Today's program was one of the most interesting and thought provoking we have seen. Cdr. Mark Gough is a Navy Officer, who was assigned to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to head up a training detachment. He told us a little bit about the role of the Navy in helping to train the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. He told us a lot more about Saudi culture, and how there is a huge number of young Saudis growing up right now, with less respect for western culture and more enthusiasm for fundamental Saudi culture. Many of their parents we in the generation which was allowed to study in the US. The parent generation views us in a more favorable light.
Due to a restriction in visas and exchange student programs, more and more Saudis have sought higher education in Europe, Beirut, Jordan or other countries. I hope you were there Thursday for Mark's talk. If you missed it, you really missed a good one - just ask the 20 or so folks that had questions for Mark as he finished up! The good news is that organizations like Rotary have sponsored international exchange groups, and at least we are contributing to a more peaceful dialogue.
Since I've gone on with my editorial about the program, let me just give you the rest of the meeting notes in condensed format.
Groaner - Roger Nicholson - a bunch of good one-liners!
Prayer - Kevin Ryan - nicely done!
Pledge - Don Gregory - great to have you back, Don! Our hearts are with you.
4 Way Test - Bobbye Carroll - Thanks, Bobbye!
Happy Dollars - Lots of them today, the most Notable was Jerold Hall with 3 Happy Dollars for the SubWest Scholarship Boat Show which will be held at CORDOVA MALL this year!! More details soon.
Birthday Dollars - Huntley Johnson and Tim Couch both came through with there EREY contributions to help stamp out polio. Way to go guys!
Visitors and Guests were introduced by Courtney Peterson. Charlie Haas had Jennifer Chism as his guest, and Al Swan had his Fiance as his guest! We had 4 visiting Rotarians; Judge Terry Terell, Vince Currie, Dan Livingston, and Leon Hirsh.
Woolly - Skip Dennis fleeced us again with a question about the recent historic inauguration of President Obama. Skip says someone else will be the Woolly next time, wonder who???
Raffle - Only 19 cards remaining, and $553 in the pot! Betty Wasson won the drawing, but did not pull the lucky card. Thanks for rolling your $10 consolation prize into the pot for next time!
Contributions - The club had a chance to get double credit (take pressure off for next year), by making its $5,000 Take Stock in Children contribution early. Our own Laverne Baker is instrumental in this effort, and she and Dick made an additional contribution to make this happen! Many Thanks for your leadership and generosity, Laverne and Dick Baker!
Membership - The board had a stand-up meeting after the regular meeting, and approved Mark Smith and Charlie Stokes. We hope to welcome them into the club next week!
Reminders - RSVP by Monday, January 26th with Alecia Overman if you want to go to card night. Sounds like a very good time, I hope to see you there!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Meeting Notes 1/14/09 - Dr. Jill Stein - NROTC
Today's meeting was a wonderful reunion of some members who have been away for holidays or other, more sobering reasons. We were glad to see all of you again! The meeting got started with Bill Sheffield helping to define the meaning of the word Groaner (I can't remember the joke - but it has something to do with a piano concert and it sure did bring the groans). Greg Threadgill then added dignity to the meeting with a beautiful opening prayer, Jay Overman lead us in the Pledge to our Flag, and Rick Lambert lead us in the 4 Way Test.
Greg then gave a few happy dollars to commemorate the sale of his company, his alleged "retirement" and the birth of his baby girl, Emma Greer! There were lots of other good Happy Dollar stories, but I don't think any of them matched Greg's trifecta. Johnny "sure I'll help out the Sgts. at Arms" Fayard then came up to introduce our visitors and guests. We had three visiting Rotarians, Richard Peterson from Pensacola North, and RP Doyle and Jeff Lewis from the Downtown club. We had four fine guests today, Pastor Joe McNulty - guest of John and Jill Stein, and 3 others who are my guests; Mark Smith, David Williamson, and Charlie Stokes - who are all managers of local Wal-Mart stores. They know Tracy Dickerson and are interested in getting involved in the same manner that Tracy did. You may remember that Tracy was New Rotarian of the year for SubWest last year, so we welcome their participation!
Skip Dennis was our Woolley Booger today, and wasted no time fleecing the group for the benefit of the Rotary Foundation. I think he busted us for our New Year's Resolutions. Thanks, Skip...
The raffle is getting pretty significant these days, with the pot approaching $600. Wendy Simon had the correct red ticket (again!), but did not pull the Ace of Spades. She generously rolled her $10 consolation prize back into the pot. Thanks, Wendy.
This week's program was Dr. Jill Stein, who is in charge of all the Navy ROTC programs on college campus' in the US. Jill had some very interesting information about the changing political acceptance of ROTC programs in general, and reflections about the unique nature of the future officers of our Navy. Jill is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and she let us know that she represents Rotary to others when she travels on NROTC business. Made me stop and reflect - do I wear my Rotary pin and tell others about Rotary?
Next week's program is a highlight of our Military Month special. We will hear first hand accounts of combat on the ground in Iraq. I appreciate John Stein's hard work at setting up interesting and diverse programs for us this year. We have neglected our military brothers and sisters in recent years, and with two wars going on right now, this is a very timely topic. John has gone the extra mile to book some Rotary specific programs and SubWest specific programs in the near future. Here is a partial list of what we have to look forward to:
05 Feb - Bill Cadwallader -- Infant Mortality and Maternal Health - This is a medical doctor who is going around the country, giving these lectures on behalf of RI. He is addressing the very topic that RI President DK Lee is focused on this year. I am really looking forward to hearing what he has to say.
19 Feb - Mardis Gras Party
28 Feb - Harold Furkois - Veterans Upward Bound
05 Mar - Gulf Power a "After the Storm"
02 Apr - Core Values Awards
07 May - no meeting - CROP Ethics in Business Awards
28 May - Laura Hill - Festival of Five Flags
25 Jun - Change of Command
See you at SubWest!
Greg then gave a few happy dollars to commemorate the sale of his company, his alleged "retirement" and the birth of his baby girl, Emma Greer! There were lots of other good Happy Dollar stories, but I don't think any of them matched Greg's trifecta. Johnny "sure I'll help out the Sgts. at Arms" Fayard then came up to introduce our visitors and guests. We had three visiting Rotarians, Richard Peterson from Pensacola North, and RP Doyle and Jeff Lewis from the Downtown club. We had four fine guests today, Pastor Joe McNulty - guest of John and Jill Stein, and 3 others who are my guests; Mark Smith, David Williamson, and Charlie Stokes - who are all managers of local Wal-Mart stores. They know Tracy Dickerson and are interested in getting involved in the same manner that Tracy did. You may remember that Tracy was New Rotarian of the year for SubWest last year, so we welcome their participation!
Skip Dennis was our Woolley Booger today, and wasted no time fleecing the group for the benefit of the Rotary Foundation. I think he busted us for our New Year's Resolutions. Thanks, Skip...
The raffle is getting pretty significant these days, with the pot approaching $600. Wendy Simon had the correct red ticket (again!), but did not pull the Ace of Spades. She generously rolled her $10 consolation prize back into the pot. Thanks, Wendy.
This week's program was Dr. Jill Stein, who is in charge of all the Navy ROTC programs on college campus' in the US. Jill had some very interesting information about the changing political acceptance of ROTC programs in general, and reflections about the unique nature of the future officers of our Navy. Jill is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and she let us know that she represents Rotary to others when she travels on NROTC business. Made me stop and reflect - do I wear my Rotary pin and tell others about Rotary?
Next week's program is a highlight of our Military Month special. We will hear first hand accounts of combat on the ground in Iraq. I appreciate John Stein's hard work at setting up interesting and diverse programs for us this year. We have neglected our military brothers and sisters in recent years, and with two wars going on right now, this is a very timely topic. John has gone the extra mile to book some Rotary specific programs and SubWest specific programs in the near future. Here is a partial list of what we have to look forward to:
05 Feb - Bill Cadwallader -- Infant Mortality and Maternal Health - This is a medical doctor who is going around the country, giving these lectures on behalf of RI. He is addressing the very topic that RI President DK Lee is focused on this year. I am really looking forward to hearing what he has to say.
19 Feb - Mardis Gras Party
28 Feb - Harold Furkois - Veterans Upward Bound
05 Mar - Gulf Power a "After the Storm"
02 Apr - Core Values Awards
07 May - no meeting - CROP Ethics in Business Awards
28 May - Laura Hill - Festival of Five Flags
25 Jun - Change of Command
See you at SubWest!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Meeting Notes 1 8 09 - Hospital Ship Mercy
Hi All!
Welcome back from our 3 week hiatus since the Christmas Party. John Boivin got us going today with a Groaner about a Marine and some of his friends on an airplane, then Moses Atwood brought dignity to the meeting with a beautiful prayer for the New Year, our New President-Elect, and all Rotarians. Bill Sheffield then lead us in the Pledge to our Flag, and Jay Overman lead the 4-Way Test. Thanks, guys!
I started off the Happy Dollars with a celebration of the New Year, but Laura Snow topped me with 5 happy dollars at her relief that we won't have poker games at the dog track. There were several other happy dollars, including a set of 5 from Huntley, who made us all laugh as only he can do!
As Laverne Baker came up to introduce our visitors and guest, I thanked everyone for their cards and emails and for attending Bill Henderson's funeral. It was a great SubWest turnout (Ted, Jerold, Ferd, Tom J., Bob Stone, Fritz, Bill Spain, Mike and Sam Marshall, and probably some others I've forgotten - just email me and I'll add you in). The Air Force Color Guard did a beautiful job as did the preacher. I'll do a separate blog entry on Bill with some of the photos we used in the Celebration of Life brochure we passed out at the service.
Laverne introduced our 2 visiting Rotarians; Tom Vaughn form Gulf Breeze and Jerry Black for Spruce Pine, NC and Courtney Peterson's guest; Scott Harding.
Charlie Peppler then gave us an update on Guiliana and the International Project that Trisha and he are leading the way on. They need about 100 pounds of school supplies to add to the backpacks she is soon taking to Costa Rica. Contact Trisha directly to get you contribution to her. She's also like toothpaste and brushes and I think some of our SubWest dentists have been asked to contribute.
We got the official word today that the District Simplified Grant for this project has been approved, for $2,100! As a result of the grant application process, we will also receive $1,380 in SubWest District Designated Funds (DDF) PLUS 3 other clubs are giving us some of their DDF money! The other clubs are; Panama City Beach with $1,000 (wow, thanks!), Pace Rotary $620 (thanks Ed Carson if you see him!), and Tri-Cities Rotary with $200 (much appreciated!). We really owe Christine Isham a lot of thanks from both a club and district perspective. She made the whole thing happen for the district, and a a result, many people will receive much more help through Rotary projects than anticipated this year. Good Job, Christine!
Skip Dennis then did the Wolley and basically found a way to collect from all of us. Good job - Skip! Fast and efficient!
Bob Stone won the drawing and with only 21 cards remaining, had a chance at the $510 in the pot, but pulled the 10 of clubs and generously contributed his $10 consolation prize back to the foundation.
John Stein then introduced our guest speaker, Lt. David Deikus (sp?) who told us about his experiences offering medical missions of Mercy aboard the hospital ship. He had photos of the countries he visited and some of the folks they helped along the way. A wonderful mission and nice first-hand description of what life is like on one of these deployments.
John, thanks for another great program! I can't wait to see you all again next week...BC.
Welcome back from our 3 week hiatus since the Christmas Party. John Boivin got us going today with a Groaner about a Marine and some of his friends on an airplane, then Moses Atwood brought dignity to the meeting with a beautiful prayer for the New Year, our New President-Elect, and all Rotarians. Bill Sheffield then lead us in the Pledge to our Flag, and Jay Overman lead the 4-Way Test. Thanks, guys!
I started off the Happy Dollars with a celebration of the New Year, but Laura Snow topped me with 5 happy dollars at her relief that we won't have poker games at the dog track. There were several other happy dollars, including a set of 5 from Huntley, who made us all laugh as only he can do!
As Laverne Baker came up to introduce our visitors and guest, I thanked everyone for their cards and emails and for attending Bill Henderson's funeral. It was a great SubWest turnout (Ted, Jerold, Ferd, Tom J., Bob Stone, Fritz, Bill Spain, Mike and Sam Marshall, and probably some others I've forgotten - just email me and I'll add you in). The Air Force Color Guard did a beautiful job as did the preacher. I'll do a separate blog entry on Bill with some of the photos we used in the Celebration of Life brochure we passed out at the service.
Laverne introduced our 2 visiting Rotarians; Tom Vaughn form Gulf Breeze and Jerry Black for Spruce Pine, NC and Courtney Peterson's guest; Scott Harding.
Charlie Peppler then gave us an update on Guiliana and the International Project that Trisha and he are leading the way on. They need about 100 pounds of school supplies to add to the backpacks she is soon taking to Costa Rica. Contact Trisha directly to get you contribution to her. She's also like toothpaste and brushes and I think some of our SubWest dentists have been asked to contribute.
We got the official word today that the District Simplified Grant for this project has been approved, for $2,100! As a result of the grant application process, we will also receive $1,380 in SubWest District Designated Funds (DDF) PLUS 3 other clubs are giving us some of their DDF money! The other clubs are; Panama City Beach with $1,000 (wow, thanks!), Pace Rotary $620 (thanks Ed Carson if you see him!), and Tri-Cities Rotary with $200 (much appreciated!). We really owe Christine Isham a lot of thanks from both a club and district perspective. She made the whole thing happen for the district, and a a result, many people will receive much more help through Rotary projects than anticipated this year. Good Job, Christine!
Skip Dennis then did the Wolley and basically found a way to collect from all of us. Good job - Skip! Fast and efficient!
Bob Stone won the drawing and with only 21 cards remaining, had a chance at the $510 in the pot, but pulled the 10 of clubs and generously contributed his $10 consolation prize back to the foundation.
John Stein then introduced our guest speaker, Lt. David Deikus (sp?) who told us about his experiences offering medical missions of Mercy aboard the hospital ship. He had photos of the countries he visited and some of the folks they helped along the way. A wonderful mission and nice first-hand description of what life is like on one of these deployments.
John, thanks for another great program! I can't wait to see you all again next week...BC.
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