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JIM MORTON
7680 District Governor
By: Susan Manning
Charlotte Rotary was privileged to hear from 7680 District Governor,
James F. Morton. President Catherine introduced Jim to Charlotte
Rotary. He is from China Grove and has been a Rotarian since 1983.
Jim and his wife, Shirley, are both Paul Harris Fellows and Jim is
also a Benefactor. He has served two terms as Assistant District
Governor. Jim graduated from N. C. State University with a degree in
Civil Engineering and retired from the Navy with the rank of
Commander. He worked with Wachovia Bank as Chief Construction
Engineer and with several architectural and construction firms
before starting his own business, Morton Engineering, in partnership
with his Rotarian son, David. In addition to his Rotary service and
multitude of civic endeavors, Jim served 10 years as Mayor of China
Grove.
Jim began his remarks by posing two questions: “Is it a good time to
be a Rotarian?” and “Is it a good time to be a member of Charlotte
Rotary?” He answered yes to both questions, especially since we are
celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary by Paul
Harris and several of his friends in Chicago. Jim reminded us of
Paul’s genius in founding the oldest and largest service
organization in the world, now numbering 1.2 million members. He
challenged us to imagine what the world would be like without
Rotary. He also reminded us to think about what Charlotte would be
like without Rotary. Jim encouraged us to continue our excellent
track record of recruiting new members since enhanced membership
growth is both a District goal and a goal of Rotary International
President Glenn Estess. Charlotte Rotary added 19 new members last
year, and Jim said that finding new members could be the most
important work of Rotary. He challenged each of us to do our part by
inviting friends and colleagues to join Rotary.
Jim addressed the important work done by Rotary internationally
through the World Community Service Organization and its matching
grant program. He also spoke to the goals established by RI
President Glenn Estess for four major programs including improving
water quality in underdeveloped areas of the world, providing
opportunities to improve health and nutrition for underdeveloped
areas of the world, improving literacy in all regions of the world
and fostering the Family of Rotary at home and abroad and enjoy
ourselves while doing so.
Jim indicated his support for the Rotary Foundation and his
commitment to the slogan EREY-- “Every Rotarian Every Year” to make
$100 contribution to the foundation. He also challenged every member
to contribute 10 times that amount to become a Centennial Paul
Harris Fellow.
Jim mentioned some important dates and key events coming up this
year:
September 11 Rotary Foundation
and Membership Workshop presentations: Mooresville Citizens Center
October 6th Celebrate Rotary day trip: Chicago &
Evanston, Illinois
October 28th Rotary Foundation Banquet: Renaissance
Hotel, Keynote speaker RI President, Glenn Estess
October 30th World Community Service workshop:
Gastonia
February 23rd 100th Birthday celebration with combined
birthday parties across the district.
April 22nd District Conference: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
June 18th RI Convention in Chicago to celebrate 100
years of Rotary
Jim closed by indicating how proud he was of the District Leadership
Team and encouraging members to check out both the District and RI
websites for information and assistance. He asked us to renew our
dedication and commitment to Rotary and to “go do good in the world
and celebrate Rotary all year long.”
Head Table:
Herb Harriss, Marilynn Bowler, Catherine
Browning, Tom Robertson, Shirley Morton, Joe Morris, John Stedman
Visitors and Guests:
Phil Volponi; Visitors & Guests: Ken
Poe; Health & Happiness: Duke Ison; Song: Gregg Walker
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Board of Directors for Rotary 2004-2005 |
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President, Catherine Browning;
President-Elect, Herb Harriss;
Secretary, Marilynn Bowler;
Treasurer, John Stedman
Directors (serving one year term):
Bruce Darden, Mary Rinehart, Ed Ruff, Gib
Smith, John Snyder, and
Katie Tyler
Directors (serving two year term):
Suzanne Bledsoe, Mike Hawley, Bill Loftin,
Jr., Ed Nowokunski, Ken Poe, and
Phil Van Hoy
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Dwight Thomas is scheduled to return home from
Sardis Oaks on Friday and is looking forward to getting back
to Rotary.
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Byron Bullard’s wife,
Carolyn, underwent heart surgery last month and
will be recuperating over the next several weeks.
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HURRICANE CHARLEY RELIEF: Anyone wishing to make
a contribution to relief efforts in Florida should make your
check payable to Rotary District 7680, marked “Storm
Relief”. Checks will be collected in the Rotary office.
President Catherine was pleased to present a check for $1100
to DG Jim Morton at Tuesday’s meeting.
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Welcome to Rotary’s newest
member, Todd Owens –
sponsored by John Lassiter.
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It was good to see
Martin Welton’s smiling face back at Rotary!
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SUPPORT THE 9/11 SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC – September 21st
at Raintree Country Club. Contact Chip Scholz for info.
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New Member Profile |
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N. Todd
Owens
Yurko & Owens, P.A.
Classification: Law, Litigation
402 W. Trade Street, Ste 101 (28202)
towens@yurko-owens.com
704-347-0407
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| Todd Owens
is a native of Charlotte and was educated in the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg public school system, graduating
from West Charlotte High School in 1985. From there,
Todd obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the University
of North Carolina and followed that with a law degree
from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1994.
Todd returned to his hometown and has been practicing
law here for the past 10 years. He is currently a
partner with the law firm of Yurko & Owens, P.A.,
focusing primarily on criminal defense matters. Over the
course of his career, Todd has represented close to a
thousand economically disadvantaged individuals on
either a pro bono or court appointed basis. Todd and his
wife, Kimberly, also an attorney, were married in 1995
and are now the very proud parents of 3 growing boys:
Greyson, almost 4 years old, and twins Cooper and
Hayden, who will turn 2 on Halloween. In addition to a
busy family life and demanding career, Todd has answered
the calling of community service by becoming an active
member of the Charlotte Jaycees, by volunteering his
time to numerous civic projects, by his current campaign
for election to District Court Judge for Mecklenburg
County, and now by joining the Rotary Club of Charlotte. |
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9/11 Scholarship
Golf Classic: |
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Everyone’s help is needed to
ensure a successful golf tournament at Raintree Country Club on
September 21st. We are in need of goody bag items: note pads,
pens, key chains, “stuff” – and we are also in need of
volunteers to help with logistics: check-in, placing tee signs,
selling raffle tickets and mulligans, running prizes during the
dinner hour, etc., and GOLFERS. The tournament should wrap up
around 6:00. The meeting and dinner will begin around 6:30.
Remember – there WILL NOT be a lunch meeting on tournament day.
All members are encouraged to come out to the golf course to
Celebrate Rotary and be part of the fellowship of the 2nd Annual
9/11 Scholarship Golf Classic. |
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Attendance
Record |
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8/24/04 |
8/26/03 |
| visitors &
guests |
9 |
29 |
| club
members |
196 |
194 |
| total
attendance |
205 |
223 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
07 Harriet and Bill Barnhardt
07 Barbara and David Norman
11 Meg and Bryan Adams
11 Sandee and Al Nikles
11 Cornelia and John Smylie
13 Virginia and John Hart |
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New Members | Resignations |
Janice Stephens
Harriman Jett
Todd Owens |
Charlene
Kammerer
Bill Underwood |
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| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
09 Tom O’Brien, Iowa City, IA
11 Bryan Adams, Charlotte, NC
11 John Armistead, Burlington, NC
11 Harry Daugherty, Covington, KY
12 Pete Sloan, Charlotte, NC |
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