December 4, 2023

Meeting Minutes

President Bill Keogh rang the bell and called the meeting to order. 

Following the pledge and invocation Brad Means gave the Sunshine Report today. 

Matt Barrett called on club members to introduce their guests in attendance today. 

Announcements

• President Bill reminded the club that that Dat Hoang has arranged a tour of the Savannah River Site on January 15.  The reservation link has been shared with the club. 
• Our schedule of speakers/topics for the coming weeks include,
  • December 18 - Cliff Richards will speak about the mission of the Hale House
  • January 8 – Gerson Fiallos will share his experiences on immigration and studying in the United States
  • January 22 – Ashley Whitaker will present on Junior Achievement
  • January 29 – Dennis Carr, CEO/President of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions
  • There will be no meetings on 12/25, 1/1, and 1/15 due to the holidays.

Everyone is encouraged to use the DACdb website and app.  It is a great way to stay connected with fellow Rotarians.

Bylaw Changes

President Keogh provided a copy of the proposed bylaw changes to the club in advance of today’s meeting.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the changes as presented.  The motion was approved unanimously.

CART: President Bill asked everyone to please continue to contribute to the blue buckets on the table or online at mycartfund.org using the same login credentials you use with DACDB.  Also, please complete our club’s Google form to sign up to be a Cart Challenger. 

College Pick’em

Commissioner Stacy Tallent announced the results of this week’s Pick’em which was won by President Bill Keogh with 8 correct picks.  The final bowl game schedule and the YTD standings will be reported at the next meeting.

He reminded the club that in order to compete for annual prizes you must participate at least 11 weeks during the season.  There will be prizes for weekly, monthly, and annual winners.

Guest Speaker/Program

Our guest speaker was Ms. Bernadette Fortune, CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity.  Ms. Fortune shared that the organization has existed since 1986 and has helped 85 partner families obtain a home. 

She explained to the club that getting families into a home is the easy part, but helping them stay in the home is where the real work is.  Habitat for Humanity not only helps put them in the home, but works with the families to keep up repairs while also focusing on neighborhood revitalization.  Doing so insures that residents take pride in the neighborhood and start looking out for each other.

There are many ways you can help Habitat fulfill their mission.  These include workplace giving programs (both time and money), direct donations, Corporate/Foundation giving, and in kind donations of materials and equipment.

Ms. Fortune reported that last year 128 families applied for housing, but only 10 families could be accepted into the program to receive a house.  However, her organization continues to assist anyone they can by providing resources, referring them to other organizations, and even providing transportation as needed.

In closing, Ms. Fortune invited everyone to check out the ReStore which is set up to resell donated items/building materials with the proceeds being used to assist families in need.

President Bill led us in reciting 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