Annual REPORT 2 014 The Rotaract Club of Birmingham, Alabama U.S.A., District 6860 LEARN SOCIALIZE SERVE vision The premier civic club recognized globally for cultivating leaders and improving communities. MISSION Rotaract provides an opportunity for Birmingham’s young professional leaders to promote responsible citizenship, develop professional skills and employ effective leadership by offering venues to learn from proven leaders, network with committed young professionals and serve the needs of the community CONTENTS 4 6 9 13 16 18 19 21 letter from the president Learn SOCIALIZE SERVE AWARDs FINANCIALS BOARD OF DIRECTORS membership Letter from the PRESIDENT It is my privilege to share a retrospective of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham’s many milestones from the last year as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our charter! When Mike Mahon and John Peinhardt founded the Club in March 2004, they sought to foster a young professional organization rooted in the principle of leadership development while exemplifying Rotary International’s motto of Service Above Self. Thanks to the hard work and support of John, Mike, the Club’s charter members, the Rotary Club of Birmingham and countless others in our community, our Club has rapidly become an immense force for positive change in Birmingham and beyond. Let me review some of the high points for our Club over the past year: The launch of the Club’s second Signature Service Project, “Ready 2 Succeed,” a partnership with College Admissions Made Possible whereby our members will mentor Birmingham-area City Schools high school students to assist them as they prepare for ACT, college or vocational training, and beyond. The Club’s affiliated 501(c)(3) Foundation made its largest single donation to date to Better Basics, Inc., our partner in our ongoing first Signature Service Project, “Ready 2 Read,” in the amount of $35,000. Members, Rotarians, community leaders and friends helped the Club celebrate our 10year anniversary at the Decennial, a black-tie gala held in the ballroom of the new Regions Field ballpark overlooking awardwinning Railroad Park, the city skyline and the field. The Club continued to attract and retain quality young-professional members as our ranks approach 300 members, improving our standing as the largest Rotaract Club in the world! Rotaract held a unique joint luncheon with our sponsoring club, the Rotary Club of Birmingham (the largest Rotary club in the world), attended by over 500 people. The Club’s first “Pop-up” social, promoted only through personal contacts and social media attracted over 30 members and friends attending a Saturday night at Gip’s Place in Bessemer, Alabama, home to legendary blues and rock and roll. 4 In addition to these notable undertakings, the Club once again enjoyed world-class programming on all fronts. From our monthly service projects and happy hours to our lunch meetings twice a month, our members have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with, work alongside and learn from some of the most distinguished and exciting leaders in Alabama, including: Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club, Sally Mackin, Executive Director of the Woodlawn Foundation, Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, Jason Wilson, founder of Back Forty Brewing Company and a panel of leading Birmingham-based investment advisors, among others. Our Club also had many outstanding opportunities to continue to strengthen its ties with the Downtown Rotary Club: the joint luncheon mentioned above, joint socials, increased Rotarian presence and Rotary International emphasis at our new member orientations and expanded communication between the Rotary and Rotaract Boards. Many Rotarians deserve our thanks for their help in continuing to bring our Clubs together, but I would be remiss if I did not mention the following individuals: Rotary President Eddie Friend and his entire Board of Directors, especially Sanjay Singh; Executive Director Susan Jackson and her colleague, our own Margaret DeBardeleben; and Rotaract charter member and past President V.J. Graffeo, a Rotaractor who serves as Downtown Rotary’s New Generations Chair. Thank you all for your tremendous support! I am excited to see where the Club can go in our next 10 years, and I know the Club is in fantastic hands as John Smola and his Board of Directors take the helm. John is a long-time Board member and is supremely capable of guiding our Club as we work to continue implementing the Strategic Plan that was unveiled last year. To the outgoing Board, thank you for your tremendous efforts and dedication over what is surely the longest Board year from start-to-finish in Birmingham – the Club is in your debt! Lastly, to all of our community sponsors, we sincerely thank you for all that you do for our Club, and look forward to continuing to partner with you as we develop Birmingham’s next generation of leaders and improve our communities. Best, Henry Sprott Long III 5 LEARN The Rotaract Club of Birmingham meets twice a month at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham to hear from community and business leaders. From CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies and major non-profits to successful entrepreneurs and community activists, Rotaract’s prestigious list of speakers offer members many opportunities to learn from and converse with key influencers. 2013 & 2014 Speakers Hon. Sharon Blackburn Rev. Thomas Wilder Judge, Northern District Alabama Lead Pastor, Bethel Baptist Will Ferniany Mike Warren CEO, UAB Health System CEO, Childrens of Alabama Ann Florie Jason Wilson Executive Director, Leadership Alabama Founder, Back Forty Beer Co. Andy Grace Dave Winwood Film Director, University of Alabama Director of Reseach and Development, UAB Steve Heninger Principal, Heninger, Garrison, Davis Rodney Hall Craig Witherspoon Superintendent, Birmingham City Schools President, FAME Studios INVESTMENT PANEL Brain Hilson Will Brooke Executive Director, Birmingham Business Alliance Executive VP and Managing Partner, Harbert Management Corporation Wendy Jackson C.T. Fitzpatrick Executive Director, Freshwater Land Trust Sid McAnnally Senior VP, Alagasco Dr. Martin Nalls Founder, CAMP Founder, CEO, CIO, Vulcan Value Partners Charlie Perry Principal and Co-Founder, Highland Associates Carl Thigpen General Manager, Birmingham Barons Executive VP & CIO, Protective Life Corporation Van Richey Joint Rotary Luncheon Jonathan Nelson CEO, ACIPCO Shannon Riley President/CEO, One Stop Environmental Robert Simon President, Corporate Realty Stancil Starnes President/CEO, ProAssurance Lee Thuston Managing Partner, Burr & Forman Neel Kashkari California Gubernatorial Candidate Tour de Birmingham David Fleming CEO, REV Birmingham CHERYL MORGAN Director, Auburn Urban Studio 2013 & 2014 Professional Development Series In addition to bimonthly luncheon meetings, Rotaract offers members unique opportunities to network and enhance their skills through the Professional Development Series. Meet the Candidates Forum The Rotaract Club partnered with the Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) to host a “Meet the Candidate” forum for Birmingham-area young professionals. The two organizations provided an opportunity for congressional candidates from districts six and seven to meet with our city’s young professionals and present their vision for the future of the city and surrounding metropolitan area. Candidate Speakers: Jemison / Turner Home Tour and Cocktails As part of the History of Alabama Series, Rotaractors had the opportunity to tour the Jemison / Turner Home. Located in Birmingham’s first gated residential community, Glen Iris Park, the home was constructed at the turn of the 20th century by influential developer Robert Jemison, Sr. Scott Beason, Will Brooke, Chad Mathis, Gary Palmer, Tom Vignuelle, Robert Shattuck Tour guide: Host facility: Host Facility: The Harbert Center Leadership from the Ground Up Focused on leadership development, this event highlighted entrepreneurs who have taken a company or organization from concept to reality. They spoke about their work building successful companies and the challenges they faced along the way. Speakers: Mike Mahon and John Peinhardt Founders, Rotaract Club of Birmingham Lee Conn, Founder Motus Motorcycles Robert Fuqua, Founder, Atlas RFID Host facility: Innovation Depot Cathy Adams, Journalist and Historian Jemison / Turner Home SOCIALIZE It has been a banner year in the social life of the Rotaract Club. Members have participated in a greater number of social events than ever before, enjoying an ever-expanding array of wonderful social venues and experiences centered around an increasingly vibrant and diverse downtown Birmingham. From events hosted jointly with several of Birmingham’s local Rotary clubs to exploring novel social opportunities such as a cigar tasting to visiting old favorites like the Birmingham Museum of Art, Rotaract continues to provide our members social opportunities and networks they cannot find anywhere else in Birmingham. 2013 & 2014 Social Programs In addition to providing an opportunity for Rotaract members to bond, the socials organized and sponsored by Rotaract support venues throughout the community. By exposing our members to new locations and events, we help our community grow and promote the sustainability of local businesses. This year Rotaract introduced its members to Birmingham’s new gem, Regions Field, sponsoring members’ enjoyment of a Birmingham Barons baseball game. We also introduced the concept of the “Pop-up Social,” a last-minute, virally promoted opportunity for our members to get together on a weekend evening. For our first location, we traveled to Bessemer to Gip’s Place, a famous local live music joint that has played host to blues legends for multiple decades. Rotaract also hosted an inaugural Brews Cruise, spending the Summer Solstice in a day of fellowship visiting all of Birmingham’s local breweries, concluding with the sweet sounds of local music on the back stage at Avondale Brewery. Though we also visited a number of new venues, we made sure to return to old favorites, ensuring that our members benefit both from Birmingham’s ever-expanding social opportunities and continue to support our long-time community partners. As always, we remain thankful to the Rotary Club of Birmingham for its friendship and support of our Club. Downtown Rotary ensures year in and out that Rotaractors are offered the opportunity to network with their members and find mentors to support us as we build our careers and take the reins of responsibility as leaders in our community. 10 2013 & 2014 SOCIAL Programs Happy Hour at Above Fifth Annual Hack-It Classic at Highland Park Golf Course Happy Hour at Carrigan’s Game night at Paramount Happy Hour with the Rotary Club of Birmingham’s 1913 Society at Pale Eddie’s Pour House Pop-Up Social at Gip’s Place in Bessemer Formal Christmas Party at 41st Street Pub Annual Tacky Christmas Party (with karaoke!) at Bourbon Street Bar and Lounge Happy Hour at Carrigan’s with Sunrise Rotary Barons Baseball with the Rotary Club of Birmingham Joint Social with the Urban League of Birmingham at the Birmingham Museum of Art Inaugural Brews Cruise, visiting all of Birmingham’s local breweries 11 the Decennial The Rotaract Club of Birmingham has hosted an annual gala in March of each year as a fundraising venture for our charitable Foundation. 2014 marked the Club’s Tenth Anniversary and this year’s gala celebrated our entrance into our second decade and raised the bar for what it means to have a night on the town in Birmingham. Ready 2 Succeed, was announced, and the Parker High School Drum Line joined the celebration with a surprise performance. After the program, we danced the night away to Flow Tribe, a New Orleans funk band, while the Birmingham skyline glimmered over Railroad Park behind us. This year’s event raised over $50,000 for Nearly 600 members and guests attended our Foundation, which will go to support our two signature service projects. Since the Rotaract Decennial, held on its inaugural year, the gala has raised Saturday, March 15, at the new Regions nearly $500,000 for the Foundation, Field. Members and guests, including and this year we added to that number local Rotarians and dignitaries from while also shattering every attendance Rotary International, were welcomed record ever set for a Rotaract event. by Birmingham Mayor William Bell, A wonderful celebration of our past who congratulated the Club on ten achievements and introduction to our years of leadership and service. The second decade of service, it truly was a Club’s second Signature Service Project, night to remember. SERVE The Rotaract Club of Birmingham is fully embracing the basic Rotarian philosophy of “Service Above Self.” This past year members have completed well over 1,000 service hours in the Birmingham community. Over the year our service endeavors included: providing 54 Reading Buddies for the Club’s Signature Service Project Ready 2 Read, a second annual End Polio Now Event which raised money for the End Polio Now Campaign and the full restoration of a Habitat for Humanity Home for a deserving Birmingham family. 2013 & 2014 Service EVENTS Rotaract’s Habitat for Humanity Build helped renovate a home for a local Birmingham family Mentored students in the summer enrichment program ProStart ACADEMY – a program that focuses on preparing inner city students for the future Second annual End Polio Now Event which raised money for the End Polio Now Campaign Served meals to the men of the Firehouse Shelter Participated in and helped host the Fall Festival at Rotaract Canned Food Drive allowed members to donate hundreds of pounds of food to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Helped build the Homewood Community Teaching Garden Volunteered at Do Dah Day – A local effort to help homeless animals Adopted angels through the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program Painted the entire eating area for the FireHouse the YWCA Shelter Gave 3,000 copies of the book The Very Best Gift by local author Anne Palmer to students across Birmingham Cooked and served meals at the Ronald Rotaract’s School Supply Giveaway provided school supplies for over 600 children in the Birmingham area McDonald House Volunteered at the the birmingham Civil Rights SYMPOSIUM Celebrated the holiday season with the residnts of St. Martins in the Pines with a fun Dirty Santa event 14 SIGNATURE SERVICE PROJECTS END POLIO NOW Ready 2 succeed For the second year in a row, our members wanted to help End Polio Now. The Club put together a fun service/social event to raise funds for this Campaign. Rojo to End Polio was this year’s theme. Rotarians and Rotaract members all across Birmingham came to eat at the infamous Latin/American Restaurant Rojo, and the outcome was another successful year to help End Polio Now. Ready 2 Succeed is the second Signature Service Project created by the Rotaract Club of Birmingham to increase the number of post-secondary scholarships and financial aid being applied for and awarded to students in Birmingham City Schools. This program, announced on March 15, 2014, will complement our current Signature Service Project, Ready 2 Read, and allow our Club to deepen its partnership and support for Birmingham City Schools. Ready 2 Read The 6th year of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham’s Signature Service Project, Ready 2 Read, was just as impactful as the first five years. It continues to change the lives of not only every second grader in Birmingham City Schools, but also our members. We continue to provide a library of 100 books in every second grade classroom, as well as a Reading Buddy. The Reading Buddies visit their classroom multiple times per month, reading and distributing prizes for reading milestones. Rotaract will partner with College Admissions Made Possible (CAMP). CAMP is a professional college assistance program that offers services free of charge to students who might otherwise have limited access to intensive college advising. CAMP’s professionals assist with college essays and letters of recommendation, interviews, scholarships and financial aid, college campus visits and ACT/SAT test preparation. Ready 2 Succeed began its pilot program with 50 rising juniors and seniors at Parker High School on May 29, 2014. 15 2013 & 2014 HONORS Charles A. Collat, Sr. Distinguished Leadership Award John Smola President (2014-2015) Decennial Chair (2013) Vice-President (2012-2013) Distinguished Service Award Justin Mayfield Ready 2 Succeed Chair (2013-2014) Directors’ Award Henry Long President (2013-2014) Treasurer (2012-2013) Directors’ Award Emily Lansdell Decennial Event Chair Directors’ Award Sanjay Singh Rotary Club of Birmingham President (2014) about the club the Rotaract Club of Birmingham Founded in 2004, the Rotaract Club of Birmingham develops effective leaders and promotes responsible citizenship. The Club’s membership is comprised of young professionals who are deeply committed to playing a key role in serving communities locally, nationally and globally. The Rotaract Club of Birmingham is one of over 8,800 Rotaract clubs worldwide and is the largest in the United States with over 260 total members. It is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Birmingham, which is the the Rotaract Club of Birmingham Foundation The Rotaract Club of Birmingham Foundation, a registered 501 (c)(3) organization, was created in 2007 to accept, manage and distribute contributions made for Rotaract’s service initiatives. Current activities of the Foundation include maintaining the Ready 2 Read classroom libraries, Ready 2 Succeed, and supporting community needs aligned with the Club’s service initiatives. largest Rotary Club in the world. Rotaract serves its motto, “Learn. Socialize. Serve.” by holding bimonthly educational luncheons, professional development series, fellowship events and regular service opportunities. Each year, the Rotaract Club of Birmingham honors members and stakeholders who exhibit exemplary leadership, commitment to service and support of the Club. Those honored for their service by the 2013 Board of Directors are listed on the previous page. ROTARTY INTERNATIONAL Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious and open to all cultures, races and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace and throughout the world. 17 2013 & 2014 FINANCIALS Statement of Activities For the period January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, the Foundation recognized revenue of $106,277 and expenses of $73,739. The Foundation’s revenue is comprised of four main components: Contributions from Foundation sponsors Revenues from the annual fundraising Event (Gala ticket sales) Contributions from 100 percent of Rotaract membership Contributions from the Rotaract Club of Birmingham. The Foundation’s expenses are comprised of the costs related to the Club’s service endeavors and the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. In 2013, these costs were primarily related to: Continued support to Better Basics for the Ready 2 Read project Our annual fundraising gala Contribution to Rotary International for the End Polio Now Campaign Support of other local causes General and administrative expenses Statement of Financial Position The Foundation assets total $295,694 and consist of: Current assets such as cash and sponsorship commitments receivable Fixed assets, comprised of the books for our 127 libraries that have been loaned to the Birmingham City School System as part of our Ready 2 Read signature service project. 18 2013 & 2014 FINANCIALS statement of financial positions statement of Activities CURRENT assets Revenue Cash 103,265 Sponsership 43,977 Investments 168,629 Fundraising Events 23,061 Accounts Receivable Other Accounts Receivable TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 6,765 0 278,660 FIXED assets Classroom Libraries Accumulated Depreciation NET FIXED ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS Membership Contributions Other Income TOTAL Revenue 107 67,146 Expenses 133,583 (116,549) 17,003 295,694 Ready 2 Read Project Polio Plus Contribution Fundraising General & Admin Other Club Service Projects TOTAL Expenses liabilities and assets 35,000 570 17,772 76 7,600 6,127 CHANGES IN NET ASSETS LIABILITIES Accounts Payable TOTAL LIABILITIES - Net Assets Beginning Net Assets 265,223 Change in Net Assets 30,471 Total Net ASSETS 295,694 Total Liabilities & Net ASSETS 295,694 Net Assets (1/1/13) 265,223 Net Assets (12/31/13) 295,694 Change in net assets 30,471 Capital Expenditures Purchase Ready 2 Read Libraries TOTAL Capital expenitures 0 0 19 2013 –2014 Board of Directors Niki Harris Henry Long Jeremy Carter Vice-President Communications Lora Terry Nicole Hedrick George Stegall Lochrane Smith Amanda Martin Robert Thuston Jay Saxon Chair Treasurer President Membership Recruitment Membership Development Programs Service Social 20 2013 & 2014 Members David Abroms Farra Alford Vanessa Araiza Reed Avant Allison Bacon India Bailey Payne Baker Jr. Nancy Ball Rachel Barlotta Brent Barringer Taylor Bartlett Brandon Bates Lauren Bates Rebecca Beers Lucy Bennett Julia Bevill Barbara Blackburn Johanna Blankenship Hallie Bradley Matthew Bragiel Charles Brammer Daniel Bridges Austin Brooks Lee Ashford Broughton Ruby Brown Sydni Buck Lindsay Carlisle Chisholm Carruthers Jeremy Carter Andrew Case Tyler Chapman Marliceia Chavers Josh Cirulnick Sarah Beth Combs Kevin Cook Isaac Cooper Steven Corhern Brooks Corr Veronica Crenshaw Allison Cronin Robert Crook Louise Crow Bethany Culbreth Sara Curtis Matthew Cybulsky Jason Dailey Christopher Daniel Richard Davis Wendy Davis Colin Dean Margaret DeBardelebem David deGruy Mary Gray DeMetz Leslie Newton Danielle Downing Daniel Drennen Jacquelyn Drennen Meredith Drennen Starr Drum Justin Drummond Krystal Drummond Samantha Dubrinsky Marshall Eppley Martin Evans Matt Evans Price Evans Rachel Farley Meaghan Feick Jenna Flanagan Bains Fleming Aaron Fons Lauren Foshee Ben Foster Setara Foster Ozan Alan Franks Rebecca Freeman Allan Gambrell Britney Garner Kevin Garrison Jeris Gaston Kathryn Gay Andrew Gearhart David Germany Tripp Giles Miller Girvin Caitlin Glass Brandon Glover 21 2013 & 2014 MEMBERS CONT. Scott Goedecke Lilla Goodwyn Deon Gordon Laura Gosney Matthew Gosney Mathew Gowan Sarah Graffeo Joe Griffin Katie Hammons Merilyn Hand Jennifer Hanson RJ Harden Will Hardison Kirsten Hardy Jason Harris Niki Harris Robert L. Harris, III Nicole Hedrick Layne Held Vanesa Hernandez Brandon Hill Danielle Hines Dennis Hinton Marshall Hollis Joseph Holt Key Hudson Elizabeth Huffman Maddie Humphries Jen Hyde Diana Isbell Paige Ishmael Adam Israel Kimberly Jackson Clarence James Laura James Alice Johnson Jessie Hardy Keating Melanie Kern Brittney King Martha King David Kneynsberg David Knight Abby Kuhn Hailey Lann Emily Lansdell Matt Layton Adrian Lesperance Katy Lincoln Mary Meadows Livingston Elizabeth Loefgren Wilson Long Henry Long, III Scott Luedecke Liza Luker Jon Macklem Mike Mahon Sarah Malcom Stacy Manasco Addie Mancuso Nick Maroules Amanda Martin Brent Martina Hannah Mason Sunish Mathew Justin Mayfield Willard McCall, III Patrick McCarroll Will McComb Maloree McDonough Michael McHugh Ryan McIntire Daniel McKinney Leah Beth McNutt Robert Millhouse Temp Millsap Laura Montgomery Mason Morris Caitlin Mullin Erica Murphy Molly Murphy Melinda Musgrove Clifton Nail Leann Neal Justin Nelson Thomas Nelson Neal NeSmith Eleanor Nielsen Leroy Nix Brittany Norman Daniel Odrezin Anthony Oliver Anthony Oni Freddy Padilla Avani Patel Andrew Patterson 22 2013 & 2014 MEMBERS CONT. Andrew Pearce John Peinhardt Sarah Peinhardt Drew Phillips Mary Anne Phillips Chad Pilcher Adam Pittman Paul Pless Lucy Poole Heather Powell William Powell Rosalie Pribbenow Evan Price Ben Ragsdale Thornton Ratliff Lindsay Harden Reddick Bryna Reid Victoria Reid Austin Renfroe Christie Reynolds Danielle Ridgeway Anna Catherine Roberson Mary Elizabeth Roberson Katherine Robertson Justin Rogers Brittany Ross Mike Roy Dan Ruth Russell Rutherford Stevie Sandstead Jay Saxon Charles Scribner, IV Dylan Scroggins Erica Sellers Jessica Shaver Jacob Shevin Lee Sims Carter Slappey Jeanie Sleadd Christian Smith Lochrane Smith Nick Smith Nicole Smith Sarah Louise Smith John Smola Katie Soppet Amanda Spencer Benton Sprayberry Pamela Springrose Madeline Stambaugh Murray Statham George Stegall Erin Stephenson Chappell Stewart Elizabeth Stewart Melody Stewart Michael Stone Patrick Talley Lora Terry Brad Tew Josh Thompson Christopher Thornton Robert Thuston Zachary Trotter Alex Truss Courtney Truss Jordan Tubb Ladd Tucker George Twitty Alex Valencia Vanessa Valencia Callie Ventress Katie Voss Andy Watkins Jordan Watson Kate Watson Katrina Watson Ted Watt Justin Weintraub Andrew Wells Allison Westlake Forsyth White Zach Wicker Hunter Williams Smith Williams Mason Wingard Anne Womack Sadie Wootten Caroline Yeilding Lauren Yelverton Jimmy Young Mark Zager 23 The Rotaract Club of Birmingham, Alabama U.S.A., District 6860