December 7, 2004

NEXT MEETING, DECEMBER 13… our speaker will be Andy Taggert, with the Mississippi Technology Alliance.

LAST MEETING, DECEMBER 6… James Cummins, with Wildlife Mississippi, described many of the ways his organization is helping conserve wetlands, grasslands and forests in our state. James has worked extensively with Senator Thad Cochran and with President Bush in instituting innovate programs that help preserve the Mississippi we know and love. Thanks to Brad Prewitt for arranging and introducing this program.

CONGRATULATIONS TO… our new slate of officers who will take over next July 1. Here’s who we elected on December 6: President: Ron Applewhite. Vice President: Stuart Kellogg. Directors: Bill Allison, Michael Caracci, Barbara Dorr, Rick Fountain, Doug Hudgins, Tom Tabereaux.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING… and you need to mark your calendar for:
¦ December 17: Ring the Salvation Army bells. Sign up next week.
¦ December 20, 9:00 am: Christmas Charities visit to two local nursing homes. Plan to go along if you can. You’ll enjoy it.
¦ December 20, noon: Children’s Christmas Party at our regular meeting time and place. Bring your family!

GOING TO CHICAGO... for the Centennial Rotary International Convention next June? It’ll be the greatest convention ever, in the city where it all began 100 years ago. If you’re thinking about going, please contact Bill Dawson very soon – advance registration is less expensive if done prior to December 31.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS… has approved the following membership proposal. If no objections are received within seven days, he will be introduced as a new member:
¦ Buddy Graves, Executive Director, American Cancer Society. Buddy was proposed by Rick Fountain.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBER… number seventeen of this Rotary year. Introduced to the club on December 6 was…
¦ Dr. Warren Jones, Executive Director of Mississippi Medicaid. Warren was introduced by his proposer, Mary Fortune.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… At Monday’s meeting, we voted for a world-class slate of officers and directors to lead our club into the year ahead. Congratulations to all who allowed their names to be nominated and are willing to serve. Several annual projects are well underway….Christmas Charities, Salvation Army, Children’s Christmas Party, COG Club, and Raffle Ticket sales. We’ve had a great early response to our targeted goal of 100% participation in the Mentor Scholarship Program. Barbara Dorr, Community Service Committee Chair, reminds us that she is accepting volunteers for next semester’s Centennial Project (partnership with Barksdale Reading Institute). As you can see, there are many ways that each of us has the opportunity to practice “service above self.”. Let me know if you need a place to participate. Finally, a great-big Rotary welcome to our newest member, Dr. Warren Jones! Yours In Rotary, Danny