Category: Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the January 20, 2020 meeting of the Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by club president Tom McGehee at 12:15 PM.
Invocation: Jeb Shell offered the invocation.
Visitors: Bob Chappelle introduced guests of members and visiting Rotarians.
Student Guest: Vivian Stabler of St. Paul’s School discussed the benefits she has received from her service hours at school, specifically through a program called Raise the Roof.
New Member: Our newest fellow Rotarian, Matthew Lollar, was introduced by Frank Harkins.
Announcements: Our popular Mardi Gras Parade Party is scheduled for the evening of February 20, 2020 at the Carnival Museum on Government Street. Members are encouraged to bring their families and invite potential new members.
Program: Mobile’s City of the Dead: Magnolia Cemetery
Tom McGehee discussed the history of burials ranging from the Roman custom of cremations to the early Christians’ determination to bury corpses in underground catacombs. By the late 18th century the French had found that churchyard cemeteries were overfilled and had become a health hazard ultimately leading to Napoleon’s ban on burials within city limits.
The French responded with park like cemeteries that were privately run rather than controlled by the Catholic church and the idea became popular by the 1830’s. In the U.S. a similar trend occurred as church yard cemeteries reached capacity.
In Mobile the first cemetery was Catholic and occupied a site to the west of the city – where Cathedral Square and the Cathedral are today. Conti Street’s expansion led to the occupants being moved to Church Street Cemetery which was nearing capacity by the early 1830’s.
The city purchased land well west of the city limits in 1835 and named it New City Cemetery. The current name of Magnolia Cemetery was added in 1866. After showing images of various funerary art there and explaining the symbolism, Tom discussed a number of the “residents” there and some colorful stories about them.
District Governor Skip Dotherow was introduced and commended the Rotary Club of Mobile stating that this club shines like a star in the district and to keep up the good work.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Tom McGehee

Minutes of the Rotary Meeting
January 23, 2020
By Kathy Miller
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Tom McGehee, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:00 p.m.
Song, Music, & Pledge: Matt Head offered the invocation and Larry Sindel led the Club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance. Tommy Blankenship introduced Member’s Guests and visiting Rotarians.
Student Guest: Jeff Luther introduced Jessica Coleman, Counselor at Satsuma High School. Ms. Coleman introduced the student guest, Haylee Lynd, who spoke to the club about service.
Announcements: Tom announced that the annual Mardi Gras party will take place on Thursday, February 20th at the Carnival Museum. He encouraged members to bring families and guests, including future potential members. He thanked Sumpter McGowin for making the arrangements for the party. Tom also announced that Ann Bedsole was honored by the Alabama School of Math and Science for her role in sponsoring the bill in the Alabama State Senate to establish the school and for her impact on future leaders of Alabama.
Program: Tom introduced the speaker, Pratt Paterson, Executive Director of Wilmer Hall. Pratt is a native of Montgomery and has been a member of the Club since 2016. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama and previously served as Director of Development for St. Mary’s Conference Center in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Pratt gave members an overview of the history of Wilmer Hall, which was founded by Bishop Wilmer to care for children orphaned during the Civil War. In 1867, the home was moved to Mobile and located on property donated by St. John’s. In 1914, the Diocese of Alabama purchased the 11 acres on Old Shell Road on which the home presently sits. The buildings were completed in 1916 and the home officially was named Wilmer Hall in 1948. Pratt described the present programs at Wilmer Hall. There are three residential programs: the Residential Program, for young people under the age of 18 who are still in school and do not have a place to live; the Transitional Living Program, for young adults ages 18 to 22 who are provided educational support, vocational training, and life skills training for a period of about two years; and the Transitional Family Program, for young adult mothers ages 18 to 24 with babies. Wilmer Hall also operates the on campus Education4Life Program founded in 2008 for students at Wilmer Hall. The students participating in this program have a 100% graduation rate. In 2017, Wilmer Hall added the Community-Based Education Program which offers similar educational support at Williamson Prep Academy through the Philippa Stirling Hamilton Educational Center and, in conjunction with Springhill College’s Community Service Program, at three additional middle schools through the Max Miller Education Program. The Community-Based Education Program serves between 160 and 170 students.
Wilmer Hall recently opened a fifth residential cottage for “graduate housing” and also increased capacity with the renovation of Green-Harrell Cottage. Wilmer Hall operates a delivery based food pantry which served 325 families in the nine months it was operating in 2019. Wilmer Hall has hired two licensed counselors who are on campus. Pratt answered questions from members and, at the conclusion of the program, Tom presented Pratt with a Speaker’s Certificate and a check representing a grant to Wilmer Hall from the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
Adjournment: After announcing members’ birthdays and the program for next week, Tom adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Kathy Miller
Contributing Editor
(Wd. 1156915)

Minutes of the January 16, 2020 Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Tom McGehee at 12:16 PM.
Angela Dunn offered the invocation. Tommy Blankenship led the club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance. Jeff Zoghby welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
Jeff Luther introduced our student guest Alex Everett of Saraland High School
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Russell Ladd led the meeting for election of new officers. The nominated slate of officers is:
• President: Claire McCarron
• President elect: Elizabeth Stevens
• Vice President: Garrett Williamson
• Secretary: Bob Chappelle
• Treasurer: Frank Harkins
• Director: Kate Carver
• Director: Sumpter McGowin
• Director: William Latta
• Director: Meg Fowler
• Immediate Past President: Tom McGehee
Mr. Ladd reported that there were no individual nominations received therefore the nominated slate was elected by acclamation.
The club Board will meet today after the regular meeting in the Leinkauf Suite.
Program: Pratt Paterson introduced Jim Nagy, Executive Director, Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Nagy reported on the upcoming festivities over the next week as the players begin arriving Jan. 18 and culminating with the game on Jan. 25. Nagy and his staff introduced updated marketing this year. The rebranding effort is known as “The Draft Starts in Mobile”. This is a concerted effort to spotlight Mobile in a manner similar to the 2019 draft which was held in Nashville. There were some 600,000 people in attendance in Nashville. With the introduction of new events including a Mardi Gras parade, followed by a live concert in Cathedral Square by the Revivalists on Jan. 24, a new event known as The Summit on Jan. 23 at the Saenger theater, Nagy hopes to attract many more fans to Mobile and, of course, the game itself.
The 2019 Senior Bowl had 10 first round picks which was the highest in some years. Nagy believes that number will be higher this year.
President McGehee thanked Mr. Nagy for his presentation and noted that, in Nagy’s honor, a donation had been made by the club to the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:52 PM.
Rob Diehl

Minutes of the May 16, 2019 Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Ernest Ladd at 12:15 PM. Aimee Risser offered the invocation. Tommy Blankenship led the club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance. Tommy also welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
Announcements:
• Ernest announced there would be a Board meeting immediately following the regular meeting today in the Ashland Suite.
• Ernest thanked Garrett Williamson for organizing the Rotary social at Chuck’s last night. Attendance was good.
• Ernest announced that we now have a credit card payment system in place. Email Peggy for invoice with the proper card link.
Helene Hassell introduced our newest member Sterling Boykin.
District Governor Sam Adams presented Frank Harkins with the J. Barton Greer, Jr. award. DG Adams also presented a plaque to Ken Robinson for his service as a Lieutenant Governor.
Program:Dr. Lee Smee/Chair of University Programs and Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Dr. Smee presented an interesting talk about the sea lab and the many programs there. They were formed in 1971 by the Alabama legislature to provide marine science programs for many of the state’s colleges and universities. Today, 23 member institutions partner with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to provide studies to undergraduate and graduate students. Since 1971, the DISL mission has expanded to include K-12 education, professional development, and a public aquarium. He reminded us that the ocean significantly effects weather and climate, and produces greater than 50% of oxygen. Oceans are the primary food source for 3.5billion people. Marine plants and animals are an important source for drug discovery.
Dr. Smee went on to describe the degradation of oyster reef systems globally. In fact, some 85% of oyster reefs have been lost worldwide. A supplemental source of oysters is commercial farming, which Dr. Smee seemed to be in favor of. He also thinks the farming is going well and is effective.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation supports the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in its mission, “to provide wise stewardship of the marine environment through education and research”. The Foundation provides funds to sustain the activities and programs of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
Ernest Ladd thanked the speaker for his informative update on the Sea Lab and noted that in his honor a donation has been made to the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:55 PM.
Rob Diehl

Minutes of the May 9, 2019, Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Elect Tom McGehee at 12:15 PM. Mike Loncono offered the invocation and Larry Sindel led the club in song and the pledge accompanied by Bill Oppenheimer. Jeff Zoghby welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
Announcements
• Rotary Happy Hour Garrett Williamson reminded the club that on Wednesday, May 15th from 5:30-7:30 there will be a Rotary Happy Hour at Chuck’s Fish located at 551 Dauphin Street. He reminded members that this is a great opportunity to visit with fellow Rotarians as well as to invite prospective members.
Tom McGehee made the following announcements:
• A board meeting is scheduled after the regular meeting on May 16th.
• Credit cards may now be used to pay your statement. Contact Peg for further details.
Program: Capt. George E. Krietemeyer, U.S.C.G., Ret.
Claire McCarron introduced Captain George Krietemeyer, who discussed the Coast Guard’s 200 year impact on Mobile as well as its history in the U.S. which dates back to 1790. He explained that the Coast Guard has the largest military presence in Mobile with 1,000 active duty personnel.
Presently in Mobile there are 3 Coast Guard Divisions which seek to “Support, Protect and Defend” us. He discussed just a few of the important areas handled by the Coast Guard with the first being Maritime Law Enforcement which largely consists of dealing with contraband. The Coast Guard also steps in to assist with environmental disasters, hurricanes, and is well known for its rescue operations for stranded boaters.
Capt. Krietmeyer said the Gulf Coast is covered by 5 stations stretching from Brownsville, TX to Key West and there are some 10,000 individuals involved in those operations. He added that $10-12 billion is being spent on new ships being built from Pascagoula to Panama City, FL and noted that their airplanes are all products of Airbus. Captain Krietmeyer added that he has recently written a book on the 200 year history of the Coast Guard in Mobile and that all profits will go to assist Coast Guard operations.
After answering a number of questions, Tom thanked him for speaking to the club and presented him with a certificate noting that the club has made a contribution in his honor to the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Tom McGehee

5/2/19 Minutes
Submitted by Tommy Fulton, Contributing Editor
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Claire McCarron, Vice-President.
Stephen McNair gave the invocation, followed by Larry Sindel and Bill Oppenheimer on the piano with a song and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests & Visitors: Tommy Blankenship introduced our guests along with visiting Rotarians.
Student Guest: N/A
Announcements: Credit Card Payment System in place. Email Peg for further information.
Program: Claire McCarron introduced Tom McGehee, Museum Director – Bellingrath Gardens and Home. His topic was “From Boom to Bust: A Sampling of Antebellum Architecture in Mobile from 1833-1862.”
Tom opened his remarks by saying that the 1820’s through the 1860’s was a time for growth and identity in Mobile’s architecture. The Mobile community had no love for the British, so builders and architects leaned heavily on Greek influence in its designs. This was indicative of a great period of optimism in our area.
Tom described the home previously located on the property, now inhabited by the Admiral Semmes Hotel, as the nicest in the state of Alabama. Despite the wishes of the owner, and the language in her will, the home was torn down.
In another different twist, he described the customary design for Episcopal Churches as gothic in nature. Not so here in the Mobile community. Again, it was built more along the Greek influence. Also, Barton Academy was originally built in 1839. It reopened as a “girls-only” school in 1879. Later, it became the office complex for the Mobile Public School System, and is now being prepared to host a new school for International Studies.
Our speaker regaled us with stories of personalities, including the connection to controversies such as “The Mysterious Poisoning Case at Liverpool.” The story involved Mobile native, Florence Elizabeth Chandler who married James Maybrick. Maybrick was known to be a regular user of arsenic and other somewhat poisonous medicines. He was also infamous for his many mistresses. Florence responded with some dalliances of her own.
Ultimately, she was convicted in a Liverpool courtroom of murder and sentenced to prison. After 14 years, she was released and returned to the United States.
Tom went on to describe several other interesting personalities connected to the Mobile community.
His talk included discussions of the developments along Church Street in the 1890’s, Bragg Mitchell Home in 1855, and the Greek/Italian transition involved in the current MOT Mardi Gras organization’s refurbishing on Government Street.
Ultimately, the architecture in Mobile shows a transition from Greek to Gothic to Italian influence. According to our speaker, America is still looking for its own unique theme.
After a question and answer session, Claire McCarron thanked Mr. McGehee for his presentation and presented a certificate to him, noting that a donation in his honor had been made to the Rotary International Foundation.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.

Minutes of the Rotary Meeting
April 25, 2019
By Kathy Miller
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Ernest Ladd, President of the Rotary Club of Mobile, at 12:00 p.m.
Moment of Silence: Mr. Ladd announced that Tom Martenstein, a member of the Club since 1962, passed away on April 21. He served as President in 1979-80, as Club Secretary and was recently named the Club’s First Secretary Emeritus.
Song, Music, & Pledge: Peyton Mattei offered the invocation and Larry Sindel led the Club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests: Jeff Zoghby introduced guests and visiting Rotarians.
Announcements: It was announced that the credit card payment system is in place. You can email Peg for a copy of your invoice with a link.
New Members: Kathy Miller introduced Blair Fisher, head of St. Paul’s Episcopal School as a new member.
Program: Claire McCarron introduced Meg McCrummen Fowler, Director of the History Museum of Mobile, who presented a program on “Notre Dame”. Ms. Fowler described the recent fire and the portions of the Cathedral that were damaged and those that were saved, including the three major rose windows. Ms. Fowler related the history of the building, including its original design to facilitate visiting pilgrims while mass was in progress. She talked about various additions to the Cathedral and prior renovations. She noted that, after the French Revolution, the Cathedral was ransacked and converted to a “temple of reason”. She discussed the interest in the Cathedral which occurred as a result of Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She pointed out that Notre Dame and the cathedrals in France are owned by the Government and not by the Catholic Church. She described the nineteenth century addition of the spire and additional sculptures and gargoyles and outlined the questions presented now about how the restoration as a result of the fire should be conducted. Claire thanked Ms. Fowler for speaking to the Club and presented her with a Speaker’s Certificate.
Adjournment: After announcing members’ birthdays and the program for next week, Claire adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Kathy Miller
Contributing Editor

Minutes of the April 18, 2019 Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Ernest Ladd at 12:15 PM. Sumpter McGowin offered the invocation. Tommy Blankenship led the club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Chappelle welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
Announcements:
• Ernest announced there would be a Board meeting immediately following the regular meeting today in the Ashland Suite.
• Ernest announced that Mobile West Rotary will hold the Mobile Bay Charity Golf Classic in April 24. Call Jimmy Lyons for details.
• Ernest announced that we now have a credit card payment system in place. Email Peggy for invoice with the proper card link.
• Garrett Williamson was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Program: Tonie Ann Torrans, Executive Director of Penelope House
Russ Ford introduced the speaker
The Penelope House was founded by in 1979 by the Daughters of Penelope. The mission of Penelope House is to provide safety, protection, and support to the victims of Domestic Violence and their children through the provision shelter, advocacy, and individual and community education. The house has twelve rooms and has accommodated as many as seventy two people at one time. They have a staff of approximately fifty and operate 24/7…..never closing.
There are approximately 5,000 incidences of domestic violence reported each year in our area. Statistically, only about one in four are reported. Penelope shelters 600-800 people in a given year. The location remains a secret to the general public in order to protect victims. Police officers escort victims to the home. They also have 6-8 apartments available for transitional living……….up to two years rent free to allow the victim time to get their financial life in order. The home has violence counselors for both adults and children in addition to court advocates. They do not turn any victims away.
The executive director is the daughter of the first executive director. Penelope’s budget is approximately $2.25million, of which 60% is funded by grants. Other fundraising includes the Penelope’s Closet on Old Shell Road in Mobile and various fundraising events. Urgent needs include back packs, towels, pillows, sheets, cleaning supplies, air freshener, diapers and hand sanitizer.
Ernest Ladd thanked the speaker for her informative update on Penelope House and noted that in her honor a donation has been made to the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:47 PM.
Rob Diehl

Minutes of the April 11, 2019, Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Ernest Ladd IV at 12:15 PM. Pat Edington offered the invocation and Larry Sindel led the club in song and the pledge. Bob Chapelle welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
Announcements Ernest Ladd made the following announcements:
• A board meeting is scheduled after the regular meeting on April 18.
• Credit cards may now be used to pay your statement. Contact Peg for further details.
• The club has made a contribution to Lee County Tornado Relief Fund but our website has a link should a member wish to also contribute.
Program: Steve Sorrells –FBI
Claire McCarron introduced Steve Sorrells, a Special Agent for the FBI and a member of the Evidence Response Team. Agent Sorrells discussed a relatively new concept in law enforcement: helping victims. Previously the focus had been merely solving the crime, he said.
He gave as an example the Somali pirate case in 2009 when 20 American sailors were kidnapped by pirates off the Somali coast. The final hostage was the captain and a victims specialist was assigned to be with his family in the U. S. as the situation played out. In the end the captain was rescued and 3 of the 4 pirates killed. The fourth, he added, is serving a 33 year stint in a federal prison.
Another case involving specially trained victims specialists occurred in the abduction and murder of a child in Prichard in 2014. The girl’s father was convicted but in the meantime the specialists worked with the large extended family of the child to help them get through the process.
After answering a number of questions, Ernest thanked him for speaking to the club and presented him with a certificate noting that the club has made a contribution in his honor to the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
The meeting adjourned at 12:50 PM.
Tom McGehee

4/4/19 Minutes
Submitted by Tommy Fulton, Contributing Editor
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Ernest Ladd.
Jay Turner gave the invocation, followed by Tommy Blankenship with a song and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests & Visitors: Jeff Zoghby introduced our guests along with visiting Rotarians.
Student Guest: Jeff Luther introduced Dylan Stallworth, from Vigor High School as our Student of the Week.
Announcements: Mobile West – Mobile Bay Charity Golf Classic – April 24.
Rotary Club of Mobile donated $500.00 to the Lee County Tornado Relief Effort.
Program: Suntrease Williams-Maynard introduced Richard Moore – U. S. Attorney. His topic was “The Hardest Question You Never Ask – How Am I Doing?”
Richard Moore was part of the first wave of President Trump’s nominees for U. S. Attorney. He had previously been hired by Jeff Sessions.
Mr. Moore’s primary duties include prosecuting federal crimes/offenses in our district. He has been especially effective in bringing more cases of firearm violations than any other district in the U. S., per capita. He laments the fact that so many of those convicted offenders return to the streets to quickly.
His office also handles bankruptcy, drug cases and money laundering. One of his most infamous cases was the “Couch/Ruan pill mill” prosecution. Dr. Couch and Dr. Ruan were sentenced to 240 months and 252 months for mis-prescribing opioids.
Mr. Moore described the conditions in Alabama’s prisons as “barbaric” and in violation of the 8th Amendment. The prisons are understaffed and gang-ridden. This has led to the outcome that our inmates are much more likely to commit more crimes after being released.
Mr. Moore’s said that his office presented an honorary “Chair” to Jeff Sessions. He has great admiration for Jeff and says he is one of the most respected men by his peers in the country. “Jeff had done more to promote President Trump’s agenda than any other Cabinet member”, said Moore. Major crime came down under Sessions because of the idea that, “If you take the worst of the worst off of the streets, crime will go down.”
Mr. Moore then discussed his awakening after taking his 360° review. He brought his staff of 105 into a meeting, read his report to them, and then asked for the painful truth. Those painful lessons led him to three goals.
1) Mutual Respect for each other.
2) Trust in competency and character
3) Accountablility
This is when he learned to ask the question, “How Am I Doing?”
After a question and answer session, Ernest Ladd thanked U. S. Attorney Moore for his presentation and presented a certificate to him, noting that a donation in his honor had been made to the Rotary International Foundation.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.