“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”  – Oprah Winfrey – Actress – Producer – Talk Show Host

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson – 1803-1882 – Lecturer-Poet-Essayist

A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.” – Veronica Roth – Novelist-Writer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bucket Bucks for this month are going to Books 2 Prisoners.

Jerry will be emailing a survey from Survey Monkey to vote for our bylaws. Please respond as soon as possible.

The Feeding our Kids service project took place Saturday, 3/27/21. Mary Kay thanked all who signed up.

PROGRAM

Tom Ulen introduced Jason Mazzone as our speaker. Jason is a Professor of Law at the University of Illinois since 2012 and is a nationally recognized expert in constitutional law. His educational background includes degrees from Harvard BA and JD, Stanford MA and Yale LLM and JSD. Jason’s focus this morning was on the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America and its relationship on the events of today.

He presented the 1791 original wording of the first amendment and noted the intent of the federal provisions and the adoption later by the individual States’ law for freedoms of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition. 

Jason explained how freedom of speech has evolved and its meaning and significance today. He presented several examples and explained differences and the legal requirements that differ between the government and private businesses. 

Among the many examples, subjects included the limiting or not limiting viewpoints, regulating scope of conversations, hate speech, threats, violence, and civil disobedience. Jason also discussed cases currently before the courts.

Answering multiple questions from club members after his presentation, Jason commented on several hot topics occurring today. Those topics included the differences between the print media and social media(e.g. Facebook, Twitter), legal regulations, the difficulty to prosecute someone for inciting a crowd, freedoms in political speech content, and the current erosion of facts.

Jason concluded his presentation with the important point that the country’s court system has performed very well by casting aside political party leanings and relying on evidence and facts and thus throwing out the many cases of false election results. 

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

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

April 1st – Jarrod Scheunemann will discuss his wild adventures in parks and recreation in Illinois, including the tamer years at Champaign Park District (Andrew)

April 8th – Lin Warfel will discuss farming technology and agricultural issues (Bob)

April 15th – TBD (Cary)

April 22nd – TBD (Charlie)

April 29th – Club Social – no morning meeting

May 6th – Winnie Stortzum will discuss her trip to Portugal (Mary)

May 13th – TBD (Tom)

May 20th – TBD (Bob)

May 27th – TBD (Cary)

June 3rd – TBD (Charlie)

June 10th – TBD (Mary)

June 17th – TBD (Ondine)

June 24th – Pass the Gavel ceremony

“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird Johnson – 1912-2007 –American First Lady

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust – 1871-1922 – French Novelist

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa – 1910-1997 – Saint-Nobel Peace Prize Recipient

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

March Bucket Bucks recipient is Books for Prisoners. Bucket Bucks checks can be mailed to Lou Simpson, 1408 S Hillcrest St, Urbana, IL 61801. Checks can be made out to C-U Sunrise Rotary Foundation.

Service Opportunity: Feeding Our Kids, Saturday, March 27 from 10-Noon. Contact Mary Kay if you can participate.

PROGRAM

Our speaker this week was Lisa Wilson, Executive Director of The Refugee Center in Champaign.  The Refugee Center was founded in 1980 by Vietnamese refugees to provide commonly needed services to other newly arrived refugees, and to help them acclimatize to American culture. In its 40 years of service to our community, The Refugee Center has expanded its scope to assist all immigrants, political asylees, and refugees, regardless of country of origin.

The Refugee Center exists to provide essential services to refugee and immigrant resettlement in East Central Illinois, and to aid in the exchange and preservation of their respective cultures.  The Refugee Center moved into its current location in April 2019. It is now located on Kenyon Road at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health building. Along with larger quarters the new location is easily accessible by car and is served by MTD bus. At the larger quarters other services are also readily available such as immunizations, neo-natal care, and dental care.

12% of Champaign County’s residents can be considered refugees. The largest groups are Guatemalan, Vietnamese, and Congolese. While there is always a need for volunteers in a variety of roles, language skills in Vietnamese, French (Congo) and non-Spanish Guatemalan languages. While Spanish is spoken by 55% of all Guatemalans, refugees from Guatemala primarily belong to marginalized sub-groups such as Garifuna.

The Refugee Center provides the following services:

• Social services, including counseling, tutoring, and health education.
• Mediation services, including VISA extensions, immigration attorney referral, interpreter assistance for
• employment, school, landlord and court, help applying for eligible government benefits.
• Language assistance including paperwork translation in Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, and others on request.

Volunteering is a great way to help the most underserved people in the community. Volunteers are needed in the following areas: Tutoring, especially English; Translate documents; Serve as an interpreter; Teach citizenship classes.

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

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

March 25th – Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Director of the Illinois Program in Constitutional Theory, History, and Law will discuss the First Amendment (Tom)

April 1st – TBD (Diana)

April 8th – Lin Warfel will discuss farming technology and agricultural issues (Bob)

April 15th – TBD (Cary)

April 22nd – TBD (Charlie)

April 29th – Club Social – no morning meeting

May 6th – Winnie Stortzum will discuss her trip to Portugal (Mary)

May 13th – TBD (Tom)

May 20th – TBD (Bob)

May 27th – TBD (Cary)

June 3rd – TBD (Charlie)

June 10th – TBD (Mary)

June 17th – TBD (Ondine)

June 24th – Pass the Gavel ceremony

“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” ― Neil Gaiman – English author

“Great art picks up where nature ends.” – Marc Chagall (Russian-French artist – 1887-1985)

“The self-confidence one builds from achieving difficult things and accomplishing goals is the most beautiful thing of all.” – Madonna – American Singer-Songwriter-Actress

ANNOUNCEMENTS

March Bucket Bucks will go to Books 2 Prisoners.  If you wish to contribute extra, send your donation to Lou Simpson.

District 6490 is currently $160,000 short of the Foundation Giving goal for 2020-2021.   If you are able to help, please make an additional donation to the Rotary Foundation by the end of May.

March 20, 10 AM to 12 Noon – Food as Medicine repack

March 25 – electronic vote on updated club by-laws.

April 8 – election for 2021-2022 officers

April 29 – Club evening social – no morning meeting

May 1 – District Assembly on-line – see District 6490 website for more information

PROGRAM

Cary introduced Robin Stapf, Training and Recruitment Director for Champaign County CASA.   CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. 

Robin is currently recruiting advocates for the next training which will begin on March 22.    Champaign County CASA  is currently  serving 463 children with 121 advocates.   Since the start of the pandemic, they have had 121 new cases and there is a dire need for new advocates.  

Advocates make a two year commitment to make a weekly contact with a child.  They write reports for the court and serve as a guardian ad litem.   A criminal background check, thirty hours of initial training, and 12 CEU’s per year are required.  

Funding comes from the federal Victims of Crime Act, the State Attorney General, the City of Urbana, Champaign County United Way and individual donors.   Advocates donate their time and mileage to meet with children.  However, advocates do not transport children.

An online application can be found at www.CASA4Kids.org.    For more information or to make a donation, see the website or contact Robin at rstapf@CASA4Kids.org.

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

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

March 18th – Lisa Wilson, Executive Director, CU Refugee Center (Charlie)

March 25th – Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Director of the Illinois Program in Constitutional Theory, History, and Law will discuss the First Amendment (Tom)

April 1st – TBD (Diana)

April 8th – TBD (Bob)

April 15th – TBD (Cary)

April 22nd – TBD (Charlie)

April 29th – Club Social – no morning meeting

May 6th – Winnie Stortzum will discuss her trip to Portugal (Mary)

May 13th – TBD (Tom)

May 20th – TBD (Bob)

May 27th – TBD (Cary)

June 3rd – TBD (Charlie)

June 10th – TBD (Mary)

June 17th – TBD (Ondine)

June 24th – Pass the Gavel ceremony

“It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” – Helen Keller – 1880-1968 – Educator-Author-Political Activist

“The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” – Aristotle – 385 BC-322 BC -Greek Philosopher

“People only see what they are prepared to see.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson – 1803-1882 – Lecturer-Poet-Essayist

ANNOUNCEMENTS         

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

Mary Kay announced that one more volunteer is needed for the Feed the Kids service project on March 27th.

The videos in which our club members read books for Read across America on March 6th are available. Contact Darrell.

Our March Bucket Bucks will be going to Books for Prisoners and our April Bucket Bucks will be going to CU @ Home. Additional donations to the Bucket Bucks can be sent to Lou.

PROGRAM

Additional viewers tuned in on our Zoom meeting to hear Julie Pryde give us an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. Bob introduced Julie who is our Champaign County Public Health District’s (CCHPD) Administrator. 

Julie joined the CCPHD in 1995 and has worked her way to become the health District’s first woman director in 2008. The CCPHD is involved in the many issues dealing with and protecting the community’s health. In her time with the district, she has worked on 3 pandemics.  Her focus this morning was on the current COVID-19  pandemic.

Julie noted that we are fortunate to live in a community of smart and caring people. A lot of education and training has taken place for our county’s health service members over the years in preparation for such a virus outbreak. Special thanks were given by Julie to the University of Illinois for their “all in” dedication. The U of I has been a leader in research and development of saliva testing, innovation of ventilators and providing facility space for testing and vaccinations. 

All local Hospitals, medical centers, U of I, and the CCPHD met a year ago and formulated plans on what would be needed and how to proceed. 

The I Hotel and several other local hospital community locations are currently providing vaccinations with great success in numbers. CCPHD is following the state’s age guidelines in opening up more people to be vaccinated. The plan now is to begin expanding the vaccination locations and specialty clinics so others with limited access or disabilities can be reached.      

Julie opened up the program for many questions and answers from the club. With the current numbers and trends in mind, here’s a summary of the answers.

1. Even when you are fully vaccinated, masks are recommended to be worn. 
2. We are hopeful that a year from now our community will be highly vaccinated and returning to a near normal.
3. Outdoor activities in small numbers may occur more and more this summer.
4. More indoor activities with restricted numbers will open up this summer.
5. Smaller Rotary Clubs could start in person meetings beginning outdoors this summer. Inside meetings with limited capacity must be well planned.
6. With the virus mutating there is the likelihood of future booster shots. 
7. One should keep your vaccination card for possible future use. Proof of vaccinations may be needed with certain work. 

This pandemic is ever changing, and guidelines can change. Please contact the CCPHD directly for up to date and precise information. 

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

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

March 11th – Robin Stapf, Training and Recruitment Coordinator, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (Cary)

March 18th – Lisa Wilson, Executive Director, CU Refugee Center (Charlie)

March 25th – Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Director of the Illinois Program in Constitutional Theory, History, and Law will discuss the First Amendment (Tom)

April 1st – TBD (Diana)

April 8th – TBD (Bob)

April 15th – TBD (Cary)

April 22nd – TBD (Charlie)

April 29th – Club Social – details TBD

May 6th – Winnie Stortzum will discuss her trip to Portugal (Mary)

May 13th – TBD (Tom)

May 20th – TBD (Bob)

May 27th – TBD (Cary)

June 3rd – TBD (Charlie)

June 10th – TBD (Mary)

June 17th – TBD (Ondine)

June 24th – Pass the Gavel ceremony

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.” ― Salvador Dali

ANNOUNCEMENTS         

(notes provided by the disgruntled gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perry)

Mary K is planning a service project for our club. Feeding Our Kids will take place Saturday, March 27, from 10 to Noon with 10 volunteers needed. Mary K will send out more information.

Suggestions are welcomed for March’s Bucket Bucks. Please forward your suggestions to Mary K.

Darrell mentioned, and demonstrated, how to gain access to past club meeting programs via our website.

Program/Club Meeting

Because our speaker was unable to attend, Mary Hodson provided information about the “Youth Build” project with the Champaign County Housing Authority.  The mission of “Youth Build” is to help young people further their education with a focus on becoming involved in the construction trades. Right now, they are having a clothing drive for gently used shirts, pants, belts to be worn for interviews. Mary will send out additional information about the clothing drive. 

A general club discussion took place on future meetings for our club. Comments were heard about several topics including when and where we will start back with in person meetings such as at Lodgic and/or outside at Champaign Park District facilities. The types of meetings such as Zoom, hybrid Zoom (meeting available in person and online), and Facebook live also received comments. 

David Strand, a past member who is now living in Lafayette, Indiana, attended today’s meeting. He is an assistant governor in his district and shared with us what clubs are doing in his district and how they are dealing with the Covid pandemic. He mentioned as clubs deal with remote meetings the positives are the variety and pool of speakers has widened greatly. With speakers from anywhere in the country being now accessible on Zoom meetings. Clubs are saving money as they no longer are paying for their meeting spaces and while struggling with fundraisers they are using those saved dollars for service projects.

He also mentioned that “Rotary Satellite” clubs are being formed. They are smaller clubs that set their own dues, rules and meeting times. This added flexibility provides an appeal for younger members and older retired members alike who may shy away from weekly meetings. These clubs may meet once a month and have a monthly social.   

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

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

March 4th – Julie Pryde, Public Health Administrator, C-U Public Health District will discuss COVID-19 (Bob)

March 11th – Robin Stapf, Training and Recruitment Coordinator, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (Cary)

March 18th – Lisa Wilson, Executive Director, CU Refugee Center (Charlie)

March 25th – Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Professor of Law at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Director of the Illinois Program in Constitutional Theory, History, and Law will discuss the First Amendment (Tom)

April 1st – TBD (Diana)

April 8th – TBD (Bob)

April 15th – TBD (Cary)

April 22nd – TBD (Charlie)

April 29th – Club Social – details TBD

May 6th – TBD (Ondine)

May 13th – TBD (Tom)

May 20th – TBD (Bob)

May 27th – TBD (Cary)

June 3rd – TBD (Charlie)

June 10th – TBD (Mary)

June 17th – TBD (Ondine)

June 24th – Pass the Gavel ceremony