Meeting Notes, 1-22-08.

President Tim Ferris called the meeting to order at 7:20 and also named leaders in our club’s opening exercises: The Pledge of Allegiance (Mark Nelson), 4-Way Test (Lynn Mallory) and the Rotary Invocation (Marvin Pollard). Bob Leith introduced visiting Rotarian, Charles McCarty of the Denton noon club. Charles was selected to draw a winning ticket for the weekly lottery. As usual, the selected ticket owner drew a card other than the Joker. Try again next week.

Announcements and Business.

John Rademacher announced that 408 more dictionaries are “on the way” and third-graders in four more elementary schools of DISD would be recipients of them. John asked for volunteers to attend the gifting events. He will notify the membership where and at what time these events are scheduled.

Our guest, Charles McCarty, representing the noon Rotary Club, announced that their annual primary fund-raiser, a Mardi Gras, is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, February 9^th. Tickets are on sale at $15.00 each. He extended a special invitation for Denton-South Rotarians to attend and enjoy the fellowship.

Judy Willis reminded us that the American Heart Association will be beneficiary of a Go Red Luncheon on Valentine’s Day (noon, Thursday, February 14^th). The event’s program features models of clothing designed by students of TWU and UNT. Sponsors of this fund-raiser are collecting donated items for a raffle. Tickets are $30.00. Judy has tickets for sale.

President Tim announced a Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, January 26^th at 9:00 a.m. in the Central Fire Station. He also reminded us that our District Assembly is April 26^th and we are sharing host responsibility with the noon club. District Convention is May 9^th - 11^th.

Marion Scott announced that the Denton area preliminary District 5790 4-Way Test Speech Contest is February 5^th (Tuesday evening) at 6:00 p.m. This event is at the Denton First United Methodist Church.

P.S. At the Board meeting on Saturday morning, President Ferris mentioned that the Denton-South Rotary web-site is undergoing considerable renovation. Members are encouraged to log on www.DentonrRotary.org.

Program.

Bob Pettit introduced the presenter of our program, Kinny Carrell. Mr. Carrell will describe some of his personal experiences as a contract employee of the U.S. government in the field of Protective Operations. His most recent assignment has been in Iraq. Bob’s comment of recommendation was: “He rides a Harley.”

Our speaker described some of his prior experiences in security and law enforcement: 11 years as a police officer in New Mexico; attending and completing an International Training Mission; 4 years as a United Nations Special Operations protector; several years with an Industrial Contractor, Blackwater and, at present, participant in a pilot program (direct hire) with the U.S. government. He is self- employed under personal contract. He fills out invoices monthly -- no G.S. rating, retirement plan, social security nor health care.

Mr. Carrell explained that his most frequent assignment is escorting and protecting dignitaries as they travel in areas of conflict. It is a job filled with prospective danger when the area of conflict is at war. He is given full support by the U.S. military in “mine sweeping” of routes to be traveled. When asked about his contact with the media, he responded that he and the person he is protecting avoid media contact whenever possible.

The club membership was encouraged to ask questions and, as usual, responded enthusiastically. When asked about his observations of the morale of the U.S. military, Carrell replied that he had not seen much negativity.

When asked “How many times have you had to ‘pull the trigger?’, he answered “Not many, my job is to run away with my charge.”

“What’s going to happen?” asked a questioner. Our speaker, replied, “It depends on the election.” He stated that in his opinion withdrawal will be slower than a lot of political leaders predict and a diminished military presence in Iraq will be long-lasting.

At 8:00 a.m., President Ferris adjourned the meeting, explaining to the program presenter that a book, donated in his name, will be given to the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home.

Respectfully submitted, Marvin Pollard.

Speaker Schedule

01-29 John Rademacher

02-05 John Duffy

02-12 Pete McCleskey

02-19 Glen McKenzie

02-26 Eric Burns

Questions about the schedule? Contact Judy Willis

A note about Teachers

According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem.  A number of 12-year-old girls had begun to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back.

Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.

She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses).

To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.  Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

There are teachers.... and then there are educators