Nov 19 2008

Rotary Minutes 11-19-08

President Eddie made an important announcement at the beginning of the November 19 meeting of the Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary Club. This information was a reminder that there will be no meeting next week, November 26, in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Emilie Keene informed Rotarians of the Christmas party that will be held Monday evening, December 15, at Chestnut Hill Plantation. Plans are to start at 6-6:30 p.m.

A special donation was made from our club to the Meals on Wheels program at the Senior Services Divsion of the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission.

The program was given by Chief Daniel Johnson, Chief Deputy at the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Chief Johnson discussed the benefits of his experience as a GSE member on a team to Sweden in 2004. He summed up his experience as "Challenging Your Limits While Expanding Your Boundaries." He has found traveling internationally and experiencing new cultures to be most beneficial not only to him personally but also to the law enforcement profession. Sheriff Lott has been most influential in allowing law enforcement officers to participate in various international cultural exchange trips. Chief Johnson pointed out our need for global experience in the global world of the 21st century. It is important for employees to care globally, and learning about other cultures helps to facilitate that attitude. The Richland County Sheriff's Department has implemented several new policies learned from law enforcement agencies of other countries. Chief Johnson encouraged Rotarians to participate as GSE team leaders and to recommend non-Rotarian employees to serve as team members.