If you have any stories, memories or 

• 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.
   
• Ukraine: A Country Under Siege Symposium, Friday, September 15, 2023 1pm.  Given the tremendous humanitarian support for Ukraine from the Chicago-area Rotary members, RI General Secretary John Hewko is extending an invitation to attend a symposium organized by the Consulate General of Ukraine and a Ukraine-focused foundation. The symposium, which aims to provide a historical context to the current situation in Ukraine, will feature two panels of speakers, including Viktor Yushchenko, the third president of Ukraine, and his wife, former First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko.  The discussion will include the history of Soviet aggression against Ukraine and the effects of Russia’s disinformation campaign which seeks to influence the war in Ukraine today.  For more information see the flyer on the District Calendar. Registration is required at this link - Ukraine Symposium
   
• MOMA HOPE Monarch Statue is coming to Chicago Oct 17- Nov 3.  Environmental Committee Chair Mary Onorad would like to bring the statue to various club meetings and is looking for clubs who meet on Thursday, Nov 2.  If you would like a presentation, please contact Mary at maryonorad@gmail.com.
  Mary is looking for interested individuals who would like to join the Environment Committee and would like to know what environmental projects your club is doing.  Please contact her at the above email.
   
• 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

• Western Springs Rotary Annual Steak Fry, Friday, September 22, 2023, noon.  Each year Western Springs Rotary holds a Steak Fry to honor Veterans and First Responders.  If you would like more information and to attend and/or sponsor a veteran or first responder CLICK HERE
• 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.