Announcements

Phillip reminded everyone about the volunteer opportunity from 6:30-8:30 to help with setup at the Wesley Foundation’s food pantry.  Please see Phillip’s email for the link to register to volunteer.

Chief Fruithead Robb  Patton reminded everyone to turn in their money from the Rotary Fruit Sale.

Program

The Other Guys.  Wow, what a performance!  Can we book them again for next year?  Thanks to Patrice and everyone else who helped organized another wonderful C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday Party.

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Upcoming Schedule

December 19th – Alan Nudo and Steve Becket will discuss the Campaign for Redistricting Reform

January 2nd – Dr. Kris Young will speak about Parkland’s new Institute for Aviation

January 9th – TBD

January 16th – Dennis Roberts will discuss the Urbana Sister City Program

January 23rd -TBD

January 30th – Chris Catanzarite from OLLI at UIUC will discuss the history of the Oscards

February 6th – TBD

February 13th – TBD

February 20th – TBD

February 27th – Dr. Irfan Ahmad will discuss the history of Islam, the local Muslim community, and the Avicenna Community Health Center

March 6th – TBD

March 13th – Dr. Stephen Boppart, Bliss Professor of Engineering at UIUC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the venerable Neal Chamberlain)

Rob reported that fruit pickup is going well – most Rotarians have picked up their orders – he encouraged those have not yet picked up their order to do it today (12-5-13).

Phillip reported several upcoming volunteering opportunities:

-Wesley Foundation – Food Setup or Distribution (Dec. 18^th or 19^th)

-Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Prospect Wal-Mart (Dec. 21st)

-Eastern Illinois Food Repack with Central Interact (Sometime in January)

-Eastern Illinois Food Bank – Community Distribution at Bement (January 25, 9:00 – 12:00)

Ata announced that the votes have been counted and certified by the improper officials.  The following slate of officers has been elected for CUSR for the coming year:

*(Current President-Elect: Tod Satterthwaite serves as President.)

*President-Elect: Reuben Chambers

*Treasurer: Jack Kamerer

*Secretary: Jennifer Shelby

*Club Service Director: Cary Woolard

*Community Service Director: Rod Roberts

*International Service Director: Alan Chalifoux

*New Generations Director: Scott Paceley

*Vocational Service Director: Laura Auteberry

The following positions were appointed by a special committee comprised of C-U Sunrise Rotary Newsletter staff:

*Gym Diva: Jennifer Shelby

*Construction Complaint Representative: Ed Perry

*Newsletter Editor: Harold Adams

*Notetaker-in-Training: Neal Chamberlain

*Jury Selection Specialist: Ata Durukan

*Lead Movie Critic – Cary Woolard

*Choral Director – Donna Giertz

PROGRAM

The subject of the program was District 6490 “Group Study Exchange”, presented by Kirby Vandivort and Kristin Williamson.  The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. These Group Study Exchange trips to various countries have been occurring since 1965. The exchange visitors frequently stay in the homes of the host country, go with them to community events and to businesses during their time in the foreign country.

Earlier in 2013 Kristin and Kirby visited communities in the northwest part of Italy. (The note taker has likely misspelled names of cities – apologies.) They spent time in Alessandria (a rural community), Pinerolo (a city of 30,000), Turin (a city of 1.5 million) and Genoa.  The diverse communities and occupations gave them an insight into the people, rural and urban, of northwest Italy. Their work schedule would often include a long break at mid day (they enjoyed a mid day meal that lasted 3 hours) and then return to work until late evening.  Because they were not in the typical tourist areas they met very few proficient bi-lingual residents.  Their host served a very favorite special wine (Conterno Giacomo Winery).  Kris checked the wine’s availability in the Champaign and found the cost would be $1254 per bottle.  Note – Kris hasn’t ordered the wine yet, but Neal Chamberlain offered to get one for her as a gesture of goodwill and better friendships.

Kris and Kirby emphasized how much the appreciated the trip and especially as it made them more aware of the diverse cultures of Italy.

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Upcoming Schedule

December 12th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday program, featuring The Other Guys

December 19th – Alan Nudo and Steve Becket will discuss the Campaign for Redistricting Reform

January 2nd – Dr. Kris Young will speak about Parkland’s new Institute for Aviation

January 9th – TBD

January 16th – Dennis Roberts will discuss the Urbana Sister City Program

January 23rd -TBD

February 27th – Dr. Irfan Ahmad will discuss the history of Islam, the local Muslim community, and the Avicenna Community Health Center

Announcements
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Eduardo Perry)

Robb, Fruit Head Extraordinaire, made a last call for all fruit orders. The Order will be place and fruit is expected to be delivered in early December. Each member is asked to sell 18 cases or make an equivalent donation.  This is the club’s big fundraiser for the year.

Patrice reminded every one of the C-U Sunrise Holiday party will be held on December 12 at our normal meeting time.  Patrice will send out an email requesting responses on who will be attending as young family members are invited.

Program

Jen Shelby introduced Matt Bollant, Head Woman’s Basketball Coach at the University of Illinois. Matt became head coach at the U of I last year after serving as head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Matt had a very successful record at UW-Green Bay leading them to 4 straight NCAA tournament appearances, its first sweet sixteen appearance and being named Coach of the Year.

Bollant inherited a U of I program in need of help and immediately began having positive results. He told the club about his background and his strong desire to become a coach. He stated how he has been fortunate to have a family that understands the effort needed and who contributes to help him become a successful coach. His family plans to make Champaign-Urbana home for the long term.

Using examples of past experiences, Matt told of the importance of developing the players as student athletes, that they become aware that they are part of something bigger than just themselves and the importance of investing in people’s lives. He noted that the grade point average for the team continues to improve.

The basketball practices are open to the public at the Ubben Basketball Complex normally on Monday through Friday from 8 to 11am, and he asked everyone to come out and see how hard these young women work. The program has high goals for the coming years and the local community can help in meeting these goals. The community can help by buying tickets thus improving attendance at the games, by becoming a member to the “Courtsiders”, by making donations for needed equipment and to contribute to a European Basketball Tour.

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Upcoming Schedule

December 5th – Kirby Vandirvort and Kristen Williamson from the Rotary District 6490 GSE team that went to Italy

December 12th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday program, featuring The Other Guys

December 19th – Alan Nudo and Steve Becket will discuss the Campaign for Redistricting Reform

January 2nd – Dr. Kris Young will speak about Parkland’s new Institute for Aviation

January 9th – TBD