Author: peggy

MINUTES OF THE ROTARY MEETING

September 2, 2021

By Dr. Leona Onderdonk Rowan

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Elizabeth Stevens, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:15 p.m.

Invocation:  Kim Garrett offered the invocation.

Pledge and Welcome:   Jeff Zoghby led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Elizabeth Stevens called upon members to introduce their guests.

Announcements:  Chris Gibson, with Mobile United, offered congratulations to the class of Leadership Mobile.  Claire McCarron announced member birthdays.

Program:  Sumpter McGowin introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Terrance Smith, Director of the City of Mobile’s Innovation Team.  A native of Prichard, Alabama, Terrance began his college education at Miles and later graduated from the University of South Alabama.  He served in the Leadership Mobile Class of 2014 and he was listed in the top five of the ELGL’s Treager Awards in honor of those making the greatest impact on local government all across the country.

Terrance began his remarks by explaining he is deeply rooted in the Mobile community and never considered living elsewhere.  He thanked George Talbot and Mayor Sandy Stimpson for mentoring him and providing him many opportunities.

The purpose of the Innovation Team is to develop strategies to solve problems within the City of Mobile and surrounding communities.  This is achieved by making connections and by communicating with citizens who are most affected, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the impact of issues on both internal and external stakeholders.

Terrance said he is guided by a familiar phrase “by the people and for the people”, but cautions that government should operate WITH the people.  That begins by identifying and engaging a diverse set of internal and external partners.  Through early involvement with partners and maintaining partnerships many issues can be addressed in areas such as city services, fiscal sustainability, future focus, and growing the economy.  He explained that the Innovation Team strives to Inspire others, share different perspectives, bridge gaps through communication, support citizens, offer services, and reflect on progress that has been made as well as additional tasks to be addressed.

After questions from the floor were answered, Elizabeth thanked Terrance for speaking to our club and presented him a certificate noting that a donation has been made in his honor to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Closing Remarks and Adjournment:  Elizabeth announced that Colonel Scott Bannon Marine Resources Division Director at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be guest speaker at next week’s meeting in the Crystal Ballroom.  She adjourned the meeting at approximately 1:00 p.m.

 

Minutes of Rotary Meeting

August 26, 2021

By Kathy Miller

 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Elizabeth Stevens, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:00 p.m.

 

Invocation, Song and Pledge:  John Garrett gave the invocation and Bob Chappelle led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Announcements:  Claire McCarron announced member birthdays this week.  Elizabeth read the list of members recognized for 100% attendance during the 2020-2021 Rotary year, a copy of which is attached.

 

Program:  Michael Holland introduced Judy Haner, Director of Marine Programs for The Nature Conservancy of Alabama.  Ms. Haner’s presentation was entitled “Resoration…It’s Happening in Your Backyard.  Ms. Haner gave an overview of the work of The Nature of Conservancy, which is an international organization with over 3,000 employees worldwide.  There are twenty employees of The Nature of Conservancy in Alabama and three in Mobile.  Ms. Haner spoke about five projects in the Mobile area but said that there are hundreds of projects in which The Nature of Conservancy is involved.

 

Ms. Haner first discussed the Grand Bay Savannah, which began with 165 acres held by the State, and now consists over 26,000 acres running along the shoreline from Bayou la Batre for 120 miles to the west.  Ms. Haner described how The Nature of Conservancy approaches its partnerships when developing a project.  One of the first segments of work in Grand Bay was a controlled burn and then invasive species control.  In addition to Chinese tallow and other invasive vegetation, the property was overrun with wild pigs.  She said that they are working with the USDA on capturing the pigs and relocating them.

 

Ms. Haner next discussed Lightning Point, which is located in Bayou la Batre.  The Nature of Conservancy met with community members to ascertain what type of property use they were seeking, which included jetties for protection of the Bayou la Batre Harbor and walking paths.  The Conservancy’s first task there was removing approximately five barge loads of marine trash dating back to Hurricane Katrina.  This property also required removal of pigs and invasive species.  She said that the storms in the summer of 2020 showed that the work that has been done did what it was supposed to do: protect the harbor.  She noted that the bluff at the site overlooking the wetlands is a beautiful vista.

 

Ms. Haner next discussed the Helen Wood Park in Mobile which is located on the Bay and suffered significant damage from Hurricanes Cristobal and Zeta.  The latter storm took the entire boardwalk.  She described the Swift track, which is a contiguous property owned by the state on Bon Secour Bay.  In that area, The Nature of Conservancy is monitoring oysters, muscles, shrimp and worms.  The Nature of Conservancy typically monitors the properties every three years and after storms.  Finally, Ms. Haner highlighted the Perdido Islands Restoration and showed slides depicting how the recent storms have “remade these islands.”  She discussed the plans to reestablish sea grass protection and habitat and the need to “beef up” the islands.  Ms. Haner answered questions and thanked members.  Elizabeth presented Ms. Haner with a Certificate of Appreciation for speaking to the Club.

 

Closing Remarks and Adjournment:  Elizabeth announced the program for next week and adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.

 

Kathy Miller

Contributing Editor

 

 

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