Announcements

(notes provided by the venerable Neal Chamberlain)

The meeting was opened with invocation an by Scott.

We celebrated Robb’s birthday by singing, although according to Robb it was not the club’s best performance

Alert, members who have ordered Rotary shirts but have not paid will be prosecuted by Jack.

Fruit sales, as reported by the much older Robb, are being organized; information and literature will be available next week.

Ata announced a farewell party for Benny Lapid starting at 5pm on Wednesday, November 6^th at Boltini in downtown Champaign.  Benny will soon move back to Israel.  Benny, with mixed emotions we will bid you adieu – sad in losing you from CUSR – happy for you in returning to your native land and family.

Eric Batsie announced that “Big Brothers and Big Sisters” is having their annual fund raising event November 15.   Tickets are available from Eric for the dinner and/or raffle (all expense paid holiday trip to Key West, or dinner and a movie with Neal Chamberlain).

Program

Phyllis Mischo introduced our speaker for the day, Rebecca Ginsburg.  Dr. Ginsburg is a faculty member in the College of Education at the University of Illinois.  She is also the director of the Education Justice Project, which is an education program for incarcerated individuals.  In addition to these duties, Dr. Ginsburg teaches and does research on the Atlantic slave trade, the history of prisons, and education and social justice.

Dr. Ginsburg’s explained the project by which men who are incarcerated have the opportunity to receive an education through UIUC.  The Education Justice Project takes place in the Danville Correctional Center in Danville, Illinois. This program gives the men the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses – from theater to small business management – and receive college credit.  Approximately 100 students are enrolled in one or more of these subjects.  In addition to the professional instructors, there are 60 to 70 volunteer instructors – these volunteers are from the community – grad students, retirees, old farts, etc.

Dr. Ginsburg stated that the thrust of the project was to provide education to citizens wherever we find them.  The project’s goal is to build a model for other institutions that can follow their lead.  She stated that the average prisoner has a fifty one percent chance of being imprisoned again.  After participating in the Education Justice Project program the rate of prisoners who have been imprisoned again is only four percent.

Dr. Ginsburg mentioned that ESL (English as a Second Language) classes were mostly taught by fellow prisoners. She said that this program, English Language Partners, had received national awards for its effectiveness.  She explained the many of the prisoners are bilingual and can teach ESL more effectively because of common cultural background.

Dr. Ginsburg mentioned that her objective was not only to give prisoners a chance to receive education but also to “humanize” the persons who are incarcerated.  She said that she feels she is reaching her goal when her students go to speak at community groups or when they function as role models.  She said that she feels the Education Justice Project has helped make the world a better place.

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Upcoming Schedule

October 31st – Kate Morgan Olsen will talk about her former work with No More Deaths

November 7th – Mary and Tom Hodson, Taking a World War II Veteran to Europe

November 14th – John Colombo, The Carle Problem

November 21st – Matt Bollant, head coach of women’s basketball at UIUC

December 5th – TBD

December 12th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday program, featuring The Other Guys

Postponed due to relationship difficulties – Cary Woolard and Donna Giertz will discuss their new book, Friendship: The Art of Getting Along with Difficult People

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

Jack Reminder #1: For anyone who had their portrait photo taken by Benny Lapid please remember the $10 donation to the CU Sunrise Foundation.

Jack Reminder #2: An email was sent out to everyone who ordered a C-U Sunrise Rotary polo shirt.  Please confirm with Jack on the quantity, color and size of the shirt(s) you desire.  If you don’t respond Jack will order what you indicated on the list – so best to check.

Tod is requesting more CU Sunrisers contact him regarding potential service on the newly formed Cashiers Committee.  Rumor has it that there are only four spots left.  Act now!

Rod noted that Habitat for Humanity will have a dedication ceremony at 6pm on Thursday, 10/24/13, for their new house at 1504 W Williams Street, Champaign. CU Sunrise has donated labor and funds for this project.  Please talk to Rod if you’re interested in attending the dedication.

PROGRAM

The speaker for the day was Jody Littleton, Communications and Public Speaking instructor at Parkland College.  Jody’s presentation was about Parkland College’s involvement in the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP) and her 5 month semester “Study Abroad” trip with a Parkland student group to County Carlow, Ireland.

Founded in 1986, the ICISP is currently composed of 34 institutions.  Membership in this consortium is open to all Illinois public and private two-year colleges, and by invitation to four year colleges and universities in Illinois, as well as two and four year institutions and consortia in contiguous states.

Membership in ICISP enables its member colleges to offer students and faculty international opportunities. Some of ICISP’s accomplishments over the past years include:

-Participation of almost 2000 Illinois students in study abroad programs in 6 countries (Austria, Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, & Spain)

-Participation of nearly 650 Illinois faculty and administrators in professional 2-week exchanges abroad in 4 countries (China, Finland, Netherlands, & Switzerland)

-Participation of approximately 140 Illinois faculty and staff in visiting faculty, academic escort or assistant director positions for summer and semester study abroad programs

-Recipient of a $70,000 Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) Grant

-Prestigious national grants awarded to approximately one-third of our members

Jody presented a travel slide show of the trip (January through May 2013) which depicted the historic aspects of Carlow County as well as side trips County Kerry, Galway and Belfast. The student group attended school at Carlow College which is the oldest college in Ireland. Carlow College has an enrollment of about 1,000.

Several of the many highlights Jody showed:

-Duckett’s Grove Castle (where a banshee is said to reside)

-New Ross, Wexford – origins of the John F. Kennedy clan

-Smithwicks brewery

-The Cliffs of Mohr – location of a Harry Potter movie scene

-New Grange passage tombs featuring astronomically aligned windows pre-dating the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge

-Nationalist murals in Ulster memorializing Ulster Defence (sic) Association including the 1972 incident known as ‘The Troubles”

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Upcoming Schedule

October 24th – Rebecca Ginsburg, Director, Education Justice Project, UIUC

October 31st – Kate Morgan Olsen will talk about her former work with No More Deaths

November 7th – Mary and Tom Hodson, Taking a World War II Veteran to Europe

November 14th – John Colombo, The Carle Problem

November 21st – Matt Bollant, head coach of women’s basketball at UIUC

December 5th – TBD

December 12th – C-U Sunrise Rotary Holiday program, featuring The Other Guys

Postponed due to relationship difficulties – Cary Woolard and Donna Giertz will discuss their new book, Friendship: The Art of Getting Along with Difficult People

Announcements

(notes provided by the crafty and courageous Barb Lintner)

An order sheet for a CU Sunrise Rotary shirt was passed around.  Shirts are $15 for those who already have a club shirt and want an additional one, and free to new members of the club. The colors this year are navy and white.

Robb announced that we will soon be gearing up for our annual fruit sale in November.  Cases will be $24 this year and ½ of the money will go to our foundation and ½ will be donated to the Food Bank and to another local organization.  Please let Robb know if you have suggestions for a recipient.

Todd reported that a new committee is to be formed under Club Service – the Cashier Committee.  He is looking for 4 to 6 people who will manage money at meetings and report to Jack.  Let him know if you are interested.

Our club will host an inbound Youth Exchange student beginning in August of 2014.  We have the first host family but need two more.  It is a great opportunity to have a student stay with your family for 2 ½ to 3 months.  Talk to Jeff if you are interested.

Ata reminded us of the Veterans Day One on One event November 11 from 11:15 to 1:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn sponsored by Champaign West Rotary.  Invite a veteran as your guest. Tickets are $15 per person.  Talk to Ata if you are interested.

The Humane Society Fur Ball will be October 25.  See Jen to purchase a ticket for the benefit.

See Rueben for a CASA raffle ticket.  The prize is a $4,000 travel package.

RYLA will take place this year at Allerton Park on April 11, 12, and 13^th.   Volunteers are needed for this great experience with selected high school students.  Talk to Andrew if you are interested.

Program

Our speaker this week was Nancy Greenwalt, Director of Promise Healthcare which includes the Francis Nelson Health Center and the Smile Healthy program.  She was accompanied by Chennan Liu, a PhD student at the University of Illinois working at the center as an intern.

Promise Healthcare is a federally qualified health center which provides medical, dental, and mental health care to patients regardless of their ability to pay.  Discounted services are provided for those from 100 to 200% of the poverty level.  A total of 8500 patients were seen in the past year.

Mental health services are provided mainly to adults although the demand for children’s services is great.  A current need is funding for therapy games to aid in providing these services.

Special Note

The CUSR Board recently voted to support the Illinois Reads project with $175 from the November bucket money.  Th Board would further like to invite members to make a purchase at Barnes & Noble during the book fair on November 21, or online from November 21-25, and ask that the store credit their purchase to ‘Illinois Reads’.  DG Larry Pennie is a big supporter of Illinois Reads and encourages all club members to participate.

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Upcoming Schedule

October 17th – Jody Littleton, Associate Professor of Speech at Parkland College

October 24th – Rebecca Ginsburg, Director, Education Justice Project, UIUC

October 31st – Kate Morgan Olsen will talk about her former work with No More Deaths

November 7th – TBD

November 14th – John Colombo, The Carle Problem

November 21st – Matt Bollant, head coach of women’s basketball at UIUC

December 5th – Cary Woolard and Donna Giertz will discuss their new book, Friendship: The Art of Getting Along with Difficult People

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

President Chuck thanked Ata for his work on behalf of our club with clubs in Turkey and Germany on the matching grant project.

Ata announced that the Veteran’s Day One on One dinner will be held from 11:15 AM to 1 PM, November 11 at the Hilton Garden Inn.   Veteran Rotarians or Rotarians who invite a Veteran guest are invited to attend.   Cost is $15 per person, payable to Champaign West Rotary.    The featured speaker will be Colonel Daniel Simpson, Commander of the 659th Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, Fort Meade, Maryland.

President Chuck welcomed Jan Merchen into the club.   Jan is sponsored by Diana Dummit (aka, Diana the Dynamic Bowler).

Phyllis announced that the U of I male a capella group, “The Other Guys”, will perform at the CU Sunrise Christmas party on December 12.   Not to be outdone, Chuck will wear red pants this year to go along with his usual (but also unusual) red blazer.

PROGRAM

Tom Ulen introduced Kristine Chalifoux, who has been on the Champaign School Board for 6 years.

Kristine explained that she ran for the board because her children were in the system and because she wanted to see the facilities upgraded.

The District currently has 9,902 students, 55.9% of whom are low income.  Two demographic studies predicted that enrollment should be flat, but the student population has been growing by about 50 kids per year.

The graduation rate is currently 81.4%.   The composite ACT score for seniors is 20.9 and 89% enter college.

The Middle and High Schools have summer schools that include honors and AP classes as well as remedial classes.    Otherwise, all year schools are not the first choice of parents in Champaign.

Kristine reminded us that the schools are always in need of mentors for the students.  That means you, Neal Chamberlain.

The current tax rate is 3.88 per hundred of evaluation, the lowest in Champaign County.

The School Board plans to build a new high school to replace Central, but there is no perfect location.   The current plan is to renovate the old Central High building, move the Edison students into that building and then sell the old Edison building to a developer for condos.

Central and Centennial cannot be combined because the combined student population would require Champaign athletes to go to Chicago for sports events.

A referendum will be required to build a new high school and to renovate the old building.    Kristine would like to see a second referendum passed to renovate Dr. Howard and South Side School.

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Upcoming Schedule

October 10th – Nancy Greenwalt, Director of Frances Nelson Health Center

October 17th – Jody Littleton, Associate Professor of Speech at Parkland College

October 24th – Rebecca Ginsburg, Director, Education Justice Project, UIUC

October 31st – Kate Morgan Olsen will talk about her former work with No More Deaths

November 7th – TBD

November 14th – John Colombo, The Carle Problem

November 21st –