Danville IL Rotary Club

The Danville Rotary Club installed the officers for the 2010-11 year today.  Mark Denman was sworn in as President for the upcoming year.  The other officers for the new year are:

Cathy Reardon – Past President
Rose Henton – President-Elect
Amy Hoose – Vice President
Kathy Cooksey & Marla Bauerle-Hill – Co-Secretaries
Scott Reed – Director of Community Service
Don Rokosh – Director of International Service
Tom Mellen – Director of Club Service
Bob Bookwalter – Director of Membership
Rick Rotramel – Directory of Foundation
Amy Marchant – Director of Vocational Service
Keith Souza – Treasurer

The club would also like to thank out-going President, Cathy.  Cathy has been as source of positive energy and truly defines “Service Above Self”.  Thank you so much Past President Cathy for all the work, time and effort that you put into the President’s chair this past year.

The Danville Rotary Club hosted the candidates for the 5th Circuit Judge race.  All four candidates spoke to give their view of the office and why they should be elected.  Below are pictures and links to the candidates websites.

(In order of appearance)

Brian L. Bower  website: www.electbrianlbowerjudge.com

Matt Sullivan  website: ElectMattSullivanJudge.com

Frank Young (No website provided)

Eric J. Neumann website: www.electericneumann.com

Click the link below to download the handout from today’s meeting.

Rotary MLK 2010

Here is the text from Past-President Keith’s speech about Rotary & Dr. King.

Dr. King & the 4-Way Test

I have placed a printout that I made on your tables.  It contains a couple of different things.  First, is my favorite line from one of Dr. King’s speeches.  Secondly, the full text of his most famous speech, “I have a Dream”.  I would encourage everyone to re-read this speech today on this, Martin Luther King’s National Day of Service.

Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. King said, “The greatest birthday gift my husband could receive is if people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds celebrated the holiday by performing individual acts of kindness through service to others.”

“Service to others.”  Those words should echo louder for Rotarians than anyone else.  Our motto, “Service above Self” places in front of us the belief that we are here to serve the greater good.  We are here to put helping others ahead of our own self gain.  Today, January 18, 2010 we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King’s National Day of Service.  Making this, “NOT A DAY OFF, BUT A DAY ON.”

Every Monday we recite the 4-way test:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Reading that again, I believe that test could have been written by Dr. King himself.

Is it The Truth? – “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’

The phrase was quoted by Dr. King in his famous I Have a Dream speech, as the “creed” of the United States.

Is it FAIR to all concerned? – He spent a lifetime trying to get to the root of fairness on equal rights.  That All men are created equal.  Not just white men.  Fairness and equality is what Dr. King ultimately gave his life for.

Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? – (from his Noble Peace Prize Acceptance speech) – “I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.” I still believe that We Shall overcome!”  From “I have A Dream – I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?  Was there any doubt that what Dr. King preached would be beneficial to all mankind?  Harmony, peace, love, & equality.

In his final speech before his death, this is what Dr. King had to say about what is beneficial to all concerned through his words of peace: ”And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”  He saw what was beneficial to all.  That speech was delivered on April 3rd, less than 24 hours later, he was dead.

As we spend today celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, let us remember that the same ideals that unite us in Rotary fellowship, were principles that Dr. King spent a life time fighting for.  Ultimately giving his life for on April 4, 1968.

1.    Is it the TRUTH?
2.    Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3.    Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4.    Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Remember, make today a day on, not a day off.  Thank you.

Keith Souza,
Past-President Danville Rotary Club

This weeks presentation was Danville New Tech High School.  Information about the New Tech High School can be found by visiting their website: http://www.danville.k12.il.us/Schools/DHS_Site/NewTech/index.htm

President Cathy reminds everyone that we will be meeting next Monday.

Norht Ridge students presented their “I Will Prevent it” campaign.

On Sunday, January 17th North Ridge’s Future Problem Solvers will begin their “I Will Prevent It” campaign. They are looking to break the cycle of child abuse by breaking a world record. Join them at 1:30 in the field behind the WDAN Radio Station to simultaneously set off more than 2100 Diet Pepsi and Mentos geysers. The cost is $10 per person. You can register yourself or sponsor a student. All proceeds will be used to fund projects for Reagan’s Rescue Fund and the YFRC Women’s Shelter. For more information contact sponsor Lori Woods at lwoods@danville.k12.il.us or 444-3456. Click here for a flyer. Click here for registration and Sponsor Forms.

We would like to apologize for not being more “up-to-date” with the Rotary website.  However, it’s a new year and we are making a new commitment to keep our club members informed.  Here is a list of the meetings for the past few months.  We will return to updating meetings on a weekly basis going forward.

Oct 5 – B.J Luke -Danville Head Football Coach
Oct 12 -Dr. Thomas Halloran-Protecting yourself during flu season
Oct 19 – Marty Tarter, Plant Manager – Flex n Gate Plastics
Oct 26 -Vocational Service Person of the Year Award – Pat O’Shaughnessy

Nov 2 – Marilee DeArmond – Physical Fitness
Nov 9 – Chad Hays – Festival of Trees
Nov 16 Dr. John Mason and Darryl Jacobs – Dog Park
Nov 23 Rev Jerry Short – Thanksgiving Message
Nov 30 John Alexander and Bob Pape – Rotary World Community Service

Dec 7 – Danville High School Madrigal Singers
Dec 14 -Chris Voccio, Publisher – Commercial News
Dec 21 – Tom Gregory – Probation Department
Dec 28- Jim McManon – Chairman Vermilion County Board

Winnie, Jay’s wife gave her presentation on her involvement with the “Shelter Box”.  The Shelter Box is a tough-green plastic box containing a 10 -person tent and ancillary equipment designed to enable ta family of up to 10 people to survive for at least six months.  Shelter Box works directly with local organization in countries where disasters have occurred, in partnership with other aid agencies and through the international Rotary network.  Volunteer teams often oversee the distributions of boxes to individuals recipients, making sure aid gets directly to those people who need it the most.  If you would like more information to become more involved or help, please visit www.shelterboxusa.org.  ShelterBox USA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

Jay spoke after Winnie and explained to us his years of involvement in Rotary and what he consitutes as being a true Rotarian.  He believes to be a true Rotarian you need to make it a family event, donate time, money and realize the impact you have on others as a non profit organization.  He quoted Steven Covey ” Do unto others as they need done unto them”.  He stressed having fun with Rotary and getting your family involved.  He truly looks forward to helping others and serving our Rotary club in any way he can.

Andrew traveled to Uganda to work with Orphans.  He decided he wanted to spend 2 weeks of his summer helping those in need and went to www.idealist.org and found Uganda.  He stayed at the Orphanig with the Orphans, learned there culture and helped them build such things as goat barns. He showed us pictures from his trip that showed us everything from the vehicles used for transportation, food they ate, and how they dressed. It seems Andrew accomplished all he could in 2 weeks, and is furthering that here in the states by raising money to purchase mosquito nets to send back for the children’s beds.

Jenifer Dixon, Danville Symphony Orcherstra,  was introduced as our newest Rotary Member.

Scott Reed presented Sparky Songer from the WAR museum with a check for $5836.00 from money raised by Rotarians for the Memorial day flags put out on Vermilion street.  Sparky was very thankful.

Doc introduced our Rotary Youth, 16 year old Joe Chang (American name) “Jui-Hoiu”(Ti Name), we will be calling him “Joe”.  He is staying with Doc for 3-4 months and then Mac and Candy Leverenz.

Judge Schrownski gave us a brief history of when he started and how.  He explained that he started as a Legal in the Aid office and Judge Garman trained him.  He has had 25 years experience in Divorces and Weddings.  Out of the 25, 9 have focused on divorces and yes he has divorced many couples that he himself married. 

Paul spoke of his history as a former TV anchor for WCIA channel 3 and how he came about his new job as a Business succession planner.  He discussed how small business’s(family owned) are responsible for 80% new jobs.  His role is to set up a “plan” for these family owned businesses.  He does needs planning and provides strategic steps to help the family business move forward.

Doc Roc announced we would be getting our Rotary Youth exchange student from Tiwan.  Doc and his wife would be a hosting him as well as Mac and Candy Leverenze.  He will be starting Danville High school at the New Global House.  Doc stated that he would try and bring him to our Rotary meetings every 3 weeks if allowed.