 minutes
• 3 Evanston clubs, 7 additional clubs, District 6440
• Words of inspiration from District officials, Dr. Carol Pandak (Rotary staff), and Blane Foundation representatives
• Registration and fundraising links to come!