Our July 8 meeting was attended by 20 members. We had an enlightening presentation from John Hoeppner about Responsible investing (summary below). Committee reports included: The Fundraising Committee is discussing new ideas for the fall and winter; next meeting is July 21; to attend contact Debora Morris. The Finance Committee is meeting July 15; to attend, contact Terry Porter. Our club has made a contribution to Operation Warm.
John Hoeppner, is Head of US Stewardship and Sustainable Investments at Legal & General. which is a major global investor, with total assets under management of $1.4trn. John outlined what Responsible Investing (also called Sustainable Investing and Environmental Governance) means and how this investing strategy is evolving and rapidly growing in the world's market place.
The basic principles, John explained, are Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). These are the factors used to evaluate companies and countries on how far advanced they are with sustainability. This market is driven by public pressure to incorporate ESG in investment strategies. Public policy is responding and momentum is building.
Financial analysis has shown that high-sustainability firms tended to have a higher degree of long-term planning. High-sustainability companies tend to perform better and so, in theory, those who invest in them can expect to receive higher financial returns. Financial advisors are embracing this model as well. Companies can be influenced to become more sustainable due to the large holdings of certain investors, like Legal and General.
Our club has awarded 2020 scholarships totaling $15,000 to six outstanding students from New Trier, Loyola Academy and Regina Dominican High Schools. For 39 years, we have honored local students with academic scholarships. Nominations and selections come from their college counselors who praise students for leadership, responsibility, work ethic, creativity and making the world a better place.
From New Trier High School are: CHARLOTTE ANN LEE FONDREN, who has a deep passion for Stem AP classes in chemistry and physics, and will attend the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in engineering. A competitive swimmer for more than ten years, she has won two triathlons.
AMAYAH ROWZEE, who remarkably balanced academics with a part-time job to help family expenses. Her artistic ability is reflected in AP Art classes. As one of a few African-American students there, she sought leadership roles that help others understand her experience, and will attend the University of Arizona.
MONICA YOO, who has a passion for languages and cultures of the world. As a Korean-American, she speaks Korean at home, long studied Chinese, and now Japanese. Her advisor praises her great sense of responsibility and family business work. She earned the Youth Who Excel award from the Korean American community and is planning to attend the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
KANASSANAN (NEIL) THAMMAVIJITDEJ moved from Thailand with his mother and two siblings in 2016, and responded to the enormous academic challenges of a new school and new culture. He’s on the cross-country and track teams, the Asian American and Global Voices Club, and Hope Chicago Church. The University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana is Neil’s destination.
From Loyola Academy is DREW DI PAOLO, who loves history and English and demonstrated leadership skills. His cares for others through the Arrupe Service program to volunteer with senior citizens at a local nursing home and other sites. He received the Lacrosse Coaches Award for leadership, and plans to attend the Marquette University business school majoring in finance and business economics.
From Regina Dominican High School is KATHLEEN RABBITT, who will attend Saint Louis University’s DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy Program). Kathleen was selected by Regina on the basis of her PGA and community service at school and where she lives in Chicago.
Our Board of Directors unanimously approved the membership application of Greg Michel. We are very pleased to welcome Greg as our newest member. Greg has a long history with Rotary and should become an asset to our club. His primary interests are Membership, Community Service and International.
Greg Michel grew up on a farm in Iowa. After graduating from ISU, he worked as a journalist, then went into advertising. At age 35, he and his wife bought a farm in Iowa. Not a good decision due to drought and inflation. But raising a family there was a good thing. He was active in the farm community and local politics. In 1985, he sold the farm and returned to the advertising business. His wife went to law school and became a lawyer. He had been a member of Rotary clubs in Iowa, where he led an environmental project in Bolivia. He retired in 2001 and moved to Wilmette. He joined the Wilmette Harbor Rotary Club and was club secretary, then elected club president. He lost his wife soon after. He became a member of our club last month.
Nick Dallas and his wife, Sue, had been trying for some time to have a child, but success was elusive. When she became pregnant they were elated, but apprehensive. Then, over three months before her due date, Sue suspected she might be in labor. She was rushed by ambulance to Evanston Hospital, where doctors and nurses fought for days to postpone delivery. On Sunday, July 28th, 1985, Lee could be held back no more. At birth Lee was 13 inches long, weighed 1 pound, 15 ounces, and was 101 days early!
Days, weeks and months went by as doctors battled to save the tiny baby. It was touch and go for some time; Lee had heart and lung problems; there were concerns about his digestive system and vision; he had a vein spasm, which caused his hand to turn black; most significant of them all, he had seizures, and Sue and Nick were told, by the foremost doctors in the field, that it appeared Lee’s brain was atrophying! He was, as Nick described him, “A train wreck of a kid!”
Throughout this time, Lee was on a respirator. It was only after the respirator was removed that Sue could finally hold her baby.Nick said that when his son was removed from the respirator, he seemed to have decided that he was ready to go home. And so he did, on October 14th, 1985, approximately 3 weeks prior to his due date, and weighing just under 5 pounds, Lee was able to go home, albeit with an Apnea Monitor.
Lee turned 35 years old this past Tuesday, a very healthy young man.
Welcome!
Our Motto:
Service Above Self
Wednesdays
Wilmette Golf Club
3900 Fairway Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
Because of Corona virus safety concerns, we are now conducting Virtual Meetings. Please join us when we are able to have live meetings at our usual location.
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