August 9th, 2018 Newsletter

 
“Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning.” ― Joseph Campbell 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Eddie Perry)
 
Darrell noted that our booth set up for Saturday, August 18 is looking good. Any and all members are invited to stop by the booth while at the Taste of Champaign event in West Side Park.
 
Phillis noted that we are applying for a district grant of $2,000 to go towards helping the local Men’s Shelter this winter. 
 
Cary noted we still need a volunteer(s) to run the local Rotary Football Guessing contest this year. 
 
 
PROGRAM
CUSR member Mary Hodson, who also serves as an assistant District Governor for area 11, introduced our Rotary District Governor, Arlene Pennie. Arlene is visiting all the clubs in our district with her husband, Past District Governor Larry Pennie. Arlene is from the Bloomington-Normal area and has been active with her club and has served on many district offices and projects.
 
DG Pennie stated that his year’s Rotary Presidential theme is “Be the Inspiration.” This theme stresses the importance of each member being an inspiration not only for the club but also to our community and the world. She wants the District to be the inspiration to its clubs and described the many activities that the district will be doing during her tenure as District Governor.
 
DG Pennie noted that the district has set aside $40,000 for district grants that are available for club projects.  In addition, she said the District will award $1,000 quarterly to those clubs who increase their membership the most, proportional to the club size. She pointed out many opportunities for Rotarians such as the district sponsored training and other activities that are available throughout the year. The monthly District newsletter lists all the training events, activities volunteer opportunities.
 
Comparing Rotary to a flower garden, DG Pennie explained what makes up a Rotary club and keeps it growing and healthy. Like a flower garden with a variety of flowers, Rotary is made up from a variety of people. Each of the clubs and members are unique and can be successful when given the proper care, nurturing, and the opportunity for growth. She stressed how clubs need to replenish themselves with new members. New members, like new plants, need extra care to be successful. Through club activities, and the District’s many learning and training sessions, new and old members can continue to grow.
 
Each club should also publicize its projects in the local community, in the district newsletter and be the inspiration.   
 
 
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
August 16th – Jerri Kirshner, CU Symphony (Charlie) 
August 23rd – Ondine Gross, mediator and consultant who participated in the Conflict Management Training provided by a Global Grant (Mary)
August 30th – No regular meeting
September 6th – Emily Reichman, Hope Lives Rescue Ranch (David)
September 13th – Lola Lewis, Donation Liaison, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network (Phyllis)
September 20th – Deb Feinen, Mayor, City of Champaign (Tom)
September 27th – TBD (Bob)
October 4th – TBD (David)
October 11th – TBD 
October 18th – Kate Williams, Associate Professor, UIUC, and Abdul Alkalima, Professor Emeritus, African American Studies, UIUC, will discuss New Philadelphia, the early settlement in western Illinois  (Ed)
October 25th – Chris Gleason, Executive Director, Rosecrance Central Illinois, will speak about the heroin/opioid crisis in central Illinois (Phyllis)
November 1st – TBD (Tom)
November 8th – TBD (Bob)
November 15th – TBD (Charlie)
November 22nd – No Meeting – Thanksgiving
November 29th – TBD (David)