Jane McIntyre
YWCA of the Central Carolinas
By Bob Barber
      
Herb Harris presented Health and Happiness and shared with the group that he had been bitten by a bunch of fire ants over the weekend. It did not seem to have much of an effect on Herb's health or happiness. There was no report on the condition of the fire ants.
John Nicolay introduced Jane McIntyre, Executive Director of YWCA Central Carolinas, noting that Jane has a master's degree from Queens University of Charlotte and achieved "sainthood" in prior service on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.
Jane gave us an overview of the major programs through which the YWCA serves its 1,300 members and the community, including:
 
 

• Congratulations to Lori Hurd, Chief Executive, Girl Scouts Hornets' Nest Council, who has been named as one of twenty-five Women In Business by the Charlotte Business Journal.
      
• Sympathy is extended to the family of John Jacob Barnhardt, Jr., who passed away July 19, 2007. John was a member of Charlotte Rotary from 1980 until his resignation in 2002. The club will send a donation to the Rotary Foundation Donor Advised Fund in John's memory.
         
• OFF TO PERU…David Anderson announced plans are underway for a trip to Peru in February. The group will leave at 6:45 PM February 8th and will return either February 16th or 17th. Total cost (depending on the side trip once in Peru) is approximately $2100. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due by October 8th. Those that made the trip last year returned in awe of the work that has been done and ever mindful of work that needs to be done. If you are interested or need additional information/testimony, contact David at anderso1@carolina.rr.com or 704-499-3277.

Rotary International designates AUGUST as the month to focus on membership. There are currently 311 members in Charlotte Rotary. Knowing the average club has an attrition rate of about 10% per year, you quickly see the importance of placing membership as a top priority in any Rotary club. The RI Board of Directors has set a worldwide membership goal of 1.5 million members. President David has charged membership chair Tom Bartholomy to end the year with a net 8 members. 30 new members were brought into the club during 2006-2007, a number that would make most clubs jump for joy. However, there were 31 resignations. Look around at your business associates, clients, customers, neighbors, and friends that are wanting to feel more involved in the community and ask them to attend a meeting at Charlotte Rotary. Membership applications are available in the Rotary office.