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Club Announcements:
Register for the End Polio Now 5-K Race & Walk!
The District 6820 End Polio Now 5-K Race & Walk will be held Saturday October 23rd @ 9:00a.m. at the Flowood Family YMCA. Please go to 5k.rotary6820.com, to register. Sponsors are also needed for the event. Contact Neelam Goel @ neelgoel08@gmail.com if you are interested.
Proposed New Member Announcement
Sharon Alicia Simmons, PhD has been proposed for membership in the Rotary Club of North Jackson by Lori Greer and sponsored for membership by Past President Don Roberts. She is currently Rotarian, a member of the St. Thomas Sunrise Rotary Club in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Upon the approval of her membership in the Rotary Club of North Jackson, that membership will terminate. Sharon is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Jackson State University College of Business, Department of Accounting, Finance, & Entrepreneurship. A native of St, Thomas, USVI, she came to the United States to enroll at Hampton University where she was awarded a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She continued her studies at the University of Virginia where she received both a law degree and a master’s degree in accounting. Later, after enrolling at Syracuse University she earned she earned her doctorate in entrepreneurship & emerging enterprises. Sharon lives in Jackson. Her husband, Al, is in New Jersey completing his licensure as a Special Education Teacher and their daughter, Joia, is a fulltime student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Pi Theta Omega Chapter. She will be loaned the classification, Education - JSU Business, after her membership is approved by the Board.
This is the 1st publication of this proposed new member.
Prayer:
We are grateful for the autumn blessings garnered from the world of nature. In the familiar context of Rotarian fellowship we pray that beyond camaraderie and the details of club business, we will gain a fresh awareness of the power we have to do good, to bring help and hope to those in need of those gifts. We pray for all who have personal needs unknown to us-the need for comfort, healing, courage and strength. Thank you, God, for life and all its blessings, for food prepared for us today and for friendships we cherish. Amen.
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.
