Vol. 91, No. 52, June 23, 2009
JUNE 23RD, 2009
David Bronner, chief executive officer of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA), told The Huntsville Times earlier this month that the bear market since late 2007 is the worst he has seen. RSA investments, like many pension programs nationwide, have been battered by a worldwide decline in stock markets over the past two years. For the year ending March 31, stocks and other investments held by the Employees' Retirement System posted a loss of 29.18 percent, and for the five years ending March 31, the average annual return was minus 1.30 percent.
As speaker for the June 23 meeting of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, introduced by Rotarian Joe May, Bronner has chosen the topic "Current Economic Environment." He can be expected to elaborate on the losses suffered by the Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System, both of which are under his control. On the other hand, he may be able to preview his expectations of recovery.
Bronner has managed the RSA since 1973, providing benefits for more than 325,000 public employees and retirees. The RSA is ranked 43rd largest public/private pension fund in the nation. He has been featured in national publications for his market decisions and investment strategies.
His choice of investments has ranged far beyond the typical holdings of stocks and bonds. High profile investments include office buildings in Montgomery, Mobile, and New York, and eight luxurious hotels and conference centers in Alabama. Other investments have been in media nationwide; more than 160 newspapers and 43 television stations, which provide free advertising for the state of Alabama.
But Bronner has said he is most proud of RSA's investment in the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, 26 champion golf courses that have placed Alabama among the top golf destinations worldwide, and helped boost state tourism to a $9.3 billion industry.
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LAST WEEK, JUNE 16
Rotarian Terry Olivet introduced Tina Fitch to bring us today’s excellent program. Tina is Executive Producer of Theatre Tuscaloosa and has also Directed many productions performed by the Theatre organization. Tina began by recognizing the many former and present theater board members within our club.
Tina introduced a number of the cast members, who did a wonderful job, performing selections from The Sound of Music production. Performers and support people included: Jeff Binford, Ava Buchanan, Doff Procter, Lisa Waldrop, Kathryn David, Clifton Baker, Anna Kate Campbell, Cole Cabiness, Emily McGuire, Sara Mason Avery and Destiny Schatzline. The performance was accompanied by Susan Goode and Leslie Poss, Musical Director.
Opening night for the production will be Friday, June 19th at 7:30 pm and will run dates through a Sunday, June 28th performance at 2:00 pm. For additional schedule information and ticket purchase, go to the Theatre Tuscaloosa website: www.theatretusc.com or call 205-391-2277.
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ROTARIAN NAMED PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
There are now more than a million Paul Harris Fellows throughout the world, and their selfless support of the Rotary International Foundation (RIF) is making a visible difference in the world. The RIF makes possible Group Study Exchanges, Ambassadorial Scholarships, World Peace Scholarships, and a host of humanitarian and health projects, including the goal of eradicating polio.
Rotarian James Leitner (above, left) joined the ranks of RIF support June 16, as he was presented the Paul Harris Fellow certificate, medallion, and pin by Rotarian Jerry Shepherd (above right), who chairs the RIF Committee for the club. While the recognition is an honor, more importantly it's about what Rotary can accomplish through the RI Foundation’s educational and humanitarian projects.
The PHF is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary more than 100 years ago. A PHF is an individual who has contributed $1000 (or in whose name the amount is contributed) to the RI Foundation. Approximately half of the members of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa are PHFs, and about half of those are at a multiple level PHF.
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GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE NOMINEES NEEDED NOW
Maharashtra. A state in western India, including Rotary District 3132. That's the destination of the next Group Study Exchange team that will go to India from the local district, matched with a counterpart team that will visit here. The district in India is inland from the Indian Ocean, east of Mumbai.
This year there's a difference in the typical schedule. District 3132 has its annual conference in mid-January 2010, and they want our team present at that time. However, the team from India will not come to this district until spring 2010, to be here to participate in the District 6860 conference.
Rotarian Jim Merrell, who is a member of the District GSE Committee, said the earlier timeline for the outbound team means "we will start the recruitment process in June or July, instead of September or October." The team consists of a Rotarian team leader plus four young professionals, and they will be hosted in India for about four weeks of what is sometimes called "cultural immersion" in another society.
District GSE Chairman Bob Hicks said nominations for team leader must be submitted by July 31, and for team members by August 14. So now, right now, is the time for Rotarians to consider whom they might nominate! "A member of the Tuscaloosa club could volunteer, or be nominated, for team leader," Jim said. Members may also identify and nominate candidates for the team. "One of our members may have an employee who would be a good team member, or might suggest a neighbor or friend."
Qualifications for the team are minimal: between the ages of 25-40, currently employed with two years experience in chosen vocation, and not a Rotarian or lineal descendant or spouse of a Rotary member. Beyond that, Jim said, the district committee will interview nominees, especially screening them for “good ambassadorial skills.”
The team to India is tentatively expected to leave between Christmas and New Years, and return by the end of January. A month away from work can be a challenge, but "if you want to nominate someone," former team leader Rotarian Mark Nelson said, "it would be helpful to first call on the employer and emphasize that this is not a vacation but a learning experience." Team members spend time in the host country with vocational counterparts, learning international applications of their own business or industry. “An employer should consider this an investment in having a better and more productive worker,” Mark said.
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NEWEST ROTARIAN
Rotarian Latrelle Bell was introduced June 16 by her sponsor Bruce Henderson, as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa. She is executive director of Hospice of West Alabama, with responsibilities for all daily operations of the facility. She is loaned the Rotary Classification Associations/Hospice of West Alabama. Latrelle and her husband David live at 5205 Dove Creek Avenue in Northport.
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GUESTS AT RECENT MEETING
Visiting Rotarians included: Dick Bradt and Cindy Savage from the Tuscaloosa Morning Rotary Club. Guest were: Dr. Tim Lovett guest of Johnny Aycock, Latrelle Bell guest of Bruce Henderson, Debbie Watson guest of Sammy Watson and Charles Nash, Jr guest of Dr. Charles Nash.
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FUTURE MEETINGS
Jun 30: Club Assembly, Outgoing President Bruce Henderson
July 07: Club Assembly, Incoming President Jordan Plaster
July 14: State Senator Phil Poole
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ABSENT? MAKE UP ATTENDANCE
Making up for an absence is easy, and there are several ways:
• Attend the Tuscaloosa Morning Club, Thursdays at 7 at Indian Hills
Jun 25: Pres. Doug Crump, "Rotary Year in Review"
• Attend another club within two weeks before or after an absence.
• Participate in any Rotary event: committee, Interact, Rotaract, etc.
• Make up at eClub online: <www.rotaryeclubone.org>
Report make-ups to the club secretary: <larrybfree@bellsouth.net>.
(Include name, date of make up, and make-up venue)
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CLUB COMMITTEES / CHAIRPERSONS
Programs Laura Aaron
Fellowship Warner Johnson
Family of Rotary Glenda Guyton
Sweethearts Night Diane Salls
Orientation/Retention Trey Moseley
Classification Lee Henderson
Attendance Chris Latham
40-Under-40 Rob Guthrie
Club Bulletin The Nerve Frank Deaver
Club Website
Public Relations Janet Griffith
Rotary Information Jim Shamblin
Interact Clubs Nancy Jones
Rotaract Club
Rotary Rose Charles Durham
Salvation Army Bill Elrod
R Y L A Laura Crissey
Business/Professional Rufus Lewis
Ethics/Four-Way Test Sheree Martin
Adopt-A-School Chris Hester
Literacy Johnnie Aycock
RI Foundation Jerry Shepherd
International Projects Dolores Stutts
Group Study Exchange Byron Heifner
Int’natl. Scholarships Jane Stanfield
International Students Chris Hester
Tuscaloosa Rotary Memorial Foundation
TRMF board – three elected each year by the Rotary
Club of Tuscaloosa, serving staggered 3-year terms
President Jim Shamblin; VP John Blackburn
Secretary Rufus Lewis; Treasurer Bill Jessup
To 2009: John Blackburn, Stan Bloom, J.G. Brazil
To 2010: Bill Evans, Bill Jessup, Rufus Lewis
To 2011: Carolyn Dahl, Michael Jordan, Jim Shamblin
