“Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.” – Elizabeth Elliot – 1926-2015 – Author

“Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt – 1882-1945 – Former President of the United States

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change world.”  – Nelson Mandela – 1918-2013 – President of South Africa 1994-1999-Humanitarian-Social Activist

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

Elections: the 2022/2023 slate was approved.  Congratulations to the electees!

Our Diaper Drive collected 15,950 diapers and delivered to The United Way.

Our club will participate in a perennial plant planting at Heritage Park, 2101 W Bradley, Champaign on Saturday June 18 from 8am – 10am. We are partnering with Isa Hernandez and her Eagle Scout project.

July 16 is the (rescheduled) newspaper folding day for the Humane Society. Hold onto your newsprint, or bring what you have to any meeting and Ed will collect.

The pollinator garden is scheduled to be installed in June.  We will find out more about volunteer opportunities closer to the date.

Illini After 5 will be having their annual fundraiser on Wednesday, July 6^th at Riggs Brewery to raise money for books for young students. It was a fun event last year.

PROGRAM

Our speaker this week, introduced by Mary Hodson, was Jacque Kalipeni, CEO of the Kalipeni Foundation that helps communities in Malawi.

Malawi is the home country of the Kalipeni family. The foundation’s guiding principles are that everyone has the right to have access to water, an education and a safe environment. The Kalipeni Foundation is an approved non-profit organization.

The goals of the Kalipeni Foundation are to provide communities with access to water, to help girls continue their education and to provide girls a safe environment.

There are five ways to help the foundation:

• Volunteer
• Donate
• Tell a friend to donate
• Share information about the foundation
• Follow the foundation on social media

o   www.thekalipenifoundation.org

o   Zelle/Chase app – donations@thekalipenifoundation.org

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” – Arthur Ashe – 1943-1993 – Professional Tennis Player

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life–and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” – Georgia O’Keeffe – 1887-1986 – Artist

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.” – Lucille Ball – 1911-1989 – Actress

ANNOUNCEMENTS

May 28 work day at Sola Gratia – Cancelled

Humane Society newspaper folding event – Rescheduled to July 16.

June 18 – We will help Isa Hernandez plant perennials at Heritage Park for her Eagle Scout Project.

Darrell and Phyllis thanked everyone who has participated in the Diaper Drive.

PROGRAM

Mary introduced Major General (Ret.) William Enyart.  Major General Enyart’s military career includes six years active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force and nearly 30 years in the Army National Guard.  During his career he served on multiple deployments and culminated his service as Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, commanding both the Air and Army National Guard from 2007-2012.  In his service as Adjutant General, he oversaw the largest Illinois National Guard deployment of troops overseas since WWII, when the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan.   

General Enyart had responsibility for 4,000 National Guard forces from 11 states at the largest NATO conference ever held, the 2012 NATO conference in Chicago.  At that conference, General Enyart was presented with the Commander’s Cross of the Republic of Poland by President Bronislaw Komorowski, for his work in building international relationships.  

General Enyart also earned a J.D. from SIU and served as United States Congressman from southern Illinois in the 113th Congress, where he served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee.   In retirement, he is a frequent keynote speaker and defense policy commentator on cable news stations.   The Lebanon Illinois Rotary Club gave him and his wife, retired judge Annette Eckert, Paul Harris Fellowships.    

The General spoke to CU Sunrise from his home in Bellville.   His presentation was taken from a podcast in his podcast series entitled “Reflections from the River” that he released later the same day.   His topic was the “untold story of the Illinois National Guard in Ukraine”.

The headquarters of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is located in Urbana.   Poland has been the Illinois National Guard’s overseas partner since Poland left the Warsaw Pact and allied with NATO.  The Illinois National Guard served every day in Afghanistan alongside Polish soldiers. 

The 33rd Infantry Brigade has been involved in military exercises in Poland and training in Ukraine.   In 2005, General Enyart commanded from Warsaw the Illinois Guardsmen participating in a 22 nation NATO war game for Ukraine.   When he visited in 2008, Polish and Ukrainian soldiers took him on patrol.   Just last year, Urbana sent guardsmen to the area for an 11-month deployment.   

Despite the training provided to Ukrainian forces, the Pentagon expected that Putin’s land grab would succeed.   The general believes that training provided by the Illinois National Guard has played a critical role in the Ukrainian’s defense of their homeland.

You can find General Enyart’s podcasts by going to his website, www.billenyart.com.

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

May 26th – Jacque Kalipeni, representing the Kalipeni Foundation that helps communities in Malawi

June 2nd – Club Asssembly

June 9th – PDG Larry Howell will discuss current programs in his role as Zone Ambassador for Empowering Girls

(to be rescheduled) Dr Donald Wuebbles, Professor Emeritus in the University of Illinois Atmospheric Sciences Department will discuss climate change

June 16th – Lisa Crane, Pediatric Speech Pathologist (Tom)

June 23rd – Pass the Gavel

June 30th – TBD

July 7th – Club Assembly

July 14th – Rick Davidson will speak about the new District Foundation and a new Global Grant (Mary)

July 21st – TBD (Cary)

July 28th – TBD (Charlie)

August 4th – Club Assembly

August 11th – TBD (Joe)

August 18th – TBD

August 25th – Gil Holder will speak about the evolution of the universe (Tom)

September 8th – TBD (Bob)

September 15th – TBD

September 22 – TBD (Charlie)

October 13th – TBD (Joe)

October 20th – TBD (Mary)

“We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond.” – Marcel Proust – 1871-1922 – Novelist-Critic-Essayist

“Never limit yourself because of others limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.”  – Mae Jemison – Engineer-Physician-Astronaut

“To be hopeful means to be uncertain about the future, to be tender toward possibilities, to be dedicated to change all the way down to the bottom of your heart.” – Rebecca Solnit – Writer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Several club service projects were reviewed:

May 14 to May 21

The Bottom Line Diaper Drive is starting with the collection container being delivered to Lodgic today. Lou passed around the sign-up schedule for those wanting to help with the diaper collection. For those wanting to make a monetary donation, please let Lou know the amount and send a check to Lou.  The entire club thanked Paul for printing the flyers, handouts and banners for this service project.

June 18

Planting perennials at Heritage Park/Isa Hernandez Eagle Scout project

July 6

The Illini after 5 Rotary Club will have their “Brews For Books” fundraiser at Riggs Brewery in Urbana.

July 16

Newspaper rolling day for the Champaign County Humane Society. Keep saving your newspapers and bring them to our Thursday meeting and Ed will pick up.    

PROGRAM

Joe introduced Scott Schwartz, Curator, Director and Archivist for Music and Fine Arts for the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Scott presented an informative and fun program on the 505th Air Force Band.

The Band was founded in 1918 at Chanute in Rantoul, redesignated the 505th in 1942 and disbanded in 1993 with the closing of the Chanute Air base. Chanute was noted for training pilots, teaching the mechanical maintenance of the aircraft, and creating one of the finest bands in the Military.  In total, approximately 2 million were trained at Chanute.

In presenting the information on the 505th Air Force Band, Scott’s program included historical photos and actual recordings of the various music the bands played. 

The mission at Chanute was to support and train professional musicians to provide entertainment for the Armed Forces.  The band included training and the performance of Marching Band, Chamber Music, Swing, Dance, Brass, Jazz, Pop & Rock over its 75 year history. They performed at ceremonies of all types, festivities, parades, throughout the Midwest.  One example was the 1983 Wisconsin Jazz Festival with Dizzy Gillespie playing with the Jazz Band.

The “Pacesetters” were known nationally as the premiere Air Force band of the Midwest. For more information, Google the 505th Air Force Band. 

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

May 19th – Major General (ret) William L. Enyart (Mary)

May 26th – Jacque Kalipeni, representing the Kalipeni Foundation that helps communities in Malawi

June 2nd – Club Asssembly

June 9th – PDG Larry Howell will discuss current programs in his role as Zone Ambassador for Empowering Girls

(to be rescheduled) Dr Donald Wuebbles, Professor Emeritus in the University of Illinois Atmospheric Sciences Department will discuss climate change

June 16th – Lisa Gaines, Pediatric Speech Pathologist (Tom)

June 23rd – Pass the Gavel

June 30th – TBD

July 7th – Club Assembly

July 14th – Rick Davidson will speak about the new District Foundation and a new Global Grant (Mary)

July 21st – TBD (Cary)

July 28th – TBD (Charlie)

August 4th – Club Assembly

August 11th – TBD (Joe)

August 18th – TBD

August 25th – Gil Holder will speak about the evolution of the universe (Tom)

September 8th – TBD (Bob)

September 15th – TBD

September 22 – TBD (Charlie)

October 13th – TBD (Joe)

October 20th – TBD (Mary)

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.” – Marilyn vos Savant – Magazine Columnist

“It’s important to be precise about words, because of the thought value of them — they frame and shape so much of the way we understand things.” – Michael Nesmith – 1942-2021 – Musician-Songwriter-Actor-Producer-Novelist

“I love what I do, and when you love what you do, you want to be the best at it.” – Jay-Z – Rapper-Songwriter-Record Executive-Entrepreneur-Media Proprietor

CLUB ASSEMBLY
(notes provided by the unconventional and unorthodox Paul Conforti)

Assistant Governor, and no stranger to our club, Janet Nelson presented Paul Harris +2 pins to Darrell, Larry, Phyllis, Diana, Joe and Tod. Paul Harris +5 honorees were Allen and Lou.

The diaper drive is from May 14 to May 21 from 8:00am-5:00pm each day at Lodgic.  The diaper drive will support United Way’s Bottom Line diaper bank.  Central High School’s Interact members will help with the diaper repack on May 21 from 9:30-noon at Lodgic.

Phyllis is coordinating a volunteer work at on May 28^th at Sola Gratia farm.

In the March 2022 District newsletter, DG Heather Stoa talked about the 100 in 100 project supporting a Women’s and Children’s shelter in Tijuana, Mexico. We contributed $1,000 towards this project. Per DG Heather Stoa: “International club-to-club projects provide ways to develop international relationships. Working with clubs in Mexico makes sense for our district. They are neighbors who are a relatively short and inexpensive plane ride away, the need is great, and we are creating bonds with fellow Rotarians”.

Jennifer and Michelle announced $700 raised by Champaign Central Interact for CU Austin’s Place.

June bucket bucks will be donated to the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation Music Programs.  We didn’t do the karaoke event this spring but previously the funds raised by that event went to the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation Music Programs.  We still wanted to support music even though we had to cancel the karaoke event.

June 18 is newspaper folding day for the Humane Society. Hold onto your newsprint, or bring what you have to any meeting and Ed will collect.

The pollinator garden is scheduled to be installed in June.  We will find out more about volunteer opportunities closer to the date.

Illini After 5 will be having their annual fundraiser at Riggs Brewery to raise money for school dictionaries. It was a fun event last year. Day and time will be forthcoming.

Darrell is exploring date options in the fall for a Karaoke fundraiser.

Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County and ReStore is moving. They have purchased the ValuCheck space, located at 1914 Glenn Park Drive in Champaign. This purchase will help consolidate all operations under one roof. The move is scheduled for this September.

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

May 12th – Scott Schwartz, Curator and Archivist for the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois Library (Joe)

May 19th – Major General (ret) William L. Enyart (Mary)

May 26th – Jacque Kalipeni, representing the Kalipeni Foundation that helps communities in Malawi

June 2nd – Club Asssembly

June 9th – Dr Donald Wuebbles, Professor Emeritus in the University of Illinois Atmospheric Sciences Department will discuss climate change

June 16th – TBD (Tom)

June 23rd – Pass the Gavel

June 30th – TBD

July 7th – Club Assembly

July 14th – Rick Davidson will speak about the new District Foundation and a new Global Grant (Mary)

July 21st – TBD (Cary)

July 28th – TBD (Charlie)

August 4th – Club Assembly

August 11th – TBD (Joe)

August 18th – TBD

August 25th – Gil Holder will speak about the evolution of the universe (Tom)

September 8th – TBD (Bob)

September 15th – TBD

September 22 – TBD (Charlie)

October 13th – TBD (Joe)

October 20th – TBD (Mary)

“Do you really want to look back on your life and see how wonderful it could have been had you not been afraid to live it?” – Caroline Myss – Author

“Happiness is a quality of the soul … not a function of one’s material circumstances.” – Aristotle – 384 BC-322BC – Greek Philosopher

“Knowing the right thing doesn’t mean much if you don’t do the right thing.” – Eleanor Roosevelt – 1884-1962 – Former First Lady of the United States

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson).

Paul introduced his guest, Lisa Crain.   

Books 2 Prisoners, Mary 9, 6-8 PM – volunteers needed

Bottom Line Diaper Drive – Mary 14-21 – volunteers needed

Sola Gratia workday – May 28

Newspaper folding for the Humane Society – June 18

PROGRAM

Charlie introduced Jordan Dziura, who spoke on the subject of Illinois Media and the state of student media.  Jordan volunteered on the Daily Illini during college and returned in 2021 as Executive Director.

The student paper began publishing in 1871 under the name of “The Student”.   Today, they publish 7,000 copies weekly and consider themselves to be a digital first website, updating 24/7.   The website dailyillini.com had almost a million new users last year, including 63,000 Asian users.

Illinois Media publishes the “Illio” Yearbook, originally called the “Sophograph”.  They also own WPGU 107.1 FM, “Champaign’s Alternative”, featuring music, news and sports talk.   Their aging transmission tower, located at 3rd and Green, needs updating.

Today, with revenues in decline, media companies are consolidating.   Just 3 companies own all of the radio stations in our country.  After the recession, Illini Media sold its building at 512 E. Green and moved into the Y.  During the pandemic, they accepted PPP and government loans.  They also apply for, and receive, $1.85 per student in student fees.  The paid staff, 15.5 positions in 2008, is down to three today.  All wear multiple hats.

Celebrating their 150th anniversary, they restarted the Illinois Media Hall of Fame, bringing back graduates who have achieved success in journalism.   Dan Balz was the keynote speaker for their April 10 celebration honoring 20 inductees.   All 16 of the living inductees returned to campus with their families for the event.

Jordan asked us to help spread the word that Illinois Media is looking to alumni to help them survive.   Donations can be made through the U of I Foundation.

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

May 5th – TBD

May 12th – Scott Schwartz, Curator and Archivist for the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois Library (Joe)

May 19th – Major General (ret) William L. Enyart (Mary)

May 26th – Jacque Kalipeni, representing the Kalipeni Foundation that helps communities in Malawi

June 2nd – TBD

June 9th – Dr Donald Wuebbles, Professor Emeritus in the University of Illinois Atmospheric Sciences Department will discuss climate change

June 16th – TBD

June 23rd – Pass the Gavel

June 30th – TBD

July 7th – TBD

July 14th – Rick Davidson will speak about the new District Foundation and a new Global Grant

July 21st – TBD

July 28th – TBD

August 4th – TBD

August 11th – TBD