The April 25 meeting of Charlotte Rotary started routinely when President Worth called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. Danny Fontana introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. After this, things got interesting. Brian Schick gave a Health and Happiness Report that produced, to this reporter's knowledge, the only standing ovation for Health and Happiness in recent memory, if not all time. Brian sang a woeful lament to the tune of Don McClain's "American Pie" about the death of NASDAQ, technology stocks, the loss of a piece of the pie, and the return of large capitalization Dow Jones stocks. The song was hysterical, Brian's delivery was exceptional, and the standing ovation followed.
     Howard Chadwick and Chuck Lineberry then tried to lead us in a rendition of "April Showers" with Howard singing and Chuck reciting the words. However, this proved more than most Rotarians could handle so we ended up with a singing-talking duet by Howard and Chuck. Then Worth announced that Martin Waters had suggested that we have an ugly tie day at our next meeting, Tuesday, May 2, with prizes being awarded for the ugliest ties worn. Some observed that many of us could win such a contest on most any day of the week and that Martin Waters had worn his entry a week early! In any event, make a note to wear your ugliest tie for the May 2 Rotary meeting.
     The head table consisted of Andy Zoutewelle, Leigh Derby, David Tate (who delivered a beautiful invocation), Frank Martin, Josef Penner, and Curt Farmer who introduced guest speaker Chris Teat, executive director of The Family Center. Chris was raised in Charlotte and graduated from Salem College. After 20 years with Young Life and IBM in other cities, she returned to Charlotte in 1993 to join The Family Center. Its mission is to deal with abused and neglected children and try to prevent such abuses and neglect. There were 8,000 reported abuse/neglect cases in Mecklenburg County in 1999.
     Chris talked a great deal about hope and how no one can set their hopes too high for their lives, particularly neglected and abused children. It is The Family Center's intention to rebuild damaged lives and build families. Chris strongly believes that the wounds of child abuse can be healed. She talked a great deal about St. Augustine who said that Hope's daughters are Anger and Courage. Children must have the anger to be angry at their circumstances and the courage to fight through them to lead a productive life.
     Chris cited numerous statistics where the U.S. was number one in technology, military, income and others as well as numerous areas where we are failing our children miserably, such as in schools, abuse, and wounds/deaths from guns. Every nine seconds a child in America drops out of school. The Family Center wants to break this cycle and help these children reach their potential. Chris also talked about Rabbi Hessell who said that some are guilty but all are responsible. She challenged all of us to meet our responsibilities and not only do our best for our children but to consider what we can do for the lives of other children.
     Chris talked briefly about some of the programs offered by The Family Center.
     1. Arosa House — A residential group home for young children who have been removed from their homes by DSS due to abuse or neglect. Historically, about half the time these children can ultimately return to their family homes and the other half are placed with foster parents. Unfortunately, this trend is dropping so that approximately 60% are now placed with foster parents.
     2. Clinical Therapy providing individual and group counseling for children who have been hurt by abuse or neglect.
     3. Adoptive Family Services offering specially designed services for adoptive families of children from foster care or children with special needs.
     4. A Parent Stress Line offering seven-days-a-week, 24-hours-a-day help to parents or other care givers.
     5. The School Based Intervention Team offers a collaborative program to link children, parents, teachers, therapists, and family educators together on school sites.
     Other programs include Connections, Adolescent Parenting Program, Children's Personal Safety Program, Parenting Classes and Family Education.
     In response to questions, Chris noted that The Family Center has an annual budget of approximately $2 million and receives referrals primarily from DSS and the school system. She cited as the causes of child abuse numerous factors including substance abuse, teen parenting, poverty, mental illness, inadequate understanding of children's development, and substandard housing. Revenues for The Family Center come from a variety of private and government programs including Medicare as well as fees for services and charitable contributions. In response to a question about Elian Gonzalez, Chris noted that it was a very difficult situation but felt Elian belonged with his father.
     President Worth thanked Chris for her thoughtful, enthusiastic presentation and brought a very memorable meeting of Charlotte Rotary to a close.

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POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL  MAJORS

     Eckart Goette is giving global trade a boost by exporting trash receptacles to Brazil. Otto Industries, of which he is vice chairman, produces revenues of $40 to $50 million annually.

     John Belk gave $2 million to Queens College to endow the school's International Expense Program named in his honor.

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DID YOU KNOW?

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     Tuesday (May 2) is ugly tie day for men and ugly scarf day for ladies. Winners of the contest will receive a prize. Be sure to check the back of your closet or the bottom of the drawer for the ugliest.

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Click here for photos of this Meeting