Jonesboro University Rotary
N E W S L E T T E R
Thursday, August 17, 2006
President Rusty Clark called the meeting to order;
Shelia Tipton led the prayer;
Kevin Brady led the pledge to the flag;
Vocational Minute
The Innkeeper at Holiday Inn gave a vocational minute on running a successful enterprise hosting a local Rotary Club for Thursday morning breakfast meetings.! The key to it all, he pointed out, was to have adequate space and room to host virtually any group who wishes to meet in one’s facility. The gentleman host boasted that a mark of a successful operation was the ability to place a large number of persons in a smaller than necessary space then feed them somewhat sub-par entrees without losing fees. He closed by saying that the 80% capacity rule is not always applicable. What a deal.
New Member Proposal
Ted Fortenberry, station manager of KAIT-8 TV, is currently a member of Jonesboro Rotary Club, The Nooners. Ted wishes to transfer membership to URC. C! ome on in Ted…the water’s fine.
Good News
Brian and Beth Clem are the proud parents of a brand new baby boy, Solomon Clem, weighing in at
6 lbs., 3 ozs. Congratulations to Brian and Beth.
Announcements
· Josh Fletcher pinch hit for Mike Webb in announcing that the ASU Touchdown Club will! be presenting a night with Football Legend Ray Brown. Ray Brown is a graduate of and former player with the ASU Indians. Ray went on to the NFL where he excelled with the Cardinals, 49ers and Redskins. He played 21 years in the NFL and was voted All-Pro during his tenure. The event will be held Thursday, August 31, 2006, at 5:30 Social, 6:30 dinner and auction. It will be held at the Jonesboro Holiday Inn. Tickets: $75.00 per copy. 8 for $500.00. See Mike for your ticket today!
· Chris Conger announced that US Marine son is currently in Cyprus and is preparing for another deployment to the Middle East. He is due to be a daddy in October and coming home for good in December. A lot can happen between now and January 1. Keep him, Chris and the entire Conger family in your most earnest prayers.
· Good bye to our good friend, Andy Grumbles. Andy is moving to Little Rock to further his career. We will miss our good buddy, Andy. Best wishes!
· Rita Reed gave heartfelt thanks for URC and the various club members who helped grant the wish for Gage Stallcup to be a super hero. John flew the plane; Teresa and Kevin snapped photos; and Dan drove the limo. Others fixed and prepared and the effort to “Make His Day” was an overwhelming success!! Thanks to all for a wonderful job!
· Sign up time for Super Senior. Jane Jamison is heading up Super Seniors this year. If you were absent Thursday, or did not see the sign up sheets, see Jane to get your name on the sheet. Super Seniors is one of our most worthwhile projects.
· URC will be sponsoring 2 golf teams this weekend at the District Golf Tournament at Red Apple Inn. Good Luck, guys.
· Jay Clevenger and Gary Childers gave update on the upcoming senior tour tournament to be held in October at Sage Meadows Golf Course. There are 3 x 8 banners available to advertise the tourney. If you wish to post a banner at your business or home for a few days prior to the event, let Jay know. The intent is move them around to maximize the coverage. Gary had a list of sponsors available for review and announced that $43,000-48,000 had been committed so far. This is the approximate break even point. The profits are now due to begin. Need more sponsors: hole sponsors are available for $750.00. Also, as Jay explained, we need a ball drop sponsor: a Heliflopter will carry buckets of golf balls which have been purchased at $5 per pop and drop them over the driving range hole. The one in the hole will win the big bucks.
· Shelia Tipton is coordinating Tournament Shirts. The tournament logo, Rotary logo and Sage Meadows logo will be on the shirt. Contact Shelia for size availability.
Donations
Soccer Team: The Rotary Raptors will be sponsored again by University Rotary Club. We look forward to hearing of the weekly success of this team.
CASA: URC will fund the training of a volunteer to work with the Courts.
Delta Symphony: URC donated funds to assist the financing for the worthwhile symphony.
Crowleys Ridge Development Council: Supply Our Schools.
Program
Benton Smith is chair of the Craighead County Election Commission. He is one of three commissioners, serving with Brandy Brown and Jeanette Robertson. Benton has served 5 years, and succeeded former URC member Don Parker. Benton and Brandy are members of the Democratic Party and Jeanette is a member of the Republican Party. Prevailing rules provide that the majority party in the last state-wide general election will be declared as such. Thus, the majority rule is applied to each county election commission.
In the May primary, during early voting, 40% of the voter used electronic voting machines as opposed to paper ballots. The goal for the November General Election is 100%.
HAVA (Helping Americans Vote Act) which actually grew out of the Florida Debacle a few years ago, was an concerted effort to ensure that all eligible voters, with emphasis on disabled voters, to make each vote count. During the May primary, only 30% of the voters used the machines on election day at the voting precincts. There are 53,000 registered voters in Craighead County and only 17% voted in the May primary and 12% voted in the runoff. The goal of the CCEC is to have 100% casting! votes.
Craighead County will spend $300,000-400,000 with ES and S to run this year’s various elections. The Federal Government granted Craighead $350,000.00 to run the elections this year. There are 23 precints in Craighead and some of the sites have been consolidated due to lack of machines.
Internet voting (especially for military personnel) is a probability in the future. Good program. Thanks to Margaret Holloway for introducing the program speaker.
Four Way Test
Ms. Banker Tamara Jansen led the 4-Way Test: First, Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendships, will it be beneficial to all concerned.
This Week’s Program
Chef’s Surprise. See you there. Editor.
