November 2, 2004

NEXT MEETING, NOVEMBER 8… our speaker will be General Harold Cross of the Mississippi Air National Guard.

LAST MEETING, NOVEMBER 1… Chief Robert Moore of the Jackson Police Department gave us the facts about crime in the city. Since 1994, there’s been a 42% drop in the number of crimes reported – and the Chief predicts another 21% drop by the end of 2004. If so, it’ll match our 1986 low. The Chief reminds us that it’s time to start rebuilding our city with a positive attitude. Thanks to Bill Allison for introducing this program.

GOLFERS, GET READY… for our annual Golf Tournament. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 16. Details later.

DON’T FORGET… our fall Rotarfest is next Monday, November 8. We’ll meet around 6 pm at the Ethnic Heritage Center, just across from our regular meeting place. No guests, no spouses, no program – just good food and good fellowship (and no cost to members). Park at the Sports Museum and use the bridge.

WANT TO SPONSOR A NEW MEMBER? Don’t delay. Our Board has decided to cap our membership at 350, and we have 344 today. If you have a potential Rotarian in mind, get the application in or you’ll wind up on a waiting list.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS…has approved the following membership proposal. If no objections are received within seven days, he will be introduced to the club as a new member:
•Herb Ivison, President, Southern Management Group. Herb was proposed by Rick Fountain.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS… numbers twelve, thirteen, and fourteen of this Rotary year. Introduced to the club on October 25 were…
•Ronnie Smith, President and Area Executive for Mississippi, AmSouth Bank. Ronnie was introduced by his proposer, Alon Bee.
• Barry Jones, Tax Attorney, Wise Carter Child & Caraway. Barry was introduced by his proposer, Louis Watson, Sr.
•George Gammon, CEO-Jackson Market, SouthTrust Bank. George was introduced by Don Paxton on behalf of his proposer, Rick Fountain.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… Most of you have probably noticed that there is a lot going on in our club these days. We have opportunities to participate in programs/events like our Centennial Project, Polio Eradication, Rotarfest on November 8th, and our Golf Tournament on November 16th. Next week you will hear about another worthy project that ties into our Veteran’s Day program. On another topic, please welcome our newest Rotarians, Ronnie Smith, Barry Jones and George Gammon….We are glad to have each one of you! One of our members, Holden Clarke, Chairman of Common Bond, pointed out a great article about his organization in Sunday’s Clarion-Ledger. Take a look at how one of our members is having a positive impact on the homeless in our community. Finally, if you know of someone who needs to be a member of our club, invite them to join us before we go on a “waiting list”. Our cap is 350 and we are very close to that number now. - Yours in Rotary, Danny