Even the sweltering heat of the year's hottest day (to date), couldn't put a damper on Charlotte Rotary's stand-back, get-down, let-it-fly 1999 Club Assembly "Hoedown" at Bob Freeman's SMS Catering Service facility at 1764 Norland Road. 
      It was a fitting launch for President Worth's Rotary year even though he was off gallivanting in the Far East. It was true to Worth's personal plan of action that calls for more fun at meetings and more opportunities for club members to get to know each other better.
     Bob and Robert Freeman and staff outdid themselves.  The table literally groaned with mounds of southern (need-I-say-pork) barbeque, Brunswick stew, barbequed chicken, hush puppies, slaw, potato salad, baked beans and corn-on-the-cob.  But the pièce de résistance was the whole roasted pig.  Talk about a pig pullin' good time!  Did I hear someone remark that Mr. Pig had a maraschino look in his eyes?  Some great loin meat.
     The evening's entertainment was appropriate.  The four-piece "Kilocycle Kowboys" serenaded members and guests before and during dinner and after the program.  They were even joined by our own Al Allison in a rousing rendition of "Florida Travlin' Blues."  Al acquitted himself admirably with a his soulful harmonica sounds.  This guy's been hiding his talents under a bush!!
     In President Worth's absence, his committee chairs for 1999-2000 (the millennial year) outlined an aggressive year of activities.  Mary Mack who took a cue from First Union mentor Rob Wright (who told her "be brief and be popular") said "President Worth wants us to do three things this year: enhance the Rotary experience, make Rotary more relevant in Charlotte and promote more awareness of the international scope of Rotary."
     The chair of Club Service, Administration Avenue of Service told those gathered to look for changes in the Rotary Reporter and for efforts to get information about what Charlotte Rotary is doing in The Rotarian, Rotary's official magazine.
     John Phillips, reporting on behalf of the Club Service, Meetings Avenue of Service said to "look for changes in our meetings.   We're going to try some new things to enhance fellowship and health and happiness.   Let us know what you think."
     Phillips said First Quarter Program Chair Ed Kizer had already put together an impressive list of speakers including the CEOs of United Dominion and Food Lion, Former Ambassador Jack Perry, Speaker of the N.C. House Jim Black and Ben Ruff, chair of the University of North Carolina system board.
     Reporting on the Vocational Service Avenue, Al Allison reported that the successful Excellence in Management Award would continue.  He also said the club would be working with "Connecting Links," a successful joint venture of the Urban League, the Junior League and the Johnston YMCA in North Charlotte to help get unemployed and underemployed inner city residents in appropriate jobs.
     Community Service Avenue Chair Bill Underwood said the Community Task Force which had been working with the Wesley Heights neighborhood will be looking for another at-risk neighborhood to assist.  Alan Barnhardt's Youth Services Committee will be looking for tutor-mentors for students at Hawthorne Middle School and Tyson Bennett's Senior Citizens Committee will host a health fair at the meeting on September 14 when members can get free health screens including risk assessments, body fat measurement and blood pressure and cholesterol checked.
     Underwood said Ken Harris would take over the successful literacy effort in conjunction with Central Piedmont Community College and David Zimmerman, who was formerly an Interact member while in high school, will work with our Interact Clubs.
     Don Haack, chair of the International Service Avenue, said for the first time the club will send a student to attend the International Youth Forum held in Washington, DC.  He also made an appeal for members to support the Rotary Foundation which supports many of Rotary's international efforts including the very successful Ambassadorial Foundation Scholars.  Several Charlotte Rotary-sponsored candidates have won these prestigious scholarships to promote international study and understanding.
     Jan Thompson, chair of the Projects Committee, explained that her committee acts much like a venture capital group.  It looks to jumpstart new programs, not fund existing ones.  She invited other committees and individuals to bring ideas to the committee.  This year, Projects funded a project in Peru which will also be supported by the Rotary Foundation and a club in Peru, an excellent way to leverage our participation.
     President Ronnie presided.  Jim Appleby gave the invocation.  Jim Adams and the Special Events Committee planned the hoedown assembly.  Hats off to Jim and his committee including Clarke Allen and Theresa Evans for a job well done.

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Dreams fulfilled

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DID YOU KNOW?

     ATTENDANCE — For many years this club has AVERAGED BETWEEN 85% and 90% attendance and make-ups combined. You are asked to not contribute to a reduction of that average. There are 26 meetings in each half-year.       Unless you make up, 1 miss     = 96%
                                          2 misses = 92%
                                          3 misses = 88%
     There are eleven other Mecklenburg MAKE-UP OPPORTUNITIES each week and over 25,000 other make-up chances worldwide. The minimum to maintain membership by RI is 60%.

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NOW HEAR THIS!

     The North Carolina Support of the Guard and Reserve Chairman John Belk and the Commanding General of Paris Island have arranged a one-day trip to Paris Island June 18.

     Military aircraft will leave Air National Guard Charlotte and return same day. This is a first come-first served flight. For reservation make a check for $15 to ESGR including telephone number and Social Security number. Mail to Barry Miller, 1050 Ardsley Rd., 28207.

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