President Don called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m. Bill Kinney introduced guests and visiting Rotarians. John Lassiter delivered the Health and Happiness report and treated the club with various "Bushisms."
     Richard Early led the group in the song "America, the Beautiful" accompanied by Thomas Moore on the piano. Dale LeCount delivered the invocation.
     Our president then introduced Luther Moore, who introduced the club's newest member, Lou Solomon, a former WSOC-FM executive and current communications trainer.
     President Don then introduced the head table which included Fred Lowrance, Patricia Baldwin, Dale LeCount, Harriet Sanford, Richard Early, Don Haack, and Jim Appleby. President Don then called on Richard Early to introduce our guest speaker Harriet Sanford, the new President and CEO of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Arts and Science Council ("ASC"). Richard explained that our ASC is the second largest Arts and Science Council in the country, second only to New York City, and that our ASC ranks first in the country in per capita giving.
     Harriet is the former director of the Department of Arts and Culture for Fulton County, Georgia. She is a graduate of the New England College and holds a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Connecticut. Richard mentioned that Harriet is a nationally recognized leader who has served as past chair of the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies. She has also participated in numerous advisory panels for the National Endowment for the Arts. Recently, she led the effort to launch Americans for the Arts, a national organization dedicated to advancing the arts and culture.
     Harriet began her presentation by commending the club on the soul, spirit and commitment of the Charlotte community. She said that she was drawn to Charlotte by its demonstrated commitment to the community. She listed the ASC, the United Way, the recent passage of the school bonds and Charlotte Rotary's contributions toward literacy as examples of community commitment and tremendous civic pride.
     Harriet stated that Charlotte represents the best of society with its spirit of giving. It reminded her of her days in Atlanta when people wondered aloud about Charlotte's successes. Many in Atlanta were shocked by Charlotte being number one for workplace giving in the entire country. She thinks that it is pretty extraordinary that our ASC is the second largest. She stated that many in her industry didn't expect such success from a southern city.
     Harriet explained that while corporate support is crucial to the ASC's success, of equal importance is the individual pledge.
     Harriet believes that the people of this community have made the arts not only an entertainment vehicle, but a vital part of our civic life. She views art as a complement to education, a means to improve the quality of life and a key element to human development. Harriet explained that the arts can impact our children, can influence a child's long-term success and can encourage a child to stay in school. She said that the ASC is interested in the link between the arts and education. Much research has been done in this area. Harriet indicated that an emphasis on arts, science, history and heritage are vital for a child's complete education and development. Students with four years of arts classes score 45 to 55 points higher on their SAT scores. An arts-based education decreases a child's potential to drop out of school by four times.
     Next, Harriet discussed the benefits of arts on the economy. She mentioned that the arts provide safe havens for youth, reduce criminal activity and teach job skills. Here in Charlotte, she said that the arts generate 1400 jobs and contribute over $55 million to the local economy. She believes that cultural tourism will make a big difference in this community in the years to come and she is encouraged by the ASC's strategic partnerships.
     Harriet reminded the club that the ASC is not the artist. It does not create art, it merely acts as a conduit to put artist and opportunity together. She emphasized that the ASC must remain relevant and significant. She asked the club to continue its support of the ASC.
     Harriet answered several questions from the club members. The first question related to facilities for arts organizations. She explained that a 1996 survey confirmed a need for auxiliary space, not presenting space. The ASC expects an announcement soon on its plans to address these needs.
     As to whether the ASC was spreading itself too thin among the member arts organizations, she explained that the ASC intends to work with various communities to meet arts organization needs.
     To a question about public funding of the arts, Harriet affirmed that the ASC is willing to listen and to engage in civil dialogue, and that the ASC will continue to obey the law and to conform with local community standards.
     Regarding the restoration of the Carolina Theater, she explained that this issue is more an issue of historic preservation. The ASC will meet over a two-day period to evaluate potential uses for the old Carolina Theater. The challenge is funding.
     On the issue of Spirit Square, Harriet responded that she has recently hired a new staff member who will be responsible for studying how Spirit Square can be used.
     President Don thanked Harriet and presented her with a token of the club's appreciation. The meeting was adjourned.

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New Member

ROBERT WILLIAM CHESNEY

Joined 2000
Banking, Real Estate Lending

200 Providence Rd., Ste. 300 (28207)
704-331-1756
FAX 704-331-1775
email bchesney@centura.com

     Robert W. Chesney (Bobby) was born and has lived in Charlotte his entire life. Bobby graduated from Charlotte Latin School and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Economics.
     In his professional career, Bobby has focused his energies in the banking and finance industry. After college, Bobby returned to Charlotte to handle his then recently passed father's estate. Bobby spent a brief period with Prudential Insurance as a licensed life, health and mutual fund agent before joining NCNB in early 1992 as a Management Associate Program member. After a one-year stint as senior analyst and credit department manager, Bobby joined the Charlotte Commercial Lending platform financing business and small commercial real estate. In mid-1995, Bobby joined the Residential Acquisition, Development and Construction Division. In late 1997 Bobby again returned to the Charlotte platform as a Strategies Group (middle markets) Commercial Lender. Finally in mid-1998, he joined Centura Bank as a Real Estate Finance and Commercial Lending Officer.
     Bobby has given freely of his time and talents to making Charlotte a better place to live and work. Communities in Schools, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, United Way Loan Executive Program, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation — Charlotte Board of Directors, Junior Achievement, Presbyterian Hemby's Children's Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Arts & Science Council are some of the organizations he has been involved with. Bobby and his family are members of the Myers Park Presbyterian Church.
     Bobby is married to Mary Catherine and is step-father to her two daughters, Grace (3), and Taylor (7). In his spare time, Bobby enjoys golf, lawncare, reading and spending time with close friends. Bobby looks forward to sharing in Charlotte Rotary, contributing to and benefiting from a caring group of people.
     Welcome to Charlotte Rotary, Bobby.

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