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WELCOME TO OUR CLUB! CELEBRATING 96 YEARS OF SERVICE. COME JOIN US CONNECTING FOR GOOD.
Winnetka-Northfield

PEOPLE OF ACTION

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:15 PM
Meeting with Zoom during the health crisis. Email info@wnrotary.org for log-in info.
620 Lincoln Avenue
Winnetka, IL 60093
United States of America
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Meeting Notes January 21
Posted by Patti Van Cleave
President Chuck called the meeting to order at 12:20. There were 24 members in attendance.
 
Thought of the Day: Terry Dason shared some quotes from famous folks that pertain to the Inauguration yesterday.
 
Birthdays: Jean Wright’s birthday (her 95th!) was on the 19th.  Anniversaries: None.
 
Announcements:
  • Our Club Elections will be held next week on the 28th.
  • Rich shared that he attended the Elgin Breakfast Club meeting today, featuring RI President-Elect, Shekhar Mehta, speaking on “The Power of One”. He shared a link to the presentation for us to see it.
  • Robert asked a Zoom etiquette question about eating on a Zoom. He was encouraged to turn off his video.
  • Barb followed up and encouraged all to mute when the speaker begins.
Happy Bucks:
  • Bob shared a HB for Marie, who told him that Walgreens sells CBD. He reports that his knee is improved!
  • Fred shared that he will make a larger than usual donation to our foundation this year.
  • Barb applauded the Poet Laureate who spoke at the Inauguration: Amanda Gorman.
  • Bob asked if anyone saw Al Roker get his vaccine on The Today Show – it was administered by Bob’s nephew, Dan Baker.
Dig N Grin:
                Fred pitched in for Laura with some humorous comments made by athletes.
 
Speaker:
Our program featured our own John Thomas speaking about New Trier Township.
An engaged Q&A followed his presentation.
President Chuck adjourned the meeting at 1:10.
 
Meeting Notes January 14
Posted by Barb Tubekis
President Chuck Norton opened our weekly 12:15 meeting
 
Thought of the Day:
David Birkenstein shared a quote from one of his favorite philosophers who is a longshoreman from the West Coast, Eric Hoffer:
"The beginning of thought is disagreement -- not with others, but with ourselves."
 
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Again no birthdays this week, but Peter Skalski reminded us of Jean Wright's 95th birthday. Feel free to send a card or call her cellphone: 847-217-1906
 
Address:
Ms. Jean Wright
Brookdale Palmer Ranch
5111 Palmer Ranch Pkwy
Sarasota, FL 34238
 
Announcements:
Barb Tubekis announced the Volunteer Center's MLK Day activities, Sunday, January 17th, the HEROS (Healing Everyday Racism in our Schools) virtual workshop on the Legacy of MLK. In addition, the VC will host its annual no-sew fleece blanket donation program for the homeless that begins at the Community House (thank you for opening your house to us) on MLK Day, Monday Jan 18th and runs through Saturday, Jan 23rd.
 
Board Elections:
Rejoice! Chuck Norton made the happy announcement that he has secured two terrific co-presidents-elect for our 2021-22 board.
They are the esteemed Bill Leske and Greg Nelson. Terms begin July 1st.
Note: Greg Nelson said he will not fight any impeachment attempts :)
 
Happy Bucks:
Robert Mardirosian pledged five Happy Bucks in honor of Bill & Greg for stepping up and agreeing to be co-presidents. Barb Tubekis added $5 to Robert's pledge for $10 donation.
 
Dig 'n Grin:
Eric Birkenstein passed the spotlight to his daughter Leslie Ann Birkenstein who shared some jokes with us, notably: "Why does a clock get more food? It goes back for seconds." :)
 
Speakers: 
The research team of Dr. Sajoy Varghese, Primary Investigator from the Lovell Federal Health Care Center and Dr. John Bair, PHd. presented: "Correlating Kynurenine Pathway & Heart Rate Variability: A Novel Method to Assess Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder With and Without Alcohol Use Disorder."  Or for the benefit of us very lay listeners: "Psycho Physiological Effects of PTSD & Alcohol Use Disorder."
 
This very thorough presentation covered this expert team's research on the devastating effects of PTSD and what they have uncovered about addictions - reward systems and anti-reward systems that alcohol can have on PTSD on a molecular level - biological intervention. PTSD widely occurs in Veterans of the Vietnam War, and along with it a high rate of suicide. They live 10 or more years less than those without PTSD and their families also experience more violence from those suffering from the addiction.  
 
Dr. Varghese presented chemical evidence and shared an important approach to their study with this quote about addiction psychiatry from Victor E. Frankel:
"Between stimulus & response is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth & our freedom." Determines whether or not you turn to alcohol to understand that gap is a large part of their research. Why? What are the known and unknown triggers? 
 
Questions and answers followed, including a discussion of potential positive impact of cannabis support. There needs to be more research to what Dr. Varghese termed is still controversial. 
Please visit the meeting recording for accurate, detailed and scientific research they presented. https://youtu.be/31QRfj2db3w 
 
 
Meeting notes for January 7
Posted by Carl Yudell
President Chuck Norton chaired the meeting commencing at 12:18 with the Pledge of Allegiance in light of the chaos at the Capital.
 
There were no birthdays this week, but on January 19, Jean Wright will be celebrating her 95th birthday.  If you would like to send her a birthday card, her address is:
Ms. Jean Wright
Brookdale Palmer Ranch
5111 Palmer Ranch Pkwy.
Sarasota, FL 34238
(Although she has trouble seeing, others will be able to read cards to her). She also likes to get phone calls.  She may answer who's this? Because she can't see a caller's name.  But as soon as she knows - she's right there!
Her phone is 941-244-4701
 
Other Announcements:
            Rich Lalley is working on a companion program for Operation Warm—Shoes for Children.  With the help of a grant from Rotary International, the cost of a pair of shoes is only $6.50.  Your contribution would be much appreciated.
            Barbara Tubekis has been busy delivering Donna’s meals to needy families at Good News Partners in Rogers Park.  She needs some help.  It is right after Rotary on Thursdays.  You would pick up the meals from Donna after Rotary and deliver them to Rogers Park.
            Chuck Norton is working on the Co-Presidents and just needs to tie up a few loose ends.
 
Happy Bucks:             Patti was pleased to be seated (on her screen) next to Mike Shelton.
Peter Skalski was happy to be in Florida and about Jean Wright’s 95th birthday.
 
Dig and Grin:  Julie Tye told us about “A horse walks into the bar….”
 
Speaker:   Mitch Meyers.  Mitch gave us an overview of the cannabis business in Illinois, Missouri and the United States. Take Aways:
  1. Cannabis medical-uses have been under-studied due to illegality. As it has become legal in more states, its potential uses have dramatically increased.  For an example, cannabis can be used to treat epilepsy and has far less side effects than current Big Pharma drugs.
  2. Cannabis was legal until the 1930’s and the end of prohibition.At that time, a federal bureaucrat, in danger of losing the funding for his operation, determined that cannabis (which he renamed as marijuana) was a danger to the public.In fact, cannabis is significantly less dangerous than alcohol, tobacco or opioids.
  3. The tax on medically prescribed cannabis is 1% while the tax on recreational cannabis is 35%.
  4. Cannabis has been generating significant new taxes and has resulted in a re-building of parts of downtown Denver.
  5. Medical cannabis is restricted to 4 oz. per week while recreational uses are restricted to smaller amounts, but instead based on a daily basis.
  6. Unfortunately, most to the dispensing licenses and the growing licenses have been distributed to rich white men because any blemish on a person’s record disqualified them from receiving a license and the need to spend thousands of dollars before even applying for a license disqualified other minorities.The next round of licenses will be more accessible to people of color.
  7. Since cannabis is still illegal federally, national banks cannot be used.  Only state chartered banks can be used to finance cannabis operations.
 
Meeting Notes for December 17
Posted by Keith Reed
The meeting was called to order by Chair Norton with 21 members present. Guests were Governor of District of 5950, Tom Gump, and another District 5950 member, Lloyd Campbell.
 
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:  Wes  used the life spans of the dog, monkey and cow to show how God intended humans to spend their first 20 years enjoying their eating, sleeping and good health; the next 20 years working and providing for their family; the next 20 years  entertaining and enjoying their grandchildren; and the remaining years setting on their front porch barking at and complaining to all passers-by!
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Marie Kuipers will be celebrating her birthday on Dec. 18th.  Marie announced that although the Club’s Social Justice Committee’s ability to meet has been somewhat curtailed by the virus, she said that anyone who would want to volunteer to contact voters in Georgia to encourage them to vote in their Jan. 5th run-off election could contact her for assistance.
 
Rich Lalley reported that Operation Warm had a very successful event for school-age children in Highwood and Highland Park where 250 coats were given to the children with half of the funding provided by the Highland Park Community Group.
 
Tony presented a framed certificate that he recently found in the back of a WCH closet that had been given by our Rotary Club to the founder of the Hadley School for the Blind, William A. Hadley, back in 1939 making him an Honorary Member of the Club after having served as a regular member for many years.  It had been signed by 57 members of the Club.  Tony thought that it would best be housed in a place of honor in the Museum at the Hadley School.
 
Barb said that due to the virus the Volunteer Center will not have its traditional Martin Luther King celebration this year in the WCH.  But she mentioned that the Heroes Group in Wilmette is having a virtual workshop right before the MLK holiday which will include service activities that seniors can perform and enjoy.  Barb also announced that there is a toy and clothing drive this coming Saturday in Wilmette sponsored by the Family Focus Group and the Girl Scouts.
 
HAPPY BUCKS: John Thomas donated because he had a good experience and good outcome when he was required to take two nasal Covid tests before he had a medical procedure.  It was covered by Medicare, done at the NTL Lab in Skokie and both came out “negative”. 
 
DIG N GRIN:  Bob Baker mentioned a couple of long- standing traditions for the Christmas season besides the ones we usually enjoy.  For example, KFC took advantage of the Japanese fast food business  in the early 1970’s by providing “party barrels” of chicken and its own version of a chicken based Christmas cake.  In  certain parts of Ireland there is a special holiday 12 days after Christmas solely for women because they do most of the work in organizing and performing the necessary duties on the Christmas holiday.
 
SPEAKER:  John Thomas introduced our speaker, Hannah Warren, by referring to her excellent bio set forth in our meeting notice.  Highlights of her bio are that she was a former Rotary Youth Exchange Student to Thailand , a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to India and Global Grant Scholar to London.  In India she learned about the plight of female weavers and founded a company called Jhoole, a nonprofit eco-fashion social enterprise designed to help women gain economic independence, invest in education and to have more administrative and financial control over their art/business of weaving.  She has set up a similar organization in Rockford (where she now resides) called Womanspace to help women connect, create and empower each other.  She has degrees in South Asian Studies and Linguistics from the University of London and a MA in Fashion Entrepreneurship from the University of the Arts London College of Fashion.  She is also President Elect of the Rotary Club of Rockford.
   An example of what Hannah was able to accomplish in India was to change the age-long tradition of Indian women not wearing the saris they made.  Through her company Hannah was able to get the weavers to make saris for their own use and/or to sell them to others with the profits being shared with the other female artisans.  The Rotary Foundation supported many of these business-type activities which empowered the weavers and women generally and enabled them to actually support themselves and their families.  Another development Hannah initiated was the introduction of industrial machines to expedite the weaving process.  Her company currently  employs about 50 women and trains at least 500 women per year to perform weaving and related activities.
   Although her business in Rockford works with several Indian groups on weaving activities, it has expanded into other areas of providing needed services to the community.  For example when the Covid hit the area, her Womanspace organization made 13,000 cloth face masks and donated them to the local community.  Her company is now expanding its clothing line to include leisure wear for Indian women.
   After this very informative presentation, Chair Norton announced that we would not be meeting next week (Dec. 24) and that we will announce later on whether we meet on December 31.  After leading us in Rotary’s 4 way test, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 PM.
   
Meeting Notes for December 10
Posted by John Thomas
The meeting was online via Zoom and had 24 members. We were opened at 12:20 PM by President Chuck Norton followed by the pledge of allegiance. The Thought for the Day was given by Todd Stephens.  Krysten Warnes provided our Dig & Grin and regaled the assembled multitude with three Christmas “How To” anecdotes.
 
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES :  President Chuck noted he had a birthday to be celebrated but was mum on which one. This week’s anniversaries included Roger Morris (48), Mary Lou Bilder-Gold (25) Amy Skalinder and Krysten Warnes with one year each.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Norton noted he is still seeking someone interested in being a co-President next year. He also noted grant applications for our Foundation need to be in by Dec. 31.
 
Tony Kambich said he has uncovered some possibly valuable Rotary historical material in his garage that seems worth saving He asked if there was still storage space in the WCH Rotary closet
 
Rich Lalley was pleased to confirm that, after 2½ years the Rotary Foundation has approved grant funding for the farming project in Ecuador
 
HAPPY BUCKS: Julie Tye noted the Hadley School reached 25,000 enrollments which is triple the normal level. This was the result of significant re-structuring of their curricula and cost structure. She will throw in something less than a buck for each enrollment.
 
SPEAKER:   At 12:40, John Thomas introduced today's speaker, Andy Drendel. He heads the Trust Department at the Byline Bank and was recommended by Bill Leske. With over 40 years of wealth management experience, 20 of which have been in Chicagoland, Andy Drendel has extensive expertise in trust administration, estate planning, asset protection and fiduciary practice management.
 
He started by outlining what Trust Services from a bank entail. He then explained in some detail the factors that suggest having a bank be Trustee for estates of moderate complexity. He added commentary on what might be the disadvantages of professional trust services.
 
A spirited Q&A followed for almost 30 minutes led off by David Birkenstein as well as Eric Birkenstein,. Both are active in advising clients in that area. Keith Reed also had some legal-oriented questions
 
The meeting was closed at 1:25 with a recitation by all of the 4-Way test.
 
Share Your Bounty- A Success!
Share Your Bounty- A Success!
We did it again! Thanks to all our members and friends of Rotary who contributed over $2,700 to our annual Share Your Bounty campaign! 100 bags full of groceries are going to Good News Partners, along with a financial donation to support their food pantry. 
 
Continuing our club's long standing Thanksgiving tradition, we will once again partner with the Volunteer Center to provide post-holiday groceries for families in transitional housing who are served by Good News Partners in Chicago's North of Howard neighborhood. We will purchase groceries in bulk at Costco on November 23, so please donate by November 22.
 
We hope to provide over 100 bags of groceries, and have a fundraising goal of $2,000. This will be easy if everyone contributes. 
 
This campaign has closed. If you missed out on supporting it, please consider a donation to our sleeping bags for the homeless campaign. You can donate here. 
 
Bringing Warmth to the Homeless in Chicago
Bringing Warmth to the Homeless in Chicago
We are partnering with the Rotary Club of Wilmette to provide new sleeping bags to homeless people in Chicago. Your donations will support new sleeping bags which will be sent to the nuns of Fraternite Notre Dame, who will provide them to homeless men and women at Christmas time.
 
Your donation of $30 will provide a sleeping bag to another person in need. Donate today at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/winnetka-northfield-rotary-charitable-foundation/sleeping-bags-for-the-homeless-in-chicago or send a check to WNRCF with notation "sleeping bag" to the club at 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka. 
Meeting Recordings
Meeting Recordings
One of the nice features of meeting virtually is that our meetings can be recorded. This of course depends on your meeting host (me) remembering to start the recording (sometimes I'm a bit late in starting it). 
 
Here are links to view our recent meetings:
  • January 7, Mitch Meyers on the Cannabis industry
  • December 17, Hanna Warren on Empowering Women in India
  • December 10, Andy Drendel on Wealth Management and Trusts
  • December 3, David 'D Fish' Fisher Social Media for Business
  • November 19, Winnetka Northfield Librarian Monica Dombrowski
  • November 5, Climate Change by Jane Goldberg
  • October 29, Rotarian John Nanni's Polio presentation
  • October 22, What is New Trier Township? By John Thomas
Read more...
People of Action- The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield and The Rotary Foundation Provide Relief to Those Impacted by COVID-19
 
People of Action- The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield and The Rotary Foundation Provide Relief to Those Impacted by COVID-19 
The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield has met weekly at the Winnetka Community House since 1924. That streak ended in mid-March, when the club suspended its weekly lunch meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
However, this did not stop the club from continuing to meet and live up to its well-earned reputation as People of Action. Almost immediately, the club began to meet on Zoom every Thursday at its regular 12:15 time, and the club’s board and committees did so as well.
 
Over the club’s 96 years, it has undertaken many notable service projects. So, it is no surprise the club quickly responded to the needs of those affected by COVID-19. Supported by donations from members and friends of the club, and a grant from The Rotary Foundation, the club took the following actions:
  • Supported the local food pantry and provided financial assistance to families experiencing severe financial need through a $5,000 donation to the New Trier Township Angel Fund.
Read more...
Every Rotarian Every Year- Support The Rotary Foundation- Club Update 2020
Posted by Richard (Rich) Lalley on Jun 27, 2020
Every Rotarian Every Year- Support The Rotary Foundation- Club Update 2020

As the 2019-20 Rotary Year concludes, please join the millions of beneficiaries of projects funded by The Rotary Foundation in thanking our members who have honored their commitment of Every Rotarian, Every Year, contribute to The Rotary Foundation's Annual SHARE Fund.

These gifts support the local and international work of Rotary Clubs and Districts through District and Global Grants. A significant portion of these gifts support projects of our club like Kids Against Hunger, our COVID-19 response, and our Ecuador "Farm to Table" Global Grant. 

To date, our club members have donated a total of $9,951 in the 2019-20 Rotary Year, 99% of our goal of $10,000. 

Please thank these 27 Rotarians and friends for already making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:

Sam Badger*+, Bob Baker, Wes Baumann, David Birkenstein*+, Laura Cunningham, Donna Goodman, David Grant*, Heather Higgins, Tony Kambich, Marie Kuipers+, Rich Lalley+, Bill Leske, Robert Mardirossian, Greg Nelson, Chuck Norton+, Felicia O'Malley, Lee Padgitt, Brooke Peppey, Keith Reed, Bob Sanfilippo, Fred Schwimmer+, Peter Skalski, Liz Taylor, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Julie Tye, Patty Van Cleave, and Carl Yudell.
* signifies a Major Donor + signifies Paul Harris Society ($1,000 per year)

There are many reasons to give to the The Rotary Foundation:

  • Contributions support humanitarian and educational projects initiated and run by Rotary Clubs and Districts in six areas of focus- Disease prevention and treatment, maternal & child health, education & literacy, water and sanitation, economic & community development and peace & conflict resolution.  Learn more by reviewing the Foundation’s annual report.
  • Contributions come back to support projects of our club's projects, like our COVID-19 Response efforts, coats for kids, Kids Against Hunger and International grants projects like our Farm to Table eco-agribusiness project in Ecuador, the water and sanitation projects we helped fund for schools in Guatemala and Kenya, and the digital x-ray/community health clinic project organized by District 6440. This year, we received $3,400, and next year we will can receive $3,660. But we must give to receive.
  • Charity Navigator gives The Rotary Foundation its highest “Four Star” rating, giving it a score 100 out of 100.
  • The Association of Fundraising Professionals named The Rotary Foundation the World's Outstanding Foundation of 2016!
  • Giving to The Rotary Foundation is an easy way for you to participate in Rotary’s service work beyond our club, providing you a personal connection to this great organization and the good it does throughout the world.
It’s easy to give.  You can send a check to “WNRCF” (mark TRF in the memo line) to our club, c/o Bob Baker at Killian Plumbing at 933 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka 60093; you can donate via PayPal by clicking here, or you can donate directly to The Rotary Foundation at www.rotary.org or by calling 866-976-8279. One very convenient way to give is by making a recurring monthly gift on your credit card or from your checking account, which you can set up on Rotary’s website.
 

If you have not already supported The Rotary Foundation this year, please do so now.

If you have any questions about The Rotary Foundation or how to give, contact Rich Lalley.

Got Questions about Rotary or our club? We've got answers.
Posted by Richard (Rich) Lalley on Mar 11, 2013
Got Questions about Rotary or our club? We've got answers.

Are you thinking about joining our club, but have some questions?  Or have you recently joined and want to know more about how things work?  Check our our new FAQs:

  • Frequently Asked Questions for prospective members
  • Frequently Asked Questions for new members

Still have questions?  Send them to info@wnrotary.org and we'll send you an answer and update our FAQs.

Doing Good in the World
Posted by Richard (Rich) Lalley on Feb 10, 2013

Last year, our club helped fund a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant program supporting a Rotary Club sponsored prosthesis clinic in Bolivia.  Our club's funds were matched with funds from The Rotary Foundation; $2.50 for each $1 we contributed.  Take a look at the impact this program has had on one gentleman!

Our club was able to participate in the matching grant program because our members contribute each year the the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation.  You can make a contribution via PayPal by clicking here.

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