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.
Our Winnetka Northfield Club Social Justice Committee, led by Marie Kuipers, is embracing a new equity challenge.
Many of you may have read about the challenge in an email from Rotary District Governor Lyle Staab:
The United Way of Illinois Equity Challenge, which starts on January 18th, is a 21-week program that encourages Illinois residents to engage in conversations and gain a deeper understanding about the impact systemic racism and inequity have on our state and in our local communities. THERE IS NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS, who will receive one email per week through mid-June. Each weekly challenge will require 15 minutes. Topics include Understanding Privilege, Housing & Redlining, Justice System Inequities, among many others. Participants who complete all of the weekly challenges will receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge, and links to tips and training tools to help continue the conversation.
Peter Skalski spoke with Jean Wright recently to wish her a Happy 95th birthday.
Peter learned that she has Covid.
Jean says she's doing ok. She was in hospital for a week and is now back at the infirmary at her assisted living facility. She says she was congested at first, but better now. She can taste and her temperature is normal, but she has a roommate who doesn't talk. Sometimes that's a good thing. Hopefully, she will continue to improve and be able to get back to her own room soon.
She can take incoming calls on her cell phone number, 847-217-1906, and she would welcome Happy Birthday calls from those in our club who know her.
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).