Meeting

Report

 
SAM BARGER
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar
by Jim Kelley
        
Before introducing our speaker for the day, Ed Kizer reviewed the highlights of Rotary's Ambassadorial Scholar program. It is currently the world's largest privately funded scholarship program and is funded by the Rotary Foundation. The scholarship provides up to $26,000 for a year's study as well as a lesser amount for shorter terms.
 
According to Ed, an applicant must have at least two years of college and must apply through a local Rotary club in the applicant's hometown or in the city where his/her school is located. Our club's annual deadline just passed and we have forwarded two applications to the district committee.
 
Ed then introduced Sam Barger, our club's Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. Sam graduated from Wake Forest with honors in 1992 with a major in business and a minor in Spanish. As a Rotary scholar, he most recently attended the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand for a year where he earned a Certificate of Proficiency in Mechanical Engineering with a GPA of 4.0. Canterbury has over 12,000 students. In addition to studying in New Zealand this past year, Sam has studied and traveled extensively since 1997. He has visited Vietnam, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Spain.
 
Sam thanked the club for the scholarship he received, and then proceeded to show a power point presentation on his travels to New Zealand focusing on some points of interest. He told the club that while the population of New Zealand is 4 million people, the country has over 130 million sheep (they're absolutely everywhere). New Zealand achieved its independence 54 years ago while its rugby union is over 109 years old. So sheep and rugby are important to the way of life in New Zealand.
 
Sam's home club in New Zealand was the Riccarton club, which was formed in 1953 and currently has over 100 members. To add some adventure to his stay down under, Sam talked about four of his trips outside Christchurch. He went to the Wild Woods Festival where he actually ate possum and lived to tell the story. Sam spent some time on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. He spent time hiking the Dusky Track where he experienced the southern lights. Finally, when he ran out of cash, he worked in the Oyster Bay Vineyards for a time and to save money, he slept on the beach each night.
 
In closing, Sam said he hopes to put all his experience to work through a possible job with the United Nations. He again thanked the club for providing him the opportunity of a lifetime.
   
Head Table:
Bill Loftin, Jr., Hunter Widener, Catherine Browning, Ed Kizer, Chase Saunders, Chris Thomas; Invocation: Tom Burgess
         
Visitors and Guests:
Bob Knight; Health & Happiness: Bobby Chesney; Song: Gregg Walker; Piano: Thomas Moore
 
 

NEW MEMBER PROFILE

Michael L. Butler (Mike) PRstore Classification: Public Relations, Franchise Owner-Management 2108 South Blvd, Ste 107 (28203) 704-333-2200   mbutler@prstore.biz

Mike Butler has more than 30 years experience as a journalist, marketing firm owner and corporate communications specialist working with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, small businesses and entrepreneurs. Mike is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and began his career as a reporter for newspapers in Chattanooga and Knoxville, TN. He was an intern reporter for The Washington Post where he collaborated on major national news stories with famed Post reporter Carl Bernstein in the pre-Watergate era. He later worked as a writer for The Associated Press.   Mike's career in public relations began in Washington, D.C. as a Public Information Officer with what is now the U. S. Department of Energy. He was also chief speechwriter for the President of Phillips Petroleum Company in Oklahoma. He served as Manager of Media Relations for the Tennessee Valley Authority where he was chief media spokesman for the agency's nuclear power plant program. Mike founded two successful marketing and public relations firms in Tennessee and South Carolina which continue to operate today. One firm was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 fastest-growing privately held companies in the U. S. The other firm's clients focused on professional athletes. Clients included Marcus Robinson of the Chicago Bears and NBA Star Vince Carter of the New Jersey Nets.   In 2001, Mike and his partners, including his wife Kathy, opened the first PRstore on South Tryon Street in Charlotte. Based on their agency experience, they created the walk-in retail concept specifically to serve the marketing needs of small business owners. PRstores are currently being franchised in markets across the U. S. A total of 16 stores have been sold to franchise owners to date. PRstore was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2004 as one of the top 92 hottest new franchises in the U. S. Mike is a former Rotarian, a member of the Downtown clubs in Knoxville, TN and Columbia, SC. In both clubs, he was a member of the Public Information Committee. (guess what committee he'll be on in Charlotte Rotary)

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