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Speakers
Jul 04, 2017
No Meeting No Speaker
Independence Day
Jul 11, 2017
TBA
Rotary Vocational Talks
Jul 18, 2017
John Cohen, MSU AD
MSU Athletics
Jul 25, 2017
Bill Waller, Chief Justice MS Supreme Ct.
TBA
Aug 01, 2017
Renee Cotton
Hinds Community College's 100 Year Celebration
Aug 08, 2017
Russ Bjork, Univ. of MS AD
Ole Miss Athletics
Aug 15, 2017
Anna Powers, Club President Elect
Atlanta Rotary Convention
View entire list
Bulletin Editor
Bill Osborne
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
Executives & Directors
President
Witt Ruffin
 
Vice President
Anna Powers
 
Secretary
Anna Powers
 
Treasurer
Lee Carney
 
Club Service Director
Steele Dehmer
 
Foundation Director
Suman Das
 
Membership Director
Lee Jenkins
 
Public Relations Director
John Sewell
 
Club Administration Director
Uriel Pineda
 
Administrative Secretary/Treasurer
Don Roberts
 
 
 
 

 

 Prayer. As we commemorate again this month the courageous Declaration of Independence from which we have benefited, we acknowledge that real freedom is not a political reality separated from divine providence, but a fundamental spiritual gift to us. Keep us from interpreting liberty as unrestrained freedom to be irresponsible. Help us to understand and accept responsibility associated with chosen behavior. For patriots of the past, and living examples in the present, we give thanks.

We are grateful for the freedom to assemble without fear, to pursue honorable vocations without hindrances and to be involved in whatever we choose for our families and ourselves. Amen.
 

 

Club Announcements

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries
     
  Birthdays
  • Bill Randolph            July 07
 
Anniversaries
  • Damon & Vicky Williams          July 05
  • John & Helene Dorsa                July 09
 
Membership Anniversaries
  • None
 
Charitable Gift Announcement. The Rotary Club of North Jackson recently donated $1,800.00 each to 14 local charities. The charities are Stewpot Community Services, Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area, Clean Water for Malawi, CARA, MS Food Network, Brain Injury Association of Mississippi, Friends of Children’s Hospital, The Jackson Zoo, The Mustard Seed, Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America, New Stage Theatre, Harbor House of Jackson, Gateway Rescue Mission and Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi.
 
Meeting Announcement: There will be no Rotary Club of
North Jackson meeting on Tuesday, July 4, in recognition of
our country's Independence Day. Have a great 4th!
 
Charitable Gift Announcement. The Rotary Club of North
Jackson recently donated $1,800.00 each to 14 local charities.
The charities are Stewpot Community Services, Habitat for
Humanity Mississippi Capital Area, Clean Water for Malawi,
CARA, MS Food Network, Brain Injury Association of Missis-
sippi, Friends of Children’s Hospital, The Jackson Zoo, The
Mustard Seed, Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of
America, New Stage Theatre, Harbor House of Jackson,
Gateway Rescue Mission and Boys & Girls Club of Central
Mississippi.
 
This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought This week’s
Rotary Foundation Thought is about a Rotarian going the
distance for the Foundation.

Running, biking and swimming 482 miles in the course
of ayear or even a month is hardly the marvel of sports
headlines. But racking up that distance in three days
staggers the imagination. Jeff Glidden did just that
through his Ultra Distance Triathlon Challenge, raising
$100,000 and counting, as of June 2007 for the Annual
Programs Fund. “It was difficult” said Glidden, “but it
was more rewarding than anything I have ever done.
Many Rotarians that had never given before contrib
-uted and supported me, that was definitely one of my
goals” Corporate sponsors helped fuel Glidden’s mega-
triathlon challenge by each contributing at least $1000.
Local media coverage also raised overall awareness of
Rotary. All the proceeds from Glidden’s challenge went
to support The Rotary Foundation.
  • Billy Brumfield House. The Rotary Club of North Jackson
    is serving supper once a month at The Billy Brumfield House,
    a Stewpot Community Services ministry. Our club serves on
    the 1st  Tuesday of each month. Interested members need to
    meet @ Baker Donelson located at the corner of Eastover
    Drive and the I-55 North Frontage Road @ 5:15 PM and
    then travel together to Billy Brumfield. Also, if you are in-
    terested in sponsoring a month, the est. cost is $180 for
    the food. Mike Dawkins is project chair and can be reach-
    ed @ 601-351-2428 or mdawkins@bakerdonelson.com.
  • Between the Lions. Please remember to sign up for Be-
    tween the Lions. During the school year, we read weekly
    to pre-Kindergarteners at William Walton Elementary School
    on Bailey Ave. It is a wonderful experience! The children
    are truly information sponges and very willing learners.
    Contact Jenny Price (662) 213-1294 for more information.
    We will resume reading when the children the new school
    year begins.
  • Member Care Committee reminder: for anyone who
    needs assistance getting to a meeting, please call Luther
    Munford at (601) 985-4418.
     
  • Thinking of Proposing a New Member?
    1. First, discuss with Classification Committee (Paul
      Miller or Julian Carroll). They will provide a member-
      ship application, check classification availability, and
      discuss occupational qualifications.
      1. Paul Miller
      2.          email  - pomiller3@gmail.com
  •          Phone - 601-956-2223
    1. Julian Carroll
    2. email - juliancarroll@comcast.net
  • Phone – 601-981-3886
Rotary Membership Occupational Qualifications
Applicant should be one of the following:
  • A corporate officer
  • A Professional (Attorney, CPA, Physician. Engineer,
    Architect, etc) A Proprietor
  • An Agent of a reputable company
  • A Manager or Supervisor of a department or section
    of a business
  •  Rotarians, don't forget to like the club's Face-
    Book page to stay up to date on the latest hap-
    penings. Search us out at Rotary Club of North
    Jackson or click the link: 
 
“Service above self; they profit most who serve best.”
P. O. B O X  9 5 2 8,  J A C K S O N, MI S S I S S I P P I  3 9 2 8 6 - 9 5 2 8
WWW.N O R T H J A C K S O N R O T A R Y . O R G
 
 
 
 
 
Posted on 

The House of Friendship is a great place to connect
with other Rotary members during a convention. It’s
not too early to register for the 2018 Convention in
Toronto, Canada.

By Maud Huey Kenyon, Rotary Club of Boulder Valley,
Colorado, USA

As I contemplated the survey I received from Rotary
for attendees of the 2017 Rotary Convention in Atlanta,
I had a chance to reflect on the four conventions I have
been to. I think the program put together for the Atlanta
Convention was both forward thinking and full of fresh
perspectives. Here are my reasons why you should consi-
der attending a convention.

Sharing common experiences with other members.
At the top of the list is the opportunity to connect with
others.  I met up with Rotarians who had walked with me
through the dusty streets in northern Nigeria in 2005. I
met others who in 2008 crammed with me into tuk tuks
(a form of taxi) around Delhi, India, where we participat-
ed in a National Immunization Day. I talked to Rotarians
I just met who gave me ideas to re-charge my club’s local
community service projects and who sponsor international
projects I want to join.

Listening to great speakers. I enjoyed hearing Bill
Gates talk about working with Rotary toward the shared
goal of eradicating polio. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in reaching that goal. Also, legendary civil
rights leader Andrew Young shared what it took 30 years
ago to make Atlanta more integrated, and how effective
the financial pressure from a boycott of businesses turned
out to be in getting the attention of the city’s leaders.

Being reminded of our global impact. At the RI conven-
tion, we are constantly reminded we are more than local or
national citizens, we are world citizens. In Atlanta, I sensed
less of a “kumbaya” feeling and more of a “let’s get down to business.” Speakers addressed the challenges and obstacles
we face in meeting our goals. There was recognition of the
polio workers who have been attacked or killed, and the
enormity of the task ahead of us. But although it is taking
longer than we anticipated, this message was clear: We
won’t give up until polio is gone and the earth is declared
polio free. And it will happen because of the partnerships
Rotary has formed and the continued support of members.

Attending breakout sessions. You had to get in line
early, but once inside, breakout sessions were worth the
wait. In one session I attended — Legacy and Lessons
Learned: Rotary’s PolioPlus Program — I heard Ukrainian
Rotarians, who number only 800 in a country of 40 million
people, express their concern about the 12 percent non-
vaccination rate and the possibility of a resurgence. In con-
trast, Rotary members in Nigeria enjoy the public support
of authorities like the Emir and the Governor of the state
of Kano. The appearance of many local Rotarians during
National Immunization Days inspires local villagers in vac-
cinating their children. Polio is now endemic in only two
countries, proving vaccines work.

Enjoying host events. The thousands of convention at-
tendees who visited The Carter Center and The King Center 
got a reminder of the importance of Rotary’s work in human
rights. Outside the King Center, the tombs of Martin Luther
King Jr. and Coretta Scott King appear to float in a river of
water alongside the building. The scene sharply contrasts
the depiction inside of the violence and hatred often faced
by the civil rights leaders.

Like Rotary, Atlanta has attracted leaders who offer sanity
and stability in the face of political and religious forces that sometimes threaten to pull us apart. Another thing was
clear in Atlanta. Rotarians around the world are making a
difference. The next Rotary Convention is in Toronto. Don’t
miss your chance to discover what Rotary is really about.

Register by 15 December for the early registration discount

 
Please note that our website address
has been updated to:
                            www.northjacksonrotary.org
The bulletin is available on this site
every Friday if you prefer to view it
online. You will, of course, have to
log in to see your personal information.
 
Stories
Rotarian Swan Yerger Speaks to Rotary Club of North Jackson
Posted by Bill Osborne on Jun 27, 2017
North Jackson Rotarian Swan Yerger spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club's June 27, 2017 meeting. The Subject of his talk was "Swan Yerger's Narratives." He discussed his life growing up in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson when he lived at the SW corner of Greymont and Poplar, about 1/2 mile f orm the clubs meeting place. He attended Power and Bailey Schools in the neighborhood and Central HIgh in Downtown Jackson. When he graduated he matriculated at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. As a Jr. he transferred to Ole Miss. He started law school at Ole Miss as a senior and was activated in the US Air Force after his first year. He spent 2 1/2 years in the Air Force and resumed his law school education at  the University of Virginia Law School from which he was graduated. Following Law school, he practiced law in private practice for approximately 38 years until he was appointed to a judicial position as a Hinds County Circuit Court Judge by Gov. Fordice. Swan retired 6 1/2 years ago and is enjoying retirement. He and his wife, Gingia, a native of Pine Bluff, AR were married in 1962 and have been married 55 years. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of North Jackson for 46 years this week.
 
Swan is shown during his talk in the accompanying photo. We thank him for his many years service to the club and for his service to the citizens of Mississippi.
Witt Ruffin Installed as 2017-2018 President of rotary Club of North Jackson
Posted by Bill Osborne on Jun 27, 2017
North Jackson Rotarian Witt Ruffin was installed as the 2017-2018 President of the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club's June 27, 2017 meeting. Also installed at the meeting were Anna Powers, Vice President/President Elect; Greg Campbell, Secretary; Lee Carney, Treasurer; and Directors: Suman Das, Foundation Director; Steele Dehmer, Service Director; Lee Jenkins, Membership Director; Uriel Pineda, Club Administration Director; John Sewell, Public Relations Director. Don Roberts is also takng on the role of Administrative Secretary/Treasurer which became vacant due to the relocation of Dick Dickerson to Oxford. We willmiss Dick and his work on our club's behalf. We thank the new officers and directors for agreeing to serve and we congratulate them on their election to their respective offices. The accompanying photos were taken during and immediately following the installation.
MS Trucking Association  President Speaks to Rotary Club of North Jackson
Posted by Bill Osborne on Jun 22, 2017
Mr. Hal Miller, President of the Mississippi Trucking Association (MTA) , spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its June 20, 2017 meeting. He spoke about the role mission and purpose of the Mississippi Trucking Association. Prior to joining the MTA, Mr. Miller was with his family's firm, Miller Trucking where he served for 25 years.
 

Formed in 1942, the mission of the Mississippi Trucking Association, Inc., is to serve as the trusted resource for safety, education, advocacy and member services to promote the trucking industry. Mr. Miller pointed out that in 2015, the trucking industry provided 1 out of 13 jobs (a total of 68,140 jobs) in MS with total wages paid exceeding $2.8 billion, with an annual salray of $41,000. Tractor-trailer drivers  held 22,800 jobs with an average annual salary of $40,400.

He also pointed out that MS trucking companies transported 79% of the manufactured goods and that there were 4,920 trucking companies in the state. 85.5% of the MS communities relied exclusively on trucks to move their goods. In 2014, the MS Trucking industry paid $388 million in federal and state roadway taxes. This was 41% of the taxes paid by MS motorists despite that fact that trucks represent only 11 % of the miles traveled in the state.

 

Safety is a paramount concern of the MTA. In 2014, the fatal crash rate of trucks was 1.23 fatalities per 100 million miles, which represented a 73% reduction from the rate in 1975 when the US DOT began keeping these records. 

Big issues to the MTA are the need for 250,000 new drivers by 2022 and the deteriorating condition of the highway infrastructure. Supporting this, Mr. Miller cited that the average trucker is 48 years old and that 890,000 of them are expected to retire through 2025. With respect to infrastructure, Mr. Miller said that infrastructure related congestion and re-routing cost $64 billion annually, 996 million delay hours, and the premature retirement of 362,000 drivers. Additionally, poor road conditions contribute to more than 1/3 of all highway fatalities. These safety data were provided by TRIP, a nonprofit national transportation research organization that was founded in 1971. He further cited that "driving on rough roads costs Mississippi motorists a total of $1.4 billion annually in extra vehicle operating costs such as accelerated depreciation, repair costs, increased fuel consumption and tire wear. Nearly 2 out of every three miles of Mississippi's major urban roads are in either poor or mediocre condition. Twelve percent of Mississippi's bridges are structurally deficient. He cited that every $1 of deferred maintenance on roads and bridges is estimated to cost an additional $4 - $5 in future vehicle repairs. For this reason, the MTA has actively supported a fuel tax increase in Mississippi. 

 

Mr. Miller also discussed the importance of new technology in improving trucking safety. Some of the technology innovations are shown in the following photo.

 

Mr. Miller is also shown (2nd from right) in the following photo following his presentation with Rotarians Jeff Bonner (left), Henry Larose (2nd from left), and Matt Montour (right).

We thank Mr. Miller for his very interesting and informative presentation.

 

 
MS Kidney Foundation Representatives Speak to Rotary Club of North Jackson
Posted by Bill Osborne on Jun 14, 2017
Gail Sweat, Executive Director of the MS Kidney Foundation and Dr. Christopher Anderson, MD, General & transplant surgeon at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its June 13, 2017 meeting. Ms. Sweat discussed the role and mission of the Kidney Foundation of MS and Dr. Anderson discussd the evolution and status of the transplant program at UMMC. According to Dr. Anderson, the UMMC transplant program has developed to the pont where it is ranked as a national Center of Excellence and has transplant outcome statistics at or above national norms.
 
Per Ms. Sweat, the  mission of the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, chartered in 1965, is to serve Mississippi kidney patients by providing quality programs and services, to provide public education and screening to promote the prevention of kidney disease, and to promote organ donation throughout the state. Ms. Sweat and Dr. Anderson are shown during their presentation in the accompanying photos.
 
 
We thank Dr. Anderson and Ms. Sweat for their interesting and informative presentation and for their work on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi.
 
Orthopedic surgery-physician-speaks-to-rotary-club-of-North-Jackson
Posted by Bill Osborne on Jun 06, 2017
Dr. Will Jackson, a fifth year orthopedic surgery resident that the University of Mississippi Medical Center spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at its June 6, 2017 meeting. The subject of Dr. Johnson 's presentation was "Things to Know about Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)" or in lay terms Total Hip Replacement. He discussed the history of the procedure, non surgical alternatives to surgery, causes of hip deterioration, ways to prevent or delay hip problems. and the expectations from surgery. Per Dr. Johnson, the first THA was performed in Germany in 1881 by a Dr. T. Gluck. The first THA in the US was in 1940 in South Carolina. The procedure and the prosthesis devices were further developed in the UK in the 1960s and THA has now evolved to the point where it is performed as outpatient surgery. Persons receiving THA should expect 20+ years of useful life from their device and they shold be able to resume normal athletic activities such as biking, riding, golf, tennis following the surgery. The recovery time expectation is to sit in a chair the day of the surgery, begin physical therapy day 4, resume normal household movements 2 weeks following surgery and begin driving an automobile 4 - 6 weeks following surgery. 
 
Dr. Johnson recently returned from Switzerland where he was on a 6 month assignment. He commented that in his entire time in Switzerland he treated zero gun shot wounds. By contrast on a recent evening he treated 5 such wounds back in Jackson.
 
We thank Dr. Johnson for his presentation and for his service to the citizens of Mississippi. He is shown during his presentation in the accompanying photos.