Spoke for December 27, 2023 (Dec. 27, 2023)

December 27, 2023

Have a Great Holiday!

Holiday Fundraiser - New Total

New final numbers are in, we netted $30.920! This was a very successful event. Thanks again to all who participated.

Jim Waite has prepared a "Thank You" letter which will be sent to all who donated or purchased gifts during the fundraiser.

NO Happy Hour Jan 3

Since Jan 3 is so close to the holidays, Frank Hussey suggested we cancel Happy Hour for this date, but will resume in February.

Regular club meetings will begin in January with Lunch-packing on January 2, Morning and Noon meetings on January 10, and RAD meeting on January 16.

Check out the Calendar which can be accessed through wilmetterotary.org for all the scheduled meetings and speakers.

Rotary Images from 2023

A collection of images that have appeared in the Spoke for all of 2023 are featured on our website at wilmetterotary.org I hope you enjoy reveiwing them. There were a number of events for which I did not have photos. Let's try to remember to take photos as events occur in 2024.

Amazon Gifts for the Homeless- Update

Posted by Brian Bradley

We met our goal and then some with about 106 sleeping bags and 104 blankets were purchased and delivered to the Fraternite Notre Dame Sisters for their un-homed clients in the city. Most have been delivered to them already. Thanks for all of your generous donations. We received $200 in cash donations for this project from members who could not utilize Amazon so I used those funds to purchase bulk warm hats, gloves, socks and scarves to send to the Sisters to distribute as needed for 48 people.

International Service Committee Update

Posted by Steve Jambor

Our International Service Committee (ISC) met on Dec 7. The following are some of the highlights from that meeting:

>The budget will be $16,000 from the foundations plus escrow and reserve amount.

>The Ultrasound Global Grant in Uganda of a few years ago was able to save $20k and so will expand to serve another community with obstetric ultrasound services during prenatal visits.

>We provided $1,825 scholarships to Aktenamit in Guatemala for five young girls to attend school.

>The Rotary program of Scale application is due January 8. We have 40 clubs signed support letters and $75,000 in pledges from clubs. The total grant is currently around $4.3 million. We pledged $3,000 from the ISC budget. We have submitted to the Gates foundation for their review.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Task Force

Members Martha Sheridan and Suki Fisher have volunteered to serve on our District 6440 Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This Task Force will implement a Strategic Plan Focus Area on DEI. This group will be the lead to establish a sustained District presence advocating DEI. Our members are also looking into integrating DEI in our club.

Community Service Opportunities

Posted by Brian Bradley

Hands-On Service Sub-Committee: John Held has agreed to help form a sub-committee that will focus on finding hands-on service opportunities for our members who want to be more involved and work directly with organizations and clients. Please reach out to John if that is something you want to become more involved with. johnjheld@gmail.com

Diaper Distribution: Had some follow up from Tina Kalil from Bundled Blessings, a diaper bank on the north shore. If anyone is interested in volunteering with them to load and unload diapers or coordinate a diaper drive for Wilmette, contact her at here

Building Peaceful Bridges: If anyone wants to volunteer to help build a team or assist a refugee family with the folks from Building Peaceful Bridges, please let me know and I will put you in contact with Lori or visit their website here

Polio Efforts in Pakistan

The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries: Pakistan (Six Wild Polio cases reported in 2023. Twenty Wild Polio cases reported in 2022) and Afghanistan (Six Wild Polio cases reported in 2023. Two Wild Polio Cases reported in 2022).

The floods in 2022 were Pakistan’s worst natural disaster in decades highlighting multiple climatic vulnerabilities faced by the country. The human toll was tragically high with one third of the country submerged underwater, approximately 15,000 killed or injured and 8 million displaced This left the populations affected by the floods without access to healthcare.

This month, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Remy Rioux, CEO of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) announced new commitments to support the objective of global polio eradication by 2026. The funding – up to €20 million principal buy-down from the Gates Foundation will support Pakistan’s national health institutions and the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative to recover following impacts from the devastating floods in August 2022.

Disaster Relief for Maui and Morocco

TRF Earthquake Response Fund - The Rotary Foundation Trustees established a new Morocco Earthquake Response Fund in September 2023 to support immediate relief efforts for people affected by the devastating earthquakes. Contributions will be accepted until 31 December 2023. To contribute online, click

ShelterBox is on the ground in Morocco - Teams are assessing the severe damage to villages and providing temporary shelter and supplies. If you wish to donate you can do so online at www.ShelterBoxUSA.org or mail gifts to: ShelterBox USA P.O. Box 103299 Pasadena, CA 91189-3299.

The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield is currently raising funds for an NGO in Timoullit, Morocco, which is the birth home of Winnetka-Northfield Rotarian, Moha Bouacha. Donations to the earthquake victims in this area may be made to the Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation online here.

Maui Relief - Rotary District 5000, Hawaii, has established a Maui Fire Relief Fund through their Foundation. The Hawaii Rotary District Foundation is a registered 501c3. The Maui Fire Relief Fund aims to provide immediate assistance and long-term recovery support to the people of Maui, as they navigate the path to rebuilding their lives and communities. effectively. You may find all the details at https://rotaryd5000.org/ if you would like to contribute. ShelterBox USA is not responding with direct support to Maui, however they have announced a $50,000 donation to the Rotary District 5000 Fire Relief Fund.

Welcome!

Our Motto:
Service Above Self

Wednesdays at 12:00 PM

Wilmette Golf Club

3900 Fairway Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America

Send Email to Club

We have three groups: two meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7:30am at the Sheridan Shores Yacht Club and at Noon at Wilmette Golf Club. The other group meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7pm. Mailing address is: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091

District Site

Mariana Alfar

Stay safe and healthy.

Apr 10, 2024 7:30 AM

Lisa Torem/John Philip Shenale

What's AI Got to Do with It!

Los Angeles arranger/composer/producer John Philip Shenale and local music journalist/rock author Lisa Torem have dedicated their careers to the creation of original works. But currently, A.I. has threatened massive ownership rights. The larger questions remain: What is creativity? How can artists and other entrepreneurs protect their intellectual property rights and mitigate this phenomenon moving forward?

Location: Wilmette Harbor Club

Apr 10, 2024 12:00 PM

Lisa Torem and John Philip Shenale

What's AI Got To Do With It

It will be an interview by Lisa and John will respond to a series of curated, process-oriented questions that cover highlights of his career, and his view on the need for creativity in all aspects of life.Los Angeles arranger/composer/producer John Philip Shenale and local music journalist/rock author Lisa Torem have dedicated their careers to the creation of original works. But currently, A.I. has threatened massive ownership rights. The larger questions remain: What is creativity? How can artists and other entrepreneurs protect their intellectual property rights and mitigate this phenomenon moving forward?

Location: Wilmette Golf Club

Apr 24, 2024 7:30 AM

Kara Teeple, CEO Lawrence Hall

Hope, Healing, and Resiliency

Apr 24, 2024 12:00 PM

Dick Farkas

Cyber-crime and Cyberwarfare

May 08, 2024 7:30 AM

Ahlam Al-Jebory & Asma Jarad I

Introduding ICNA

May 08, 2024 12:00 PM

Ahlam Al-Jebory & Asma Jarad

Introducing ICNA

View entire list

Lunch-Packing
St Joseph Church
Apr. 02, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Happy Hour
Wilmette Harbor Club
Apr. 03, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Board Meeting

Apr. 09, 2024 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Morning Club Meeting
Wilmette Harbor Club
Apr. 10, 2024 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Noon Club Meeting
Wilmette Golf Club
Apr. 10, 2024 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

RAD Meeting
Varies
Apr. 16, 2024 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

View entire list

Member Birthdays

Michael Bailey

March 8

Terry Porter

March 8

Kurt Zoller

March 13

Paul Waechtler

March 22

Join Date

Gayle Inbinder

March 1, 1990

34 years

Irene Paterno

March 1, 2021

3 years

Ben Chung

March 19, 2010

14 years

John Flanagin

March 23, 2016

8 years

Linda Strand

March 23, 2016

8 years

Sarah Oliver

March 31, 1997

27 years