Charlotte is no longer an island unaffected by what's happening in the rest of the world.  We must pay close attention to world events and reach out to the local international community and foreign owned businesses if we are to become the  international city we aspire to be, the executive director of the Mayor's International Cabinet (MIC) said Tuesday.
     Cindy Stringham-Smith talked about the role of the MIC since its formation in 1992 during the administration of Mayor Richard Vinroot.  But first, she emphasized the impact of people and business from other countries on Charlotte and its economy.
     More than 100,000 people from foreign countries live in the Charlotte area, working in every part of the economy.   They range from refugees, to foreign-owned businesses, to ordinary immigrants seeking jobs to professionals who have been recruited because of special skills nor expertise.
     Some 400 foreign-owned firms in Charlotte employ more than 25,000 workers.  Foreign investment in Charlotte has outpaced domestic investment by a factor of two.  "There are 80 native languages spoken by students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools," she said.  "I didn't know there were even 80 languages in the world."
     The Queen City is attractive because of the international airport, its designation as an inland port, the foreign trade zone, its transportation hub, its financial prowess and the number of international companies headquartered here, Ms. Stringham-Smith said.
     After its formation in 1992, MIC's first goal was to develop the city's long term international strategy.  Adopted in 1994, the strategy is to lead Charlotte to become a 21st century international city.  When organized, Ms. Stringham-Smith, "the Cabinet was ahead of its time and has become a model for other cities and states."
     MIC is made up of 30 appointed members.  It meets bimonthly and is chaired by the Mayor.  As executive director, Mrs. Stringham-Smith is its only employee.  The mayor, council and Chamber of Commerce appoint members.  Half of them must represent foreign-owned businesses, international non-profits, ethnic communities, government and education.  The other 15 reflect all segments of the international community.  There are four committees - concerned with business, community services, education and visibility and awareness, the native of Western Massachusetts said.
     For instance, the business committee last year instituted an award to recognize philanthropy by foreign-owned companies.  It is co-sponsored by MIC, Sister Cities, the World Trade Association, the World Affairs Council and International House.  Ms. Stringham-Smith said such recognition is important because business philanthropy is not the norm in other nations.  A second annual award's ceremony will be May 19.
     One of the community services committee's first goals was to survey foreign-owned firms to find out why they located here?  What are the positives of the community?  What does the community lack?  Not surprisingly, the Georgetown University graduate said, international flights to Europe and Latin America and education are the top two concerns.  There will be a summit in the fall with international businesses and city and airport officials.
     Another growing concern is the lack of classes for adults who want to learn to speak English, a problem made worse by recent state funding cutbacks for community colleges where most English as a second language courses are taught.   Churches have been identified as a possible place for these courses, she said, because they can offer childcare.  Another concern is health care.  Ms. Stringham-Smith said both Presbyterian Healthcare and Carolinas Medical Center have welcomed attempts to uncover barriers to quality health care delivery.
     The former student of Secretary of State Madeline Albright said public schools have done a good job responding to the need to improve education opportunities so that students will be well prepared for the global economy.  She praised in particular the international baccalaureate programs and language immersion schools.  There will be a summit in the fall of educators from all levels both public and private, to identify gaps in educational offerings.
     The visibility and awareness community has published a 32-page photo tour book about Charlotte written in five languages: French, German, Japanese and Spanish in addition to English.  "It has proved to be very popular," the executive director said, "a fabulous project."  The books are for sale for $7.50.    

New Member

MICHAEL  C. PARROT

Joined 1990
Rejoined 1999

Investments, Capital Management
Additional active

831 E. Morehead St., Ste. 850 (28202)
334-5771
FAX 334-6733

     Michael C. Parrott is Vice President-Corporate Services for Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. of Charlotte. Legg Mason is a 100-year-old financial advisory and asset management firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The Corporate Services division of Legg Mason provides asset management consulting for qualified retirement plans, endowments, foundations and individual clients.

     Mike is a graduate of Duke University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He is married to Hope Evans Parrott and has two daughters, Emily, age 23, and Anna, 20. He and his wife Hope are active members of Christ Episcopal church. Mike enjoys his work, his family, and occasional golf, and he is a great fan of the Charleston, S.C., seacoast.

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ROTARY SCOUT SHOW

Saturday, April 24, 1999

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Independence Park

(Independence Park @ 7th St.)

Parking at Memorial Stadium and CPCC Parking Lots

Contact Al Allison or Alan Barnhardt

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REMINDER

The District Rotary Conference will be held April 23-25 at the Radisson Hotel in Asheville. Call Linda Crooman at 597-5811 for details.

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     The committee has worked with Jerry Orr and other officials to develop a welcome sign in several languages and is currently trying to improve multi-language signs at the airport.  MIC also has a web site as part of Charlotte's Web so people from all over the world can see what is happening here.
     Ms. Stringham-Smith urged individual Rotarians and the club, as an organization, to get involved in the international community.  "As Charlotte moves further toward its goal of becoming an international city, MIC is a good mechanism to guide the city."
     Interestingly, the meeting had an additional element of internationalism as Rotarian Peggy Wesp, head of Sister Cities (who introduced Ms. Stringham-Smith to the club), also welcomed Louise Larsen of Denmark, our clubs exchange student at Myers Park High School this year.
     Said Miss Larsen, "It's so different here from Europe.   So different from what I'd read.  Really, it's not at all like 90210," the popular television show about young people in Beverly Hills.
     The high point of the meeting was the Club's tribute to Bill Loftin, Sr., former president, who since 1973 has produced the club's newsletter and roster and was the driving force behind publication of the 75th Anniversary History.   (click here to read the article "In Honor of William E. "Bill" Loftin, Sr.")   Henry Bostic honored Bill. On behalf of the club, he presented Bill a pin signifying his Third Level Paul Harris Fellowship.
     Pete DeWitt introduced guests and visitors.   Fred Lowrance presented a new member, Mike Parrott, with Legg Mason.  Ned Fox gave the invocation.   Others at the head table included Neil Burkhead, Helmut Dussen, Don Haack, President-Elect Worth Williamson, and Peggy Wesp.  President Ronnie led the meeting.

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Powell Majors

POWELL'S

OBSERVATIONS

     Geneveive Buice, who died February 26, 1999, was wife and mother of Bill and Bill Buice, Jr. - former members of Charlotte Rotary.

     Jerry Orr was on a panel at the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the economic role of the Douglas International Airport. The discussion, a brown bag luncheon affair, was one in a series on the topic.

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