“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl – 1905-1997 – Psychiatrist and Author

“A dead end is just a good place to turn around.” – Naomi Judd – 1946-2022 – Singer-Actress

“If you can do what you do best and be happy, you are further along in life than most people.” – Leonardo DiCaprio – Actor-Producer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Notes provided by  Lisa Crane)

Rotary member birthdays:  We sang to Happy Birthday to Jen, Rod, and Scott!

Please sign the thank you note for Larry Craig.  We are sending him the card and a gift card for loaning his warehouse all these years for the fruit sale.

Welcome our new members Garrett Colbert & JP Thompson!

Fruit sale distribution went well. We made $1000 more than budgeted.  Darrell moved, Robb seconded, and the motion passed to donate $5000 to Sola Gratia.

CLUB ASSEMBLY

Thoughts on spending down our excess foundation funds.  Darrell suggested three chunks to spend down.

We discussed making a budget item to send a club representative to the International Rotary Convention.

We discussed Bucket Bucks. Michael ask, does it have to be a nonprofit? He knows of a government children’s advocacy group that is in need. We should schedule them to talk to us.

Robb suggested a defining project; something that has a signature on it like an accessible park.  Mary suggested spreading it around and having the ability to help more people. Darrell suggested more money to less places.  Another part of discussion suggested we have a club-focused area (e.g. youth, elderly).

It was requested that board minutes be sent out.

Survey monkey was suggested to get more ideas from members.

It was suggested that a subcommittee look at the themes of Rotary and suggest recipients for Bucket Bucks.

Phyllis gave an update that Decker Garden is going well.

The club agreed that one to two service projects per month is good.  

Orphan Art Sales update – We need a date. There are art festivals in spring and summer, and a lot of from August through December. Is there really a good time? Jen will come up with some dates.

Darrell announced CU SUNRISE fundraiser Karaoke Nite Feb 24, 2025 at Jupiters. We will be looking for a budget, committee, sponsors. Other places were charging a lot for the
venue rental. Jupiters does not as long as we add them as a sponsor.

Bucket Bucks for Feb Meals on Wheels was suggested, moved, and passed by membership.

Ideas for the foundation grant due in September. The club needs to match in some way to have a better chance of being awarded because the grants are getting more competitive. Do you have an idea for grant? Talk to Phyllis.

Otay gave an update on I read I count – Unit 4 and Chamber of Commerce are seeing results.

UPCOMING EVENTS & SERVICE OPPORTUNITES

February 2^nd (6:30pm) Champaign Rotary Comedy Nite @ Jupiters

February 10th (9-11am) Salt & Light

February 24^th (7-pm) That’s What She Said Social – Get your ticket Section 2 Rows L & M @ the Virginia

March 2 (10am-1pm) Read Across America @ Lincoln Square

March 16-17 PETS training – Ata & Lisa will be attending.

April 19-21 RYLA at Allerton

May 4 (9-noon) District Assembly

May 4 (9-noon) Newspaper folding @GSLC

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 1^st – Elise Belknap, Licensed Professional Counselor, will discuss the social/emotional issues in our community (Michael)

February 8^th – TBD (Tom)

February 15^th – Aaron Bird from the Salvation Army (Cary)

February 22^nd – Lex Tate, the Evolution of Campustown (Joe)

February 29^th – No AM meeting (5^th Thursday)

March 7^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 14^th – TBD (Mary)

March 21^st – TBD (Michael)

March 28^th – TBD (Tom)

April 4th – TBD (Cary)

April 11^th – TBD (Joe)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

February 14 – Ata Durukan

Train your mind and heart to see the good in everything. There is always something to be grateful for. – Unknown

“Be grateful for what you have and be ready to share it when the time comes.” – Michelle Obama – Former First Lady of the United States-Author-Attorney

“Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.” – Napoleon Hill – 1883-1970 – Author

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

Charlie shared with us a thank you note from the Salvation Army for our help with the holiday bell ringing.

Jarrod shared the passing of a local icon, Bob Espeseth, who was a tireless advocate for local parks and forest preserves.  Early in his career he worked with the Wisconsin State Park system before moving to Illinois to work at the University of Illinois in what is now the Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism.  He will be missed, but his impact on the environment and our opportunities to enjoy it will be felt for generations.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 10 – 5 to 6:30 pm, Books 2 Prisoners

February 10 – 9 to 11am, Salt & Light

February 24 – 7 pm Club Social “That’s What She Said” at Virginia Theater (featuring Jen Shelby?)

March 16 & 17 – District President-Elect Training

April 19-21 – Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) at Allerton

April 20^th – Party at Robb’s house

April 27 – District Assembly

PROGRAM

Joe introduced Lieutenant Commander J.P. Thompson, USN, Associate Professor of Naval Science, UIUC as our speaker this morning. JP presented his program titled “Life as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer and Assorted Sea Stories”.

JP began with his background, including Naval career activities and the challenges of Naval Surface Warfare. JP earned degrees from Ohio State, Kansas and Army Command and General Staff College.  He was a Surface Warfare Officer serving in six Operation tours of duty in various areas around the world starting in 2011. He later did Staff tours in Manama, Bahrain, and now is here as NROTC, University of Illinois Urbana -Champaign.

Using maps of the world, JP displayed the various locations where he has served. He explained with photos the capabilities of the ships on which he served. He told how the role of the Navy and the various Ship types must continue to adapt to the ever-changing world. He noted the increasing importance of the submarine in a nation’s military.

JP told personal sea stories including one about how when he started in the Navy the use of paper maps were common for navigation.  There has been a sometimes bumpy transition to computer generated electronic graphics that are now used for navigation. While explaining how warfare methods continue to change with the advancement of new technology, he also added how Naval ships are used for “peace or presence”‘ patrols throughout the world.

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UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

January 11^th – Jamila Amartry, former Rotary Exchange student from Charleston to France (Lisa)

January 18^th – Rachelle Langley from the Rotary built data base DACdb (Mary)

January 25^th – TBD (Michael)

February 1^st – TBD

February 8^th – TBD (Tom)

February 15^th – TBD (Cary)

February 22^nd – TBD (Joe)

February 29^th – No AM meeting (5^th Thursday)

March 7^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 14^th – TBD (Mary)

March 21^st – TBD (Michael)

March 28^th – TBD (Tom)

April 4th – TBD (Cary)

April 11^th – TBD (Joe)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley