Rotary Roundup
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Jonesboro-University
Jonesboro, Arkansas –July 6, 2006
Prayer: Jayni Blackburn
Pledge: Paul Holmes
Visiting Rotarian: Fred Swindle from the Paragould Club
Make-ups: None
Guests: Zack Bare guest of Terry Bare
John Miles Jr. guest of Rob Delaney
Neil Crousen guest of Dave Davidson
Announcements
Jay Clevenger announced Optus will be the Sponsor of the Heartland Tour Event is taking shape. The committee is making progress and doling out assignments.
Ken Stacks said there were a few additional tickets available for the Cardinals/Dodgers game, Sunday July 16. Contact Ken if you have interest.
Dosha Cummins needs more help with the watering team for the Chris Carlisle Memorial Park. If you sign up, it will only be once every few weeks you will be asked to go out and water.
July 20 will be a family of Rotary day at the Park. Bring the family and learn more about the trees that are there. More details will follow.
The Make-A-Wish project will most likely be the third week of July. We are waiting on the official date from the Foundation. Preparations for Gage’s big party are coming together and we need to come together to make it a great event.
Good News
Rusty Clark offered thanks to Charles Harris for making the neighborhood come to life for the 4th of July.
Jay Clevenger expressed appreciation for Glenn Bowers showing up for the annual banquet last week. He said he had almost forgotten what the immediate past president looked like.
Joe Stallings pointed out that Dosha Cummins has been with AHEC 10 years and Scott Dickson has been with them for 5 years.
Chris Conger’s son Josh is back in the Gulf with the Marines. His other son, Matt is off to Spain.
Program
Dave Davidson introduced accomplished author and Arkansas Historian, Dr. Michael Dougan. Dr. Dougan gave a lively discussion that pointed out that you can foresee the future of Arkansas by looking at the history of our state.
He pointed out five keys that can determine our future:
Rurality is leaving the state. Rural school systems are going away which causes inactive communities.
Reaction to pressing problems will determine our future. There are issues out there that present a true challenge. Immigration, education and others will have a large roll to play in our future.
Religion has not integrated into politics in Arkansas as it has in most of the other southern states.
Race relations are still a concern in Arkansas. We may not hear as much about it, but the problem is still there in a lot of communities.
Sexism – the biggest problem with sex discrimination is young pregnancy. Arkansas is s econd in the nation behind Nevada in terms of divorce rate. This begins our young women on a cycle of dependency.
Four Way Test: Joy Vaupel
