Category: Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the July 15, 2021 Meeting of The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by club president Elizabeth Stevens at 12:15 PM
Invocation: John Garrett offered the invocation.
Song and Pledge: Tommy Blankenship led the club in singing God Bless America and then reciting the Pledge.
Welcome: Tommy Blankenship welcomed guests of members.
New Member: Ryan Zarzour, CIO of the Zarzour Companies was introduced by his uncle, Alec Armbrecht. Both are descendants of Rotary Club of Mobile charter member, William H. Armbrecht, Sr.
Announcements: Elizabeth made the following announcements:
• A board meeting will take place following today’s luncheon meeting.
• Reminded members that the Tarpon Tournament is scheduled for August 7th and invited Ernest Ladd to come forward and talk about it. Ernest encouraged members to buy a sponsorship whether as an individual or business, reminding them that to date this fundraiser has raised over $250,000 for charitable causes in Mobile. A link to the site will be sent to all members. The location for the Captain’s Reception which takes the place of the 5th noon meeting will be announced shortly, he added.
• Wished happy birthdays to members with up-coming birthdays.
Program: Our District Governor’s Annual Visit
Each year the Rotary Club of Mobile is approached by the new district governor to come to our meeting and take the normally scheduled speaker’s place. Each year as a result, many members seem to have pressing business needs or vacation plans which make them unable to attend. Many of those who forgot what the program would be attend and find it a good day to “dine and dash” before the program begins. Still others use the time to check their emails, Facebook posts or send text messages. This year was no exception.
Elizabeth introduced Harry Bruce McNeal, a native and life-long resident of Dothan, AL. (our state’s Peanut Capital). Harry took the opportunity to personally wish the birthday Rotarians whom Elizabeth had just named, a very happy birthday. Neither was in attendance. He thanked Robert Greer for his leadership in the successful “Pink Pinky” fundraiser for Polio. Robert was in attendance.
Harry noted that due to covid many of the clubs in this district are struggling. One has ceased operations entirely and others have a dwindling membership where it is commonplace to have the same individual serve as president multiple times.
He said that the Rotary Club of Mobile is in a different league, terming it a very healthy one, and one he was proud of. Then he read off a list of the four members who were awarded various Rotary district awards at last week’s very well-attended meeting.
Harry then read a poem to his audience, with the adage that the dash between the dates of our birth and death on our graves is merely what we are doing on earth right now. He told the club about his tremendous pride in his wife and son who were sitting in the audience, his other children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He listed numerous boards and activities he is or had been involved with in the Dothan community, his 29 years in the healthcare industry, the many hats he wears, how he cannot say no, and the many roles he has served during his years as a Dothan Rotarian.
Then, on a bit wider scale, he reminded his audience that there are 1.2 million Rotarians in the world, and that the international president hopes that number will rise to 1.3 million. Harry reminded the group of the many worthy projects Rotary tackles worldwide ranging from clean water to polio eradication and Rotary’s service to humanity.
Keep growing membership he said and remember the motto “Each one, bring one.” Contact missing members and make them want to return, he advised. He encouraged the Mobile club to work towards 100% participation in the numerous regional and international Rotary programs and meetings offered.
Elizabeth thanked him for his inspiring program and said that a donation in his honor has been made to the Scholarship Program at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
Tom McGehee

Minutes of the July 8, 2021 meeting of the Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by club president Claire McCarron at 12:15 PM.
Invocation: Sandy Stimpson offered the invocation.
Pledge: Tommy Blankenship led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed guests of members.
A Moment of Silence was observed for the death of Honorary Member Sonny Callahan.
Announcements: Claire made the following announcements:
• The annual Tarpon Tournament is scheduled for August 7th and the Captain’s Reception will be held on the 5th, with the location to be announced shortly.
• The board will meet next week following the luncheon meeting.
• The Rotary Club of Metairie and Mid City New Orleans is having a “Big Game Raffle.” Please contact Peg for a link for further information and ticket purchases.
New Members:
• Kate Carver introduced Justine Bixler, Director of the United Way of SWAL.
• Elizabeth Stevens introduced Chris Gibson, Director of Mobile United.
• John Peebles introduced John Hoyle, PhD, President of the Alabama School of Math and Science.
Awards Presented:
Claire presented the following members with awards announced at the recent regional meeting:
1. Tommy Blankenship received the Jerry Brunson Unsung Hero Award.
2. Ann Bedsole Holmes received the J. Barton Greer 4 Way Test Award.
3. Ernest Ladd IV received the Wayne Sims Rotarian of the Year Award.
4. Robert Greer received the Polio Plus Star Award.
The board of directors of our club approved the following recognitions which were presented by Bob Chappelle:
• Past president Win Hallett was made an Honorary Member of the club.
• Claire McCarron was then presented with a pin as the club’s newest Paul Harris Fellow.
Program: Annual Passing of the Gavel
The annual Passing of the Gavel was observed with past president Russell Ladd (1970-71) passing the gavel on to the next past president until out-going president Claire handed the gavel to incoming president Elizabeth Stevens. More than 20 past presidents participated.
Claire then discussed the year just past which she said conjured up “a myriad of emotions.” The challenges of the pandemic were overcome by the successes of our club which followed through with safe in-person meetings and continued our work with student guests, scholarships and the awarding of grants – including new ones that were covid related. She noted that our membership is holding steady and that remarkably we are at about the same number of members as before covid. After thanking her board of directors and Peg, she turned the podium over to Elizabeth Stevens.
Incoming president Stevens thanked many of our members who made the past year so successful and extended a welcome to incoming board member Suntrease Williams Maynard. She said her goal is to ultimately grow the club to 300 members and said that Helene Hassell and Robby McClure have taken on the task to hold a new members’ orientation to be held at the Mobile Infirmary. She also noted the classroom which our club sponsored at Barton Academy will be ready for the August 11th opening of the new school.
After the upcoming birthdays of members were announced the meeting adjourned at 1:05 PM.
Tom McGehee

MINUTES OF THE ROTARY MEETING
June 24, 2021
By Dr. Leona Onderdonk Rowan
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Claire McCarron, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:15 p.m.
Invocation: Douglas Kearley offered the invocation.
Pledge and Welcome: Tommy Blankenship led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed members’ guests.
Student Guests: Julie Otts introduced the 2021 scholarship winners: Daisy Ferrell from Blount High School and Willoughby Hardesty from Saraland High School.
New Member: Bob Chappelle introduced new member Eliska Morgan.
Announcements: Claire reminded everyone there will be no meeting next week in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. Also, she announced that the passing of the gavel ceremony will be held on July 8th and lunch buffet service will resume on that date. Finally, Claire announced the Tarpon Tournament is set for August 7th. .
Program: Matt Head introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Sean P. Powers, Senior Marine Scientist III at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Powers earned his bachelor’s degree at Loyola and his master’s degree from the University of New Orleans. He later moved to Texas where he earned his Ph.D. in biology and oceanography from Texas A&M University. In 2003, he began his work at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and joined the faculty at the University of South Alabama.
Sean’s presentation was entitled “The Great Snapper Count”. He began his remarks by explaining that there are currently seven faculty conducting research at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Their research is global in nature and has a broad impact on marine science. The Sea Lab is awarded $4 to $5 million in grants each year. They have researched the local economic impact of red snapper and determined that approximately 1/3 of America’s recreational fishing occurs in Alabama.
Red snapper spend their lives off shore in coastal oceans and they reproduce rapidly and can live for many years. They are greatly dependent on reefs for protection and food. There are about 6.8 million pounds of red snapper living on artificial reefs. Roughly 1.2 million pounds of red snapper are harvested by recreational fishermen each year.
The federal and state governments disagree with regard to the number of red snapper as well as the number harvested. Whereas Alabama scientists maintain 110 million red snapper are in the Gulf of Mexico (based on observation), the federal government reports there are only 33 million. In either case, there is a healthy population of red snapper in the Gulf. Most are caught when they are five years old and about 16 inches. The red snapper season and quotas are set by the federal government based on historical data on harvesting.
The public can assist the effort by building artificial reefs and urging community leaders to get involved. Above all, Dr. Powers encouraged everyone to “support your local scientists”.
After questions from the floor were answered, Claire thanked Sean for speaking to our club and presented him a certificate noting that a donation has been made in his honor to the “Reach Out and Read” literacy initiative.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment: Claire announced member birthdays and reminded everyone that there is no meeting next week, but that the passing of the gavel ceremony will take place on July 8th. Claire adjourned the meeting at approximately 12:50 p.m.

Rotary Minutes
June 17, 2021
President Claire McCarron called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. Garrett Powe the invocation. Tommy Blankenship led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Blankenship also asked Rotarians to introduce their guests.
President McCarron advised a Rotary Board meeting would take place immediately following the meeting.
Garrett Williamson introduced the speaker, Dr. Alinda Guynes McGowin, a board-certified ophthalmologist with Vision Partners. Dr. McGowin is the spouse of club member and Rotary Director, Sumpter McGowin.
Dr. McGowin’s presentation was entitled, “Cataracts: Everyone Gets Them.” She began with a general overview of the anatomy of the human eye, saying it works “much like a camera.” A discussion of what causes nearsightedness and farsightedness followed, along with a description of the eye diagnosed with “astigmatism.” Dr. McGowin then provided a detailed explanation of what brings about a condition known as “presbyopia,” i.e., aging. Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the ability to focus on near objects, which begins for many in their mid-40s and beyond.
McGowin said cataracts result when the natural eye “lense” becomes cloudy with age. All people get them, at differing levels, usually by their mid-60s. Early development risk factors include diabetes, chronic steroid uses, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and genetics. Symptoms include changing night vision, blurred or double vision, and needing more light to see. According to Dr. McGowin, surgery is often suggested when changes in vision begin to impact daily living, which is different for each individual depending on their occupation and age. The surgical procedure is pain-free and takes only 15 minutes, according to Dr. McGowin.
President McCarron thanked Dr. McGowin for speaking and presented a certificate of appreciation that included a contribution to “Reach Out and Read Alabama.”. President McCarron then recognized upcoming member birthdays: June 21: Claire McCarron, Beth Stafford and Jeff Zoghby; and June 22 – Rob Diehl and Saty Putcha.
The June 24 speaker will be Sean Powers, Ph.D. / Senior Marine Scientist, III at Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Chair of the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of South Alabama, who will speak on “The Great Snapper Count.”
With no further business, President McCarron adjourned the meeting at 12:54 p.m.

Minutes of the June 10, 2021 meeting of the Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by club president Claire McCarron at 12:15 PM.
Invocation: Tom McGehee offered the invocation.
Pledge: Tommy Blankenship led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed guests of members.
Student Guest: There was no student guest this week.
Announcements: Claire made the following announcements:
• The new Roster is about to go to press. Please let Peg know of any corrections or additions to your contact information.
• The board will meet next week following the luncheon meeting.
New Member:
• Tom McGehee introduced Todd Lasseigne, Executive director for Bellingrath Gardens and Home as our newest Rotarian.
Program: Jill Chenoweth: How Money fuels Mission
Kate Carver introduced Jill Chenoweth, President and CEO of the United Way of SW Alabama. Ms. Chenoweth discussed the idea of each of us being our brother’s keeper and what the United Way is doing to help local citizens.
The United Way currently encompasses 46 agencies which serve Mobile, Clarke and Choctaw counties. She added that the need is particularly grave in Choctaw County which she described as Alabama’s “fastest shrinking county.”
A new national telephone number has been established for Americans seeking assistance from the United Way. By dialing 211 anyone can receive guidance as to which agency might best help him. Another new service is free tax preparation assistance to anyone earning under$56,000 a year, she said.
Ms. Chenoweth reminded her audience that the United Way is very involved in disaster relief and raised $328,000 for covid relief and distributed sanitizer, water, and hygiene kits. She thanked our club for our donation of masks.
After answering a number of questions our speaker was presented a certificate noting that a donation to Reach Out and Read Alabama has been made in her honor.
Claire announced just the upcoming birthdays of members before adjourning the meeting at 1:50 PM.
Tom McGehee

Minutes of Rotary Meeting
June 3, 2021
By Kathy Miller
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Claire McCarron, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:00 p.m.
Invocation and Pledge: Kathy Miller gave the invocation and Tommy Blankenship led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members’ Guests and Visiting Rotarians: Tommy Blankenship introduced Members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
New Members: Kim Garrett introduced new member, Ira Bates, Jr., and Kathy Miller introduced new member, Harris Oppenheimer.
Program: Garrett Williamson introduced Joe Gottfried, retired Director of Athletics at the University of South Alabama, who spoke on the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. He talked about the first members initiated into the Hall of Fame, including Hank Aaron, and gave an overview of other Mobile legends, both players and coaches. Of particular interest, he focused on several female members of the Hall of Fame, including Delores Brumfield White, an All American Girls Professional League Baseball player from 1947-1953, Becky Dickinson, who coached volleyball and basketball at McGill-Toolen and was one of the winningest volleyball coaches in Alabama school history with eleven state championship volleyball teams and three basketball state championships; Ann Schilling, who coaches volleyball at Bayside and has eighteen straight wins; and golfer, Susie Redman, who played on the LPGA tour for twenty years. He discussed the NCAA portal, NCAA rules regarding transfer and the impact of players not “playing through” college. In answering members’ questions, he acknowledged hearing a statistic that there were more active NFL players from the Mobile area than any other area other than the Miami-Dade area or Dallas.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment: Claire announced members’ birthdays and the program for next week. She adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Kathy Miller
Contributing Editor
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Minutes of Rotary Meeting
May 27, 2021
By Kathy Miller
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Claire McCarron, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:15 p.m.
Invocation and Pledge: Bonney Irwin gave the invocation and Tommy Blankenship led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members’ Guests and Visiting Rotarians: Tommy Blankenship introduced Members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
New Member: Tom McGehee introduced new member Alec Armbrecht.
Program: Bonney Irwin introduced member, Ariel Chavez, the owner of New Frontier Travel, LLC, who spoke on “Bolivia – From Butch Cassidy to The Last Jedi.” Ariel gave an interesting and informative talk on his native country, Bolivia. He showed a video illustrating some of the beautiful destinations in Bolivia and he described the topography of the country, which is known for mountains and mines. Approximately one-third of Bolivia consists of part of the Andes mountain range. Bolivia contains the largest salt flats in the world. There are hotels built out of salt and the salt flats inspired the scenery for one of the planets in the Star Wars movies.
Over 12 million people reside in Bolivia and approximately 60% of those are native to Bolivia. Ariel outlined the history and culture of Bolivia beginning with the Incas and the arrival of the Spanish in 1532. He described Bolivia’s primary cities, including Sucre and La Paz. He talked about the Andean women known as Cholitas who were given the right to vote in the revolution of 1952. He also described the history and importance of Quinoa to the country’s economy and arranged for Royal Quinoa, the most frequently exported, to be served at the Club’s lunch.
Claire thanked Ariel for speaking to the Club and presented him with a Speaker’s Certificate.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment: Claire announced members’ birthdays and the program for next week. She adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Kathy Miller
Contributing Editor
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Minutes of the May 20, 2021 Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Claire McCarron at 12:15 PM.
Earl Jackson offered the invocation. Tommy Blankenship led the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced the meeting guests.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Board meeting today
NEW MEMBERS
Bud McCrory, Director Mobile Area Water and Sewer introduced by Peyton Mattei
Program: Ashley Rich, District Attorney of Mobile County was introduced by Virginia Guy
Ashley Rich is the District Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit of the State of Alabama, which is the second largest Circuit in the State. She was elected in November of 2010 and has the honor of being the first female District Attorney of Mobile County. Prior to taking the over as the leader of the office she served as an assistant District Attorney for 15 years. She has tried over 155 jury trials and numerous defendants who are on Death Row in the State of Alabama.
Ashley has been awarded the Lagniappes “Nappie Award” for Mobile County’s Hardest Working Elected Official four times. She was also awarded the Mobile Baybears Community Service Award in 2013, Along with the Mobile Museum of Arts “Her- Story Award.” This year she was the recipient of The Watson Guy award at the 21st annual Drug Education Council, which recognizes the continuing tradition of helping others.
The mission statement for the DA’s office is to “Vigorously Prosecute Crime, Deliver Justice For All Victims, Supporting Law Enforcement in Seeking The Truth and Aggressively Work to Prevent Crime. Ms. Rich had a slide presentation which showed various statics around crimes, court cases and backlog in the court system. The Covid pandemic has had a tremendous effect on the courts as they significantly decreased the number of trials. Additionally, prospective jurors have been particularly hesitant to serve causing further trial delays. Ms. Rich estimates the backlog will take 3-4 years to clear.
President McCarron thanked Ms. Rich for her presentation and noted that, in her honor, a donation had been made by the club to “Reach Out and Read Alabama”
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:59 PM.
Rob Diehl

Minutes of the May 13, 2021 meeting of the Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by club president Claire McCarron at 12:15 PM.
Invocation: John Garrett offered the invocation.
Pledge: Tommy Blankenship led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed guests of members.
Student Guest: There was no student guest this week.
Announcements: Claire made the following announcements:
• The Founders’ Day Cruise will be held tomorrow evening and there are a few slots remaining.
• The board will meet next week following the luncheon meeting.
New Members:
• Elizabeth Stevens introduced Wiley Blankenship, President and CEO of Coastal Alabama Partnership.
• Virginia Guy then introduced Mike Lee, President and CEO of Page & Jones.
Program: AM/NS Calvert Update
Ariel Chavez introduced Jorge Luis Ribeiro de Oliveira, CEO of AM/NS of Calvert, AL which was built by Thyssenkrupp at a cost of $4 billion. Mr. de Oliveira updated his audience with the following facts:
• AM/NS Calvert is the world’s most advanced steel finishing facility and was acquired from Thyssenkrupp in 2014.
• The firm currently employs 1,600.
• Construction is underway of a new steel-making facility to produce slabs to be used in the existing operation.
• The new plant will create some 1,000 construction jobs and result in an additional 200 employees when completed.
• The firm has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.
• AM/NS has sold off its Midwestern locations making the Alabama facility its principal operation in the United States.
• He stressed his firm’s commitment to keeping an open dialogue with the community and has a goal for a safe and sustainable future.
After answering a number of questions our speaker was presented a certificate noting that a donation to Reach Out and Read Alabama has been made in his honor.
Claire announced just the upcoming birthdays of members before adjourning the meeting at 1:50 PM.
Tom McGehee

MINUTES OF THE ROTARY MEETING
May 6, 2021
By Dr. Leona O. Rowan
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Claire McCarron, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:15 p.m.
Invocation: Stephanie Streeter offered the invocation.
Pledge and Welcome: Tommy Blankenship led the members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed members’ guests.
Announcements: Claire reminded everyone of the Founders’ Day cruise event on May 14th. May 10th is the last day to purchase tickets for the dinner cruise.
Program: Garrett Williamson introduced the guest speaker, Gen. Janet L. Cobb, Executive Director of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. She enlisted in the US Army Reserve in 1974 and, in 1978, was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps, from the University of Alabama ROTC program. Many years later, in 2017, Gen. Cobb was inducted into the Inaugural University of Alabama ROTC Hall of Fame.
During her years in the Army, Janet commanded at the detachment, battalion, brigade, directorate/brigadier general and major general levels. Her deployments include post-Desert Storm operations at the Ports of Al Jubayl and Ab Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Operation Iraqi Freedom port operations in Kuwait. In 2012, she served in the Pentagon on the Army Staff as Deputy G-4. Her final assignment was Commanding General 81st Regional Support Command, Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Senior Commander, US Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Janet retired from the US Army in 2016 with 42 years of service. Her decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal.
Janet holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, an M.S.S. from the US Army War College, and a J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law.
Her presentation was on the history of the S.S. Drum, a museum ship located at Battleship Memorial Park. The Drum (SS-228) is a Gato-class submarine of the United States Navy, the first Navy ship named after the drum. The Drum was laid down in 1940 at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, and commissioned in 1941. Though it was the twelfth of the Gato class, it was the first to be completed and the first to enter combat in World War II. She is the oldest of her class still in existence.
The Drum was decommissioned in 1946 and in 1947, she began service in Washington, D.C. to members of the Naval Reserve in the Potomac River Naval Command, which continued through 1967. Then she was in the inactive fleet at Norfolk, Virginia until 1969. It was during that time that Bob Edington became involved in obtaining the SS Drum for Mobile.
So, the Drum was donated to the USS Alabama Battleship Commission in 1969. She was towed to Battleship Alabama Memorial Park later that year and was dedicated and opened to the public on July 4, 1969. It was moored in the waters behind the USS Alabama until she was substantially damaged by Hurricane Georges in 1998. As a result, she is now on display on shore. The U.S.S. Alabama and Drum also sustained damage when Hurricane Katrina hit the area in 2005. It is interesting to note that most of the funding for repairs and maintenance of the submarine comes from a community of American Submarine Veterans.
By 2015, the Drum’s restoration included the complete rebuilding of part of the bow and stern sections and the installation of new I-beams inside the ballast tanks to support the submarine’s overall weight. The submarine was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Today, visitors from all over the world tour the Drum and learn about the significant role she played during WWII.
After questions from the floor were answered, Claire thanked Janet for speaking to our club and presented her a certificate noting that a donation has been made in her honor to the “Reach Out and Read” literacy initiative.
Closing Remarks and Adjournment: Claire announced member birthdays and reminded everyone the meeting next week will include guest speaker, Jorge Ribeiro, CEO of AM/NS Calvert. Claire adjourned the meeting at approximately 12:50 p.m.