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.
St. John's Church
1235 Wilmette Avenue
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 at St. John's Church, Wilmette and the 3rd Wednesday at 7:30am at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in . Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
District Site
Venue Map
2024 Rotary Images
CLUB NEWS
July 9 Program - RYLA Experiences
July 9 Program - RYLA Experiences
Three students from Regina Dominican High School who attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program this year  shared their experiences and insights. The students were introduced by Regina Dominican's Leadership Institute Director Julie Konigsberger.  We heard first-hand from three of the four students we sponsored for the RYLA program.  Carina Montoya (rising senior), Vee Deanda-Medina (rising junior) and Francesca Montaya (rising sophomore) each told us about their time at RYLA.  A common theme was leadership and how there are multiple ways to lead.  RYLA provided opportunities for the young women to have a deeper understanding of themselves and their unique leadership styles. The students showed a short video (which they created) of various RYLA activities at the camp. Our club has sponsored many students over the years, and will continue to send students to this amazing leadership weekend.
                    
Installation Luncheon - June 25
We held our annual Installation event at the Wilmette Golf Club at Noon on June 25.  Forty-one members and guests attended.  The agenda included: Mariana Alfar installing the new President, Brian Bradley and board members, John Kay and Ben Ivory; Debora Morris inducting new members Doug Oettinger and Jolie Garcia; Heidi Voorhees awarding the Rotarian of the Year Award to Ben Ivory; and Heidi and Debora reviewing the events, goals and activities of this Rotary year.  
         
                   
International Service Committee Update
International Service Committee Update
At the June 18 morning Rotary Club meeting, members received an update on the impressive activities of the International Service Committee.  Committee Chair Steve Jambor outlined some of the exciting projects and he and his committee have been focused on. Steve's professional background is in medical devices and that knowledge was beneficial in spearheading a project in Uganda that provides ultrasound machines and training midwives in the use of those machines.  Neonatal disorders is the number #1 cause of death in 8 countries including Uganda so this information is critical.  The success of this work on a smaller scale led to the Committee's application for a $2 million Program of Scale grant from Rotary International that would train 1000 midwives in 20 nations.  Unfortunately, the Program of Scale submittal came in second this year, but the the program will continue.
 
In addition to this effort, the International Service Committee supports work at AkTenamit in Guatemala -- a school and orphanage; Project Cure - sending medical equipment to Zambia, building wells to provide fresh water in Angola, and assisting local efforts to help refugee resettlement.
June 11 Program - ShelterBox
June 11 Program - ShelterBox
More than 30 of us attended the June 11 meeting to hear a presentation from ShelterBox Ambassador Don Crost who has been a Rotarian for 35 years and is currently a member of the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club.  ShelterBox is now 25 years old and was started by Rotarians.  It is now a partner organization with Rotary.  ShelterBox has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize three times, a testament to the important work they do around the world.
 
Each box can provide shelter and other life necessities for a family of 6.  Whatever natural and man made disaster you can think of, ShelterBox has likely been there -- earthquake in Morocco, famine in Somalia, war in Ukraine (where ShelterKits provide foam filler for bullet holes in homes).  ShelterBox's first work in the United States was Hurricane Katrina and they have more recently provided much needed assistance in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene and in California following the wildfires. If you are interested in donating, here is a link: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/
Pollination Project Update
George Pearce, Ben Ivory and Alice Chow joined the Village of Wilmette's Pollination Project on June 6.  The goal of this multi-year project is the restoration of the ecologically barren sites along the Glenview corridor ; this will increase biodiversity through the installation of native grasses and forbs that are necessary to support pollinators. This project was part of our club's environmental focus.
                    
                   
 
Trivia Night Was a Success
Trivia Night on June 4 was a fun and successful event.  Many thanks to all the members, spouses and friends that helped to make the event possible. We don't have final numbers yet, but our proceeds will benefit the many service projects we support.  Below is the winning team and the second place team.
                            
                            
May 28 Program - Downsizing Today
May 28 Program - Downsizing Today
Member Gabrielle Doyle works for Dream Town Real Estate where he specializes in “downsizing” and  “resizing” services.  He explained the realities of today’s housing market and how individuals—particularly those in their golden years—can and should navigate the process of moving to a home that better fits their lifestyle needs.  He expressed how the emotional, physical and practical needs of moving must be taken into consideration, and is specific to each individual. 
Rotary Day of Restoration - May 31
Yesterday, Ben Ivory and Debora Morris participated in the "Rotary Day of Restoration" at a forest preserve in Morton Grove.  Several Rotarians from seven different clubs were there.  We assisted the Friends of the Forest Preserves to weed out and cut down invasive species which were then added to burn sites. This was part of our club's environmental focus. Click HERE to see more about this project. Other projects, like the Pollinator Project (see Volunteer Opportunities) on June 6 is looking for volunteers.
                   
May 21 Program - Meals on Wheels NE Illinois
May 21 Program - Meals on Wheels NE Illinois
Tricia Mullin, Executive Director for Meals on Wheels, Northeast Illinois (MOW) gave a very interesting presentation on this wonderful organization.  Our Club provides financial support to MOW and some of our members are volunteers!  Tricia has an impressive history in working and leading a wide variety of programs related to senior citizens.  She joined MOW a few months ago. Founded in 1968, Meals on Wheels, NE Illinois has their operation in Evanston and more than 250 volunteers assist them with preparing and delivering 800 meals each week.  Meals on Wheels prepares and provides home delivered meals as well as social interaction to recipients.  They also prepare meals for congregate sites. 
May 14 Program - World Bicycle Relief
May 14 Program - World Bicycle Relief
Beth Gunzel, Development Officer for World Bicycle Relief, told us about how the organization works globally in underserved markets with millions of people who lack reliable transportation, creating access to affordable purpose-designed bicycles, mechanics and spare parts, so that individuals and communities have independence, access to health care, education, and economic opportunities. In 2008, World Bicycle Relief formed subsidiary Buffalo Bicycles Ltd., creating an innovative hybrid model in which the nonprofit wholly owns a for-profit that sells bicycles to other nonprofits, businesses, local governments and individuals to meet an increasing market demand. Entire communities who lack transportation (and must rely solely on walking) are transformed by expanding opportunities to access education, markets, health facilities and vital services with the tool they need to thrive.

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

How We Serve and Support:
Local Community Groups
International Groups
 
ABOUT ROTARY

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Speakers
Neil Gambow - The Trade Collective
Jul 16, 2025 7:30 AM
A Crisis in Skilled Trades Professional Ranks
A Crisis in Skilled Trades Professional Ranks

About 40% of Skilled Trades Professionals nationwide are expected to leave in the next 10 years. That is about 3 Million journeymen who have been in their profession for many years. For every person entering skilled trades professional careers, five are leaving. This is creating a serious demand for people to fill these positions. The Trade Collective has been established to introduce high school students to the many high-paying careers as skilled trades professionals that do not require a college degree. 

In 2018, Neil Gamobow was appointed by Evanston’s mayor to lead the newly-formed Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC), a volunteer organization founded to connect Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students with local careers that do not require a college degree. As chair, Neil worked closely with Evanston employers and ETHS to identify career pathways for students who do not go to or finish college.  He joined The Trade Collective in 2024.

Senta Plunkett, Village President
Jul 23, 2025 12:00 PM
Update on Village Government
TBD
Aug 13, 2025 12:00 PM
Zbig Skiba
Aug 27, 2025 12:00 PM
Climate Tech
Rachel Ramirez, Museum Director
Sep 10, 2025 12:00 PM
TBD
Katie Arnold, Executive Director
Sep 17, 2025 7:30 AM
Our Place Update
Josh Wallace - Superintendent of Parks & Planning
Sep 24, 2025 12:00 PM
Update on Wilmette Park District
Steve Jambor
Oct 08, 2025 12:00 PM
International Service Committee Update
View entire list...
Club Executives & Directors
President
Brian Bradley
Co-president Elect
Frank Hussey
Co-Immediate Past President
Heidi Voorhees
Co-Immediate Past President
Debora Morris
Co-President Elect
Frank Hussey
Co-President Elect
Frank Candioto
Club Foundation Treasurer
John Flanagin
Secretary
John Kilner
Treasurer
Kent Meyers
Director
Jack Close
Director
Terry Porter
Director
George Pearce
Director
Irene Paterno
Director
Nick Dallas
Director
Frank Cheswick
Director
John Kay
Director
Ben Ivory
Director
Karl Behrend
Membership Chair
George Pearce
Public Image
Patricia Ohle
Co-chair Community and Environmental Service Committee
Sarah Homan
Co-chair Community and Environmental Service Committee
Ben Ivory
Co-chair Youth Service
Jacqueline Granat
Co-chair Youth Service
George Pearce
Web Site Coordinator
Debora Morris
Program Chair
Frank Candioto
Co-Bulletin Editor
Debora Morris
Co -Bulletin Editor
Heidi Voorhees
Fundraising Chair
Debora Morris
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CHAIR
Steven R Jambor
Rotary Foundation
C. Raymond Zeiss
Finance Chair
John Flanagin
Golf Outing Chair
Terry Porter
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
Monthly Lunch-packing on August 5 - Please Sign-up to participate.  Our monthly service project of preparing lunch bags for Connections for the Homeless is at St. Joseph's Church, Lake and Ridge, Wilmette at 6pm. Enter through the east lower entrance. A Rotary Club meeting follows immediately after the sandwiches are made. This is now a collaborative project with members joining us from the Winnetka-Northfield and Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Clubs. 
 
  Beach Cleanups by Go Green Wilmette!  Join them for our beach cleanups.  Bring a bucket and meet at Gillson South Beach. Every other Saturday, April 26-Oct 18 (except May 24), 9:00-11:00am.  
 
Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC) -  Zion Woods HomeComing 
This is a community event to welcome the new residents of Zion Woods, a brand new 25-unit affordable housing development in Deerfield. Volunteers are needed for specific dates May-July to help assemble furniture ahead of resident move-in, as well as to welcome residents in person on behalf of Rotary at the inaugural on July 12th. The Deerfield and Wilmette Rotary clubs are also invited to donate linen sets and gift cards (through linked registry) for the new residents. Please SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER and/or MAKE A DONATION.
Please contact Sarah Homan at sarah.homan@ymail.com with any questions.
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