“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

 

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” – Hermann Hesse

 

“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” –

William Faulkner

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

 

Nestor Ramirez – Annual Rotary Blood Drive July 22-27, Community Blood Services, University & Wright Streets.  We are in the midst of our annual summertime blood shortage. Supplies are down 20%. Much of the shortage is due to many students not being in town. Blood donations are extremely important to those individuals fighting cancer. 

 

Congratulations to Mary who was awarded her 4th Paul Harris pin!

 

Eddy Bridges was officially welcomed into the club as a new member by virtue of a certificate, rotary pin and name badge.  Congratulations Eddy!

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Tod Satterthwaite recapped his 6-month long Peace Corps volunteer trip to village of Batuan on the island of Bahol, one of over 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines. Tod’s assignment was to consult the local municipality of 12,000 residents on building an ecotourism industry.

 

The #1 tourist attraction on Bahol is the World Heritage designated geographical formation called the Chocolate Hills, 20 square miles of over 1,700 conical shaped hills. This area is extremely scenic as well as unique geologically. While Batuan is perfectly situated to be a high tourist area, other municipalities have taken the lead to develop resorts, welcome centers and infrastructure to develop the tourism trade. Tod’s role was to advise how to develop ecotourism in Batuan. Tod was with a group of 15 fellow Peace Corps volunteers.

 

Tod showed many wonderful slides of the hills, caves, and river rapids from which additional opportunities of tours, hiking, kayaking and tubing could be developed. Tod’s wife Beth assisted in helping develop a Batuan tourism website.

 

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  July 25th Aug 1st Aug 8th Aug 15th
Introductions Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley Robb Patton Allan Penwell
Reflection Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby
Greeters Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley Robb Patton Allan Penwell
Adam Wright Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey Keith Brandau
Song Leader Lou Simpson Charlie Smith Mary Kay Smith Adam Wright
Notetaker Perry Penwell Hodson Conforti
Decker Weeding Patton Stull Hoemann Penwell

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee member responsible listed in parentheses)

July 25th – Joan Dixon, President/CEO, the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois

August 1st – Bruce Knight,  Director of Community Planning Services, City of Champaign, will discuss The Yards project (Bob)

August 8th – Lauryn Henry will discuss her RYE experience in France (David)

August 15th – Mike Hirschi will discuss the Rotary Foundation (Darrell)

August 22nd – Mitch Marlow from the Virginia Theater will speak to us the Virginia’s upcoming season (Charlie)

August 29th – No regular meeting (5th Thursday) – 

September 5th – TBD (Cary)

September 12th – Club Assembly

September 19th – Michelle Layser, Assistant Professor of Law, UIUC will discuss tax law and social policy (Tom)

September 26th – TBD (Ondine)

October 3rd – Lisa Wilson, Executive Director, East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center (ECIRMAC) (Bob)

October 10th – Club Assembly

October 17th – TBD (Cary)

October 24th – TBD (Charlie)

October 31st – No regular meeting (5th Thursday) – 

November 7th – TBD (David)

November 14th – District Governor Julie Dobski

November 21st – TBD (Ondine)

November 28th – TBD 

December 5th – TBD

December 12th – Club Assembly