Classification Talks: Jeff Lainez & Bob Cowen
Due to the unexpected cancellation of our scheduled speaker, two members of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville gave classification talks about their chosen professions. Each Rotary member is categorized into a professional classification based on career specialty. This allows club leaders to ensure balance across sectors in their clubs and prevents one sector from dominating a given club. Classification talks usually include some personal background about the speaker and his or her work.
In today’s classification talks, we learned about Jeff Lainez and his family-owned, countertop fabrication business, E & D Granite City. Jeff is one of 10 children and his family immigrated to the US from Honduras 15 years ago. He is one of five siblings who work in the family business. Bob Cowan also shared his professional and Rotary journey. Bob has been a member of Rotary since 1984 and was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville. After several years as a high school English teacher, he became certificated as a financial planner and became a founding member of Cowan and Kohne Financial Planning. Bob is currently the longest-serving Certified Financial Planner in Gwinnett County.
More information about classification talks can be found here.
Sherry Laboon: “Bosnia Water and Sanitation Projects”
Sherry Laboon
At the March 14 meeting of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville, Sherry Laboon informed the group about a project proposed by the Rotary Club of Oconee County which involves meeting the water and sanitation needs of two areas in Bosnia-Herzagovina. She provided background information about the geographical region, pointing out that in this mountainous area war damage and bi-annual flooding problems create a serious need for clean water. Corrupt governments and religious tensions make progress in solving the water problem difficult. The plan calls for focusing on two projects, one in Velecevo and Dubocani and one in Dzevar-Brdar/Stari Majdan. She described the situations and history of these areas and sought the Club’s help raising the $42,000 needed to create a long-term solution to the water issues there.
Dr. Tyler Yu: Workforce Readiness: Our Story.
Dr. Yu has been interim Dean for the School of Business at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) since 2015. He served as Associate Dean from 2007-2015 and has been a Charter Faculty member since 2006. Dr. Yu holds a Master of Accountancy from Kennesaw State University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Mississippi State University. Before accepting a position in Administration, Dr. Yu taught Accounting and Economics at the university level for more 20 years, primarily at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. He lives in Alpharetta with his wife.
RCL March Madness 2016
It is that time of year again for the RCL March Madness Basketball Tournament.
The entry fee is $10 is due to Beatty prior to the start of Round #3. Call Beatty with any specific questions: 770-363-1849
Payout:
- First Place: 50%
- Second Place: 20%
- Third Place: 10%
- RCL: 20%
Register Online by 3/17/16 @ 12:15 p.m.
We’re going from the dark ages (paper) to the New World (internet hosted) with our RCL March Madness Pool this year!
In order to join, you must:
1. Register as a user at http://www.poolhost.com.
When registering, you will choose a personal username and provide your
e-mail address. When you click Join, PoolHost.com will send you an e-mail
with a password to login to the site.
2. Login to PoolHost.com with the username you chose and the password sent
to you.
3. Go to the ‘Pool Tools’ menu and choose ‘Join a Private Pool’.
4. Choose College Bracket Challenge.
5. To Join the pool you need to enter the Pool ID and the Pool Password.
For the Pool ID type: RotaryBrackets
For the Pool Password type: GardenPlaza
That’s it and then you’re in! The next time you login in to
http://www.poolhost.com, you can get back to your pool(s) by going to ‘My
Pools’ where you’ll see all the pools you’ve joined. Clicking on a pool
name will take you to that pool. You can switch to a different pool by
going to ‘My Pools’ again at any time.
To Register, click here:
http://www.poolhost.com/index.
Ryan Sauers: Would You Buy from You? Your Brand Makes the Difference
Gwinnett Coalition “Swat Bag” Partnership
February 2016 Programs @ RCL
The Rotary Club of Lawrenceville has been enjoying a variety of programs, from an informative talk about essential oils to a tribute to local architect Duke Langley. February programs included Elizabeth Danley, project Manager for United Way, and Deputy “Strauss of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department, talking about aid to released prisoners who go out into the community homeless.
At the February 22 meeting, two presentations were made. Past President Art Kleve was presented with a banner celebrating the Club’s 100% participation in the Rotary Foundation. Current President Freya Myers presented a check for $1,000 to Mike Freeman to donate a Shelter Box to help with homeless refugees.
On the Georgia Gwinnett College campus Rotaract members participated in the Spring Organizational Fair, highlighting the club’s commitment to service with their banner.
Mike Clifford: “The Legacy of Buck Lindsay”
At the February 22 meeting of the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville two presentations preceded the program. Past-president Art Kleve accepted a banner recognizing 100% member participation in donations to the Rotary Foundation in 2014-15. The club belongs to an elite group of Rotary Clubs which have 100% participation. President Freya Myers presented a check from the Club for $1,000 to the Shelter Box group to help with shelters for homeless refugees.
Rotarian Mike Clifford then shared a video about the career and legacy of Buck Lindsay with the group. The video was presented on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the architectural firm which is now Lindsay Pope Brayfield Clifford and Associates. Buck Lindsay was known for his leadership in many areas: in his profession, in Rotary, in his community, and around the world. In the video, testimonials to his influence and achievements were given by architectural colleagues, long-time clients, family, and Rotary friends. The group left with a keen appreciation for a man who has led a productive, full life and continues to made valuable contributions to our world.
Elizabeth Danley and Deputy Strauss: “United Way Programs”
On February 15, 2016, Elizabeth Danley, Project Manager for United Way, and Deputy Strauss, of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department, spoke to the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville about the various programs serving the homeless population in Gwinnett County. Elizabeth described several programs, including the Streets to Home Program, Vets Connect, and Kids Home Initiative, but she focused mainly on GRIP, the Gwinnett Re-entry Intervention Program. The main goal of the program is to reduce the recidivism rate, and in its three years of functioning, the recidivism rate for those individuals in their program is a low 8.2%. Inmates have to refer themselves for the program, and when they are accepted, help is provided with housing and health services. Over 1,100 people have been pre-screened and referred to reentry services. Elizabeth praised Faith Based Partnerships for their valuable assistance.