“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.” – Aristotle – 384 BC-322 BC – Greek Philosopher

 

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Nelson Mandela – 1918-2013, Former President of South Africa

 

“Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they choose… you can’t be what you can’t see.” – Sally Ride – 1951-2012 – Astronaut and physicist

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

 

Paul announced that the annual Foundation Bowl raised a $100 dollars for the Rotary Foundation.

 

Darrell announced several upcoming club activities:

 

February 2, 2:00pm in the State Farm Center, Club social at the U of I Women’s Basketball Game vs Wisconsin. It’s “Pack the House and Play for Kay Pink Game”. See Keith if you need tickets.

 

February 13, Club volunteer opportunity with the distribution of Food at Promise Healthcare Food as Medicine. Two sessions are available from 9 to 10:30 am and from 12:30 to 2 pm. Let Phillis know what time you can make it. 

 

February 27, CU Sunrise Karaoke Party, Fundraiser and social gathering at Lodgic. Teaming up with CU Schools Foundation there will be opportunities to help before and during the event and sing! See Darrell, Lou and Cary for more information.

 

February 29 is the annual “Read Across America” in which our club has made donations of time and money in the past years. More information next month.

 

PROGRAM

 

Mary introduced Rush Record as our speaker this morning. Rush has been the Executive Director of Champaign County CASA program for the last 10 years. Rush previously worked for the Champaign School District and as a juvenile probation officer for Champaign County. Rush has served on the State of Illinois CASA Association board of Directors, has a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Illinois and lives in Champaign with his wife and two daughters.

 

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates which is a not-for-profit organization that recruits and trains volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in our area. CASA volunteers work through the juvenile court system to insure prompt delivery of services to the court concerning the child’s well-being.

 

Currently approximately 385 children, 40% which are under 6 years old, are served by approximately 100 volunteers. A volunteer must be 21 years of age, commit to a background check and will be asked to commit to a case for two years. The volunteer must take a 30 hour classroom training program and then will have regular contact with a child and case professionals.

 

CASA started here in Champaign County in 1994. Currently CASA has 10 full time staff members, 2 part time attorneys and a full-time director. Funding comes from private donations, The United Way, grants and the State of Illinois. More information is available at casa4kids.org/volunteer. Our club is trying raise money to help sponsor a child; see Robb for more information and a donation.     

 

 

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  Jan 23rd Jan 30th Feb 6th Feb 13th
Introductions David Henry Mary Hodson Andrew Kerins Bob La Charite
Reflection Scott Paceley Robb Patton Allan Penwell Ed Perry
Greeters David Henry Mary Hodson Andrew Kerins Bob La Charite
Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby Lou Simpson
Song Leader Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Conforti Conforti

 

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

January 23rd – Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen (Bob)

January 30th – 5th Thursday of the month – No meeting

February 6th – Jennifer Shelby (Cary)

February 13th – TBD

February 20th – Stephanie Davenport – DSC (Charlie)

February 27th – No regular morning meeting – Club Karaoke 

March 5th – Sarah Edwards or Danda Beard from WILL (Mary)

March 12th – TBD

March 19th – Evelyn Shapiro of Champaign Public Library (Ondine)

March 26th – TBD (Tom)

April 2nd – TBD (David)