“There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate.” – Robert Frost – 1874-1963 – Poet

 

“When you can be happy in the midst of hardship, then you see the true potential of the mind.” – Huanchu Daoren – 1572-1620 – Chinese Philosopher

 

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts – 1915-1973 – Writer

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

 

Mary Kay announced with pride how our club members donated $1,000 dollars to the Rotary Polio Plus Drive this month.

 

Keith reminded everyone about our club social this Thursday, 10/29/20, at Riggs in Urbana starting at 5:30pm. It will have a Halloween theme and those in costume will receive their first drink free. Mask wearing and proper social distancing will be required.

 

This Saturday ten volunteers from our club will be helping in the food packing for the “Feeding the Kids” activity at the Champaign Church of Christ in Champaign.

 

Robb announced this year’s Fruit Drive has officially begun. Developmental Services will be the recipient of the proceeds this year. Our club goals for this year’s fundraiser include 100% club participation and to raise $6,000.  A case of Oranges and/or Grapefruit, fresh from Florida, will sell for $27. All members are encouraged to sell as many cases as possible. In lieu of selling fruit, members should make a monetary donation. Fruit sale fliers and online forms will be sent out to each member.  

 

Our club has volunteered over the years with bell ringing for the Salvation Army and will do so again this year on December 12. An hourly sign up list will be distributed as that time approaches.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

Tom introduced Dr. Vik Amar, Dean at UIUC College of Law, who spoke on the topic “The Flaws of the Electoral College and How to Replace It.” A graduate of UC Berkeley and Yale Law School, Dr. Amar has written on many legal issues focusing on the Electoral College and Constitutional Law. 

 

Dr. Amar explained the reasons how and why the Electoral College was formed, what role it has played in our country’s Presidential elections, how it has evolved over the years, how it is used today, and the possible ways to reform it.  

 

Each state has its own number of “Electors” based on that state’s population and each Elector is to cast their vote for the president based on the popular vote in that state. There are and have been exceptions to that rule over its history and now with the guidance of a recent Supreme Court ruling the electors are not to exercise independence from that rule. 

 

During our country’s history there have been five occasions where the candidate who had the most national popular votes was not elected.  The presidency was won based on the Electoral College votes. Dr. Amar gave several examples of how political parties will target the Electoral College numbers from each state over the popular vote. Twenty years ago, Dr. Amar floated the idea how each state’s electoral college votes could be tied directly to the national popular vote rather than tied to their state’s vote. Sixteen states have signed on to this idea so far and Dr. Amar believes that this method will get the needed backing in the future.

 

Please Google Dr. Vik Amar to find so much more information on this topic and see his entire video of this morning’s presentation.   

 

 

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  Oct 29th Nov 5th Nov 12th Nov 19th
         
Reflection Michelle Barbey Keith Brandau Eddie Bridges Paul Conforti
Notetaker Hodson Conforti Perry Hodson

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

*All meetings via Zoom unless otherwise noted*

 

October 29th – Evening social starting at 5:30PM at Riggs

November 5th – Sam Banks, President/CEO, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club (Bob)

November 12th – Danielle Matthews, CEO of Developmental Services Center and Jodie Harmon, DSC’s Director of Development and Communications (Cary)

November 19th – Dean Dempsey, a member of the Navajo nation, who is organizing a project to bring water to tribe members who have water challenges in the best of times (Darrell)

November 26th – No meeting – Thanksgiving

December 3rd – Susan Zola (Mary)

December 10th – TBD

December 17th – TBD