Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise

December 2007

	On 12/23/07, Beth Whittingham gave a report of our Holiday Gift Program. Our club provided gifts to over 350 kids in need in Naperville School District 203. Beth thanked the club for all of their generous individual donations. For more information, click here.
Bruce Dixon, chair of our club's Red Badge Program for new members, congratulates Rotarian Bill Thompson for graduating from the program.

Happy Holidays!

The School for the Performing Arts provided a program on 12/23/07 in celebration of the holidays. As is tradition, the students helped with our club's interactive version of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

	On 12/14/07, John Ball (right), along with Susan & John Colucci, provided a program on their trip to Haiti. Our club is supporting a clean water project and electric project in Duchity, Haiti. Although confronted with a major rain storm and flooding, the team met with local Rotarians and the construction engineering firm for the project. For more information, click here.
Rotarian Mark Rice (right) presents a grant donation for $10,000 to the Principle and Vice-Principle of Waubonsie Valley High School. The donation will help support the their cultural exchange. The Mosaic Ensemble Multi-cultural Choir will travel to Capetown to engage in a stewardship and cultural exchange with the LEAP School, concertizing, sharing music and language, doing peer-to-peer AID education, exchanging educational initiatives, and visiting historic sites of apartheid and freedom. They will be carrying what they have learned back to WVHS students to build future leaders.
On 12/14/07, the choir from North Central College provided holiday music for the meeting.

David Blagden, our Ambassadorial Scholar from England, gave a talk on his experiences with Rotary. David is studying International Relations at the University of Chicago.

On 12/7/07, the Waubonsie Valley High School Chamber Singers provided holiday entertainment for the club

Their music was beautiful and very much appreciated by the club.

November 2007

	On 11/30/2007, Amy Barth and Renae Groom from Naperville Central High School provided stories on how much the Holiday Gifts Program means to the kids in School District 203. The 2007 program was kicked off at the club meeting. For more information, click here.
Congratulations to our newest Rotarians, Bob Green and Brett Heinrich. Dale Yamauchi and Barbara Yokom were their sponsors, respectively.
Pat Rogers, Dawn Ruth, and Dave Bellis	Dave Bellis, Rebuilding Together Aurora (formally known as Christmas in April), provided an inspiration program on how this organization helps people in need. This is similar to our club's Clean Sweep Program, but on a larger scale. Rebuilding Together Aurora, is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to helping low-income homeowners, through home renovation and repair. Their mission is to make a significant and lasting contribution to those helped in Aurora, Illinois. They rebuild together, one house, one family at a time. For more information, click here.

On 11/16/07, Mike Skarr, President of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, provided his insights on the state of the business in Naperville and his concerns for the future.

Congratulations to Zaidi Syed, who was inducted into membership on 11/16/07. His sponsor is Ron Buonauro.

On 11/9/2007, Dr. Steve Daeschner, Superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204, spoke to the club about the academic achievements of the schools, the building of the third High School, and the educational initiatives being introduced. For more information, see http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/

Pictured on the left is Steve Daeschner, Sunrise Rotarian Mary Ann Bobosky, and Mark Metzger, District 204 Board President.

Congratulations to our new Rotarians Max and Maurice Marongiu, who were inducted on 11/9/07. Joe Haselhorst sponsored them.

Jason Reid, Instructor at Naperville North High School, gave a brief overview of the Mock Trial on November 30, 2007 at Naperville City Hall Chambers. This is a vocational program, sponsored by the Rotary clubs in Naperville, to expose high school students to legal careers.

Sunrise Rotarian John Ball returned from a trip to Haiti, where he has been assessing the needs for electrical power and clean water. This is an on-going project our Rotary Club has been supporting for many years.

In honor of Veterans' Day, our club started the meeting with
"Reveille", performed by Peter Ellman (pictured below). The club recognized our
members and their families who have served in the Armed Forces.

(click here to listen to "Reveille")

October 2007

Pam Borchardt, Executive Director - Operations & Bereavement for Sudden Infant Death Services (SIDS) of Illinois, provided an informative program to our club members on 10/26/07. SIDS of Illinois is a statewide not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support of family members and others who have been touched by the tragedy of SIDS or other infant deaths. Part of her missions is to educate both the public and professionals about bereavement services and methods to reduce infant mortality. For more information, see http://www.sidsillinois.org/

On 10/19/07, Rotarian Nettie Badgley describes our club's fundraiser, Mystery on 5th Avenue. For more information, click here.

Rotarian and Clarinet player, Dick Ramberg is an original band member of The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band organized November 1967 to play at Jimmy's on the Levee in St. Paul, Minnesota. A huge success, the band played to standing room only crowds Friday and Saturday nights for five years. Dick graduated from the University of Minnesota with Master degrees in Political Science, Guidance and Counseling. Dick is very active with Rotary, Courage Center, University of Minnesota Vision Center, and Bloomington United for Youth. He is a very exciting clarinist and plays with so much enthusiasm that his solos commonly receive standing ovations.

Dick provided some outstanding music during our club meeting on 10/19/07. For more information, see www.barbary-coast.com.

Dick Ramberg

On 10/19/2007, the Waubonsie Valley High School Mosaic Ensemble provided African music for our club. A group of 30 Waubonsie Valley H.S. students, staff, and parents -- including the Mosaic Ensemble -- will see that culture for themselves this summer when they take a stewardship trip to South Africa.

Congratulations to Mary Morrissey (center) inducted into the Naperville Sunrise Rotary club on 10/12/07. Mary was previously a member of the Rotary Club of Naperville. Also shown are Mary Ann Bobosky (left), Mary's sponsor, and Art Muehlhausen (right), past District Governor.

John Angotti	On 9/21/07, John Angotti was a special guest to the club and provided the opening song and invocation for the meeting. Through his ministry of music and word, John Angotti shares his experiences and Christian message. For more information, visit http://www.johnangotti.com/.
Congratulations to our newest Rotarians Roger Brown, Joe Proctor, and Rebecca Decker. They were inducted on 9/21/07.	Roger Brown, Joe P., and Rebecca Decker
Dr. Alan Leis	Gary Couch and Alan Leis provided a Naperville School District 203 update on the "Touch the Future" Facilities Community Engagement. The Board of Education invites the entire community to learn about the work that has been done by the Facilities Task Force, to take a tour, attend a community engagement meeting and give input. For more information, click here.
The Watoto Children’s Choir made a special stop at the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise. Nineteen children from an orphanage in Uganda ranging in ages from 7-17 have the opportunity to travel once in their life time as a member of the Watoto Choir. It has been explained what a life changing experience it is for these young people and that in the orphanage you can see the difference in the children that have had this special opportunity.

In memory of Rotarian
Carmen DiGiovine

It is with deep sadness that we note the death our club member Carmen, who passed away after a long illness on 8/30/2007.

Carmen is a Charter Member of our club and has been a vibrant member supporting our Rotary projects and mission.

Our clubs thoughts and prayers are with Carmen and his family.

Revati Natesan, president of ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation of Naperville, which is hosting the Celebration of Peace project, a citywide, month-long event cosponsored by the City of Naperville with the aid of many local businesses and organizations.

On 8/31/07, Revati provided information about the goals and mission of the organization and details about the Celebration of Peace. For more details, click here.

Alicia VerHage is the 2007-2008 Ambassadorial Scholar representing District 6450, and is going to spend her academic year at Rhodes University in Grahamstown South Africa. She explained that the ambassadorial scholarship, whose main purpose is to promote good will, is the oldest scholarship in Rotary (est. 1937) and has been awarded to 38,000 individuals, making it the largest privately funded scholarship in the world.

As a “good will” ambassador, Alicia will speak before 10 South African Rotary Clubs and visit Rotary projects throughout the country and relate what she’s seen when she returns to her home district.

“The ambassadorial scholarship really embodies the 2007-2008 charge that we’ve been given, which is ‘Rotary shares.’ The program also helps share Rotary,” Alicia said, explaining that it enables her and others to let Rotarians know what their fellows in other clubs and other countries are doing, and also “to share Rotary with our families and friends and all those we come into contact with when we travel.”

Ettie, Leah, Joe, Nicki, and Will

On 8/17/07, Ettie Randles, Leah Haselhorst, Joe Haselhorst, Nicki Scott, and Will Scott provided a program on their Rotary trip to Zambia Africa for the Tikondane project.

Their program described the key goals of the trip, the culture of the village, the village leadership, and a needs assessment. This first-hand information is vitally important to build a strong partnership between our club and Tikondane.

Click here to view their presentation. For more information, please visit our water projects web site (click here).

Megan Smith, a Sunrise Rotary Education Award Recipient while in High School at Benet Academy, provided a program to the club members on 8/10/07. Megan recently graduated from college and will be advancing her education in Spain as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. Megan talked about how Rotary has provided educational opportunities for her, and discussed her volunteer efforts during her college years.

President Dawn Ruth and District Governor Art Davis

On 7/20/2007, District Governor Art Davis visited the Naperville Sunrise Club. Art provided an overview of his vision for the year and how our club can help. After the program, Art met with the board members to share information about the club and how the district can support the efforts of the club.

Congratulations to new Rotarians Bonnie Schumpp and Rich Cullen. District Governor Art Davis performed the induction. The photo above shows Mary Ann Junkroski (Bonnie's Sponsor), Bonnie Schumpp, Mary Lou Wehrli (Rich's Sponsor) and Rich Cullen. Congratulations and welcome!

Joe Haselhorst and his daughter Leah returned from a Rotary trip to Africa, where our club is helping build a school and water wells. A program of trip is planned for our club in about a month.

In memory of Rotarian Sharina Gudavalli

It is with sadness that we note the death our club member Sharina, who died in a tragic accident in uptown Chicago. She was crossing the street after exiting a taxi and was hit by an SUV. The accident occurred on Saturday, 6/23/07, at about 8:00PM. Sharina was 29.

Our clubs thoughts and prayers are with Sharina and her family.

On 6/22/07, Paul De Kruiff was inducted into our Rotary Club. Rotarian Kevin Gensler is Paul's sponsor. Congratulations and welcome!

Paul De Kruiff and Kevin Gensler

President John Schmitt and John Flannery

On 6/15/2007, John Flannery from the City of Naperville provided a program on Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT). John Flannery is a Safety & Training Instructor for the City of Naperville Public Utilities Division.

CERT offers basic disaster response training skills in such areas as fire safety, light search and rescue, first aid, disaster medical operations and team organization, among many others. The purpose of the program is to better prepare citizens within the community should emergency situations arise.

For more information, click here.

Congratulations our newest Red Badge Program graduates. On 6/15/07, CJ Lydon and Cathy Goulet received their regular Rotary Badges. The Red Badge program is a set of steps new members take to acquaint themselves with the club members and Rotary.

CJ Lydon

Cathy Goulet

On 6/1/07, Ambassadorial Scholar Caroline Courtois spoke to our club about her experience over the past year here in Chicagoland. Her home town is Beziers and her sponsoring club is Montpelier, France. She arrived on August 23, 2006 and has studying in Chicago. She plans to return to Chicago for more education in the fall.

Naper Days (www.naperdays.org) takes place Father's Day Weekend, June 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2007 at Naper Settlement, located at 523 Webster St., in Downtown Naperville. Rotary members involved with the event provided an overview of the event and some information on Barnyard Bingo. Each person can buy a deed to a square and, if a barnyard animal dumps on the spot, you win! The photos show barnyard animals brought to the meeting location.

Rotarian Mary Ann Junkroski (center) with animal owners Louise & Karl Wiesbrook.

Mary Ann and John Gush in foreground

Sandy Dixon with Jeffry Knuckles

Dr. Hal Wilde & Sunrise President John Schmitt

On 5/11/07, Dr. Hal Wilde, President of North Central College, provided an update on the construction of their new Fine Arts Center and the capital campaign. Our club is considering a donation in support of the center.

Don Schoendorfer, founder of Free Wheelchair Mission, and co-founder Dr Mike Bayer are embarking on a bike ride across America to raise awareness and donations for their mission—to deliver free wheelchairs to needy people around the world. They told their story to our Rotary Club and showed how these wheelchairs can dramatically changed someone's life. For more information, see www.ride4mobility.org.

Dr. Bayer, John Schmitt, and Don Schoendorfer

Jane Wernette, John Schmitt, IdaLynn Wenhold

IdaLynn Wenhold and Jane Wernette from KidsMatter explain how an Asset-building model of positive youth development was chosen because of the effective and comprehensive way it could be used to assess the needs of Naperville youth.

Since this initiative's origin in 1995, KidsMatter is part of the national effort by Search Institute to educate and encourage Asset-building, and to date, approximately 600 communities across the country are involved in similar initiatives. For more information, click here.

On 4/20/2007, Julie Lichter from NCO Youth & Family Services provided a program about the agency.

Founded in 1971, the mission of NCO Youth and Family Services is to serve as an agent for positive change for youth and families in the community through provision of the highest quality programs and services. Working cooperatively with many local organizations, NCO has played a leadership role in the development of programs that encourage positive change. For more information, click here.

Julie Lichter
NCO Youth & Family Services

Sunrise Rotarian and business partner Geoff Roehll with Rick Hitchcock of the Naperville Riverwalk Commission

On 4/13/07, Rick Hitchcock, long-time member Naperville Riverwalk Commission, provided a program on the history and enhancements envisioned for the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is one of Naperville's greatest assets and the work being planned for this year will protect and enhance this prized landmark. For more information, click here.

Congratulations to our newest Rotarians, Jennifer Penny and Bill Thompson. From left, Tom Greenburg (sponsor), Jennifer Penny, Chris Kerstin (sponsor), and Bill Thompson.

Phil Lawler described the
state of physical fitness among America’s youth
during his presentation at the March 23 Sunrise
Rotary meeting. “It’s ironic that since we’ve gone
to a volunteer armed forces, every branch of the
military has had to extend basic training because
our young men and women are in such bad
shape,” said Lawler, PE4life Academy director at
Madison Junior High School in Naperville.

On March 16, 2007, Elke Kroeger-Radcliffe gave our club an update on the Tikondane Community Centre in Kateta, Zambia. The Rotary Club of Naperville has been working on providing clean water, health education, and supplies to the Centre. This year, a team of our club members plan to visit Zambia to gain a better understanding of the needs and to extend the Rotary mission.

Bill Thompson, a visitor to our club, heard that Elke was looking for a computer projector and donated the projector to Elke at the end of the meeting. Thanks Bill!

For more information about our club's water project, click here.

Elke Kroeger-Radcliffe
Volunteer Director of Tikondane

Bill Thompson & Rotarian Ettie Randles

Bill Thompson & Elke (holding the projector)

Elke answers questions from Rotarian Jim Dudley

On March 9, 2007, Sunrise Rotarian Dawn Ruth provided a program on design Green buildings and the LEED Program.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. For more information, click here.

Congratulations to the Beaux Arts committee on the fabulous event held on 2/10/07. For photos, click here.
	Welcome to new Rotarian Sharina Gudavalli, who was induced into our club on 3/2/07. Sharina is a Chiropractor in Naperville.
	Congratulations to Edward, who graduated from the Sunrise Rotary Red Badge program. The Red Badge program is a way to get newer members more familiar with Rotary.

On 2/23/07, Major David Benson, United States Air Force, gave a program on the history, the current focus, and the future direction of the Air Force.

Major Benson is currently on a one year fellowship to Argonne National Laboratories. Prior to his fellowship, Major Benson served as a pilot in military combat & humanitarian operations.

Congratulations to Tom McKinley, our newest Rotarian. Shown in the photo is Tom's sponsor, Ron Buonauro.

On 2/16/2007, Janet Derrick, Co-President of Naperville Cares, was our featured speaker.

The mission of Naperville CARES is to provide resources to people within the Naperville community who need assistance to avoid homelessness and to attain self-sufficiency.

For more information, click here.

On 2/9/07, Mike Skarr, President & CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce provided an update on the business & community issues in Naperville, the region, and the State.

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce is the 2nd largest Chamber in Illinois and recently honored with a Five Star accreditation rating from the United State Chamber.

Mike Skarr & John Schmitt

Congratulations to our newest Rotarian Judy Ellertson. Pictured is Judy's sponsor, Mary Ann Bobosky, pinning her with the Rotary emblem.

The Funds for the Arts Grant Recipients (see photos below) attended the 2/3/07 Sunrise Rotary meeting to explain their projects. For the press release, click here.
Century Walk - Jini Clare	DuPage Symphony Orchestra - Diana Newby	Ecumenical Adult Day Care - Laura Milligan
Girl Scouts Prairie - Bryan Barus	Indian Prairie Education Foundation - Kent Duncan	NCTV - Nancy Weirsum
Naperville Municipal Band - Ron Keller	Naperville North H.S. - John Vizintos	Naperville Park District - Sue Omanson
Naperville Public Library - Becky Hollis	People's Resource Center - Michaaela Tighe	WDSRA - Dana Stewart
W.V.H.S. - Matt Temple	For more information about the Grant process, click here.	Young Naperville Singers - Russell Frees

On 2/2/07, Keven Wells, Terri Hubbard, Maureen Krol, Peter Shamburek, and Ettie Randles graduated from the Sunrise Red Badge program for newer members. Congratulations!

January 2007

On 1/26/07, Dr. Hal Wilde, President of North Central College, provided a program on their new Fine Arts Center and the value it brings to Naperville.

Designed by the internationally acclaimed Chicago architectural firm of Loebl, Schlossman and Hackl, Inc., the 57,000-square-foot facility has been planned and sited with the needs of both the College and the Naperville community in mind.

Dr. Hal Wilde & Sunrise President John Schmitt

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Pam Curtin is shown with President John Schmitt. Pam gave a program about CASA and the services this organization provides.

CASA volunteers are Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. Citizen volunteers are recruited, screened, trained and supported by CASA staff. Once trained, volunteer advocates are assigned to monitor a child's case through its duration resulting from a formal court order (normally 18 months to 3 years). For more information, click here.

- 2007 Past Programs -

December 2007

November 2007

October 2007

September 2007

August 2007

July 2007

June 2007

May 2007

April 2007

March 2007

February 2007

January 2007