A Rotary visit to the city where it all began
CHICAGO / EVANSTON
September 26–29, 2026
• Fellowship, history and connection
District 7080 at the Consulate General of Canada in Chicago
DISTRICT 7080 / FRIENDSHIP ACROSS BORDERS
A city of firsts, and new friends
Rotary began in Chicago, making the city a meaningful setting for a District 7080 friendship trip. Our delegation, led by District Governor Uche Okugo, came together to honour that history and strengthen relationships with American Rotarians. Guests from San Francisco and India added an international dimension to the conversations.
Conversations that cross borders
As part of the Chicago trip, the delegation met with the First Deputy Mayor of Chicago (Business, Neighborhood & Economic Development), Brian Tyler, and Consul General of Canada to Chicago, Claire Kennedy and Senior Trade Commissioner, Margaux McDonald. We enjoyed fellowship with Chicago Rotarians, including a fundraiser for Nepal by the Rotary Club of Chicago Citywide Service, Rotary One President Seyda Calderwood and members in an evening hangout, joined the meeting of Rotary club of Evanston Lighthouse where we met Bryant Wallace, District 6440 Governor 2028–2029. At Rotary International, we met Edina Mehovic, Annual Giving Officer, and later toured the One Rotary Center building.
Where the story began
At Comely Banks, the home of Rotary founder Paul Harris and his wife Jean, we connected with Chuck Corrigan, chair of the Paul and Jean Harris Home Foundation. Visiting the residence brought Rotary’s beginnings into focus and gave us a chance to reflect on how a local friendship grew into a worldwide movement.
Chicago, beyond the meetings
The trip also made room to enjoy Chicago together. We visited the Obama Presidential Center and its Chicago Public Library branch, took a hop-on, hop-off tour and an architectural boat ride, and walked the Riverwalk, where we saw several couples celebrating their weddings. Giordano’s deep dish pizza, Garrett’s caramel and cheese popcorn, and a stop at Trader Joe’s added their own flavour to the visit.
Some of us had never met before this trip. Rotary gave us an immediate bond, bringing people from different backgrounds, clubs and countries together through friendship and service.
The visit at a glance
Sunday - 27 September, 2026 | Obama Center and library; Chicago fellowship |
Monday - 28 September, 2026 | Paul and Jean Harris Home; Rotary/One fellowship |
Tuesday - 29 September, 2026 | Evanston Lighthouse fellowship; RI tour scheduled |
DISTRICT 7080 / THE FRIENDSHIP STORY
The bond that travels
Different clubs. Different stories. A common purpose in service.
Strangers become friends
Several members of our District 7080 group had not met before setting out for Chicago. Conversations on the journey, around tables and while exploring the city quickly made introductions feel less formal. Rotary supplied a starting point we all recognized: a willingness to listen, to help and to make room for one another.
A home with a legacy
At Comely Banks, the home of Paul and Jean Harris, Rotary history felt personal. The visit was a chance to think about the friendships that began in Chicago and the service they inspired. Sharing that place as a group connected our new friendships with a story that Rotarians around the world continue to carry forward.
Beyond the meeting room
The meeting with First Deputy Mayor Brian Tyler and the visit with Consul General Claire Kennedy placed our trip in a wider civic setting. Fellowship with Chicago Rotarians, alongside guests from San Francisco and India, showed how naturally a local gathering can become an international conversation.
The city between visits
The Riverwalk, architecture boat ride, Cloud Gate and a hop-on, hop-off tour gave us time to discover Chicago together. The Obama Center and library, Giordano’s deep dish pizza and Garrett’s caramel and cheese popcorn became part of the shared story. Small moments mattered as much as the formal meetings.
Rotary turns new acquaintances into friends.
That bond can grow across clubs, communities and borders.
DISTRICT 7080 / PHOTO ESSAY
Civic ties and Rotary roots
 At Chicago City Hall |  Inside the Paul and Jean Harris Home |
 Fellowship at Comely Bank |  At the Office of the Mayor |
 Exploring Chicago |  The delegation together |
 Outside the Paul and Jean Harris Home |  Evanston Lighthouse banner exchange |
DISTRICT 7080 / PHOTO ESSAY
Chicago moments and fellowship
 Rotary fellowship over a meal |  A meal in the city |
 Taking a break together |  A playful city reflection |
 The delegation explores Chicago |  Giordano’s deep dish pizza |
DISTRICT 7080 / THE DELEGATION
The people behind the visit
Chicago friendship trip
District 7080 delegation together at Cloud Gate
Uche OkugoDistrict Governor | Scott HebertDistrict Governor Nominee |
Sunil SharmaDistrict Membership Chair & Director Rotary Means Business Fellowship | Badar ShamimPolio Plus Committee |
Jananee SavuntharanathanDistrict 7080 Rotaract Director | Anum NazirHalton Rotaract President |
Rita GaylePresident-elect, Rotary Club of Brampton | Farzana ChohanChair of Enhancing Participant Engagement, District 7080 |
District roles: District 7080 2026–27 organization chart. Anum and Rita’s club titles were provided by the delegation.
SEPTEMBER 2026