Rotopep for January 19, 2023

Posted by Jane Lawicki on Jan 19, 2023

 Rotopep Vol. 103 No. 28

Rotary Club of Evanston

January 12, 2023
 

Program: No Regular Lunch Meeting This Week

 
(Special Note:  We will publish the Zoom link in every Rotopep, even where there will not be a meeting.  That should make it easier to find when members are looking for our Zoom link. Please try to remember that a Zoom Link will not automatically mean that there is a meeting that week)

 

Meeting Location or Virtual Login details:

This will be the same meeting login for all club meetings every week including happy hour and fireside chat.

Weekly Rotary Club of Evanston Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/896382967?pwd=RE9wRkpxTUxjUTdVTFB4RWt2bXduUT09
 

You can also join the meeting manually from your Zoom App or from zoom.us, using the meeting number and password below.

Meeting ID: 896 382 967

Password: Rotary2372

JOINING THE MEETING USING A PHONE

Dial: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Enter Meeting ID: 896 382 967#

Participant Number: (no participant number, so just push the # key)

Enter Password: 941281#

One-tap for smart-phone users:

+13126266799,, 896382967#,,,,0#,,941281# (US Chicago)

Visitors: Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbBefTII7W

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE GETTING SET UP IN ZOOM:

Please contact Evelyn Lee at ZoomForRotaryHomeClub@gmail.com
 
 
New Member Publications:  David Lloyd and John Robertson have each applied for membership in our club.  This is the First publication for each.
 
 
Rotary Club of Evanston
Annual Club Assembly
12 January 2023
 
President Brian King called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm and explained a Club Assembly allows the club to envision where we are and where we’d like to go – to chart the future of our club.
 
However, before reviewing the survey completed by 22 club members, visiting Rotarians were warmly welcomed including:
  • Diane Krier-Morrow, from the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley
  • John Robertson, from the Rotary Club of Skokie Valley
Both Diane and John are former Rotary Club of Evanston members considering a return  to our club.
 
Additional guests included Jue Myers and Belete Woldegies, who were soon installed as official members of the Rotary Club of Evanston. Brian noted that each new member brings fresh ideas and diverse perspectives – enriching the club and bringing value for our member experience.
 
Our newest members, Belete Woldegies and Jue Myers
 
Bridget McDonough gave the inspiration, sharing: Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go, they merely determine where you start.
 
Before reviewing results of the Club Assembly survey, Bryant suggested that everyone take a moment to reflect on their participation in the Rotary Club of Evanston. Asking,  “Who introduced you to the club and proposed you for membership?” encouraged a sense of gratitude all around.
 
Some 22 members completed the Membership Satisfaction Survey. The results were largely positive, noting 100 percent approval on the following points:  
  • Proud or somewhat proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Evanston
  • Members feel welcome in the club
  • Food Security is an important issue.
 
Top reasons for joining the club were noted as opportunities for community service, international service, networking leadership/ professional development, and social opportunities.
 
The top five club functions were identified as guest speakers at club meetings, service activities – both inside and outside our meeting times, Heads-up Evanston, and scholarships for Evanston youth.
 
Service projects that were of the greatest interest to members were international grants and service projects, C&W grocery deliveries, packing meal/hygiene kits for local nonprofits, soup kitchen/homeless shelter volunteer opportunities, and Campus Kitchen meal deliveries.
 
Attached, please find the PPT presentation on the survey results. Following the presentation, club members engaged in discussion with comments such as:
 
  • Some of the events that were not popular were meant to be advertising/ promotion activities in the community.  While they were not listed, there’s a value in letting people know that the RC Evanston exists.
     
  • Reflecting on variety and number of activities that RC Evanston has been involved. This club is doing a lot. Club members want to be in the community.
 
  • When inquiring about the effectiveness of some events, it was noted that many activities may not have had a fair shake due to the pandemic.  For example, we’re not sure how the Pizza Fest is doing - as we haven’t had it in three years.
 
  • International Service a key part of the club. 
 
Following the comments, discussion moved to addressing the future of the International Friendship Garden. Regrettably, the club is not getting a response from members or volunteers to help make the garden as beautiful as it could be.  There is also some question – and mixed opinions – about whether the club should still support the garden financially.  While the garden did not cost the club anything initially, with engaging a professional firm to maintain the path and handle weeding, the approximate $5,000 cost to the club could potentially be used for other worthy projects to address concerns such as food security.
 
Discussion continued on the topic with ideas such as shifting the garden to more native plants, inviting Rotary clubs in Evanston to join the effort, and exploring the idea of turning the garden back to the City of Evanston. The general agreement as a next step was to approach the City for what might be our options – including the possibility of maintaining the name/ naming rights while shifting the care of the garden to the City of Evanston’s management.   
 
Following the discussion, Shawn Iles was introduced as the President-elect and the slate of club leaders was presented. The club meeting adjourned at 1 pm.
  
Upcoming Events:
 
 
 
 
Rotary Voices Podcast
 
Rotary International has recently launched a new podcast featuring stories from the Rotary Magazine and Rotary Voices Blog. Check it out here, or wherever you get your podcasts. 
 
 

A reminder to make your sergeant-at-arms contributions to the Charitable Fund to help our club continue its good work in the community. Donate here: https://evanston-rotary-charity.square.site/

The Rotary Foundation recently received its 14th consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator, placing it among the top 1% of charities in the US. Make an impact at home and around the world with a donation to The Rotary Foundation: https://rotary.org/en/donate

Note: Donations to The Rotary Foundation generate recognition points towards Paul Harris Fellow recognition

 
 
Little Library:  Don't forget you can donate your used books to our Little Library at the Friendship Garden!
 
ROTOGEAR!!!
We have baseball hats!  These are black caps of washed chino twill fabric with contrasting sandwich visor, cloth strap and antique brass sliding buckle closure, embroidered with Evanston Club Logo. One size fits most, and are available for the low, low price of $11.99.
 
Contact Treasurer Curt Hansen to BUY YOURS TODAY!!!

Don't forget to place all your orders for Amazon through Amazon Smile--You can direct Amazon to direct a portion (.5%) of your purchase to the Evanston Rotary Club Charitable Fund.  It does not cost you anything extra, but you will be helping us help our local and international partners!  visit: smile.amazon.com, and be certain you have selected "Rotary Club of Evanston" as your choice for charity. Then always shop through smile.amazon.com vs amazon.com!!