THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH
By: Marilynn Bowler
   
                         
The incredible irony of today's speaker is that he challenged us to find new leaders to initiate philanthropy and inspire corporate giving in our community and yet he is the very person who can accomplish such a Herculean task. Our speaker's name is Dr. Michael Marsicano and he works miracles for a living.
 
Currently the President and CEO of the Foundation For The Carolinas, Michael stepped into this crucial role in 1999 following a decade as President and CEO of Charlotte's Arts & Science Council. Under his tutorship the united arts fund led the nation in per capita annual giving and the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte became one of the largest endowed arts councils in the entire country.
 
A "hat trick" Duke alumnus (he earned his Bachelor of Science, Masters in Education and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Phil Van Hoy's alma mater) Michael is a New York native who, two decades ago, Charlotte wisely stole from Durham where he was serving as the Executive Director of the Durham Arts Council and Royal Arts Center. Durham's tremendous loss was Charlotte's magnificent gain. Heading up the Foundation For The Carolinas translates to managing assets of over $700 million and granting monetary awards to a long list of excellent and deserving organizations and services from arts, to historic preservation, to education and religion, to the environment, and more. Many more.
 
Lynn Wheeler described her long-time friend, Michael, as "driven to do what's right, generous, warm, loyal and sincere." We found out for ourselves that he's also self-motivated, smart and has an uncanny sense of what will work for Charlotte.
 
Tracing philanthropy and civic giving in Charlotte from the days of James Buchanan Duke and his enormous endowment (which now tops three billion in giving) - and the impact it has had on Johnson C. Smith University, Davidson College, and Duke University, as examples - to the grassroots spirit of philanthropy which helped build the United Way during the 1930's when churches and synagogues assisted with fund raising, to the '50's and the establishment of the United Arts Fund and the Arts & Science Council spearheaded by the great family endowments of the Belks, Dicksons, Blumenthals, Spanglers and other notable, Charlotte familial mainstays, Michael painted us a landscape of giving.
 
During the '80's and '90's faith leaders became civic leaders, as well, and were seen as strong and highly effective when it came to developing corporate giving. A direct off-shoot was the birth of service organizations such as Loaves & Fishes and Friendship Trays, which continue to serve families and individuals in need to this very day. The combination of strong corporate executives coupled with faith leaders turned out a giving community that placed Charlotte at the top of national and international rosters when it came to philanthropic generosity and wealthy patrons. At that point in time, Charlotte boasted an incredibly formidable team of business executives with an eye toward philanthropy, including Hugh McCall, Ed Crutchfield, Rolfe Neill and Bill Lee. No one could turn them down … nor did anyone wish to. Hence, our performing arts centers, YMCA's and Habitat Houses were built and supported. Philanthropy and corporate giving was a matter of Charlotte pride.
 
We're now in the year 2009, looking at Charlotte during a time of economic stress, a turnover in top level executives, a city of headquartered companies but with global offices (which discourages the practice of concentrating too much money to a headquarter city,) public distrust over occurrences within our local United Way, and a general trend toward allowing employees to name their own charities for donated funds. That's the tough news.
 
The good news is that we have a stated, manageable goal and that is to nurture civic leaders with philanthropy as a priority, and to encourage others to join matching gifts funds. We have excellent, generous and wise philanthropists in place and they have already stepped up to the plate, including the Levines, the Spanglers, and - once again - the McCalls. And there are others who will take the lead whether it's for the Symphony, the United Way, or any of the many, many services and organizations needing help.
 
The Foundation For The Carolinas can connect leaders and spearhead initiatives for those willing to play a shared leadership role. The man at the top, Dr. Michael Marsicano, is the guy who can get it done … for Charlotte.
     
Head Table: Carol Hardison, Alan Adler, John Snyder, Lynn Wheeler, Brenda Lea, Tony Marciano;
Invocation: Wells Van Pelt;
Visitors & Guests: Tom Hutchins; Health & Happiness: Pender McElroy; Song: Pam Jefsen; Piano: Thomas Moore

• Three new members were welcomed into the club on Tuesday. Bill Barnhardt introduced David Tobin. David is a founding partner with Tobin Dudley Starr (architecture, planning, design) and can be reached at tobin@tobindudleystarr.com. Mac McCarley introduced Jim Cusson, co-founder of Birdsong Gregory Advertising & Design. Contact Jim at jim@birdsonggregory.com. Edwin Peacock rounded out the day by introducing Brad Picot. Brad is a dental surgeon and owner of South End Dentistry. Contact Brad at doc4smylz@yahoo.com. Gentlemen, welcome to Charlotte Rotary.
              
• Updated contact info for Brady Drummond-Ryan: WR Starkey Mortgage, 10800 Sikes Pl, Ste 110 (28277), 704-779-6245, bdryan@wrstarkey.com; Tim Newman is the Public Relations Society of America's 2009 Pegasus Award winner; thanks to Cindy Wolfe for organizing the golf auction, which brought in $660 for the tournament. Gregg Walker won a golf spot.
 
• Thoughts and Prayers: Mary Ciminelli's mother passed away this week. Funeral services will be held Saturday; Edgar Love's health is declining; Donna Robbins's son has a broken back from a car accident and is showing improvement.

• Excellence in Leadership Award: nominations may be emailed to the Rotary office by October 13, 2009. CLICK HERE for award criteria.
 
• Group Study Exchange: Club members are encouraged to help identify candidates for team members or team leader that would be able to participate in this unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity with Brazil. Team members must be between the ages of 25 and 40; employed full time and not directly related to a Rotarian. The Team leader is a Rotarian and interested club members may contact committee chair, Pat Gray, for additional information. Charlotte Rotary will host the Brazil team upon their arrival in April, 2010 and vocational visits will need to be arranged. Details on hosting opportunities will be provided at a later date.
 
• Flu Shots: Club members and guests are given the opportunity to get a Flu shot October 20. The vaccine will be provided by Maxim; tables set up outside the meeting room from 11:30 to 2:00; Medicare and several other insurance providers will be accepted; $30 if no insurance; they will also have the pneumonia vaccine.
 
Tuesday, September 29 meeting at the Blake Hotel
Check in 11:45; Buffet at Noon; Meeting 12:15 to 1:30