Rotopep for October 2, 2025

Scribe: Dave Stumpf

 

President Bjorn Gylling called the Rotary Club of Evanston meeting to order at 12:17 pm with the ringing of the bell!

 

Inspiration today was provided by Phill Klein who joined Rotary about 40 years ago at the invitation of Jose Venzor.  He was the original organizer of Pizza Fest which was a major fundraiser for our club and he showed by example of “service” should be.  Phill asked us all to reflect about what our expectations were of Rotary when we first joined – has it met or exceeded your exceptions?  Do you make the 4-Way Test a part of your daily life?  Have you noticed how our Areas of Focus are established without regard to one being more important than the other?  Rotary serves all – it does not say that any religion, country, cause, political or economic issue, group of people or individual is more important.  We have our 4-way test and seven areas of focus to keep us grounded. Rotary lets us, working collectively, to make the world a better place.  

 

With much of the District Governor line represented, we had the pleasure of recognizing Phill and Mary Jane Klein as our newest Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. 

 

Phillip was invited to join Rotary while he was in his mid-fourties.  It was a welcome addition to his charitable and civic activities. Members of diverse backgrounds and interesting luncheon programs were a welcome exposure to his life. 

 

Highlights of Phill’s membership include two hands-on service projects to Guatemala to help build capital improvements.  Our club’s successful 2005 Rotary Centennial project, the Conference Circle in the Rotary Friendship Garden, came at Phill’s suggestion, his chairmanship and is a proud accomplishment for him and our club. He also has served many years on the club's board of directors: several of those years have been as Treasurer or assistant Treasurer. 

 

Phill never sought other leadership positions in the club or at district level because of his commitment to his favorite Rotary Fellowship. For over 20 years, Phill served as Commodore of the Chicago Fleet of the International Fleet of Yachting Rotarians. Their fleet had members from clubs in various Illinois districts as well as nearby states.  The annual Exchange Student Sail brought 100 students and chaperones to Monroe Harbor for an authentic Chicago Style Hot Dog Luncheon and a four-hour sail on "our pond".  Students from France, Brazil, Japan, and many countries around the world marveled at the experience and have commented that this event was one of the best highlights of their year in our country. 

 

Phill also described another part of why he and MJ contribute to TRF from their joint checking account, which is knowing that Rotary are excellent stewards of contributions, having received the highest Charity Navigator rating for years and years.

 

 

 

 

We were thrilled to induct our newest member today, Jennifer  Zielinski sponsored by Brian King and with the mentorship of Mark Lowry. Jenn has had a variety of public facing jobs principally in education, such as Director of Enrollment, Assistant Head of Schools, and Director of Community Engagement.  Jenn is currently working at the Chicago Waldorf School.  Oh, and she’s also been a Food Truck Co-owner!  Jenn’s community activities have included the Women’s Club of Evanston and working with the Chamber on the annual MashUP! Evanston event, and she’s also a Hospice Volunteer.   And now, she is a member of the Rotary Club of Evanston!  Welcome, Jenn!

 

October 15^th, 5-7 PM, place TBD, Host Shawn Iles

November 19^th, 5-7 PM, place TBD, Host Paul Larson

 

27 Sept - Deliver Groceries via C&W Market (Thank you John Robertson)

11 Oct - Deliver Groceries via C&W Market (need volunteers)

14 Oct – Meals on Wheels Food Prep (need volunteers)

15 Oct – Social Event – stay tuned for where!!!

25 Oct - Deliver Groceries via C&W Market (need volunteers)

08 Nov - Deliver Groceries via C&W Market (need volunteers)

11 Nov– Meals on Wheels Food Prep (need volunteers)

 

Please check out our Signup Genius for service opportunities over the next few months, since we update this schedule routinely:

 

 

Reminder to check out this Message to Our Members from the 2024-25 RI President, the TRF Trustee Chair, and our CEO with assurance that in times of uncertainty, one thing is certain - our mission and values remain unchanged.

 

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Rotary Voices podcast which features in-depth interviews with thought leaders, Rotary news updates, and immersive stories from Rotary magazine.

 

The Northwestern Rotaract Club is seeking Rotarians to host at-home dinners for 3-4 students at a time. At these dinners, you will make lasting connections with bright, engaged students. If you are interested, please email julianelson2025@u.northwestern.edu to schedule an evening. You can be reimbursed for hosting costs. Dinners will be offered from October - June.

 

Don't forget to donate your used books to our Little Library at the Friendship Garden!

 

World Polio Day is October 24, and events are being planned around that date in Evanston and Skokie. Wear your End Polio Now shirts on October 24 and display our support for this cause. More info is coming about a new exhibit that will be unveiled at One Rotary Center for PolioPlus, with opportunities to collaborate with other clubs and speakers and perhaps even a city proclamation that day. Stay tuned!

 

Congratulations to Evanston Lighthouse member Bryant Wallace, who was officially confirmed this week to serve as our 2028-29 District Governor for 6440!!!  Way to go, Bryant!  Next stop – RI Director!

 

President Bjorn introduced our speaker today, our District 6440 Governor, Marlene Frisbie. Marlene has been a member of the Rotary Club of Woodstock since June 2015, currently chairs the Public Image Committee, and serves on the Christmas Clearinghouse Committee. She has been Assistant Governor for District 6440 since 2020.

 

Holding a BS in accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana and an MBA from DePaul, Marlene began her career in public accounting, then moved into financial reporting at Fortune 500 companies before becoming a controller and later owner of Prairie Haven, a wholesale perennial grower in Illinois. After selling Prairie Haven, she worked as controller and sales manager for another local grower for 14 years, then shifted back to tax and accounting work with a local firm and independent clients, retiring in 2020 to focus on self-employment.

 

Married to Hugh for 44 years—with careers in accounting and consulting—Marlene has two children: Brandon, a Google software engineer living in Woodstock with his family, and Catherine, head of music at Bangkok International School. Marlene enjoys restoring their Woodstock property, traveling, spending time with grandchildren, and is a skilled photographer who exhibits locally.

 

Marlene addressed the club and spoke about growing and strengthening Rotary. Key points she covered:

 

Marlene closed her remarks with our vision statement: “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”.