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Club Announcements:
Proposed New Member Announcement
James L. “ Pete” Perry has been proposed for membership in the Rotary Club of North Jackson by Past President Tom Parry and sponsored for membership by Past President Don Roberts.
Pete has previously been a Rotarian as a member of both the Rotary Club of Philadelphia ( MS) (1969-81) and the Rotary Club of Jackson (1981 -83). He attended Mississippi State University and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree. He has worked as an Election Law consultant for the past 16 years. He will be loaned the classification Consultant – Elections after his membership is approved by the Board. Pete has two adult children, Jim and Rebecca. He lives in the Belhaven area. This is the 2nd publication of this proposed new member.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
It is time again to Ring The Bell for the Salvation Army. We will work, as usual at the Corner Market Grocer on Northside Drive. We will be working for 3 days. Wed, Dec 8, Thur, Dec. 9th & Friday, Dec. 10th. We will start at 10 AM and end at 5 PM. We will work in pairs for at least a one hour shift. Please consider signing up for 2 shifts. Sign-up sheets will be at the sign-in table or you can call Rob Whitley at Whitley’s Flowers 601-362-8844.
Club Service Project @ Parham Bridges Park
The club will hold a service project Saturday December 4, 2021 from 9a.m. until 11a.m. at Parham Bridges Park at the corner of Ridgewood Rd. and Old Canton Rd. We will plant the 400 tulip bulbs that were given to us by our Rotary District 6820. Please bring work gloves, shovels and bulb planters. Please contact David Barrett @ david_barrett2@comcast.net if you have any questions.
Prayer:
We praise you, O God, from whom all blessings flow, from whom we gain inspiration for living and incentive for serving. In this season of Thanksgiving we are grateful for out national heritage of giving thanks derived from our Pilgrim forebears. We honor the stalwart settlers and courageous statesmen who fashioned America on the bedrock of religious faith which they were not hesitant to boldly express and practice. As we gather this week with family and friends at tables laden lavishly with food, help us to be genuinely grateful and, in the spirit of Rotarian commitment to service, to remember others. Bless now, we pray, not only our food and table fellowship, but also the noble purposes for which we exist. Give us new visions of service opportunities and deepen our commitment to them. We pray the same for other clubs world-wide. With thankful hearts we pray. Amen.
Whit Rayner and Katie Hester with the Jones Walker LLP Law Firm, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its November 16, 2021 meeting. The attorneys spoke about the NCAA Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Policy. On June 30, 2021, the Division 1 Board of Directors approved an interim name, image and likeness (NIL) policy. This new policy allows all NCAA D1, D2 and D3 student-athletes to be compensated for their NIL as of July 1, 2021, regardless of whether their state has a NIL law in place or not. Mississippi has a law as well.
The policy provides the following guidance to college athletes, recruits, their families and member schools:
Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities are responsible for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law.
College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.
A school may not revoke or reduce a student-athletic's grant-in-aid scholarship or other financial aid if they engage in the NIL.
An NIL agreement can't be used as an inducement to a student-athletic to attend, enroll and participate in sports at a school.
The student-athletic must be enrolled in the school.
Here is the link to the meeting video: https://vimeo.com/647139331. Shown in the photo below are from left, Whit Rayner, Katie Hester and Don Roberts, Club Executive Secretary-Treasurer.
Bobby Rush, two time Grammy winning Blues Artist, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its November 9, 2021 meeting. Rush, who turned 87 on Nov. 10th, has been a Blues Artist for 70 years and recorded 397 records. Rush has been awarded 12 Blues Music Awards and two Grammy Awards. In 2017, at the age of 83, Rush won his first Grammy Award in the category of Best Traditional Blues Album for Porcupine Meat. In 2018, a remix of Rush's song Funk O'De Funk by American electronic music duo Smle was nominated for Best Remixed Recording at the 60th Grammy Awards. Rush was awarded his 2nd Grammy Award in 2021 for the Best Traditional Blues Album Rawer than Raw. He has a new book about his life and career titled Ain't Studdin' Ya, My American Blues Story. Shown in the photo below from left, Club President Uriel Pineda, Rush and Club Past President Greg Campbell. Here is the link to the meeting video that contains graphic language https://vimeo.com/645297847.
Pat Nelson, Executive Vice-President of the Home Builders Association of Mississippi, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its November 2, 2021 meeting. Nelson, a Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Brookhaven, informed members and guest about the effects the pandemic has had on the home building industry in Mississippi and the USA. Nelson has been the Executive Vice-President of the HBAM for a year. Nelson was employed by Entergy for many years as well as serving in the Mississippi Legislature. 300 jobs are created when 100 new homes are built. 3.9 million work in the residential construction industry. The price of building a new home has skyrocketed since the pandemic and now ads around $35,000 to the cost of an average home. The price for a 4'x8' sheet of plywood (OSB) was $7 before the pandemic and reached a high of $62 per sheet. The price of wiring for the home, went from $60 per roll to $180 per roll. Those building a new home or renovating one, also have to wait weeks and months for windows, other building materials and appliances. To view the video of the meeting, please click on this link https://vimeo.com/642219339. Shown in the photo below are from left, Club President Uriel Pineda, Nelson and Club Director Bill Osborne.
The Rotary Club of North Jackson held a New Member Orientation on Tuesday evening October 26th at the Manship. Club Past President led the information session for club members that have joined the club during the past four years. Club members standing from left; Charles Lindsay, Caroline Kemp, James Clay, Lee Carney, Don Roberts and Lori Greer. Seated from left; John Garrard, Neela Goel, Uriel Pineda, Lynette Suttlar and Sharon Simmons.
Jamie Franks, a local attorney, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its October 26, 2021 meeting. Franks talked about his firm representing victims of the 1998 Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. The attacks, conducted by Al Qaeda terrorists, killed hundreds and injured thousands. Victims and family members sued Sudan, claiming it should be held financially responsible for helping Al Qaeda carry out the bombings. A twenty-year legal battle to secure damages for victims of 1998 terror attacks ended with a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court reinstating billions of dollars in punitive damages against Sudan in May of 2020. Attorneys Bill Wheeler and Jamie Franks sued the government of Sudan, for its role funding truck bomb attacks that detonated outside U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. “These terrorists, if you take their money away from them, they are basically thugs on the street and that’s what we need to do is make sure we do that, but we also need to hold countries accountable who support terrorists, and Sudan gave aid, comfort and everything to Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda and helped do this,” said Attorney Jamie Franks. According to Franks, some Americans also received compensation for their or family members injuries or death. Shown below are from left, Club President Uriel Pineda, Franks and club member Virginia Carlton. Here is the link to the meeting's video https://vimeo.com/639817114.
Dr. Nelson Atehourta, JSU professor of Health Sciences, a Polio survivor and our own club member, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its October 19, 2021 meeting. Dr. "A" gave club members and guest an update on Rotary's effort to help eradicate Polio and an update on COVID 19 vaccines and ending the pandemic. The only 2 countries where there are reported cases of Polio are Pakistan and Afghanistan. Cases have increased in the last few years There were 3 cases reported so far in 2021. That does not mean that we are almost finished with the eradication of Polio even though Rotary has helped reduce the cases by 99.9% since 1988. Polio vaccines still need to be given for years to come to make sure that the disease is gone. Dr. Atehourta also gave members and guest and update on COVID 19. Dr. "A" said that there will be more strains of the virus. Shown in the below photo are from left, Club President Uriel Pineda, Dr. A and Club Director Neelem Goel. Here is the link to the meeting video,https://vimeo.com/637623677l.
Mark Formby, Chairman of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its October 12, 2021 meeting. Formby informed club members and guest about the changes he has made to make the commission more efficient since being appointed to the commission and named chairman in 2017. Formby served twenty-four years in the Mississippi House of Representatives as a member of the Committees on Insurance, Energy, Public Utilities, Marine Resources, Oil and Gas, Education, Rules, Revenue and Expenditure, Ways and Means, and Interstate Cooperation. Formby has served as Chairman of the Insurance Committee, the Rules Committee, and the Revenue and Expenditure Committee. The Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission is an agency that enforces workers’ compensation laws. The MS Workers’ Compensation Commission can award benefits to employees even when an employer denied their claim. Workers'compensationis essentiallya no-fault insuranceplanmandatedbyState law, supervisedbythe Workers' CompensationCommissionand paidforentirelybyemployers. The Workers'CompensationLawwas enactedby the Legislature in1948 toguarantee the payment ofcertainmedical andwage loss benefits topersonsinjuredon theirjob. Shown in photo below are from left, Club President Uriel Pineda, Chairman Formby and club member Virginia Carlton. Here is the link to the meeting's videohttps://vimeo.com/632101846.
Pete Perry, a member of the Jackson Municipal 1% Sales Tax Commission, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its October 5, 2021 meeting. Perry discussed how the commission started and the projects that have been completed and the ones that are planed for Jackson. On January 14, 2014, citizens throughout Jackson convincingly passed legislation to approve a 1% increase in the sales taxcharged on many purchases within the city, with the money raised by this tax to be used exclusively for addressing in part the city’s infrastructure needs. This vote recognized the need for improvingJackson’s infrastructure largely resulting froma lack of maintenance overmany decades. The support expressed by the citizens’ votewas due at least in part to the assurance that the money collected would be spent strictly on infrastructure and not become part of the city’s general budget to be spent on routine operating expenses. This assurance was given to the voters by the legislature’s requirement that an Oversight Commissionwould be established with the responsibility to establish a Master Plan for infrastructure improvements. Once the Master Plan was developed, the commissionwas further charged with insuring that the tax funds were spent in compliance with the Master Plan.The Oversight Commissionis composed of ten voting members –four representing the business community and appointed bythe Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, three appointed by the Mayor with approval by the Jackson CityCouncil, and one each appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Some of the projects that have been completed are Northside Dr., N. State St., and Mill Street. Some of the projects that are under construction or planned are, Riverside Drive, Meadowbrook Rd. and Woodrow Wilson. Shown in photo, Uriel Pineda, Club President; Perry and Dorsey Carson, club member. Here is the link to the meeting videohttps://vimeo.com/624752680.
The Rotary Club of North Jackson recognized two members as Paul Harris Fellows during its September 28, 2021 meeting. Club member Steve Orlansky, was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and Club Past President Greg Campbell was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow plus 3. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Shown from left Club President Uriel Pineda, Orlansky and Campbell.
The Rotary Club of North Jackson recognized the Jackson Police Department's Precinct 4 Officer of the Quarter during its September 28, 2021 meeting. Corporal Abe Gines was honored for his exemplary conduct and performance of the duties as an officer of JPD Precinct 4. Corporal Gines was on duty when he received a notification from his home's security camera. He checked the video and saw that five male juveniles were attempting to open the doors to gain entry to his and other vehicles in the area. Corporal Gines and other Precinct 4 officers made it to the scene and witness the men in action. He ran the auto's license plate and discovered it was stolen. The officers attempted to arrest them, but 4 evaded capture. After booking the captured suspect, he traveled back to the area and spotted the 4 suspects. After calling for backup, the juveniles were arrested on charges of auto theft and attempted auto burglary and taken to the Henley Young Detention Center. Shown in front row from left, Deputy Chief Tiny Harris, Cynthianna Gines, wife of Corporal Gines; Corporal Gines, Steve Orlansky, club committee chair; and JPD Chief James Davis. Back row from left, Precinct 4 Interim Commander Obie Wells Jr., Deputy Chief Deric Hearn, Assistant Chief Joseph Wade, Deputy Chief Tyrone Buckley and Sergeant Michael Outland. This is the link to the meeting's video https://vimeo.com/618052470.
The Rotaract Club of Millsaps College and the Rotary Club of North Jackson, teamed up to collect non-perishable food items for the Jackson Community Response organization. Shown from left in 1st photo club members Rita Sun, Neelam Goel, Greg Campbell and Uriel Pineda. Shown in 2nd photo, Taylor Smith, President of the Rotaract Club of Millsaps. Shown in 3rd photo, Daniel Thomas a volunteer with Jackson Community Response, Taylor Smith, Greg Campbell, Uriel Pineda, Neelam Goel and Rita Sun.
Pat Busby, President of Century Club Charities spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its September 21, 2021 meeting. Since 1994, Century Club Charities members and supporters have worked to promote the combined interests of golf and philanthropy. Century Club Charities is the host organization of Mississippi’s PGA Tour event, the Sanderson Farms Championship, and have raised more than $19 million for Children’s of Mississippi through their annual giving to Friends of Children’s Hospital and other Mississippi charities over the years. The 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship is September 27th through October 3rd at The Country Club of Jackson. Busby, informed members about the different levels of membership in the Century Club Charities organization. Defending Champion Sergio Garcia headlines the field with six Major Champions for 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship. Joining Garcia, with a special tournament exemption is 2019 U.S. Amateur Champion Andy Ogletree. Andy, who hails from Union, MS, graduated Georgia Tech in 2020, was low amateur at the 2020 Masters, and was a member of the victorious 2019 Walker Cup Team. Shown in photo from left, Uriel Pineda, Club President; Busby and Matt Monsour, Club Treasurer. Here is the link to the meeting's video https://vimeo.com/611971184.
The Rotary Club of North Jackson named Don Roberts, Club Executive Secretary/Treasurer, as the Rotarian of the Year for the Rotary year 2020-2021 during its September 14, 2021, meeting. Roberts was chosen for his distinguished service, loyalty, and devotion to the club and to the ideals of Rotary. Shown presenting Roberts the recognition is Uriel Pineda, Club President, left.
Congratulations, Don, and thanks for a job well done!
Zach Scruggs, Executive Director of 2nd Chance MS, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its September 14, 2021 meeting. 2nd Chance MS promotes and supports adult education and work skills training in Miss. They remove barriers that can keep an adult student from obtaining a high school equivalency and /or employable certification.
Paraphrasing from 2nd Chance MS’ Facebook page, “Dickie Scruggs and his son Zach, know first-hand what it means to get a second chance. As federal inmates, they got second chances by helping their fellow inmates prepare for the high school equivalency diploma. Then, and since their release, the Scruggs have been working to formulate a plan to continue their commitment to help adult learners get the education they missed the first time around. Their mission is to help Mississippi's community colleges provide a second chance to thousands of struggling Mississippians who lack a skill certification or high school diploma. By raising awareness and funds, the Scruggs will secure the resources necessary to provide a second chance for adult learners. Funds raised can be used to enhance instruction, pay testing and skill certification costs and provide supplemental support for adult learners who face barriers to their success....giving them a second chance, one step at a time.“
Shown from left, Uriel Pineda, Club President; Scruggs and Bill Osborne, Club Director.
We thank Scruggs for his commitment to improving the lives of Mississippians and their lifetime success outlooks. His presentation and the complete meeting can be viewed on the following video linkhttps://vimeo.com/606735498.
Daisy Carter, Exec. Director, NCADD of Central Miss., spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its September 7 meeting. Carter informed club members about NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) and its purpose. NCADD is the leading advocacy organization in the world addressing alcoholism and drug dependence. It emphasizes that addiction is a disease and that treatment is available. Since its founding in 1944, NCADD has raised public awareness about addiction throughout the United States and increasingly across the global community. NCADD of Central Mississippi is one of 90 local affiliates in the United States.
Shown in the following photo after Carter's presentation are from left, Don Roberts, club Admin. Secretary-Treasurer; Carter, and Uriel Pineda, club President. We thank Carter for her presentation and for her commitment to helping Mississippians with dependency problems.
Carter distributed the flyer for the upcoming 5K Color Run /Walk on September 18. The flyer follows.
Carter's presentation and the complete meeting may be seen by clicking the following link: https://vimeo.com/600432472
Lynette M. Sutlar, a Ridgeland, Mississippi Realtor, was inducted into the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s August 24 meeting. Lynette is a licensed Real Estate Broker and is the owner of 1Star Realty LLC in Ridgeland. She holds Master’s degrees in both business and accountancy.
Lynette is shown in the first photo with her sponsor Past Club president Tom Parry who is presenting her with her club badge.
Club Administrative Secretary/Treasurer, Don Roberts is shown presenting Lynette with her Rotary pin in the next photo.
We welcome Lynette to the Rotary Club of North Jackson.
John Cohen, Director of Athletics at Mississippi State University spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s August 24 meeting. He started his presentation with the school motto “Hail State", which is also the name of the school’s athletic website.
Cohen discussed the successes of the athletes and teams both on the field and in the classroom as well as his history with the university both as a student and as a staff member. Cohen also brought the 2021 College World Series National Championship Trophy to the meeting. He is shown (left) holding the trophy with Don Roberts (Center), club Administrative Secretary/Treasurer, and Rotarian Jeff Adcock (right) who is a rabid MSU fan in the following photo.
Cohen played baseball at MSU and returned as head baseball coach in 2008. He was previously head baseball coach at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana and the University of Kentucky. He became MSU Director of Athletics in 2016.
In his presentation, Cohen emphasized that MSU athletes achieved a 3.18.grade-point average in 2020-2021. It should be noted that the national championship that MSU won this year in baseball is the first national championship in school history.
In addition to discussing the successes of MSU athletes, Cohen reviewed plans to upgrade Davis Wade Football Stadium, the softball facility, and the renovation and modernization of Humphrey Coliseum. These projects follow the recent upgrade of Dudy Noble baseball facility.
We thank Cohen for speaking tour club and for his commitment and success at MSU. His presentation and the complete meeting may be seen by clicking the following link: https://vimeo.com/591965195.
