Announcements

(Notes provided by Allan Penwell)

 

Many thanks to Jen Shelby for opening up her house for our social last week.  She was glad to have us, and we’ll do it again!

 

Molly has organized a Sunrise team for the CUSF Spelling Bee, and we are now known as the Sunrise Rotar-Bees.  Spellers are Barb Lintner, Larry Johnson, and Jeff Van Buren.  The event takes place on Saturday, November 8th from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at the Illinois Terminal.  We raised almost $400 so give all of us a pat on the back.  There are nine spectator passes available so let Molly know if you want one.

 

The Rotary Minute was delivered by Phyllis Mischo.  Phyllis works in the Swanlund Building at the U of I, and her husband, Bill, is the librarian at the College of Engineering. Phyllis and Bill, who were high school sweethearts, have two married sons but no grandchildren.  Phyllis grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, is the youngest of three girls, and can drive a tractor.  Phyllis’ two favorite vacation spots are Vancouver and Switzerland.  She appreciates the collegiality of Rotary and its mission to make every day a better day for everyone.

 

 

Program

 

Paul Diehl works as an independent scholar of global affairs at UIUC.  He was formerly Henning Larsen Professor of Political Science where he remains Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and teaches courses for the Campus Honors Program and the Global Studies major.

Paul’s topic was the Power of One, albeit the negative power of one.   Simple acts of individuals can have incredible world-wide ramifications.  Examples include:

*The assassination of the Archduke of Ferdinand which led to World War I.

*The reverend Terry Jones threated to burn the Koran which started threats against the United States.

*Ebola is a crisis that demands national attention, but we have no surgeon general because a single senator, Rand Paul, blocked the nominee for the position.

*A soldier was killed at the Canadian Parliament by a suspected terrorist which will mean there will be more security and less access to public buildings in Canada.

 

These negative acts get more attention today because of social media and the capability of cell phones to take pictures and videos.  In an instant, events can be transmitted around the world and are available for pronounced exploitation.  Broader meanings are developed and conspiracy theories may abound.  According to Dr. Diehl, research has shown that people’s brains are reacting more to emotion than to rational thinking.  More and more, Paul sees that people are only watching television programs or listening to radio where they are predisposed and which reinforce their opinions.

 

An interesting discussion followed, and Paul urged us to read Profiles in Courage which was written in 1955 about eight U.S. senators who defied opinions of their party and constituents to do what they felt was right.

 

 

 

Oct 23rd Oct 30th 6-Nov 13-Nov
Introductions John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo Gary Olsen Scott Paceley
Invocation Kris Young Harold Adams Curt Anderson Laura Auteberry
Greeters John McDaniel Phyllis Mischo Gary Olsen Scott Paceley
Jeff Van Buren Cary Woolard Kris Young Harold Adams
Song Leader Ed Perry Rod Roberts Jen Shelby Lou Simpson
Notetaker Penwell Hodson Lintner Conforti
Rotary Minute Phyllis Mischo Penn Nelson Gary Olsen Robb Patton

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

October 30th – Joe Hooker, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Champaign, will discuss the Mahomet Aquifer

November 6th –  Anne Sautman, Director of Education at Krannert Art Museum, will talk about KAM’s current exhibits of Goya prints and French WW I posters

November 13th – Carl Burkybile, Champaign Rotary World Community Service Co-chair, Caring for Kenya Director, Healing Hands International Director of Agriculture

November 20th – Terry McLennand, Director, External Affairs, Prairie Research Institute (PRI), will discuss the breadth and depth of the organization he works for.  The Prairie Research Institute is home to more than 1,000 researchers and staff and $80+ million in external research funding; the Institute provides objective research, expertise, and data on the state’s natural and cultural resources.  The units of the PRI are the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Archaeological Survey, Illinois Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

November 27th – Thanksgiving, no meeting

December 4th – TBD

December 11th – Sam Reese will discuss the history of Jazz and Chicago

December 18th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday Party – don’t forget your fancy clothes!