ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the venerable Neal Chamberlain)
Rob reported that fruit pickup is going well – most Rotarians have picked up their orders – he encouraged those have not yet picked up their order to do it today (12-5-13).
Phillip reported several upcoming volunteering opportunities:
-Wesley Foundation – Food Setup or Distribution (Dec. 18th or 19th)
-Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Prospect Wal-Mart (Dec. 21st)
-Eastern Illinois Food Repack with Central Interact (Sometime in January)
-Eastern Illinois Food Bank – Community Distribution at Bement (January 25, 9:00 – 12:00)
Ata announced that the votes have been counted and certified by the improper officials. The following slate of officers has been elected for CUSR for the coming year:
*(Current President-Elect: Tod Satterthwaite serves as President.)
*President-Elect: Reuben Chambers
*Treasurer: Jack Kamerer
*Secretary: Jennifer Shelby
*Club Service Director: Cary Woolard
*Community Service Director: Rod Roberts
*International Service Director: Alan Chalifoux
*New Generations Director: Scott Paceley
*Vocational Service Director: Laura Auteberry
The following positions were appointed by a special committee comprised of C-U Sunrise Rotary Newsletter staff:
*Gym Diva: Jennifer Shelby
*Construction Complaint Representative: Ed Perry
*Newsletter Editor: Harold Adams
*Notetaker-in-Training: Neal Chamberlain
*Jury Selection Specialist: Ata Durukan
*Lead Movie Critic – Cary Woolard
*Choral Director – Donna Giertz
PROGRAM
The subject of the program was District 6490 “Group Study Exchange”, presented by Kirby Vandivort and Kristin Williamson. The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. These Group Study Exchange trips to various countries have been occurring since 1965. The exchange visitors frequently stay in the homes of the host country, go with them to community events and to businesses during their time in the foreign country.
Earlier in 2013 Kristin and Kirby visited communities in the northwest part of Italy. (The note taker has likely misspelled names of cities – apologies.) They spent time in Alessandria (a rural community), Pinerolo (a city of 30,000), Turin (a city of 1.5 million) and Genoa. The diverse communities and occupations gave them an insight into the people, rural and urban, of northwest Italy. Their work schedule would often include a long break at mid day (they enjoyed a mid day meal that lasted 3 hours) and then return to work until late evening. Because they were not in the typical tourist areas they met very few proficient bi-lingual residents. Their host served a very favorite special wine (Conterno Giacomo Winery). Kris checked the wine’s availability in the Champaign and found the cost would be $1254 per bottle. Note – Kris hasn’t ordered the wine yet, but Neal Chamberlain offered to get one for her as a gesture of goodwill and better friendships.
Kris and Kirby emphasized how much the appreciated the trip and especially as it made them more aware of the diverse cultures of Italy.
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| Dec 12th | Dec 19th | Jan 2nd | Jan 9th | |
| Introductions | CUSR | Phillip Holthaus | Larry Johnson | Andrew Kerins |
| Invocation | Holiday Party | Tod Satterthwaite | Mitch Schluter | Jen Shelby |
| Greeters | Make Sure | Phillip Holthaus | Larry Johnson | Andrew Kerins |
| You come see | Marsha Reardon | Chuck Reifsteck | Rod Roberts | |
| Song Leader | Chuck Reifsteck’s | Gary Olsen | Scott Paceley | Robb Patton |
| Notetaker | Red Coat | Chamberlain | Perry | Penwell |
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Upcoming Schedule
December 12th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday program, featuring The Other Guys
December 19th – Alan Nudo and Steve Becket will discuss the Campaign for Redistricting Reform
January 2nd – Dr. Kris Young will speak about Parkland’s new Institute for Aviation
January 9th – TBD
January 16th – Dennis Roberts will discuss the Urbana Sister City Program
January 23rd -TBD
February 27th – Dr. Irfan Ahmad will discuss the history of Islam, the local Muslim community, and the Avicenna Community Health Center
