• RYLA, October 6-8, 2023  Now that school is back in session, it's time to get high school students signed up for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).  Once again, RYLA will be at the Holiday Home Camp in Williams Bay, WI.  For more information and to get the application use this link: RYLA Information & Application If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help RYLA weekend, contact chair Bill Zerinskas
   
• Public Image Training Series  It's time to supercharge your club's community outreach initiatives!
  This year, we're embarking on a dynamic approach to boost our Public Image, and we're thrilled to extend a warm invitation to you and your team to participate in specialized, focused training sessions designed to empower your club and fortify your connections within the Rotary community. Each session will be recorded for immediate access after the event. These sessions are scheduled from September 26th through October 30th, and your commitment is the key to our collective success. For more information and to register for sessions, check out our Public Image Website Page
   
• Environmental Committee News District 6450 Supported Environmental Service Projects grant applications are here.  Please click on this link for more information on how we can assist your club with sponsoring a hands-on Environment event.  CLICK HERE for the Environmental Grant Application.
  We are gearing up for the MOMA Hope Monarch tour which will be in Chicagoland from October 27-November 3. Six clubs have agreed to host an event.   Naperville Sunrise, Naperville Downtown, Aurora United, Hinsdale, Joliet and Woodridge.   Please contact Mary Onorad if you would like to attend an event- maryonorad@gmail.com.
  Our very own retired Environmental Engineer, Prakasam ‘Prakash” Tata, from the Naperville Club and the Naperville Sunrise Club were recognized in the September Rotary International Magazine.   The article highlighted a global grant for an innovative plastics recycling and youth employment project in India.   Its on page 17.  We are so blessed to have Prakash and Clubs who support innovative ways to help the environment.
   
• ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE  The District Youth Exchange Committee is looking for outbound candidates for the 2024-25 school year.  There is a preliminary meeting for interested students September 16 and outbound interviews will be September 30.  Go to the YOUTH EXCHANGE page on the district website or contact outbound coordinator SUE DEBOLT for more information.
   
• NIGERIAN ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE  Our District is hosting a Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) for approximately 20 Rotarians from Nigerian District 9141 Oct 22-29.  We need hosts to provide lodging for the group during those dates.  If you're interested and/or have questions about what hosting an RFE team member means, contact PDG Osei David Andrews-Hutchinson at dg6450osei@gmail.com or at 773-562-3506.
   
• 2022 DEI SURVEY RESULTS  The summary of the 2022 DEI survey was sent out earlier this year.  If you would like to review the summary and/or the full survey results, they are on the district website at https://rotary6450.org/diversity-equity/.
  The DEI Committee is looking for new members to help implement some of the forward-looking recommendations that have come from the survey analysis.  If interested, please contact co-chairs ALETA WILLIAMS or OSEI DAVID ANDREWS-HUTCHINSON.
   
• Zones 25B-29 Institute October 18-22, 2023.  Our Zone Institute is a gathering of regional Rotary leadership from the Midwest and Texas who come together for Rotary and role specific education and training.  This year the Institute will be in Evanston at Rotary International Headquarters and RI Director Pat Merryweather is asking for district Rotarians to help in several ways.  Specifically, we need local Rotarians to serve as Greeters at O'Hare and Midway airports and to serve as Ambassadors in Evanston to help attendees get from local hotels to One Rotary Center, around One Rotary Center, and to our dinner venues during the 5 days. If you would like to rise to the opportunity to be a part of the "Zone Experience" in these capacities, please contact PDG Osei David Andrews-Hutchinson at dg6450osei@gmail.com, who is serving as the Chair of the event.

Club News

• Hinsdale Rotary Rotary Run Charity Classic and Prize Drawing, October 1, 2023.  This year Hinsdale Rotary has added a Prize Drawing to their annual Run.  For more information on the Prize Drawing and to register for the race go to the Prize Drawing website.  Also, volunteers are needed.  If you can help at 8am on race day, sign up HERE.
   
• Woodridge Rotary Holiday Gala, December 6, 2023, 6:30-11pm.  The Rotary Club of Woodridge is hosting its second annual Holiday Gala Fundraiser to benefit the Woodridge VFW and Project Cure.  The event will  be on December 6, 2023 and include live  music.  To register for tickets and sponsorship opportunities, CLICK HERE.

• Maui Relief Fund, If your club and/or members would like to help those devastated by the wildfires on Maui, we have an important connection to help with the effort.  Heidi, daughter of Channahon-Minooka Rotarian Noreen Dollinger, is a resident of Lahaina and a member of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.  The Rotary District 5000 Foundation has set up a Maui Fire Relief Fund.  Go to https://rotaryd5000.org/ to donate.
   
• ​​​​​​​Turkey Relief ShelterBox would like to thank Rotarians for their support of Turkey earthquake relief.  To see what funds to ShelterBox enable them to do, see their report- Turkey Response Report.