Memphis

Memphis Central Rotarian

Vol. 30, No. 21 December 10, 2004

Meeting 1404 Editor: Henry Francis

Access our club web page "www.memphiscentralrotaryclub.org

for up-to-date news and all sorts of

background information about our club,

our District and Rotary International.

Today’s program

Elain Harvey, founder of the House of Mews.

Important notice!

Chickasaw Country Club will not be available to us on January 7 and 14 because of renovations and other work. Andy Peters has made arrangements with the Hilton Hotel (the former Adams Mark Hotel) for us to meet there both weeks.

Board meeting Monday

Our monthly meeting of the Board of Directors will take place Monday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the corporate offices of R.E. Linkous. All club members are welcome to attend.

Coat-blanket drive a success

Chairman Wesley Tomlinson and President Dave Luiken delivered a huge pile of coats and blankets to the Union Mission two days ago. Freddy Inman, the shelter superintendent, was very appreciative.

The mission feeds about 150 needy every day, and they usually bed about 100 homeless every night.

Inman said the mission also sorely needs items like socks, underwear and T-shirts. Chances are we’ll have another drive for these items next year.

Focus on membership growth

Lee Whipple offered an impressive program concerning membership growth and retention at our last regular meeting on November 19. He was ably assisted by Tom Michael.

Lee made it clear why we need new members – attrition. We lose members on a regular basis because they move away, change jobs or die. We have some young folks, but let’s face it – a lot of us are getting on in years. We older members can remember when this club had more than 60 members – now we have only a few more than 40.

When Lee asks someone to attend a meeting, he lets the guests see what we’re all about and then he offers him or her the Gift of Rotary. Lee has the most guests and he also brings in the most new members.

Lee pointed out that retired men and women are superb new member prospects. "They have time, money, experience and strong motivation to be Rotarians."

Lee and Tom put on a short skit in which they placed imaginary phone calls to three possible prospects. They showed graphically how to handle such situations.

Member phone numbers

If your phone number is incorrect, please let Henry Francis know. Also let him know if your email address changes.

Jack Robinson’s current email address:

Jack.Robinson@vcmain.hq.c5.army.mil

Here is Jim Crone’s new email address:

jcrone@hillishere.com

A wonderful time for all

Our annual Christmas party was a major success.

The 82 attendees had a wonderful time, the food was

exceptional, and we raised more than $7000 for our

Rotary Foundation which funds all our various projects

including our scholarship program.

In one way or another, almost all our members

were responsible for this great social event, but special

kudos go to Jean Patterson, Bill Eddings and Rick

James.

Jean was untiring in her efforts to make sure the silent

auction would be the best yet. By going after the

"shy guys", she got many excellent donations. And the

attendees came through with lots of bids. How could they

help it with so many great items to choose from?

Bill worked behind the scenes. He arranged

everything for the party except the silent auction. He found

the place to hold it, arranged for the food and drink, and did

everything else that needed to be done.

Rick set up the menu using his company, Piggly

Wiggly, as the caterer. Everyone was pleased with the

results of his work.

Marty Petrusek, with help from a few other members,

took care of the bar.

Former District Governor William Delaney of Tunica

were among the guests. Other visiting Rotarians included

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Morris and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Givens

of Senatobia.

Bill Matthews had more personal guests than anyone

else – his was a party of 10.

Upcoming programs

Dec. 17 -- Ken Edmundson - Edmundson Northstar

Dec. 24 – No meeting – Christmas Eve.

Dec. 31 – No meeting – New Year’s Eve