ANNOUNCEMENTS
(notes courteous of the venerable Neal Chamberlain)

The attendance was sparse – the special breakfast menu for the day (scrambled eggs, bacon, French toast, biscuits-n-gravy) was outstandingly delicious. President Jeff called the meeting to order and announced that the long lost CUSR flags have been found (atta-boy Jack).

Mary announced that Champaign Rotary Club has extra tickets for the July 21st Cards/Cubs game. (It is possible, if the current bull-pen woes continue, a CUSR Rotarian might be called-on to pitch for the Cardinals). Cost is $100 which includes bus fare (with snacks & drinks) and good tickets to the game. If interested contact Mary.

Ed announced that we hadan opportunity to “pick” sweet corn for Eastern Illinois Food Bank (really it’s “jerk” corn, as in Hoopeston Corn Jerkers).  Alan C., Dave, Ed, Neal, Robb and Rod were the volunteering pickers for EIFB’s corn on Saturday, July 14th. In true Rotarian spirit, the crew was up at the break of dawn and hit the corn field like a swarm of hungry locusts. In fact, Neal may still be there. The corn’s stunted height due to lack of rain made the picking easier than past years and surprisingly there were plenty of ears to pick.

Rod announced that as Community Service Chair, he proposes a CUSR goal of 500 volunteer hours (6 volunteer events of 2 hours each per member).

President Jeff announced the following:
-Area Rotary club members are encouraged to donate blood to the Community Blood
Bank, starting July 21st (red blood from Cardinal fans & blue blood from Cub fans is accepted, Yankee fan blood is questionable).
-Club assembly will be on July 26th.
-Email addresses listed for CUSR members are to be used for Rotary purposes only.
-CUSR tee shirts, “We Volunteer Because it Matters”, are available – $15 per shirt.
-Mary led a discussion about becoming a “Star” club by contributing $100 per member (average) to Rotary Foundation. Mary stated that our club will never be considered for the “Club of the
Year” award if our contributions to Rotary Foundation does not average $100 per member.

PROGRAM

Paul introduced our speaker Melany Jackson, Executive Director, “C-U at Home”. Melanie told of experiences she had as a volunteer with various non profits groups, including a mission trip to Peru. Through these experiences she felt led to change careers, to pursue seminary training, which lead to her concern for the most vulnerable persons in our society. As a result of this concern for the vulnerable she was instrumental (with her board of directors) in creating the non profit organization “C-U at Home”.

Melanie described the most vulnerable homeless in our community as persons who have exhausted all means of attaining housing. These individuals, whose family and various agencies in the community (Time Center, Salvation Army) have rejected, usually because of substance abuse. She said that their group will work with these individuals until they are “dried out” and then they will help them find a place to live. She has witnessed how this process can help individuals “turn their life around”.

Melanie stated that the heart of “C-U at Home” is helping people who others have given up on.  In closing, Melanie encouraged us to become involved her group by attending the following; -Volunteer Orientation, Thursday, July 26, 6:30pm, Presbyterian Church, 302 W. Church. RSVP to volunteer@cuathome.us to reserve your spot for this meeting date.

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Introductions Dave Krchak Benny Lapid Han Liang Barb Lintner
Invocation Jen Shelby Cary Woolard Kris Young Coletta Ackermann
Greeters Dave Krchak Benny Lapid Han Liang Barb Lintner
Rod Roberts Mitch Schluter Jen Shelby Lou Simpson
Song Leader Scott Paceley Robb Patton Allan Penwell Ed Perry
Notetaker Hodson Lintner Conforti Chamberlain
Decker Weeding Kerins Shelby Chamberlain Hatfield
Next Weekend Simpson Shelby Chamberlain Hatfield
Decker Garden Nelson Adams Adams Krchak
Watering


UPCOMING MEETINGS

July 19th – Rich Martin, U of I Department of Journalism

July 26th – Club Assembly

August 2nd – Gordy Hulten, Champaign County Clerk

August 9th – J. Gordon Bidner, District 6490 Governor