July 27, 2004

NEXT MEETING, AUGUST 2… our speaker will be Jay Moon, with the Mississippi Manufacturing Association.

LAST MEETING, JULY 26… Dr. Warren Jones, Executive Director, Division of Medicaid, gave us an excellent overview of his organization, and of the challenges they’re facing. The biggest: a full 25% of all Mississippians are dependent on Medicaid, and that number has grown 50% in the last four years. Dr. Jones has established three major initiatives to get at the problem: leveraging drug costs, offering examinations to prospective beneficiaries, and determining needs in face-to-face meetings. He emphasized that nobody is going to “fall between the cracks,” and, despite budget problems, people will not be left behind. Thanks to Al Sage for arranging and introducing this program.

DON’T FORGET… to wear your best smile next week. Our official photographer, Gib Ford, will set up his cameras at our meeting location after the August 2 meeting to take photos of new members and those whose photos are at least ten years old.

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:
• Dr. Ken Harmon, Dean, Else School of Management, Millsaps College. Ken was proposed by George Harmon (no relation).
•Joan Marie Kaye, State Director of Business Development, Audubon Mississippi. Joan Marie was proposed by Sherry Murphy.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER… number three of this new Rotary year. Introduced to the club on July 19 was…
•Jonathan Lee, President, Mississippi Products. Jonathan was introduced by Johnnie Esters, subbing for proposer Gloria Johnson.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… Three things that I would like to remind you about. One, Barbara Dorr's Community Service Committee is preparing to have a "sign-up" table for our upcoming Centennial Project (partnership with the Barksdale Reading Institute) in about 2 weeks. Volunteers are needed, so be prepared to join her committee as a volunteer to help needy K-3rd graders learn to read. Next, thanks to Carol Burger for highlighting one of our Mentor Scholars, Quint Withers. It is great to see the "ripple effect" of our Mentor Scholarship Program. Without your continued support, this major club program would not be possible. Third, your Board met and decided to further explore the possibilities of initiating an international service project. Lee Paris' committee will be providing additional information for consideration in the days to come. Stay tuned for more on this topic. Finally, welcome to Jonathan Lee, the newest member of our district's "flagship" club. - Yours in Rotary, Danny