April 12, 2005

NEXT MEETING, APRIL 18… Congressman Chip Pickering will be our guest speaker.

LAST MEETING, APRIL 11… Leland Speed from the Mississippi Development Authority brought us up to date on development in the state. First and foremost, he said, we need to adjust our attitude. We’re in the middle of the south, and the south has the world’s third largest economy, trailing only the U.S. and Japan. We also have the country’s two largest companies and two of the five largest banks. We need to be realistic about the future in a global economy, he said, and take advantage of some of the outstanding advantages we have – like recreation potential and waterfront availability, and take our rightful place as a leader in the new south. Thanks to Bill Allison for arranging and introducing this program.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS… has approved the following membership proposals. If no objections are received within seven days, they will be introduced as new members:
•Jim Albritton, Sales and Marketing Manager, Impact Personnel Service. Jim was proposed by Sue Cherney.
•Evangeline Robinson, Director of Institutional Advancement, Jackson State University. Evangeline was proposed by Marco McMillian.
•Dr. David Powe, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer, University of Mississippi Medical Center. David was proposed by Wally Conerly.

ROTARFEST IN TWO WEEKS… Monday, April 25 is the date for our next Rotarfest, at the Ag Museum after work. Come as early as five for drinks, barbecue, crawfish, and/or shrimp. No speaker. No spouses. No guests. The club pays the tab. What more could you want?

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… Although the Thanksgiving season is still several months from now, I’m continually reminded about my many blessings. One of them is to be associated with a great group of Rotarians, like each one of you. Many of you have made comments about what a wonderful club we are all a part of. I’m reminded about the overall team effort that makes our club the “flagship” club in our state. This time of year, as we gear up for our Mentor Scholarship interviews, thanks need to be extended to Joe Young and his committee for the time 10 to 15 of you will devote to the extremely important interview process. Also, be sure to thank Doug Hudgins for donating his printing services for the application packages. Finally, we had another member realize that somehow he had overlooked contributing to the Scholarship Program. He quickly corrected that with a personal check. Thanks to each of you for serving in your own important area of our club. Yours In Rotary, Danny