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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS FROM OUR OUR DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE
By: Marc B. Willage_og.jpg)
Nicholas described that there is a team of six individuals in the district, who are to available to assist clubs interested in specifics, tailored to specific needs of an individual club, as well as overall considerations.
SMART ART
By: Marc B. Willage
The "Smart Art Project" was conceived by the Rotary Club of Chicago Financial District and has now grown to include multiple Clubs throughout Rotary's District 6450. 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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STAYING IN A "FOREVER HOME"
By: Marc B. Willage
STAYING IN A "FOREVER HOME" AND OTHER OPTIONS DISCUSSEDAugust 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.
There are a variety of possible other options, such as moving in with an adult child, independent living, assisted living, and even a nursing home placement. Additional topics were discussed, such as assisting a person with dementia; it is important that this problem is diagnosed as soon as possible. Hospice care can be provided in any of these settings.
Also, Sharon's guest, Daniel Olofsosson, was introduced; Dan is a Medicare consultant, who assists clients with identifying the option that is best for them, or a loved one.
In the photograph, is Sharon on the left, and Daniel on the right.
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INSTALLATION OF CLUB OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
By: Marc B. Willage
INSTALLAGION OF CLUB OFFICERS COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR OUR CLUB - FOR THE 2022-2023 TERM
On July 7, 2022, our club Installation of our club officers for the 2022-2023, Rotarian Linda Yates officiated, installing our : officers:
In the upper Row - from the left are: Jerry McIlvain - President; Tom Baltz - Treasure; Bob Mantsh - Foundation; Vickie Dorgan - International Service;
In the lower row - Linda Yates - Officer Installer; Marilyn Sainsot - Social Chair Sargent of Arms; Debbie Willage - President Elect / Immediate Past President; and Marc Willage - Secretary / Program Chair.
Not pictured are: Katie Anderson - Assistance for service projects in general; Cliff Harstad - Service projects for the local community; Gus Samios - Club membership; and Dennis Gorman - Executive Secretary;
The installation took place at the Chi Restaurant in China Town, with the food being very plentiful, and very plentiful.
A good time was shared by all.
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REHABILITATION FOR A SUBSTANTIAL INJURY
By: Marc B. Willage
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.Share
APPLYING THE PRINCIPALS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION TO A ROTARY CLUB
By: Marc B. Willage
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.
Aleta is heading up the efforts to incorporate these principals within our district, District 4650. Aleta has been a Rotarian for seven years, and has been coordinating efforts to adopt these values - for approximately one year.The task force for adopting DEI was established in September of 2020 by Rotary International. The DEI Task Force Is endeavoring to achieve measurable and meaningful outcomes by Rotary, as per the adaptation by the Rotary International board of these statements supporting such action in January 2019.
The task force for adopting DEI was established in September of 2020 by Rotary International. The DEI Task Force Is endeavoring to achieve measurable and meaningful outcomes by Rotary, as per the adaptation by the Rotary International board of these statements supporting such action in January 2019.
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BACK PACK STUFFING WITH ART SUPLIES FOR OUR CLUB'S "SMART ART" PROGRAM
By: Marc B. WillageSERVICE EVENT CONSISTING OF BACK PACK STUFFING WITH ART SUPLIES FOR OUR "SMART ART" POGRAM
On April 2, 2022, five of our club members and one spouse, gathered at Vickie’s Dorgan’s home, to stuff art supplies into back packs to be presented to students served by our Smart Art program.
OUR SMART ART PROGRAM, emphasizing “Peace Though Art,” provides an art program to students who no longer have the availability is formal art instruction in their schools.
We plan to restart our program’s engagement with students during the next school year (2022 - 2023), though our efforts in conjunction with the Smart Art Museum at University of Chicago.
Through this program, classes of students are bussed to the Smart Art museum, followed by six to eight classroom sessions lead by a teaching artist, which is then followed by a second museum visit. The backpacks are distributed to the students at the of the 2nd museum visit.
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NON-FOR-PROFIT PROVIDES SCHOOL SUPPLIES
By: Marc B. Willage
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
UPDATE ON ROTARY TOPICS, THEN ONTO CYBERSECURITY
By: Marc B. Willage
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.
ShareJUST SOME ORIGINAL TUNES
By: Marc B. Willage
On March 3, 2022, club member Marc Willage performed 5 of his songs that he had written over the years. He has played guitar, on and off, since the mid-1960's. He likes to play some mandolin, but guitar is his major instrument. There were several years-long periods when he did not pick up a guitar, during times when his medical practice and/or child rearing activities would become more "labor-intensive"; Marc has played in some primarily "glorified garage bands" (occasional paid gig!) while in high school and college, but he has primarily played over the years for friends and family.Share
APPRECIATING UNUSUAL AND OTHER INTERESTING COINS
By: Marc B. Willage
January 6, 2022 - Ron Beckstrom, a numismatist, presented a program on coin collecting and apreciation of coins. This included the evalation of various coin objects that members were invited to bring; of course each of these objects - for instance, a bueatiful neckice consisting of goild coins, each had their story to tell. Ron's company is Golden Rule Coins provides consulting services to indivuals, as well as with organizations. He works extensively with Wintrust Bank.Share
DIVEHEART PROGRAM
By: Marc B. Willage
"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.Share
NETWORK OPPORTUNITY FOR ROTARIANS AND NON-ROTARIANS ALIKE
By: Marc B. WillageNETWORK 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://chicagolandvocationaln
SEVERAL RELEVANT TOPICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
By: Marc B. Willage_og.jpg)
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.”Share