Our Guest Speaker for our September 4 meeting will be Jeff Shawd, the head of Evolution Big Band.
He has been a Fortune 50 business executive with DuPont, Wells Fargo and General Electric. Business owners responded positively to his insightful and actionable coaching that helped them grow their companies.
In addition to consulting for start-up and early growth companies in the areas of business planning, private equity development, governance, Jeff recently completed a term as President of the Board of Directors for the Oldfield Community Association, and previously led its Long-Range Planning Process. At the same time he served on the Alumni Board of Directors for Drake University and as Chairman of the Beaufort Arts Council.
Jeff offers more than an impressive business acumen. He is also a purpose-driven leader who is focused on serving others. He has been active with many service organizations in Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis before retiring and moving to the Lowcountry in 2015.
He has been able to combine his business experience and commitment to service with his passion as a trumpet player. After joining the Stardust Jazz Orchestra as its lead trumpet player in 2015 he also brought his leadership and organizational skills to the band, and led the name change to the Evolution Big Band in 2017 to reflect the changing nature of the big band genre. Jeff was named Executive Director for the band in 2019.
Using musical entertainment as a platform, he has transformed the Evolution Big Band into a fundraising enterprise for non-profit organizations that integrates big band music with compelling experiences and marketing programs for its partners. These efforts have now surpassed $500,000 in total funds raised to support numerous worthy causes throughout the Lowcountry. The band performed at the Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival last year, and they have also donated $500 to the Rotary Club.
Jeff is a mission-driven and well-organized leader who makes things happen for others. Please welcome him to our meeting!
Foundation Director Dean Turner recognized our Paul Harris Fellows:
Doug Crawford
Dana Marsh (+1)
Carol Branch (+3)
Rob Darling (+3)
John Kirkland (+3)
Mary O'Neill (+4)
Steve Tilton (+5)
Gary Hostutler (+6)
Don Kensey (+6)
Although not a member, Rose Ciuffreda was given a special award for all the things she has done to help the Bluffton Rotary Club, especially during the Arts and Seafood Festival.
Foundation Director Dean Turner gave us an update on where we stand in terms of giving in District 7770, where our money goes, and all of the wonderful things we support through our donations.
Membership Director Remi Olodun welcomed our new club members:
Club Dues Invoices - please submit payment at your earliest convenience. Several Rotarians have outstanding balances from prior invoices - if you are unsure of who you are, please reach out to Don Kensey, Rotary Club of Bluffton Treasurer.
Do you worry about Alzheimer’s? We do not have a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we must find one. Finding a cure starts with you. Every year the CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) Fund gives research grants focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Have you given to the CART Fund this year? The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide “seed” money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of the CART Fund is to encourage exploratory and developmental Alzheimer’s disease research projects within the United States. This is accomplished by providing financial support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. These projects should be distinct from those designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area unless they intend to extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.
If you would you like to donate to the C.A.R.T. fund, please scan the code below:
The Bluffton Rotary Club has a YouTube Channel! You will find previous guest speakers and other fun videos, so be on the lookout for more content in the future. All you have to do is create a YouTube account and subscribe...with 80+ current members, we can do better than eight subscriber's!! Link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TYzr9_xUE8Jfy-lniTt1A
Did you know ClubRunner is now available on your mobile device app store for FREE?!? Once downloaded, use your ClubRunner log-in. This will give you instant access to our member directory, events, news and other important information. Here is a video that highlights some of the features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLu08meAHI&t=12s
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