Join us for festive fun at our Christmas party on December 14th at Anna Thai. We can't wait to make memories, share stories, and strengthen bonds. Your presence will make it merrier.

We will be ordering directly from the menu that night. You won't need to pick or pay for your meal ahead of time. You will be responsible for your meal at Anna Thai.

After our meal, we will enjoy a white elephant gift exchange that promises to leave us with great memories.  For the white elephant gift exchange, please bring an item from your home you no longer want that has a value of $20 or less. It's time to turn your trash into someone else's treasure!

RSVP by sending an email to dawndecatur@gmail.com.

Dr. Juanita Morris, Civic Leadership Project Design Coordinator in partnership w/ Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Join us for an evening of inspiration and learning. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Juanita Morris, a current DAWN member, as our keynote speaker. She will be discussing the importance of civic engagement and political involvement, drawing from her experiences and knowledge gained through the Dawson Civic Leadership Institute. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community and get involved in creating positive change.

Please note the Country Club of Decatur dress code does not allow for denim or sleeveless shirts.

RSVP Here

Nicole Bateman, President of EDC of Decatur-Macon County

Join us as Nicole highlights some of the incredible things happening in our community, including Tillamook’s recent announcement. Tillamook, the fastest-growing family sized ice cream brand in the US, plans open an ice cream manufacturing facility in our community.  We will have an evening of delicious food, networking, and learning about our community at the Country Club of Decatur.

Please note the Country Club of Decatur dress code does not allow for denim or sleeveless shirts.

RSVP Here

Jared & Lindsay Storm, co-owners of Bushel & Peck Wildflowers

Jared & Lindsay are what you call "farmer-florists". They'll explain what that means, and share how they turned a small hobby garden into a sustainable business. They pride themselves on offering unique, hard-to-find blooms, old cottage garden favorites, whimsical arrangements, a seasonal floral subscription, and their customers' favorite "curated mixed bouquets" sold at local farmers markets during their growing season. The story behind the evolution of this business is one of growing, healing, and passing on the hope that comes with sowing seeds. If you know a budding entrepreneur or someone who adores flowers, invite them to join you May 13th!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bushelandpeckwildflowers

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/2844956742425643

Sally Hurst, American Chef

Join us to hear from Sally Hurst, an American Chef who currently lives and works in the Middle East! Sally will be sharing what it's like to be a working woman there and help dispel some common myths about the Middle East.

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/909338593192282

Doree Donaldson, Vice President and Erin-Rae Peace, Relations Manager

In celebration of International Women’s Day this week, we will be hearing from the mother-daughter duo, Doree Donaldson and Erin-Rae Peace! Doree and Erin-Rae come from Convoy of Hope, an international relief organization that has been providing disaster recovery and food to 20+ different countries for the last 20 years.

They’ll be sharing all about how Convoy’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative is changing the future for women and girls all over the world! Hear stories of women who have been impacted and learn how you can be part of Changing Her Story!

Website: www.convoyofhope.org/

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/786498905315283

We know our members have missed being together so much, so what better time to meet and fellowship than Christmastime? Find your favorite Christmas sweater, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and join us for our virtual Christmas party. We won’t have a speaker this month as we want to spend some time reconnecting with each other this year.

Najiba Benabess, Dean-Tabor School of Business

You constantly need to tweak, change and sometimes abandon your methods. If you've recently hit a wall in your own leadership approach, let me share with you how to lead with authenticity in the workplace and suggest alternative ways to be a better leader.

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/899788100125013/videos/1237346766631078

Amanda Phillips and Jade Cothern, Co-Leaders of Set Free Macon County

We’ve all heard of human trafficking, but we tend to think it’s happening “over there” in other countries. Join us to hear Jade & Amanda tell us what IS happening over there but also what is happening in our own backyards. They’ll wrap up by describing what Set Free Macon County is doing to fight this global issue and what you, as a member of our community, can do to help!

Websites: www.setfreemovement.com/about-human-trafficking www.setfreemovement.com

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/899788100125013/videos/361978941596220

Terrence "TAT" Taylor & Dr. Jarmese Sherrod, Director of Community Investments

Jarmese is the Facilitator of YLIA (Young Leaders in Action)

DAWN will be hosting The Community Foundation of Decatur during our September Meeting. We'll be joined by Terrence "TAT" Taylor & Dr. Jarmese Sherrod from The Community Foundation of Decatur! Tat is the Director of Community Investments and Jarmese is the Facilitator of YLIA (Young Leaders in Action) there. These two are part of the new leadership team at The Community Foundation, and we are eager to hear their vision and goals for impacting Decatur!

Please feel free to join us on our Zoom Meeting or on our main Facebook page, where our Zoom meeting will be also posted live.

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/899788100125013/videos/2712664235613348

Jennifer Dahn, Executive Director of PawPrint Ministries Comfort Dogs

Join us for a virtual tour of the PawPrint Ministries facility located on Eldorado Street. Jennifer Dahn will be sharing why dogs and their handlers are the glue that help PawPrint Ministries carry out their mission to give back to our community. Learn how the outreach has changed and what has been going on behind the scenes during our shelter in place time. Guest appearance from PawPrint Ministries first comfort dog, Payton.

Website: www.PawPrintMinistries.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/pawprintministries/

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/899788100125013/videos/305305907315080

Speaker: Amy Bliefnick, President/CEO of Macon Resources, Inc. (MRI)

Imagine going to work every day at a place where people celebrate their abilities, have a positive attitude, and want to grow into their best self. Such is the atmosphere at one of the jewels of Decatur ~ Macon Resources! President/CEO, Amy Bliefnick, will be joining us by video to share what it's like to lead and love the persons MRI serves. Due to the special opportunity presented by COVID-19, Amy will be giving us a virtual tour of their facility and discussing some of the jobs persons they serve perform for organizations in our community. Perhaps MRI could support your organization in a way you’ve never thought of? Tune in to learn more and to experience DAWN’s first virtual meeting on our Facebook Page!

To check MRI out before the meeting or follow them after, click on:

www.maconresources.org or www.facebook.com/maconresources

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/2623768211060318

Becky Newton, Owner, Wren’s Gate Garden & Studio

A "farmener" is both a farmer and a gardener! When most of us hear the word farmer, we think of combines and commodity crops, but Becky strives to do things differently! Becky grows hard-to-find, stop-you- in-your-tracks flowers in an environmentally friendly way then sells them to local flower shops, and also offers workshops and tours at her farm. She also wears the hats of small business owner, designer, and nature enthusiast. As we eagerly await spring, come discover this unique industry and get your gardening questions answered too! 

RSVP Here

Join us at 5:30 pm for appetizers of white cheddar cheese and chive buttermilk biscuits with roasted tomato butter, crispy brussels sprouts with green goddess dressing, and deviled eggs with yellow pepper sauce.  As always, the cash bar will be available while we mingle and celebrate

We will start the evening with a family style salad to share.  Our entrée choices include a vegetarian entrée of roasted sweet potato, black bean, avocado, and quinoa, sweet corn cilantro cream, a seafood entrée of linguini with mussels and chorizo cream sauce, sweet peppers & grilled scallion, or a meat entrée of shepherd’s pie, lamb, mushroom, pearl onion, peas, parsnip.  We will finish our meal with a lovely dessert of the chef’s choice.

After our meal, we will enjoy a white elephant gift exchange that promises to leave us with great memories.  For the white elephant gift exchange, please bring an item from your home you no longer want that has a value of $15 or less. It's time to turn your trash into someone else's treasure!

RSVP Here

Laura Hogan, Wellness Coach at Vita Center for Women

Tried the latest diets with little to no success? Or only successful while eating a program's food but not able to keep weight off when eating on your own? Join us to hear Laura Hogan, Wellness Coach at VITA Center for Women, describe a different approach to weight loss using the Ideal Protein Program. Laura will teach you how to find the best macronutrients for your wellness goals and share the pros and cons of fad diets. People in the Ideal Protein Program have lost significant amounts of weight and successfully kept it off a year later. Join us to see if this program could work for you!

RSVP Here

The Red Barn Kitchen is a casual, chef-driven American restaurant located in the Decatur Municipal

Airport. The seasonal cuisine is focused on responsibly sourced local ingredients highlighting the

agricultural products of Central Illinois and the culinary traditions of Midwestern farm families.

Dagan Stocks is the Chef, he has several years of experience working in kitchens all over the world. The Front of the House Manager is Alec Johnston, he is responsible for the restaurant guests have an

enjoyable experience dining in their location.

RSVP Here

Speaker: Julie Lauper, Owner of Serenity Fields Farm

Have you ever thought about turning your passion into a business?  Julie will walk us through how she turned her love of farm fresh food and connected living into a business.  As she tells us about her journey we’ll learn about her motivation, some of her ups, and some of her downs.  Today Serenity Fields is a place where everyone can unplug and reconnect with themselves and others (including animals, fresh food, and beautiful plants).  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn about this wonderful woman running a local business.

RSVP Here

Speaker: Zach Shields, Executive Director of Decatur Public Schools Foundation

For 22 years the Decatur Public Schools Foundation has provided funding for enrichment activities that inspire students, encourage teachers, and spark interests across every academic and artistic area. Over this span, individual donors and community partners have contributed more than $10 million to underwrite projects designed and implemented by teachers from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Programs such as Kids + Books = Success and Operation Calculus impact thousands of students each year. Establishment of the Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy in 2018 has introduced 200 participating students to the world of career and life opportunities afforded to young people growing up in the heartland of global agribusiness.  After hearing Zach Shields’s presentation, you’ll leave knowing the next generation is going to do great things in Macon County.

RSVP Here

Mark your calendars for this special evening! Join us at 5:30 pm for an appetizer of elephant garlic mousse with grilled breads. As always, the cash bar will be available while we mingle and celebrate.

We will start our meal with a spinach salad with pecans and mandarin oranges with rolls. Meal choices include roasted chicken with garlic cream sauce, cedar planked salmon with hollandaise sauce, or beef medallions with herbed espagnol. These entrees will be served with baked potatoes and grilled asparagus. A cobb salad with grilled chicken, avocados, roasted squash, toasted pecans, and a creamy corn & poblano dressing will also be available. Our meal will finish with chocolate cake. Since we are having a special meal, the cost is $25.

We need all RSVP's by Thursday, December 5th.

After our meal, we will enjoy a white elephant gift exchange that promises to leave us with great memories. For the white elephant gift exchange, please bring an item from your home you no longer want that has a value of $15 or less. It's time to turn your trash into someone else's treasure!

RSVP Here

Speaker: Ramona Boarders

Join us as Decatur native, Ramona Boarders, shares her life journey and the lessons she has learned along the way.  She started her career helping design the first computers in the 1940's and paved the way in non-traditional fields. Locally she has served on the Symphony Guild of Decatur for many years.  She has also managed to travel to world, having visited 69 countries.  I promise you'll leave this meeting feeling inspired to live your life to the fullest!

Speaker: Rochelle Irons, Director of Neighborhood Services, City of Decatur

Rochelle was a last minute fill in for us as our planned speaker of the night had a personal emergency.  However, Rochelle did not disappoint.  She talked about her role with the City of Decatur as the Director of the Neighborhood Services Program.  She also talked a bit about her personal life and how it's important to celebrate you!

Speaker: Tanya Andricks, CEO of Crossing Healthcare (the former CHIC Clinic)

Despite the fact that the United States spends more on healthcare than any other developed country, our life expectancy and other quality measures are much worse. How can this be? Join us as Tanya explains why and discusses new approaches that can improve the overall outlook of care. She will also share how she has implemented some of these new approaches with the medically underserved at Crossing Healthcare and the results she’s seeing. To learn more about Crossing Healthcare, visit www.crossinghealthcare.org.

 

Speaker: shelith Hansbro, Warden Women Correction Center

Join us to hear Warden Shelith Hansbro talk about the real women of the center and what is being done to prepare them for re-entry into society"I don't believe it is our responsibility to punish these women when they get here. Their punishment is their sentence, which was handed down by the judge. Now it's time for us to provide resources so they can be better when they leave and go home.”

Speaker: Tony Caccomo

National Foodworks Services (NFS) is the new incubator kitchen in Decatur located in the former Brush College Grade School. NFS has partnered with ADM to help food entrepreneurs with everything from sourcing ingredients to shipping finished goods. Their “food incubator” allows small businesses to share processing equipment and production space to lower their start-up and production costs. They can also get connected with other food entrepreneurs, such as Tony Caccomo, who has already started up a successful small food business. Join us to hear Tony explain what National Foodworks Services does and how they hope to benefit the Decatur area for years to come.