Rotopep for March 16, 2023

 

Today Brian King, President, called the start to a special meeting of the Rotary Club of Evanston with the Lighthouse Club,  the Nouveau Club, the Rotar-act Club at Northwestern University, and the Interact Club at Evanston Township High School. There were over 100 attendees in person and on zoom.

Bryant Wallace of Evanston Lighthouse gave thanks to the many tribal members who were here in Evanston, prior to us. 

 

Barbara Huffman gave an inspiration from Maya Angelou to reach out and hug someone.
 

Next, we performed the 4 Way Test led by Josif Bozovic, who was joining us by Zoom from Cape Town, South Africa. John Hannes of Evanston Neuveau introduced many dignitaries. 

 

Then our speaker, Jennifer Jones, of the Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada Club was introduced. She is the first woman to be selected in the 118 year history of our organization. She is the founder and President of Media Street Productions, Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor. She is a current Rotary Foundation trustee.  She has been a Rotary member since 1997. She has been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion. She has also won Rotary International’s Service above Self award.
 

Jennifer Jones first spoke about how she has enjoyed her one-and-a-half year of living in Evanston.  She and her husband have made many friends here. She believes that the reason people join Rotary is for Friendship, Fellowship, and Service. Jennifer believes it is up to each one of us individual Rotarians to help build the kind of society that we want to live in. She thanked the Rotarians in attendance for our leadership.
 Jennifer Jones talked about her “Imagine Impact Tour,” where she and others have spoken about Rotary International’s seven areas of focus.
  She told us about a trip she took in August with others to Pakistan. She was with many female healthcare workers in a field in a horrible slum and she wanted to thank them for all their work in the field of  Polio eradication. A local woman kept offering her tea, which she did not believe she should drink, and therefore turned down.  This woman was surrounded by 4 little boys.  One of them had flies all over him as he had open sores on his body.  Jennifer Jones thought that the little boy had many problems, but thanks to Rotary and the female health workers, that little boy and his Mother, would not have to worry about his getting Polio!
 

Jenifer believes Rotarians and others are very, very close to stopping Polio by the end of this year. If this happens, there is someone who wants to nominate Rotary for the Nobel Peace Prize!
 

Jennifer next discussed how Rotarians are of different ages, different religions, different vocations, different languages, and different sexes.  She stated that we attract members better than we retain members. She believes each Rotary member needs a responsibility, a job within Rotary. She met an Interactor that said if you want a responsible child, give the child some responsibility. It is the same with our members. Give them responsibilities.
 

Next Jennifer took several questions from the audience.  One Rotarian asked about Jenifer’s picture in a purple dress with purple athletic shoes. She said she does so much walking on her many trips, that having comfortable shoes helps her get through her long days. She said she likes to hit the ground running!                                              

 

She also answered a question on Interact and Rotor-act Clubs and how nimbly she believes these younger members can change the status quo.  Regular Rotary Clubs move much more slowly and we should try to change more like the younger clubs.
 

On the question of should the Presidency of Rotary International be two years, she said that she thought one year is better. It is a very demanding job and there is a huge amount of travel and meetings, and feels one year is sufficient.
 

She also stated how important is the emphasis on programs to help empower girls by unlocking the power within them.
 

Jennifer Jones closed by pointing out the graphic design projected behind her on the stage which is for our convention this May to be held in Melbourne, Australia.  She encouraged us all to attend.
 

Brian King closed the meeting by telling Jennifer that the Rotary Club of Evanston will make a donation in her honor to the Rotary Foundation.
 

After the meeting, there were presentations to Major Donors:1. DGE Mary Bak, 2. Kristin Brown, 3. Bruce Baumberger, 4. Ann and John Searles, 5. Gene Servillo and Rosie Reese, 6. Paul Giordano and Rosa Bellino Giordano, and 7.John and Michele Berg

Submitted by Pamela Powell Rosenbusch, Scribe

 

Reminder that there are opportunities to contribute to disasters in Turkey/Syria earthquake through Rotary Foundation on myrotary.org

 

 

Save the date: May 20 to support young girls in Armor Down Girls (ADG) will be onsite at One Rotary Center.  This will be focused on providing financial literacy and planning.  Please consider participating.  

 

Announcements/Dates: 

 

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.