Prayer. O God, whose creative power is evident all around us in these early summer days, we are grateful for the resources available to us for enriched living and productive working. As stewards of the things that bring joy and meaning to life help us to use them for the food of others and for your glory.
Bless now our gathering in this place, that our influence for good will be felt in this small corner of the world. To that end we offer gratitude for sustaining food, enriching fellowship and invigorating involvement in worthwhile endeavors. Amen.
Birthdays And Anniversaries.
Birthdays:
None
Anniversaries
Don & Jackie Roberts June 18
Mike & Kathryn Dawkins June 18
Josh & Erin Walker June 20
Trip & Sandra Barnes June 21
Erik Hearon & Marla Harbor June 22
Hugh & Jennifer Johnson June 23
Pat & Suzanne Vivier June24
Membership Anniversaries
None
Apologies to Gingia Yerger for misspelling Gingia's name in last week's bulletin. We again congratulate her and Swan on their wedding anniversary.
Congratulations to Past President Kevin Russell for achieving his ED from the University of Mississippi.
We acknowledge with sadness he death of charter member and Paul Harris Fellow Jerome Smith who died on June 9
This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about micro credit.
In Cuzco, Peru Rotarians contributed $10,000 to a partnering association, Asociacion MIDE, which provided small loans to 288 low-income women. In six months these women improved their businesses and living standards, lifting them out of extreme poverty. While local Rotarians had the opportunity to work together to develop the project and approve the system of loans, the participants learned to use, administer and benefit from financial credit. In the process, the women improved their self-esteem as they acquired entirely new roles of financial responsibility for their families. How do I focus my giving? Every Rotarian, Every Year – Giving is hope in action.
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What is inspiration?
The Rotary Club of Kingsville Southshore, Ontario, Canada, involves children in all club activities.
By Stacey Jones, Rotary Club of Kingsville Southshore, Ontario, Canada
What is inspiration? To me it means that we are so moved by something, that we are compelled to act. Almost without a conscious thought.
That was my experience in Italy in the summer of 2018. While attending an event at the Coliseum, I had the opportunity to speak to Connie Nielsen about her charity called the Human Needs Project. They work primarily in the slums of Nairobi assisting people with the very basics of human needs. And as I stood there, literally rubbing elbows with these celebrities listening to them speak so passionately about their charity work; and staring out into the city from this private gala, I couldn’t help but question what I was doing with my life. And so at that moment my question became my answer.
Seven months from that night, a small group of us met for our very first Rotary meeting. The great thing about never having been in Rotary before is that we knew we could write our own script. We are a group of young professionals with families for the most part. I understood immediately that that meant kids would be a main “concern.” It’s the entire reason I hadn’t joined Rotary for so many years. I was busy with my kids!
A member and his daughter plant a tree during a club activity.
So we decided that our children had to be a part of our story. Immediately we held a vision planning session. Through that process we secured our belief that children and families would be our priority. Not just our community children, but our own. Who wants to go to meetings feeling guilty that yet another evening is being spent away from your kids?
So they tag along. We set up tables for them during our meetings and they come to most of our events and service projects. Can it be chaotic? Oh ya. Is it fun? Definitely. Does it appeal to everyone? Absolutely not.
I do understand that I have lost potential members when they come in to one of our meetings and one of the kids is doing handstands up against the wall and two others are doing a dance routine in the corner. That’s OK with me. I am happy to recommend another club in my area.
We are different. What we do offer is a new version of Rotary. Rotary 2.0. We don’t take attendance. (I hear the gasps!) We don’t recite The Four-Way Test; our children do. We don’t serve dinner at our meetings. It takes too much time. And we don’t have meetings every week. Maybe we go to someone’s house or clean up a park one week. It’s not perfect and it’s not for everyone. We are learning and growing and trying our best.
But what I do know is that it’s working. I know it’s working because last week, two of the kids made their own “end polio now” bracelets as a craft. On their own! The week before that, three of them were crawling through a ditch and long grass helping us clean a park; because it was fun. They had a meeting of their own and decided that they want to hold bake sales and also paint and sell rocks. And every Wednesday when we pick our daughter up from school, she asks if WE have Rotary tonight.
You see, kids are no different than us adults. They want to do good things because it makes them feel good. They also want to feel empowered. So let them. Just because they are children doesn’t mean they don’t have really good ideas. And allowing them to help at service projects will absolutely make that experience richer for everyone.
So while there are times that we have to shush them in a meeting or stop to kiss a boo boo, at the end of it all I know they hear us. They may not be listening but they certainly hear. And by hearing, they do. And my hope is that we’ve now created the next generation of doers.
Randy Watkins, Chair of the Randy Watkins Golf Group, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’ June 11, 2019, meeting. The Randy Watkins Golf Group owns and operates three golf courses in the Jackson area: Patrick Farms, Whisper Lake, and Lake Caroline. The subject of Mr. Watkins’ presentation was Golf happenings in Mississippi. He discussed his career as a golfer: amateur, collegiate, and professional, including his experience at the US. Open and his experience as an Ole Miss golfer. Additionally, he discussed up and coming golfers in Mississippi and the Sanderson Farms Tournament that has an estimated $20 million impact on our local economy. The tournament now has an exclusive date during which there will be no other PGA tournaments. This exclusive date should assure that the tournament will attract a stronger, more well-known field and attract a wider fan base.
We thank Mr. Watkins for his presentation and for his commitment to Mississippi. He is shown (left) with Club President Anna Powers and Club. Member and Past President Kevin Russell who introduced him.
Amanda Fontaine, Past District Governor of Rotary District 6820, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson about Families First for MS at the Club’s June 4, 2019, meeting about Families First for Mississippi. Families First for Mississippi (FFFM) is headquartered in the Jackson Metro area and provides support for families in Southern & Central Mississippi. FFFM is a service provided by Mississippi Community Education Center & Family Resource Center of North Mississippi.
Over the past 20 years, Families First for Mississippi has successfully served the state of Mississippi by providing services to meet the vast needs of Mississippians that span over generations and cross-demographic, cultural and economic backgrounds. FFFM strives to support the family system to create successful employees, provide academic and social opportunities for all Mississippi students, and provide stability for families to flourish successfully across the state of Mississippi.
Services are delivered jointly by two community organizations: The Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) and the Family Resource Center of North Mississippi (FRC). The united efforts of both organizations strengthen families of all backgrounds and life circumstances by providing support and services - from parenting classes, educational opportunities, positive youth development, literacy assistance, and workforce and job readiness. Families First for Mississippi offers these services through seminars, workshops, classes and presentations held in schools, community centers, churches, and state agency offices. Families First for Mississippi works diligently to positively impact lives and create hopeful futures for all Mississippians.
The whole family concept involves all ages as well as utilizes partnerships with state of Mississippi agencies and community organizations to fill any gaps and eliminate any duplications between services. Families First for Mississippi’s core services stimulate employment through job readiness, support family financial stability, promote literacy, increase graduation rates, support positive youth development, and promote parenting skills development. In an effort to provide students assistance who are at risk of not graduating, Families First for Mississippi offers courses in a flexible and hassle-free environment as an option to earn a high school diploma. Courses prepare students for postsecondary institutions, military, and employment opportunities.
We thank Amanda for her presentation, for her service and commitment to Rotary and to the families of Mississippi. Amanda is shown below prior to her presentation and following it with Club Vice President/President-Elect Greg Campbell.
Lee Jenkins Moss, Executive Director of the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi and member of the Club, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s May 28, 2019, meeting about Fall Prevention. She presented many facts about falls and their prevalence in older people. Her first point was that whenever you work, you need a partner. The key fact is “working together prevents falls.” Likewise remaining active will prevent falls..Falls are the number one cause of death among seniors.
The following are other key points Ms. Moss made in her presentation.
Why do we fall:
Lack of activity
Lack of awareness of our surroundings
Lack of routine
Lack of Technology
Medication affects
Our living environment
How often do we fall:
One-half of people over 65 have fallen
75% of adults over 80 have fallen
Those who have fallen will fall again
An instant response to a fall is critical for recovery
Falls cause head injuries:
Falls are the most common cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
TBI accounts for 50% of the fatal falls among older adults
Adults 75+ have the highest rate of TBI related-death
Fear of Falling:
Limited physical activity leads to reduced mobility and increased weakness
Significantly increases fall risk
Often leads to depression and reduced quality of life
Can cause further loss of function, feelings of helplessness and social isolation
Consequences of fall-related injuries:
Loss of mobility
TBI
Rapidly declining health
Hospitalization
Elevated near-term mortality
Escalation to a nursing home
Why do we want to keep you independent longer:
Nursing homes are not where you belong
Nursing homes are more than double the cost of staying at home
Abuses are regularly reported at nursing homes
60% of nursing home residents have no visitors each year
Cognitive, physical function, and health rapidly decline there
You live in a beautiful community at your home
We care, and you deserve better
Clutter causes falls:
If you are over 65, you are at risk
There are numerous traps from cords, carpets, magazines and 24 categories of items that can cause falls
You need to schedule a home safety inspection today.
Risks of _Poly-Pharmacy”
Taking multiple medications
Taking meds that aren't yours
Purchasing your meds from different pharmacies
Vision problems - you don’t see the hazards
A decline in hearing ability
The number one reason that people fall is due to a lack of physical activity that leads to loss of physical function. So why aren’t seniors more active? There are numerous benefits from physical activity:
Increased health and disease prevention
Bone, joint, and muscle strength
Increased functionality
Increased mental health and quality of life
Those who state the lates have the most to gain
It is critical that we all increase our leisure and recreation, including increased physical activity and getting out more. Don’t just sit around watching TV. Health, happiness, and security are the Goal!.
When you fall, it is critical that you respond instantly to assure safety, recovery, and independence.
Remember: It’s not how long you live, but how long you live well!
We thank Lee for her presentation. It is critical to our Club with its large number of older members!
The Rotary Club of North Jackson held its annual Club Assembly at St.Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral Tuesday, May 21, 2019. The event featured a dinner prepared by St. Andrew’s Holy Smokers and Smokettes. It included beef tenderloin, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, mixed green, and assorted desserts. Incoming club president Greg Campbell introduced his team of officers and directors.
We thank St. Andrew’s, the Holy Smokers, and the smokettes for their welcoming hospitality and the great meal. The following photos are from the event:
Mississippi State Trooper Mitchell Chappell spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson about his survival and recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the Club’s May 14, 2019 meeting. Trooper Chappell was injured on September 11, 2016, while responding to a call about a wreck on Interstate 55 when his cruiser hydroplaned sending him into a tree-filled median. He was evacuated by MHP troopers, and taken to King's Daughters' Hospital in Brookhaven and ultimately transferred to UMMC in Jackson. Trooper Chappell suffered other injuries but the most severe was the TBI.
Following the accident, he remained at UMMC for 30 days after which he was transferred to the Select Specialty Hospital in Ridgeland to continue his recovery. Ultimately he was transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. Seven months after his injury, Trooper Chappell was discharged from the Shepherd Center and returned home to MS. Trooper Chappell showed photos of himself shortly after his injury at the Select Specialty Hospital and at the Shepherd Center. He still has no memory of the accident or of what happened before he arrived at the Shepherd Center. HIs presentation to the Rotary Club was his first public speaking engagement since his injury, nearly three years ago. Trooper Chappell is shown in the following photo with Club Secretary Lee Carney following his speech. We thank him for his speech and for his service to the citizens of Mississippi.
Tom Sheppard, Head of School, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, spoke to the rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s May 7, 2019, meeting. The subject of his talk was “Why St. Andrew’s Matters to Mississippi.” He started his talk by citing that the school’s students have an average composite ACT score of 30, which on a national basis is the 95th percentile.
Mr. Sheppard came to St. Andrew’s in the fall of 2018 from the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, where he was Dean of Enrollment Management. He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and received his M. Ed.. from Lehigh University.
He presented three key points on why St. Andrew’s Matters to Mississippi: People, Program, and Partnership.
A key point is that PEOPLE are the key to St. Andrew’s, He emphasized the impact St. Andrew's graduates are having. For our state he cited Robert Langford, Executive Director of Operation Shoestring in Jackson, Lucien Smith, head of the Mississippi Republican Party, North Jackson Rotarian Jack Allin, Principal Architect with Wier Boerner Allin Architects plus other graduates making a global impact including Dr. Anita Goel, Chairman and CEO of Nanobiosym, Andrew Chatham with Google and Chief Engineer of Google’s Waymo subsidiary that is developing driverless vehicles, and Alexander Clark Founder and CEO of Technolutions.
Mr. Sheppard’s second point regarding St. Andrew’s was that the School’s PROGRAM serves as a magnet for making a difference. His final key point was that service via PARTNERSHIPS with others makes a difference to our community and the world. Examples of this service were the school’s partnerships with UMMC, The Piney Woods School, Jackson Public Schools, McWilllie and Boyd Elementary Schools. Although not included in the 3 Ps, the St. Andrew's Honor Code is a key factor for the school:
"On my honor as a St. Andrew’s student, I pledge that I will neither lie, nor cheat, nor steal.”
We thank Mr. Sheppard for his presentation to our Club and for his commitment to Mississippi. He is shown below with Rotarian Lee Moss (left) who introduced him and with Club President Anna Powers.
Shown below are Mr. Sheppard (center), with Lauren McMillin, St. Andrew’s Director of Alumni and Public Relations, and Rotarian Erik Hearon (right).
Mr. Sheppard was accompanied by Jay Philpott, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Stephanie Garriga, director of Institutional Advancement. Mrs. Garriga is shown in the following photo with Rotarian Jack Allin, a St. Andrew's alumnus.
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