Rotary Club of Lombard Newsletter

The Lilac Rotarian
January 19, 2009
Volume Fifty Two, Number 1

Rotary Corner - Kenny says 'Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands'
By Arnold R. Grahl
Rotary International News -- 19 January 2009

ROTARY NIGHT WITH THE WOLVES! CLICK HERE.

RI President-elect John Kenny announces the 2009-10 RI theme, The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands, to incoming district governors at the 2009 International Assembly. Photo by Alyce Henson/Rotary Images
The 2009-10 RI theme acknowledges the important role individual Rotary clubs will play in shaping the future of Rotary. RI President-elect John Kenny unveiled the theme, The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands, on Monday during the opening plenary session of the International Assembly, an annual training event in San Diego, California, USA, for incoming district governors. "The future of Rotary will not be shaped at RI headquarters -- it will be shaped in each and every Rotary club," Kenny said, "because it is for each of us -- as Rotarians -- to do what is necessary to keep Rotary strong." Kenny acknowledged the foundation established by past Rotary leaders and laid the responsibility for building upon that success on every Rotarian. "Each one of us is standing on the shoulders of generations of Rotarians past, and it is our responsibility to determine Rotary's future," Kenny said. "The goals we set, whatever our action plan, it is in our hands to accomplish or not," said Kazeem Mustapha, governor-elect of District 9125 (Nigeria). "Everybody has to be involved." Chuck Cicchella, governor-elect of District 6710 (Kentucky, USA), likes the theme's emphasis on the future. "I have always had a strong desire to nurture along young people. It's vital to us." Kenny emphasized that every Rotary club is and must be autonomous.
"Everything begins and ends with our clubs," he said. "Our clubs can and do work together; they work through their own districts, in cooperation with other clubs and districts, and with the support of our Foundation.
"But at the end of the day, everything that we accomplish is done through the strength of our clubs. And so each club must have autonomy to serve where and how it can serve best." At the same time, Kenny highlighted the importance of the RI Strategic Plan, adopted by the RI Board of Directors, as an essential tool in providing continuity. "The plan is designed to strengthen and proclaim the core values of Rotary: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership," Kenny said. The training sessions for incoming governors during the weeklong assembly are all tied to some component of the strategic plan, and a final group discussion on Saturday will seek to tie all the pieces together and show the future district leaders how to take the strategic plan to the club level.
Kenny concluded his remarks by sharing a favorite saying from his homeland, Scotland: "We must look beyond our own parish pump."
"It means that we must look beyond our own home and our own community," Kenny said. "We must look beyond our own needs, and we must be aware that ours is only one community, of one country, of the many communities and countries in this world."


January Board Meeting Highlights - See the secretary.

Welcome To Our Speakers: December 25th, no meeting. January 1st, no meeting. January 8th, no speaker, On January 15th, our speaker was Village President Bill Mueller, but due to an illness, he was unable to attend.

Honored Guests: On January 8th, future Rotarians Paul Freidrichs and Andre Baraka were present, as were Jean Johnson and Hank Thiely. Welcome. On January 15th,our guests were Paul and Andre.

Fines and Happy Fines: On January 8th, our Sgt. collected the fines of the pinless from John N, Greg, Kathy and Rich G. So as not to spoil her record, Connie was late and paid up. There is talk about giving Connie a fine for showing up on time instead of late. (Just talk). Charlie was caught trying to mooch food for the pantry from another member, Jean was fined for missing a guest at introduction time, two Bob's (Harris/Whitacre) at one table, 2 bankers (Greg/Pat) at another table. Steve paid a photo fine and his happy fine was that he was hired by Flint Architects of Lombard. We had two birthdays to celebrate today, John N. and celebrating his 88th, Gary B. On January 15th, Sgt. Brian was back in action as Katyh, Deanna and Jim I., paid their pin fines. Connie was late, and she also paid a table fine for sharing lunch with Dennis. While he was at it, the sgt. fined Deanna and Kathy for the 2 realtors at a table and two bankers (Greg and Pat) sharing lunch. Bob H. paid a picture fine, Mike F. was at the Cub's convention (THIS IS THE YEAR) and Jim Hendry announced the Cubs will win this year. (Doesn't he have to say that?). Marge was happy that Mike has inside info on the north siders. Dennis is so happy to live in a country with so much financial upheaval, that we can spend so much money on big inaugurations. We sang happy birthday to Rick S. And lastly. Jeans mother-in-law is going to the inauguration.

Announcements: On January 8th, Dennis informed club that our friend Larry was not doing well and that visits at this time were not a good idea. Let's keep Larry and all of our ailing Rotarians in our prayers. Jean announced that she is looking for bios from members and tht Paul and Andre were approved as members and that letters to the membership will be going out soon.Ben Pelz, who is working on his Eagle Scout project, was given $100.00 by club for his project on the memorial garden in the Common. On January 15th, President Jean announced that our February board meeting will be on the 12th and the DG will be here on the 19th. I t was also announced that Jack Brust will be reclassified as an Honorary Rotarian. Brian informed club that Bill Wingstedt had fallen and fractured his hip. He is in good spirits after surgery and hopefully soon, will be at Marionjoy for rehab. We send our best wishes. Dennis was informed by a friend of his who is a physician in D.C., that anyone going to the inauguration, can expect road closings as well as bridge closings and that with the millions of people attending, a new patient will be admitted every 90 seconds.

Object of Rotary - or Be Reminded: the first regular (Thursday) meeting of every month is "Food or $5" as members will have the choice of bringing a food item to help supply for the Food Pantry or pay a $5 fine of to support First Things First. When a speaker is not scheduled on the first Thursday of each month, the time will be spent in quality fellowship and member to member interaction.

Weekly Raffle, On January 8th, Art picked the 9 of hearts. On January 15th, Ralph picked the 5 of clubs.

Birthday Celebrations: Recent and upcoming birthday celebrations of note include.
January 16 Brian Johnson
March 27 Tom Parkinson
January 18 Jack Brust
March 29 Dick Schroeder
February 11 Josh Chambers
March 30 Ray Byrne
February 15 Bob Harris

Mark Your Calendars:
VALENTINE PARTY February 9th Praga

Check the Website: Take the time to visit the newly revised www.lombardrotary.com to see the latest edition of this newsletter as well as other information relating to our Club. If you have any additional features that you would like to see posted, please send it my way….thanks!

Board Meeting: The next Board Meeting is February 12th @ 11:15a.m.@Casey's Restaurant
DG meeting is February 19th @ 11:00a.m.@ Casey's
 
 




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2004 Rotary Club of Lombard