Ryan Kelly presided over the meeting. Allen Anderson provided the opening prayer and Latreaka Rankin led the Club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kelly then led the club in the Four Way Test. The meeting was held at the Mugshots Bar and Grill in Hattiesburg.
Rayn reminded everyone there will not be a membership meeting next Tuesday, seeing it is the 5th Tuesday. He did say the board of directors will be meeting next Tuesday. Most likely at Patio 44 but will decide soon and email the board.
Latreaka announced Lee Kemp brough his brother Logan Kemp again this week. Logan will be transferring from the Columbia branch.
Bryan Shaver then introduced his guest, Rosie Jackson. Bryan informed us, Rosie is the Assistant District Governor of Rotary and is starting a Rotary Club in Sumrall, MS. Bryan said it will be the first time in 30 years this club has sponsored another club.
Lee Kemp then introduced today’s guest speaker, Iliana Oscar-Burnett of Diamon Excursions.
Iliana started her journey in this business when Covid hit. She was trying to get out and help those that were homebound and were having extremely hard times. She would take them food, water and maybe some blankets. Items that people needed. She would deliver to people she seen using her car. With more people in need, came the use of more delivery people. Soon it was a group and they upgraded to a building. Stuff was coming in donations and with them having so much, she eventually rented a building and worked out of that for a while.
This led her to see there were so many people that were in need but didn’t have transportation. So, she got rid of the building and started with mobile units.
Iliana’s outreach team travels around the area handing out cold water and snacks and letting people come off the street for a few minutes to cool off.
There are mobile food trucks that deliver food and water to the homeless and those in need. The clothes truck is equipped with a bathroom, so people can take showers and change clothes. Performing this type of work has allowed her to work with various non-profit organizations where she connects people in need with the organization that can best assist them.
In July 2020, she started Diamond Excursions, has a Ladies' Edition. A non-profit organization that serves assists promotes and fosters women, children, elderly, unhoused and vulnerable population.
Diamond Excursions will be hosting a "Boots on the Ground," Charity Day Pop Up Resources Event. This event will be on International Charity Day, September 5th, in Chain Park from 10am-2pm. She will bring awareness to the services, products, or resources that agencies, non-profits, churches, coalitions, businesses, and other organizations offer.
If you would like more information about Boots on the Ground Project, you can reach out to Iliana via Facebook.
There being no further business to come before the club, Ryan thanked Iliana for her presentation and then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”