Let your unique awesomeness and positive energy inspire confidence in others. – Unknown

 

“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo – Author

 

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour. – Unknown

           

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Robb noted that our annual club’s fundraising Fruit Sale is gaining momentum and encouraged everyone to get out there and sell fruit! If you prefer to donate money instead of selling fruit a donation in the amount of $200 is expected. Recipients of the money raised will be CU @ Home and our CU Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation. This year the pick-up of Fruit will once again be at CDC Paper’s warehouse on North Elm in Champaign.

 

Michelle announced that Central Interact’s 5K Turkey Trot fundraiser will be Saturday, November 16th at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana. Volunteers are needed to help direct the runners throughout the course. 

 

Crisis Nursery annual Holiday shopping will take place December 12th and volunteers are needed to help the youngsters shop for gifts. 

 

A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteers for this year’s Salvation Army bell ringing on December 14th at the Champaign Walmart on North Prospect. 

 

Darrell presented a chart showing the results of our membership drive and encouraged all to invite more possible new members. 

 

Keith noted that this year’s holiday party in December is in the planning stages.

 

Eddie announced that our club has solidified its position as the club to watch in this year’s Rotary/Service Club’s football guessing contest. 

 

PROGRAM

 

Mary introduced Shannon O’Rouke Kasali as our speaker this morning. Mary noted that Shannon is an excellent example of how our donations to The International Rotary Foundation can help young people achieve their dreams of international peace and goodwill. Shannon is a Rotary Cultural Ambassadorial Scholar and a Rotary Global Peace Fellow. Her awards and service were initiated through our Rotary District.

 

Shannon’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Masters in International Development from The George Washington University, and she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information sciences. 

 

Shannon worked in Senegal, Mali, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo for international organizations and the United Nations as a Rotary Cultural Ambassador. As a 2016 Rotary Global Peace fellow she concentrated on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution in Bangkok, Thailand. 

 

She has made Rotary Connections throughout the world visiting Rotary leaders in Hiroshima, Japan, and in Bangkok, Thailand and traveled to Nepal. Helping to build cultures of peace through education.   

 

She is the Founder and Executive director of Books For Congo a non-profit organization that creates libraries and promotes reading in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Books are very difficult to get and are extremely valued by the people. Through her organization she has brought over 70,000 books to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Shannon is also involved in the building of libraries and organizing their staff. Her current emphasis is to bring books by African authors to these new libraries. Education, basic literacy and peace remain Shannon’s focus. 

 

Shannon acknowledges that her accomplishments could not have been possible without the help of Rotary. She will continue to help educate all people with books as without education, there is no peace.  

 

 

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  Nov 14th Nov 21st Nov 28th Dec 5th
Introductions Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey No  Keith Brandau
Reflection Ata Durukan Ondine Gross meeting David Henry
Greeters Oktay Baran Michelle Barbey on  Keith Brandau
Eddie Bridges Phyllis Mischo annual Scott Paceley
Song Leader Larry Johnson Bob La Charite Turkey Day Phyllis Mischo
Notetaker Hodson Conforti   Perry

 

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

November 14th – District Governor Julie Dobski

November 21st – “A geneticist’s perspective on how the brain works” – Dr. Stephanie Ceman, Associate Professor, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UIUC, and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. (Ondine)

November 28th – TBD 

December 5th – John Paul Buzard from Buzard Pipe Organ Builders will speak to our club about building organs (Bob)

December 12th – Molly Delaney, Vice President of Development, Eastern Central Illinois Foodbank (ECIFB) (Mary)

December 19th – CUSR Holiday Party

December 26th – No meeting

January 2nd – TBD (David)

January 9th – Club Assembly

January 16th – Rush Record, Executive Director, CASA (Mary)

January 23rd – TBD (Bob)

January 30th – TBD

February 6th – TBD (Cary)

February 13th – TBD

February 20th – TBD (Charlie)

February 27th – TBD (David)

March 5th – TBD (Mary)

March 12th – TBD

March 19th – TBD (Ondine)

March 26th – TBD (Tom)