“Each day provides its own gifts.” – Marcus Aurelius – 121-180 – Roman Emperor

“Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top; it is the willpower that is most important.” – Junko Tabei – 1939-2016 – Mountaineer-Author-Teacher

“When you choose to collect experiences rather than things, you never ever run out of storage space.” – Joshua Becker – Author-Writer-Philanthropist-Pastor

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Urbana, Edward Perrey)

Lisa noted that one meeting in March is needing a breakfast cook 

February Bucket Bucks are going to DSC

Feb 27, 6:30 to 8pm- Central Interact Trivia Night in Central’s Library. Contact Lisa if you want to be part of the team.

March 8 – Read Across America. Contact Mary Kay to sign up.

March 11,5-6:30pm- Books to Prisoners. Let Larry know if you can make it.

April 4 – Central Interact International Fair

April 26 – Help GSLC at the Marathon Race at a water station

May – date to be determined, C.C. Humane Society Newspaper Roll

May 30 – Champaign Rotary Club’s Action Auction

June 14 – Rotary District Expo & Installation   

CLUB ASSEMBLY

Ata asked members and committee chairs to report to the club on past and future activities.  

Fundraising 

Robb reported that the club’s Karaoke event was a success in raising money and was a fun evening. Let Robb know of any thoughts you may have for future fundraising events. Also let Robb know of any song suggestions for his next gig.

International Service

Eddie announced that he is looking at a way to help Zambia with their Radio Station and/or medical supply needs. A contact at Bloomington’s Rotary club was suggested.

Membership

Ata noted that continued success in gaining members relies on each member and to keep up the good work.

Community Service Projects

Larry brought the club up to date on the many service projects our club has done this past year and continues to do. 

The Salt & Light, Books to Prisoners, and Feeding our Kids projects have continued on a quarterly fashion. 

Feeding our Kids is now taking place at EIFB and are serving 7,200 in 44 area schools every week and helped EIFB with several food Repacks. 

We have helped the local United Way with School Kits, Winter Kits and Signs assembly. 

We also helped with Crisis Nursery’s Holiday Shop and Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing. 

Larry thanked everyone who has helped with all the various projects and thanked Garrett for his work with Sola Gratia Farm and Eddie with the Don Decker garden.

Program Committee

Mary thanked the committee members for once again putting together great speakers for our club meetings. Mary noted that Lisa will be leaving the program committee as she begins as our club president and a new committee member(s) is needed. Any and all suggestions for speakers are welcome.

Public Relations

Darrell continues to do a great job in getting our name out to the public with his ideas in print, Facebook and photos.

Social

Cary continues to organize Social events for our club for the 5thThursday of the month. Any ideas from members for socials are welcomed. 

Central High School Interact Club and CU Sunrise Scholarship

Mary Kay noted how active our High School Interact club is and that we help sponsor each year their Fall Race in Crystal Lake Park. She also noted that our club provides a $1,500 scholarship to Parkland Community College for a high school student.   

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 27^th – Mitch Marlow, Sales & Public Relations Manager, Virginia Theatre (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – Brandon Fischer, Director, Salvation Army ReStore (Joe)

March 20^th – Todd Gleason, Farm Broadcaster with the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences (ACES) at UIUC and WILL Radio (Les)

March 27^th – Dr. Jeffery Mondak, James M. Benson Chair in Public Issues and Civic Leadership, UIUC, will discuss the relationship between personality types and political opinions (Mary)

April 3^rd – TBD (Cary)

April 10^th – TBD (Charlie)

April 17^th – Zack Schweig, Executive Chef, Hamilton Walkers, will discuss how COVID changed the restaurant industry (Joe)

April 24^th – TBD (Les)

May 1^st – TBD

May 8^th – TBD (Mary)

May 15^th – TBD (Cary)

May 22^nd – TBD (Charlie)

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

“The only journey is the one within.” – Rainer Maria Rilke – 1875-1926 – Poet-Novelist

“People who shine from within don’t need the spotlight.” – Unknown

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by Mary Hodson)

Condolences to Jen Shelby in the loss of her father.

CU Sunrisers sang Happy Birthday to Ata and Susan.

Ata thanked all who helped with the Karaoke Contest and announced that it netted $956.00, plus one anonymous donation.  He also read a Thank You note from Nestor and Lynda Ramirez.

February Bucket Bucks will be donated to DSC.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 22, 9-11 AM, Salt and Light

Feb. 27, 6:30-8 PM, Central Interact Trivia Night in the library den.   Let Lisa know if you would like to be part of the CU team!

March 8 – Read Across America – contact Mary Kay to sign up.

March 11, 5-6:30 PM – Books 2 Prisoners

April 4 – Central Interact International Fair

April 26 – Help GSLC man water station for the Race

May 30 – Champaign Rotary Action Auction.

June 14 – District Expo and Installation

PROGRAM

Lisa Crane, with the able assistance of Winona Kerins, gave us a lesson in self- care.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – Mitch Marlow, Sales & Public Relations Manager, Virgina Theatre (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – Brandon Fischer, Director, Salvation Army ReStore (Joe)

March 20^th – Todd Gleason, Farm Broadcaster with the College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences (ACES) at UIUC and WILL Radio (Les)

March 27^th – Dr. Jeffery Mondak, James M. Benson Chair in Public Issues and Civic Leadership, UIUC, will discuss the relationship between personality types and political opinions (Mary)

April 3^rd – TBD

April 10^th – TBD

April 17^th – TBD

April 24^th – TBD

May 1^st – TBD

“Forever is composed of nows.” – Emily Dickinson – 1830-1886 – American Lyric-Poet

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” – Andy Rooney – 1919-2011 – Radio, Television Writer

“Don’t confuse your path with your destination. Just because it’s stormy now, doesn’t mean you aren’t headed for sunshine later. Don’t lose faith.” – Trent Shelton – Football Player

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Last week was our karaoke fundraiser at Jupiters.  Many thanks to those who helped organize such a successful event.  More details, including photos, to come soon.

In honor of his upcoming birthday (Friday, 2/14), Ata has requested the usual happy birthday song be sung with extra gusto this week.  Don’t let him forget to have us sing!

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

February 13^th – Spa Day (Lisa)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – Mitch Marlow, Sales & Public Relations Manager, Virgina Theatre (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – Brandon Fischer, Director, Salvation Army ReStore (Joe)

March 20^th – TBD (Les)

March 27^th – Dr. Jeffery Mondak, James M. Benson Chair in Public Issues and Civic Leadership, UIUC, will discuss the relationship between personality types and political opinions (Mary)

April 3^rd – TBD

April 10^th – TBD

April 17^th – TBD

April 24^th – TBD

May 1^st – TBD

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

February 14 – Ata Durukan

“It’s okay to be proud of what you’ve done. It’s okay to believe you deserve something because you’ve put in the work for it.” – Rugby star Ilona Maher on she doesn’t struggle with imposter syndrome.

“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” – Eileen Caddy – 1917-2006 – Author

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This week we will not have a morning meeting.  Instead, we will gather at 5pm at the Axe Bar in Champaign. Rumor has it that Ed Perry will bring his own axes and show off his skillz.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

January 30^th – Evening social at Axe Bar

February 6^th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13^th – TBD (Cary)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – Mitch Marlow, Sales & Public Relations Manager, Virgina Theatre (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – TBD (Joe)

March 20^th – TBD (Les)

March 27^th – TBD (Mary)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley

“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”  – James Baldwin – 1924-1987 – Writer

“Without commitment, you cannot have depth in anything.” – Neil Strauss – Author-Journalist-Writer

“Courage of the heart is very rare. Let it guide you.” – Sarah J. Maas – Author

ANNOUNCEMENTS

No AM meeting on Feb. 6.   Karaoke Fundraiser at Jupiter’s at the Crossing starts at 5:30 PM

Feb. 22 – 9-11 AM, Salt and Light

March 26 – Read Across America

PROGRAM

Mary introduced Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-CHampaign. Dr. Dziuba and his family came here from Ukraine under the Illinois Scholars at Risk Program. He shared “one family’s experience” of the Russian invasion.

At the time of the Russian invasion, Dr. Dziuba was teaching at the Department of International Economics in the University of Kyiv.  He and his family lived in Irpin, which is adjacent to Bucha.   Irpin was occupied in the first days of the Russian occupation.  On February 24, Pavlo, his wife and two children moved to the basement of their apartment building.    Fortunately, his mother was in the subway when her apartment was bombed. 

Pavlo’s apartment building was hit, destroying the rooftop boiler room   He decided to evacuate his family on March 2.   The Ukrainians had blown up the bridges leading to Kyiv to block the Russian forces, leaving just once escape route to the south.   He said there was a 50/50 chance of making it through “The Road of Death”.  

They stayed with friends in the Carpathian Mountains until April 19, when he returned to Irpin.   He had to pass through road blocks, answering questions that only Ukrainians would be able to answer.    He brought his family back in June.   The area was heavily mined.  Pavlo showed a picture of a mine in a tree where his children played.    

He and others in his building made repairs but couldn’t replace the boiler.   So he and his family left again in late October.   They couldn’t go to his wife’s parent’s home as they were in an occupied area.   He did research and learned about the Visiting Scholars Program.   He is now in the U.S. under a G-I Visa.   His family have G-2 Visas.  They are valid for up to five years.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

January 23^rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30^th – TBD

February 6^th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13^th – TBD (Cary)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – TBD (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – TBD (Joe)

March 20^th – TBD (Les)

March 27^th – TBD (Mary)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley

“I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” – Beyonce – Singer-Songwriter-Actress

“When within yourself you find the road, the right road will open.” – Dejan Stojanovic – Poet-Writer-Essayist-Philosopher-Businessman

“The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” – Olivia Newton-John – 1948-2022 – Singer-Actress

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Rhode Island, Edward Perry)

There will be no morning meeting on February 6^th.  Instead, that evening our club will host our Karaoke Fundraiser at Jupiter’s at the Crossing.  Cocktails will start at 5:30pm before the real pros start singing at 6:30pm. Mary K passed around a Sign-up sheet for various ways for everyone to help.

Jan 18^th – Jen Shelby’s birthday party in Miami – BYOB

Feb 22^nd – 9 to 11am – Salt & Light in Urbana

Mar 2-6 – Read Across America

PROGRAM

Garrett introduced Lauren Gramly, Business Specialist, with the Champaign Public Library. Laura has an MBA from the University of Illinois and has over 20 years of experience in small business and nonprofit management.

The Champaign Public Library began to provide information for those interested in entrepreneurship about seven years ago. Lauren recently joined the library and has been directing and organizing this free service on how to start and grow your own business. This service includes free workshops, powerful online tools and one on one consultations. The focus is for those first-time business owners, beginning a non-profit start-up, and young entrepreneurs.

Lauren helps to show the path using business workshops, YouTube videos, online information sources such as Mergent Intellect, Reference Solutions, Gale Business Plan Builder and Gale Entrepreneurship, and one on one meetings with Laura. Included in this path is how to determine your business concept, how to conduct market research and analysis, how to create a business plan, making it legal, get funding, how to market, and deciding on the scale of the business.

In the workshops she brings in local businesspeople as speakers to help explain how to start and what is needed to maintain a business. She is also teaming up with the local schools to help young people who are interested in entrepreneurship. 

Additional information about the program and how you can help please contact Lauren at lgramly@champaign.org.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

January 16^th – Dr. Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor, Economics, UIUC  (Mary)

January 23^rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30^th – TBD

February 6^th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13^th – TBD (Cary)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – TBD (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – TBD (Joe)

March 20^th – TBD (Les)

March 27^th – TBD (Mary)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley

“The key to abundance is meeting limited circumstances with unlimited thoughts.” – Marianne Williamson – Author-Speaker

“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin – 1924-1987 – Writer-Civil Rights Activist

“Being happy never goes out of style.” – Lily Pulitzer – 1931-2013 – Fashion Designer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(notes provided by the erudite Mary Hodson)

February 6 – No AM meeting – Karaoke Fundraiser at 5:30 PM, competition starting at 6:30 PM at Jupiter’s at the Crossing

February 22 – 9-11 AM – Salt and Light in Urbana

PROGRAM

Les introduced Sophie Becker, Marketing, Communication and Engagement Manager at Eastern Illinois Food Bank and member of Champaign West Rotary.

EIFB serves food pantries in 18 counties covering 14,500 square miles. In that area, at least one in eight people are facing food insecurity.  The Food Bank is serving 90% more people than they did in 2022.  Sophie said the need has never been higher.

Every day, their fleet of eight box trucks deliver food to 160 partner agencies. Their food mobile reaches about 100 rural communities each month. Some of the counties have just one food pantry that is open just once per month.   

There is an urgent need for volunteers to staff the local food pantries.  The food distribution at Champaign’s own Vineyard Church serves 500-600 families per week.

Sophie told us about a new state funded program, the IL Food Purchase Assistance Program.  Food Banks sign cooperative agreements with disadvantaged farmers to provide meat to food banks.  

You can sign up to volunteer at their website, http://www.eifoodbank.org.  There is a good chance you will be volunteering alongside UIUC athletes who are there a couple of times per week.   The Food Bank especially needs volunteers during the summer months.

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

January 9^th – Lauren Gramly, Business Specialist, Champaign Public Library, will discuss entrepreneurship (Lisa)

January 16^th – Dr. Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor, Economics, UIUC   (Mary)

January 23^rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30^th – TBD

February 6^th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13^th – TBD (Cary)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – TBD (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – TBD (Joe)

March 20^th – TBD (Les)

March 27^th – TBD (Mary)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

January 18 – Jen Shelby

January 27 – Rod Roberts

January 28 – Scott Paceley

“The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.” – Stephanie Perkins – Author

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve – 1952-2004 – Actor-Director-Activist

“It’s not about thinking outside the box.  It’s about realizing there is no box.” – Jari Askins – Judge-Lawyer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Ata presented group photos of club members volunteering for the Crisis Nursery Holiday shop with Kappa Delta Sorority and Books to Prisoners.

Bucket bucks for December are going towards Austin’s Place. January’s bucket bucks will go towards helping Andrea Fain’s international health clinic. Suggestions are welcome for future monthly club Bucket Bucks contributions.

Robb and Tod announced that Sola Gratia’s fruit purchasing and pickup starts this Saturday at Lincoln Square.

Darrell noted that entrants for the singing at the Karaoke Fundraiser are needed. Each local Rotary Club will be asked to provide a group of singers to perform. Our club will be providing a group and volunteers are needed. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS

12/19 – CUSRC’s annual Holiday Party with the Elephant Gift Exchange and cookie exchange. Holiday attire is welcomed!

12/26 – No Meeting

PROGRAM

Cary introduced Brendan McGinty as our morning’s speaker. Brendan has been the Director of Industry at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications for the last 10 years. He has been involved at various levels at the University of Illinois, including Director of Industry for Artificial Intelligence Innovations. 

Brendan was introduced to the power of computers at the University of Illinois as an eleven-year-old school student.  Brendan learned about the wonders of the computer from Donald L. Bitzer, the “father” of PLATO, Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations, and with Larry Smarr, the leading pioneer in scientific supercomputing applications, who was responsible for the University of Illinois securing the National Center of Supercomputing Applications.

Brendan started with a brief history of the University of Illinois’ beginnings in Computer Sciences and how the University was, and continues to be, a leader in today’s computer applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Brendan gave various examples of the many University of Illinois’ AI applications that are currently being used throughout the world by major industrial companies. AI can take data and produce a model on how to proceed with what can be done before production begins. The amount of information AI can assess in minutes and respond can save time and money. 

The future growth in AI applications is unlimited. The University of Illinois has the world’s top people and Illinois students are highly sought after as the need for these students continues to grow. 

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

December 19^th – CUSR Holiday Party

December 26^th – No morning meeting

January 2^nd – Amanda Borden, Vice President of Development, Eastern Illinois Foodbank (Les)

January 9^th – Lauren Gramly, Business Specialist, Champaign Public Library, will discuss entrepreneurship (Lisa)

January 16^th – Dr. Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor, Economics, UIUC   (Mary)

January 23^rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30^th – TBD

February 6^th – Karaoke fundraiser (no AM meeting)

February 13^th – TBD (Cary)

February 20^th – Club Assembly

February 27^th – TBD (Charlie)

March 6^th – TBD (Lisa)

March 13^th – TBD (Joe)

March 20^th – TBD (Les)

March 27^th – TBD (Mary)

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

December 29 – Jerry Payonk

“Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too.  Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it.” – Diane Sawyer – American Broadcast Journalist

“The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes – 1841-1935 – Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott – 1832-1888 – Novelist-Short Story Writer-Poet

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
(notes provided by the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut, Eddie Perry)

Tod distributed information about Sola Gratia Farm’s Fresh Fruit Fundraiser.

Lisa noted that volunteers are needed for January’s breakfast preparation. 

Dec. 14, 10am-7pm – Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Walmart in Champaign

Dec. 19 – Sunrise Holiday Party with White Elephant gifts and cookie exchange

Dec. 26 – No Meeting

Bucket Bucks for December will go to Austin’s Place.

PROGRAM

Joe introduced Molly Cornyn, Project Coordinator for the 2025 Ebert Film Festival. Molly is a Champaign native with college degrees in media studies and in producing film and television. Her previous work includes five years working for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas as an entertainment public relations coordinator and a film and special events manager.

Molly is now back in town and is helping to plan the upcoming Roger Ebert Film Festival for the U of I College of Media. Molly presented background information on Roger Ebert and on the film festival which will be celebrating its 25th year this coming April 23-26.

While the full film schedule is yet to be announced, a special one of a kind film will be shown. The 75mm film of John Ford’s “The Searchers” will be shown. This 1959 film is considered by many as one of the top 100 films ever made and this 75mm showing at the Virginia theater is a one of a kind presentation.

Festival Sponsorships and Full Festival passes, for all 12+movies, are currently on sale with individual movie passes going on sale April 1, 2025. 

—

—

UPCOMING SCHEDULE (with program committee members listed in parentheses)

December 12^th – Brendan  McGinty, UIUC, will discuss AI (Cary)

December 19^th – CUSR Holiday Party

December 26^th – No morning meeting

January 2^nd – Amanda Borden, Vice President of Development, Eastern Illinois Foodbank (Les)

January 9^th – TBD (Lisa)

January 16^th – Dr. Pavlo Dziuba, Visiting Professor, Economics, UIUC   (Mary)

January 23^rd – Lynne Barnes, Advocates for Aging Care (Michael)

January 30^th – TBD

February 6^th – TBD

February 13^th – TBD

February 20^th – TBD

February 27^th – TBD

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS

December 29 – Jerry Payonk