Carolyn Kahn Birkenstein serves as Chief Spectrum Economist at The MITRE Corporation. MITRE operates multiple federally funded research and development centers. In her position, which she created after developing the technical specialty, Carolyn leads spectrum economic, policy, strategy, integration, and collaboration initiatives across MITRE. She is regarded by her peers as having founded the field of Spectrum Economics.
For over 20 years, Carolyn has provided independent and objective advice to senior officials across the federal government to address their most challenging and sensitive economic and policy issues in the radio frequency spectrum domain. She has served as a member of the Department of Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee since 2016.
Carolyn holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from McGill University and a BA with high honors in Economics and International Studies from Brandeis University.
She lives in Glencoe with her husband, Eric, and their three children.
This talk will cover what spectrum is, how it’s used, why it’s important, the big dollars at stake, and today’s biggest challenges. It will highlight some of the biggest wireless topics in the news, including 5G and Internet of Things.
A joint 3-club Rotary meeting in the Winnetka Community House was opened at 6:30 PM by Winnetka/Northfield President Bill Leske. About 70 Rotarians were present with the W/N club as hosts and joined by members of the Glencoe and Wilmette Rotary Clubs. The purpose of this joint dinner was the installation of new Presidents of the three clubs as well as the new 2019/20 W/N Board.
John Held (Wilmette) gave an interesting Thought for the Day followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Bill Hansen (Glencoe). Dinner was then served at 6:45 PM. The meeting resumed at 7:05 PM and was led by W/N outgoing President Bill Leske. About 15 non-Rotarian guests were introduced and welcomed.
President Bill then thanked W/N members who had freely given time and energy to serve on the W/N Board and to head various Committees. Included in the latter group were Heidi Sibert, Barb Tubekis, David Birkenstein. Ned Meissner, David Grant, Marie Kuipers, and our Secretary/Treasurer and all-around go-to man, Rich Lalley.
At 7:20 the meeting was then turned over to John Held (Wilmette). He also thanked his club members for making his Presidency year so fulfilling. Special mention was made of their Book Drive that generated thousands of book for disadvantaged kids.
Held then presented a Rotarian of the Year Award to Deborah Morris who had been 2017/18 Wilmette co-President and then undertook some vital and successful Membership and Fund-raising tasks in the past year.
Leske returned to the podium briefly to thank the caterers for the wonderful dinner and then re-introduce Bill Hansen, Glencoe Prexy. Hansen thanked all who had aided in a reinvigoration of the Glencoe Club with special thanks to Barbara Harris.
Leske then introduced our new District Governor, Suzanne Gibson from the Barrington Club. Ms. Harris has earned a variety of Rotary honors including multiple Paul Harris awards and who is an exemplar of the 4-Way creed. She spoke briefly saying she was honored to be our new DG and hoped she will bring “value added” to club affairs in the year to come.
Leske then introduced the Presidents-elect of the three clubs who are Marie Kuipers – W/N, John Held - Wilmette and Bill Hansen - Glencoe. Each pledged to faithfully serve their Club, the District and Rotary International. Then followed an acceptance speech by each new President with Ms. Kuipers noting she saw Rotary as her family. She also said the secret to happiness is low expectations.
Leske returned to receive the plaque and badge noting he is now a “Past President”. The usual W/N lottery was held with no winner and the meeting was closed.
As the 2018-19 Rotary Year nears its conclusion, 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 Programs Fund.
With a bit over one month to go, our club members have donated a total of $6,743 in the 2018-19 Rotary Year, 67% of our goal this year of $10,000.
Please thank these 26 Rotarians for already making their annual contribution, especially those in bold who are Paul Harris Fellows:
Wes Baumann, Sam Badger*+, Connie Berman, David Birkenstein*+, Rik Boerjesson,Laura Cunningham, Terry Dason, David Grant*, Heather Higgins, Tony Kambich, Marie Kuipers, Rich Lalley+, Bill Leske, Robert Mardirossian,Rodger Morris*,Chuck Norton, Felicia O'Malley, Lee Padgitt, Keith Reid, Fred Schwimmer+ , Heidi Sibert, Peter Skalski, John Thomas, Barb Tubekis, Patty Van Cleave, 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 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 over $3,500 for our Kids Against Hunger project! But we must give to receive.
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 donate with a check or credit card at lunch; you can send a check to “WNRCF” (mark TRF in the memo line) to our club at 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka; 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.