Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ― Mark Twain 

 

Announcements:

Rod advised anyone who would like more info on Food Bank opportunities to check in on our website.

Molly was raising money for the 361 homeless students in our community – this in conjunction with her participation in One Winters Night.

Tod noted that Sola Gratia is preparing for the 2016 growing season (fresh seasonal vegetables throughout the 24-week season). Contact Tod to lock in full or 1/2 shares.

Our club has another acronym: ABEP which stands for Anyone But Ed Perry. Not sure the meaning or intent, but it did come up for those of you that were not in attendance.

 

Program

Matthew S. Winters
Associate Professor of Political Science @ UIUC
Affiliated Faculty of Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Affiliated Faculty of Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies
Affiliated Faculty of Center for African Studies
Affiliated Faculty of Center for Global Studies

Professor Winters’ presentation centered on the effectiveness of various approaches of helping the poor in Third World countries (also referred to as the Global “South).

Using data from several economic studies, Professor Winters’ reviewed several approaches to helping the poor from foreign aid, micro-financing initiatives, and simply giving cash directly to individuals in need.

Part of the discussion was what Professor Winters’ called the Micro-Macro Paradox-Redux: Micro level investments don’t appear to be sustainable because at the macro level there isn’t adequate or facilitating infrastructure to allow sustained growth at the village/family/individual level.

 

Professor Winters’ suggested the website GiveWell.org as his recommended place to learn more about poverty in Third World countries with tips and guidelines on how to structure philanthropic outreach programs including tips on how to give or who to give to. See http://www.givewell.org/

 

Two books were suggested as good primers in understanding how to help the poor in underdeveloped countries:

Just Give Money to the Poor

From Midwest Book Review: The simplest of ideas can still hold much value. The collaborative work of Joseph Hanlon, Armando Barrientos, and David Hulme, “Just Give Money to the Poor: The Development Revolution from the Global South” discusses this revolutionary concept and how some developing countries are simply granting the poor money and watching how they use that money wisely, for education and for businesses to sustain the money they are given. Debating the problems and values of such a simple plan, “Just Give Money to the Poor” is a scholarly and thoughtful read that shouldn’t be missed.

More Than Good Intentions: Improving the Ways the World’s Poor Borrow, Save, Farm, Learn, and Stay Healthy

Karlan and Appel challenge those of us who like to think we’re making a difference in the world to think more about our work. Whether you’re writing a check, leading a nonprofit, or advocating for change, this book should be required reading before you leave the house Monday morning. The authors are at once both terrific storytellers and careful social scientists. This is a fascinating read, filled with surprises, and practical tools you can use to inform all of your efforts to make a difference in the world. I highly recommend it!

 

Feb 11th Feb 18th Feb 23rd Mar 3rd
Introductions Phillip Holthaus Andrew Kerins Dave Krchak Bob La Charite
Invocation Robb Patton Allan Penwell Ed Perry Rod Roberts
Greeters Phillip Holthaus Andrew Kerins Dave Krchak Bob La Charite
John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo Gary Olsen Scott Paceley
Song Leader BJ Lytle Ben Mast John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo
Notetaker Perry Penwell Hodson Lintner

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

February 11th – Club Assembly (in the Savoy Room)

February 18th – Ray Cunningham will discuss North Korea

February 25th – Rod Beadle, PE, Engineers in Action

March 3rd – Dr. Naira Hovakimyan, Director of the Intelligent Robotics Lab of CSL, UIUC, will discuss future use of robotics and drones in the home

March 10th – TBD

March 17th – Steven Bentz, Director, Virginia Theater, will discuss upcoming shows

March 24th – Molly Delaney, Executive Director, C-U Schools Foundation, will discuss their first cross-district, collaborative grant

March 31st – Dee Brown, Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics, UIUC

April 7th – Laura Weis, Champaign County Chamber of Commerce

April 14th – TBD

April 21st – Megan McKisson, vice president of Illinois 2015-2016 Vis International Commercial Arbitration Team

May 12 – Prof. Christopher Barkan, Executive Director of the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center, UIUC, will discuss high speed rail travel and RailTec

June 9th – Megan Casey, Frances Nelson and SmileHealthy