4-28 Rotary Club meeting
The Rotary Club of Chickasha opened its 4-28-2011meeting with a prayer, recitation of the pledge of allegiance and song.
Guests include Kaylee Gilbert, winner of the club's Rotary 4-Way Speech Test. Kaylee delivered her prize-winning speech for the club. Afterwards, she was given a $300 check by President Mark Tibbetts and Speech Contest Chairman Bret Burns.
Two Rotarians who had been out of action for awhile were welcomed back warmly -- Steve LaForge and Ed Chamberlain. Great to have you back Steve and Ed.
Prayer concerns included Janice McVey, wife of Rotarian Bill McVey.
President Mark inducted longtime Rotarian Stewart Fairburn as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Chickasha. Stewart is the new city manager for Chickasha. He and his wife are moving to town from Gardner, KS, where Stewart had been city administrator for the past 10 years. Jay Epperson was Stewart's sponsor.
Today was the deadline for shrimp boil tickets to be returned and the money turned in. Ann said those not turning in money would be billed for four tickets.
The shrimp boil and the Rotary Run are on Saturday, May 14. Volunteers are needed for both events and sign up sheets for duties were pass around.
President Mark reminded everyone that today is the final day meeting at the Best Wester. Beginning Thursday, May 5 we will be meeting at First Christian Church of Chickasha. Since Thursday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo, our lunch will be catered by Temazcal. Kory Kirkland has lined up caterers for all of the May meetings. If you have suggestions or complaints, please call Kory.
Our guest speaker was Jim White, graduation coach/academic behavior interventionist at Chickasha High School.
Jim's position has been been funded by federal grant money that is no longer available and is among those expected to be cut for the 2011-2012 school year, unless a alternative funding source is found.
The Rotary Club has been helping greet freshman students each Friday at the high school as part of Jim's efforts to boost the self esteem of the kids and to show that the community is supportive of their efforts. Jim thanked the club's dedication to the project.
Jim said he knows the position has made a difference in the lives of several kids.
He said has applied for grant money to fund the position.
"This is not about Jim White," he said. "I believe in this position and the impact it is having."
White presented a slide presentation that showed that Chickasha's dropout rate was about twice the state average. He said that is cause for real concern in the future.
Thank you for this informative program.
The meeting concluded with recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.