“Success only comes to those who dare to attempt.”  – Mallika Tripathi – Poet-Writer

 

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister Eckhart – 1260-1328 – German Theologian

 

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” – Sun Tzu – 544 BC-496 BC – Chinese General-Military Strategist-Writer-Philosopher

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

 

Darrell thanked everyone for making our club contributions to the Rotary Foundation Fund Drive a big success.

 

Jen will take part in Central High School Interact’s 4th annual trivia event.

 

This month’s bucket money will go to CASA’s pinwheel fundraiser.

 

Larry passed around a signup sheet for Books2Prisoners service project on May 9th.

 

Darrell reminded us that our club’s “The Bottom Line Diaper Drive” will officially start this week as flyers will be distributed at Thursday’s meeting. All members are asked to actively participate in getting diapers donated.

 

Phyllis mentioned that our club will be helping Sola Gratia Farm on May 25th.

 

Eddie has agreed to become our club’s “President Elect” starting in July.

 

Darrell noted that anyone interested in joining the prestigious “Notetaker” committee please see Mary, Paul or Ed for information on the notetaking duties.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Cary introduced Diane Marlin, Mayor of Urbana, as our speaker. Mayor Marlin’s focus this morning was on the ways Covid affected the city of Urbana and how Urbana responded. Originally thinking that Covid would be a short-term problem, it quickly turned into a long-term pandemic. The City of Urbana’s immediate concerns dealt with emergency mobilization, protecting public health and health centers, the city staff and workers, police, firefighters and anyone dealing with the public and how to do that safely. Priorities had to be shifted, goals were reset, and budgets were adjusted. How to maintain the core services and how to do rapid testing were among the many unknowns and had to be solved on a daily basis. How to adjust and help business with mandated covid regulations such as distancing issues, crowd control and outdoor activities were new problems to be solved.  

 

Another issue was how to equally distribute any of the Federal and Illinois emergency Covid funds. With so many and ever-changing issues, the handling of Covid was like an overlapping second job mixed in with your normal work load. 

 

As we try to navigate out of covid, Mayor Marlin noted that the allocation of the American Relief Funds are providing several areas with much needed funding for the city of Urbana. These areas include infrastructure repair, two new fire stations, resurfacing of roads, upgrading neighborhoods with street lighting, sidewalks, helping to address racial, social and crisis response issues. 

 

Mayor Marlin can now move forward with filling existing major administration vacancies such as Community Service Director, new Police and Fire Chiefs.

 

A special treat ended our meeting as Centennial High School Drama Club presented songs from the play ” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee ”. Director Sue Aldridge introduced the performing students and noted that the play will take place this coming Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Centennial High School and tickets are still available online or in person. The money received will help support future plays and provide needed updating of equipment and furnishings.

 

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  April 28th May 5th May 12th May 19th
Introductions Jarrod Scheunemann Jen Shelby Lou Simpson Charlie Smith
Reflection Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite Jarrod Scheunemann Jen Shelby
Greeters Jarrod Scheunemann Jen Shelby Lou Simpson Charlie Smith
Ata Durukan Mary Hodson Larry Johnson Bob La Charite
Notetaker Hodson Conforti Perry Hodson

 

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

 

April 28th – Jordan Dziura, the Executive Director at Illini Media Co., will discuss the Daily Illini’s 110th anniversary, upcoming reunion for IMC alums, and the future of college media (Charlie)

May 5th – TBD

May 12th – Scott Schwartz, Curator and Archivist for the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois Library (Joe)

May 19th – Major General (ret) William L. Enyart (Mary)

May 26th – Jacque Kalipeni, representing the Kalipeni Foundation that helps communities in Malawi

June 2nd – TBD

June 9th – TBD

June 16th – TBD

June 23rd – Pass the Gavel

June 30th – TBD

July 7th – TBD

July 14th – Rick Davidson will speak about the new District Foundation and a new Global Grant

July 21st – TBD

July 28th – TBD