“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ― Anne Frank 

 “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” ― Abraham Lincoln 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Notes provided by Allan Penwell).

Our spelling bee team of Johnson, Perry, Lintner, and Hodson missed out on the word “occasionally.” Thanks to all of you for representing our club.

Last Saturday, CUSR volunteers showed up to help Todd with fall clean-up at Sola Gratia Farms

SPEAKER

Our speaker on October 27th was Niala Boodhoo who is the host of “The 21st” show on WILL AM.  The 21st is a statewide news and talk show brought to you by Illinois Public Radio (via WILL).  Niala was a journalist for The Miami Herald as well as Reuters offices in London and Washington D.C. Most recently she hosted The Afternoon Shift at WBEZ and came to WILL (Illinois Public Media) in the past year. 

The 21st stands for Illinois as the 21st state in the union as well as the 21st century.  The show airs at 11:00 a.m during the work week and covers a variety of topics.  Topics are developed in the Illinois Newsroom which is directed by Scott Cameron. 

The 21st is a new model of public broadcasting in Illinois which is broadcast out of WILL and also public broadcasting stations in  Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield, and Normal.  Shows are over the air, podcast download, and through streaming apps of WILL or National Public Radio.  Niala discussed several topics on recent programs.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

November 3rd – Dr. Karl-Heinz Schoeps, retired professor of German at UIUC, will speak about resistance to Hitler within Germany during the Third Reich (Phyllis)

November 10th – Maureen Reagan, the Associate Director for Marketing at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts (Tod)

November 17th – Mike Hirschi, Champaign West, will discuss the Foundation (Allan Penwell)

November 24th – Thanksgiving, no AM meeting

December 1st – Club Assembly

December 8th – Janice Jayes, Instructional Assistant Professor, Illinois State University, will discuss the state of ISIS today (Bob)

December 15th – Isak Griffiths, Executive Director, Courage Connections (Laura)

December 22nd – Mitch Davis, Muscular Dystrophy Association (Mary)

December 29th – No AM meeting; evening social instead?

January 5th – Family Meeting? (Phyllis)

January 12th – TBD (Tod)

January 19th – TBD (Tom)

January 26th – Josh Whitman, Athletic Director, UIUC (Bob)

February 2nd – TBD (Laura)

February 9th – TBD (Mary)

February 16th- Nick Osborne, Director, Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, UIUC (Phyllis)

February 23rd – TBD (Tod)

“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.” ― Dorothy Height

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” ― Confucius

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Senator Ed Perry)

This past weekend our club participated in the CU Schools Foundation’s annual Spelling Bee fundraiser. Robin, Barb and Larry continued our club’s proud tradition buzzing through the contest!

Tom Hodson is selling Poinsettias for Champaign West Rotary’s annual fundraiser.

Rod announced that U of I Athletic Director, Josh Whitman, will be the speaker at our January 20th meeting.

Mary reminded everyone of Champaign County’s need for revenues to fund facilities maintenance and that she will be voting “Yes” for County Facilities.

Robb announced that our annual “Stamp out Scurvy” Fruit sale fundraiser will begin in early November. This is our club’s fundraiser and 100% member participation is expected to help reach our goal. It looks like a good year for Florida grapefruit and oranges so get those orders ready.

For this month’s Volunteer Project Tod noted we will be at Sola Gratia Farm (2200 S. Philo Rd. in Urbana) from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016.  We will be helping to clear out the field, mulching and other odd jobs.  Come for all or any part of the three-hour time block.

PROGRAM

Jennifer Shelby presented information about Shatterglass Studios and Shatterglass Films. Among Jen’s many activities, she helped start Shatterglass Films in 2015 and serves as it’s managing partner and executive director.

Shatterglass is an award winning new media development and film and video production company. They have a local studio at 309 S. Neil Street in Champaign and facilities in Chicago. Shatterglass Films is currently working on films in the less than $1 million budget category. That project size is where they have been most successful.  However, they are also currently working to start a film about Emmit Till which would be closer to a $25 million production.

Jen’s focus this morning was to tell us about Shatterglass Films current local project that hopefully will start filming in June 2017 in Rantoul. This new project is currently titled “Rantoul and Die”. It is a black comedy written by local product Mark Roberts. Mark is an Urbana High School graduate with vast experience in writing for shows like Mike & Molly, Two and 1/2 Men and Big Bang Theory.

“Rantoul and Die” film will be based on the critically acclaimed play by the same name which Mark Roberts wrote in 2009. The story deals with a love triangle taking place in rural America, Rantoul, Il. The current budget for this film is set at $650,000 with a cast of five speaking roles and a 23-day shooting schedule.

Jen touched on the many aspects in the film industry, including the decisions needed to proceed with a film, budgets, getting contributors, cast selection, work crews, producers, directors, actors, volunteers, tax incentives, and film distribution. Shatterglass Films has several award winning productions so far and the future looks bright.

For more information see www.shatterglassfilms.com.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

October 27th – Niala Boodhoo, WILL Radio’s The 21st, will discuss the Mandella Washington Fellowship (Mary)

November 3rd – Dr. Karl-Heinz Schoeps, retired professor of German at UIUC, will speak about resistance to Hitler within Germany during the Third Reich (Phyllis)

November 10th – Maureen Reagan, the Associate Director for Marketing at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts (Tod)

November 17th – Mike Hirschi, Champaign West, will discuss the Foundation (Allan Penwell)

November 24th – Thanksgiving, no AM meeting

December 1st – Club Assembly

December 8th – Janice Jayes, Instructional Assistant Professor, Illinois State University, will discuss the state of ISIS today (Bob)

December 15th – Isak Griffiths, Executive Director, Courage Connections (Laura)

December 22nd – Mitch Davis, Muscular Dystrophy Association (Mary)

December 29th – No AM meeting; evening social instead?

January 5th – Family Meeting? (Phyllis)

January 12th – TBD (Tod)

January 19th – TBD (Tom)

January 26th – Josh Whitman, Athletic Director, UIUC (Bob)

February 2nd – TBD (Laura)

February 9th – TBD (Mary)

February 16th- Nick Osborne, Director, Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, UIUC (Phyllis)

February 23rd – TBD (Tod)

 “Pleasure is a shadow, wealth is vanity, and power a pageant; but knowledge is ecstatic in enjoyment, perennial in frame, unlimited in space and indefinite in duration.” ― DeWitt Clinton

“I advise you to say your dream is possible and then overcome all inconveniences, ignore all the hassles and take a running leap through the hoop, even if it is in flames.” ― Les Brown 

 
ANNOUCNEMENTS
(notes provided by the unorthodox and unconventional Paul Conforti)

Ata announced that our Rotary District has approved a Global Grant.  This grant enables district clubs to partner with a German club to provide scholarships for women seeking business school training in Turkey.

BJ Lytle announced the Central High School 5K Turkey Trot (benefiting the Crisis Nursery) will take place Saturday November 19th. Register no later than October 28th at racerpal.com

Rod announced that we are in need of two additional participants for the CU Sunrise Team to participate in the 2016 CU Schools Foundation Spelling Bee on October 21.  Proceeds go to grants to the schools and this year 37 grants have been awarded to 46 teachers.   The most recent grants totaled $19,000.  Let Rod know if you are interested.

Ata announced the annual Rotary sponsored Veterans Day One On One luncheon from 11am – 1pm on Friday November 11th at the Round Barn Banquet Center. For more information call 217-398-2000, VeteransDayOneOnOne.com, or facebook.com/VeternasDayOneOne

Tom Hodson announced Champaign West’s annual Poinsettia sale fund raiser. Orders must be placed by 6pm Wednesday November 16, 2016. Orders can be made directly at the Champaign West webpage – champaignwest.org/

Reminder: Illini After Five Rotary Club is seeking donations for their annual Dictionary Project. Fifteen hundred dictionaries will be given out to third graders throughout Champaign County and will include Spanish as well as English dictionaries.  This year there will be an event to raise funds at Art Mart from 4:00 – 7:00pm on Thursday, November 3. Tickets are $10 and are available online.

Our club is planning a social gathering around the holidays. Thursday, December 29th is the tentative date.

October bucket money goes to the Red Cross for Louisiana flood victims.

PROGRAM

Tom Ulen introduced Professor Jennifer Pahre from the UIUC Law School. Pahre earned her J.D. degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles where she was the chief note and comment editor of the Loyola International and Comparative Law Review. Professor Pahre is admitted to the state bars of California, Michigan, and Illinois and has practiced law in all three states

Professor Pahre’s topic was the First Amendment and Political Discourse making the distinction between governmental figures, public figures and private citizens in regards to libel laws and how they apply to each group. The discussion covered:

-when defamation claims can be pursued as a civil wrong

-when a published or aired report can be considered “recklessness in an extreme way”.

-what is the “malice standard” as applied to governmental, public or private individuals.

-how the First Amendment pertains to quotations used

Of interest was a question to Professor Pahre “given three choices who would she like to have dinner with?”. Her answer: Louis Brandeis, John Marshall and Hugo Black

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

October 20th – Jennifer Shelby, New Developments in Film (Mary)

October 27th – Niala Boodhoo, WILL Radio’s The 21st, will discuss the Mandella Washington Fellowship(Mary)

November 3rd – Dr. Karl-Heinz Schoeps, retired professor of German at UIUC, will speak about resistance to Hitler within Germany during the Third Reich (Phyllis)

November 10th – TBD (Tod)

November 17th – Mike Hirschi, Champaign West, will discuss the Foundation (Allan Penwell)

November 24th – Thanksgiving, no AM meeting

December 1st – Club Assembly

December 8th – Janice Jayes, Instructional Assistant Professor, Illinois State University, will discuss the state of ISIS today (Bob)

December 15th – Isak Griffiths, Executive Director, Courage Connections (Laura)

December 22nd – Mitch Davis, Muscular Dystrophy Association (Mary)

December 29th – No AM meeting; evening social instead?

January 5th – Family Meeting? (Phyllis)

January 12th – TBD (Tod)

January 19th – TBD (Tom)

January 26th – Josh Whitman, Athletic Director, UIUC (Bob)

February 2nd – TBD (Laura)

February 9th – TBD (Mary)

February 16th- Nick Osborne, Director, Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education, UIUC (Phyllis)

February 23rd – TBD (Tod)

“We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly – spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.”― Susan L. Taylor 

“Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald 

Announcements
(notes provided by the crafty and courageous Barb Lintner)

Rod announced that there were volunteer opportunities for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank on our website. 

Molly Delaney in her Bee costume made a plea for a CU Sunrise Team and audience members to participate in the 2016 CU Schiools Foundation Spelling Bee on October 21.  Proceeds go to grants to the schools and this year 37 grants have been awarded to 46 teachers.   The most recent grants totaled $19,000.  We need only 2 more members for a team.  Let Rod know if you are interested.

Les Schulte came to ask for donations for the Illini After Five Rotary Club for their Dictionary Project.  1500 dictionaries will be given out to 3d graders throughout Champaign County and will include Spanish as well as English dictionaries.  This year there will be an event to raise funds at Art Mart on Thursday, November 3 from 4 to 7pm.  Tickets are $10 and are available online.

The Interact Car Wash was rescheduled for Saturday, October 8 from 12:30 to 4:00pm at Prospect Bank due to date conflicts.

October bucket money goes to the Red Cross for Louisiana flood victims.

Speaker

Amy Armstrong, Vice President of the Champaign School Board and Neil Strack of Architectural Expressions spoke to us about the upcoming School Facilities Referendum.  Amy, a citizen, taxpayer, and the mother of four children who have or are attending Champaign schools is seeking to humanize the process as so that voters can make an informed choice. 

Champaign is one of the fastest growing communities in Illinois.  In 2009 a 1% sales tax allowed the schools to upgrade 5 schools and build 2 new schools.  The current referendum is built on community based involvement findings from two groups.  Results from the Tier I group include that the high schools are at 104% capacity and many portable class rooms are being used or will soon be used throughout the community.  The needs on the six campuses total $300 million.  Results from the Tier 2 group are a list of needs at Central, Centennial, the International Prep Academy, Edison, Dr. Howard, and South Side.  Land banking is also indicated for future growth.  The findings resulted in a Long Range Facilities plan and the current referendum.

The referendum plan involves 6 schools and is for $183.4 million.  It will keep Central central and add stem areas and science labs in a new addition, among other features.  Options have been made on the necessary properties.  The website at facilitiesplanning.champaignschools.org gives an overhead view of the plans for all the facilities.  At South Side and the other schools the view is to add fields for sports where they can be used by the community when not in use by the school.  Centennial’s needs are more pressing than Central and include an aged HVac system, science labs, security, and accessibility.  Edison will be addressed later since a reassessment of the middle schools is necessary for the future population already evident at the elementary schools.  Under consideration is the replacement of Dr. Howard with a new three story building.   The International Prep Academy, an amazing new bilingual program receiving over 3000 volunteer hours from the U of I, in the old Carrie Busey School is also on the list. South Side is experiencing security and accessibility issues.

Bonds will be issued over 4 to 6 years making the tax impact gradual.  A $100,000 house would be $174 a year or $15 a month when the maximum is reached.  District comparisons for 2015 show that after the increase taxes would be similar to Normal but below other comparable communities in Illinois.  Upon passage of the referendum on November 8 a community oversight committee will be organized to be a part of the process and provide future community involvement. 

Questions were addressed as follows:  The Consent Agreement is the reason that the high schools have to be in central or north Champaign; no other locations are possible.  57.9% of Champaign students are in poverty.   

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

October 13th – Prof. Jennifer Pahre, College of Law, UIUC, Legal Issues in the News (Tom)

October 20th – Jennifer Shelby, New Developments in Film (Mary)

October 27th – Niala Boodhoo, WILL Radio’s The 21st, will discuss the Mandella Washington Fellowship(Mary)

November 3rd – Dr. Karl-Heinz Schoeps, retired professor of German at UIUC, will speak about resistance to Hitler within Germany during the Third Reich (Phyllis)

November 10th – TBD (Tod)

November 17th – Mike Hirschi, Champaign West, will discuss the Foundation (Allan Penwell)

November 24th – Thanksgiving, no AM meeting

December 1st – Club Assembly

December 8th – TBD (Bob)

December 15th – Isak Griffiths, Executive Director, Courage Connections (Laura)

December 22nd – Mitch Davis, Muscular Dystrophy Association (Mary)

December 29th – No AM meeting

January 5th – TBD (Phyllis)

January 12th – TBD (Tod)

January 19th – TBD (Tom)

January 26th – TBD (Bob)

February 5th – TBD (Laura)

February 12th – TBD (Mary)

February 19th – TBD (Phyllis)

February 26th – TBD (Tod)

“What you pay attention to grows. If your attention is attracted to negative situations and emotions, then they will grow in your awareness.” ― Deepak Chopra 

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.” ― George Sand (aka Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PROGRAM

Last week’s regular meeting was canceled in favor of an evening gathering at Krannert Uncorked at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts.  Much fun was had by those in attendance.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

October 6th – TBD (Tod)

October 13th – Prof. Jennifer Pahre, College of Law, UIUC, Legal Issues in the News (Tom)

October 20th – Jennifer Shelby, New Developments in Film (Mary)

October 27th – Niala Boodhoo, WILL Radio’s The 21st, will discuss the Mandella Washington Fellowship(Mary)

November 3rd – TBD (Phyllis)

November 10th – TBD (Tod)

November 17th – Mike Hirschi, Champaign West, will discuss the Foundation (Allan Penwell)

November 24th – Thanksgiving, no AM meeting

December 1st – Club Assembly

December 8th – TBD (Bob)

December 15th – Isak Griffiths, Executive Director, Courage Connections (Laura)

December 22nd – Mitch Davis, Muscular Dystrophy Association (Mary)

December 29th – No AM meeting

January 5th – TBD (Phyllis)

January 12th – TBD (Tod)

January 19th – TBD (Tom)

January 26th – TBD (Bob)

February 5th – TBD (Laura)

February 12th – TBD (Mary)

February 19th – TBD (Phyllis)

February 26th – TBD (Tod)