President Don opened the meeting at 11:40 a.m. Peggy Wesp introduced the visiting Rotarians and guests, and David Zimmerman gave us Health and Happiness with a story about his dogs.
     President Don led us in the pledge to the flag, and Myra Johnston gave the invocation after which Richard Early led us in a version of "Home on the Range."
     President Don introduced the members at the head table: Christie Taylor, Katie Tyler, Myra Johnston. Jamie McLawhorn, Byron Bullard, and Bob Young who introduced our speaker, Janet Fortner, executive director of Hospice.
     Her talk centered on the need to care for terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice cares for about 200 patients at a time and 1,200 a year. The local organization covers 9 counties around Charlotte with approximately 140 workers. Janet stressed the need for everyone to make plans for the care and wishes of these patients when faced with this situation.
     Surveys taken show that there will be a 107% increase in population of the aged in the next 10 years. Of 9000 patients surveyed 80% said they would rather die at home. At this time approximately 75% die at home.
     Janet encouraged us to consider our own plans for future healthcare, saying, "We don't want to talk about this subject, but everyone should talk to their family, make their wishes known, take control of the situation, live with dignity, and make sure loved ones are taken care of." You should make your plans by signing a living will, making your choice of doctors, appointing a healthcare power of attorney, having a current will, and writing a letter to family members about any funeral arrangements already made or other information they will need.
     Hospice tries to care not only for terminally ill patients in hospitals but also in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and at home.
     Funding for Hospice comes not only from Medicare and Medicaid but corporations and individuals. Their annual budget is about $9 million. The government estimates for every dollar spent they save $1.26. She closed with a very pointed quotation. Janet then answered some thoughtful and interesting questions.
     President Don expressed the Club's thanks for a very informative presentation.
     Don't forget the annual joint meeting of Charlotte area clubs on February 27th at the Adams Mark Hotel.

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POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL  MAJORS

  Dave Parsons warns against cell phones and drivers in a letter to the editor of the "Observer."
     Rex Welton, chair of the Presbyterian Hospital Foundation, has Perrin Anderson, Jim Barnhardt, Bill Barnhardt, Byron Bullard and Harold Hoak as board members.
     Jeff Triplett is now vice president of insurance at Duke Energy Corporation.
     Eric Smith was named as one of the persons to watch in '01 by the "Business Journal."
     Doug Aitken, Jr., who made up at the January 9th meeting, is the son of the late Doug Aitken, Sr., the first 50 year member of Charlotte Rotary.
     E. K. Fretwell was appointed to the N.C. Medical Board by Governor Jim Hunt. E. K. will be one of the three lay members of the board which licenses and regulates medical doctors.
     Herb Harriss has merged with three other logistics firms to form Logisco, Inc.
     Rick Jackson thinks higher radio listening in recent days is due to the recent political season.
     Ann Taylor, who died January 18th, was the widow of Andy Taylor, a long time Rotarian, who was a victim of AIDS contracted from a blood transfusion.
     Ralston Pound's father, a charter member of Charlotte Rotary, was a member for over 49 years. Ralston recently became the second member to record 50 years of perfect attendance. Hoyt Calvin was the first.
     Tom Robertson, Doug Booth and Don Sanders have been the last three Presidents of the Senior Forum.

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New Member

RICKY  K.  BROWN

Joined 1989
Rejoined 1996,2001

Banking, Metro

BB&T
220 South College St. (28202)
704-954-1040
FAX 704-954-1046
email: rbrown@bbandt.com

     Ricky K. Brown is the president of BB&T's Charlotte Metro Region. BB&T Corporation, the eighteenth largest financial holding company in the United States, is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with $56.7 billion in assets and over 800 branch offices in eight states and Washington, D.C. Ricky joined BB&T in 1977 as a management trainee, and served as BB&T's city executive in Winston-Salem until being nam6d regional president in 1998. Prior to Winston-Salem Ricky held various positions in eastern North Carolina.

     Ricky and his family moved to Charlotte in 1998 after living in Winston-Salem for two and one-half years. Before that, he and his family resided in New Bern, North Carolina. Ricky is involved in numerous community services. He has been affiliated with Rotary Club of Winston-Salem, Minority Business Development Committee. Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of New Bern. He served on the board of directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Forsyth County as well as the Housing. Partnership in Winston-Salem; president, Craven County Partners in Education; and treasurer, Craven County Arts Council. Ricky is currently serving on the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, UNCC Foundation, Carolina Partnership and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Education Foundation. Recently he served on the campaign cabinet of both the United Way and Arts and Science Council.

     Ricky is a native of Robersonville, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received a BS in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Ricky has been married for 23 years to Kim Brown. They have two daughters, Sara (18) who is a freshman at Appalachian State University, and Grayson (15) who is a sophomore at Myers Park High School. The Browns enjoy spending free time with their children and in the mountains.

     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Ricky.

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