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.
The July 1 Lunch-packing session, organized by the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club, had enthusiastic volunteers from both Evanston Lighthouse and Wilmette Rotary clubs. 160 lunch bags were prepared for delivery the next day to Connections for the Homeless. Monthly lunch-packing sessions will by organized with Wilmette, Winnetka-Northfield and Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Clubs taking alternate months. Next month is Wilmette Rotary. Sign-up for the next Lunch-packing session on August 5. Space is limited, so Sign-up now to participate.
A new member, John Karras was approved for membership at the July 8 Rotary Club Board of Directors meeting. John is an attorney who is principally involved in a family-operated general labor services business, Thana Family Enterprises LLC. He holds an MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a JD from Loyola Chicago School of Law, and attended Emory University as an undergraduate. John currently volunteers as a Little League coach. He was an accomplished baseball athlete in college and now competes in triathlons several times annually. John is single and lives in Wilmette. Welcome John!
At the District Installation Dinner on June 27, Marlene Frisbie became our 2025-2026 District Governor (DG). The Governor line now includes our own Mariana Alfar who will become 2027-2028 District Governor. The photo shows the current District Governor line; left to right DG Nominee, Mariana, DG Elect, Rick Reigner, Immediate Past DG, Thor Davidson, Past DG Mary Bak and new DG Marlene Frisbie.
Our District 6440 sponsors Rotary Means Business (RMB) meetings the first Thursday of each month, in various locations throughout the District. Next month it will be in Evanston on Thursday, Jul. 03 at 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Firehouse Grill, 750 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Each event serves as a testament to the thriving business ecosystem in our corner of Chicagoland. Don't miss this opportunity to forge valuable connections and contribute to the collaborative spirit of our dynamic business community. Join them each month by registering at RMB
The Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Club is having a Trivia Night Fundraiser on July 17 at 6pm at the Valley Lo Club in 2200 Tanglewood, Glenview. Enjoy a fun night of testing your trivia skills again. Buffet Dinner, Wine & Beer Open Bar; Tickets: $100 Purchase online at HERE
Sunday, November 23 Rotary Club of Wilmette - Morning of Gratitude - Village Clean up Event -- Join us Sunday November 23 from 10 am to 11:30 am for the opportunity to express our gratitude for our community by working together collecting trash and debris around our Village Center. Family and friends are invited. Look for the Rotary blue tent in front of the Village Hall 1200 Wilmette Ave. If your schedule is tight, feel free to stop by for a cup of coffee. If you have questions, contact Ben Ivory benjamindivory@gmail.com
Monthly Lunch-packing on December 2, 6pm - 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.
New Trier Food Pantry - The New Trier Food Pantry is in crisis mode. They need volunteers to help organize the new donations that are coming in. The Food Pantry is located at 739 Elm Street, Winnetka. Please sign-up to volunteer to help: Food.
Small Business Saturday, November 29 -- This November 29, celebrate Shop Small Saturday by supporting the incredible local shops that make Wilmette special!
Kick off the holidays at this fun annual event! Enjoy shopping, in-store promotions, refreshments, and festive cheer at participating downtown merchants—then make it a full evening out at your favorite Wilmette restaurant. Check out the Wilmette-Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce website for more details.
Club Information
Welcome!
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Sheridan Shore Yacht Club
20 Harbor Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
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 both at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Gillson Park. Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
Mike Ericksen, Foundation Sector Chair from our District will be meeting with interested members to discuss how we should prepare for the Visioning Facilitation session on December 1.
