January 31, 2022
Meeting Minutes
President Shanda Vaughn rang the bell and called the meeting to order.
President Shanda asked for a moment of silence in memory of Andy Lohn. He was supposed to be our District Governor this year but was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away.
Tom Clarke came forward and led us in the Pledge and Invocation. Tom also gave the Sunshine Report.
Visiting Guest: Club members introduced their guess in attendance today.
Interact Students- Interact students from the Academy of Richmond County introduced themselves and were welcomed to the meeting.
Member Highlight-This week’s Rotary Member Spotlight is on Henry Knox. Henry is currently working as a graduate assistant while he pursues his master’s degree in Biomolecular Science at Augusta University. He was introduced to the Rotary Club when his professor, Rotary member Dr. Paul Dainer, encouraged and assisted him to establish a Rotaract Club at Augusta University. Henry grew up in Augusta and has enjoyed traveling abroad, including to Japan and Switzerland. He loves that Rotary connects local leaders and produces effective changes in the community where we live and work and around the world.
Signature Fundraiser- Dustin Young updated the club on tickets sales, with one week remaining there have been 305 tickets sold and 195 tickets remaining. We encourage every member to buy or sell 3 tickets for the raffle. It will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
- Top ticket seller will earn 1,000 Paul Harris Fellow points and 2 raffle tickets for the Mercedes.
- Second place will earn 500 PHF points and 1 raffle ticket.
- Third place will earn 500 PHF points.
- All members who purchase or sell at least three tickets will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card.
Other Announcements
- President Shanda reminded everyone to continue to sign in on the attendance sheets.
- Our GRSP Student, Kaushini, is looking forward to getting to know more of you. Please reach out to Kaushini, Susan Jernigan or Surrendra Gupta if you have something fun that she could be a part of.
- The club continues Collecting can taps for the Ronald McDonald House.
- Thanks to all of you who checked-in on Facebook last week.
- New Member Orientation will be on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, @ 4:30 pm-5:30 pm.
CART – President Shanda asked everyone to contribute to the blue buckets on the table. Inside Challenger for this week is John Whitwell and the outside challenger is Merrill Lynch. You may also give online at mycartfund.org. Login credentials are the same as DACDB.
District Conference- We are looking for 5 volunteers to help with registration for the District Conference, which is Friday, April 29- Sun., May 1, 2022, here in Augusta. It will be held at the Marriott Downtown.
Rise Augusta Book Donation - Kayla Cooper came forward and made the presentation to RISE Augusta Executive Director, Laurie Cook, and RISE Augusta, Board of Directors Chairman, Kaden Jacobs to receive our Book Donation. 255 books were donated from the club today.
New Member Induction - Billy Franke came forward and introduced our two newest members - Jessica Calasanzio and Eric Calasanzio. Please make a point to welcome Jessica and Eric to the club.
Today’s Program
Paul Danier came forward and introduced today’s speaker Dr David Hess.
David C Hess MD, a stroke specialist, honored educator and biotech entrepreneur, is the 27th Dean of the Medical College of Georgia and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Integration at Augusta University. Dr. Hess also continues to serve as Presidential Distinguished Chair and Professor in the MCG Department of Neurology. He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is tripled Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Neurology, and Vascular Neurology. He completed his Neurology Residency and Vascular Neurology/Stroke Fellowship at MCG and AU Health System.
Dr Hess mentioned MCG currently has 260 students enrolled with 95% of the student population from the State of GA with plans to increase that number to 300 students by 2028. The goal is to keep as many of those students practicing in the state of GA once they have completed their education. Dr Hess stated MCG now has campuses in 8 cities in GA within Regional Campus System.
Dr. Hess announced a new Center for Immunology that will be headed by prominent researchers (and husband and wife) Drs. Lynn Hedrick and Klaus Ley, who will serve as co-directors. The two were plucked from the prestigious La Jolla Institute of Immunology in California.
At the conclusion of Dr Hess speech TR Reddy came forward with a gift to Dr Hess and MCG.
President Shanda led us in the four-way test and then adjourned the meeting.
Easy links to pages on our website
Rotary schedule of meeting dates and speakers
Member Proposal Form
Online directory - Find a member or update your information
Bulletins - Weekly bulletins from 2014-current
