JEFF ELDER
Building a Living Network
By: Marilynn Bowler
  
                        
Perhaps it was the year spent as a Knight Fellow at Stanford University, becoming expert in social networking; or perhaps it was Liz Irwin's impressive and often, quite funny introduction; or, perhaps, yet, it was the size of our Rotary attendance that swelled in numbers thanks to the reputation of our speaker … but, for whatever reason, Jeff Elder looked as spiffy as a banker and spoke with the polish of a seasoned college professor who knows his "stuff." He still maintains, however, that special twinkle in his eye which we've all grown to know and love.
 
Liz summarized Jeff's background by listing only a few of his life experiences which eventually led him to The Charlotte Observer in the year 2000. Quoting Liz, "Jeff is a second-generation newspaperman whose father went undercover to expose the Ku Klux Klan. He grew up in a newsroom and got his first paying job as a reporter and photographer at age 15." Parlaying his experience and wordsmanship, he served as an editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer prior to working as news editor for the European Stars and Stripes in Europe. He followed that gig with a stint as an editor of the Knight Ridder Washington Bureau and, Liz shared with us, "During that time worked on the first stories to seriously question the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq."
 
Since settling in here some nine years ago, Jeff's tenure has ranged from writing the "Glad You Asked" column for The Observer, to varied feature editing and writing assignments, to "The Insider." He has set a pattern for connecting readers with what's happening in Charlotte. A genius at communication and the written word, Jeff has a unique style that makes business people and down-home folks, alike, want to confide in him. Perhaps trustworthy is the word that best describes Jeff. We trust him.
 
His opening remarks had us laughing out loud as he concurred that he has never before been serenaded by so many bald men. Addressing our Club on the state of social networking in today's world, Jeff used comparisons such as, "Google is the new Microsoft, Facebook is the new Google and Twitter is the new Facebook," … and Blogs are this generation's answer to an easy, ongoing conversation. In short, the world of communication and the methods of interaction are changing rapidly right before our eyes. Today, it's all about building a networking community with figuring out the "money-making" part of the equation, later.
 
The average age of a Facebook user-employee is twenty-six years, he told us. Many adults fifty-five and older are wary of social networking because of privacy issues. Privacy, however, is simply knowing how to hide the right stuff and how to control information.
 
Texting and all other forms of social networking are for those who want the news right away, not a few hours later. We can clearly observe the incredibly fast growth of instant messaging while traditional print media is declining. However, for those who want the analytic, investigative, authentic and original "story behind the story," there will always be a place for newsprint. (Many of us heaved a collective sigh of relief over that statement!)
 
Jeff finished his remarks with this sage counsel, "Social networking is a river of information that never stops. Get in the river. Join the party!" To contact Jeff, share online business tips, and read more about his networking
community, go to www.facebook.com/jeff.elder.
 
   
Head Table: Charlie Bones, David Erdman, John Snyder, Liz Irwin, Terri DeBoo, Benton Bragg;
Invocation: Brenda Lea;
Visitors & Guests: Jessica Brasington; Health & Happiness: Ken Poe; Song: Alan Barnhardt; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Thanks to Sandy Chambers for sponsoring the club's newest member, Donna Robbins. Donna is president and owner of Streetside Classic Cars, which consigns and sells classic vehicles worldwide. Contact Donna at donna@streetsideclassics.com.
             
• Jim Woodward was featured in the You Ask, They Answer segment of the Observer; wishes for recovery are extended to Jim Adams. Jim fell last week and though his knee is not broken, he's pretty banged up and is barely able to get around; Burgl Pruett (Ronnie's wife) had vitrectomy surgery on her eye and is doing well; Elizabeth Oehler Barnhardt and Jonathan Lewis Kirkland were married August 1st. Elizabeth is the daughter of Eleanor and Alan Barnhardt, granddaughter of Harriet and Bill Barnhardt.
   
• Past President Mac and the Rotary Club of Charlotte have been recognized by D. K. Lee, 2008-09 President, Rotary International, for achieving the "Most New Members in District7680 during 2008-2009" (37 new members). PDG Bob Wilson commented this is an extremely important award, not only for District 7680, but for Rotary International.
   
• HOST FAMILY UPDATE: Charlotte Rotary will host two Youth Exchange students this year and committee chair, Matt Joyner is hoping a member of Charlotte Rotary will be able to host 16 year old Leo from December to the end of February. Leo is from France and will be attending Charlotte Country Day. Host families from Charlotte Country Day are in place for the first and last of the school year for both students, but Matt would like a Club member to step up and house Leo this winter. Questions and concerns can be directed to Matt at mjoyner@bdj-law.com or 704-442-8875.
 
• District training sessions are available for all Rotarians. The following took advantage of the leadership and membership training offered this weekend: Sandy Chambers, Chase Saunders, Budd Berro, Sandy Osborne, Terri DeBoo, Ed Driggs and Lili Driggs.
 
• Charlotte Succession is an organization consisting of committed and conscientious young male professionals with a goal of personal development through leadership and service. Alan Simonini and other Rotarians have signed on to mentor one or more of Succession's members. Contact Alan at alan@simonini.com if you would like to become a mentor or need additional info.

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 08/10/2009.

Did you see last week's article on Classroom Central? "When word got out last year that school supplies were desperately needed for low-income students, local donors doubled their offerings from the previous year, giving 471,716 pencils, pens, notebooks, crayons, and classroom gear to the annual School Tools Campaign. Yet so great was the need, Classroom Central gave away most supplies by December, three and a half months into the school year." You can help by dropping off school supplies at the Rotary check-in desk over the next couple weeks. Items needed: paper, pencils, pens, glue sticks, colored pencils, erasers, 3&5 subject notebooks, pencil boxes, highlighters or rulers.