Welcome to Chicago Financial District Rotary



ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE FATHERS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER

On November 16 2023, Doctor Noe Mojika presented a program concentrating on how men are frequently left out “of the loop,” in regard to ongoing treatment and care of their children’s cancer.
Dr. Monika is a professor within the Department of Social Work at Southeast Illinois University. Most of his work and attention have been focused on the frequent dilemma of fathers simply not being included enough. Stereotypes of the fathers as primarily the providers and mothers as primarily the nurtures in the family, prevail.
"Rise Against Hunger" Provides Direct Services Across the Country and the World

Taylor described that her program has worked in concert with a number of rotary clubs, and meshes well with the long standing Areas of Focus that has been established by Rotary International.
In regard to the organization’s variety of programs — noted above, a total of 2000 cal per day our provided to adults over three meals per day, of the plant derived protein
; the meals are meant to have other ingredients added to it, such as vegetables.
Pictured are club member Marc Willage on the left, and today’s speaker — Taylor Rotsted — on the right.
Two Different YMCA Camps - One Mission

Bobby and his family actually live on site at camp Duncan. Camp Duncan over the course of the summer, provides both overnight and daycamp experiences to approximately 400 youth. Camp sessions last up to six weeks, for the overnight camp. Adult groups sometimes attend with their organizations.
Camp Independence, the other camp that Bobby heads up, provide services to impaired individuals. Typically serving several dozen students — over the course of the summer, before this bout of inflation required approximately $1800 per week. Campers are asked to pay around $300 per week, and donations provide for scholarships for the rest. 1:1 ratio of counselor to camper is provided.
Pictured here is club member Marc Willage on the left and speaker Bobby Thomas.
Jane Adams Senior Caucus - Run by seniors, Advocating for Seniors

1. Aging in dignity.
2. Being free from oppression
Currently, a major focus of the caucus is the “Care Over Cost” project, which describes an effort to inform seniors as to the problems of Medicare advantage programs, including what difficulties may present themselves, for beneficiaries wish to switch over to “original“ Medicare.
Emily described addressing housing situations confronting seniors today. She referred to “HUD buildings,“ [i.e. “senior housing), several areas that almost universally need to be dealt with once the tenants start to organize:
1. Elevators are frequently out of service with many people having ambulatory difficulties, preventing them from using the stairs. (In addition, obviously, for those, especially living on the higher floors).
2. Dirty carpeting, which is often filthy, frequently compromises quality of life, for the unusually large percentage of seniors having pulmonary and/or cardiac problems.
The Passing of Our Dear Friend, Neil King

Neil was born on September 23, 1929 in Chicago and was raised in Skokie, IL. After graduating from Evanston Township High School, Neil headed to Yale University, where he was a champion Ivy League pole vaulter. Following his graduation from Yale, Neil served as a naval of cer during the Korean War.
Following his naval service, Neil returned to Skokie to join his father in Armond King Real Estate as a broker, appraiser and counselor.
He served as President of the North Shore Board of Realtors and of The Counselors of Real Estate. Very active in business and civic affairs, Neil served on many boards, including that of Skokie Valley Hospital (now North Shore Skokie Hospital) for 50 years. He loved the Skokie Public Library and the Skokie Rotary Club, where he and his father both served as president and whose meetings he attended weekly even after moving to Chicago.
Always up for an adventure, in 1975 Neil sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with his teenage son in a 36' sailboat. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Chicago's Adventurers' Club, where he enthralled his grandchildren with shrunken heads, the giant stuffed bear and the ags suspended from the ceiling commemorating several of his own escapades.
A natural athlete, he also competed as a decathlete, a marathoner and a runner well into his seventies.
Above all, Neil treasured his family and friends. Neil is survived by his wife, Diana; his sisters Susan Gaede and Louise Webb and cousin Susan Leonard; his children Marcia King, Steven King (Melinda), Carolyn King and Alison Bastien (Helio); Diana's children, Charles Theobald (Sara) and Margit Nahra (Kirk); nine grandchildren and two great
grand children
Club Membership - A Call to Service Opportunities

Information About Our Club: ROTARY CLUB OF CHICAGO FINANCIAL DISTRICT
The club meetings are an opportunity to break bread and share fellowship. Diversity is sought after, with members welcome irregardless of gender, race, nationality or religion.
We are starting to do more service projects, now that the pandemic is winding down; Examples include:
We have re-packed commodities at the Food Depository of Greater Chicago.
We have assisted in efforts to get winter coats to veterans in need.
We periodically get together at a member’s home to pack art supplies into backpacks, to distribute to students participating in our “Smart Art program” - discussed below.
Our signature service project is our “Smart Art” program - which is a joint project in conjunction with the Smart Art Meuseum - affiliated the University of Chicago. We take classes of students, typically in third grade, on a field trip, both before and after eight weeks of art instruction in the classroom.The lessons incorporate a strong emphasis in promoting peace in the world.
Even upon casual observation of the students at the visit before, and then after the eight weeks of instruction, reveals a decidedly increase in engagement of the students with the different pieces of art in the museum.
Our club is just one of 46,000 rotary clubs, worldwide; there are some 1.4 million members in the organization. The signature philanthropic project of the international organization, Rotary International, has been an effort to eliminate polio from the world. At this stage, a constant effort is required to terminate periodic breakthroughs (three countries remaining) of the polio virus. It should be noted, that Bill Gates of Microsoft fame, has provided several hundred million dollars to join in the effort to eliminate polio.
Reputed to be the first service club, the first meeting of the first Rotary Club was in 1905, organized by Paul Harris in Chicago.
Of interest to anyone asking about the nature of Rotary, the following one sentence definition was formulated by Rotary International in 1976:
“Rotary is an organization of business and professional people united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.”
For further information on our Rotary Club, our contact email is: rotaryclubcfd@gmail.com
And OUR FACEBOOK PAGE is: Rotary Club of Chicago Financial District
WALKINAG THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO - SEVERAL DIFFERENT ROUTES

The traditional routes of pilgrimage, transverse France, Spain, as well as Portugal. Tradition mandates that the last 100 km of the pilgrimage are required to be walked by foot. Otherwise, various forms of transportation are permitted, such as a boat, or a train, but not cars and motorcycles, and possibly buses.
This pilgrimage came into existence when it became too dangerous to go to Jerusalem, or Rome, during times of the crusades and the reformation. There are many small stores and shops and restaurants to be available for supplies along the different routes.
Pictured is Vickie, standing in front of the map, showing for several rows off standing in front of the map, showing the various routes to the Santiago cathedral.
INSTALLATION OF CLUB OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
By: Marc B. WillageOn July 6 of 2023, the officers and committee chairs were installed by Past District Governor, Jane Hopkins.
CLICK ON "R E A D M O R E" FOR FURTHER DETAILS
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On July 6 of 2023, the officers and committee chairs were installed by Past District Governor, Jane Hopkins. In the first picture, Debbie Willage is being installed by Jane.
In the other photo, the following members were installed into their positions for the 23–24 year: from the left, MARC WILLAGE will continue as Secretary and Program Chair, MARILYN SAINSOT will continue as Social Chair and Sergeant of Arms; and JERRY MCILVAIN will serve as Immediate Past President.
TOM BALTZ will continue to serve as Treasurer; VICKIE DORGAN will continue to serve as International Service Chair, and incoming President, DEBBIE WILLAGE, is shown all the way to the right, and start her year as Club President.
KATIE ANDERSON - will continue to serve as Assist Chair for Both International as well as local service project
Honored, but unable to be present, were: BOB MANTSH - who will continue to serve as Foundation Chair; CLIFF HARSTAD - will continue to serve as Local Service Projects Chair; and GUS SAMIOS - will continue to serve as Membership Chair.
Not pictured, but joining us today, were: FLORENCE FORSHEY - outgoing assistant governor, and MICHELLE BALOG - incoming assistant Governor.
The Installation Banquet was held at the Berghoff Restaurant in downtown Chicago. The food was great, and the fellowship was even better!
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In the other photo, the following members were installed into their positions for the 23–24 year: from the left, MARC WILLAGE will continue as Secretary and Program Chair, MARILYN SAINSOT will continue as Social Chair and Sergeant of Arms; and JERRY MCILVAIN will serve as Immediate Past President.
TOM BALTZ will continue to serve as Treasurer; VICKIE DORGAN will continue to serve as International Service Chair, and incoming President, DEBBIE WILLAGE, is shown all the way to the right, and start her year as Club President.
KATIE ANDERSON - will continue to serve as Assist Chair for Both International as well as local service project
Honored, but unable to be present, were: BOB MANTSH - who will continue to serve as Foundation Chair; CLIFF HARSTAD - will continue to serve as Local Service Projects Chair; and GUS SAMIOS - will continue to serve as Membership Chair.
Not pictured, but joining us today, were: FLORENCE FORSHEY - outgoing assistant governor, and MICHELLE BALOG - incoming assistant Governor.
The Installation Banquet was held at the Berghoff Restaurant in downtown Chicago. The food was great, and the fellowship was even better!
...
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ROTARY SMART ART POGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SMART ART MUSEUM

We feel it is unacceptable for any child to live in an environment of constant violence... or to lack some type of basic art education. According to an article from the New York Times... "Art Makes You Smart!" The purpose of the program is NOT to train potential artists... but rather to develop the mind to think in different ways and perspectives. An environment of violence, in whatever form, stifles the ability of a child to develop to his or her potential. Far too often, it ends the life of a child.
There are many organizations doing great things to address the problem, but as a community, a country, and a world, we've got to do more! We've got to stop failing future generations. The "Rotary Smart Art" program is designed to supplement, not supplant, the work of others. "Smart Art" is a basic awareness program for elementary school children that exposes them to what art is... so as to "spark their imagination, creativity, and to develop new ways of thinking." Using Art as the medium, the message is that violence (in all its ugly forms, to include domestic violence, bullying, and street violence) is not a given and must be diminished... or eliminated.
Started by the Rotary Club of Chicago Financial District, our team now consists of multiple Rotary Clubs... plus the Near South Planning Board ... Smart Museum of Art... and the University of Chicago Provost's Office. Our goal is to continually expand the program, first in Chicago, and then ever outward. The goal is to enlist involvement from communities, residents and businesses. At present, the program consists of:
1. An Initial Visit to the Smart Museum at University of Chicago for an interactive introduction to art.
2. 10 in school classroom sessions with our Art Director, spread over a 5 week period, with a focus on awareness of violence
issues through the use of various art techniques and media.
3. A 2nd visit to the Smart Museum so the children can share what they have learned, display their own art work, and interact
with museum staff and volunteers who also participate in the program.
4. The final Museum Visit is very exciting and includes a catered lunch.
Volunteer helpers assist with the in-class sessions and museum visits. The cost to conduct one class of 30 students is $2,500. The original "Pilot Program" was launched with one Chicago Southside School in 2014. Learning from that initial experience, it was then expanded to two schools in the second year... and, with additional "streamlining", we conducted the program on an even larger scale (7 schools) during 2016. As more people get involved, we can continue expanding the program, which has received "rave reviews" from the students and faculty who benefit from the program. Would you like to join us?
There are many organizations doing great things to address the problem, but as a community, a country, and a world, we've got to do more! We've got to stop failing future generations. The "Rotary Smart Art" program is designed to supplement, not supplant, the work of others. "Smart Art" is a basic awareness program for elementary school children that exposes them to what art is... so as to "spark their imagination, creativity, and to develop new ways of thinking." Using Art as the medium, the message is that violence (in all its ugly forms, to include domestic violence, bullying, and street violence) is not a given and must be diminished... or eliminated.
Started by the Rotary Club of Chicago Financial District, our team now consists of multiple Rotary Clubs... plus the Near South Planning Board ... Smart Museum of Art... and the University of Chicago Provost's Office. Our goal is to continually expand the program, first in Chicago, and then ever outward. The goal is to enlist involvement from communities, residents and businesses. At present, the program consists of:
1. An Initial Visit to the Smart Museum at University of Chicago for an interactive introduction to art.
2. 10 in school classroom sessions with our Art Director, spread over a 5 week period, with a focus on awareness of violence
issues through the use of various art techniques and media.
3. A 2nd visit to the Smart Museum so the children can share what they have learned, display their own art work, and interact
with museum staff and volunteers who also participate in the program.
4. The final Museum Visit is very exciting and includes a catered lunch.
Volunteer helpers assist with the in-class sessions and museum visits. The cost to conduct one class of 30 students is $2,500. The original "Pilot Program" was launched with one Chicago Southside School in 2014. Learning from that initial experience, it was then expanded to two schools in the second year... and, with additional "streamlining", we conducted the program on an even larger scale (7 schools) during 2016. As more people get involved, we can continue expanding the program, which has received "rave reviews" from the students and faculty who benefit from the program. Would you like to join us?
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Dan Summins gave a presentation on Blessings in a Backpack

The food is "shelf stable," with no cooking or refrigeration required. 600 volunteers work with the Chicago program here.
Decreasing discipline problems, decreasing anxiety, improving grades and improvement in school attendance have all been observed in children participating in the program.
Dan noted that "pockets of poverty" exist throughout the Chicago area; for example, in Highland Park.
Dan also noted that 6,000,000 children live with food security, as well as 13,000,000 of all US residents in general.
Decreasing discipline problems, decreasing anxiety, improving grades and improvement in school attendance have all been observed in children participating in the program.
Dan noted that "pockets of poverty" exist throughout the Chicago area; for example, in Highland Park.
Dan also noted that 6,000,000 children live with food security, as well as 13,000,000 of all US residents in general.
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WE CONNECT PEOPLE
Rotary unites more than a million people
Through Rotary clubs, people from all continents and cultures come together to exchange ideas, and form friendships and professional connections while making a difference in their backyards and around the world.

WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
We take action locally and globally
Each day, our members pour their passion, integrity, and intelligence into completing projects that have a lasting impact. We persevere until we deliver real, lasting solutions.

WE SOLVE PROBLEMS
No challenge is too big for us
For more than 110 years, we’ve bridged cultures and connected continents to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, promote clean water and sanitation, and fight disease.
Together, we see a world
where people unite and take action
to create lasting
change across the globe,
in our communities, and in ourselves.