LUTHER J. FINCHER, JR.
2006 Excellence in Management
By Rick Jackson
 After
much deliberation by the selection committee among hundreds of fine
leaders and eligible candidates for the award, The Charlotte Rotary
Club announced Charlotte Fire Chief, Luther Fincher as recipient of
the 2006 Excellence in Management Award. After a thoughtful and very
funny introduction by CPCC's Tony Zeiss, (he'll be there every
Tuesday - try the veal!), Luther took the podium to a standing
ovation from his Charlotte Rotary friends. Luther got right down to
business - and returned a verbal jab at Tony, a former winner of the
same award, claiming his trophy looked bigger. There was much
good-natured agreement among our throng.
Luther delivered a short, humble and sincere message about values
and vision to his audience. Remembering his early days of service,
Luther recalled a time when a firefighter did just that - and only
that. Today, the professionals who serve our city through the
Charlotte Fire Department must also be trained in all aspects of
search and rescue, child safety, high angle and swift water rescue,
hazardous material identification and removal and many other aspects
of service and protection. Speaking of core values, Luther
passionately communicated his #1 mission for the Charlotte Fire
Department - to serve. To be poised, and cool under fire - literally
- and to exhibit integrity and honesty at all times, in uniform and
otherwise. He encourages his people to learn and grow and to never
be satisfied. Demonstrating effective implementation of that vision
Luther smiled with pride - as did Tony Zeiss - about the fact that
over 200 of his troops have graduated from CPCC - after joining the
department. Tax-payers want solutions and performance for their
money and as with any superior business, Luther and his staff are
laser-focused on the delivery of excellent customer service.
Of the many accomplishments he and the Charlotte Fire Department
have achieved over the years, Luther is particularly proud of the
increased diversity of his staff. When Luther first joined the
department in 1966, literally every firefighter was a male
Caucasian. Today, better than 11% of Charlotte firefighters are
women and minorities - a movement which he clearly encourages and is
eager to advance.
In addition to his duties as Fire Chief, Luther has been assigned to
the post of Charlotte Homeland Security Director and under his
leadership, Charlotte has been reviewed as one of the safest major
metropolitan cities in America. Working with various law enforcement
and security agencies, and the Sheriff and Police Departments in the
greater Charlotte area, Luther continues to advance the cause of
safety and preparation in an increasingly unstable world. With
thanks to the Charlotte Business Journal and the Charlotte Chamber,
sponsors of the award, Luther departed to yet another standing
ovation. Congratulations to one of our own, Luther Fincher.
Head Table:
Herb Harriss, Natalie English, Luther Moore, Tony Zeiss, Jeannie
Falknor, Catherine Browning, Tim Newman: Invocation: Dale LeCount
Visitors &
Guests:
Don Carmichael; Health &
Happiness: Randall Groves; Song: Biff Virkler; Piano: Thomas Moore
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WALK FOR WATER
PROJECT |
In 1992, the UN General Assembly
designated March 22 as "World Water Day" to draw international
attention to the critical lack of clean, safe drinking water
worldwide. Worldwide, more than 1 billion people (20% of the
planet's entire human population) lack access to clean, safe
drinking water. According to the UN, this world water crisis
leads to the death of more than 4,500 children every day and is
a leading cause of poverty, disease, and social instability
world wide.
Rotary International has teamed with Starbucks and Ethos Water
to initiate a multi-year effort to significantly raise the
profile of World Water Day and to highlight the extraordinary
ability of every individual to make a difference.
A walk in the Charlotte
area is scheduled for March 24, 2007.
District Governor Joe Morris is asking a member of Charlotte
Rotary to coordinate
this effort among the Charlotte Clubs. Details are a bit sketchy
at this point. The important thing is we need a coordinators
name within the upcoming week. If you are willing to accept this
leadership role and Lead The Way in this important effort,
please contact the Rotary Office immediately. |
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Rotary Club of Charlotte
841 Baxter Street, Suite 118, Charlotte 28202
chltrot@bellsouth.net 704-375-6816 |
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þ
Biff "Rudolph" Virkler
thanked everyone for filling the volunteer schedule for bell
ringing and Tom Senger
reported five huge carloads of clothing and miscellaneous
items were donated to Crisis Assistance Ministry;
Randall Groves gave an
update on Powell, saying his back is some better and he will
be ready to party by December 12th;
Tom Burgess had surgery to repair a torn
retina and is recuperating at home.
þ
George Thompson, serving
as Chairman of the Board for Pfeiffer College, was among
those celebrating the 2006 Opening Academic Convocation and
the chartering of The Village Church of Pfeiffer;
Kurt Waldthausen,
honorary consul of Germany, was photographed while attending
a concert at Queens University of Charlotte's Dana
Auditorium; Frank Watson,
owner of Charlotte Van and Storage, was honored at the 52nd
annual North Carolina Movers Association Convention with the
James T. Dorman Distinguished Service Award. The award is
presented annually to a member who has exhibited outstanding
service to the Association; How I
Survived WW II documentary was nominated for a
Mid-South Regional Emmy as best historical documentary
(winners announced in January). Anyone interested in
providing corporate sponsorship of the second documentary,
Liberation, should contact Richard Bailey or the Rotary
Office; Two years ago, the club made a contribution to
Southeastern Guide Dogs, which included sponsoring and
naming a puppy to enter guide dog training. Two years later,
young "Rotey" (black Labrador retriever) has graduated from
training and has been placed with a blind recipient.
þ
CELL PHONES….please
remember to turn off your cell phone during the weekly
meetings. |
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ELECTION UPDATE |
President Luther called a brief
business meeting and asked Past President Herb Harriss to
present the slate of board members and officers for
2008-2009. Tom Robertson proposed the slate be accepted and
nominations closed. After a second by David Erdman, the
nominations were accepted by acclimation.
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2008-2009 Officers
President: Mac McCarley
Secretary: Alan Barnhardt
Treasurer: Randall Groves
2007-2009 Board of
Directors
Neil Burkhead *
Elsie Garner
Carol Hughes
* Frank Martin
Pat Millen *
Chip Scholz
Lamar Thomas
* Martin Waters |
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$100 Every
Rotarian, Every Year |
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The Rotary Club of Charlotte was
the top contributor to The Rotary Foundation during
2005-2006, with total donations of $49,851.07. Impressive
stats from RI as of October, 2006: Major Donors: 7,823;
Bequest Society: 5,195; Benefactors: 72,246; Paul Harris
Fellows: 1,022,602. If you have not yet pledged support to
your charity, The Rotary Foundation, contact the Rotary
Office for assistance. |
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Attendance
Record |
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11/28/06 |
11/29/05 |
| visitors &
guests |
15 |
13 |
| club
members |
176 |
203 |
| total
attendance |
191 |
216 |
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New Members | Resignations |
Trent Merchant
Debbie Daniels |
n/a |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
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Bob Finley: Enid, OK |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
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05 Catherine and Bob Finley |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
05 Don Carmichael,
Raleigh, NC
05 John Scharer, Derby, CT
07 Jesse Jones, Detroit, MI |
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