“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson 

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” ― Marcel Proust 

“There’s a graveyard in northern France where all the dead boys from D-Day are buried. The white crosses reach from one horizon to the other. I remember looking it over and thinking it was a forest of graves. But the rows were like this, dizzying, diagonal, perfectly straight, so after all it wasn’t a forest but an orchard of graves. Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature.” ― Barbara Kingsolver 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

Our Rotary District 6490 has a goal of $100/year gift giving per Rotarian. Giving works because Rotary works. Rotary is proud that 90.8 percent of donations go straight to supporting service projects. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2. Ask a CU Sunrise board member to help you plan the best way to achieve this goal.

Some quick statistics:

–110 members signed up for Rotary Direct (automated giving)

–251 Paul Harris Fellows

–70 Paul Harris Society Members

—7 Major Donors

—Annual Fund contributions to date = $202,898

–Polio Plus contributions to date equal $46,050

–Endowment Fund contributions to date equal $10,525

PROGRAM

Andrew introduced our speaker for the week, Andy Robinson.  Andy works on the retro-commissioning team at the University of Illinois.  He also gives educational solar power hour talks in Urbana-Champaign for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).  Solar energy in U-C was the focus of his presentation.

Andy’s program centered on the steps, results and benefits of residential and commercial solar energy conversions.  For example, a typical 7.8kw home solar energy roof installation has a cost of about $24,000. With incentives that cost nets at around $10,000. This is paid back in power bill savings in 7 years. Over 25 years it is estimated to save the residential home owner $51,000.

MREA worked with local contractors to get a bid on volume pricing to help lower the cost for individual homeowners and business owners.  New Prairie Construction Company won the bid for this year’s solar installations through MREA, and they are a great resource to evaluate your home or business on the feasibility of installing a solar energy system. This evaluation is free of charge.

In addition, Andy noted that the U/I Credit Union is offering low interest solar loans for Champaign County homeowners.

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

June 29th – Pass the Gavel and Annual Club Awards Presentation

July 6th – Joe Rank, U of I Foundation, will discuss Illinois at 150 (Mary)

July 13th – Professor Leslie Looney, Director, Laboratory for Astronomical Imaging, UIUC will discuss the total solar eclipse on 8/21/17 (Phyllis)

July 20th – District Governor’s visit

July 27th – TBD (Tod)

August 3rd – TBD (Tom)

August 10th – Kenny Chumbley, author of The Green Children, Literary Classics Book Award Finalist (Mary & Jen)

August 17th – TBD (Phyllis)

August 24th – TBD (Tod)

August 31st – TBD (Social)

September 7th – TBD

September 14th – TBD

September 21st – TBD

September 28th – TBD

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Andrew, Maggie and Finn on the birth of Winona!

Thanks to Bob, Angela, Rod, Larry and Judy for helping at the mobile Food Bank in Bement on Saturday.

Rod is Raffling a Rotary jacket and a coupon for a Slow Ride.  Tickets are just $5.

If you would like to serve on the Program Committee or if you have a good idea for a program, contact Mary at maryfhodson@aol.com.

June bucket money will go toward the Trinity Horsemanship Foundation.

PROGRAM

Laura introduced Sally Carter, CEO of Tap in Leadership Academy.  Tap Prep Academy In is an Early Childhood Education Center designed to serve children age 6 weeks and up.   Tap In parents participate in a Family Enrichment Program.

Sally shared her personal story which led her to the founding of Tap In. She started with a summer enrichment program for kids and now has programs in Champaign, Rantoul, Arcola and Chicago.

“Yes, Chicago” provides youth ages 16 to 24 with educational enhancement opportunities leading to employment.

“103 the Venue” is their building which is on Country Fair.   They have a variety of flexible event spaces available for rent.

Sally said that Tap In is looking for Board members as well as donations to support their work.

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

June 22nd – Andy Robinson will discuss solar energy in Urbana-Champaign (Tom)

June 29th – Pass the Gavel and Annual Club Awards Presentation

July 6th – Joe Rank, U of I Foundation, will discuss Illinois at 150 (Mary)

July 13th – Professor Leslie Looney, Director, Laboratory for Astronomical Imaging, UIUC will discuss the total solar eclipse on 8/21/17 (Phyllis)

July 20th – District Governor’s visit

July 27th – TBD (Tod)

August 3rd – TBD (Tom)

August 10th – Kenny Chumbley, author of The Green Children, Literary Classics Book Award Finalist (Mary & Jen)

August 17th – TBD (Phyllis)

August 24th – TBD (Tod)

August 31st – TBD (Social)

September 7th – TBD

September 14th – TBD

September 21st – TBD

September 28th – TBD

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” ― Marie Curie 

“If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.” ― Bruce Lee 

“Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it till it comes to have a separate and integral interest. To regret deeply is to live afresh.” ― Henry David Thoreau 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(Notes provided by Allan Penwell)

Jen is donating a size XL Rotary jacket which was singled out during her garage sale.  Rod will auction it off at our upcoming awards day.  Stick around.

We received a very nice thank-you letter from the Chez Center for Wounded Veterans.

There still are a few members who have not paid their dues.  Please talk to Jack.

Phyllis noted that C-U Sunrise Rotary made the district newsletter with a few pics of our gardeners planting flowers at the Champaign County Nursing Home.  Thanks to Lou for being the photographer.

PROGRAM

Our speaker last week was Cari Rincker.  Cari, who is originally from Shelbyville, is an attorney who specializes in mediation but also with concentrations in food, agriculture, and family law.

Mediation is not litigation or arbitration; rather it involves issues that are agreed upon by the involved parties.  Mediation is really a conversation that gets to the heart of issues to bring resolution.  It allows parties to move at their own pace and find solutions outside of the court system.  A good mediator will find a way for all to work through their emotions and make reasonable decisions.

Usually there is an initial contact among the parties, and a confidentiality agreement is drawn up along with a fee arrangement.  Mediation sessions are arranged and hopefully resolutions are reached.  Mediation can address divorce, child custody, alimony maintenance, and even pet ownership and visitation agreements.

Cari previously practiced law in New York.  She now has an office at 301 N. Neil Street, Champaign, and her phone number is 217.531.2179.

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

June 15th – Sally Carter, CEO and Founder of Tap In Leadership Academy (Laura)

June 22nd – Andy Robinson will discuss solar energy in Urbana-Champaign (Tom)

June 29th – Pass the Gavel and Annual Club Awards Presentation

July 6th – Joe Rank, U of I Foundation, will discuss Illinois at 150 (Mary)

July 13th – Professor Leslie Looney, Director, Laboratory for Astronomical Imaging, UIUC will discuss the total solar eclipse on 8/21/17 (Phyllis)

July 20th – District Governor’s visit

July 27th – TBD (Tod)

August 3rd – TBD (Tom)

August 10th – TBD (Mary)

August 17th – TBD (Phyllis)

August 24th – TBD (Tod)

August 31st – TBD (Social)

September 7th – TBD

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” ― Confucius 

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” ― Nelson Mandela 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Sen. Edward Perry)

Angie, Scott and Michelle introduced this year’s scholarship winner, Sara Reinholt. Sarah will attend Parkland in the fall to begin working on her associates in the nursing program. She received a check for $1,500.00 from the club for tuition and books. Sara graduated from Central High school, where she was involved in numerous school activities and volunteer services. Sara plans to continue towards a 4-year degree in nursing with hopes to actively pursue a nursing career and do research on Parkinson’s Disease.

President Rod noted he will be enjoying his last month as club’s president, especially standing behind the new podium that Lou built and which now has more room for many more past president’s names.

Darrell announced that starting August 1st that he will be at his photo studio immediately after our Club Meeting to take “Head shots” of new members for our club’s photo log and update any old member photos. He plans to continue this after the first Thursday of each month.  

PROGRAM

Mary introduced David E. Grogan as today’s speaker. David has served as the Associate Director of Compliance at the University of Illinois for the last 3 years.

David received his Bachelor of Business Administration from William and Mary, becoming a Certified Public Accountant.  He later graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and subsequently earned his LL.M in international law from George Washington Law School. David is a Captain, JAG Corps U.S. Navy (Retired) and also an author of two legal thriller mysteries “Sapphire Pavilion” and “The Siegel Disposition”. 

His program this morning centered on his years as an attorney in the Navy and his national duties and international travels in that role. He noted that as a second-year law student, he by chance met a navy officer at a social gathering and from that chance occurrence started focusing on becoming a lawyer in the Navy.  

David told about his travels as a Naval Officer to Haiti, Bosnia, Japan, and Iraq. He mentioned several past activities dealing with international law and international incidents in Bosnia, Iraq, Egypt and China. David also told about his workings with international criminal law in the office of the Secretary of Defense and in the Pentagon. He also was active in the dealings with the rules of engagement with the U.S Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain.  

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

June 8th – Cari Rinker, attorney, will discuss Mediation: An alternative to litigation (Bob)

June 15th – Sally Carter, CEO and Founder of Tap In Leadership Academy (Laura)

June 22nd – TBD (Tom)

June 29th – Pass the Gavel and Annual Club Awards Presentation

July 6th – Joe Rank, U of I Foundation, will discuss Illinois at 150 (Mary)

July 13th – Professor Leslie Looney, Director, Laboratory for Astronomical Imaging, UIUC will discuss the total solar eclipse on 8/21/17 (Phyllis)

July 20th – TBD

July 27th – TBD

August 3rd – TBD

August 10th – TBD

August 17th – TBD

August 24th – TBD

August 31st – TBD

September 7th – TBD