July 12th, 2018 Newsletter

 
“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.” – Hermann Hesse 
 
“True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island… to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.” ― Baltasar Gracian 
 
“Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.” ― Voltaire 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
President Cary nominated Billy Stull to form a search committee to find a new location for our meetings. Our current contract expires in December. Contact Billy (bstull@stephensstull.com) if you’d like to participate or if you have suggestions (not sure if Kams if open that early).
 
We are returning, on Saturday August 11th, to the Salt & Light retail store on Philo Road in Urbana. Our help is needed to sort and price clothing and in departments such as books and electronics. Contact Phyllis (phyllismischo@gmail.com) about this opportunity.
 
District 6490 Governor Arlene Pennie will visit our club on August 9th.
 
The next Rotary Leadership Institute will be held on August 18th at Richland Community College. Our Rotary Board will pick up expenses for all that wish to go. The purpose of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is to strengthen your club and strengthen your life. Rotary provides an opportunity for all of us to provide service to our community and throughout the world. (Service Above Self) With that service comes a learning experience in the areas of leadership, team building, planning, marketing, communication and organization. RLI provides an opportunity to enrich that learning through sharing experiences and ideas with other Rotarian’s throughout the region.Contact Mary Kay Smith (mksmith1991@yahoo.com)
 
Rotarian Nestor Ramirez along with Terri McCarthy from the Community Blood Services in Urbana urged all Rotarian’s to participate in the Community Blood Services Rotary Donor Week from Monday July 30 through Saturday August 4th. Nestor stressed this is 1) good for the community, 2) counts as a make-up and 3) you will receive a beautiful Rotary pin with 10 red jewels. Blood supplies in our community are particularly low during summer as the student population is gone and many families are on vacations. 1 donation hour will save 3 lives.
 
PROGRAM
 
Ata introduced Dylan Gunn, a senior at Champaign Central. Dylan is involved with Mayan Families.org. Mayan Families.org works to educate, feed, shelter and heal the impoverished populations of the Lake Atitlán region of Guatamala.
 
Dylan recently made a mission trip to work in such Mayan communities. After the devastation of Hurricane Stan in 2005, Mayan communities have struggled immensely with daily necessities. Mayan Families.org helps build schools, install residential stoves, provide veterinarian services and elderly food programs. Illiteracy in Mayan communities is about 60%.  In addition. 50% of children under age five are malnourished, and 3 million people lack access to safe water. Over the years, Champaign Central’s Spanish Honor Society has held fund raising drives (shoes in 2015, back packs the past 3 years) to provide donations for elder care, a Hope for Animals program (strays are a big problem), support for entrepreneurial programs, and have also purchased and installed stoves and water filtration systems.
 
Dylan gave much credit to his mentor and Champaign Central educator Veronica Thompson for placing into motion most of these local initiatives. Champaign County has a significant Guatemalan population.
 
Please check out and donate if you can at: www.mayanfamilies.org
 
 
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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)
 
July 19th – Jayne DeLuce, President and CEO, Visit Champaign County  (Phyllis)
July 26th – Dr. Darren Pascavage, Founding Head of School, Academy High (Tom)
August 2nd – Bruce Knight, Planning & Development Director, City of Champaign (Bob)
August 9th – District Governor Pennie’s visit
August 16th – TBD (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 (Charlie)