2012 August

Visit from Leah Matchett, former Rotary Youth Exchange

This morning we were fortunate to have a visit from Leah Matchett, a former Rotary Youth Exchange student. Ms. Matchett is from Grand Rapids, MI and spent the 2010-2011 school year in Taiwan. She is now in Rotex, a group that helps outbound RYE students connect with RYE rebound counselors who have recently returned from overseas. Ms. Matchett is a freshman at the University of Illinois majoring in International Relations and Geology. Leah said that Rotary changed her life and now she wants to give back.

By Andrew Kerins|2022-06-24T15:31:50-05:00August 30th, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off

August 30th, 2012 Newsletter

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes courteous of the erudite Mary Hodson)

President Jeff introduced Leah Matchett (matchet2@illinois.edu). Leah is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is a freshman at the University of IL, majoring in International Relations and Geology. Leah was a Rotary Youth Exchange to Taiwan in 2010-2011 and is now in Rotex. Rotex is a group of “rebound” Rotary Youth Exchange students who have been selected as counselors and “gobetweens” for inbound Youth Exchange students. Leah said that Rotary changed her life and now she wants to give back. She is interested in helping our club, in particular, with Youth Exchange relations.Please bring the names and contact information for two prospective members to the Sept. 13th Club Assembly.

Alan reminded us that the Rotary Foundation is “the engine that drives Rotary.” November is Foundation Month.On November 15, District Governor Elect Larry Pennie will speak to our club about the Foundation and Future Vision. Alan encouraged Paul Harris Fellows to wear their pins and medallions to that meeting. Alan also gave us the top ten reasons to purchase Rotary license plates. See www.cyberdrive.IL for more information.

Give a “shout out” and “thank you” to Kris Young who is now a Paul Harris Fellow.

Curt announced that the “Heart Walk” will be held at the Robert Porter Family Park on Sept. 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Contact Curt if you would like to be on a team representing CU Sunrise.

Gary reminded us about the Shelter Box Challenge. Shelter Box USA has become the leader of the Shelter Box program. However, donations are down. If every member in the District would donate $45, we can raise over $100,000.

The Arcola Rotary Club is hosting a golf outing fundraiser on Sept. 29. See Jeff for more information.

PROGRAM

Bruce Henrikson is the Chair of the Parkland College Agriculture Program. The program has four initiatives:

Applied Technology – Our area was a forerunner in the use of GPS and GIS in farming.
The Land Lab on campus – Visitors can take a self-guided tour of three test plots located on the campus. One crop that students are growing is Miscanthus. They are selling starter Miscanthus plants to local farmers.
International Experience – Since 2003, Parkland Ag has sponsored student trips to England, Ireland, Denmark and Costa Rica. Don Bergfield has lead 12 groups to Costa Rica.
Sustainable Farming – The Fowler Farm Project is located on a family farm owned by Michael Vitoux, former Sociology Instructor at Parkland and his sister, Kathryn Mathieu. The farm is located on the east side of Rising Road about one and one-half miles north of Bradley Ave. The project is actually using only .7 acres of the farm which was their grandma’s front year. The goal of the project is to encourage sustainability in the production of the foods we eat.

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	Sept 6th	Sept 13th	Sept 20th	Sept 27th
Introductions	Penn Nelson	Gary Olsen	Scott Paceley	Robb Patton
Invocation	Alan Chalifoux	Neal Chamberlain	Reuben Chambers	Paul Conforti
Greeters	Penn Nelson	Gary Olsen	Scott Paceley	Robb Patton
Greeters	Harold Adams	Curt Anderson	Oktay Baran	Alan Chalifoux
Song Leader	Jen Shelby	Lou Simpson	Cary Woolard	Kris Young
Notetaker	Lintner	Conforti	Chamberlain	Perry

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Upcoming Meetings

Sept 6 – Scott Burnsmeier, AG, New Generations

Sept 13 – Club Assembly – Membership

Sept 20 – Madeline Evans and Evan Fortier, Illinois State Archaeological Survey

Oct 18 – John Groce, Illinois Mens Basketball Coach

By Andrew Kerins|2022-06-24T15:31:50-05:00August 30th, 2012|Newsletter|Comments Off

2012 – 2013 District 6490 Annual Membership/ Foundation/ New Generations Seminars

District Govenor Gordon would like to see a minimum of 3 per Club so each Break-out Session can be attended. You will note that there is nearly 90 minutes allocated for each break-out session. Each session has been in planning mode for over a month, so expect exciting, memorable & useful content.

Leading the effort in each area:

John Alexander – Foundation

Kevin Yonce – Membership

Tom Redington/ Chris Scherer – New Generations

Download the registration form.

By Rod Roberts|2022-06-24T15:31:50-05:00August 28th, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off

August 23, 2012 Newsletter

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes courteous of the erudite Mary Hodson)

Les Schulte announced that the Illini After Five Club will be distributing dictionaries to Champaign County third graders again this year. He asked for our support and passed his hat for donations.

Barb asked members to notify Molly Delaney if they can help with the Book Mentor Project this year. Watch for an email announcement of upcoming training on the new book mentor format. To email Molly directly, send to delaney1@illinois.edu

President Jeff asked members to bring the names of two people they think would make good Rotarians to the September 13 meeting.

The Fundraising Committee met and will be planning an event for the club’s 25th anniversary.

PROGRAM

Jeff introduced Mahomet Rotarian Eric Luedtke who spoke with passion about the Nepal Project. For the last 19 years, Eric has worked with enslaved and low caste children in Nepal. Nepal is the third poorest country in the world. The average annual income is $250 and parents often sell their children simply to survive.

Although Eric also works through faith-based groups, he pointed out that Rotary is accepted into countries where faith-based groups would not be.

Eric raises funds to help 15 Ketaaketi SPOWC Free Schools, started by a German by the name of Anneli-Sofia Racker.

In order for a child to be enrolled in a SPOWC school, the parents must be involved in a micro-finance project. Family self-sufficiency eliminates the need to sell their children.

Eric worked with the Rotary District to get a $40,000 grant to provide uniforms, books and desks to all of the 15 schools.

Today we did not get a picture of our guest speaker. However, a picture was taken of the table in the back corner. Way to go guys.

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	Aug 30th	Sept 6th	Sept 13th	Sept 20th
Introductions	John McDaniel	Penn Nelson	Gary Olsen	Scott Paceley
Invocation	Oktay Baran	Alan Chalifoux	Neal Chamberlain	Reuben Chambers
Greeters	John McDaniel	Penn Nelson	Gary Olsen	Scott Paceley
Greeters	Coletta Ackermann	Harold Adams	Curt Anderson	Oktay Baran
Song Leader	Mitch Schluter	Jen Shelby	Lou Simpson	Cary Woolard
Notetaker	Hodson	Lintner	Conforti	Chamberlain
Decker Weeding	Chalifoux
Next Weekend	Chalifoux
Decker Garden	Simpson
Watering

—

Upcoming Programs

Aug 30 – Bruce Henrickson, Chair, Business and Agriculture at Parkland College

Sept 6 – Scott Burnsmeier, AG, New Generations

Sept 13 – Club Assembly – Membership

Sept 20 – Madeline Evans and Evan Fortier, Illinois State Archaeological Survey

Oct 18 – John Groce, Illinois Mens Basketball Coach

By Andrew Kerins|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 23rd, 2012|Newsletter|Comments Off

Message from President Jeff

Good morning Rotarians,

The September 13th club meeting will be a club assembly. This assembly will be different that any we have had so far in that the only subject to be discussed will be membership. It will be a unique opportunity to brainstorm and move forward with plans to add potentially great rotarians to an already great club!

I would like you to come to the meeting with two names and phone numbers of people you think would be good additions to Sunrise. We have a unique opportunity to invite these people to the October meeting where (compliments of John McDaniel) coach John Groce of U of I men’s basketball will speak. After the meeting we will compile the list of names and distribute them to the membership committee for follow up on any you may not wish to call yourself.

Please make every effort to attend on September 13th, and bring your best ideas for growing our club. I am excited about the possibilities!

By Rod Roberts|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 22nd, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off

August District 6490 Newsletter

To download your copy of the District newsletter click here.

By Rod Roberts|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 22nd, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off

The ShelterBox you sponsored has made a difference.

With your help, ShelterBox responded to what many reports stated was the worst drought in 60 years in the Horn of Africa, which sparked a severe food crisis. Families were not only fleeing drought and subsequent famine, but also the increasingly unstable situation in Somalia. ShelterBox provided assistance to more than 8,500 refugee families in Kenya and Ethiopia. (more…)

By Rod Roberts|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 22nd, 2012|Shelterbox News, Uncategorized|Comments Off

August 16th, 2012 Newsletter

Announcements

(notes courteous of the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perry)

Curt announced that this year’s “Heart Walk” will take place on September 16th from 5:30 to 7:30. Teams, usually 10 to 12 people, will be raising money as they do the walk. Get a hold of Curt for more information.

On short notice our club responded to the request from EIFB for volunteers to help with food distribution in Hammond, IL. Andrew, Chuck and his wife Lisa, Dave, Ed and John helped with the EIFB “Food Mobile”. Very satisfying event in which we got to see the end results of all those food re-packs are club has done over the years.Rantoul Rotary Club has a fundraising Golf outing September 7th. See Jeff for more details.

Larry announced that a local group “Illini Fighting Hunger” has been formed to provide a similar service that Larry and our club has been involved in the past few years. Larry is organizing the local Interact and Rotoract clubs to help with Illini Fighting Hunger.

Jeff noted that T-Shirts are available for $15 to help raise money for the Foundation.

John announced that our speaker on October 18th ill be Illinois’ new men’s basketball coach, John Groce. Plan on bringing a fellow Illini fan and possible new member to the meeting.

Program

Tom Hodson talked about his recent experience at the Rotary International Convention in Bangkok, Thailand. Tom noted that the convention was a very special event with many visiting and Rotary speakers and all were excellent. Tom found that the Rotary speaker dealing with The Rotary Foundation was one of the best and he will be back during Rotary Foundation month (November) to show a video of the speech. Today’s presentation consisted of a photographic journal that Tom put together of various highlights within the city. With a population of nearly 12 million in the City and the surrounding area Tom found the travel and the people within the City very pleasant and courteous. He presented photos and commented on the history of various buildings and Buddha statues including The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Tom explained that his photos are just a small example of the beauty if Bangkok.

—

	Aug 23rd	Aug 30th	Sept 6th	Sept 13th
Introductions	Ben Mast	John McDaniel	Penn Nelson	Gary Olsen
Invocation	Curt Anderson	Oktay Baran	Alan Chalifoux	Neal Chamberlain
Greeters	Ben Mast	John McDaniel	Penn Nelson	Gary Olsen
Greeters	Kris Young	Coletta Ackermann	Harold Adams	Curt Anderson
Song Leader	Rod Roberts	Mitch Schluter	Jen Shelby	Lou Simpson
Notetaker	Penwell	Hodson	Lintner	Conforti
Decker Weeding	Schluter	Chalifoux
Next Weekend	Schluter	Chalifoux
Decker Garden	Simpson	Simpson
Watering

—

Upcoming Programs

Sept 6 – Scott Burnsmeier, AG, New Generations

Sept 13 – Club Assembly – Membership

Sept 20 – Madeline Evans and Evan Fortier, Illinois State Archaeological SurveyOct 18 – John Groce, Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach

By Andrew Kerins|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 20th, 2012|Newsletter|Comments Off

August 9th, 2012 Newsletter

Announcements
(announcements courteous of the unorthodox and unconventional Paul Conforti)

Rotarian Guest Cathy Rector (Champaign West) announced that she is the district Leadership Chair. This past Saturday’s Rotary Leadership Institute at Richland Community College in Decatur features a newly designed curriculum. Cathy suggests all Rotarian’s, and especially new Rotarian’s, avail themselves to upcoming RLI events. For info: HOA-RLI.org

Ed Perry announced he was taking a crew to Sullivan Illinois this past Saturday to help the Eastern Illinois Food Bank’s Food Mobile distribute food.

Allan Chalifoux was excited to meet a plane at Willard Airport this past Friday afternoon which was traveling all the way from Finland. On board is our newest CU Sunrise exchange student who will be a guest at the Chalifoux’s house for part of her stay.

Our own Sargent of Mirth Dave Krchak recalled the time the Rotary District Governor was visiting a club in his district. Not knowing the exact time of the meeting he happened by a barber shop to ask if anyone there could help him. The barber said the Rotarian’s met at noon – but warned that he might not wish to go today because the District Governor would be speaking.

Program

Our assistant District Governor Jon Rector (Champaign West) announced our distinguished guest and speaker; District Governor J. Gordon Bidner along with his wife Sandra. DG Bidner is an agronomist and a teacher. He also owns Prairiecrest Farms in McClean, IL. DG Bidner is a Hall of Fame member of the Normal IL club.

DG Bidner brought the Polio Truck and asked our club to make individual donations to further Rotary’s “this close” mission to eradicate polio from all nations.

Governor Bidner spoke a theme of peace as the central theme of Rotary Internationals theme. Governor Bidner quoted Dr. William Channing (an English Unitarian preacher in the early 19th century), ““We look forward to the time when the power to love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.”

Governor Bidner then recited in part the opening remarks from Rotary International’s President Sakuji Tanaka at RI’s 2012 Plenary Session (which is a training event for all District Governors):

“Peace, in all of the ways that we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary,” he said. “Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles. It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day and in many simple ways.”

Peace has different meanings for different people, no definition is right, and no definition is wrong. However we use the word, this is what peace means for us. And however we understand peace, Rotary can help us to achieve it.”

DG Bidner asked that we focus this year on our club’s legacy, and on our own legacy, our legacy that we endeavored to make a difference.

DG Bidner reminded us that it only takes 27¢ per day to become a sustaining Paul Harris member.

Our district last year raised $191,000 for the RI Foundation & Future Vision. This year our goal is $250,000.

DG Bidner wants our club to become a Star Club in which we average annually $100/member donation to the foundation.

Our focus should also be on membership, New Generations – the future of Rotary, the future of our country. Embrace Rotary Youth Exchange initiatives, and be involved with the Rotaract and Interact clubs in our area. “Today’s generation of young people want to do something positive. As Rotarian’s we can direct this need.”

DG Bidner finished his excellent presentation with several quotes:

-From 20th century academic Claude Thomas Bissell “Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”

-From Michael Jordan, “Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.”

-And finally, Charles Schultz, ” Be yourself, everyone else is taken.

—

	Aug 16th	Aug 23rd	Aug 30th	Sept 6th
Introductions	BJ Lytle	Ben Mast	John McDaniel	Penn Nelson
Invocation	Harold Adams	Curt Anderson	Oktay Baran	Alan Chalifoux
Greeters	BJ Lytle	Ben Mast	John McDaniel	Penn Nelson
Greeters	Cary Woolard	Kris Young	Coletta Ackermann	Harold Adams
Song Leader	Chuck Reifsteck	Rod Roberts	Mitch Schluter	Jen Shelby
Notetaker	Perry	Penwell	Hodson	Lintner
Decker Weeding	Kerins	Schluter	Chalifoux
Next Weekend	Simpson	Schluter	Chalifoux
Decker Garden	Krchak	Simpson	Simpson
Watering

—

Upcoming Schedule

8/16 – Tom Hodson, Rotary International convention

By Andrew Kerins|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 14th, 2012|Newsletter|Comments Off

EIFB Food Mobile Volunteer Update from Ed Perry

Dave K., Chuck and his wife Lisa, John McDaniel, Andrew and myself helped distribute food for the EIFB in Hammond, IL. today. It was good for us to see how all the food and “re-pack” food is distributed. A lot of needy families out there.

We and many other volunteers from the area gathered at the Hammond Community Center (more…)

By Rod Roberts|2022-06-24T15:31:51-05:00August 12th, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off