1. (Click here to go to our website) Call to Order – President Ted Gonsiorowski called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Invocation – Sam McGrew gave a prayer delivered to the Illinois State Senate by Rev. Tony Ahlstrom, Director of Plymouth Foundation,

3. “Oh God, help us! We are a nation of too many laws! We are quick to restrain the lawbreaker, but it is we the lawmakers who must be restrained before the United States overdoses on lethal amounts of legistlation, regulation, and litigation. We know that too much food does not end in health, but in obesity. We know that too much wine does not end in cheer, but in drunkenness. Too much work causes fatique; too much leisure, poverty; too much freedom, anarchy. But we haven’t learned too many laws do not end in order, but in chaos. Eternal and Righteous Judge, through Moses, you gave us ten laws with no loopholes. Help us to see that our salvation is not in the drafting of new laws but in the keeping of the old ones. Amen.”

4. Vittles – Beef and noodles, gravy, mixed vegetables, salad and toppings, rolls and butter, coconut cake, tea and coffee. Attendance – 22 members, 2 visitors. Guests – Larry (guest of Fonda Bowden); Megan Hallden (guest of Ben Turpin). Birthdays – No birthdays. Lions Report – Bob Anderson, former member, has alzheimers. Dave Hunter is not feeling well. If you are ill or know a fellow Lion that is under the weather, please call Pat Bryan at 586-4535.

5. Jim Smith will have to start chemotherapy again. Lottery – Fonda Bowden won the $11 lottery.

6. Announcements – Ted Gonsiorowski announced the Candy Jamboree in Arcola in August; Candy Day Oct 19-20; that dues were handed out last week. More attendance awards were given out: Pat Bryan; Jay; Lew Laymon; Charlie Osborne. Lew Laymon will have a 90 th birthday party Aug 11 th, 2-5pm at the First Baptist Church. Please let him know if you will attend.

7. Program – Charlie Osborne introduced Dr. William (Bill) Perry, President of the Eastern Illinois University. He received his MA and PhD from University of Illinois.

8. Dr. Perry was a faculty member at Texas A&M in mathematics and then became an administrator. He came to EIU in 2007. He and his wife, Linda, reside in Charleston.

9. He serves on the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Coles Together Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Dr. Perry started out talking about the benefits of receiving an education and the service provided by EIU students.

10. EIU enrollment is 11,200, with a 15:1 student to faculty ratio. They are in the top 5% in the country for graduating PhD students; top 10% of Green Campuses. They generate all their steam using biomass. top 15% for being military friendly;

11. 84% of students are working in the area they studied in college and many went on to graduate school. Seven years out of college and there is 99% satisfaction rate among their Alumni. The School had a Goal of raising $50 million, and they are now at $58 million; finishing 2 years early and 20% over goal. Students participate in competitions and are doing very well. They have online courses and programs and all courses are taught by their own faculty.

12. Their athletes ended with a better than 3.0 average. Faculty are expected to be scholars as well as good teachers. State funds make up only about 25% of their budget. PS – Your friendly Chatter publisher has two children with Masters degrees from EIU.

13. Tail Twister – Omer Benn asked Sam McGrew to carry the bucket. He then fined Fonda Bowden for having won the lottery; and Weldon Garrelts for something or other.

14. He then auctioned Marvin’s Garden vegetables to hungry Lions.

15. Ravi Challa watched in amazement,

16. And good ol’ Rex Hess took notes.

17. Aug 1 - Judge Heidi Ladd - Structure of the Court System in Champaign County Greeters: Paul Hendren and Jay Hoeflinger Aug 8 - Joan Dixon – Community Foundation CEO Aug 15 - Jim Lorr – Urbana Acupuncture Let Charlie Osborne know what you would like to see in a Lions Club program Coming up

18. Thank you for watching Editor Rex Hess Publisher David Hunter To email Dave with your comments, click here → hunter4000@comcast.nethunter4000@comcast.net To go to the our website, click here → http://www.champaignlions.org/http://www.champaignlions.org/