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THE FABULOUS FOUR
By: Marilynn Bowler
It’s no easy task to follow “How I Got Where I’m At” chairman, David
Norman, but the quartet of new Charlotte Rotary members who marched
to the microphone at today’s meeting managed to entertain and inform
with humor, dignity and thoughtful remarks. Long a favorite program
among Charlotte Rotarians, HIGWIA was both poignant and funny, and
the 200+ members in attendance clearly enjoyed the ride.
Will Barnhardt, of Technical Textiles, LLC, told – with tongue in
cheek - of his concern that our club would be over the limit in the
textile industry classification and, specifically, that the
“Barnhardt classification” would be filled. In giving it some
serious thought he determined that it was a “containment issue” …
the world relaxes a bit when it can account for all Barnhardts being
in one place at the same time, every Tuesday of the year. Will went
on to share his thoughts as a native Charlottean who had moved away
but then “Charlotte pulled me back.” He wants his children to grow
up in this city and to be involved in organizations here, such as
Habitat for Humanity and Seigle Avenue Preschool Co-op. He cited the
spirit of the Charlotte community that exerts the strong pull and
used descriptive words such as, “uplifting, inspiring and humbling;
leadership and dedication to the big picture.” In Will’s words, “I’m
a ‘got where I’m at’ by luck, but I’m a ‘where I’m at’ by choice. He
said that newcomers to our city are surprised at the welcoming and
encouraging attitude of Charlotte. They’re pleased to be invited to
participate in the community and are delighted with the friendships
resulting from that participation.
Jody Billard, PCA International, Inc., then took over the MIC.
Having grown up in a poverty-stricken town in southeast Kansas, he
was fortunate to be the son of a public school principal and a
mother who challenged him with questions such as, “Were you on
time?” and “Were you passionate about what you did today?” and “Did
you return kindness with kindness?” and “Did you laugh at yourself
today?” A 1989 Pittsburg Kansas Rotary Foundation Graduate
Fellowship winner who studied in the school of Accounting and
Finance at the University of Tasmania in Australia, Jody is now a
CPA with PCA and is certified in three states. He spoke of the
positive experiences he had during his stay in Tasmania and then
told us that he attributes his success so far to his parents, his
university, his wife and his God. He emphasized the importance of
having heroes in life and advised us that his heroes have always
been his parents. Jody closed with the sentence, “Even when I’ve had
a rough day at work, such a day is long forgotten when I experience
the passion, kindness, hugs and laughs I receive from my three
children (soon to be four) and my wife.”
Chris Kemper, Sagemark Consulting, began his remarks by
acknowledging Bill Meanor for introducing him to Rotary and for
being a friend of the family for 25+ years and a “prince among men.”
He then gave tribute to his parents for instilling the core beliefs
and values that shaped his childhood and his life. Thirdly, he
thanked his wife, Shelley, for “believing in me as we take this trip
together.” Lastly, Chris spoke of his baby son, Jacob, “Words will
never describe what you mean to me but I thank God every day you’re
with me.” Born in Greensboro, NC, it was during his childhood years
that he learned several important things from his best friends,
Darius Deese and Pookie. Citing Darius as “the coolest kid I ever
met” Chris learned the valuable lesson that one should never judge
people by what they look like, where they live or how they talk. He
spoke of his appreciation for time spent as a Boy Scout where he
learned the value of being a member of a team, how to take
responsibility, and about leadership, ethics and healthy
self-esteem. It was his Dad and the two family lawnmowers, however,
who taught him the meaning of work ethic, a trait which he has
strengthened throughout his career with Dick Klingman, Jim Burton,
and Bill Meaner. A baseball player who was recruited by the
University of Tennessee, he worked his way through school by waiting
tables at night, collecting trash in the morning and finishing
drywall on the weekends. He talked of a trip to Moscow, Russia with
his parents to visit his brother. It was there that he saw firsthand
the pride and the privilege of voting in an election as he took in
the first democratically-held election.
B.G. Metzler, owner of her own business specializing in marketing,
project management, fundraising and PR, moved to our city in 1973
and has been a ball of fire and energy on the Charlotte scene ever
since. Her husband Rob and their three children moved into a new
home in Stonehaven and immediately became active in neighborhood and
community affairs. (B.G. reminded us that in 1973, the Stonehaven
area, near Providence Day School, was considered “way out in the
county.”) B.G. began her working career in Charlotte with Carolina
Virginia Trade Show as a part-time fashion consultant and also
taught interior decorating. She soon joined the Jan Thompson Talent
Agency (aka: JTA) where she had the good fortune to call our own
fellow Rotarian Jan Thompson, her “boss.” When Ted Turner was
selling independent TV station Channel 36, she joined the NBC
affiliate as an associate producer and weekend weather anchor which
later became a full-time weather anchor position. Her next move took
her to Discovery Place where she handled marketing, fundraising and
public relations for thirteen years before leaving there to join
Charlotte Center City Partners as vice president of marketing.
Taking a giant step and a deep breath, B.G. left to open her own
business and continue her community involvement, in particular, the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation where she currently serves
as a board member. She closed by reminding us of how fast time flies
… her three little kids who came with her to Charlotte in 1973 are
now grown and have families and careers of their own.
Head Table:
Will Barnhardt, Jody Billiard,
Catherine Browning, David Norman, Tony Marciano, Chris Kemper, BG
Metzler
Visitors and Guests:
Gene Bratek; Visitors & Guests: Phil
Volponi; Health & Happiness: Phil Van Hoy; Song: Richard Early
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Thanks for helping
mail the 2nd Quarter invoices:
Powell Majors, Tom Burgess, and
Selena Rogers.
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Jeff Searcy will have surgery on Tuesday. We wish
him the best.
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Central Piedmont Community
College President Tony Zeiss
received the “CEO of the Year” Award from the Association of
Community College Trustees during their banquet in New
Orleans
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Janet Fortner and Hospice at Charlotte received
the Community Service award from Leadership Charlotte.
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Look for referee
Jeff Triplett at the
Buffalo and Miami game.
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Mike Rash, president and broker-in-charge of Exit
Realty Advantage, was elected the N.C. Association of
Realtors Region VII vice president.
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Tom
Senger was named vice president and management
supervisor, a new position, at Luquire George Andrews.
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Pam
Dittloff has received the designation of
Certified Financial Planner.
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Catawba Lands Conservancy
board members welcomed new executive director, Dave Cable,
at a reception at Hodges Taylor Gallery (Christie
Taylor). The party was hosted by
Bob and Peggy Culbertson
and the conservancy’s board of directors.
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Alan Adler will have a series of articles
appearing on a monthly basis in the Charlotte Business
Journal (Jeannie Falknor)
on what businesses and organizations in the region are doing
to enhance customer relationships and become easier to do
business with.
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NEW MEMBER
APPROVAL |
The Classification and Membership
Committee recommend and the Directors approve for
consideration for all members, the following NEW MEMBER.
Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, please
call the Rotary Office by October 19th. You will be
contacted by a member of the Board. Otherwise, no reply is
necessary and election will proceed according to our bylaws.
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Proposed Member
Company
Classification
Sponsor
Endorsed |
Eric J. Carrig
Exervio Management Consulting
Consulting, Business Strategy
Sadler Barnhardt
Kelly Pharr & Pam Dittlott |
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Attendance
Record |
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10/12/04 |
10/14/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
12 |
15 |
| club
members |
175 |
175 |
| total
attendance |
187 |
190 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
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20 Shelly and Chris Kemper |
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New Members | Resignations |
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n/a |
Billy
King
Rufus Robinson
John Granzow
Mary John Dye
Mary Mack
Steve Menaker
Steve Carter |
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| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
19 George Page,
Greenwood, SC
20 Mark Leggett, Goldsboro, NC
21 Leland Park, Alexandria, LA
21 Lila Rash, Shelby, NC
24 Charlie Greer, Atlanta, GA
24 Jerry Walters, Charlotte, NC
25 Jim Kelley, Akron, OH |
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