Welcome to Our Club


The Rotary Club of Wilmette has merged with the Wilmette Harbor Rotary Club, the combined clubs are now all officially the Rotary Club of Wilmette. The original Wilmette Rotary Club was chartered in 1924 and was known as the Noon Club.  In 1990, the Wilmette Harbor Club was chartered, and was known as the Morning Club.  In 2019, a satellite club was established as part of the Noon group.  Today there are over 80 active members who gather to do good for others while enjoying good fellowship, with the choice of meeting either morning, noon or evening.
 

Our Club members enthusiastically live the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” both locally and internationally. Recent projects include water well installation at schools in Angola, food packing and providing necessities to the homeless in Chicago, supplying ultrasound equipment and related training to people in Uganda, providing disaster relief supplies to hurricane, typhoon, and other natural disaster survivors, providing winter coats and shoes to low-oncome children, food packing for people in Guatemala and Central America, and supporting local food pantries, literacy efforts and diversity.

NOTICE: Beginning May 14, our Noon meetings (the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month) will be at St. John's Church, 1235 Wilmette Ave. Wilmette. We will also meet in-person on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6pm at St. Joseph Church, Wilmette and on the 3rd Wednesday at 7:30am at Sheridan Shore Yacht Club. 

We’d love to have you join one of our meetings!

Club Information
Welcome!


Our Motto: Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Sheridan Shores Yacht Club
20 Harbor Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America
Phone:
(847) 722-2115
Email:
clubrotarywilmette@gmail.com
We meet monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 6pm at St Joseph Church, the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at Noon and the 3rd Wednesday at 7:30am at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Gillson Park. Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
District Site
Venue Map
2024 Rotary Images
CLUB NEWS
Hope Walk - Sat, May 3 - Gillson Park
Hope Walk - Sat, May 3 - Gillson Park
                                
 
Our 2025 annual fundraiser, Hope Walk for the Homeless is Saturday, May 3.   Join members from the Winnetka-Northfield, Evanston Lighthouse and Skokie Valley Rotary clubs, friends, and neighbors for a Fun 5k Walk in beautiful Gillson Park.  It will start at 10am in the Wallace Bowl area of the Park. All proceeds will go to organizations that provide services to the homeless in Evanston, Chicago, and the local area (e.g. Connections for the Homeless, La Casa Norte, Fraternite Notre Dame, Interfaith Action of Evanston and others).  Registration fee is $30 per person, $50 for a couple, $100 for a Family, and $25 for Students. Leashed dogs are welcome!
 
REGISTER HERE for the Hope Walk -- tell your friends and neighbors -- this is an easy way to make a difference in your community.  
 
We will need volunteers for the day of the event; click VOLUNTEER  to sign-up for specific tasks.
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Trivia Night is Wednesday, June 4. Join us at our most fun fundraiser!  It will take place from 5:30pm-9:00pm at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Gillson Park. Pizza, salad, dessert and beverages will be provided. Invite your neighbors, friends and associates to join in the fun. Organize a team of 4 or come as a single (we will add you to a group). Cost: $50 per person. Doors open 5:30 pm; dinner at 6:00 pm; Trivia contest starts at 7:00 pm.

Purchase Raffle Tickets one for $10, five for $30 or ten for $50. Raffle winners will be drawn during the Trivia contest; winners need not be present Raffle prizes will include a gift card to a local restaurant or retailer! .  

Proceeds support our local, international, and End Polio Now projects. Recent grant recipients include: Building Peaceful Bridges, Connections for the Homeless, Go  Green Wilmette, Family Promise, Meals on Wheels, Our Place, Lawrence hall, Lemons of Love,  Family Service Center, Alliance for the Great Lakes.
 
Purchase Tickets HERE
April 16 Program - Beth Drucker/Ben Ivory
April 16 Program - Beth Drucker/Ben Ivory
Beth Drucker (Go Green Wilmette) and our own Rotarian, Ben Ivory, gave a wonderful presentation on what we can all do to create a more sustainable community.  Both Beth and Ben noted our Club's ongoing commitment to sustainability through many of our projects and events.
 
Following his retirement, Ben went back to school and got a MS in Environmental Sustainability. Beth Drucker was a co-founder of Go Green Wilmette (Gogreenwilmette.org) which was the impetus for Go Green organizations across the State of Illinois! Visit their website and subscribe to their newsletter – it is filled with practical information and upcoming events, including a Plant Sale on May 10.  On May 31, our Club in collaboration with the Glenview Sunrise and Evanston Rotary Clubs will participate in Forest Restoration.
 
                         
Earth Day 2025
Rotary volunteers, Ben Ivory, Brian Bradley and George Pearce set up a tent in Keay Nature Center to join the Wilmette Park District in celebration of  Earth Day.  They gave away native plant and vegetable seeds, and talked to people about Rotary and our environmental focus.
                   
Operation Pollination Pledge
Operation Pollination Pledge
On April 16, Co-Presidents Heidi Voorhees and Debora Morris signed a pledge to support Operation Pollination, as requested by Ben Ivory our environmental chair. We support the goal of developing an interconnected mosaic of pollinator habitat to help restore and maintain populations of pollinator species throughout this region. A specific area in Wilmette has been selected for this continuing project. Volunteers will be needed when the date is set.
April 9 Program -- No Salt Sailing
Member William Shehan gave an inspiring presentation on April 9 about No Salt Sailing.  This organization organizes sailing outings and instruction for veterans and veterans families who have experienced PTSD and other disabilities from their time in the military. William has experienced firsthand the consequences of PTSD.  No Salt Sailing has several small sailing craft that can accommodate up to ten (including crew).  They sail and explore the Great Lakes around Chicago, all while promoting veteran well-being, both physical and mental.  
March 26 Program - Women In Music
March 26 Program - Women In Music
We had a wonderful presentation at our meeting on Wednesday, March 26.  We were so honored to have Lisa Torem and John Philip Shenale talk with us about "Influential Female Artists/Entrepreneurs."  John was in from Los Angeles and has worked with numerous female recording artists who are household names. He played some music and then and shared interviews with several the female artists.  One of the interviews was with Judy Collins who had polio when she was 11 and was trained as a classical pianist. 
 
They also shared an interview with Cindy Lauper who worked on costume designs for the Alice Cooper Band -- those costumes went onto inspire the costumes worn by David Bowie and Elton John.  Lisa is working on a book about the Beach Boys which will be out later this year and the two of them are discussing the development of a documentary so others can see these important interviews.
March 12 Program - Regina Dominican High School
March 12 Program - Regina Dominican High School
Krista Gallagher, President of Regina Dominican High School spoke at our club's March 12 Noon meeting.  Krista explained how the school has down-sized to about 200 students.  This smaller number than in the past allows for greater interaction with all students.  She personally knows each student and will follow their progress through their years at Regina. Regina is a faith-based all girls' high school, but not just for Catholic girls.  Currently they have students of all religions attending classes.  The school has excelled at academics, sports and community involvement.  The all-girl atmosphere encourages each student to feel free to fully participate in all class discussions, which is not always possible in a co-ed environment.               
Discover Rotary Event - April 4
Discover Rotary Event - April 4
April 4, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Check-in at 11:30 AM) Location:   Rotary International Headquarters | Evanston, IL
 
Ready to get inspired? Join us at One Rotary Center for Discover Rotary – Your Path to Purpose — a dynamic afternoon designed to connect you with fellow Rotarians, new friends, and the heart of Rotary itself! Enjoy lunch, meet Rotary staff, and tour the historic Paul Harris Museum while discovering how you can get more involved, grow as a leader, and make an even bigger impact. 
 
Perfect for New and Prospective Members, or Anyone, including current  Rotarians, who want to better understand Rotary's mission and opportunities.  Click link to Register
 
Guided Tours Available (space is limited!): 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM | 3:15 PM
"Dr. Yash"  Gives Amazing Presentation  - February 26
"Dr. Yash" Gives Amazing Presentation - February 26
Dr. Yashar Taheri-Karamati gave a very serious and inspiring presentation to our members.  He spoke to us from Angola (8:30 p.m. his time after a long, difficult day performing surgeries) and recounted his extraordinary experience through his Rotary affiliations that started 15 years ago.
 
In 2010, Dr. Karamati was selected to be a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.  His work in Angola at that time involved studying the connection between gangs, police corruption and youth.  What he saw inspired him to become a surgeon.  He studied for 7 years in Cuba where he also worked on additional medical projects.  A native of Canada, he often partners with Canadian Rotary Clubs through Rotary World Help, a Canadian based offshoot of Rotary International. Dr. Karamati is performing surgeries in the absolute worst conditions -- operating rooms often lack water, gloves and other sanitation, air conditioning and many basic necessities.  He was such an inspiration to us. He will continue to go to places where there is a conflict and needs surgeons. You can join his mailing list by contacting him at infodryash.org.        
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SERVICE ABOVE SELF

How We Serve and Support:
Local Community Groups
International Groups
 
Speakers
Beth Gunzel
May 14, 2025 12:00 PM
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief partners with communities to deliver specially designed, locally assembled, rugged bicycles for people in need. We’ve developed an efficient, innovative, and scalable model to empower communities of students, health workers, and entrepreneurs in rural regions with life-changing mobility.

Location: St. John's Church, Wilmette

Tricia Mullen
May 21, 2025 7:30 AM
Meals on Wheels Update
Gabriell Doyle
May 28, 2025
Downsizing and Staying in Place
Don Crost
Jun 11, 2025 12:00 PM
ShelterBox Update
Steve Jambor
Jun 18, 2025
Update on International Service Committee Projects
View entire list...
Club Executives & Directors
Co-President
Heidi Voorhees
Co-President
Debora Morris
Immediate Past President
Mariana Alfar
President Elect
Brian Bradley
Co-President Nominee
Frank Candioto
Co-President Nominee
Frank Hussey
Club Foundation Treasurer
John Flanagin
Secretary
John Kilner
Treasurer
Kent Meyers
Director
Nick Dallas
Director
Frank Cheswick
Director
Irene Paterno
Director
Laurie Cavalier
Director
Timothy Frenzer
Director
Terry Porter
Director
Jack Close
Director
George Pearce
Director
John Kay
Membership Chair
George Pearce
Public Image
Patricia Ohle
COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAIR
Brian Bradley
YOUTH SERVICE CHAIR
Jacqueline Granat
CLUB SERVICE CHAIR
Yvonne Sito
Web Site Coordinator
Debora Morris
Program Chair
Frank Candioto
Co-Bulletin Editor
Debora Morris
Co -Bulletin Editor
Heidi Voorhees
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CHAIR
Steven R Jambor
Rotary Foundation
C. Raymond Zeiss
Finance Chair
John Flanagin
General
Upcoming Events
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Club Links
Downloadable Forms