In what may have been the quickest such engagement ever, Charlotte Rotary met Tuesday at SMS Catering Services for the Club's annual Assembly to announce plans and whip up enthusiasm for the Rotary year 2000-2001.
     As is their reputation. Club members father and son Bob and Robert Freeman served up a tasty and filling spread with plenty of pork and chicken barbecue — not to mention Brunswick stew — and all the appropriate trimmings: baked beans, slaw and potato salad. There were no complaints about the food — and there was no corn or green beans.
     Former President Jim Appleby stood in for President-elect Don Steger who is attending the annual Rotary International Convention in Buenos Aires getting immersed in the latest RI president's theme. But President Jim said, "Don't be surprised by the news out of Brazil that our esteemed but playful leader for next year "is involved in a coup d'etat while he's there."
     Meanwhile back at the ranch, President Don's leadership (or their emissaries) for the coming year told about the work of the club for next year in short order.
     Dick Klingman, who is chair of the Club Service Avenue, emphasized membership development. Said Dick, "Membership development is the very life blood of the club. It is extremely important. It takes 28 new members to our club on average just to maintain a constant level so the challenge is there."
     Membership Development Committee Chair Rex Welton, said Dick, has accepted the challenge for each of the 15 members of his committee to recruit two new members during the year. "I'm sure the Board will accept that same challenge. If every member would do the same for next year, we'd have a very large club."
     Current President Worth, speaking on behalf of the Rotary Information Committee, said it will be up to his committee to see that new members are oriented in the best sort of way so that we can ensure that "they enjoy their new Rotary experience." This indoctrination is very important to member retention, he said.
     Former President Ronnie Pruett said the Archives Committee will be busy consolidating Club history since the 75th Anniversary History was published after the 1991 year. A lot has happened since then, he said, and we will be "quietly" working to ensure it is kept for posterity. Said Ronnie, all the information currently contained on the website has been saved on a zip drive in the Rotary office. The site will be purged to make room for new information. The zip drive archive will be available to members in the Rotary office.
     David Anderson will head the club's all-important Program Committee this year. "We expect another stellar year of programs," President Jim said.
     Herb Harriss, avenue chair for Vocational Service, plans an active year, according to his spokesman Barry Miller.
     Frank Martin heads Community Service. One of his avenue's main thrusts will be on a new program suggested by this year's Community Initiative Task Force. The city is trying to reinvigorate the area along North Tryon Street between Uptown and the University area, a part of the city that has been in decline since 1-85 opened.
     Speaking for the Community Initiative committee, Mary-Stuart Brooks said the club will sponsor, with CPCC's help, an English as a second language class and, with Junior Achievement's help, an adult financial management class. Both will be taught at a Charter School, which now operates in a former K-Mart on N. Tryon St. next door to Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church. Volunteers are welcome as are donations.
     Alan Barnhardt of the Youth Services hopes to work with the Boy Scouts this year to develop programs for Hispanic youth and to bring to Charlotte a new bilingual Scout executive. The club is considering funding this program.
     Ray Killian reported for Julian Aldridge's International Service Avenue. One of the major goals is to recruit exchange students and host families for exchange students coming to Charlotte. Killian said the club will also continue the Ariquippa, Peru, programs.
     All in all, said President Jim, we look forward to another very exciting year for Rotary in Charlotte.

*    *   *

The Rotary Club of Charlotte
Marvelous Contributors to the Recently Completed Joint Rotary Habitat House Built in Honor of Ed Montague

     By any measure the joint Rotary Club Habitat House constructed during 11 working days by Rotarians, in honor of Ed Montague, built for Rosaland Clinkscale's family and dedicated May 13, 2000, was a sterling success! The achievement of this project was materially ensured by The Rotary Club of Charlotte's financial contribution, members' days of labor, some.individual member financial giving, plus in kind gifts by several members. A few facts and statistics:

     All Rotary Club of Charlotte members can justifiably feel proud of this first joint Rotary Habitat House built and the results it provided this community.

*    *   *

POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL  MAJORS

     David Zimmerman is now in charge of day-to-day operations of Southern Shows. His parents are the Chairman and CEO of the firm.
     John Belk is a finalist in Entrepreneur of the Year, which is staged by Ernst & Young.
     Tony Zeiss loomed large in a three-quarter-page picture in a Business Journal advertisement, citing that the Journal helps us build the community's work force.
     Jim Rogers was one of the Distinguished Leadership Award recipients honored by the National Association for Community Leadership.
     Charlene Kammerer wrote a guest column for the "Observer" in which she stated that Methodists disagree on gays but are still united.
     Chase Saunders wrote an article on "Remembering the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence" which the "Observer" carried on the editorial page May 21st.
     Joe Becker urged the National Red Cross convention in Columbus, Ohio, to visit Charlotte. He was on stage in white tails, red cumberbund and red silk boxer shorts to show that Charlotte was a place like no other.
     David Zimmerman wrote that Charlotte taxpayers should not be asked to subsidize exorbitant NBA salaries by helping pay for an arena, in a letter to the "Observer."
     Jeff Searcy has joined Whelchel and Associates. Jeff's classification is Senior Active — he was formerly Transportation Vertical Manufacturing (elevators).
     Pete Sloan is getting out after his recent back operation.

*    *   *

Click here for photos of this Meeting