On November 9, 2024, Club members participated in the Coat Drive for Veterans, organized by our District 4650. Two of our members, Dennis Gorman and Jerry McIlvain, participated in the heavy lifting, organizing and hanging the coats.

More behind the scenes, Marc and Debora Willage, also club members, collected coats - with the sustained participation of the administration of 6450 North Lake Shore Apartments - a high rise apartment house, where they live; five industrial bags "packed to the gills" were given by many generous residents.


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On 11/7/24, Terry Abramson presented a program on the genesis of The Blues, and the key role that the Chicago music scene has been instrumental in this, as well as the continual progression of this genra. His email address is terryabrahamson@gmail.com 

He described that he is the only artist in history to have work presented at the Smithsonian Institution, Chicago’s DuSable Museum of African American History, the Blues Hall of Fame, Boston Celtics home games, Johnny Cochran’s funeral, on NPR and The Oprah Winfrey Show and before the US Supreme Court. Terry won a Grammy for co-writing “Bus Driver” with legendary Blues musician Muddy Waters, one of six Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees – along with Prince and Joan Jett - and seven Blues Hall of Fame inductees to perform Terry’s  work. He is a 2014 Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee.
Terry went on to describe  that his photo memoir, “In the Belly of the Blues,” and “The Blues Parade” - his kids’ illustrated history of the Blues - are both part of the permanent collection of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  In February 2020, the Chicago Public Library chose “The Book Edition” from “The Blues Parade” as an anchor for its African American History Month celebration.

Pictured are Terry Abrahamson - today's speaker, and club member Vickie Dorgan.

On September 19, 2024, we had the honor of a visit by both Rachel Ossyra - our District Governor for District 6450, as well as Michelle Balog – our Club Advocate.

Rachel shared with us, the essence of what is going on in our district, as well as across Rotary International. The slogan this year is “Let’s Make Rotary Simply Irresistible!” Rachel went on to say that Rotary International has embraced the support of the Cubs with a club-centric and a member-centric approach; as the case throughout the years, the clubs are the most important entities in Rotary Internaional.

Rachel went on to say that service projects should be increasingly experienced, with the “joy of hands – on experiences.“ Rotary has continued to be more diverse, as exemplified by the organization currently being comprised of 26% women of Rotary International.

The district has now gained 50 new members - already half of its goal for the 2024-2025 year, as well as two new clubs - also half of it goal for the year.

Rachel went on to say, that our club should consider the development of both a Facebook and Instagram presence. She passed along the name of the two people who could be contacted for our efforts in this regard.

In the photograph, starting on the left are:  Michelle Balog – our Club Advocate; Rachel Ossyra - our District Governor for District 6450 and club president - Marc Willage.

On September 5, 2024, Tim Kirchmer presented a program to our club, regarding his nonprofit organization, Sportsworld. Tim has been with the organization for several years, and is currently in management of the nonprofit organization.

The organization has been operating since the 1970s. Accomplished sports speakers present a program to students, revealing a wrong decision, followed by a description of how they overcame the consequences and went onto become an accomplished sports figure.

 

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Today, on August 15, 2024, Dr. Ted Williams III, presented a program labeled “the Bible and the Ballot.” Apparently reconstruction was going well in the south following the Civil War, when the “Great Compromise” was struck between Rutherford Hayes and his opponent, Samuel Tilden. Tilden offered to Hayes, something to the effect of, You can have the presidency if I can have the South.“ Suddenly l, all troops from the Union were removed from the South, would set the pace for “100 years of terror” accompanying the institution of Jim Crow laws. It took the massive civil rights movement of the 1960s to bring about the majority of the end of “separate but equal.“ at least is equally important, was the occurrence of the “great migration” of African Americans leaving their homes in the South, as they headed north, to establish rapidly growing communities, primarily in the cities such as Chicago.

The decreasing overtime of the average citizen going to church over the last 20 years, has lessened the effects of politics on the results of elected offices, but the presence of far right evangelists (the speakers opinion), still significantly influences the results of political races

Dr. William III, completed his education recently, with a doctoral level in theology from a seminary. He has taught college level courses and has written scholarly papers. Most recently, he has been teaching on a weekly basis at Wheaton College.

Coincidentally, he dropped his daughter off at Wheatley College this morning, where she is beginning her first day as a student there.

Pictured all the way to the right, is Dr. Wright along with a good portion of those from our club attending this presentation.

At our Rotary club meeting on August 1, 2024, Dr. Thomas Bookler described the nature of the homelessness afflicted by 10,000’s of public school students - in the Chicago area.

By homeless, many people would think of folks living on the street, but there is probably a significantly larger number of homeless, who do not have their own permanent address. This is different from situations that are stable, and permanent, even if not within the nuclear family who actually pay the rent or house note.

It should be noted, that Dr. Booker works with students attending schools located outside of the city of Chicago - In Cook County. There are more students who are affected by this problem in the suburbs, as compared to Chicago proper.

There is an income levels based criteria, to see if a family qualifies for the services.

For assistance not able to be provided by a school system, there is Title 1 benefits available.

Also compliance is widely lacking regarding provision that a student can continue classes at a school of their choice, and that the school district is obligated to providing transportation to and from that school, no matter where the family moves from time to time.

For folks who are “living from paycheck to paycheck,” they are one precarious step away from homelessness. For instance, someone loses their job because of illness or injury, then they subsequently likely lose their medical insurance, which prevents them from paying payments for their dwelling, and then there are out on the street.

Pictured left in the photograph, is a visiting Rotarian from Sweden, Monika Lionaite. Today’s speaker, Thomas Bookler, is in the center, next to his wife, on the right, Laura.

On July 11, 2024, the installation of officers and committee chairs was carried out. It was a well-attended club meeting, and Dennis Gorman, our executive secretary, officiated the ceremony. 

Below are the positions held by our officers and chairs for the 2024-2025 year:

OFFICER & COMMITTEE CHAIRS
              President: Marc Willage
              President-Elect: Jerry McIlvain
              Immediate Past President: Debbie Willage
              Secretary: Marilyn Sainsot
              Treasurer: Tom Baltz
                  Service: Smart Art: Cliff Harstad and Vickie Dorgan
                                  Other local / Regional: Vickie Dorgan
                                  International: Cliff Harstad
                                  Assistance: Katie Anderson             
              Executive Secretary: Dennis Gorman
              Sargent of Arms: Debbie Willage
              Membership: Gus Samios and Paula Giroux
              Foundation: Bob Mantsh  
              Program Chair: Marc Willage

              Social Chair: Marilyn Sainsot


 

On June 20, 2024, we had a presentation about the Pacific Garden by Mission by Chris Ridgeway and Michael Kwiatkowski. Currently, this facility is the oldest operating shelter in Chicago. They typically have 600 guests overnight. These services are offered to men, women, and children; the shelter opened in 1877.

The shelter is a faith-based Christian organization. It provides training in various skills, with - as an example - guests obtaining a GED while there; therefore, the reason for services to guests in their "day" programs. Their goal is to ready guests to be able to be productive, to be able to support themselves.

Typically, the people who are served have suffered from addiction, homelessness (not just people on the street) and incarceration.

Pictured are our two guest speakers: Chris Ridgeway and Michael Kwiatkowski.

There appeared to be two forces at work here, and are occurring at the state level.

First, If you have partisan primary elections, the attendance is very low, and skewed toward the extreme right in the case of Republicans, as well as the extreme left of Democrats; Ed described these individuals as “ardent voters.”

Second, is the extreme gerrymandering which occurs at the state level. Apparently, this has been engaged upon by both major political parties.

Ed suggested that gerrymandering needs to be stopped, and be reversed. He stressed that once that it had been made illegal, that the process of redistricting should be strictly carried out by a bipartisan committee.

 

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On May 16, the Rotary Club had the pleasure of hosting Roberta Profka from Albania, who presented an
engaging program about her home country. Roberta is in the United States for a six-week fellowship
program sponsored by the State Department, designed to empower leaders from partner countries.
  
SEE THE ENTIRE STORY BELOW.

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On April 18, 2024, guest speaker Ed Spire presented a very informative program on “assault“ weapons. Apparently, these weapons are a special kind of semi-automatic firearm. The projectiles are much smaller and longer, so they can tumble as they hit the body, and typically have a velocity of 3000 ft./s. Apparently, once they are inside of tissues, they fragment.

Ed went on to explain that this sort of weapon originated with the M-16 rifle in Vietnam - in the 1960s.

Apparently, the new gun law addressing “assault” weapons in Chicago, describes the major facets of this type of weapon, in regard to cosmetic features, as opposed to what he feels is the more fundamental description based on a high velocity from such a large charge on such a small projectile, as well as the widespread damage projectile does such damage.

Apparently, there was no standing army. When provisions were placed into the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, that state malicious needed to be formed.

Ed went on to describe that the Heller decision, passed by a 5/4 decision by the US Supreme Court, stated that the Second Amendment does not require firearms to be limited to use in a militia; but rather, citizens can own firearms separate from a militia.

The major point of Ed’s presentation, is that the definition of “assault” weapons should be based primarily on the type of destruction that a projectile can inflict, because of the very high velocity of a long small projectile.

Pictured on the left is our Rotary club member Marilyn Sainsot on the left and Speaker Ed Spire on the right.

On April 4, 2024, Jake Seid presented a program regarding the process of zoning. Jake has been in the zoning consulting business for 16 years. He described that a lot of work needs to be done on the process of zoning. He did acknowledge that sometimes the process of zoning is distorted because of local politics, primarily. In Chicago, Jake noted that each of the Aldermen have a lot of say on what goes on in their ward with zoning.

Jake noted that the statute regarding zoning for Chicago is 800 to 1,000 pages long. For the last number of years, Jake has worked for Sightline Planning And Zoning. His company provides services to counties and municipalities. A lot of times, the zoning ordinances need to be brought up-to-date, after years of various amendments.

Jake noted that those who don’t want a project to receive a variance, tend to stay home; while those who do want it, tend to go to the public meetings where a variance is discussed.

Jake is a member of the Illinois organization, ILAPA.COM; the organization currently has approximately 1,600 members.

Contemporary problems with the current usual practice of zoning, perpetuate segregation, because there is so much homogeny, where only single residencies of a narrow price range exist, as well as driving urban sprawl. Accompanying more and more modern land developments are the location of retail and other necessary day-to-day businesses, being present within, no longer necessitating a car to “get anywhere." This "mixed development" further integration, because people of less means are likely not to have to own a motor vehicle.

At this time, the less expensive the residences are in the neighborhood, the more likely that there will be unpleasant neighbors, such as industries that tend to pollute.

Pictured on the left is Rotarian Marc Willage; on the right, is today’s guest speaker, Jack Seid.

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On March 22, 2024, guest speaker Neil Hansen presented a program regarding his very convoluted work flying of variety of aircraft in the 70s. He would often have Chinese copilots; some of these men were required to sit on their hands for when the plane was taking off her landing, because they were so inept.

Then in 1975, after having flown in at least four east Asian countries, Neil found himself to be one of the last American citizens being evacuated from Cambodia. At the time, Neil described that those several days and especially those several hours before he was flown out of the country, were horrifying, because of the Khmer Rouge’s ongoing genocidal murdering of over one and a half million other Cambodians.

In the photograph, pictured guest speaker Neil Graham Hansen and fellow author Luann Grosscup, of their book, FLIGHT.

On February 15  2024, the speaker for our club meeting was Mark Ailes; as a climatologist, he presented various background facts and brought up an algorithm / appcalled En-ROSDS, in conjunction with “Climate Interactive” which features a slide bar for each of many variables that the user could change and see what the projected temperature increase would be at 2100.

Mark is affiliated the Citizen’s Climate Lobby.

Pictured is club president Debbie Willage and today’s speaker Mark Ailes.

On February 1, 2024, Dr. Aissetu Ibrahims, a professor in Social Work, made a presentation addressing the large segment of the city's population who live in poverty and isolation. He advises his college students to pay attention to the ZIP Codes in which poverty is concentrated. It turns out, the different ZIP Codes in south and west Chicago are characterized by life expectancies, which can be decreased by several years.

Dr. Ibrahims is the Director of the Master’s Degree program at Northeast Illinois University.

In the photograph, Dr. Ibrahims is pictured with club member, Paula Giroux

Fathers of children with cancer, are frequently overlooked.

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. 

On November 2nd 2023, our guest speaker, Taylor Rotsted, presented a program on her nonprofit organization”Rise Against Hunger.” Established in 1998, the organization has established a presence in multiple states, as well as over 30 countries. Providing a variety of “hands on” services, in addition to hunger relief, is assistance in areas — such as education and healthcare.

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.
 

On November 19th 2023, Bobby Thomas presented a program delineating two YMCA camps that he is the Executive Director,

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.

On September 14th of 2023, Alice McCutcheon - presented a fascinating program about her service in the Peace Corps from 2012-2014. As a volunteer stationed in China 18 Group  ChengXian Longnan Gansu Province China, She was teaching at Longnan Teachers College.

 Alice is currently serving as president of the Lakeview Rotary Club in Chicago.

On August 2, 2023, the topic of membership was discussed, with the discussion being led and presented by two membership experts from Rotary International: Sarah Diller, and Charles Poole. It was a very informative meeting. In the photograph, Charles on the left, Sarah on the right, and club member - Past President Jerry McIlvain - is in the middle.

 

On July 20, 2023, our very own club member, Vickie Dorgan, presented a program regarding a recent trip that she made to Spain to complete her third pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago; there are several trails for pilgrimage to one of the most important sites in Christianity, because of the presence of Saint James tomb at the Cathedral there. In 2024, Vickie plans to take the fourth pilgrimage.

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.

 

STAYING IN A "FOREVER HOME" AND OTHER OPTIONS DISCUSSED

August 4, 2022 - Sharon Newman a Rotarian with Right Choice Home Care, an agency that she started 7 years ago, presented strategies to equip your or a loved one's home so they can remain in the home.
 

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INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER DESCRIBES EXTENSIVE REHABILITATION FOLLOWING A GUN SHOT WOUND AS A YOUNG TEENAGER

On June 2, 2022 - Freddie Almaza, a member of the Rotaract Club of Chicago, is a relatively new transplant from California who decided he needed something new in his life and picked up and moved to Chicago. Freddie gave a overview of usually 45 minute presentation.

APPLYING THE PRINCIPALS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION TO ROTARY, AND TO THE WORLD

On May 19, 2022, Aleta Williams presented a program to our club, addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and the application of these three principles to all levels of Rotary international; in part, to serve as an example to the community, and to the world.

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NON-FOR-PROFIT PROVIDES SCHOOL "LOADED" SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS T0 SCHOOL SUPPTO NEEDY CHILDREN

On April 7, 2022 - Matthew Kurtzmam, Chairman of the Board and founder of a non profit organization,  Board B2SA (Back to School America). Originally starting with the loading up of shopping carts at Target in 2007, the organization is expanding to other states. To date, more than 300,000 have provided to needy children. Each kit is packed with school supplies, as we saw today. They need volunteers to write inspirational notes and and to pack the kits.

            At this time, the organization is working on assembling Art Kits.

           As far as Illinois goes, B2SA has a long term goal to provide 1,000,000 kits to disadvantage children per year. They interface with Veterans groups, schools, service clubs and businesses. 
           In the photo, is club member Vickie Dorgan on the left, and our Speaker - Matthew Kurtzman on the right
 

Today, 17 March, 2022, Keith Cross and his wife Fayrene, joined us for today’s club meeting. Keith wore two hats as he gave us an enthusiastic meeting presentation: Rotary as well as cyber security;

Keith and his wife are members of the Chicago Southeast Rotary club. Keith has been active in the Rotary organization for many years, and he is currently an assistant district governor within the 6450 district. He had a very interesting discussion concerning fundraising and service.

Keith also presented a talk regarding cyber security and identity theft. He continues his work with LegalShield and IDShiel. Kieth updated us on ongoing and new trends since his last visit with us in 2019. He talked about how we all tend to give out our email addresses, which is necessary to carry out virtually any sort of web-based activity. He talked about an obvious need for VPN to be used when accessing the web with any device, most particularly with cell phones and computers.

In the photograph, is club member - Marilyn Sainsot, speaker - Kieth Cross, Club President - Debbie Willage, Fayrene Cross - also a member of the Chicago Southeast Rotary Club with her husband Kieth. and club member - Cliff Harstad.

"DIVEHEART," A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS INCREASED MOBILITY TO BE EXPERIENCED BY THOSE PHYSICALLY CHALENGED 
On November 4, 2021  - Diveheart, presented by Jim Elliott, which is 501C3 non-profit organization - since 2001, has innovated the premier adaptive scuba training program in the industry, while growing Diveheart Scuba Experience pool programs (DSE’s), adaptive scuba adventure trips and adaptive outreachand education opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Positive experiences apparently foster increased experiences in the future for those that those that this program serves.

Jim expressed his thanks, to Rotary, who helped to make "Diveheart" make transformative developement to a global presence. Borrowing inspiration from skying programs serving a similar population, it came to be appreciated that are alot more swimming pools than skying venues.

NETWORK OPPORTUNITY FOR ROTARIANS AND NON-ROTARIANS ALIKE

On October 7, 2021 - Linda Kemp, a fellow Rotarian (who had served as president for own club), prepared for our club, a YouTube presentation concerning a recurring networking program at the district level, that she largely put together. In this unique forum, not only for Rotarians - BUT ALSO NON-Rotarians, are invited to participate, Throughout the year, these events alternate between in-person and virtual formates.

The group's name is Chicagland Rotary Means Business. A link to the website: https://chicagolandvocationalnetwork.org/  If the link doen't work for you, then "copy and paste" the link into your address bar.

On September 15, 2022, Rotarian Sandy Marcus, PhD in psychology, was accompanied by his wife, Christina.

He presented a program on at least three highly relevant topics:

First, Stress reduction, including how to take a not-so-deep breath that is based on a “sigh,” which is immediately relaxing - while relaxing the abdominal muscles.

Second, Sandy lead a discussion on “underachievers,” which he has proposed to be included as in diagnostic item in the DSM (Diagnostic and statistical manual of Psychiatry).

Third, In a book that he just published, appeared - in large part - to be addressing underachievement, tittle: “71 Keys to getting better grades, easier and in less time.”

On November 3rd of 2022, Sandra Scendrina - member of the Chicago Lithuanian Rotary Club, presented on her club's development and current function of their efforts.  

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On June 15, 2023, Melisa O'Dell, the Executive Director of Defy Ventures - along with Malaki Crayton, presented a program about their non-profit organization. Melisa has been with the organization for 8 years, and described that the organization is currently operating in eight states; they are in the process of initiating services in Pennsylvania.


In Chicago, Defy Ventures currently is staffed by 4 full time staff and 2 part time staff. They provide services to inmates in one womens' prison and two men's prisons.

The program seeks to assist the inmates they serve upon release, to find housing and jobs, even before release. Preparations well before release from prison, including the completion of training in the prison, on how to successfully work in a job, and/or even becoming an entrepreneur.

Melisa noted that recidivism of clients served to be10% at one years and 15% at three years.