“You are not your struggles. You are the survivor who keeps moving forward in spite of them.” – Lori Deschene

 

“May your life preach more loudly than your lips.” – William Ellery Channing

 

“When you move on, the universe moves with you.” – Rune Lazuli

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

 

Instead of our regular meeting on Thursday, May 30th we will have a “bowling” club social that evening starting at 5:30 at Old Orchard Lanes in Savoy. All are invited to attend. Keith will check at next week’s meeting as to who plans to attend for bowling, pizza and/or liquid refreshments.  

 

Bob reported that last Saturday’s volunteer project for the Habitat build was a success.

 

Cary noted that Scott and Paul have put a booklet together of our club’s personal memories of Penn Nelson. The plan is to share this with the Nelson family. Also, there are plans being put together to do a Buddy Bench project with the Boy’s and Girl’s club in Penn’s memory.

 

Our club’s “Pass the Gavel” day will take place on July 11th. 

 

PROGRAM

 

Darlene Kloeppel presented information about her responsibilities as the first ever Champaign County Executive. Champaign County is only the second county in Illinois to establish this form of government (the other is Will County). In 2016, Champaign County voters approved a ballot measure to restructure to an executive form of county government.  Darlene was elected in November 2018 as our first County Executive. This three-branch form of government – administrative, legislative and judicial – creates checks and balances in public decision making. 

 

Darlene explained her many responsibilities which include budget making, working with an independent staff, and having veto power over the county board. Part of her responsibilities also include supervising the Departments of Administration Services, Informational Technology, Planning and Zoning, Facilities, Assessments and the Board of Review.

 

Currently 90 employees are under her responsibility and she has made over 40 appointments to the many county districts. She has planned to travel throughout the county and meet the public. The next big task will be the county budget. The budget making process officially starting in July and completes in November. For additional information about her office and the services provided check out the website www.co.champaign.il.us.  

 

 

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  May 23rd May 30th June 6th June 13th
Introductions Mary Hodson Darrell Hoemann Andrew Kerins Bob La Charite
Reflection John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo Scott Paceley Robb Patton
Greeters Mary Hodson Darrell Hoemann Larry Johnson Andrew Kerins
Tod Satterthwaite Angie Schoonover Jen Shelby Lou Simpson
Song Leader Allan Penwell Ed Perry Rod Roberts Tod Satterthwaite
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Conforti Perry

 

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

May 23rd – Erin Lippitz and Lisa Bralts, both from WILL, will discuss the 45th Anniversary of Friends of WILL and the upcoming documentary Illinois Country, respectively (David)

May 30th – No AM meeting – Club Social – 5:30 Bowling at Old Orchard Lanes in Savoy

June 6th – TBD (Ondine)

June 13th – Nichole Millage, Environmental Sustainability Specialist, City of Champaign Recycling, will speak about recycling(Phyllis)

June 20th – TBD (Tom)

June 27th – Karl Gnadt, Managing Director, Champaign-Urban Mass Transit District (CUMTD) (Bob)

July 4th – TBD

July 11th – Pass the Gavel and annual Club Awards ceremony