ECHO
THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF MOBILE
September 29, & October 6, 2016
ATTENDANCE: Club President Mickey McDonnell; Vice Pres. Lisa deShazo; Pres.Elect Brad Matranga; Treasurer Mickey Stewart; Executive Director Lydia Pettijohn; Secretary Janet Sutherland; Past President Dick Sutherland, Bill Saliba, Jere Marques, Travis Everett, Ray Carney, and Michael Fillers.
The semi-monthly meeting of The Exchange Club of Mobile was called to order by Club President Mickey McDonnell promptly at noon. Vice Pres. Lisa deShazothengavean invocation followed byMichael Fillers leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
GUESTS: Speaker, Rebecca Davowich
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Club President Mickey McDonnell announcedLunch at the Ronald McDonald Housewill take place at 11:45am on Tuesday October 18th. On that day all exchangites are encouraged to attend. Michael Fillerswill be arranging the event, and is looking for help that morning to prepare the meal which was decided to be jambalaya.
On October 29th will be the Halloween Partyhosted by the Eastern Shore Club. After 2 cancellations due to bad weather, this will be a third attempt to board the Joshua. The vessel will hold 49 people, and is scheduled to depart at 4:30pm from the Grand Hotel marina in Fairhope. Costumes are optional, and if you want to eat, and drink you are encouraged to supply your own food, and drinks. Wine glasses are not allowed on the vessel. Admittance is $35 a person.
For the meeting on November 3rd Secretary Janet Sutherland arranged our speaker to be Chief Paul Newton from the Seven Hill Fire Dept. On November 5th-12th will be the Field of Valor at the battleship. The club has agreed to honor the veterans within the club this year. Set up will be provided by the ROCT unit in Daphne.
The Give a Kid a Flag to Wave event will be on Veterans Day Friday November the 11th. Before the parade starts the club will hand out miniature flags to the crowd. The parade starts at 10am so the Exchange Club should begin handing out flags 15 to 20 minutes prior to the parade. Vehicles will be provided by District Pres. Nita Stewart, Treasurer Mickey Stewart, and Secretary Janet Sutherland. We need at least 4 to 5 people to show up to hand out flags, and 2 people to hold the club banner as we walk in front of the parade.
No speaker is scheduled for the December meetings. So please see Vice Pres. Lisa deShazoif you have any ideas to help with this. There will be a ChristmasPartywith the Eastern Shore Club on the 9th of December at Papa’s Place in Daphne. Those who attend are to bring a gift for Dirty Santa.
The Exchange Club of Mobile has over 20 members in the club. Not all members make it to the meetings. However there are quite a number of members who are delinquent in their dues. Club President Mickey McDonnell brought this to the clubs attention, and addressed each delinquent member individually. The best course of action was to have Treasurer Mickey Stewart contact each member for a report or have a personal message on their statements. Ray Carney suggested using a calling post to contact members to remind them of events.
Member dues are extremely important to collect. There is a percentage each member pays to national and district each quarter. Whatever is left goes to the clubs operating account. Since club members don’t contribute their personal funds for club events.It’s a struggle to fund an event dedicated to the clubs main goal which is to raise money for the Family Center, and other special programs.
Recently the club had a speaker from the V.A. center of Mobile. As a club we decided to help fund a seminar with coffee, and doughnuts. Secretary Janet Sutherland gave a board overview of a Trivia Pursuit Nightfor a fundraising project, and was well received. If decided this event will take place some time late next year.
SPEAKER: No Speaker
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Club President Mickey McDonnell read a letter to the club concerning the resigning of Past President Dick Sutherland. Exchange Club was a huge part of his life being chartered in numerous Exchange Clubs in the nation. When he arrived in Mobile, it was he who looked up the Mobile club for membership. Club President Mickey McDonnellcontacted Dick before the meeting to let him know his retirement was understandable. The club voted for Dick to remain active within the club, and to participate in club events.
BUSINESS: There was a vote to purchase 8 flags $200 dollars worth for the
Field of Valor, in honor of service from club veterans.
1. Joe Langan 2. Dick Sutherland 3. Mickey McDonnell 4. Jesse Ortmann
5. Mickey Stewart 6. Jere Marques 7. Ray Carney 8. Bill Saliba
Sunshine Award: This week’s Sunshine Award was presented toRay Carney whothen proceeded in leading everyone in the Exchange Covenant of Service.
The meeting was then adjourned by Club President MickeyMcDonnell. Meeting time for both days combined was116 min.
How’s Your Health: Please keepclub Past President Dick Sutherland in your prayers. He was injured in a freak accident trimming trees. The result of this injury was a knot on his head, and 2 black eyes. Vice Pres. Lisa deShazowill be having shoulder surgery sometime in the 2nd week of October.
The schedule of our upcoming events is reflected below:
October 18 (Tuesday) Lunch at Ronald McDonald House(1626 Spring Hill Ave,
Mobile, AL 36604 11:45am)
October 29 (Saturday) Halloween Party hosted by the Eastern Shore Club
(On the Joshua 4pm-8pm)
November 3 (Thursday) Meeting(Club Building 12:00pm)
November 5th-12th Eastern Shore Field of Valor(Battleship Park)
November 11 (Friday) Give a Kid a flag to Wave (Veterans Day Parade)
Editor: B. Matranga