“There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect. ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.” ― John C. Maxwell 

 

“May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.” ― Unknown 

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Sir Edward Perry)

 

Rod reminded everyone that this week’s meeting (3/23) will be a club assembly with emphasis on reviewing our strategic plan and club goals.

 

Our March 30th our normal morning is canceled in favor of an evening social gathering  at the “Uncorked” event at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

 

Laura noted that the Champaign Park District Foundation is having a benefit concert on April 1 at The City Center. The evening starts at 7:30pm with comedian Chris Schlicting and then is followed by the band Mike & Joe. Tickets are available for $10 or $20 dollars. For more information check the Champaign Park District Foundation web site.   

 

Andrew announced that the annual RYLA Conference is coming up on April 22 at the 4-H Camp at Allerton Park, and volunteers are needed to serve as resume and job interview mentors. Phillis noted that she has served in this role in the past and enjoyed it. See Andrew for further information.

 

Please make plans to attend the all area Rotary Club luncheon Wednesday, April 26 at the Round Barn Center. This meeting will take the place of our Thursday, April 27th meeting.

 

It is never too early to sign up for the Rotary District Conference for the weekend of May 6th and 7th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Laura introduced our speaker for the morning, John McDaniel. John has been a long-time member of our club having moved to our area from Casey, Illinois. He presented information and a preliminary plan for a possible fundraiser for our club. The plan is for our club to be the leading partner in a Champaign County Hot Air Balloon meet.

 

John has been active in Hot Air Balloon meets dating back to his days in the 1980s in Casey, Illinois. He has always had an interest in hot air balloons and the opportunity of such an event to raise money for our club.

John presented a variety of examples of activities and ideas from recent hot air balloon events in Lincoln, Centrailia, and Danville, Illinois. Included in the presentation was information he has gathered over the years starting from events he organized in Casey, along with what he has observed at many recent hot air balloon events. 

 

John talked about the importance of selecting an optimum time of year for the event and the various types of sponsorships.  He covered a variety of things such as radio and TV coverage, vendors, insurance, food services, family activities, live entertainment and location selection. He also described the many hot air balloon activities, such as gondola rides and photographs, tethered lifts, balloon glows and Hare and Hound races. He also covered anticipated costs and possible fundraising amounts.  

 

John offered to be our club’s leader for such an event and handed out a preliminary plan for our club to review and consider (see John for copies).

 

 

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  Mar 23rd Mar 30th Apr 6th Apr 13th
Introductions Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey Keith Brandau Reuben Chambers
Invocation John McDaniel Ben Mast Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley
Greeters Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey Keith Brandau Reuben Chambers
Andrew Kerins Bob La Charite Barb Lintner BJ Lytle
Song Leader Reuben Chambers Paul Conforti Diana Dummitt Ata Durukan
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Lintner Conforti

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

March 23rd – Club Assembly (Mary)

March 30th – No am meeting; CUSR Social at 5:30pm at Krannert Uncorked

April 6th – Lex Tate, adjunct lecturer in journalism and advertising at UIUC, will discuss her book An Illini Place—Building the University of Illinois Campus (Phyllis)

April 13th – TBD

April 20th – TBD (Tom)

April 27th – TBD (Bob)

May 4th – Speaker from the Trinity Horsemanship Foundation (Ata)

May 11th – TBD (Mary)

May 18th – Alicia Schneider, Champaign County Humane Society (Phyllis)

May 25th – TBD

June 1st – TBD (Mary)

June 8th – TBD (Bob)

June 15th – TBD (Laura)

June 22nd – TBD (Tom)