ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

The Rotary District 6490 Conference will be held Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign.  Register while there is still time!

Philip announced there will be an Eastern Illinois Foodbank repack event on Thursday, April 30th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

At our 4/30 meeting we will present our inaugural Outstanding Citizen Award to John Doll, a volunteer at the Empty Tomb. The award of $500 will be donated to the Empty Tomb.

Lynn Schmit from the Mahomet Club announced their annual Golf Outing / Fund Raiser to be held on Thursday, May 14th, 1pm at Lake of the Woods Golf Course.  Cost is $360/foursome, $15/dinner.

For more information: www.mahometrotary.org

Tod announced that from May 2-10 Sola Gratia Farms will having a Spring Plant Sale, including farm grown vegetable plants along with herbs, heirlooms, perennials, flowers for hanging baskets, potting and bedding

PROGRAM

Phyllis announced our speaker, Richard L. Fredrickson, Jr., Director & Clinical Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Dr. Fredrickson spoke primarily about a serious current news item, the Midwest outbreak of canine influenza.

Until veterinarians gain a better understanding of the cause of the current outbreak, Dr. Fredrickson recommends minimizing a dog’s exposure to other dogs if at all possible. Be alert to signs of coughing, especially if the dog has been exposed to other dogs in the previous two weeks. Keep pets up to date on vaccinations, and contact the family veterinarian with any concerns.

Dr. Fredrickson spoke about the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) involvement in zoological pathology. CVM has a full service diagnostics lab and has worked with various agencies and foundations such as Brookfield Zoo, Marine World, The Shedd Aquarium and the Cook County Forest Preserve.

CVM is a full service hospital and teaching hospital with specialties in oncology, cardiology and neurology.

The CVM provides a unique service through the referral diagnostic laboratory known as the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. In addition to providing full-service, all-species diagnostic assistance to practicing veterinarians and their clientele, the laboratory utilizes the latest technology derived from research activities in its diagnostic laboratories.

Dr Fredrickson remains directly involved not only directing the CVM but also teaches and performs research as an associate professor.  For more information, see: vetmed.illinois.edu/

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

April 30th – C-U Sunrise Rotary’s Citizen of the Year Award presentation

May 7th – Winnie Crowder, Executive Director of the Reading Group, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

May 14th – George Vargas, Champaign County Public Defender’s Office

May 21st – Sam Banks, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club

May 28th – Antonia Rivera, Rotary Youth Exchange

June 4th – Maria Bohri, Learning in Community (LINC), Engineering Education projects, UIUC

June 11th – Kathie Spegal, Coordinator, Illinois Radio Reader, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

June 18th – Andy Leipold will discuss grand juries and Ferguson, MO

June 25 – TBD

July 2 – TBD

July 9 – TBD

July 16 – Jen Shelby will discuss the Cannes Film Festival

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

District Conference is on May 2-3.    You can sign up for one or all meals on the District website.

We really need volunteers to sign up for the EI Food Bank food repack on Thursday, April 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.   Contact Rod if you can help.

Allan Penwell gave a great explanation of Rotary Foundation giving.   The Rotary Foundation is the engine that drives Rotary projects.   Our Foundation has a four star rating from Charity Navigator.   Your donations go to fund District and Global grants and scholarships.    All Rotarians are asked to give a basic gift of $100 per year as sustaining members.   Sustaining members accumulate donations until they reach $1,000, Paul Harris status.   80% of our club are Paul Harris donors and six are multiple Paul Harris donors.  Our club goal this year is to donate $4,500 to the Rotary International Foundation.   You can make a donation at the RI website or by giving a check to Jennifer Shelby.

Tod announced that Sola Gratia Farm, 2200 S. Philo Rd, Urbana, will be having a spring plant sale from May 2 – 10.

Larry announced that Neal is home from the hospital.

PROGRAM

Reuben introduced Dr. Jerrod A. Henderson, U of I Professor of Chemical Engineering, who spoke about the St. Elmo Brady STEM Academy.     Dr. Henderson recently received the Campus Excellence in Public Engagement Award for his work with the Academy.

Dr. Henderson is a co-founder of the Academy.  He explained that it is named after the first African American to earn a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Illinois.   In 2013, he was asked to provide a science enrichment program to 4th – 6th graders at the Don Moyers Boys and Girls Club.    This project has now expanded to Booker T. Washington and Garden Hills.  The Academy is currently held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and on Saturdays from 10 AM to Noon.

The program targets low income boys.  Fathers or other male role models are asked to participate with the boys.   If a boy does not have a family member, he is paired with a University of Illinois student.    The learning activities foster father – son and mentor – mentee relationships.

Dr. Henderson said that they would love to be able to expand to other schools in the future.    He also coordinates a games camp for girls in 9th -12th grades.

One of Reuben’s sons is currently participating in the Academy and Reuben shared how excited he is to attend.    Reuben and Tod presented Dr. Henderson with a check from CU Sunrise’s bucket money.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

April 23rd – Dr. Richard Fredrickson, Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, UIUC, will discuss services and research in veterinary medicine

April 30th – C-U Sunrise Rotary’s Citizen of the Year Award presentation

May 7th – Winnie Crowder, Executive Director of the Reading Group, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

May 14th – George Vargas, Champaign County Public Defender’s Office

May 21st – Sam Banks, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club

May 28th – Antonia Rivera, Rotary Youth Exchange

June 4th – Maria Bohri, Learning in Community (LINC), Engineering Education projects, UIUC

June 11th – Kathie Spegal, Coordinator, Illinois Radio Reader, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

June 18th – Andy Leipold will discuss grand juries and Ferguson, MO

June 25 – TBD

July 2 – TBD

July 9 – TBD

July 16 – Jen Shelby will discuss the Cannes Film Festival

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

President Tod welcomed Darrell Hoemann to the club.   Darrell is retired after having worked 20 years as a photographer for the New Gazette.  He was sponsored by Scott.

The Outstanding Citizen Award will be given on April 30.    In honor of John Doll, a contribution of $500 will be made toward the charity of his choice.

Mary from CU After Five announced that their club is selling fans of Day Lilies in support of their Dictionary Project.   Visit www.Sacrefarmdaylilies.com to view the many choices available.   All types are $10 per fan.   Contact djmwalsh@aol.com to make a purchase.   The deadline is May 1.   Lilies may be picked up between 1-3 PM on Saturday, May 9, at Suzi Davis Travel, 137 S. Neil St. in Champaign.

Rod asked members to sign up for the EIU Food Bank repack, scheduled for 5:30-7:30 PM on Thursday, April 30.

Robb was the first place winner and Rod took second place in the CU Sunrise Rotary March Madness Foundation Bowl.   The Bowl raised $108.50 for the CU Sunrise Rotary Foundation.   Rumor has it that Paul came in last.

Larry announced that Neal is recovering well from his open heart surgery and he will be home before the weekend.

PROGRAM

Denise Martin spoke about the Cradles to Career Partnership (CUC2C).   Denise is a CPA and partner in Martin, Hood and Friese and Associates.    Leadership Council member Joan Zernich joined Denise.

Denise shared that one in twenty-five CU students is homeless.   Ten in twenty-five get free or reduced lunches.    Three of twenty-five will become teen parents, and two will not graduate from high school.

Denise explained that CUC2C was established in our community three years ago, after Microsoft established a $600,000 grant to spread a Cincinnati based program around the country.

They have five simple goals: to ensure that every student is ready for Kindergarten, succeeds to his or her potential, graduates and leaves high school work force ready and completes some form of post-secondary education.

Denise encouraged us to join the partnership as individuals and as a club.  She would like CU Sunrise Rotary to name a representative to the Leadership Council.    The Leadership Council currently includes representatives from both school districts, CU Schools Foundation, United Way, Carle Hospital, Busey Bank, Champaign County Development Corporation, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, Champaign Urbana Public Health District, Champaign West Rotary, Kiwanis Club of CU, Illinois Public Media and several other departments of the U of I, and many other entities and individuals.  Meetings are held three times per year.

Rotary Foundation Update for C-U Sunrise Rotary Club

Our Rotary Foundation is the engine that drives Rotary.  It supplies funds for worthy projects around the world, but it is best known for its commitment to the eradication of polio.  We are not there yet but getting closer every year.

In 2013, the Foundation received over $239 million and ranks 85^th in the world in size.  The Foundation received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the most prestigious and largest evaluator of nonprofits in the U.S.  During the last fiscal year, 92% of the Foundation’s expenditures were applied to programs with only 6 percent on fund-raising and 2 percent on administrative expenses.  The Foundation funded $23.5 million in district grants and $47.3 million in global grants.  These grants support local and international humanitarian projects as well as scholarships.

All Rotarians are encouraged to donate to the Rotary Foundation. Here is some basic information about our club and the Rotary Foundation.

The basic level is $100 annually which means that such a gift provides sustainer status.  I don’t have any statistics on how many of us are sustainers, but all Rotarians are encouraged to be sustainers.  All of us—$100 per year.

A benefactor is a Rotarian who has established a gift to the Foundation in estate plans.  Four of our members are benefactors.  A benefactor is recognized by having a small ribbon attached to his/her Rotary pin.

A Paul Harris Fellow is a Rotarian who has donated $1,000 to the Foundation. We have 35 members who are Paul Harris Fellows or about 80% of our club.  Some clubs have 100% Paul Harris Fellows.  Six of our members are multiple Paul Harris Fellows which is measured in $1,000 increments.

Our goal in this Rotary year is for our club to donate a total of $4,500 to the Foundation. Thus far we are 59% toward that goal.  We can achieve that goal if all of us can give an additional $45 to the Foundation.  Let’s do that to make Tod look good.

You can send money to the Foundation in two ways.  Write a check to our own Sunrise Foundation, and we will forward that to the Rotary Foundation.  Or you can go on the Foundation website and donate electronically.  One time gifts can be made or you can set up for automatic withdrawals from your checking account or put on your credit card.

Let’s all support our Rotary Foundation and make Tod look good.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE

April 16th – Dr. Henderson and Mr. Rick Greer will discuss the St. Elmo Brady project at UIUC

April 23rd – Dr. Richard Fredrickson, Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, UIUC, will discuss services and research in veterinary medicine

April 30th – C-U Sunrise Rotary’s Citizen of the Year Award presentation

May 7th – Winnie Crowder, Executive Director of the Reading Group, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

May 14th – George Vargas, Champaign County Public Defender’s Office

May 21st – Sam Banks, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club

May 28th – Antonia Rivera, Rotary Youth Exchange

June 4th – Jen Shelby will discuss the Cannes Film Festival

June 11th – Kathie Spegal, Coordinator, Illinois Radio Reader, and former CU Sunrise Rotarian

June 18th – Andy Leipold will discuss grand juries and Ferguson, MO