District Governor Graham J. Wilson
By George MacBain
         
Whew……if you did not know what Rotary is, you do now!! We were treated today to the whit, comedy and passion of our own District 7680 Governor Graham Wilson. A member of Union West Rotary Club since 1997, Graham and his wife Barbara have 4 grown children and have been in Matthews for nearly 20 years. He was donned in the Rotary Governor's Green Blazer that was well appointed with Rotary pins and awards but he admitted, the Swedish wool was a bit warm for this 94 degree day!
 
Graham told us on Club visits, he generally shares with Clubs his words of Wisdom…..but with us, "since we are so bought into Rotary", he was just going to dismiss that speech! He was so complimentary of our lifetime giving to The Rotary Foundation of nearly $900,000; our work with many organizations including Junior Achievement, Salvation Army, Classroom Central, and Habitat, that he decided to tell us just what Rotary means to him.
 
The sharing of time, talent and resources are what the Governor says are why he is a Rotarian. He told of his attending the most recent convention in Salt Lake City where everyone looked, ate, acted, and spoke differently, yet they all shared the real strength of Rotary….Service Above Self!
 
Oh the stories he must have as he shared just a few with us…..Alleghany County's lawn mower race fund raiser (they go 50 MPH and have a pace mower leading the racers); the success of the 1986 polio eradication project, then in 100 countries and reduced to just 4 today; Miss Susie in Monroe, NC caring and teaching at risk children, with 4 going to college this year on scholarship and no male role models at the 10 annual dinners she has prepared; the water issues in Honduras; and of course the Peruvian wood working shop, card shop and the knitting shop with Andrea…..and her hope for a new smile!!!!
 
Hats off to Governor Graham for giving generously of his time, talent and resources during this fast paced year at the helm of District 7680!
   
Head Table: Luther Moore, Leland Park, David Zimmerman, Tom Robertson, Mac McCarley, Todd Tambling
Invocation: Herb Harriss;
Visitors & Guests: Ronnie Bryant; Health & Happiness: Ed Turner: Song: Alan Barnhardt

• Welcome new members Bill Allen and Tyler Ream. Bill, sponsored by Will Barnhardt, is president and owner of ARCH Consulting Associates, a mainframe computer data base consulting firm. Contact Bill at archcons@aol.com, or 704-641-0296. Tyler, sponsored by Trent Merchant, is chief of staff to Peter Gorman and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Contact Tyler at t.ream@cms.k12.nc.us or 980-343-6271.
        
• Charlotte South Rotary Club has a new meeting location: Zebra Restaurant, 4521 Sharon Road (across the street from SouthPark and behind Wachovia Bank).
          
• Donald Haack Diamonds has been named the recipient of the American Business in Ethics Award sponsored by the Society of Financial Service Professionals. First Charlotte Properties was a finalist in the local program.
     
• Rotary Fact from President David: Of the 32,000 Rotary clubs in the world, only 50 are larger than the Rotary Club of Charlotte.
   
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND UPDATES
 
• PERU: Those wishing to travel to Peru in February are invited to attend a general information session at David Anderson's home at 4:00 on Sunday, September 9. A $100 non-refundable deposit is due by October 8. Checks are payable to Charlotte Rotary and mailed to the Rotary office. Those planning to make the trip: Pender and Kathryn McElroy, Will and Elsie Barnhardt, and Luther Moore.
    
• SCHOOL TOOLS: Tuesday, September 4 is the last day to bring in school supplies to support School Tools. Items specifically needed: lined notebook paper, glue sticks, and pencils.
 
• PERU CONTAINER PROJECT: A container of goods is being collected for shipment to Father Alex in Alto Cayma. Collections will be made on August 28, September 4, and September 11. Office furniture and construction tools are especially needed. Heavy objects can be picked up from your site. For further information, or to arrange for pickup, contact Will Barnhardt or Ed Wadsworth. A complete wish list is available here.
 
• HOST DINNER SIGN-UP: 24 Rotarians have agreed to open their homes to host a Rotary Fellowship dinner. Sign-up is available here. 3 couples will round out the party and are asked to sign up to bring a vegetable/starch, salad, or dessert. The September dinners are just around the corner…September 15 with Tony and Dot Marciano; September 29 with Gilberto and Monica Bergman. This is a good way to meet your fellow Rotarians. Sign up TODAY.