President Thomas Applegate welcomed everyone (including returning guest Dave Hutchings) and opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. In light of Lyle Staab’s visit and presentation today, Robert Mardirossian shared information about polio and Rotary’s efforts to eradicate it for our thought of the day.

After lunch, Thomas shared a quote from the Dalai Lama for Dig-n-Grin. 

Announcements:

• Rich Lalley reported at the recent District conference, our Club was recognized for having 100% participation in giving to the Rotary Foundation (Rotary International, not our Club Foundation), as well as having an average gift of over $100 per member. This is the first time our Club has achieved this goal!

• Rich also shared that we were the #1 Club in the District in giving to the Rotary Foundation. Rich also recognized David Birkenstein as a major donor and presented him with a certificate of recognition.

• Moha Bouacha reminded everyone that we are asking for 100% participation in contributing to the upcoming polio walk, noting that there is a list on the tables of who has given so far. He also noted we are only $450 short of Robert’s generous matching gift. Thomas reminded everyone that registration for the polio walk is available through ClubRunner. 

• Nancy Krueger shared that the Winnetka branch of North Shore Community Bank is hosting the Chamber of commerce after hours tonight from 5-7pm. All are welcome!

• Sean Lawless reported that he’s planning another clean-up day for November 7 at Hubbard Woods station – mark your calendars, more details to come!

• Thomas informed the Club that he’ll miss the next two meetings – he’s going on a Habitat for Humanity trip. He has people lined up to facilitate our weekly meetings in his absence and assured us we are in good hands.

Thomas introduced Lyle Staab, past District Governor and champion for Rotary’s efforts to end polio. Lyle gave a history of partnerships, funding, and results of this critical campaign – along with thoughts about the legacy of processes in vaccine development that will aid the world in efforts to eradicate future diseases. For details about this history along with Rotary International’s current efforts, click here.

Lyle also spoke about the upcoming World’s Largest Polio Walk, which aims to raise awareness of Rotary’s efforts to end polio along with general awareness about Rotary International. While walks are planned in 13 locations throughout our District, all will start at 10am. He estimates that over 900 people will participate. He shared an overview of all the different activities going on throughout the District in support of this event – including a post-walk gathering at Sketchbook Brewery in Skokie where this year’s batch of Purple Pinkie beer will be launched. 

Our Club is participating in the walk that begins at One Rotary Center in Evanston. More information and registration is available here.

The meeting concluded with our usual recitation of the Four-Way Test.

The 2025–26 Rotary year has come to a close! Thank you to everyone who supported The Rotary Foundation!

Your gifts come full circle—helping fund projects around the world: our club's: Women's Cooperative in Morocco, as well as right here at home, including Operation Warm, our food insecurity programs, and ShelterBox.

We give to receive. Through Rotary every contribution will continue changing lives. 

Thank you for making a difference!

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.