Danville IL Rotary Club

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.

Bob spoke on the Danville Public School Foundation.  The foundation was founded in 1989, and is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation which is governed by a board of local community members and operates independently of Danville School District #118.

The Foundation seeks to raise private funds to support new and creative educational programs in the Danville Public Schools beyond those supported by tax dollars.  The Foundation does not replace public tax dollars, but uses private funds to add value to the investment made by the community.  Each year teachers can apply to the Danville Public School Foundation for funds to help support innovative educational programs in their classroom.

Bob also announced that the Danville Public School Foundation’s Pebble Beach Golf Raffle will be held October 17, 2009, Turtle Run, 332 E. Liberty Lane. The event starts at 1:30 PM.  Tickets are $100 and there will be  Food and Cash Bar.  Only 400 tickets are sold, Grand Prize, Other prizes to be awarded, Winners are responsible for any applicable Taxes, Decisions of Raffle Committee is final.  Proceeds help support innovative educational programs for the children at District 118 Schools.

Any questions in regards to the Danville Public School Foundation may be sent to: Bob Richards, Executive Director, 516 N. Jackson Street, Danville, IL 61832, 217-444-1044, 217-304-2238 or brichard@danville.kl2.il.us.

Jim Anderson did our Prayer, pledge, & 4-way test.  Dan Laughner introduced our two guest.  Keith Souza took the podium for his final fellowshp of the month.

The club presented a $400 check to clubmember, Alice Kirby from Project Success.  It was a donation that the club made for the Fill-A-Buster fundraiser.  They are gathering school supplies to be distributed to area school kids than need assistance.

Our speakers for today were Julius Coe and Randy Lillard from the Americorps VISTA program.  They are working with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Vermilion County for the summer. They described the programs that they have been working on this summer while at BBBS.  Young Men Aware is an outreach project of Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vermilion County and Danville District #118.  The program teaches young men to be more responsible and to learn to bring positive changes in their lives.  The group has taken 2 field trips this summer.  One was to the Indianapolis Art Museum and the other to the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield.  Americorps was started in 1965 and to date over 180,000 people have served.  Currently 6500 people work through this program.  For more information on Big Brothers/Big Sisters, please click here. For more information about Americorps, visit: www.americorps.gov

Our prayer, pledge, & 4-Way Test was delivered by Tonya Hill.  Keith Souza took care of a brief fellowship presentation.  President Cathy reminded everyone that board meeting is the next day.

Our speaker today was Mayor Scott Eisenhauer.  Scott brought us up to speed on what is happening in the City of Danville.  He noted that the city is facing several housing issues related to Section 8.  He talked briefly about the budget & new Finance Committee.  He noted that the city was early to budget cuts this year knowing what was coming down the pipe.

Tonya Hill presented our Prayer, Pledge, & 4-Way test.  Keith Souza led fellowship in a game of “Name That Tune”.

Our speaker today was Sunrise Rotarian, David Garver.  Dave is involved in the Danville Art League.  He spoke about the donation to move the old Red Cross builing accross the street to some donated land rather than having it torn down.  He explained how much more space the group would have and what funds have been raised to cover the moving expense.  For more information on the Danville Art League, click here.

Today was the final meeting of the club for this year.  The new officers will be installed next week.  President Keith took care of prayer, pledge & 4-way test.  He also introduced our speaker.  President Keith had everyone sign the flag for this year.  Tom Chamberlin finished up his last week of fellowship.  Thank you again, Tom for taking care of that this month.

Our speaker today was fellow Rotarian, and new District #118 Superintendent, Mark Denman.  Mark has served in the following roles during his 34+ year tenure with the district:

Grade 7 teacher, East Park Jr High/Middle School, 1975-1983, Principal, Daniel Elementary School, 1983-1987, Principal, East Park Elementary School, 1987-1994, Principal, North Ridge Middle School, 1994-2001, Principal, Danville High School, 2001-2004, Associate Superintendent of Schools, 2004-2009, Superintendent of Schools, beginning July 2009.  Mark gave us an overview of the state of the district and he looks to begin his new position as superintendent in a few days.  The district has continued to improve benchmark standards set forth by the federal government.  While they face several challenges, he’s also very excited about the changes happening in the district.  Information on Mark (and district #118) can be found by clicking here.