“It is costly wisdom that is bought by experience.” – Roger Ascham – 1515-1568 – English Scholar-Writer

 

“If there was nothing wrong in the world there wouldn’t be anything for us to do.” – George Bernard Shaw – 1856-1950 – Playwright-Critic

 

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” – Dolly Parton – Singer – Actress – Author

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes provided by the disgruntled gentleman from Connecticut, Edward Perrey)

 

Lisa’s reflection this morning focused on Rotary’s February theme of “Peace and Conflict Resolution” by giving us a brief summary of Rotary’s history of promoting peace and peacebuilding around the world.

1914 Rotary proposes to lend its influence to the maintenance of peace among the nations of the world.

1921 Rotary established the goal “to aid in the advancement of international peace and goodwill through a fellowship of business and professional men of all nations united in the Rotary ideal of Service.

1922 Rotary forms the Object of Rotary.

1934 Rotary organizes a program to encourage and foster International Understanding.

1945 Rotary served as consultants at the start of the United Nations.

 

CLUB ACTIVITIES

 

Feb 24 – Club social at the Virginia Theatre for “That’s What She Said”

Mar 2 – Read Across America – see signup sheet this Thursday

Mar 16 – District President and President Elect Training

Apr 6 – Feeding Our Kids 

Apr 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy  (RYLA)

Apr 27 – Illinois Marathon with a possible service project at a water station 

May 4 – District Assembly 8am to Noon

May 4 – Champaign County Humane Society Newspaper Folding

 

Charley presented a listing of possible future Bucket Bucks donations and asked for suggestions. February’s money is going to Meals on Wheels and next month’s money will go to today’s speakers’ Children’s Advocacy Center.

 

Jen announced that Shatterglass will be giving an informational program “If you want to be a location” on Feb. 28 from 5 to 6pm at the Champaign Public Library.

 

PROGRAM

 

Michael introduced Kari Miller, Executive Director, and Mary Tewell, Multidiscipline ARY Team Coordinator/Forensic Interviewer of Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center. The CAC provides services to children who have been sexually abused or seriously physically abused. They provide forensic interviews were law enforcement and/or DCFS work together on their investigations of alleged abuse. They provide case management services including resource and referrals for family members. They can connect the children and their non-offending caregivers to mental health services regardless of their ability to pay.

 

The CAC is funded by State and Federal grants and by the support from United Way. The CAC have contracts with licensed counselors who are certified in trauma-focused, evidence-based treatment. CAC’s counselors are required to contact families with in a week and begin counseling. The Children are not put on a waiting list.

 

Citing several examples of what children in Champaign County have been through with sexual abuse, human trafficking and underage labor, Kari and Mary explained how cases are handled, what the young victims go through during the counseling process and in the court system. They know the child begins to heal once they are heard and believed. They use comforting discussion techniques with the child and have found the use of a “comfort puppy” as a way to destress the interview process. 

 

Kari provided information in the CDC 2023 Report on Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends which focuses on children 12 and under. Listed below are a few of it’s findings:

 

*Mental health among children continues to worsen

*There is an increase in violence among teens

*Children are not going to school because of safety concerns

*COVID kept children isolated for a long period of time causing mental and physical issues

*20% of female students had experience sexual violence

*60% of female students have experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year and 25% had made a suicide plan

 

For more information and how you can help see the Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Facebook page.

 

—

  Feb 15th Feb 22nd Feb 29th Mar 7th
Introductions Robb Patton Jerry Payonk No Ed Perry
Reflection Diana Dummitt Ata Durukan am Darrell Hoemann
Greeters Robb Patton Jerry Payonk meeting Ed Perry
Diana Dummitt Ata Durukan   Darrell Hoemann
Notetaker Hodson Crane   Perry

—

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

 

February 15th – Aaron Bird from the Salvation Army (Cary)

February 22nd – Lex Tate, the Evolution of Campustown (Joe)

February 29th – No AM meeting (5th Thursday)

March 7th – TBD (Lisa)

March 14th – Larry Kenemore’s Rotary Action Group (Mary)

March 21st – TBD (Michael)

March 28th – TBD (Tom)

April 4th – Rabbi David Tiechtel (Joe)

April 11th – TBD (Cary)

 

 

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

 

February 14 – Ata Durukan