MEETING: August 15, 2017
President Paula Brahan presided over the meeting. Thanks to James Mitchell who gave the invocation and to Phillip Pitts who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thanks also to Mallory Donald and Cory Moore who served as our greeters today.
Mike Ratliff introduced todays guests. Wes Brooks has Leanne Cross back as his guest. Her membership application has been approved by the board and she is expected to be inducted as a new member next week. Jerome Brown has a number of guests representing Hattiesburg High including Steve and Dr. Trussell. He also has his brother Jermaine as a guest. Denny Bubrig is a visiting Rotarian from Austin, Texas and is transferring his membership to our club.
Today’s cash winner was Phillip Pitts. The full pot was worth $73 today. Paula reminded members to bring extra cash to future meetings and participate in the weekly cash give-away.
Paula then asked that any Rotarians who have been Rotarians for thirty or more years to please stand and be recognized. They include Conrad Welker, Bill Hughes, Richard Topp and Mike Ratliff.
Paula recognized Mallory Donald, a relatively new member, for taking on the responsibility of the weekly newsletter. It looks great!!
Ryan Kelly then asked for volunteers who will assist with programs for the remainder of the year. A sign-up sheet is being circulated. If you’re interested, please see Ryan.
Jerome Brown then introduced today’s guest speaker, Hattiesburg High Head Football Coach Tony Vance. Coach Vance is entering his fifth season having seen considerable progress in the football program since first arriving. Prior to his hiring the school had four head football coaches in four years. Vance says any program needs consistency to be successful.
Last season Hattiesburg High winning 10 and losing only 4 games. On the average, the team scored 42 points per game last season. He says the team’s defense was very inexperienced last year having lost a number of good senior players. This coming season he predicts that the team’s offense will have a different look due to the loss of several quality senior offensive players.
This past season the Hattiesburg High football team had a 3.0 or higher GPA.
When Coach Vance came to Hattiesburg he insisted that his philosophy was not in just winning football games but rather building a program. His first order of business as the new head coach was to change the helmet and uniforms. His goal was to change the team’s culture. In order to do so he instills five core values in each and every player in any way he can.
Those five core values are Honesty, Respect for Women, Respect for Authority, No Drugs or Alcohol and team members must Respect Themselves. They are also required to follow two rules: do what is right, and be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there. Coach Vance maintains that when you see the Hattiesburg High football team on the field, you are seeing a good product. Players are required to sign a contract agreeing to abide by the core values and rules. If they don’t they can be eliminated from the team.
He also teaches his players to begin with the end in mind. Once you know where the road ends, you can get the road map that you need to complete the journey. Once you begin the journey you don’t stray from the map and you don’t get lost. He says you must focus on the process and then you look up, you’re at the finish line.
He also asks his players to bring him the A Game each and every day. The “A” stands for attendance, academics and attitude. Without an “A Game” success will be limited.
Paula thanked today’s speaker and with no other business or announcements she adjourned the meeting with our motto, “Service Above Self”.