Minutes of the July 13, 2017 Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Les Greer at 12:15 PM. Jimmy Lyons offered the invocation and Tom Martenstein welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians. Tommy Blankenship led the club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance.
New Member: Mike Brown introduced Ryan New, Senior Vice President of Renasant Bank as our newest member.
Program: Annual Passing of the Gavel
Former club president Les Greer reviewed events over the last 12 months and highlighted the many successful events which raised a substantial amount of money for club projects and causes ranging from the Tarpon Tournament in August to the first annual Rotary Golf Classic this spring. He also mentioned the club’s involvement in establishing a new Interact Club at Murphy, 45 new Paul Harris Fellows this year and the gathering celebrating 100 years of the Rotary Foundation. Les thanked all of the members for their assistance in what he termed “an amazing year.”
Passing of the Umbrella
Since the hotel staff misplaced the club gavel over the 4th of July break, there was none to be passed. Instead an umbrella was substituted since its handle was shown to be able to ring the Rotary bell just as well as the missing gavel. The umbrella was passed from Russell Ladd to an assorted crowd of distinguished former presidents until Les Greer handed it to John Dukes, our newest president.
President Dukes
John Dukes congratulated Les on a job well done, presenting him with his past president pin and badge and his very own copy of the book, “The Rotary Four Way Test.”
Next he thanked the members for this opportunity to serve this club noting this year’s theme is “Rotary Makes a Difference.” John told the audience that our regular attendance at club meetings and inviting prospective members to those meetings will definitely make a difference.
According to John, we have 8 Rotarians who have been members of the club over 50 years, 49 over 30 and 38 who have been here over two decades. This longevity in membership shows the value of belonging to our club, adding that everyone takes a part in that.
John made the following announcements:
Announcements:
1. Rotary Tarpon Tournament will be held on August 5 and a reception on the evening of Thursday, August 3 will take the place of our weekly meeting.
2. Dumas Wesley has 40 members of their summer program attending an event at the Exploreum learning about drug education thanks to the club and Rotarians Kate Carver and Jan McKay.
3. Camp ASCCA: More information will be forthcoming from Frank Harkins regarding the July 30 sendoff of campers.
4. Mardi Gras: Looking ahead, the club is planning a party at the Mobile Carnival Museum with secured parking and stands for our members and children or grandchildren to watch a parade.
5. Board Meeting will be held on July 20, following the lunch meeting.
6. Meal Prices – As previously mentioned, the price for guest meals as well as Exempt Members has increased $1 to $24.
Adjournment:
After announcing members’ birthdays, John adjourned the meeting at 1:50 PM.
Tom McGehee