President Don called the meeting to order at 12:43 p.m. Harry Daugherty introduced guests and visiting Rotarians. Jim Kelley delivered the Health and Happiness report. Jim asked the club to keep Rotarian Carroll Thomas in our prayers as he grieves from the loss of his son Joe. He extended birthday greetings to Jeanne Swenson and a happy anniversary wish to Gordon Berg.
     Jim entertained the Club by sharing some actual labels that appear on consumer goods. For instance, on children's cough medicine the label read: "Do not drive a car or operate machinery," and on a package of Christmas lights the label read: "For indoor and outdoor use only." Also, on a child's Superman costume the label read: "Wearing this garment does not enable you to fly."
     Don Sanders led the group in the song "God Bless America" accompanied by Thomas Moore on the piano. Tony Zeiss gave the invocation.
     Our president announced various committee meetings following the meeting. President Steger then introduced Frank Martin, past chair of the Club's Community Service Committee. Frank discussed two after-school projects that were being sponsored by Charlotte Rotary at the new charter school located in the North Tryon Street corridor. The school lies in a fragile neighborhood. As one project, CPCC will assist in conducting classes in English as a second language. The other project will be conducted in conjunction with Junior Achievement and will offer to residents of the area classes on starting a business. Frank mentioned that science and photography classes are likely to be offered later.
     Our president then introduced the head table, which included Jesse Hite, Cindy Johnston, Tony Zeiss, Bill Loftin, Mike Parrott and Jeannie Falknor, who introduced our guest speaker.
     Our guest speaker was Jane Cooper, President/CEO, Paramount Parks. Jeannie introduced Jane as an individual whose early employment included a summer job in the theme park which led to her present role. She now oversees five of North America's largest theme parks. She has been President of Paramount Parks since 1994, having relocated from California to Paramount Parks' Charlotte corporate headquarters. Jeannie described Jane as an individual that is hooked on the business of creating fun and an individual that has overseen the largest capital expansion in her company's history. Jane is a member of the Board of Trustees of Central Piedmont Community College and WTVI. She is also a member of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
     Jane began her remarks by explaining that her company, Paramount Parks, is owned by Viacom. She reminded the Club that over the last couple of months Viacom merged with CBS. Now, Paramount Parks is a part of the Viacom/CBS family. Some of the major assets of Viacom/CBS include the MTV network, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Parks.
     Jane stated that she has been with the company throughout her entire work history. Of Paramount Parks' five theme parks in North America, one is located in Toronto; another, Kings Mountain, is in Cincinnati, Ohio; Paramount Kings Dominion is in Richmond, Virginia; Great America is in Santa Barbara, California; and Carowinds is here in Charlotte. She announced that her company has opened a stand-alone attraction in the Las Vegas Hilton. it is called the Star Trek Experience.
     Paramount Parks also is the largest provider of entertainment for cruise ships. This is a new venture for the company. While entertainers work in their theme parks throughout the summer, this arrangement provides employment during the winter months.
     Jane stated that the entertainment industry is changing. There is intense competition for entertainment dollars. That presents a real challenge for her business. Another challenge for her business is finding qualified employees — whether they are seasonal seventeen- or eighteen-year-olds or full-time executives. To keep talented and skilled workers, she explained that her company stays current by appealing to things that motivate today's employees. At one of their theme parks, they offered new employees cell phones and free cell phone minutes based on the length of their employment.
     Jane also discussed a topic near and dear to her — leadership. She sees management and leadership quite differently. She believes that management is leading existing people in existing environments. But she views leadership as the next level of management that involves the actual creation of the environment that one is in. Jane believes that a good leader must give clear direction and guidance. A leader must create a culture in an organization that reflects what the organization really values. The culture can be autocratic or collaborative. Her philosophy is that a good leader hires the best person and is willing to delegate authority. For her, the test of a good leader is how the organization performs when the leader is away. If everything falls apart every time the person is not there, maybe the person is not a good trainer or manager of people. If, however, the organization performs smoothly in the manager's absence, it demonstrates that the leader has given clear direction and guidance and has surrounded him or herself with good people.
     Jane explained that no real discussion of leadership is complete without a discussion of change within organizations. She recognizes that we are in an ever-changing environment and a global economy. Communications and demographics have changed drastically. She explained that individuals must be conscious of the global economy and of how their decisions affect their company's performance. Individuals must not only manage their business but also must manage their own careers. In the old days companies made sure that individuals were well trained to take the next career step. They made sure that they managed where individuals were within the organization and where they would be over the next twenty years. Today, she sees companies as not willing to make that investment. The individual must make sure that he or she is equipped with the latest skills that are available to him or her. Individuals must remember that they are not only selling their companies but they are selling themselves.
     In concluding, Jane stressed the importance of teamwork and people skills.
     She fielded several questions from members of the Club. First, she acknowledged that Carowinds would add several attractions next year, to be announced in September. She added that Carowinds tries to balance the entertainment options of teenagers and young adults with those available to families. Next, Jane was asked how Carowinds stacks up against other Paramount parks. She mentioned that Carowinds is probably in the middle. However, she acknowledged that while Carowinds is in its smallest market, it has outpaced the other theme parks with its growth per year. Last, Jane was asked what her thoughts were concerning the federal regulation of the theme park industry. She explained that safety is the number one concern of her company and she would welcome any regulation that improves the safety of people visiting theme parks.

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New Member

W. LECIL HENDERSON, II

Henderson Designs, Ltd.
2300 E. 7th St. (28204)
704-333-4444
FAX 704-333-4644

     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Lecil.

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DID YOU KNOW?

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FUTURE CONVENTIONS OF R.I.

     San Antonio, Texas, 2001 (dates to be announced).

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