(notes courteous of the erudite Mary Hodson)
President Jeff introduced Leah Matchett (matchet2@illinois.edu). Leah is from Grand Rapids, MI. She is a freshman at the University of IL, majoring in International Relations and Geology. Leah was a Rotary Youth Exchange to Taiwan in 2010-2011 and is now in Rotex. Rotex is a group of “rebound” Rotary Youth Exchange students who have been selected as counselors and “gobetweens” for inbound Youth Exchange students. Leah said that Rotary changed her life and now she wants to give back. She is interested in helping our club, in particular, with Youth Exchange relations.Please bring the names and contact information for two prospective members to the Sept. 13th Club Assembly.
Alan reminded us that the Rotary Foundation is “the engine that drives Rotary.” November is Foundation Month.On November 15, District Governor Elect Larry Pennie will speak to our club about the Foundation and Future Vision. Alan encouraged Paul Harris Fellows to wear their pins and medallions to that meeting. Alan also gave us the top ten reasons to purchase Rotary license plates. See www.cyberdrive.IL for more information.
Give a “shout out” and “thank you” to Kris Young who is now a Paul Harris Fellow.
Curt announced that the “Heart Walk” will be held at the Robert Porter Family Park on Sept. 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Contact Curt if you would like to be on a team representing CU Sunrise.
Gary reminded us about the Shelter Box Challenge. Shelter Box USA has become the leader of the Shelter Box program. However, donations are down. If every member in the District would donate $45, we can raise over $100,000.
The Arcola Rotary Club is hosting a golf outing fundraiser on Sept. 29. See Jeff for more information.
PROGRAM
Bruce Henrikson is the Chair of the Parkland College Agriculture Program. The program has four initiatives:
- Applied Technology – Our area was a forerunner in the use of GPS and GIS in farming.
- The Land Lab on campus – Visitors can take a self-guided tour of three test plots located on the campus. One crop that students are growing is Miscanthus. They are selling starter Miscanthus plants to local farmers.
- International Experience – Since 2003, Parkland Ag has sponsored student trips to England, Ireland, Denmark and Costa Rica. Don Bergfield has lead 12 groups to Costa Rica.
- Sustainable Farming – The Fowler Farm Project is located on a family farm owned by Michael Vitoux, former Sociology Instructor at Parkland and his sister, Kathryn Mathieu. The farm is located on the east side of Rising Road about one and one-half miles north of Bradley Ave. The project is actually using only .7 acres of the farm which was their grandma’s front year. The goal of the project is to encourage sustainability in the production of the foods we eat.
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| Sept 6th | Sept 13th | Sept 20th | Sept 27th | |
| Introductions | Penn Nelson | Gary Olsen | Scott Paceley | Robb Patton |
| Invocation | Alan Chalifoux | Neal Chamberlain | Reuben Chambers | Paul Conforti |
| Greeters | Penn Nelson | Gary Olsen | Scott Paceley | Robb Patton |
| Harold Adams | Curt Anderson | Oktay Baran | Alan Chalifoux | |
| Song Leader | Jen Shelby | Lou Simpson | Cary Woolard | Kris Young |
| Notetaker | Lintner | Conforti | Chamberlain | Perry |
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Upcoming Meetings
Sept 6 – Scott Burnsmeier, AG, New Generations
Sept 13 – Club Assembly – Membership
Sept 20 – Madeline Evans and Evan Fortier, Illinois State Archaeological Survey
Oct 18 – John Groce, Illinois Mens Basketball Coach
