March 25, 2003
NEXT MEETING, MARCH 31… We’ll hear from
the Rotary Group Study Exchange people from India.
LAST MEETING, MARCH 24… Rica Payton, Executive Director, Division of Medicaid, gave us a precise overview of the situation her department faces in Mississippi. On the one hand, more than 709,000 citizens of the state depend on Medicaid for their health care, about half of whom are children. This is about 25% of the state’s population. On the other hand, every dollar spent by the state is matched by $3 from the federal government. Her department’s budget last year was more than $2.8 Billion. Ms. Payton gave us a number of statistics to show what a vital program this is, not the least of which is its economic impact on the state. Medicaid supported, directly and indirectly, more than 85,000 jobs in the state last year. Thanks to Al Sage for arranging and introducing this program.
WELCOME TO
NEW MEMBERS… number
31 and 32 of this Rotary year. Introduced to the club at the March
24 meeting were…
Mike Walker, Regional Director-External Affairs with BellSouth. Mike
was introduced by his proposer, John McCullouch.
Chris Hoyt, Vice President and Regional Manager, MMC Materials. Chris
was introduced by his proposer John Laws III.
YOUR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS… has
approved the following new member proposals. If no objections are received
within seven days, they will
be introduced to the club as new members:
Brad MacNealy, President, MacNealy Properties, Inc. and Owner, Lake
Dawson Plantation. Brad was proposed by Bob Berman.
Will Mayo, Vice President-State Governmental Affairs, Entergy. Will
was proposed by Charles Bryan.
POLIOPLUS REPORT… District Chairman Lewis Lipscomb announced on March 24 that we have thus far raised $20,182 toward our club goal of $22,000. A number of checks have come in since that number was determined, so we’re really very, very close to our goal. Be sure to get your contribution in and put us over the top!
PRESIDENT’S CORNER… I am very proud of the contributions
that have been made by our members to the PolioPlus Campaign this month.
With one more Monday to go, I am confident that we will exceed our goal
of $22,000. Since my name has been changed from “President Howard” to “Reverend
Howard,” I am still soliciting donations. So, if you haven’t
made your contribution, it’s still not too late! Remember, you
can bring your check to the meeting and save a stamp! Thank you very
much for your assistance. – Howard