Meeting called to order by President Helen Oloroso at 7:30 a.m. on the dot, followed by reciting Why We Are Rotarians.  Thoughts for the day were given by Helen, herself, which was the last paragraph of Michelle O’Bama’s book, Becoming.

 

Visiting Rotarian, Dari Sioarfi, spoke on behalf of a project designed to save the largest hospital in Brazil. 

 

 

Helen Oloroso – Announced that Northwestern is giving out free tickets to the Nov. 9 Purdue football game for their Hero’s Day.  The tickets are free for first responders and active/inactive military people.

 

Greg Klaiber – This is his last meeting before moving to Colorado and wanted to thank everyone for coming to his going-away party at Smylie’s.  And he reminded everyone about the Police and Fire Foundation fundraiser on Nov. 1 at the Evanston Art Center from 5-8 p.m.

 

Mike Merdinger – Youth Leadership Day is set for Friday, Nov. 8.  Please see the signup sheets.  Chief Demetrius Cook, Chief of the Evanston Police Department, is the keynote speaker.  He needs one more speaker to sign up and talk about experiences in services like Peace Corps and Rotary.

 

Linc Janus – reminded everyone to review the proposed bylaw changes sent out last week. 

 

Kathy Tate-Bradish – On Thursday, Nov. 7, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Evanston Public Library there will be an information session on “Illinois Needs a Fair Tax.”  This is in reference to the vote on changing the Illinois constitution from a flat tax to a graduated rate.  Register at www.EPL.org or by calling 847/448-8260. 

 

Jean Saunders – There is a World Polio Day event at All Evanston Rocks on Oct.  24.  Bruce will send out a link.  More information on the Tucson ride can be found on our web page.

 

Marissa Naulokas – It’s Holiday Sales time!  We have several new lines of products and a new citrus supplier.  She reminded everyone to get online to check their password to the Holiday Sale page.  The pickup dates are Dec. 7 for flowers and Dec.  14 for food. 

 

 

 

 

Nina Kavin is a writer and community organizer. She is the Executive Director of Dear Evanston, a social media platform that seeks to engage Evanstonians in constructive dialogue and action around issues of racial equity and youth gun violence. Dear Evanston offers a space where Evanstonians whose voices are less often heard can share their stories.

 

Nina presented a passionate review of the bus trip to Montgomery and Selma, Ala., from Sept. 13-16 which, included 100 Evanston residents.  This trip has been her dream ever since she graduated from Leadership Evanston in 2106.  On the way, many experiences were shared by fellow travelers around mass incarceration, slavery, and basic human rights.  She referenced two books that all were asked to read before the trip;  Just Mercy by Roger Stevenson and White Fragility, by Robin DiAngelo.

 

She talked about her home country, South Africa, and being raised during apartheid.  She also talked about Evanston’s connections to slavery and the history of Redlining Evanston on display at the Civic Center.  The story of Anthony Crawford, who was lynched in 1916 as another connection to Evanston as some of his family is here, and suggested we Google him to get his full story. 

 

On the way to Selma, they listened to Martin Luther King’s speech and upon arrival, went over the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which was very emotional for all.  All in all, an incredible, emotional journey.

 

Kimberly Holms-Ross spoke briefly about her experience.  Lachisa Barton, a native Evanstonian, spoke about traveling with her friends, many of whom lost grandparents recently.  She wanted to know more about the struggles of her grandparents and create her own stories to tell their children.  Leticia Barge told of her stories as a 70-year-old with a lot of experience and angst about her roots. 

 

This was a remarkable morning with some really heartfelt stories that should remain with all of us. 

 

 

 

 

Dari Sioarfi – Brazil

 

 

Allison Shaenitz, Dave Spitulnuk, Jennifer Moran, Kimberly Holms-Ross, Lachisa Barton, Leticia Barge, Rina Campbell, Ashanti Cole, Kelly Brest van Kempen, Darlene Murray-Cannon - Guests of Linda Gerber and fellow bus riders.

 

Sue Bova – Prospective member

 

 

 

 

Yves Lassaire – 6 years