Unless otherwise specifically indicated regular Wednesday morning meetings will continue to be held at 7:30 am in hybrid form, so that members and guests can participate either in person at the Harbor Club in Gillson Park or by Zoom. The link to the hybrid meeting will be emailed to members, guests and others within the community who express an interest in attending.
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April 27, 2022 -- Ted Glasoe, Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Club Forum
Alliance Ambassador Ted Glasoe will present on the importance of protecting the Great Lakes. He will speak about issues impacting the Great Lakes and the work the Alliance for the Great Lakes does to help project the Great Lakes. Lastly, he will describe how participants can join in working to protect the Great Lakes.
Ted Glasoe's presentation was originally scheduled for the April 20 regular meeting, but has been rescheduled to the April 27 regular meeting.
Ted Glasoe is a native Minnesotan who grew up in and around inland lakes. He is now an award-winning nature and landscape photographer living on the shores of Lake Michigan. He has found his artistic niche and built his reputation focusing on imagery showcasing the beauty of the water. In the process, he has become passionate about conservation and protection of Lake Michigan, in particular, and water and our natural world in general.
The April 27 regular meeting will also include a Club Forum discussion of Club leadership transition planning, planning for upcoming Community Conversations, roles and activities of Committees and amendments of bylaws and policies. In addition, a representative of the Rotary Club of Wilmette will discuss coordination on the Rotary Hope Walk for the Homeless event described below.
May 4, 2022 Evening Meeting -- Senta Plunkett, Wilmette Village President -- 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Senta Plunkett, Village President of Wilmette, will present in the Club's 2022 series of "Community Conversations."
May 5-14, 2022 -- Rotary Hope Walk for the Homeless
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More About the Club's Community Conversation Series
Each Community Conversation provides an opportunity for one or more community leaders to discuss important developments the community. The Community Conversations also present an opportunity for those in attendance to ask questions and offer comments. Interested members of the community are invited to join us.
The Club usually will be holding Community Conversations on the last Wednesday of certain months at 7:30 am at the Harbor Club in Gillson Park, and also usually be available by Zoom in hybrid meeting form (although please note that some events in our Community Conversation series will be held in the evening on the first Wednesday of a month).
Our first Community Conversation was held on June 30, 2021 and featured Steve Wilson, Executive Director of the Wilmette Park District. Our second Community Conversation, held on July 28, 2021, featured Anthony Austin, Director of the Wilmette Public Library. Our third Community Conversation was held on August 25, 2021, and featured John Jacoby with an interesting presentation about his new book Wilmette at 150. Our fourth Community Conversation, held on September 29, 2021, featured Julie Wolf, Chair of the Wilmette Environmental Commission. Julie offered an enlightening description of the development of the Village of Wilmette's Sustainability Plan. Our fifth Community Conversation was held on the evening of November 3, 2021, when Club hosted a Community Conversation on Race: A Welcoming Community. This panel discussion panel furthered the Club's continuing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative.
At the Club's November 2, 2021 Community Conversation, Van Gilmer of the Wilmette Human Relations Commission moderated an informative and lively discussion. The panelists were as follows:
Miya Hasegawa, Healing Everyday Racism in Our Schools (HEROs) member
John Jacoby, Village of Wilmette Historian and former Village of Wilmette President
Rev. Erin Raska, Associate Minister at Glencoe Union Church
Gerry Smith, Chair, Village of Wilmette Human Relations Commission
Our sixth Community Conversation, held on February 23, 2022, featured Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Wilmette Public Schools District 39.
Recent Meetings and Events
April 22, 2022 -- Earth Day Volunteer Event
On April 22, 2022, members of the Club participated in a service project in honor of National Earth Day by planting native trees and other plants at the Harbert-Payne Woods in Evanston on the North Shore Channel. The Club was particularly pleased to work with representatives of The Volunteer Center, which organized the event. Maureen Barry, John Wertymer (along with his very enthusiastic son-in-law) and Mike Bailey participated.
April 20, 2022 -- Club Forum
The April 20, 2022, regular meeting was a Club Forum focused in particular on reenergizing the Club's community service volunteer projects.
The meeting also included a recognition of contributions to the Rotary Foundation by major donor John Wertymer. Congratulations, John!
April 13, 2022 -- Barbara Tubekis, Executive Director, The Volunteer Center
Barbara Tubekis, Executive Director, described the history, mission and current activities of The Volunteer Center, located in Winnetka, Illinois. Barb described the impressive resources available on The Volunteer Center website at
volunteercenterhelps.org
She and members also had a robust discussion about how the Club can better coordinate with The Volunteer Center.
The meeting also featured the induction and introduction of new Club member Saad Qureshi. Congratulations Saad!
April 6, 2022 Evening Event -- Wilmette Theatre Tour and Talk
On April 6, 2022, Amy Falkowski, Program Director of the Wilmette Theatre, provided a tour of the Wimette Theatre, including recent renovations, and a talk describing the programming and activities of the Wilmette Theatre.
March 30, 2022 -- Brian Lambel, Fire Chief, Village of Wilmette
Brian Lambel, Fire Chief of the Village of Wilmette, provided an update of the Fire Department, including a review of his first year serving as Fire Chief and the Fire Department's Stategic Plan. We look forward to a follow up from Chief Lambel this fall which will include an update of recent changes to fire safety rules.
The meeting included recognition of several of the Club's donors to The Rotary Foundation. The Club recognized Major Donors Frank Hussey, John Kessler, Jackie McGuire, Sarah Oliver, and George Pearce and Multiple Paul Harris Fellows Tim Frenzer, John Kay and Maureen Barry. Thanks and congratulations to all those recognized.
March 23, 2022 Regular Meeting -- Discussion of Options for Making Contributions to Relieve the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis: Suzanne Gibson, Andy Ullman, Donna Lee Gulley and Others
The Club had a robust discussion options for contributing to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the activities and opportunities of Rotary.
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for Rotary members around the world to contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary Districts and has designated its Disaster Response Fund as the main avenue for contributions. Suzanne Gibson spoke about the Disaster Relief Fund and the credibility of The Rotary Foundation on the world stage for using funds wisely and giving the impacted area the ability to create grants specific to their needs.
Andy Ullman of the River Cities Rotary Club discussed direct financial aid to Rotarians on the ground in Kiev, describing his Club's interactions with a Rotary Club Kiev International.
Donna Lee Gulley, Rotary Shelter Box Ambassador, discussed the Shelter Box's role as a trusted partner of Rotary for many years, on many continents and many dire situations.
Please contact Mike Bailey at mike@mbaileylaw.com if you would like to receive a powerpoint of the presentation describing these initiatives and opportunities.
March 16, 2022 Regular Meeting -- Anna Wright, Purple Valley Farm
Anna Wright provided a delightful and informative presentation on bees and her Purple Valley Farm apiary located in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Purple Valley Farm is an eco-friendly farm with a handful of hives nestled among our heirloom fruit trees. The farm is run by Kenilworth native, Anna Swisher Wright. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Jonesborough, TN, the farm operates the old-fashioned way, sustainably harvesting honey by hand and bottling one jar at a time.
Samples of Purple Valley Farm honey will continue to be available to those attending regular meetings in person.
March 9, 2022 Regular Meeting -- Raul Guzman, Blue Star Recyclers
Raul Guzman, Plant Manager of Blue Star Recyclers at its nearby facility, provided an informative description of the mission and activities of Blue Star Recyclers.
Blue Star Recylers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to create jobs for adults with autism and other developmental differences, along with providing established electronics recycling services. Blue Star handles most types of electronic waste. More information can be found at the following:
bluestarrecyclers.com
March 2, 2002 Evening Event -- Visit to Block Museum "A Site of Struggle" Exhibition
On March 2, 2022 members of the Club and guests toured a powerful and compelling exhibition at the Block Museum on the Northwestern University campus for the Club's "first Wednesday" event for March.
The exhibition is A Site of Struggle: American Art against Anti-Black Violence and the visit was in furtherance of the Club's ongoing DEI initiative.
February 23, 2022 Regular Meeting -- A "Community Conversation"with Kari Cremascoli, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmette Public Schools District 39
Kari Cremascoli, Ph.D. provided an update of developments at Wilmette Public Schools District 39. Dr. Cremascoli provided an engaging update of District 39's strategic plan, recent changes in policies relating to masks and other developments. This presentation was the first of the Club's 2022 "Community Conversation" series.
February 9, 2022 Regular Meeting -- Melissa Custic, Chicago Region Trees Initiative
Melissa Custic, Chicago Region Trees Initiative Operations Manager in affiliation with The Morton Arboretum offered a presentation on "Urban Forest Update: What's Going on with our Trees?"
Melissa provided a great presentation on the Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Please contact Mike Bailey at mike@mbaileylaw.com if you would like to receive a powerpoint of the presentation.
Rotary Responses to the Crisis in Ukraine
The thoughts and prayers of so many of us are with the courageous people of Ukraine.
The following is a summary of some of the opportunities to contribute through Rotary:
How to Donate
The Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund
Donations accepted for the Disaster Response Fund for Ukraine until April 30th.
- Donate online: my.rotary.org/en/disaster-response-fund
- Donate by contribution form: my.rotary.org/en/check-draft-or-wire-payments
River Cities Response to the Crisis in Ukraine
1. Donations to our collaborative efforts with Rotary Club Kyiv International can be made via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X4RN2CEWRXGMU
2. Alternatively, checks payable to Rotary Club of River Cities can be sent to Alex Todd (their club treasurer) at the Prospect Heights Library, 12 N. Elm Street, Prospect Heights, IL 60070
ShelterBox: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/donate/ Please include "for and in honor of the Ukrainian people", your club name, District 6440, and Donna Lee Gulley as ShelterBox Ambassador. Credit card at website or mail to ShelterBox. PO Box 5055, Santa Barbara, CA 93150.