Lalley wins Rotarian award

Rich Lalley, center, recently recieved the District Rotarian of the Year award.

Updated: June 12, 2012 7:33PM

“The more you give, the more you get.”
That’s how Rich Lalley sums up his eight-year experience with Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Club.

Its also helps describe the recent outcome of the annual Rotary District Conference, in which Lalley was surprised with the Rotarian of the Year award for his dedicated work with the community service organization.

District Governor Carlos Frum of The Northbrook Rotary Club chose to honor Lalley from amongst 70 Rotary Clubs in the Rotary District 6440 of Northern Illinois. As the Club Service Advisor and Webmaster of The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, Lalley was recognized for expanding the club’s website and social media presence.

“The work I have done to promote Rotary’s public image through our district website and social media, including the development and administration of an extensive ad campaign on Facebook, which is funded by a PR grand from Rotary International” was recognized, he said.

Rotary Foundation International is a service and fellowship organization that advances important social causes and brings communities together. Since 1924, The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield has been providing local students with scholarships, helping business owners and community leaders as well as building orphanages in Vietnam and establishing a micro-lending program in Uganda.

After opening a retail business in Winnetka that has since closed, Lalley joined the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield in 2004 to become more connected with the North Shore community. “I joined the club as a vehicle for making meaningful connections in the community and giving back. It was a great way to become involved.

“During the 2009-2010 Rotary year, I served as Club President, and currently serve the club as Treasurer of our charitable foundation and PR chair,” Lalley said. As Club Service Advisor, Lalley is a resource for other clubs in the district who need assistance with “Club Service” activities including website development ideas, social media activities and Public Relations programming. His approach to service consists of finding ways to help add value to the lives of others. “Rotary provides a wonderful platform for achieving greatness,” Lalley said.

The former Vice President of Advertising and Brand Management for Discover Financial Services, Lalley is a Lincolnshire resident.

A member of several other charitable organizations, he currently serves as the Vice President of Development for Operation Warm, a non-profit that provides winter coats for children in need. Lalley said, “I continue to have a keen interest in marketing, especially in the realm of social media.

He’s also a sports fan, especially the Chicago Blackhawks and Green Bay Packers.

“A vice I picked up while working in Milwaukee for Miller Brewing Company),” he said.

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