February 12, 2024

Meeting Minutes

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

Jimmy Richards gave the pledge and invocation. 

Billy Franke introduced the guests and visiting Rotarians.

Richard Rogers gave the Sunshine Report.

Announcements

• President Bill began his remarks by offering his condolences on the passing of long-time club member Ed Tarver.
• Everyone is encouraged to use the DACdb website and app.  It is a great way to stay connected with fellow Rotarians.
• Read Across America will take place on Monday March 4.  We need 15 volunteers to read Dr. Seuss books as part of the Head Start Program.  Also, we will be collecting books to be donated to Copeland Elementary School.  Anyone wishing to participate should reach out to Anna Reeves.

Paul Harris Fellows

Joe Anderson, an attorney who received financial assistance from the HULL Fund in the 1960s, mailed a $2,000 check to the Club as a Thank You for the help we provided him.  The Executive Committee donated $1,000 to the HULL Fund and used the other funds to recognize Mr. Anderson as a Paul Harris Fellow.  Mr. Anderson could not be present for this recognition.

Kevin Wade also presented Haskell Toporek with is PHF +3 pin.

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. 

Today’s challenger is Grant Hill with Northwestern Mutual.

Signature Fundraiser

Dustin Young announced that Jennifer Pennington won the Mercedes raffle.  He also recognized the top fundraisers including;

• John Whitwell – sold 39 tickets
• Tom Denlinger and Dustin Young – sold 34 tickets
• Cliff Richards – sold 30 tickets
• Steve Mund – sold 16

Upcoming Speakers & Events

• February 13     YPA networking event at the Crown Plaza Hotel
• February 19     No meeting due to President’s Day
• February 20     New Member Meet and Greet
• February 26     Eric Toler, Executive Director of the Georgia Cyber Center
• March 4           Speech Contest Winners
• District Conference will be held April 26-28 in Jekyll Island

Guest Speaker/Program

President Bill Keogh introduced our speakers, the Honorable Jared Williams and Bobby Christine, District Attorneys for Richmond and Columbia Counties, respectively.

The two discussed the inter-workings of their offices and how that has continued to evolve as Columbia County was granted permission to split and open a new circuit.  Both men, talked about the mutual respect and open lines of communication they have for each other.

They discussed the value of accountability courts such as the Drug Court and Veteran Court that help individuals receive help as opposed to jail time.  Both men believe these courts provided a more effective alternative to the traditional court system.

In closing, both men reiterated their desire to work together to fight gang violence and make both counties safe for the citizens.

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