Club Business
President Brian Dement opened the meeting. Phil Brown prayed and led us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Rodney Councilman introduced his guest, Joseph Davis. Brian reminded us that our District Conference will be at Pinehurst, May 25-27 and that we should consider giving to the Rotary Annual Fund so our club can be 100% sustaining. So far only about 40% have contributed this year. Marie Janssen had her name read before the club for the second time. Next week will be her first as our newest member. Next week, Phil Brown has the program. Brian presented Mary Thomas Gilbert with her Paul Harris Fellow certificate. Congratulations, Mary Thomas!
Happy Dollar Announcements
- David Moore shared that his father-in-law just passed away at the age of 95. He was a Darby Ranger and part of the Normandy invasion. He was one of two in his unit who survived. They were famous for scaling the cliffs and taking out the German gun emplacements.
- Micah Fox let us know that he and his wife Kari just returned from a 10th anniversary trip to Nassau and the Keys without kids. They are expecting #5!
- Cliff Parker just celebrated 34 years of marriage and are expecting their fifth grandchild!
- Scott Gasque had his twelfth anniversary yesterday.
Club Member Responsible for Our Program: Jeff Bright
Jeff and his wife will be celebrating their fourteenth wedding anniversary on May 14. Sam Powell was his best man. He went to school with Brad Moser and currently works one day a week with Randy Perkins, also with Alliance, and does some public speaking. He worked at ACC for 30 years. Jeff introduced our speaker, Gary Saunders, commenting that without the continuing education piece at ACC, which Gary heads, the college would not have a community connection. He said they have been good friends for a long time.
Gary Saunders: VP of Workforce Development and Continuing Education at ACC
Gary Saunders is from Montgomery County, but said he loves living in Alamance County. He moved here six years ago to head up ACC’s flexible and creative Workforce Development/Continuing Education courses, which are very different from curriculum/degree courses. Continuing Education consists of short-term, non-credit, non-degree courses and programs to meet the needs of a diverse adult community. Continuing Education courses begin and end throughout each semester, and a large number of courses begin mid-semester.
Someone might take a Workforce Development/Continuing Education course to:
- finish high school
- acquire or improve specific job skills
- learn how to use a computer, palm pilot, or digital camera
- complete course work for professional certification
- learn Spanish or learn English
- become a notary public, a firefighter, an EMT, or a paramedic
- learn how to paint, sew, decorate a cake or a room, upholster, or dance
Courses are developed at the request of the general public, local industry, or community organizations. They tend to be of short duration, from one day workshops to ten weeks or longer. All of the courses are designed to offer convenience and quality instruction at a reasonable cost.
Courses are offered on the main (Graham) campus, at the Dillingham Center (1304 Plaza Drive in Burlington), and at approximately 30 churches, businesses, and other locations throughout Alamance County. More than 250 courses are available online via the Internet. A complete list of public locations where classes are offered appears in the course schedule.
Courses and programs in Continuing Education include Business and Industry Services, Personal Interest, Academic & Career Readiness (GED, AHS, ABE, ESL, CED), Occupational (job-related training, professional certification, computers), online courses, and the Small Business Center.
ACC just spent some $200K to gain national certification for their paramedic program.
Conclusion
When Micah failed to draw the winning card, we moved a week closer to someone finally winning the raffle. Afterward we all stood to recite Rotary’s four way test before Brian adjourned the meeting.