Johnny Gwin loves his many lives. One life is being the Creative Director and Partner at Hummingbird Ideas Digital Advertising & Design Studio. Another life is learning to be the Content Creator at Deep Fried Studios, a podcast creation and media production studio dedicated to creating the most compelling and entertaining podcasts possible. And embarking on another life, Johnny is just co-founded and launched Mobile’s newest creative Downtown Co-working Club called – Container Yard.
After 15 years of his love affair with advertising and design, he, met the much smarter, taller and prettier Stacy Wellborn and luckily for Johnny, she cautiously agreed to marry him.
Johnny’s new career purpose is to successfully combine creativity, art, commerce, and the power of the entrepreneurial spirit. He believes everyone has an amazing story to share and that we can all be creative thinkers. Currently, when he is not hosting the Fan of Podcast podcast, Crusader of Cool and Pulpit To Pew, Johnny is working on a Joe Cain children’s book and – Infinite Pilgrim. Infinite Pilgrim is a book and a podcast that explores the freedom of not being a guru but explores the joy of always striving to be one.
July 21, 2016
Minutes
The Rotary Club of Mobile
July 21, 2016
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Les Greer, club president at 12:15 PM. An invocation was offered by Wayne Miller and Gordon Korb led the group in song and the pledge. Tom Martenstein then introduced visiting Rotarians and members’ guests.
Announcements: Les Greer made the following announcements:
1. A board meeting will take place following today’s meeting.
2. There will be no meeting on July 28. The Captain’s Reception will take its place at 5:45 PM at Ruth’s Chris. The Tarpon Tournament will take place on Saturday, July 30.
3. On August 3 Frank Harkins has arranged to take a group to visit Camp ASCA. Please let him know if you would like to go with them.
Program: A Visit from the District Governor – Barry Cavan
Barry Cavan, a retired employee of Montgomery’s Catholic Social Services was introduced by Ernest Ladd. Barry recognized a number of fellow Mobile Rotarians with whom he has had a good working relationship over the years.
He likened the work of Rotarians to the Good Samaritan. Rather than ask “What might happen to me if I help that injured man?” Rotarians, like the Good Samaritan, instead ask “What will happen to him if I don’t help him?” And he added how appropriate this year’s theme is: “Rotary Serving Humanity.”
Barry also reminded the group that this is the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Rotary Foundation. In 1916 it started out with $26.50 and today is in excess of $1 billion. More than $1.5 billion has been spent on projects around the world, he said, with some 2.5 billion children immunized against polio. This year reported cases of polio are down to just 17 worldwide from a high of 385,000.
Les thanked Barry for speaking today and presented him with a certificate noting that in his honor a donation has been made to Rotary International.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 12:55 PM.
Tom McGehee
June 23, 2016
Minutes of the Rotary Meeting – June 23, 2016
By: Henry R. Seawell, IV
Invocation, Song, Music and Pledge
Robbie McClure called the meeting to order. Steve Dill gave the invocation. Rotarians engaged in a remarkably well-orchestrated, a cappella version of the National Anthem.
Introduction of Guests and Visitors: Tom Martenstein.
Announcements: Rotarians were reminded of the Passing the Gavel Ceremony, which took place on July 14th.
Program
Speaker: Pamela Patterson, Executive Director of Distinguished Young Women, was introduced by Rob Diehl.
Distinguished Young Woman, formerly America’s Junior Miss, has been a vital part of the Mobile landscape for 59 years. Pamela “Pam” Patterson presently serves as Executive Director of Distinguished Young Women. Her interest in the organization began when she and her family opted to act as a host family. The competition was held from June 23 – 25 and featured 51 contestants, one from each state and the District of Columbia. Tara Moore from Easley, South Carolina won this year’s event.
Distinguished Young Women seeks to promote scholarship, leadership and talent. These extraordinary young ladies are quite accomplished; several of them have already started their own non-profit organizations. In addition, this year alone, more than $2 Million in cash scholarships have been awarded to the contestants. The academic prowess of the ladies is equally impressive, with an average contestant ACT score of 32.
The Distinguished Young Women footprint is rather large. According to Patterson, over the 59 years of the program’s existence, more than 745,000 people have participated in the program in some manner, whether as a contestant, host family, volunteer or otherwise. Interestingly, the largest feeder program for the finals in Mobile is located in Idaho. There are 411 state and local programs throughout the country that offer candidates an opportunity to compete. The competition also introduces very talented young women to the Mobile area. Apparently, they like what they see, as 6 state winners are presently attending the University of South Alabama and 37 state winners are enrolled in an Alabama institution of higher learning. Pam is to be congratulated for the excellent work she is performing for Distinguished Young Women to carry on the tradition of excellence for this local gem.
The meeting was adjourned.