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21 District 6440 Rotary Clubs Named ShelterBox HEROes

A ShelterBox HERO is a Rotary Club that has committed to making an impact in worldwide disaster response by donating at least $1,000 (Bronze), $3,000 (Silver), or $5,000 (Gold) within the Rotary year.

HERO Clubs enable ShelterBox to have the resources and time to be ready when disaster strikes by allowing ShelterBox to purchase and pre-position aid in or near countries where we respond often, resulting in a more efficient and timely response.

D6440 HERO LIST for Rotary Year 2021-22, as of 6/20/22

SILVER:

Glen Ellyn, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff, McHenry Area, Winnetka-Northfield

BRONZE:

Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Carol Stream, Elk Grove Village, Fox Valley Sunset, Glenview Sunrise, Grayslake, Mundelein-Vernon Hills, Richmond Spring Grove Area, Wheeling, Wilmette, Wilmette Harbor, Huntley, Skokie Valley

Presenting Rotary District District Governor 2022-23 Bill Kmiecik

At a well attended ceremony on Thursday June 23, Bill Kmiecik of the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights was officially installed as District 6440 Governor for the year beginning July 1.

Bill has been a Rotarian since February 15, 2007. He has served the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights as president, vice president, treasurer, and community service chair. He has also served on numerous committees including chairing the initial Arlington Heights Rotary Santa Run in 2008. He has been a District 6440 Assistant Governor, the District Annual Fund Chair, a member of the District Visioning Team, the District Finance Committee and the Foundation Committee. Bill joined the District 6440 Governor Line in 2019.

Bill is a CPA and holds a Master’s degree in Taxation. He is the Founder and Retired President of Wisdom Investments, a boutique, fee only, financial planning, investment management and tax firm in Rolling Meadows. Bill has also worked in Corporate America as a Tax and Finance professional and began his career as an Internal Revenue Agent. Bill taught accounting and finance classes at Harper College and in the MBA program at Northern Illinois University for over 10 years. He subsequently worked as a consultant for Harper College and the College of Lake County teaching insurance and finance classes at local companies.

Bill has been married to Betsy, who is also a Rotarian, for 42 years. Betsy is a retired Human Resources executive, most recently with Paddock Publications. Bill and Betsy met while working as auditors for the Internal Revenue Service, where they frequently smiled at one another, but not in front of taxpayers so as not to jeopardize their G-Man and G-Lady scowl (just kidding, most if not all IRS personnel are really nice people). They have 2 children, Brian who is married to Stephanie and Emily, a nurse and the prettiest single girl in the world. Both children live in the Chicago area.

Bill and Betsy are passionate about Rotary, the projects, the causes and the enthusiasm of the members. They have been to Guatemala, Peru and Uganda on Rotary Service trips and those trips as well as the people they have traveled with and the natives they have met fires their enthusiasm for the needs around the world and the ways in which we as Rotarians can help meet those needs.

Bill and Betsy are Paul Harris Fellows, members of the Paul Harris Society, Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.

June is Rotary Fellowships Month

Rotary Fellowships Month - Make New Friends Around the World

June is designated as “Rotary Fellowships Month” by the RI Board to recognize the importance of international fellowship and good will among Rotarians with similar recreational interests, vocations, and health and medical issue-oriented interests, to promote increased participation in fellowships and increase understanding of this program. The Rotary International Board encourages fellowships groups to highlight activities through projects, activities, and events in celebration of “Rotary Fellowships Month” in June.

“Fellowship is wonderful; it illuminates life’s pathway, spreads good cheer, and is worth high price.”

-Rotary Founder Paul Harris

Check to see if your have a special interest represented on our 103 Fellowships, or learn how to create your own!!

Visit: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships

Congratulations District Leadership Academy 2022 Graduates!

Posted by Lyle Staab on May 29, 2022

District Governor Kevin Stevens and PDG Lyle Staab, Dean, are honored to announce the 2022 graduating class of the District Leadership Academy.

The DLA is an online program, lasting just over six months, giving the participants a broad understanding of how Rotary works and how they can be more effective in their Club and in the District. Modules on Orientation, Membership, Public Image, Youth Service, Organization, and The Rotary Foundation are facilitated by experts from D6440, most of whom are DLA grads.

We welcome the following into the Society of the Academy.

Thor Davidson - Wheaton

Christina Ferraro – River Cities

Tom Hatting - Wheaton

Charlotta Koppanyi – Evanston Lighthouse

Jonathan Lavin – Skokie Valley

Evelyn Lee - Evanston

Sonja Martin – North Chicago

John Mulherin – Glen Ellyn

Dee Santucci – Glenview Sunrise

Kathy Tate-Bradish – Evanston Lighthouse

Alex Todd – River Cities

Tom Von Lunen - Batavia

Carol Williams – Northwest Supper

Tony Winter - Batavia

This year's graduating class of 14 is the largest since the first commencement in 2015. Like the 47 previous graduates, they will use the knowledge they acquired to make a substantial difference in their clubs, in the district, and around the world.

Applications for the 2022-23 program will open in July. Questions can be directed to Lyle Staab at gov.lyle@rotary6440.org.

Congratulations to our Polio Plus Society Charter Members

Congratulations to the 122 Rotarian Charter Members of the PolioPlus Society representing 39 of District 6440’s sixty seven clubs as of May 2022.

Six weeks remain to become a Charter Member. The Roster will be updated again at the end of June. All donations from July 1-June 30 of this Rotary year count toward Charter Member status.

There are two steps to becoming a Charter Member—PLEDGE to donate $100 per year until Polio is eradicated and DONATE to the Polio Fund. For more information, click here

If you or your club is not represented on this list, there is still time to be included in the June update!

Kudos to these committed Rotarians and their clubs!

Announcing the District 6440 Governor's Month of Service Challenge!

Posted by Kevin Stevens

It is time to Serve and Grow!

Jump on board for the Governor's Month of Service Challenge!

It's pretty simple, and the impact will be incredible!

Check you email for details and bring your project ideas to your next club meeting!

See the results on the District 6440 Community Service Project Showcase at this link.

Great Things to Do With Your Club's Unused District Designated Funds!

Posted by Kevin Stevens

TO: CLUB PRESIDENTS, CLUB FOUNDATION CHAIRS, CLUB GRANTS CHAIRS, CLUB INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CHAIRS

FROM: DG Kevin Stevens

March 24, 2022

THIS MESSAGE EXPLAINS A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO USE YOUR CLUB’S REMAINING DDF ELIGIBILITY WITHOUT A CASH MATCH. PLEASE REVIEW AND ACT ASAP.

The conflict in Ukraine and the resulting desire to offer help and assistance through Rotary has resulted in a number of options that the District is making available for D6440 Clubs which have not used all of their District Designated Funds (DDF) for 2021-22. The attached file shows how much your club has left, if any; see the column highlighted in blue.

By District policy, this DDF can normally only be earmarked for Global Grants, and to do so requires an equivalent cash match. The club forfeits any DDF Eligibility unused by June 30.

However, it’s an extraordinary year.

The Governors Line and the Grants Committee have agreed to renew the opportunity that was offered last year to utilize DDF without a requirement for a cash match.

How Much DDF does my Club have available for a Global Grant? Here is a link to the DDF eligibility by club as of 3/18/22. DDF Eligibility 2021-22 as of 3.18.22 The “blue column” shows your club’s available DDF.

What does that mean to your club? Options are available:

1) DONATE IT TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, WITHOUT A CASH MATCH.

Your club can donate your DDF eligibility to one of three Rotary Foundation causes:
- the Disaster Response Fund
- End Polio Now Fund, or
- Peacebuilding (supporting Rotary’s Peace Institutes and Peace Fellows program).
HOW CAN WE MAKE A DONATION? Submit your designation via this form:

2022 Club DDF Designation

Special Note: Donate your DDF to the Disaster Response Fund prior to April 23 to benefit the Ukraine War Relief efforts. If your club DDF contribution is guided to the Disaster Relief Fund after April 23 but before May 31, 2022, it will be directed to the general Disaster Response Fund.

2) ASSIGN YOUR REMAINING DDF ELIGIBILITY TO A GLOBAL GRANT PROJECT SEEKING SUPPORT, WITHOUT A CASH MATCH.

If you want to support a fellow D6440 club, there are multiple clubs working to submit Global Grants. Please contact Randy Wear, Global Grants Chair, globalgrants@rotary6440.org, for information. They would appreciate your DDF. Please consider their proposal if approached.
HOW DO WE SUPPORT A GLOBAL GRANT?
- Submit your request for Global Grant DDF to the District Grant Committee VIA THIS FORM. Only submissions received by 5/31 will not require a cash match.
- Inform the Club originating the Global Grant how much DDF you will contribute to their project.

FOR ALL PURPOSES, THE DEADLINE FOR DDF SUBMISSIONS IS 5PM FRIDAY, MAY 31! USE IT OR LOSE IT!

We’ve scheduled a short Zoom meeting for Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00pm, to answer your questions on this opportunity. Connect here. If you need it, the Meeting ID is 869 7615 3618, and the Passcode is 095152. The session will be recorded for those of you unable to attend.

We encourage your club to put its money to good use. Make a decision, fill out the forms, and submit. The District will confirm receipt of your forms.

And should you have questions, contact Grants Committee Chair Mary Jablonsky, mljablonsky@comcast.net, or Global Grants Chair Randy Wear (globalgrants@rotary6440.org or 847-878-8008).

Humanitarian Support for Ukraine

Posted by Kevin Stevens

Rotarians and Friends:

Please see the below message to our District 6440 community regarding support for Ukraine.

Thank you for your inquiries and all you do as servants to humanity!

Peace.

Kevin Stevens

March 5, 2022

Dear Rotarian,

Over the past several days we have been stunned by the unfathomable devastation being wrought on the people of Ukraine. While the destruction and human toll is heart wrenching, I am once again inspired by the impulsive desire of Rotarians to provide support and comfort.

Many members of District 6440 are inquiring how we might best support efforts in this crisis. We have evaluated several ongoing activities and communicated with Rotary leadership seeking guidance how you as individuals and/or clubs may take action. In that spirit I am writing this email to inform you of several ways that you and your Rotary club can provide aid. This is certainly not all inclusive, and we encourage you to support any legitimate humanitarian efforts as you may desire.

1. For those who would like to donate through the District 6440 Charitable Fund we have activated an online Ukraine donation portal. Once we have collected significant funds we will determine where to best contribute for relief efforts. Please select option one at this link to donate through District 6440: https://form.jotform.com/62386028569971

2: Our River Cities club has a well established relationship with the Rotary Club of Kyiv International and is directly supporting their efforts on the ground providing food, blankets, hygiene and baby needs. The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield is supporting this effort with the opportunity to expedite your charitable donation using this secure link or texting Aid4Ukraine to 44321. Checks can also be made payable to Rotary Club of River Cities and delivered to club treasurer Alex Todd at Prospect Heights Library, 12 Elm Street in Prospect Heights, 60070. The club goal is $5,000.00 by Tuesday. Can we double that?

3. Rotary International partner Shelter Box is fully engaged and on the ground in Ukraine. You can learn more about their objectives and directly support their efforts here.

4. Last but not least, the Rotary Foundation has established a specific Ukraine Disaster Response Channel supporting humanitarian efforts. Clubs in the region and offering direct support can apply for expedited grants of up to $50,000.00. The Foundation also provides guidance on additional opportunities and an update on partnerships and efforts that RI is engaging. For more information and to support this specific campaign visit THIS LINK.

In the coming weeks and months, there will certainly be additional opportunities to provide support. Please keep an eye on your inbox and the District Facebook page - we will provide more information when practical as it becomes available.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact me - and I thank you in advance for your benevolence.

Peace.

Kevin

Lake County Rotarians Can Be Northern Illinois Food Bank Volunteers

The Northern Illinois Food Bank is the main organization supplying local food pantries and other deserving organizations through the Collar Counties. It’s a great body that many Rotary clubs support.

While many Fox Valley and West Suburban Rotary Clubs regularly help at the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Geneva location, the organization would love to have Lake County Rotarians volunteer at their Park City site, just south of Gurnee. It could be a great club service project that can include the youth groups we support and non-Rotarian helpers.

Please consider organizing a project to meet their need. Contact the Park City location for more information:

NIFB – North Suburban

440 Keller Drive
Park City, IL 60085
Telephone: 847-336-3663
Fax: 847-693-3087

https://solvehungertoday.org/

New Membership Development Program

Want to tell hundreds to thousands of qualified local businesspeople and community leaders why your Rotary club would be great for them – and get their names and contacts?

Our District 6440 has developed a new Membership Development Program to help clubs generate qualified member leads. We’re offering this as a Pilot Program now, hoping that three or four clubs will participate, and expand it later to all District clubs.

The campaign places "Join Rotary" Internet ads on the computers, phones and tablets of hundreds-to-thousands of your local Chamber of Commerce members, once or twice per day for two months. If someone clicks on it, they'll see a one-minute landing page video for your Rotary club where the club president summarizes your club and shows four or five pictures of your best service projects and fundraisers. If interested, viewers click to enter their name, email address and phone -- and this lead goes directly to your Membership Chair.

(We can make this work if there are two or three clubs in your suburb who participate together.)