April 19, 2005

NEXT MEETING, APRIL 25… our speaker will be Larry Gregory, with the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

LAST MEETING, APRIL 18… Congressman Chip Pickering reviewed some of the work being done on our behalf in Congress. He spoke of Social Security, Medicaid, Tax Reform, the Middle East, and Energy Legislation, and answered questions on several other topics. He pointed out that Congress must address the key challenges of the next 40 years, so that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same freedoms we enjoy. He also spoke with fervor about our efforts to promote freedom in areas of the world that have long been denied it. Thanks to Bill Allison for arranging and introducing this program.

POLIO AND ROTARY… in an April 12 editorial, the Wall Street Journal lauded Rotary’s polio eradication program. It’s a wonderful editorial. Here is the last paragraph, verbatim: An economist of our acquaintance calls Rotary’s effort the most successful private health-care initiative ever. A vaccine-company CEO recently volunteered to us that the work of Rotary and the Gates Foundation, both private groups, has been more effective than any government in promoting vaccines to save lives. It’s become fashionable in some quarters to deride civic volunteerism, but Rotary’s unsung polio effort deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS… has approved the following membership proposal. If no objections are received within seven days, she will be introduced as a new member:
•Linda Raff, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Inc. Linda was proposed by Alton Cobb.

ROTARFEST NEXT WEEK… Monday, April 25, is the date for our spring Rotarfest, at the Ag Museum after work. We’ll start around six pm…

PRESIDENT’S CORNER… The next week is shaping up to be a “big” Rotary week for many of your fellow Rotarians. First, Bill Allison and the program committee continue to have excellent programs, like today… Congressman Chip Pickering. Tomorrow, your board meets for its quarterly board meeting, and later in the week, about a dozen or so of your officers and other members will attend and participate in our annual District Conference at Lake Tiak-O-Khata. One thing that will be discussed in these two meetings will be a review of our goals and objectives. One area that we still need to work on is our number of Paul Harris Fellows (PHF). I’m excited to say that we will be introducing you to another new PHF in the next few weeks. I encourage each of you to consider becoming a PHF. Any questions on the how to’s, call Bill Dawson. Finally, don’t forget to join us for the Rotarfest next Monday evening, April 25th. It’s a great time of fellowship. Yours In Rotary, Danny