June 10, 21

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