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 Felicia O’Malley who told of gratitude to voters, those who worked on the election and the many health care people who daily meet the challenge of Covid 19.

 

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES :  President Chuck noted Tony Kambich has a birthday to be celebrated, This week’s anniversaries include Jeanne Beckman, Lee Padgett and Mike Wurzburg.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Barb Tubekis asked for volunteers to assist in collating food materials for Gift Baskets which will be delivered to Good News Partners for Thanksgiving.  The in-person event at the WCH is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, 11/24.   She noted that much time has been spent to ensure that new Covid restrictions will be met when we gather to assemble the gift baskets.

 

Rich Lalley was pleased to announce that, after 2½ years the Rotary Foundation has approved grant funding for the farming project in Ecuador.

 

HAPPY BUCKS: Tony K. announced he will contribute heavily in recognition of his 39^th birthday.

 

SPEAKER:   At 12:35 John Thomas introduced todays’ speaker, Jane Goldenberg. She is a Northfield resident and Communications Chair of Climate Reality Chicago. Her topic is climate change and she has made the presentation often previously. As had been planned, her talk was to run well over the normal 20-25 minutes. She noted her involvement in the matter began in 2008 when a freak deluge in Northfield flooded their home. It took many months to repair the effects of that surprising event.

 

: Project Drawdown

The very thorough talk gave extensive and factual information on the history of our climate. We heard where we are now and what remedial efforts are underway. After her lengthy discourse, there was a 10 minute Q&A. 

 As shown in the Project Drawdown web site referenced above, the efforts to substantially reduce a major cause of the problem are bearing solid results. Moving to wind and solar power generation are well underway world-wide – especially in the U.S..

 

The meeting was then closed at 1:35 with a recitation of the Four Way Pledge.

 

 

The Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation annually provides monetary grants to organizations that further Rotary’s mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace.

 

Applications are accepted each year from October 15th until December 25th. Grant awards are announced in March by our board. Grants range in size from $500 to $5,000, averaging between $1,000 and $2,000. Recipients are eligible for only two awards within a three year period. 

 

Areas of Focus: Our board is open to reviewing grant applications from any 501(c)(3) organization that has a club member sponsor. Preference will be given to organizations that meet one or more of the following criteria:

·       Support people living in need in Chicagoland

·       Have operating budgets under $1 million

·       Request funding for programs, not general operating expenses

 

While these areas of focus will guide the board’s decision making, the board may award grants to organizations that meet none of this criteria but have a strong club sponsor and compelling case for support.

 

Our grant application can be found here. 

 

Over the last two years, our community's generosity made it possible for over 2,300 children living in need to receive a new winter coat from our club. Member contributions and our Operation Warm Benefit Concert gave Chicago area children brand new coats. Here is a list of the organizations that received these coats, because of you.

The public health crisis prevents us from holding a live benefit concert this year. It also has resulted in the COVID recession and more families in need.  Our program matters now more than ever.

 

We're asking members and friends of the club to make tax-deductible donations to support our club’s Operation Warm program. We’ve already committed to sponsoring one Chicago library program this year, and hope to support two. And the nonprofits listed above rely on our support for the children they serve.

 

Make your contribution now at www.operationwarm.org/wnrotary. Checks should be made payable to WNRCF and mailed to Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, IL 60093.