President Worth Williamson called the meeting to order at 12:45, and asked that Mac McCarley bring us health and happiness. Mac announced the birth of a new son to Jack and Elizabeth Knight, a fairly rare occasion in the ranks of our membership. He then told a story about his daughter's anatomy and her very astute comeback, which almost brought out the hook: from President Worth. Mac then followed with some interesting rules in place in our city a hundred years ago.
     Leland Park introduced guests and visiting Rotarians.
     Roger Sarow brought us up to date on the latest news from public radio. He reminded us that the hurricane is coming, the stock market is down, and the George Shinn trial has been postponed due to bad weather.
     Alan Barnhardt led us in the invocation.
     Hope Lanier introduced Winn Maddrey, our newest Rotary member. Winn is president of Crescent PR, a marketing firm. Winn has recently been named one of the Top 40 under 40, so we can expect big things from him in our club.
     President Worth wished Bon Voyage to Carroll Thomas who, with his wife, is setting off for up to a year on a motor home adventure throughout the country.
     At the head table today were Gayle Smith, George Wilson, Alan Barnhardt, John Nicolay, Bob Poole, and Ed Kizer who introduced our program presented by Mike Almond, President of Carolinas Partnership for the Charlotte Region. Mike is a graduate of UNC-CH undergraduate and law school. He has been in international law practice at Parker Poe for the last fifteen years until his new position this year.
     The Carolinas Partnership was organized in 1992 to market and promote the Charlotte region and to support economic development efforts of all 15 counties of the region, 12 in North Carolina and 3 in South Carolina. It has 11 employees with 4 operating divisions — Economic Development, Marketing and Communications, Research, and Film. A little known fact is that the film industry is a major contributor to our regional economy and the Film Division serves as the Charlotte regional film commission.
     For the first five years the focus of the Partnership was to develop a regional consensus and regional identity. Mike notes a remarkable achievement for all our surrounding communities to identify themselves with the larger regional concept and to pull together for our common good. The concept is working so well that it has become the model for 7 other regional partnerships in North Carolina.
     Mike points to a meeting of "5 Wise Men" (Bill Lee, Hugh McColl, Ed Crutchfield, John Belk, and Stuart Dickson) in 1997 as the major inspiration for the emphasis on the broader aspect of regionalism. He sees regionalism as the mechanism for preserving and enhancing the quality of life in the Charlotte region. Many economic development site decisions by corporations now are based on where the people want to live.
     In 1998 the Carolinas Partnership board determined that the organization must expand its mission and raise its profile. Its new strategic plan emphasizes regional thinking and leadership on regional issues. The board has broadened its membership and has landed Mike to become its leader. His conclusion was that it is a job worth doing and needs doing.
     Mike reminded us that his organization divides its work into things it can do and things it can affect. Things it can do are marketing the Charlotte region nationally and internationally and it can promote economic development in all its forms. Things it can affect are workplace education, a regional concept of transportation, expansion of the airport, and leadership on issues impacting quality of life. We have a rare alignment of leadership in (he two states with many important positions occupied by residents of the Charlotte region. That alignment will give a valuable opportunity to promote the Partnership's objectives.
     Mike's conclusions are that we are a player NOW; we are connected to the rest of the world. We can be a global POWERHOUSE in the 21st century IF we do the right things now to sustain and build on our momentum and to realize our potential.

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DID YOU KNOW?

     Before you PROPOSE any new member, CHECK with Sadler Barnhardt to determine an available CLASSIFICATION. For all practical purposes we can have only ONE Rotarian and one Additional Active for each LEGITIMATE Classification.
     Also Marilynn Bowler heads our MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE and that Committee must approve prior to Board Approval and 10 days in ballot.
     Please check the Classification in your Roster to avoid conflict of Classification. Remember Classification is determined by the thrust of what the EMPLOYER [not the individual] does and 60% of that thrust is a deciding factor.
     Always observe the 5 guidelines used to determine eligibility for new members.

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DID YOU NOTICE?

     The attendance Committee has been active lately in enforcing ATTENDANCE RULES as prescribed by Rotary International.
     Just so you know —
     To maintain your Rotary membership you must

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DID YOU KNOW?

HAVE YOU...

     Proposed a new member lately? (Avoid proposing duplicate classifications).
     Rotary Classification is intended to diversify the membership in each Rotary Club. Ideally, each Club will grant membership to ONE member category and that member will propose an ADDITIONAL ACTIVE to him/herself to become the ACTIVE when the first member releases his/her membership after 15 years or earlier if age tenure dictates.

ACT WITH
CONSISTENCY
CREDIBILITY
CONTINUITY

R.I. President Carlo Ravizza
Theme for 1999-2000

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