The Governor with a Heart
By Marilynn Bowler
         
The combination of his Irish heritage which gave him the twinkle in his eye, his incredible ability to relate to his audience, his inherent sensitivity and kindness, and his astute grasp of what it takes to nourish and grow a profitable business make Bob Wilson the absolutely perfect choice for Governor of Rotary International District 7680 which, fortunately for Charlotte Rotary, includes our club.
  
President Mac McCarley presented Bob Wilson to us via an in-depth peek into our District Governor's early years. The son of a charter member of the Charlotte North Rotary Club, Bob learned early about the value of Rotary to the community and to one's self. Rising from his happy years at Dilworth Elementary School to the family's move to an old dairy farm in east Charlotte formerly owned by W.T. Harris, through his leadership roles as Student Body president at East Mecklenburg High School, then his stint at UNC-Chapel Hill as a Morehead scholar, he flew fighter jets for the Air Force during the Vietnam years, subsequently serving as a pilot with the NC Air National Guard.
  
An enthusiastic and dedicated civic and community servant, Governor Bob was selected in the mid-1980's by Charlotte Habitat For Humanity to lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project Thirteen (homes built in Optimist Park for families in need) and continued working with President Carter for another six years, ending his tour as National Director of the Carter Work Project in 1992 but remaining as #1 fly-fishing partner. Bob's role in Rotary has remained steady; he is - and has been - an active member of the Mooresville-Lake Norman Rotary Club where he initiated the STARS scholarship program for at-risk kids in the Mooresville area. District Governor Bob Wilson lives what he preaches.
 
Stepping up to the microphone to address a full and enthusiastic room packed with Rotarians and guests, Bob Wilson displayed grace and enthusiasm in thanking our club for its long-term participation in the many programs to which Rotary is committed. He opened his address to us by challenging us to reflect on the neighborhoods we live in … and then add into that the entire Mecklenburg County area … and again add the Lake Norman/Mooresville area, and finally, the rest of Iredell County and Cabarrus County, which all together total 1.2 million people. He asked us to place all of that into a common mindset in terms of service above self and ethics in business which, when we match that with a large amount of money, turns into a very big "pot." That same "very big pot" can do great things for neighborhoods all over the world. We can make a difference.
 
After Bob delivered greetings from the president of Rotary International - President Dong Kum Lee of South Korea - he reminded us of this year's theme, "Make Dreams Real" … and, he told us, let's do it for children. With a desire to provide a long and full life for children around the globe - regardless of race or ethnicities even in wealthy cities such as Charlotte, North Carolina - Rotary has an opportunity to be successful in our mission because we are composed of diverse, powerful, compassionate, determined and great leaders at the highest level. We can and must achieve our goal to help children live better and longer lives.
 
Governor Bob outlined three areas of focus on which he wishes us to concentrate:
 

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 8/04/2008.