SGR Hears Economic Forecast

OPENING: Don Pendleton was at his position as Sergeant-at-Arms, noting the presence (or absence) of members attending SGR’s weekly meeting at the Holiday Inn. Ray Robinson led members in a festive rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Kyle Case lead members in a recitation of Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things we think, say and do. Dan Strobell invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Allen Hilton asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Carl Riek conducted a spirited Horseplay while Greg Basso collected fines on behalf of The Learning Center for Families.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: June McAfee and Reed Noble pronounced the dictionary project “done” for 2010.

Ken Sizemore announced the nominating committee will be ready on Monday, December 20 for the election of a president-elect (nominee) and two directors to serve in 2011-12.

Nancy Neff expressed her appreciation for Rotarians who have already taken a turn ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, but she still needs more volunteers. Please contact her if you can help in this worthy cause in support of such local agencies as the Community Health Center, the Doctors’ Volunteer Clinic, Dixie Care and Share and the Hope Pregnancy Center.

The Rotary Christmas party will be held on Monday, December 13 (noon - 2 p.m.) Please notify Linda Sappington with the number of guests you will be bringing.

PROGRAM: Allen Hilton introduced Dan Wyson, a local investment counselor, who shared information on the current economic outlook for the community, calling “investments, an art . . . not a science.” He noted “a recession is a good thing because it is an economic diet, although this one has been painful.” Right now, according to the financial expert, there are “billions on the books of large corporations across America, but no one is spending because everyone is scared because they don’t know what the government is going to do next!” His predictions for the future? “Unemployment rates are not going to go down very quickly, but this is a great time to invest.”