Club Business
Dick O’Donnell convened our club Zoom meeting at Noon on Tuesday, July 26, 2020. The first fifteen minutes were devoted to casual conversation to catch up with one another’s lives. At 12:18 Rick Moore gave thanks. Then we recited the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Dick shared several interesting factoids relating to this date in history.
Announcements
- Mary Thomas let us know that our club achieved Gold Club status for the past year during her presidency.
- The governor’s school’s award was given to the Rotary Club of Alamance.
- Our next in person meeting will be at BBW on August 11.
Getting to Know You Segment
Each week two members will share for about five minutes some interesting details about their lives. The form we are using as a guide can be downloaded by clicking here or by going to the Membership section of the pull down menu and going to the forms section.
- Mary Thomas Gilbert – Youngest of three girls. Named after mother and father – Mary and Thomas. Grew up
in Morehead City, NC. Mother was teacher and community leader. Her Dad was an entrepreneur and a WWII vet. He started a restaurant. Later a furniture store. Went to UNC-Chapel Hill. First real job was as an investment broker. “Not for me…” Ended up doing customer service with Teleco. Then a market mgr for Cellular One. Later she became a mother to three children, her favorite job. Since then she has worked outside the home in several capacities, the latest being at BCA. Favorite hobbies are cooking, reading, and writing. Cooking and caring for others bring her joy. Wants to be remembered as someone who deeply cared for others.
- Dick O’Donnell – The youngest of six adopted children. Family had lots of pets. Grew up in NJ. When Dick was fourteen, the family moved to Honolulu. His father started a cosmetic and fragrance business, which lasted 30 years. Three children, a son and three daughters. Tom has two sons. Daughter, Katie in Charleston, SC. Moved here 16 years ago to be near her and her sister, who lives in Boston. Attended school at Hawaii Preparatory Academy and the University of Portland. Spent part of two years in Europe, living in Salzburg, Austria. Married to Bebe. Loves Elon sports and the Panthers. Loves golf and family time. Wants to be remembered as a man of integrity who loves and helps people.
Program: Phil Bowers – Sustainable Alamance
Brooke Carpenter introduced Phil Bowers. Stuart Sioussat brought Phil to us today. Phil is the executive director of Sustainable Alamance. Brooke suggested that we each ask ourselves how we or our business can plug into this important ministry.
Phil said they are two weeks away from their twelfth birthday as a ministry. “We have learned a lot. The coronavirus set us back a bit, but we worked out how to continue.” The ministry is located at 715 N. Church St at the Beverly Hill Church, which is available to them rent free. He said they are still in the moving business and doing some commercial mowing at no charge to the county at the law enforcement shooting range. SA has placed five people in full-time work during the pandemic. Another young man is ready to start this week. Their primary goal is to help formerly incarcerated men and women find employment. SA depends on businesses being willing to work with them.
This time last year SA applied for and obtained a governor’s crime prevention grant, which has allowed them to hire some staff, including an employment coordinator for the moving and mowing business. He evaluates the performance of the men who participate. This Friday SA will be adding a full-time licensed counselor to help men handle underlying issues that might hinder employment success. When a person goes through their program, they will have been evaluated for ability to work, mental health issues, and do they have any outstanding issues with the criminal justice system.
Rodney, the employment coordinator, is a prior felon and has tremendous insight into how to help former inmates. Phil said, “We have a greater ability to help people than ever before.”
Looking forward, Sustainable Alamance is making plans to begin redevelopment work in the Beverly Hills neighborhood to help provide a healthier living environment for men and women who are trying to escape the negatively pull of the “street.” Richard Atkins is assisting in this area. Cliff Parker has been a big help, too. Phil thanked our club for past support and said he hopes it will continue. He said all SA’s services are free.
Dick expressed an interest in organizing a field trip for our club to see Sustainable Alamance’s facilities.
Conclusion
Dick concluded by leading us in reciting the Four Way Test.