Club Business
President Jim Cartner brought the meeting to order. Cliff Parker led the prayer and pledge of allegiance to the US flag. We had several visiting Rotarians today. Ed Brumley from Lawrenceville, IL exchanged banners with us. This was his 78th makeup meeting at another club. Fred Andryson, who just moved into Twin Lakes and is a member of the Greensboro City Club, was also present. Jim encouraged him to consider moving his membership. Two former Rotarians were on hand as well – Steve Carter and John Brooks. Ed Woodall presented our club with a banner he received at a recent ESSEX Conference in Greensboro, where he met with Rotary Youth Services people from all over the Eastern US and Canada.
Happy Dollar Announcements
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Charlie Cobb announced that he is retiring from Rotary after 58 years and 750 make up meetings contributing to his lifetime perfect attendance. He will be caring for his wife. We gave him a standing ovation and hope he will be able to visit when he’s able.
- Joseph Williams reminded us that Feed the Hunger’s 50th Anniversary Packathon is rapidly approaching. They hope to pack 500K meals at the Vailtree Event Center. They need 1500 volunteers. Signing up is being done online or you can simply show up. They need 1500 volunteers! Bring family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, even people you don’t like!
- Steve Carter is holding a fundraiser for his campaign for County Commissioner at the Vailtree Event Center on Tuesday at 5 pm. Congressman Mark Walker and Sheriff Terry Johnson will be speaking.
- John Brooks remarked that he went to the same Georgia high school with Steve and Ray Guy, which is why he plans to vote for Steve in the Fall.
- Ed Brumley, filling in for Dick O’Donnell in the enthusiasm category, testified that he has also served in Youth Services, like Ed Woodall, and two Eds are better than one.
Club Member Responsible for Our Program: Katie Dukeshire
Katie is the Director of Sales at the Country Inn and Suites by Radisson. She is a board member of the Humane Society of Alamance County, a past President of the Alamance Republican Women of NC and Secretary of the Republican Hispanic Assembly of NC. She enjoys fundraising and working with non-profits. She was the chair of The Rotary Club of Alamance Public Image Committee for 3 years, our President Elect 2014-2015, and President for 2015-2016. She now serves as our Rotary Foundation Chair.
Pam Thompson – Mental Health Issues within Our Schools
Katie introduced her good friend, Pam Thompson, whom she first met in 2012. Katie remarked that she is a “force to be reckoned with.” She has been an ABSS school board member since 2012, has been a Child Advocate and Sexual Assault Advocate at CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resource Center, was a Community Educator at Family Abuse Services of Alamance County, a Co-Chair of Engagement amd Victim Services at NC Domestic Violence Commission, served on the Justice Advisory Council at Alamance County, NC, was a member of the Board Of Education at Alamance Burlington School System, a Board Member at North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force, a Commissioner at North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission, and a former School of Excellence Commission at Alamance Community College. She is married to Attorney Craig Thompson, with whom she has three children.
Pam wants people to ask the question, “Why?”, when we are confronted with mental health situations in our schools. She has been instrumental in bringing professional counselors into our schools, creating common sense solutions to disciplinary problems, involving parents in conflict resolution, emphasizing the need for restorative justice, and face to face meetings between aggrieved parties. Saying that “school is not just math and science any more,” she recognizes that we must creatively engage the aftermath of the breakdown of society and the family unit. She sees education as a pathway out of the chaos created by dysfunctional home situations. She stated that most criminals are dropouts for whom gangs become their “family.” As individuals “we help by not looking the other way.” This requires hard work, but “their lives are what matter…It is our responsibility to prepare them to successfully live in the world.” This sounds like what the family was designed to do, but, since many families are not getting the job done, it has become the school’s job, too. It was obvious that Pam cares deeply about people and is working hard to make a difference.