Prayer.O God, we acknowledge that even as you inhabit the heavens with power and glory, you also abide with us in compassionate fellowship. We welcome your presence with us at these tables. Having gathered here as Rotarians, we are mindful of our commitment to the cause of serving others above ourselves.
Accept our gratitude as we partake of that which has been provided to sustain our bodies in order that our minds and wills may be dedicated to worthy and productive endeavors in our community and the world. Amen.
Club Announcements
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays
None
Anniversaries
Paul & Jane Howell Jan. 17
BIll & Susan Osborne Jan. 20
Membership Anniversaries
Dennis Hardy 1 year, Jan. 17
Suman Das 4 years, Jan. 22
This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about Every Rotarian, Every Year.
Every minute of every day someone’s life is being improved by our Rotary Foundation. Wells are being dug in India, blind children are using Braille typewriters in Brazil, toilets are part of improved sanitation in Sri Lanka, and dental treatment is available to the
needy in Nicaragua. In a world where the divide between the haves and have-nots is growing, we as Rotarians must do our part and “do good in the world.”
Every Rotarian, every project, and every contribution makes a difference every year.
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 interested in sponsoring a month, the est. cost is $180 for the food. Mike Dawkins is project chair and can be reached @ 601-351-2428 or dawkins@bakerdonelson.com.
Between the Lions. Please remember to sign up for Between 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 have resumed reading and are really enjoying it.
Member Care Committeereminder: for anyone who needs assistance getting to a meeting, please call Luther
Munford at (601) 985-4418.
Thinking of Proposing a New Member?
First, discuss with Classification Committee (Paul Miller or Julian Carroll). They will provide a member-
ship application, check classification availability and discuss occupational qualifications.
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 Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest happenings. Search us out at Rotary Club of North Jackson or click the link:
“Service above self; they profit most who serve best.”
P. O. Box 9528, Jackson, MS 39286-9528 www.northjacksonrotary.org
Posted on
Proudly Rotarian!
Members of the Rotary Club of Sunyani Central, Ghana,
hold a polio day rally.
By Frank Kofi Owusu Debrah, Foundation Chair and Past
President of the Rotary Club of Sunyani Central, Ghana
It is certainly true that the reasons for a person joining Rot-
ary are varied and many. For some, it’s the personal and
business networking that motivates them. For others, it’s
fellowship and a sense of belonging to a worldwide organ-
ization of people.Still, for others, it’s a status symbol. What-
ever the reasons, everyone has one. Sadly, some of the rea-
sons don’t fit Rotary’s primary purpose; a network of problem
solvers living the mantra of Service Above Self.
Networking for professional and personal development is laud-
able, so is the quest for social recognition through association
with entities that have an impact, and so is an opportunity to tra-
vel around the world to Rotary events. My fear is that the essence
and core responsibility of being a Rotarian is being lost on many
around the world, at least from my club.
Many of us travel on expensive budgets to Rotary events, yet
we have not contributed a single cent to The Rotary Foundation
where our investment into communities around the world comes
from. I simply cannot comprehend this and I am certain that there
are many of us thinking alike.
However, it is obvious that there are also many who do not feature
the Foundation in their budget priorities, and that, whether they do-
nate or not to the Foundation, they consider themselves a Proud Ro-
tarian as long as they pay dues. This must change. Privileges come
with responsibilities whether voluntary or compulsory. Whoever enjoys
the privileges has an inherent moral obligation to live the responsi-
bilities as well.
It is unbelievable that many clubs struggle to have members offering
themselves up for leadership, club service, community service, and
even participation in club meetings, projects, and other events. Being
Proudly Rotarian is not just an empty accolade and status symbol.
Rather, it is a call for service and commitment to hold true the driving
motive of Rotary. It’s a call to give of yourself to the world community
in giving to support and strengthen the Rotary Foundation’s human-
itarian efforts around the globe. It’s a call to build strong clubs and use
our skills, professional knowledge, and technical know how to bring hap-
piness to people in our communities.
If this is not your core understanding of what it means to be Proudly
Rotarian, I guess you are simply and unfortunately a mere member
of Rotary.
Motivational speaker, Lemzel Johnson, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the club's January 2, 2018, meeting. The purpose of his talk was to discuss what he calls "Strategies for Becoming Effective." The vehicle of this effectiveness he mentioned is an organization named LiveVersation. The following is from the LiferVersation website (Lifeversation.com): "Lemzel Johnson almost died in 2008 with an undiagnosed brain tumor that was over 2 inches in size. Being that the tumor was inoperable Lemzel kept himself motivated with inspirational speakers and motivational books. Being encouraged to have a better future than his current position, he worked to live out what he believed. As he did this, he recognized that many were being inspired to have hope for their future too. Today, Lemzel continues to inspire and motivate hundreds each year to find their identity and purpose in the midst of their difficulty. His mission is to help individuals and business find harmony through the application of life principles." The website further states "If you clarify your motive, then becoming and staying motivated will follow close behind."
To quote from the material that Mr. Johnson distributed, " Over the last several years LifeVersation has studied some of the rising problems in business today. It has found that the lack of well-developed 'Soft Skills' is the number one destroyer of productivity and effectiveness in businesses and teams. 'Soft Skills" are defined as character traits and interpersonal skills that characterize a person's relationships with other people."
"LifeVersations has created "Strategies for becoming effective" as an interactive training to boost the 'Soft Skills' of organizations, teams, and individuals. This training curriculum is designed to enhance the much-needed cohesiveness from within each individual or team member to build harmony toward success. We thank Mr. Johnson for his presentation to our club and for his commitment to improving productivity and effectiveness. He is shown during his presentation in the accompanying photo.
The Rotary Club of North Jackson recognized Officers Aldritch Harvey and Patrick Williams as JPD Precinct 4's officers of the second and third quarters of 2017 at its December 19, 2017, meeting for outstanding work on behalf of the citizens of Jackson. Officers Harvey (second from left) and Williams ( second from right) are shown in the accompanying photo with Precinct 4 Commandeer Keith Freeman (left) and Deputy Chief James McGowan (right). Thanks and congratulations to both officers.
Ben Moncrief, a 1998-1999 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Scotland, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson at the Club's December 19, 2017, meeting. Mr. Moncrief is currently working in the Strategic & Governmental Relations Department of C Spire. In 1998-1999, he attended St. Andrew's University in St. Andrew's, Scotland. The Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars program was started in 1947.
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.
