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Upcoming Events
Club Meeting: Residential Solar Energy
Aug 09, 2022 7:30 AM
 
New Members Get Together at Myra's
Aug 14, 2022
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Club Meeting: Philanthropy
Aug 16, 2022 7:30 AM
 
International Service Committee Meeting
Zoom
Aug 22, 2022
7:15 AM - 8:30 AM
 
Club Meeting: Federal Reserve
Aug 23, 2022
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
 
Golf Road Clean Up
TJ Maxx
Aug 27, 2022
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
 
August Board Meeting with Governor Bill Kmiecik
Aug 29, 2022
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
 
Club Meeting: Governor Kmiecik's Visit
Aug 30, 2022 7:30 AM
 
Club Meeting: New Member Intro's: Vai & Hillary
Sep 06, 2022 7:30 AM
 
Club Service Committee - Zoom
Zoom
Sep 14, 2022
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
 
View entire list
Meeting Notes for Aug. 2, 2022
The Light for August 2, 2022
 
By Kate Collinson
 
The Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse President Kathy Tate-Bradish welcomed members to the meeting and delivered a land acknowledgement.    
 
Chris Joyce led the group in our statement of purpose, followed by a topical Thought for the Day from Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg: “To all of you who choose to look the other way every day because you seem more frightened of the changes that can prevent catastrophic climate change than in the catastrophic climate change itself: Your silence is the worst of all.” 
 
Announcements
 
A person sleeping on a picnic table in Grey Park reminded Bill Glader why we are raising funds at the Taste of Evanston – to assist homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness.  Ticket sales lists will be sent out periodically so you will know who to follow up with and who to thank.  Help is also needed with underwriting.  You can support TOE by paying for some of its out-of-pocket expenses, with options from $100 to $3,000.  Please email Bill or sign the online spreadsheet using this link.  The TOE Committee will meet tonight at Kathy Tate-Bradish’s home.
 
Kelly Fidei encouraged members to send her their TOE silent auction details (item descriptions, photos, instructions for redeeming/receiving).  Auction info is being entered into the new software system and will be available in advance of the September 18 event.
 
Ann Searles explained that a new member (by invitation only) event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 14.  If you’re a new-ish member who would like to socialize and learn more about the club, this is the event for you.  (As Kathy mentioned, “If you’re new or you feel new to the Club,” please reach out to Ann for an invitation.) 
 
Neil Gambow noted that the Youth Exchange program will be back next year (2023-2024).  Youth Exchange Chair Jackie Mack and her committee will soon be recruiting outbound students and host families for our inbound scholar. Three host families are needed to provide accommodations to our incoming student, but they do not need to be members of our club.  More info to come…
 
Albert Menard announced that the next Golf Road pick-up will take place on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 8:30 a.m. at the TJ Maxx parking lot.   Golf Road project attendance has been very light recently.  Please consider joining your fellow Rotarians in late August – and give some thought to this hands-on service project.  Is it the best use/location for our efforts?   Comments/suggestions?
 
 
Program
 
Topic: International Service Committee Year-End Impact Report
 
Speakers: Yves Lassere, Kathy Tate-Bradish, Patrick Mbullo, Bruce Baumberger, Kate Collinson, Don Gwinn, Albert Menard, Jose Lopez, Marisa Naujokas, Eric Schmelling, and Linda Gerber.
 
Linda Gerber explained that the International Service Committee, during FY 2021-2022, funded 17 projects in 13 countries (Brazil, Kenya, Haiti, Ukraine, Lithuania, Mexico, Malawi, Guatemala, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Turkey, and Israel).  ISC projects addressed all seven of Rotary’s areas of focus (Water and Sanitation, Education and Literacy, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Maternal and Child Health, Economic and Community Development, Environment) plus Emergency Response. The Committee distributed cash grants totaling $35,000, coupled with $4,800 DDF, and partnered with Rotary Clubs and non-profit organizations around the world.  Our global projects, in total, topped $600,000!   Our fundraisers – TOE and the Holiday Sale – made these grants possible!
 
Cleft Surgeon Medical Fellowship (Brazil), Linda Gerber – $10,000, $10,000 DDF, $114,000 total
This Global Grant addressed the shortage of cleft surgeons in Brazil by recruiting and training five surgeons – in conjunction with non-profit Smile Train.  To date, more than 500 life-changing cleft surgeries have been completed by these capable young surgeons.  Eight U.S. and Brazilian Rotary Clubs (including the Rotary Club of Campinas Sul) collaborated on the project.  Before and after photos beautifully illustrate the importance of this work!
 
HIV Reduction (Kenya), Yves Lassere – $18,100, $6,284 DDF, $98,000 total
This Global Grant was developed to reduce by 40% the high rate of HIV prevalence in Siaya County.  In partnership with the Rotary Club of Siaya, The ABC’s of Sex Education, and the Ministry of Health and Education, 120 educators were trained (via four workshops) in best practices to reduce HIV spread.   More than 8,000 individuals (ages 12-50) were reached through this effort which was supported by five additional Kenyan and five U.S. Rotary Clubs.
 
HANWASH (Haiti), Bruce Baumberger - $3,000, $3,750 DDF, $352,500 total
In spite of political unrest and infrastructure challenges, this Global Grant (the third in the Cavillon area) was designed to expand drinking water access in ten small rural communities, improve hygiene awareness, and ensure at least 85% sanitation coverage. This project exemplifies the leverage possible when 20+ Rotary clubs and districts donate cash and DDF and TRF funds match these donations.
 
Psychological Help for Families of Ukrainian Refugees (Ukraine), Marisa Naujokas – $3,150, $147,725 total
This Global Grant was developed to train teachers and school psychologists to deal with Ukrainian refugees using Teaching Recovery Techniques oriented to child survivors of war and disaster and to provide consultations for refugees who left their homeland with great psychological trauma. The effort also included translation services for these programs.
 
      Mine Free Ukraine (Ukraine), Linda Gerber – $1,502, $1,502 DDF, $50,000 total 
This Global Grant, in partnership with Rotary District 2232 (Ukraine), seeks to remove ammunition and explosive devices from the more than 300,000 square kilometers affected by the large-scale invasion and use of weapon systems.  The scope of the damage is unparalleled since WWII.  The effort is being undertaken in collaboration with the government of the Ukraine in the Kyiv and Odessa regions.
 
Rotary Disaster Response Fund (Ukraine), Eric Schmelling – $3,000
On Feb. 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, creating a huge humanitarian disaster and displacing more than 12 million people.  Since then, the Rotary Foundation has raised $15 million and, to date, the Rotary Disaster Response Fund has made 172 District Response Grants, totaling $5.4 million in 29 countries.  These grants provide needed water, food, medicine, clothing, and immediate aid to the refugees.
 
Water for Life (Mexico), Sue Patel/Linda Gerber – $1,750, $17,274 total
A collaboration between Rotary Clubs (including Club Rotario Irapuato Internacional), Choice Humanitarian and local villagers, this project trains women in the building of ferro cement tanks in Central Mexico.  An all-female Rotary Club is leading this effort which will ultimately limit the time women in the community spend fetching water for their families.  Cost breakdown: Club Rotario Irapuato 20%, Choice Humanitarian 20%, Villagers 10%, Other RCs 50%.
 
Healthy Refugee Shelter (Mexico), Linda Gerber – $2,500, $11,500 total
Funds were sought to purchase water sanitation and pump equipment, bunk beds and mattresses, a storage cabinet and water heaters for a refugee shelter on the border in Tijuana.  It is hoped that these measures will reduce the frequency of digestive diseases among the residents. Supporters of the project include the Rotary Club of Tijuana Oeste and several other Rotary clubs.
 
Girls Gearing Up Leadership Academy (Malawi), Kate Collinson – $3,200
Girls Gearing Up, a Berlin-based skill-building, leadership training, inspirational program for girls (13-20 years of age from around the world) recently opened a Malawi hub.  Our club sponsored two local Malawi teens for the one-week program plus year-long engagement and mentorship.
 
Rain Water Catchment (Kenya), Patrick Mbullo – $3,000
We are continuing to fund the relatively new, largely female Rotary Club of Kisumu Mashariki whose focus is rain water catchment. Their most recent project involves installation of a 10,000 liter water tank (with gutters and standpipe) at a secondary school and the renovation of the girls’ latrine at a primary school.  Both projects were completed this spring and handed over to the schools.
 
Pamoja Tupande (Together Let us Plant) Tree Project  (Kenya), Patrick Mbullo – $2,500, $3,850 total
Funds were sought to improve the community agroforestry system and raise awareness of climate change and its impact on livelihoods in Kisumu County. This effort included training youth and small farmers, strengthening their relationships, equipping them with tools, establishing nurseries, and planting. More than 250 youths have been trained in 25 groups with a goal of 3,000 trees/group planted annually… 75,000 seedlings to be planted in total.  Groups have also succeeded in using recycled materials in their planting and raising additional products for sale.
 
Ak Tenamit Construction/Furnishing Girls Dorm (Guatemala), Don Gwinn – $2,000
Don & Joanna Gwinn and the Patels (Sue, her husband and son) participated in our District’s June trip to Ak Tenamit to build and furnish a girls’ dormitory.  In addition to dorm construction, the crew built 40 bunk beds, 75 cubbies, and several large whiteboards that were greatly appreciated by the local Mayan students!  October’s participants completed repairs on the Ak Tenamit dental boat.
 
TuTu Desk Project (South Africa), Don Gwinn – $2,240
Named for South African Human Rights activist Desmond Tutu, a TuTu desk is a light, but sturdy, lap board on which students can write throughout their educational careers.  Our club donated the cost of producing 100 TuTu desks out of recycled polymers for distribution to students.
 
Ani Shlishi (Israel), Kathy Tate-Bradish – $2,000
Ani Shlishi is a paid workforce development and financial education program for teens in Israel who live in shelters. Youths learn sales, service, store operations, budgeting, and interpersonal skills at three resale shops. The program currently serves 75 youths (ages 15-17): 35% Ethiopian, 35% Arab, 75% female. Program was founded by Evanston native David Baskin. Ani Shlishi means “I am third.”  First comes “the greater good,” second comes “others,” and “I am third.”  A great example of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging!
 
Karam Foundation Families Project (Turkey), Albert Menard – $2,400
Three-quarters of a million Syrian refugees live in Turkish refugee camps as a result of the civil war in Syria. The Karam Foundation educates Syrian children living in these camps, working with individual families.  Karam’s efforts allow them to attend school full time, receiving monthly stipends and participating in job and language training where necessary.  Karam is building Syria’s next cadre of leaders.
 
Project Las Americas (Dominican Republic), Jose Lopez – $1,000, $8,200 total
A collaborative project between the Kalamazoo Rotary Club, Project Las Americas, the ELRC, and other sources, this construction project in La Colorada provided a decent, solidly built home to a family of four who had been living in a substandard patchworked structure.  Project Las Americas (PLA) has been active in the area since 2005 and has completed 65 homes, with 260 direct and 1.000 indirect beneficiaries. 
 
Right to be Free (Ghana), Harold Bauer – $2,000
In recent years, we have provided modest, but ongoing, support to Right to be Free. This organization rescues and rehabilitates children from lives of subservience and human trafficking and provides skills training, workshops, and outreach programs to ‘at risk’ communities where trafficking is endemic. The current donation will support the rehabilitation of three children – Esi, Abu, Razak.
 
In conclusion, we have touched communities around the world!  Thank you to the Club, the International Service Committee, ISC Chairs Patrick Mbullo, Sue Bova, and Chair Emeritus Linda Gerber.  To new members of the Club, please consider joining the Committee!
 
Guests & Milestones
 
Visiting Rotarian
 
Christabel Lubinda, past RC president, Zone 9210,  Zambia   
 
Other Guest
 
Joanna Green, long-time Evanston resident, friend of Ann Weatherhead
 
Birthday
 
Harold Bauer – Aug. 6
 
Club Anniversaries
 
Jacob Bachman  – 7 years, Aug. 5
 
Gerry Baumann – 15 years, Aug. 6
 
Pram Chakraborty – 4 years, Aug. 6
 
Harold Bauer – 16 years, Aug. 8
 
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