President Linda Gerber welcomed members to the meeting as Hillary Hufford-Tucker led the group in our statement of purpose.  Noting that the world can seem very dark these days, Hillary shared some thoughts on the importance of taking time to relax/recharge/reflect in summer.  From Maya Angelou, “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”   And from Anne Lamott, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” 

 

 

Albert Menard announced that the next Golf Road trash pick-up will be on Saturday, July 9. We will meet at the parking lot of TJ Maxx, on the corner of Golf Road and East Prairie, at 8:30 a.m. Hoping for a few more hands this time!

 

Marv Edelstein, a resident of the New England Village (NEV) neighborhood that borders our Golf Road Clean-up area, shared some kind recognition of our club (in their newsletter:  “I would like to recognize and thank the Lighthouse Rotary of Evanston for the recent cleanup of Golf Road.  Sam Lovering is our local Rotary representative.  Volunteers have been doing a Golf Road garbage cleanup regularly which includes our NEV stretch.  By chance, they did the cleanup after our shrubs and trees were pruned. Cleanup of the garbage was needed and appreciated.  If you know a member of the Lighthouse Rotary, please extend NEV’s thank you!”    As Marv noted, while we may not feel like our small gestures are noticed, they are important and appreciated. 

 

Katherine Peterson encouraged members to register (and attend) the upcoming 2022-2023 Installation Picnic Dinner, which will be held at Lovelace Park (2740 Gross Point Road) on Sunday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m.  The Club Service Committee has worked hard to make this a safe and enjoyable event for all vaccinated members and guests.   Dinner will be provided by Hecky’s BBQ with C&W’s new ice cream truck making an appearance at this not-to-be-missed event.  You only need to bring beverages, cups, and outdoor chairs.   Please note:  Those wishing to order a vegetarian “Beyond Burger” meal, should contact Lesley Peters at lesley.peters@gmail.com.  The deadline to register is quickly approaching: Friday, June 17.  Please register at your earliest convenience and find all the details for the event using this link:   https://evlrc.org/event/installation-of-2022-23-board---dinner-on-june-26/

 

RI recently concluded its annual Convention in Houston.  During the closing session, incoming President Jennifer Jones shared the question she has been asked most often -- How does it feel to be Rotary’s first woman President?  Feeling a sense of excitement, she noted the opportunities for lifting and the importance of an invitation.  While there are many different paths to Rotary - and the Convention, all journeys began with an invitation to join a club!  Jennifer hopes to harness diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to extend that invitation across the world.  She also encouraged members to be trailblazers, continuing President Shekhar Mehta’s Empowering Girls Initiative.

 

Three Evanston Lighthouse Rotarians attended the recent RI Convention.  Bryant Wallace (current Technology Chair and incoming President-Elect) thanked our club for the opportunity to attend and stressed the impact of meeting so many Rotarians who place Service Above Self.  Describing the experience as “drinking from a fire hose,” he cited the incredible conversations/stories and the opportunities for exchange with fellow Rotarians.  With new appreciation for our club and each member, Bryant looks forward to compounding the impact of the work that we do, both locally and globally.  He also thanked the RI staff who worked so hard to make the convention a valuable experience for all.

 

Jean Saunders, a member of the RI Marketing team, whose job entails helping members around the world tell their stories, attended her sixth Rotary Convention.  The Houston Convention was “like the others” -- people from around the world striking up powerful conversations (including newbies like Bryant experiencing it for the first time)!   Wearing a lab coat, Jean was stationed in the People of Action Inspiration Lab, hosting quick chats and longer Info-sharing sessions.  Jean enjoyed the ‘in person’ experience and seeing many familiar faces including Lyle Staub and wife, Suzanne and Mark Gibson, and Mary Bak. 

 

Rebeca Mendoza, who attended her 3^rd Convention, showed a brief video clip of the House of Friendship.  For Rebeca, posted at the Resource Center, the Convention was an opportunity to meet ‘in person’ many Rotarians with whom she’s worked for years on grants and projects.   The Resource Center is the location where Rotarians may donate, purchase this year’s collectible signature tie and scarf, or ask a variety of questions (about grants, programs, logistics).  Like Jean, Rebeca’s time at the Convention was hard work!  Getting to meet some of the 400 RI staffers from around the world and talking with many interesting people made it a “tiring, wonderful experience.”

 

Bruce Baumberger explained the long and interesting connections two ELRC members have to Visiting Rotarian Kirk Reed.  Formerly of the Wilmette Harbor Rotary Club, Kirk and Bruce were Assistant Governors together in the 1990’s.  After serving as Pastor at Trinity Methodist Wilmette, Kirk eventually moved to Tucson, Ariz., where he (like Bruce) served as District Governor. Proving it’s a ‘small world,’ Ann Weatherhead grew up with Kirk in Columbus, Ga. After losing touch for many years, Kirk and Ann reconnected at Trinity Methodist Church. When she was moving to Evanston, Kirk suggested that she consider joining Rotary! 

 

This is the Centennial year for Kirk Reed’s family in Rotary.  His grandfather joined Rotary in 1922 and Kirk and his son are currently Rotarians in their respective communities.  Kirk is the Chair of this year’s Ride to End Polio in Tucson.  The ELRC is very familiar with the Ride as several of our members – Kristin Brown, Jean Saunders, Barb Miles and their spouses – have participated in recent years.  Kirk explained that the ride began modestly, raising $25,000 in its inaugural year, but has grown into a multi-million dollar fundraiser.  At the 2012 Rotary Convention in Bangkok, Kirk wisely invited General Secretary John Hewko and his wife Marga to participate in the Ride. Donations jumped to $100,00 in their first year and (pre-COVID) the ride has subsequently grown to 7,000 riders (120 Rotarians), raising $10 million-plus.   Over the ride’s 11-year history, it has raised more than $56 million.  Please consider participating in Tucson, biking locally (as part of the ‘indoor’ ride) or sponsoring our club members to raise funds for polio!  

 

PDG Lyle Staub joined us to present Graduation Certificates to two EL Rotarians who recently completed the District’s rigorous Leadership Academy.  Charlotta Koppanyi and Kathy Tate-Bradish successfully completed the six-month-long program designed to develop more effective leaders.  Charlotta and Kathy looked in depth at RI Communications, Membership, Public Image, Youth Service, and the Rotary Foundation.  Lyle also thanked the many club members who are part of the Paul Harris Society, committing to donate $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, Polio Plus Fund, or approved global grants.

 

Kassandre McGovern provided an additional announcement:  This year's theme of the Evanston Fourth of July Parade is “Celebrating 100 Years.” Our club will be participating and marching in the parade. Members are asked to wear Rotary attire. End Polio Now T-Shirts can be purchased online at www.bestclubsupplies.com. Volunteers are needed to pick up, deliver, and return flags from and to the storage locker. A vehicle will be needed to tow a trailer from U-Haul to Neil Gambow’s residence. If anyone has a convertible or other car to drive people who cannot march in the parade, please contact Kassandre McGovern. We will be marching with the Noon and Virtual Clubs.

 

 

 

 

Linda Gerber introduced Evanston City Clerk Stephanie Mendoza, who graciously agreed to speak to us on very short notice when scheduled speaker Jon Marshall’s travel plans were upended.  While young, Stephanie’s list of accomplishments is long!  

 

Born in California to Mexican immigrants, Stephanie moved with her family to Evanston for more opportunities and a better life.  The first in her family to graduate from college (while working full time and raising a family), she has run a successful local business with her husband and has been an active leader/volunteer with many of the organizations that were critical to her success – Childcare Network of Evanston, Infant Welfare Society and Reba Early Learning Center.

 

Stephanie seeks to empower young mothers and the Latino community every day. Recently, Stephanie served as a Prevention Specialist for Connections for the Homeless and is currently Director of Community Outreach for Evanston Latinos.  A talented community organizer, Stephanie has also been a campaign manager and field director for a number of elected officials.

 

Stephanie believes that good government begins with good practices!  She knows firsthand the importance of language and outreach.  Prompted by the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, the City of Evanston created the Community Member Relief Fund.  The Community Member Fund is a short term, special fund designated for undocumented Evanston residents who do not qualify for General Assistance or Emergency Assistance programs, but have life-threatening circumstances such as eviction, utility disconnection, food insecurity, or other emergency needs. In addition to immigrant families, students/families who move to Evanston for educational opportunities may face lower salaries and limited worker permits. Stephanie urged Rotarians to advocate for making this much-needed Community Member Relief Fund permanent.

 

Citing gaps in services and in the way Spanish speakers are served, Stephanie talked excitedly of a potential Welcome Center planned in conjunction with Family Focus. Funded by the State of Illinois, the Illinois Welcoming Center model eliminates the systemic barriers that immigrants may face in approaching state services.  The goal Is to strengthen the overall human service delivery system for immigrants and refugees and build the capacity of immigrant and refugee communities.  When one’s primary language is not English, it can be difficult to access legal assistance, health care, wraparound services such as social work, food assistance, language instruction, and tutoring.  Evanston has exceeded the necessary population threshold for such a center.  Family Focus is currently engaging in culturally relevant outreach, seeking input on what specific services are needed in an Evanston-based Welcome Center.

 

How can Rotary support these efforts?  Advocacy is important; partnerships are key. The ELRC, as established members of the local community, can provide needed advocacy for these efforts. An easy first step would be a Tuesday morning program about the potential Welcome Center at Family Focus.  As with the C&W grocery giveaways, ELRC advocacy and volunteers can make a difference!  We are good “thought partners,” with an ear to the ground.  While we may not be direct service beneficiaries, as community members we will benefit from these efforts!  

 

Samantha sees herself in the young moms pushing strollers, taking advantage of the grocery giveaways.  When necessary, her (“wonderful”) children accompanied her to college labs so she could complete her work.  She gratefully accepted help when it was needed and is now in a position to give back. Having been there, she doesn’t want anyone else to experience what she went through.  While some may criticize handholding, Stephanie knows it can be a valuable step to self-sufficiency. 

 

Stephanie is an excellent example of Service Above Self – and she may be interested in joining Rotary!  We are lucky to have Stephanie – with her important voice and lens – in our community.

 

 

 

Kirk Reed, Rotary Club of Catalina (Tucson), formerly Rotary Club of Wilmette Harbor

 

Harinder Singh, Rotarian from District 3011, and a Northwestern University parent

 

Jose Lopez, Rotary Club of Delta Waverly (Lansing), a prospective ELRC member

 

 

Jacob Bachmann – June 19

 

 

Vaidehi Ravikumar- June 14, 1 year

 

Paul Brown – June 13, 1985 (Charter Member – 37 years)

 

Ira Graham-- June 13, 1985 (Charter Member – 37 years)

 

Bob Teska -- June 13, 1985 (Charter Member – 37 years)