President Worth Willliamson called the meeting to order shortly after 12:30 p.m.  Bill Furr gave the Health and Happiness Report in the place of Ric Cannada, who was unable to be present because of a death in his family. Bill asked that we keep members Bill Kinney, Freda Nicholson, Darrell Holland, and Bill Spencer in our thoughts as they recover from surgery.  He congratulated Edgar Love, recently elected as Vice President of the NC Bar Association in charge of legal education for members, and YMCA President Harry Brace for the work of the 13 YMCA branches in five counties and two states.  Jim Alexander introduced 15 guests and three visiting Rotarians and President Worth welcomed a group of 13 Japanese bankers visiting the club and called on Mr. Kenichiro Okuda to bring greetings on behalf of our Japanese guests.
     President Worth announced that new club rosters are available for pick up after the meeting.  Announcements were made of two committees meeting following the program: Second Quarter Program Committee, chaired by Edgar Love, Special Events Committee, chaired by Jim Adams, and of a Rotary Information meeting, chaired by Dal Shefte. He also announced a called meeting of the Board of Directors following the program today and a regular meeting of the Board next Tuesday, July 20, at 11 AM, with special guest, Rotary District Lt. Gov. Dave Hodgkins.
     President Worth led the club in the Pledge of  Allegiance. Chuck Lineberry introduced new Music Committee Chair Sharon King, who played the piano for the singing of Home on the Range.  Dale LeCount gave the invocation. President Worth introduced members seated at the head table:  John Kirkland, Jan Thompson, Jim Woodward, Dale LeCount, Bill Furr, John Johnson.
     Jim Woodward introduced our speaker, Mark Erwin, who was sworn in yesterday as the US Ambassador to three island nations in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa:  the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of Seychelles, and the Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros.  In his introduction, Jim acknowledged the many and lasting contributions Mark has made to this community since he moved here in 1978 to establish his business as a developer.  He cited specifically Mark's help in restructuring the United Way Campaign in 1996 and ensuring its success as an annual fund-raising effort.  Mark has been recognized by the state of SC and community of Lake Wylie for his contributions and he received a Distinguished Service Award from the state of NC in 1994.
     Mark Erwin asked the audience whether they would rather hear the speech from his swearing in ceremony yesterday or a "chat" about the process of his appointment as a US Ambassador.  Setting aside the speech, he talked about the honor of being named to diplomatic service and the interesting appointment process which began about six months ago.  He acknowledged the presence of guest Ed Brynn, a retired Foreign Service Diplomat to two African countries, who joined the administration of UNC-Charlotte to increase the number of students studying abroad.
     Mark explained that he had met Bill Clinton fifteen or so years ago at the Renaissance Weekend held over the New Year's holiday each year on Hilton Head Island.  People in attendance at the annual Renaissance Weekend come from many parts of society, with the common trait of being successful at what they do.  They come together each year to share knowledge, ideas and thoughts.  Mark and President Clinton became friends through that relationship and Mark hosted a luncheon to introduce Mr. Clinton to business leaders in Charlotte when he was running for office in 1991.  He described Mr. Clinton as charismatic, brilliant, inclusive, and someone who remembers his friends.  After Mr. Clinton's election as President in 1992, Mark was offered several positions with the White House Administration, but did not accept any of them until he was appointed to the OPIC Board to promote American business abroad.
     In December of 1998, he was asked to consider appointment as a US Ambassador and was sent reams of documents to complete.   The FBI did an extensive background check on him over the period of several months, including interviews with neighbors, business associates, and people from his hometown, as well as careful scrutiny of his financial records and business dealings. After approval by the White House Counsel, his nomination was sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where it was shepherded through committee by Sen. Jesse Helms.   Mark claimed that his friendship with both Bill Clinton and Jesse Helms is a testament to his skills as a diplomat! His nomination was officially announced about three weeks ago and he was sworn in as the US Ambassador to the islands of Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros yesterday. He and his wife Joan went to diplomatic school for an intense two weeks of training, and will be leaving Charlotte in August to assume his post.
     He explained that there are two types of diplomats - career diplomats and political appointees. The US first appointed ambassadors in 1893 and there are currently 164 US Ambassadors, with the ratio of the two groups being approximately 70% career to 30% political. Two other US Ambassadors from Charlotte have been Dave McConnell, a political appointee, and Jack Perry, a career diplomat.
     Mark entertained several questions from the audience, including inquiries about the islands and the issues he will be addressing as ambassador. Citing trade and commerce as the highest priorities, he said that two of the islands, Seychelles and Mauritius, are the first and second most prosperous nations in Africa.  The US has a trade deficit with Mauritius and he hopes to improve the balance of trade by introducing them to more American products. The island of Comoros, on the other hand, is the least prosperous nation, having had 18 coups in 25  years.   The official language of the islands is English, with French and Creole spoken broadly. The ethnic mix is 68% Indian, 24% Black African, 4 % French, 3% Chinese, and a small British population. President Worth thanked and congratulated Mark and presented him with a Rotary mug.
     After announcing that Jeff Beaver, new president of the Charlotte Sports Commission, will present our program next week, President Worth adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

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New Member

Joined 1987
Rejoined 1992, 1999

Religion, Methodist Pastorate
Additional Active

Providence United Methodist Church
2810 Providence Road (28211)
366-2823
FAX 365-6800

Paul Harris Fellow

     George E. Thompson was born in Charlotte, substantiating his claim as a native Charlottean, but he spent his formative years in Forest City, N.C., where he graduated from high school in 1961. After graduating with a degree in History at Pfeiffer College he became a Merit Scholar at Duke University Divinity College, earning his Masters of Divinity degree.

     An avid fan of professional baseball (without a public commitment to a particular team), George also likes to spend time reading, particularly biographies, and enjoying classical music, having studied the violin. He is a regular contributor to United Methodist publications including the Pulpit Digest, The Clergy Journal and The Upper Room. Church administrative and program responsibilities beyond his local churches have included the Third World Exchange Program, the Board of Ordained Ministry, Board of Global Ministries and Project Agape, to name just a few.

     Community activities include service as a Board of Trustees member for Pfeiffer University, Volunteer Chaplain for Urban Ministries, Chairperson of REACH, a community organization in service to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

     Welcome, George, to Charlotte Rotary.

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