October 19th, 2017 Newsletter

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” ― Lucille Ball 

“We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.” ― Henry Ward Beecher 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Edward LePerry)

Our meeting started with a stunning solo performance of “America the Beautiful” by Laurie Matheson. Laurie was also our speaker this morning (It is this notetaker’s humble opinion that this morning’s singing of “America the Beautiful” was the best ever heard at our Rotary meeting).

Les Shulte with the Illini After Five Rotary Club began selling tickets for their club’s annual fundraiser. The money will go to the purchase of dictionaries for each 3rd grader in a public school in the Champaign-Urbana, Mahomet and surrounding communities. This year the fundraiser will be at Todd’s Wines at Art Mart the evening of November 8, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00pm. Tickets are available for $10. 

Bob reminded everyone that October 24th will be the day that area Rotary clubs will collect money for Polio Plus. Rotary members will be doing the collection near the corner of Randolph and Springfield. 

Adam announced that the evening of October 24th our club will do an EIFB re-pack from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. EIFB is located at 2405 N. Shore Dr. in Urbana. 

Ata noted that his year’s Rotary Veteran’s Luncheon will be from 11am to 1pm on Friday, November 10th at the Hilton Garden Inn. Tickets will be $20 each for you and your veteran guest. 

Robb announced that this year’s Fruit Sale is ready to start. An email will be forthcoming with more information, Fruit Flyers, and sale sign up sheets. This is our yearly big fundraiser so everyone needs to join in the fruity fun. The sale will run through the 16th of November with the estimated delivery date of the fruit around December 4th. The cost of a case of fruit this year will be $27 with a club goal of $7,000.00.

PROGRAM

Phyllis introduced Laurie Matheson, University of Illinois Press, as our speaker this morning. Laurie Matheson is the director and music acquisitions editor of the university of Illinois Press. Laurie holds a BA in English from Swarthmore College, a Masters in Choral Conducting from Westminister Choir College, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in choral music at the University of Illinois. She also is an active music composer, singer, organist and conductor.  

Laurie explained that the Press’s mission is to promote research and education, enrich cultural and intellectual life and fosters regional pride and accomplishments. The U of I Press will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year and currently publishes 90 new books and 38 journals per year with a staff of 40.

The University of Illinois Press is a member of Association of American University Presses and provides many services including peer reviews, professional editing, publishing, promoting and marketing of new books and journals. The Press prides itself on its diversity of topics, formats, and methods of distributing the final product while rising the profile of the University of Illinois. Areas of emphasis at the Press includes women’s and African American History, film and media studies, sport history, music and labor history. 

The University of Illinois Press is a non-profit organization and relies on book sales, subscriptions, publishing rights, state funding, author events, and donations to maintain its business model. They face many challenges today with dropping library sales, declining state funding and the drop in the print market.

Please check their web page for additional information and opportunities.

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

October 26th – Rick Davidson, District Global Grants Chair, will discuss a vocational exchange between Indiana and Jamaica (Mary)

November 2nd – Derek Fultz, Director of Facilities, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, UIUC will discuss the renovation of the Natural History Building (Phyllis)

November 9th – Kari May, Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center (Mary)

November 16th – Adelaide Aime, Executive Director, RACES