March 30, 2004

NEXT MEETING, APRIL 5… we’ll hear from motivational and inspirational speaker Dr. Roger Parks.

LAST MEETING, MARCH 29… Matt Friedeman, Political Commentator, told us that when we look at the problems in Mississippi and ask “whose fault is it?” we need to look squarely back at ourselves. Matt challenged us to go where others don’t want to go, to get our hands dirty working on things, and to be the “salt of the earth.” Thanks to Stuart Kellogg for arranging and introducing Matt.

THE ROTARY SPOTLIGHT… swung around on March 29 to shine on Jeff Lundy, who was spotlighted by Larry Johnson. Congratulations, Jeff.

THE MENTOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND… benefited greatly last week. To date, we have raised a total of $49,100. While the raffle is over, it’s not too late for you to contribute. Please call Jennifer Hall at 939-8820 or the Rotary office at 352-8500 to do your part.

THE WINNERS… in our Raffle drawing were - $2,000: Bobby Welch; $1,000: Alon Bee; $1,000: Nick Harkins; $1,000: Sister Dorothea (who’s giving the entire amount back to the scholarship fund!); $500: Ray Lenow; $500: Brett Couch. Winner of $500 in the special drawing of those who purchased five or more tickets was Haden Hughes.

OUR REGULAR CLUB MEETING… for April 19 will be changed. We’ll meet at the Hilton on Friday, April 23, in association with our District Conference. Our own Thad Cochran will be the speaker. If you can attend the Conference April 21-23, please call the Rotary office at 352-8500.

WHILE YOU’RE MARKING YOUR CALENDAR… mark Monday, April 26. That’s the date of our next Rotarfest. More about it later.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER… number 17 of this Rotary year. Introduced to the club on March 29 was…
•Martin Willoughby, Attorney, Martin E. Willoughby, Jr. PLLC. Martin was introduced by his proposer, Robert Leard.

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:
•Bob Reynolds, Consultant to the Newspaper Industry. Bob was proposed by Dr. Mac Temple.
•Patrick Phillips, Senior Minister, Central United Methodist Church. Patrick, a transferring Rotarian, was proposed by Bill Dawson.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… Wow! What a great Sweetheart Banquet at the Dresden Exhibit, and the donations to our Mentor Scholarship program continue to come in. If you have not made your contribution, contact Bill Dawson today. The Barksdale Reading Institute needs tutors. If you can commit 2 hours for training and 1 hour per week for students, contact Katie Tonore in Jackson at 359-1396. - Haden