West Jax Rotary

Claudia Werner
Executive Director, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, North Florida Office

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is to assure the development of the means to cure and/or control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those born with the disease. Cystic fibrosis is a disease that affects the areas of the body where mucus exists, which are lungs, the digestive system, reproductive organs and sinuses. In CF, the mucus is thick and sticky, causing increasingly serious lung infections and digestive issues. For many years, there was little that could be done to help patients with CF and they often passed away during childhood. As a result of years of CF research and drugs developed specifically for CF, the median age of those living with CF today is almost 38 years. Sadly, because the disease can vary greatly in severity, children continue to be lost to this disease, which is why the CF Foundation is so diligent in the search for a cure.

Notes
President Marshall began the meeting by announcing things would be a little different this year. Based on the room configuration, he wasn’t kidding.

A great time was had by all who attended the Jacksonville Suns social. Nearly 70 folks attended an evening at the ballpark. A special award was presented to Andy Hariton. Andy was hit by a fouled off ball at the social. His trophy was a ball signed by the Famous San Diego Chicken that said “Next time catch the ball Andy.” Does that mean he received a “fowl” ball?

There will be a District Foundation Seminar on Saturday, August 20, at the Thrasher-Horne Center in Orange Park. The Rotary Leadership Institute will be offered at the St. Johns River Community College on August 6. Both are great opportunities for new Rotarians or folks interested in Rotary leadership to learn more about Rotary.

Phil Voss announced that Jaguar ticket sales have begun for the year. If interested, you can RSVP for Rotary Day with the Jaguars online. Tickets are also available for all games, and a portion of the proceeds will come back to our club. Learn more by clicking here.

Jim French announced that we will be serving at the Sulzbacher on July 23. You can RSVP online.

Dave Collier started his year as Family of Rotary chairman with a terrific Ty Ty joke.

Frank Scheu presented Eric Sherman with the JJ McCranie award for his work this year with the EarlyAct club, as well as being involved in many other projects and attending nearly every board meeting.

President Marshall began his club assembly with an anecdote from Rotary Foundation Chair Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar who compared change as being like a ketchup bottle. You take off the lid, you turn it upside down and nothing happens until you shake it. He suggested it was time to take off the lid of the Rotary bottle, turn it upside down and shake it.

Switching the room around was a little shake as we prepare for what a time of transition for the Rotary Club of West Jacksonville.

The theme for the 2011-2012 Rotary Year was introduced: Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.

There are 3 goals for the year:
1. Membership and attracting younger members. Mentoring members when they join. The board has committed to each bringing in one new member in the upcoming year.
2. Developing a new fundraiser that is fun and all can participate.
3. Creating a strategic committee to develop a 5-year plan. Participating on this committee will be PDG Cecil Gibson, President Marshall, President-elect John McCorvey, Treasurer Nina Sasser and a few others.

An additional goal is for the club to qualify for the newly created Changemaker Award, which will recognize Rotary clubs that make an extraordinary impact.

The Board of Directors for 2011-2012 was introduced:
Membership - Paul Mohrman
Public Relations - Jimmy Kelly
Club Administration - Bob Hyde
Service Projects - Wally Barrs
Rotary Foundation - Kathy Cold

Andy Hariton and Joe Springer will be heading up the Rotary Information committee this year. The duty roster has been updated on the website for the entire year. We will be publishing a bulletin every week. If you are asked to be a scribe, please understand how important this job is in our club.

Members and spouses are encouraged to participate with the West Jax Rotary page on Facebook to keep up with projects and socials.

If you participate in a project, please take photos with your smartphone or write a recap of the event so we can share our success with others. Send an e-mail to photos@westjaxrotary.org.

The assembly ended with a presentation showing how we can change the world if everyone helps.

Quote of the week:
When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible. (Unknown author)

Visiting Rotarians:
Larry Turknett — Riverside
Ed Witt, Sr — Downtown
Jay Millson — Downtown
Chris Eidson — Riverside
Marcus Drewa — South Jax

Rotary Guests:
Jim Riggan — Chris Knoernschild

Birthdays
Mark Hulsey — July 24
John Barley — July 25
David Cooksey — July 25
Bill Andrews — July 26

Next Meeting - July 27, 2011
Speaker: Joe Miller, JaxPort
Greeters: Paul Broome, II and Tommy Platt
Invocation: Michael Prendergast
Pledge: John Schultz
Four-Way Test: Jim Schumacher

Quick Links:
You can now report make-ups online.

Submit “Family of Rotary” information online.