The Program Today Megan O'Neill McCall, Ph.D., “Antarctic Adventures” Dr. Megan McCall has been teaching science for 17 years and is currently the STEAM Coordinator at Bayside Academy. She completed her Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Development from the University of South Alabama in the Spring of 2017 and has a Master’s in Science Education and undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from the School of Engineering at Auburn University. She has received numerous teaching awards and most notably a Fulbright Distinguished Teaching Award in 2016 with research in New Zealand and a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. She is passionate about learning and teaching science and has traveled all over the world doing so! Today she will be sharing highlights from her three month long adventure to Antarctica where she studied Antarctic ice fish and humpback whales with scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Duke University.
Upcoming Programs & Events 2/8/18 2/15/18 2/22/18
No meeting - Mardi Gras Social at Carnival Museum, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. No Meeting - Happy Mardi Gras! Scott Page, U.S. Marshal
New Member
Please join us for a
ROTARY CLUB OF MOBILE MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION Thursday, February 8, 2018 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
MOBILE CARNIVAL MUSEUM 355 Government Street Spirits, Dew Drop & Hors d’oeuvres Please RSVP by February 1st to
[email protected] The Rotary Club of Mobile would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of this special Rotary Club Mardi Gras Celebration: BBVA Compass Helmsing Leach Herlong Newman & Rouse Mitchell McLeod Pugh & Williams Smith Dukes & Buckalew Thames Batré Insurance **Donations suggested to the Rotary Children’s Foundation**
Bill Kinnaird had Terry Ellis. Pat Guyton had Evan Templeton. Garrett Williamson had Tommy Eads. Michael Chambers had Corey James. Matt Head had John Gage.
55 Hathaway Rd. W. Mobile, AL 36608 Birthday: 8-10-88 Introduced by: Nick Holmes 1-25-18
455-7064 Mobile, AL
Minutes of the Rotary Meeting January 4, 2018 By Kathy Miller Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by John Dukes at 12:15 pm. Bob Chappelle offered the invocation and Tommy Blankenship led the club in song and the Pledge of Allegiance. Les Greer accompanied at the piano. Jeff Zoghby welcomed visitors and members’ guests.
Announcements: “Jack” Jackson, III - 2
Robert Greer - 2
Law - Administrative
Groceries - Retailing
Club Elections: Russell Ladd reported that the Nominating Committee recommended the following Officers and Directors for the 2018-2019 Rotary year: President Pres. Elect Vice President Treasurer Secretary Sergeant-At-Arms
Visiting Rotarians Week of January 25, 2018 Geoff McGovern, Mobile Sunrise. Cullen Duke, Mobile West. “Ramsey” Stuart, III - 4
“Matt” Hariel - 4
“Bill” Kleinschrodt - 5
Building Supplies - Wholesale
Associations - Chamber of Commerce, Finance & Operations
Consulting - Mergers & Acquisitions
Meeting Make-ups Hank Cobb, Lee Phillips, Joey Betbeze, Dan McDaniel, K.C. Constantine, and Bart Greer, Mobile West on January 16, 2018. Ken Robinson and Robert Greer, Rotary mid-year meeting, Dothan on January 13, 2018.
Bob Chappelle and Suntrease Williams-Maynard.
Civil Professional Engineer Clark, Geer, Latham & Associates, Inc. 3901 Springhill Ave. 344-7073 Mobile, AL 36608 Fax 343-9179 Email:
[email protected]
Student Guest: Jeff Luther introduced the principal of Satsuma High School, Josh Verkoullie, who introduced our student guest, Kathryn Eubanks. Ms. Eubanks spoke to the club.
Members’ Guests Week of January 25, 2018
E-Club Make-ups
“WILLIAM” M. LATTA Engineering - Civil
“Wade” Faulkner, Jr. - 5
Warren Herlong, Jr. - 7
John Moses - 7
Law - General
Law - Commercial
Automotive - Trucks
Ernest F. Ladd, IV Thomas C. McGehee Claire G. McCarron Elizabeth P. Stevens Thomas B. Marenstein Thomas E. Blankenship, Jr.
Directors: John T. Dukes (Immediate Past President) Garrett Williamson Douglas B. Kearley Frank D. Harkins Katherine L. “Kate” Carver Rotary Children’s Foundation Distributions: Bo Mattei introduced Jamie Yerby, Executive Director of the Mulherin Home, who was accompanied by Lenny, and Melissa McNichol, Director of Camp Rap-A-Hope. Both organizations are recipients of $3,000 grants by the Rotary Children’s Foundation.
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MOBILE ROTARY CLUB BULLETIN Official Publication of Club No. 120 Mobile, Alabama
John Dukes reminded members of the Rotary Dine Around on January 16th at Noble South and noted that there would be a member event at the Carnival Museum in February.
Please send address changes to P.O. Box 94, Mobile, Alabama 36601
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
PEGGY BUGGS
A. LESLIE GREER
ELIZABETH P. STEVENS GARRETT WILLIAMSON DOUGLAS B. KEARLEY FRANK D. HARKINS
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
POSTMASTER:
Today,12:15 P.M., Thursday, February 1, 2018 Lunch - 11:45 Bell - 12:15 Adjournment - 1:15 Battle House Hotel
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
THOMAS E. BLANKENSHIP, JR.
TREASURER
SECRETARY
VICE PRESIDENT
CLAIRE G. McCARRON
THOMAS B. MARTENSTEIN
PRESIDENT ELECT
THOMAS C. McGEHEE
OFFICERS
JOHN T. DUKES
Adjournment: After announcing members’ birthdays, John adjourned the meeting at 1:00 p.m.
ERNEST F. LADD, IV
WELCOME
PRESIDENT
Mr. Sisson outlined recent accolades recognizing Mobile’s logistical advantages, diversified manufacturing, foreign direct investment, and shipbuilding. He noted that we have a strong chemical sector, that APM terminals and the Airport Authority will be exciting areas to watch, and that we likely will see more projects like the distribution centers for Walmart and Amazon. Mr. Sisson updated members about the Innovation Portal, the business incubator on St. Louis Street, which already has 52 clients although the facility is not yet open. He closed with a quote from C.S. Lewis: “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
DIRECTORS
Mr. Sisson noted that the area does have some obstacles to growth, which are not unique to Mobile, including attracting and retaining qualified employees and employee wage and benefit costs. He said that there has been an over 22% increase in salaries nationwide. The unemployment rate is at 4% which is where we were locally ten years ago. Our “gross Mobile product” is over $18 billion. It is significant that that we still “make things” in Mobile. The survey of business leaders reflected that 20 local companies plan to enter new markets, 13 plan to enter new domestic markets, 13 plan to enter new international markets, 31 plan to expand their physical plants, 63 plan to purchase new equipment and software, 38 plan to seek new consumer or business segments and 31 plan to offer new products or services.
Volume LXXXXVVIII. .No. 30. .February 1, 2018 Thursday 12:15 P.M..Battle House Hotel ROTARY CLUB OF MOBILE 56 St. Joseph St., Suite 1502, Mobile, Alabama 36602
Program: Tom McGehee introduced Bill Sisson, CEO & President of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Sisson, who holds a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University and a MBA from the University of Alabama, updated members on the Mobile economy. He said that 2018 should be a great year based on a recent survey of Chamber members in regard to the state of the local economy. Local leaders feel good about the economy and growth. The response to the survey was representative of the membership. Over 90% of Chamber members represent small business, which is reflective of the area’s economy. Mr. Sisson also noted that the USA Business Confidence Index reflects that business leaders in Mobile are the most optimistic of any in the state about the local economy.
MEGAN O'NEILL MCCALL, PH.D. “Antarctic Adventures”
Rotary Club of Mobile P.O. Box 94 Mobile, AL 36601 Phone (251) 432-2362 Fax (251) 432-2368 www.mobilerotary.org
