President Paula Brahan presided over the meeting. Thanks to Lynn Walton who gave the invocation and to Sean Priebe who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks also to Karen Anthony who served as our greeter today.
Because of a miscommunication Paula noted that we have two speakers today, including the District Governor. In an effort to give both an opportunity to speak she began the meeting a few minutes early.
Sean Priebe introduced Kent Oliver who was diagnosed in 2015 with Multiple Myeloma, a rare and incurable form of cancer. After months of treatment he decided he wanted to find a way to bring laughter back to folks who were suffering as he had suffered. Through the Pine Belt Community Foundation he and a group of other volunteers created the Laughs 4 Life program which generated $124,000 for cancer research and the Forrest General Cancer Center. Additionally, according to Kent, the night provided an outlet for smiles and laughter. The event is coming up again this year on August 1. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to the International Myeloma Foundation and the Cure Childhood Cancer organization. Visit laughs4life.com to learn more about the organizations supporting this event or to get involved.
Paula then introduced today’s visiting Rotarians and guests. Dennis Roquam is a visiting Rotarian from the Sunrise Club in Florida. Denny Bubrig is a visiting Rotarian from Northwest Austin. He is in the process of transferring his membership to our club. Scott Hummel has Gleynder Ellett and Sonja Wynne, William Carey students, as his guests today. And finally, Leanne Cross is a guest of Wes Brooks and is a candidate for membership.
Paula then introduced District 6840 District Governor Kathie Short. Kathie has been involved in Rotary since 2000. She says she began to “be a Rotarian” after the Katrina experience. She has participated in a number of District leadership roles and now serves as our District Governor. She has as her guest today Steve Howard, the Assistant District Governor.
Governor Short has two primary goals which she would like to see accomplished throughout the district and she is challenging all 49 clubs to help. She is asking each club to appoint a Polio Plus chair in charge of hosting one polio exclusive event this year. She is asking that each member contribute $33 this year to Polio Plus. Even if we have no new cases throughout the world next year we still have to be polio free for three more years in order to reach eradication. And when we are successful in those efforts we will then focus Polio Plus resources to fighting Post Polio Syndrome.
Additionally Short is asking each club appoint a chair of Women In Rotary and create one event throughout the year that will create awareness of the role women play in our local Rotary, our community and Rotary International.
She invited all Rotarians to attend this year’s Summer Session. It will be held on August 26 at the Long Beach Senior Center. Everyone interested in Rotary involvement is asked to register and attend.
She also asked that we mark the Dates of June 7 – 10, 2018 for the District Conference. Four districts are coming together in Biloxi those days for the largest combined district conference in our history. She also encouraged us to each get creative and involved in celebrating our club’s 100th anniversary which is coming up on March 1, 2018.
Governor Short thanked our membership for what we have done for Rotary and our community and what she hopes we can accomplish district-wide in the coming months.
Paula thanked today’s speakers and also reminded members to bring extra cash to future meetings and participate in the weekly cash give-away. Today’s winner of $21.00 is Chris Dunkley.
With no other business or announcements Paula adjourned the meeting with our motto, “Service Above Self”.