April, 2006 My Fellow Rotarians - Rotary's Global History Fellowship

District 6440 Histories 2005
We had 16 guests attending this meeting. As a result, five of these guests decided to become members
of Waukegan Rotary. Based on this model, the club has scheduled to have two “prospective new
member” meetings this year.
More involvement was my second goal. The club scheduled more social events geared toward our
members and their families. We featured six events and enjoyed excellent participation. We also setup
an informal network to contact members who missed two consecutive weekly meetings. This resulted in
better attendance and good fellowship on a weekly basis.
Our club continued to support the Rotary In-Bound Youth Exchange program. We sponsored a young
lady from Brazil. As in the past, this proved to be a meaningful experience benefiting not only our
exchange student, but the club members as well. We continued to support the local “Feed the Hungry”
program. On five occasions, our club prepared a dinner and fed over 100 people in need. Our club
continued to actively sponsor and support the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other local charities. Because
of our local, national, and international work, our club earned the Presidential Citation Award for 2003–
2004.
In summary, being President of the Waukegan Rotary Club has been one of the most rewarding
experiences of my life. It was an honor to be given this opportunity. My only regret is not being able to
accomplish more during my term.
2004-05 – Alicia Mentell was president. Fellowship: Annual Picnic at the Mays, fireside Chat at the
Thorns, Octoberfest at Bowen Park, trivia Challenge with North Chicago Rotary, Christmas Social at the
Andersons, Mardi Gras with Waukegan Main Street, Rotary 100 th Birthday Celebration at the YMCA,
and district Bowling at Vernon Hills.
Fundraising: Raised over $10,000 through the sale of citrus & entertain books. Raised around $1,000
for PolioPlus through sale of Polio Hope Bears. Rotary International Centennial Celebration: Presented
monthly PowerPoint presentations highlighting the history and accomplishments of Rotary International
with speakers from our club, district, and Rotary International.
Vocational Service: Presentation by Congressman Mark Kirk, hosted ten high school students for Job
Shadow Day, and sponsored three high school students on a College Campus Tour.
Community Service: Distributed programs at American Independence Parade, fed the hungry every fifth
Tuesday, cleaned up bike path, ran pumpkin toss at Halloweenfest, collected non-perishable food for
Great Lakes Naval Base, financial grant to Oakdale School Literacy Program, volunteered as celebrity
readers at Waukegan Public Library, rang bells for Salvation Army collecting almost $1,000, pledged
plunger at Polar Bear Plunge for Special Recreation Athletes, and sponsored three RYLA students.
International Service: Hosted Rotary Playday for District 6440 Inbound Exchange Students, hosted
Group Study Exchange Team from Korea, sponsored construction of house in India as part of Tsunami
Aid, sponsored Group Study Exchange applicant to Korea, served as Airport Greeters for Chicago
Convention, and hosted Rotarians from abroad at Host Hospitality.
Youth Exchange Activity:
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