Meeting |
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Meeting |
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Report |
April 8, 2003 |
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Dr. Billy Wireman
Billy Wireman, president emeritus of Queens University, made his annual presentation to the club. He spoke about five stiff challenges that America faces following victory with Iraq: Democratizing Muslim Iraq: Machiavelli said that mankind will not believe in anything new until they have experienced it. For 1400 years, since Muhammad founded Islam in 622 A.D., Muslims have never experienced democracy as we know it in the West. To expect warring Iraq Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites to convert easily or quickly to democracy stretches reality. Democracy stands for church-state separation, equality of women, free press, and rule of law, characteristics the Iraqi people have not commonly experienced. Islamic leaders, especially, fundamentalists, oppose modernity and secularism. Rebuilding the Atlantic Alliance: For 50 years after WWII, the Atlantic Alliance has kept the peace and built prosperity among its members. The luxury of no major enemy like the Soviets, combined with deep divisions over Iraq, has resulted in disarray in Alliance institutions. The United Nations is split. The European Union is splintered. The tensions reflect the fact that Europeans and Americans don’t share a common world view anymore. Over 50 years, given population shifts, Europe will be smaller and weaker and America will be stronger with weaker Western allies. With China, Russia and India gaining strength, Western nations must move beyond acrimonious coalitions. De-nuclearizing North Korea: North Korea is a sick, failed state with a nuclear chip. It can’t feed its own people. Ten percent of the population has died under Dictator Kim John II. North Korea believes America plans to invade its country after Iraq for a regime change. North Korea demands that America commit in writing that we will not invade. America insists that North Korea must abandon its nuclear efforts before any talks. China, Japan, and South Korea want America to negotiate unilaterally with North Korea. America insists on multilateral talks. Korea is now the most dangerous flashpoint on earth. Defusing terrorism: September 11, 2001 introduced a new threat to America. There is nothing in our collective consciousness or genetic code that prepares us to understand suicide bombers. Our sense of openness, sense of justice and human rights make it difficult to deal with suspected terrorists. We can only hope Homeland Security works. Revitalize the economy: We have a projected deficit of $1.8 trillion over ten years and there are proposals for another tax cut of $763 billion. Corporate scandals and 9/11 have rocked us. It will be difficult to quickly come out of the doldrums. Billy ended his comments by saying we are a resourceful people. We can deal with complex issues. We will be able to acknowledge these five challenges and meet them. Head Table: David Anderson, Don Millen, Gayle Smith, Bijoy Sahoo, John Hart, Bill Bradley. Visitors & Guests: Tigger Alexander; Health & Happiness: Worth Williamson; Song: David Erdman; Invocation: Neil Burkhead. * * * DISTRICT CONFERENCE UPDATE 250 Rotarians attended the District 7680 Conference in Asheville over the weekend. Jim Barnhardt served as conference coordinator and did a great job of keeping things on track. The conference provides an opportunity to learn more about Rotary through training, sharing ideas and projects, and fellowship. The following awards were presented:
Make plans to attend next year’s conference to be held April 9-11, 2004 in Myrtle Beach. SC. * * * |
New Member
Carol was raised in Florida and came to Charlotte in 1982 after graduating from Furman University in SC. She began work at Duke Energy as a computer programmer and continued in roles as a consultant and manager in the information technology department for 18 years. While at Duke Energy, Carol was involved in numerous professional collaborations. She was Chairman of the Duke Energy Political Action Committee, representative for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Education Foundation Vision 2010 Project, and coordinator of the Adopt-a-School Project to name a few. With a passion for those who struggle with limited finances, Carol spent a great deal of her free time volunteering in the community. Carol volunteered with Charlotte Emergency Housing, The Uptown Men’s Shelter, The Suicide Prevention Hotline, Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army Christmas Bureau and the Charlotte Junior League. In 2000 Carol became the second CEO in the 27 year history of Mecklenburg County’s Crisis Assistance Ministry. Her background in corporate management and volunteerism in the community created a blend of private and non private experience to lead Crisis Assistance into the future. Crisis Assistance Ministry is a non profit agency that provides rent, utilities, food, clothing, furniture and mentoring to those facing financial hardship. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Carol. * * * Polio Eradication Update Pledge:
$54,000 Please notify Sandy at chltrot@bellsouth.net if you would like to be added to the Reporter email distribution list. If you have not returned your Committee Preference Form, please do so ASAP. Welcome new members Steve Menaker and Chip Scholz. John Lassiter announced Monday he is running for an at-large Charlotte City Council seat. William Rikard has been named to the prestigious Best Lawyers in America list for 2003-2004 in the area of business litigation. Just three percent of attorneys nationwide have been selected for the list, and this is the sixth consecutive time William has been selected. Thomas Moore was master of ceremonies at a fund-raiser benefiting the Sabu International School in Conkary, Guinea, West Africa. Phil Van Hoy has returned to Rotary following a three month medical leave. * * * PUBLIC SAFETY SCHOLARSHIP Charlotte Rotary initiated a scholarship fund for the children of our public safety personnel, including firefighters, police officers and Medics, as part of our memorial to those who were lost on 9/11/2001 and who continue to selflessly serve our community. Nearly $10,000 was raised at our regular luncheon on September 10, 2002. Those funds have been invested with other club scholarship funds at the Foundation for the Carolinas. In order to provide on-going scholarships, additional funds will need to be added to the principal, such that the amounts paid out can be earned income. It could take several years to grow the principal to a self-sustaining fund; therefore, an annual fundraising activity is needed that will provide sufficient funding for scholarships and a continuing memorial to our public safety community. The Board has approved a golf tournament as a means to increase funds, and provide a fellowship opportunity for our club. John Lassiter and Jim Adams will serve as co-chairs of the tournament and will be putting together a committee of 12-15 members to handle the details. If you would like to serve on this committee, please contact John (704-343-4822) or Jim (704-377-6567). * * * |
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