O God, we gather once again as men and women committed to the values espoused by Rotarians everywhere, values and virtues desperately needing to be infused in our culture. We believe the qualities which characterize Rotarianism at its best have their origin in your will and purpose. We pray, therefore, for divine assistance as we seek to so integrate them into our social, business, and professional structures, that they become the accepted basis for behavior.
Accept our gratitude for all gifts and challenges which come from your hand. Amen
Club Announcements:
Upcoming Events:
1.Rise Against Hunger food packing at Madison United Methodist Church - February 27, 2020, 9 am - 12 noon.
2. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Twin Lakes Camp, Feb 27- 29. For children and grandchildren of Rotarians. A limited number of scholarships are available.
3. President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) March 5-7, Natchez, MS
4. Women in Rotary Luncheon, Country Club of Jackson, March 17
5. Multi-District Conference, New Orleans, April 17-19.
Rotary International - Toastmasters International Collaboration.
At the January 14, 2020 meeting of the Rotary Club of North Jackson, Rotarian and Club Secretary, Suman Das, discussed the collaboration between RI and TMI. The two organizations have similar histories and similar organizational structures. Please look for more information on the collaboration in the coming weeks.
Dr. William B. Bynum, Jr., 11th President of Jackson State University spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s February 4, 2020, meeting. Dr. Bynum received his undergraduate education in Sociology at Davidson University in Davidson, NC and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University in Durham, NC. Prior to becoming President of JSU, Dr. Bynum served Clark University in Atlanta, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, & Mississippi Valley State University. He is a native of Rocky Mount, NC.
Dr. Bynum recounted the history of JSU, which was founded as Natchez Seminary in 1877 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. Over time, the university grew and changed. In 1934 the Home Mission Society withdrew its support. Jackson State became state-supported in 1940 and was renamed Jackson State University in 1974. JSU is consistently ranked as one of the top HBCUs in the US. The university offers some 50 graduate programs in 9 colleges and schools and 5 satellite campuses in the Jackson Metropolitan Area in addition to online learning. It is classified as a “higher research university” by the Carnegie Foundation.
Jackson State’s main campus consists of 245 acres in West Jackson. Dr. Bynum discussed plans to develop 25 acres on the east side of the main campus in a “P3” development where P3 refers to a public, private partnership. Proposals for specific developments will be received in November 2020.
When Dr. Bynum was named president, the university was in a “cash crunch” that he attributed to excessive scholarships that cut into the revenue stream. He said that the university is now cash-flow positive and is near to meeting the Institution of Higher Learning’s (IHL) cash guidelines.
We thank Dr. Bynum for his presentation and for his work on behalf of JSU. He is shown below following his talk with from Left to right: Dr. Dorothy Anderson, Dr. Bynum, Rotarian and Club Director Larry Anderson, and Dr.Theresia Ratliff, Director of Social Work Field Placement, JSU.
Michelle’ Bingham, Special Events Coordinator and Communications Director at Stewpot Community Services, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its January 28, 2020 meeting. Bingham discussed the different programs of Stewpot including the Billy Brumfield House (BBH).
The BBH is a shelter for up to 60 men a night, provides three services. It serves as an emergency shelter for homeless men, offering safe shelter, clean showers, nutritious food, and a supportive community. It also offers a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, supported by AA meetings, group and individual counseling, employment requirements, and a savings program. Finally, for men with medical disabilities, it provides support and a stable place to live as they navigate state and federal requirements to receive benefits and permanent housing. The Billy Brumfield House was named for a homeless man who died of hypothermia while sleeping in his car. Our club provides super to the men on the First Tuesday of each month. If you are interested in helping with this project, please see Matt Monsour or Suzie Tubb. Shown from left are Matt Monsour, club director; Bingham and Larry Anderson, club director.
Enrique Garcia spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its January 21, 2020 meeting. Garcia, from Guadalajara, Mexico, is the coordinator and host for the 2019 and 2020 District 6820 service trips to Guadalajara, Mexico. Garcia is past president of the Rotary Club of Tlaquepaque Industrial and Rotary District 4140 Coordinator for the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Mexico. Garcia informed club members and guests about the service work members of our Rotary District 6820 and Rotarians from other districts are doing in the Guadalajara area. Garcia and his wife Merylu are multiple Paul Harris Fellows and both members of the Paul Harris Society. Shown from left Club President Greg Campbell, Merylu and Enrique.
The Rotary Club of North Jackson welcomed David Barrett as a new member during its January 21, 2020 meeting. Barrett is employed by EffecTV, a Comcast company. He is married to Annie Laurie Barrett. They have two children and live in Northeast Jackson. Shown from left, Don Roberts, Barrett’s sponsor, and club executive secretary-treasurer; Barrett and Barrett’s proposer club member Dr. Tommy James.
Steve Jent, Executive Director of the Sanderson Farms Championship, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s January 14, 2020, meeting. He gave a history of the tournament which began in 1968 in Hattiesburg and has undergone several name changes. It is the only “big league” event held in Mississippi. Some 156 professional golfers participate annually in the event which adds an estimated $30 million to the Jackson Metro Area economy each year. The event also contributes over $1 million annually to the Mississippi Children’s Hospital which is better known as the Batson Children’s Hospital. The 2019 tournament contributed a record $1.3 million to the Friends of Batson Children’s Hospital via its affiliate Century Club Charities. A total of over $16 million has been raised for the Children’s Hospital and other charities by the tournament.
Mr. Jent encouraged Rotarians to volunteer to help with the tournament. Over 1000 volunteers are used each year and more could be used. For the past two years, the Sanderson Farms Championship has been recognized by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) as the tournament with the best integration with its charity. The 2020 tournament will be held Sept. 28-Oct. 4, again at the Country Club of Jackson. This year, it will be a “stand-alone” event which means that there are no other PGA events at the same time as the Sanderson Farms Championship. This means that the tournament should be able to attract a larger number of “big-name” golfers.
We thank Mr. Jent for speaking to our club about this prestigious event, its impact on Mississippi, and for donations to caring for the children of Mississippi. We also thank Sanderson Farms for being the name sponsor for the event. He (center) is shown below with Rotarians Matt Monsour and Rob Whitley following his talk.
Rotary and the Gates Foundation extend funding match for polio eradication
By Rotary International
Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced on 22 January that their long-term fundraising partnership, which generates up to $150 million annually for polio eradication, will continue. Under the agreement, Rotary is committed to raising $50 million a year over the next three years, and each dollar will be matched with an additional two dollars by the Gates Foundation.
In a video address at the 2020 Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, Bill Gates told incoming district governors that the partnership with Rotary needs to continue.
“The Gates Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Rotary has been vital to fighting polio,” Gates said. “That’s why we’re extending our funding match, so every dollar that Rotary raises is met with two more.”
He added, “I believe that together, we can make eradication a reality.”
The funding will support polio eradication efforts such as disease surveillance, technical assistance, and operational support for immunization activities.
The partnership between Rotary and the Gates Foundation has yielded $2 billion, and Rotarians have given countless volunteer hours to fight polio since Rotary started its PolioPlus program in 1985.
Be a part of the fight to end polio and have your donation matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Visit endpolio.org to learn more and donate.
