Congratulations to these clubs for winning the 2008 - 2009 Presidential Citation from Rotary International President D. K. Lee: Carol Stream, Cary Grove, Glenview Sunrise, Lake Zurich, Northbrook, Wheeling and West Chicago.
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates as well for winning the 2008 - 2009 Best Cooperative Project Award from R. I.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
District Reception in Birmingham
Rotarians and guests attending the Rotary International Convention in Birmingham will have a chance to gather on June 20th at the Old Joint Stock Pub. There will be ample hors d'ouevres and a cash bar. Cost is $31.50 and reservations are required.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Rotary Day at Great America
Join other Rotarians and their families at Great America on July 18. The price of $43 per person includes admission and lunch. More information and a registration are available on the district website.
Makeup Possibility
Lord Sinclair, the Earl of Caithness, who was a key member of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's British reforming government, will speak at the Rotary Club of Chicago on June 16. The club meets at noon at the Union League Club, 65 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. Cost is $32. The Earl's talk is cosponsored by the Scottish Business Forum. Reservations should be made to kristenguthrie@chicago-scots.org or 708-447-5092.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
New Members
Welcome to these people who've recently joined local Rotary clubs: Maurice Forde and Michael Sperling (Northbrook); Charlie Roberts (Glenview Sunrise); Fran Caan, Bill Glader and Ellen Romberg (Evanston Lighthouse); Dorothy Collins, Melanie Duiguid and Gerhard Fritsen (Deerfield); and Tim Almy, Sara Knight and Lyle Staab (Long Grove).
Ambassadorial Scholar Recognized by Chicago Tribune
Anand Sandesara, who will be an Ambassadorial Scholar in Tanzania sponsored by the Rotary Club of Glenview Sunrise and District 6440, was written up in the Chicago Tribune at the end of May. Anand graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago in just three years with two majors and Phi Beta Kappa honors. He participated in many extracurricular activities during his time at the university.
Ambassadorial Scholars' Blogs
At least two of the Ambassadorial Scholars sponsored by our district are keeping blogs about their experiences. Visit Ellen Miller's (St. Charles) blog about Dakar at www.ellenintheworld.blogspot.com.
Ellen writes: "Thank you sincerely for your contributions, monetary and morally. It's an honor to represent District 6440-- and I'm not just saying that with the diplomacy that Rotary has instilled in me, I mean it.
I would like you all to know that in conversations with my peer Rotary scholars here and even with some of the clubs in Senegal, I found that not all Rotary clubs are as involved or supportive. It is truly great to know that my district believes in me and supports me."
Robin, who's sponsored by the Evanston Lighthouse Club, is studying in Durban, South Africa. Her blog is at http://www.robinandafrica.blogspot.com/.
Ellen writes: "Thank you sincerely for your contributions, monetary and morally. It's an honor to represent District 6440-- and I'm not just saying that with the diplomacy that Rotary has instilled in me, I mean it.
I would like you all to know that in conversations with my peer Rotary scholars here and even with some of the clubs in Senegal, I found that not all Rotary clubs are as involved or supportive. It is truly great to know that my district believes in me and supports me."
Robin, who's sponsored by the Evanston Lighthouse Club, is studying in Durban, South Africa. Her blog is at http://www.robinandafrica.blogspot.com/.
GSE Team Visits District 9970 Conference
Our group study exchange team made a presentation at the District 9970 Conference in New Zealand. While we were enjoying spring weather, they were heading into winter and even had snow!
Race to the Finish Club Incentives
Registration for the June 14th Race to the Finish includes a special incentive for clubs to participate. The race, which is CARA-sanctioned, is along the beautiful lakefront at Northwestern University's campus. Walkers and runners are welcome to participate in the 5K event which benefits polio eradication. More information is available on the district website.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Fox Waterway Cleanup June 13th
The Fox Waterway Cleanup, which had to be postponed, has been rescheduled for June 13th. Please contact Bob Schneider (peabody-bob@worldnet.att.net) for more information or the necessary waiver.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Rotary Tree
A not-for-profit organization is like a tree. Rotary is like a tree.
The organization has deep roots in the fertile soil of historical needs.
Charter members nurtured the tree until its trunk grew wide with the strength of expanded membership.
Strong branches nourished and supported newer ones. The branches grew in different directions but were still firmly attached to the central core. The leaves and fruit satisfied needs and created a protective cover over the soil that sustained it all.
As the tree matured some branches withered and died but others grew in their place.
Today the tree is still growing. The roots are deeper because they searched for the fertile soil of needs and wants.
The trunk is stronger although from time to time some bark falls off. Newer branches keep sprouting because the older ones are feeding them the healthy sap of knowledge and traditions. They seek new directions and grow towards the sun.
The moment these processes cease the tree dies a slow death.
Keep Rotary growing! Bring new members, start new clubs!
The organization has deep roots in the fertile soil of historical needs.
Charter members nurtured the tree until its trunk grew wide with the strength of expanded membership.
Strong branches nourished and supported newer ones. The branches grew in different directions but were still firmly attached to the central core. The leaves and fruit satisfied needs and created a protective cover over the soil that sustained it all.
As the tree matured some branches withered and died but others grew in their place.
Today the tree is still growing. The roots are deeper because they searched for the fertile soil of needs and wants.
The trunk is stronger although from time to time some bark falls off. Newer branches keep sprouting because the older ones are feeding them the healthy sap of knowledge and traditions. They seek new directions and grow towards the sun.
The moment these processes cease the tree dies a slow death.
Keep Rotary growing! Bring new members, start new clubs!
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Recap
Chair Sean Nelson submitted this report:
The conference was bigger and better than ever! The three speakers we have at RYLA continue to amaze both the participants and staff. This year we again had Rick Metzger and Mia Fontaine and for the first time “Rachel’s Challenge”. This is arguably the best youth speaking lineup for any youth conference of any kind anywhere!
On Friday morning at the conferences Rick Metzger gets things started as the keynote speaker with “Gold Medals do not Make Champions”. Rick is a five-time gold medalist power lifter. Rick’s keynote is one of the best speakers I have ever heard in my life and his is truly a powerful message. Rick then conducts a three-and-a-half hour workshop on Friday afternoon on leadership styles, techniques, communications and teamwork. It is very interactive, educational and very informative. It is also a lot of fun.
Mia Fontaine and her mother co-authored a book, “comeback.” Mia’s message on Saturday morning is mainly an anti-drug message that also talks about the root cause of why people are prone to drug use as well as other self-destructive behaviors. Mia has a lot of people reach out to her at the conference and afterwards not only to help participants but to also help the participants help others they know and love. Her story is amazing and she inspires as well as empowers a lot of people to help themselves and others at their schools and in their communities.
Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Massacre 10 years ago. Her father found her diary in her backpack after it was returned to him months after her death. It talked ominously of how she thought she would die young and violently. She felt she would somehow touch the lives of millions of people and set out to change the world before she died. Although she died before she could fulfill her mission her father took up the cause to see her dream come true. “Rachel’s Challenge” is about change at school and in the communities one person at a time. It is a message and program to help people know how and why to reach out to those in need. It is a very powerful message and presentation, and potentially life-changing.
We also had President Lincoln visit in March and President Teddy Roosevelt visit in April to talk about what they did as presidents and why good leadership is important. Camp Edwards is a perfect setting for RYLA with two low ropes courses and multiple team-building challenges throughout the camp for the small groups to accomplish together.
We had a record year for attendance, with 84 in March and 105 in April. Next year we are shooting for 100% club participation at RYLA.
I want to again thank all the clubs who sent students this year. This was my seventh year and I still have never met one participant who did not deserve to be there or who was not a pleasure to meet. I wish more Rotarians would come see what we do as a district at RYLA. AllRotarians are always welcome to come and visit for a session or a day! It is inspiring and motivating and truly wonderful to be a part of. We are making a big difference and having a profound effect on the lives of our future leaders.
I want to especially thank those clubs who helped sponsor participants who were not from their immediate service zone: Skokie Valley, Mt. Prospect/Prospect Heights, Mt. Prospect Sunrise and Park Ridge. All these clubs picked up additional students this year when we had students wanting to go who did not have sponsors. Thank you to Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers for always leading the way. They regularly send more students than any other club!
Special thanks to Lisa Nigro, Barb Regnitz and Tom Bookler, Rotarians who volunteered at RYLA and/or are on the RYLA 2010 planning committee.
The conference was bigger and better than ever! The three speakers we have at RYLA continue to amaze both the participants and staff. This year we again had Rick Metzger and Mia Fontaine and for the first time “Rachel’s Challenge”. This is arguably the best youth speaking lineup for any youth conference of any kind anywhere!
On Friday morning at the conferences Rick Metzger gets things started as the keynote speaker with “Gold Medals do not Make Champions”. Rick is a five-time gold medalist power lifter. Rick’s keynote is one of the best speakers I have ever heard in my life and his is truly a powerful message. Rick then conducts a three-and-a-half hour workshop on Friday afternoon on leadership styles, techniques, communications and teamwork. It is very interactive, educational and very informative. It is also a lot of fun.
Mia Fontaine and her mother co-authored a book, “comeback.” Mia’s message on Saturday morning is mainly an anti-drug message that also talks about the root cause of why people are prone to drug use as well as other self-destructive behaviors. Mia has a lot of people reach out to her at the conference and afterwards not only to help participants but to also help the participants help others they know and love. Her story is amazing and she inspires as well as empowers a lot of people to help themselves and others at their schools and in their communities.
Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Massacre 10 years ago. Her father found her diary in her backpack after it was returned to him months after her death. It talked ominously of how she thought she would die young and violently. She felt she would somehow touch the lives of millions of people and set out to change the world before she died. Although she died before she could fulfill her mission her father took up the cause to see her dream come true. “Rachel’s Challenge” is about change at school and in the communities one person at a time. It is a message and program to help people know how and why to reach out to those in need. It is a very powerful message and presentation, and potentially life-changing.
We also had President Lincoln visit in March and President Teddy Roosevelt visit in April to talk about what they did as presidents and why good leadership is important. Camp Edwards is a perfect setting for RYLA with two low ropes courses and multiple team-building challenges throughout the camp for the small groups to accomplish together.
We had a record year for attendance, with 84 in March and 105 in April. Next year we are shooting for 100% club participation at RYLA.
I want to again thank all the clubs who sent students this year. This was my seventh year and I still have never met one participant who did not deserve to be there or who was not a pleasure to meet. I wish more Rotarians would come see what we do as a district at RYLA. AllRotarians are always welcome to come and visit for a session or a day! It is inspiring and motivating and truly wonderful to be a part of. We are making a big difference and having a profound effect on the lives of our future leaders.
I want to especially thank those clubs who helped sponsor participants who were not from their immediate service zone: Skokie Valley, Mt. Prospect/Prospect Heights, Mt. Prospect Sunrise and Park Ridge. All these clubs picked up additional students this year when we had students wanting to go who did not have sponsors. Thank you to Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers for always leading the way. They regularly send more students than any other club!
Special thanks to Lisa Nigro, Barb Regnitz and Tom Bookler, Rotarians who volunteered at RYLA and/or are on the RYLA 2010 planning committee.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
District Manual of Procedure
The latest version of the District 6440 Manual of Procedure is available on line at the district website.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Fox River Waterway Cleanup Postponed
Due to the extreme water levels of the Chain-O-Lakes the Fox Waterway Agency has postponed the waterway cleanup originally planned for Saturday, May 2nd, and has moved it to June 13th. As of this morning, the water level has forced the closing of the Fox River in both directions to all boats and restricted the lakes to no wake with the extreme possibility of being closed for this weekend. If you have any questions or wish to participate with the clean-up in June, please contact Bob Schneider. Please forward this to your members.
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