Stories

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:

Ms. Kyra D. Roby, a Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson about the upcoming 2020 U. S. Census and the need for all Mississippians to respond to it at the club’s December 11 meeting. Census Day is April 1, 2020. People can respond to the Census questionnaire via the internet, telephone, and paper. Per Ms. Roby, responses are needed because the census determines congressional representation for the State and the allocation of federal funds for various federal programs. She noted that because of the 2010 census results, Mississippi lost a  seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and there is a concern that this could happen again in 2020 if all Mississippians do not respond. She further said that historically less 70 % of Mississippians have responded and been counted.

We thank Ms. Roby for her service to our country and for her presentation to our club. She is shown below seated (left) at the head table during her introduction by Rotarian Lori Greer.

Major Robert Lyle of the Jackson Command of the Salvation Army spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s October 2, 2018, Meeting. Major Lyle discussed his personal history with the Army and the history of the Salvation Army itself. Major Lyle is a native of Paris, Texas. He attended seminary at the Salvation Army seminary in Atlanta, GA and he has served posts in South and North Carolina and Chattanooga, TN before coming to Jackson. He expects his tour in Jackson to last about 3 years.

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 as an evangelical movement. When William Booth held Christian services in London, he preached messages of hope and salvation to congregations that were utterly destitute. Among those listening were thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards. Thus, he desired to lead these people to Christ by providing for their physical as well as spiritual needs.

Those who converted to Christianity under William Booth’s teaching became known as Salvationists. Between 1881 and 1885, some 250,000 people were converted through his ministry. Programs evolved to meet changing needs but remained focused on “Sharing God’s love by serving others” and continue to meet critical needs at the point of need. The Salvation Army ministry now serves in virtually every corner of the world.

The Salvation Army was also in the forefront of encouraging women to take a place of prominence in ministry. The first female general was William Booth’s daughter, Evangeline Booth, serving from 1934 to 1939.

The Salvation Army’s mission has remained the same since the day it began – to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

In his talk, Major Lyle discussed the Army’s Angel Tree program for needy children and it's red kettle program in which the Rotary Club of North Jackson participates. He noted that again this year the club will be at McDade’s on Northside Drive in early December.

We thank major Lyle for his presentation and for all that he does for our needy citizens.

Rotarian Suman Das reminded the Rotary Club of North Jackson that our club will participate in World Polio Day this month. Our club meeting on October 23 will be devoted to the Polio Day celebration. World Polio Day is actually October 24. Dr. Das posted a large sign reminding Rotarians that the incidence of polio has decreased by 99.9% since Rotary International began working on eliminating polio in 1986. There were 350,000 worldwide cases of polio in 1986. This number decreased to 10 cases in 3 countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria in 2017. Dr. Das’s sign is shown in the following photo.

We thank Dr. Das for reminding us of upcoming PWorld Polio Day and for leading our Club’s involvement in its celebration.

Scott Waller, President & CEO, Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s August 7, 2018 meeting. The MEC is the Chamber of Commerce for the State of Mississippi. The main purpose of his speech was to discuss impediments to the economic growth of the state, which he described as infrastructure needs and the education of its citizens to fill the jobs that continue to be available. He pointed out that by 2020, two years from now, 65% of all jobs will require postsecondary education and to quote: ”we must connect the dots and use postsecondary education and training to help create a qualified. and prepared workforce ready to fuel Mississippi’s economy.” Further, he said that Mississippi’s high school graduation rates are improving. They have gone from 71.1% in 2012 to 83% in 2016. Still not good enough, but improving nonetheless. Kindergarten reading readiness scores have likewise improved from 54% in 2015 to 65% in 2017 giving further hope for improved graduation rates in the future.

Mr. Waller is shown during his talk in the first accompanying photo and following his talk with Club President Anna Powers (left) and Club member Jon Turner (right). We thank him for his talk and for his service to the State.

Greg Campbell, Vice President & President-Elect, Rotary Club of North Jackson spoke to the Club at its July 10, 2018 meeting about the Rotary International Convention he attended as a representative of the club June 23-27, 2018. In his presentation, he discussed his arrival, the accommodations, and the activities associated with the convention. He also discussed a tour that he took of Niagara Falls including a helicopter tour during which he took many pictures.

Greg discussed the fact that the convention was attended by a princess, three prime ministers and a former first lady of the United States. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, of the United Kingdom, expressed thanks to Rotary for taking a central role in working to eradicate polio. Former first lady of the United States Laura Bush challenged Rotarians to keep early childhood education a priority.

Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and one of the architects of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, joined 2017-2018 RI President Ian H.S. Riseley for a discussion about gender equality and the crucial link between the environment, poverty, hunger, and peace. In a video message, Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant addressed the convention before the announcement of the creation of HANWASH, a collaboration between Rotary and the Haitian government’s water agency that will tackle that nation’s water and sanitation challenges.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accepting Rotary’s Polio Eradication Champion Award, thanked Rotary for working with governments worldwide to eradicate polio. Rotarians play a critical role in the fight to end polio, Trudeau said. “Together we will make that happen. Prime Minister Trudeau also pledged USD 75 Million for finalizing the eradication of polio, making Canada’s past and committed spending for polio eradication USD 640 million.

Sixteen former Rotary presidents and their partners appeared on stage, and Rotary’s next president, Barry Rassin, motivated convention goers by speaking on his 2018-19 theme: Be the Inspiration.                           

And in a gracious gesture to his successor, Rotary’s 2017-2018 President Riseley finished his closing remarks by urging listeners: “It is vital that we be the inspiration.”

In addition to focusing his remarks on the convention, Greg related a mix-up in his convention credentials in which a different Greg Campbell was identified as a chemical engineering educator. Thankfully our Greg was able to get his proper credentials when he arrived at the convention facility.

Greg reported on the 6 focus areas of Rotary: Promotion of Peace, Fighting disease, Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, and Growing Local Economies. Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio have been immensely successful with the no. of worldwide cases being reduced from 350,000 annually to 22 in 2017. Those 2017 cases were in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria.

Vice President Greg is shown during his presentation in the accompanying photograph. We thank him for his presentation and for his service to our Club.

BankPlus Security Representatives Speak to Rotary Club of North Jackson

Amy Rhodus and David Kelly, both Security Officers with BankPlus, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club's June 12, 2018, meeting. The subject of their presentation was their experience with scams and frauds being perpetrated on people today. Their discussion covered simple items such as skimmers on gasoline pumps and restaurant servers selling credit card information on cards presented to them for payment to more exotic scams such as romances in far-away locations or fake calls from governmental agencies all of which are designed to illicitly capture your funds.  Their bottom line was to remain vigilant and to vet any purchases, particularly online ones.

Ms. Rhodus and Mr. Kelly are shown in the accompanying photos during their presentation and following it with Club Programs Director Matt Monsour (left) and Club President Witt Ruffin (right). We thank them for their presentation and their efforts to prevent fraud.

Southern District Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Sam Britton spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s May 22, 2018, meeting. Mr. Britton spoke primarily about the role of the Public Service Commission regulating utilities. He briefly spoke of the failed Kemper County power plant that cost its owner, the Southern Companies, $6.4 billion. In response to a question, Mr. Britton said that what the owner does with the abandoned plant is its business. Since it has invested such a large fortune in it. He also spoke to the No Call telephone lists and the reasons for its need. He said that he expects technology to be developed in the next few years to control this problem, but that the reason the calls exist is that they make money for the perpetrators.

We thank Mr. Britton for his presentation to the club and for his service to the citizens of Mississippi. He is shown during his talk in the following photo:

He is also shown with Program Director Matt Monsour (Left) who introduced him and Club president-elect Anna Powers (right) following his talk in the photo that follows.

Anna LeBreton, Outreach Coordinator, Mississippi Blood Services spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s May 8, 2018 meeting. Ms. LeBreton discussed the need for and uses of blood by MS Blood Services. In particular, she discussed the use of blood by Sickle Cell Anemia patients, the misconceptions on what disqualifies someone from donating blood, the “2018 ABOut a Cause Partnership” by which MS Blood services will make monetary donations to its partner organizations when people donate blood to MS Blood Services. Those organizations are listed in the first photo.

The second photo is of Ms. LeBreton(center) with Club Program Director Matt Monsour (left) and Club President, Witt Ruffin (right) following her presentation.

We thank Ms. LeBreton for her presentation and for what she and MS Blood Services do for the citizens of Mississippi. We also note that The Rotary Club of North Jackson has a long-term relationship with MS Blood Services and it conducts a Blood Drive annually in conjunction with its Pancake Breakfast.

Jackson Academy: Dolph Maxwell. His teacher is Schuyler Dickson. They were, unfortunately, unable to join us on the 24th because of a school awards assembly that day.

Jackson Prep: Graham Robertson, Mary Margaret Mitchell, Morgan Williams, and Gregory Vance. Their Star Teachers are Kimberly Van Uden, David Hogue, Lou Ann McKibben, and Marsha Hobbs.

St. Andrew's. Christopher "C.J." Carron, Joe Han, Charley Hutchison, Julia Jia, and Emily Kruse. Their Star teachers are Donna Patrick, Roscoe Stribling, John Applegate, and Ruth Holmes.

Mike Hurst, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its April 10, 2018 meeting. Hurst informed club members and guests what the U.S. Attorney’s office does, some recent accomplishments and Project EJECT, a joint crime-fighting task force with local law officers. The Rotary Club of North Jackson meets at noon on Thursdays at The Rickhouse.  The first [photo is of Hurst during his speech. In the second photo are from left, Bill Osborne, club member; Darren LaMarca, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi; Hurst and Anna Powers, club president-elect.

We thank Mr. Hurst for his presentation and he and Mr. LaMarca for their service to our country and, more particularly, to the citizens of Mississippi.

Mina Torgerson, Director of Sales, and Katie DeMetz, Sales & Marketing Associate, of Visit Ridgeland, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s March 27, 2018, meeting. The subject of their talk was Ridgeland as a tourist destination, its features, attractions, accommodations, and dining establishments.

Ms. DeMetz (second from the left) and Ms. Torgerson (second from the right) are shown in the accompanying photo with Matt Monsour (left) who introduced them and club president Witt Ruffin (right) following the presentation. We thank them for their presentation and for the work they are dong on behalf of Ridgeland.

The Rotary Club of North Jackson recognized Officer Jeremy Jefferson as Pct. 4’s officer of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2018. He was recognized for his diligence and persistence in apprehending a criminal. He (center)  is shown here with club Past President Edley Jones (left) and James McCowan (right), former Commander of Pct. 4.

We congratulate Officer Jefferson for his recognition and thank him for his service to the citizens of Jackson.

Michelle Baker, the Festival Coordinator for the Crossroads Film Society, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club’s March 20, 2018, meeting.  Her subject was the society’s 19th festival, which will be held April 12-14 2018 at Malco’s Grandview Theater in Madison, MS. She discussed the type of films that will be shown as well as more detailed descriptions of some of them. She (center) is shown during her presentation and following it in the accompanying photos with Matt Monsour (left) who introduced her and Club Vice President Anna Powers (right).

We thank Ms. Baker for her presentation and wish her success with the film festival.

 District 6820 PDG, Amanda Fontaine, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s March 13, 2018, meeting. The topic of her speech was Rotary Membership. Quoting a past RI president, Ms.  Fontaine said that the main reason that many people have not joined Rotary is that they have never been asked to join. In conjunction with her attendance at the meeting, club members were asked to sit with people that they do not know at the meeting. She then asked the membership to determine the most interesting fact about the members that no one else knew at their tables and for a representative of the table to report that fact to the membership. Some very interesting facts were presented. Tom Turner said that he had served in both World War II and the Korean conflict. The first time in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and the second in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps.

PDG Fontaine is shown during her talk in the accompanying photo.

North Jackson Rotarians Tom Turner and Brad Benton were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows at the Rotary Club of North Jackson’s March 13, 2018, meeting. Dr. Turner was recognized as a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and awarded a Paul Harris pin with a sapphire. As part of their recognition, the two awardees received a glass of dry sherry in keeping with the club's recently established tradition.  

 The accompanying photo shows district 6820 PDG Amanda Fontaine (left), Club Director Suman Das. (2nd from left) and club President Witt Ruffin (right) presenting the awards to Messrs. Benton (2nd from right) & Turner (3rd from right). Congratulation to both Tom & Brad!

North Jackson Rotarians joined with the Rotary Club of Jackson to pack nutritious food packages for the Rise Against Hunger nonprofit at the Sparkman Auditorium of the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum on Saturday, March 3, 2018. In a three hour shift, the Rotarians packed 30,000 meals.

Rise Against Hunger, formerly Stop Hunger Now, is an international hunger relief non-profit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other life-changing aid to people in developing nations. Founded in 1998, Rise Against Hunger mobilizes more than 350,000 volunteers each year to package meals for people in need around the globe. Since 2005, Rise Against Hunger has distributed more than 315,000,000 meals to recipients in 74 countries with a mission to end hunger in our lifetime.

Rise Against Hunger is an international hunger relief agency that seeks to end global hunger by engaging local volunteers. The organization was formed in 1998 by Ray Buchanan, a United Methodist Minister, and began its meal packaging program in 2005. The organizational mission is stated as "Rise Against Hunger is driven by the vision of a world without hunger. Its mission is to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable and creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources."

Part of Rise Against Hunger’s mission is to create a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources to end hunger. Rise Against Hunger works with volunteer groups from communities of faith, corporations, schools and civic clubs to package meals while developing a greater awareness of hunger-related issues. Additionally, Rise Against Hunger engages its supporters to participate in advocacy activities to work toward changing laws, policies, systems and attitudes to end hunger by 2030.R

The assembly process combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a micronutrient flavoring mix formulated by Kraft Heinz Company Foundation that includes 23 essential vitamins and minerals. Each meal costs 29 cents. The food has a shelf-life of two years. Rise Against Hunger provides over 70% of its meals to support transformational development programs such as school lunch programs, vocational training programs, early childhood development programs, orphanages, and medical clinics. Working with these programs helps enhance lives by giving beneficiaries the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty through education, skills development, and healthcare while also receiving much-needed nutrition.

The photos are from the event.

Relatively new members of the Rotary Club of North Jackson, Erin Rutherford (left)  and Jenny Price (right),

made their vocational talks to the club at its March 6, 2018, meeting.

Ms. Rutherford, a native of Vicksburg, is an estate planning attorney with Glover Russell in Jackson, MS. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and of the University's School of Law. Ms. Price, originally from Tupelo, is a real estate agent in Jackson. She is a graduate of Mississippi College and worked in education in North Mississippi and at Mississippi College before beginning her real estate career.  She also coordinates the club’s Between the Lions program that reads weekly to inner-city Pre-K students. Both Erin and Jenny we raised in Rotary families, so their membership in the club is a natural progression from their fathers. We thank both of these women for their presentations, for their membership in our club, and for what they do for the community.

James (Jamie) Eubanks, Director, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, MS Dept. of Revenue spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s February 27, 2018, Meeting.  He described the ABC’s operation and said that Mississippi is one of 17 states with ABC divisions. The ABC supplies all of the wine and liquor stores in MS from its Gluckstadt warehouse.  

Mr. Eubanks said that he believes the MS operation is the best in the country. The Division has a total of 92 employees and uses two contract delivery companies for deliveries to retailers. ABC puts a 27% markup on products that it distributes.

We thank Mr. Eubanks for his presentation to our club and for his service to the State of Mississippi. He (center) is shown in the accompanying photo with Matt Monsour (left) who introduced him and Club President Witt Ruffin (right).

Jackson, MS author, Jackie Warren Tatum, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club’s February 6, 2018 meeting. Ms. Tatum discussed what it takes to become a published author and she discussed some of Rotary’s key accomplishments as viewed by a non-Rotarian.

She said that once a work is completed, you need to find an agent who will in turn help you find a publisher. Her book, entitled “Unspeakable Things” was published by Mill City Press and is available from Amazon and Lemuria Books in Jackson.

With respect to Rotary, Ms/ Tatum cited the success that Rotary has had in helping eliminate Polio from the world. Thus far it has achieved a 99.9% reduction since 1985 when there were 350,000 cases worldwide. In 2017, there were about 20 cases, mostly in war-torn, developing countries. She also noted the work that Rotary has done in fighting illiteracy, particularly in the U.S. with North Jackson participating in the Dictionary Project and in Between the Lions where Rotarians read to Pre-kindergarten children and in drilling and maintaining water wells in Africa where nonpotable water is an endemic problem. Prior to having wells, citizens have to walk multiple miles to wells that are generally unsanitary.

We thank Ms. Tatum for her presentation and for her interest in the work that Rotary does. She is shown in the accompanying photos at the podium during her speech and after it with Club Past president Tom Parry (left) and 2017-2018 President Witt Ruffin (right).

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program was to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsored several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars served as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and gave presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars shared with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.^[2]

^{There were approximately 38,000 Ambassadorial scholars in the program which lasted until 2013. In announcing the discontinuation of the Ambassadorial Scholars program, Rotary International said.}

"Beginning in 2013-14, The Foundation will offer scholarship opportunities through district and global grants. This new grant structure gives Rotarians greater flexibility in sponsoring the next generation of leaders."

^{One other key point Mr. Moncrief made is the need for more STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math graduates in Mississippi. Adding to this is the need to retain these graduates in the state. Now, nearly all of them emigrate to other states. His employer, C Spire, has an ongoing need for people with these qualifications.}

Our club thanks Mr. Moncrief for his presentation and we congratulate him on his recognition as an Ambassadorial Scholar. He is shown during his presentation in the accompanying photo.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. 

The first Paul Harris Fellows include 1937-38 RI Director Allison G. Brush and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions made in 1957. 

Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the RI Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion. 

Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25,000th Paul Harris Fellow. 

At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. The entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  

Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.  

The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006. Contributions for Paul Harris Fellows have made possible a 99.9% reduction in global polio cases in addition to funding many other Rotary projects.

Rusty Bryant and Scott Taylor, President and Vice President, respectively, of Brilla Soccer Club spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Rotary  club’s October 3, 2017 meeting. They discussed how Brilla was formed in Clinton, MS as an outreach ministry focused on soccer programs. Brilla sponsors a Premier Development League Program for young men wanting to pursue a career in professional soccer, an Urban Soccer League, and youth soccer for boys and girls. Bryant said that Three of Brilla’s alumni are currently playing high level soccer, two in the MLS and one in Spain.

Taylor discussed that Brilla is a Christian ministry that uses soccer as a vehicle. Brilla was formed under the umbrella of a similar program in Memphis that uses basketball as its vehicle.

We thank Rusty and Scott for their presentation and for their commitment to the young people. The accompanying photo shows  Rusty at the lectern and Scott seated at the table.

North Jackson high school Star Students and their teachers were honored at the Rotary Club of North Jackson’s April 25, 2017 meeting. Those honored were:

Jackson Academy - Nancy Usey & her teacher, Dennis Conklin

Jackson Prep -

Isaac Clapp & his teacher, Steve Kincaid

Wesley Roberson & his teacher, Dave Ollar

Robert Wasson & his teacher Kimberley Van Uden

Kennedy ZumMallen & her teacher, Lisa Whitney

Murrah - Jose Navas & his teacher, Gregory Powell

St. Andrew's -

Students:

Peter Martin 

Emma McNeel 

Morgan Dunnigan 

Daniel Marsh 

Teachers:

Donna Patrick

Sallie Mosley

John Applegate

Ruth Holmes

The students that were able to attend and their teachers are shown in the accompanying photo. They are as follow from left to right) Front row: Morgan Dunnigan, Emma McNeel, Kennedy ZumMallen, Robert Wasson, Peter Martin, Wesley Roberson, Isaac Clapp, and Back Row: Donna Patrick, Ruth Holmes, Kimberley Van Uden, John Applegate, Dave Ollar, Steve Kincaid.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. 

The first Paul Harris Fellows include 1937-38 RI Director Allison G. Brush and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions made in 1957. 

Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the RI Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion. 

Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25,000th Paul Harris Fellow. 

At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. The entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  

Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.  

The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006. Contribution for Paul Harris Fellows have mad possible a 99.9% reduction in global polio cases in addition to funding many other Rotary projects. We congratulate Ms. Dawkins and Ms. Powers on their recognition as Paul Harris Fellows.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. 

The first Paul Harris Fellows include 1937-38 RI Director Allison G. Brush and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions made in 1957. 

Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the RI Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion. 

Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25,000th Paul Harris Fellow. 

At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. The entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  

Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk.  

The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006. Contribution for Paul Harris Fellows have mad possible a 99.9% reduction in global polio cases in addition to funding many other Rotary projects.

We congratulate Clinton, Lois, and Hugh for their recognition as Paul Harris Fellows. The accompanying photo show Clinton and Lois and Hugh with Rotarian Joe Harris who presented the Paul Harris certificates and pins to the awardees. 

"Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life, found most notably in India and Nepal. Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to it as Sanātana Dharma, "the eternal law," or the "eternal way," beyond human origins. Scholars regard Hinduism as a fusion or synthesis of various Indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots and no founder. This "Hindu synthesis" started to develop between 500 BCE and 300 CE following the Vedic period (1500 BCE to 500 BCE).

Although Hinduism contains a broad range of philosophies, it is linked by shared concepts, recognisable rituals, cosmology, shared textual resources, and pilgrimage to sacred sites. Hindu texts are classified into Shruti ("heard") and Smriti ("remembered"). These texts discuss theology, philosophy, mythology, Vedic yajna, Yoga, agamic rituals, and temple building, among other topics. Major scriptures include the Vedas and Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Agamas. Sources of authority and eternal truths in its texts play an important role, but there is also a strong Hindu tradition of the questioning of this authority, to deepen the understanding of these truths and to further develop the tradition.

Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include the four Puruṣārthas, the proper goals or aims of human life, namely Dharma (ethics/duties), Artha (prosperity/work), Kama (desires/passions) and Moksha (liberation/freedom/salvation); karma (action, intent and consequences), samsara (cycle of rebirth), and the various Yogas (paths or practices to attain moksha). Hindu practices include rituals such as puja (worship) and recitations, meditation, family-oriented rites of passage, annual festivals, and occasional pilgrimages. Some Hindus leave their social world and material possessions, then engage in lifelong Sannyasa (monastic practices) to achieve Moksha. Hinduism prescribes the eternal duties, such as honesty, refraining from injuring living beings (ahimsa), patience, forbearance, self-restraint, and compassion, among others.

Hinduism is the world's third largest religion, with over 1 billion followers or 15% of the global population, known as Hindus. The majority of Hindus reside in India, Nepal, Mauritius, the Caribbean, and Bali in Indonesia.

We thank Ms. Srinivasan for her very interesting presentation on her religion. She (2nd from left) is shown in the accompanying photo with club President Wyatt Emmerich (left), and Club members Virginia Carlton (right) and Suman Das (2nd from right) who introduced her.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. The number of Paul Harris fellows exceeded the one million mark in 2006. The accompanying photo is of Mr. Gamblin (standing, left)  and Dr. Gamblin (standing, right)during the recognition ceremony. The certificate is being presented by club member Virginia Carlton (standing, center). Congratulations to Dr. Gamblin and sincere thanks to his father for honoring his son.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowle-
dges individuals who contribute, or who have
contributions made in their name, of US$1,000
to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation
for and encourage substantial contributions to
what was then the Foundation’s only program,
Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced
Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholar-
ships. The number of Paul Harris Fellows reach-
ed the one million mark in 2006.