You can be in a room of 20 people, say the Pledge of Allegiance and one voice soars above the others. Bob Dotson has that kind of voice. So does Ed Elliot. Ed was with a Blacksburg radio station when his boss told him to join the Rotary Club of Blacksburg in 1977. Ed was 25. He became President in 1980.
I have told clubs that the best fund raisers are those that are institutionalized. They are done year after year. The Club knows the drill. The Community anticipates the event.
In Blacksburg, it is Talent Night at the SC Peach Festival. It was started in the late 70's by Rotorian Ed Elliott, and was one of reasons for the Club's survival. There are two categories of participants - under 15 and 15 and over. Each group or individual has five minutes. The winner in each category receives $100. Second place is $50. There are generally 25 or so entrants. Many believe it is the highlight of the Festival.
Originally, Ed was the emcee. Now he produces the event. Thanks to the festival and Ed Elliott, the club returned from a drop to three members.
An ordinary person doing extraordinary things.
About the DG
George W. Fletcher
Governor, Rotary District 7750
2009-2010
George Fletcher’s Rotary experience includes President of the Rotary Club of Greenville, Assistant Governor, District Secretary and Chair of the Centennial Celebration in 2005. He is a Paul Harris Fellow, a member of both the Bequest Society and Paul Harris Society and a Major Donor.
His real job is Executive Director for the SC Council on Competitiveness, a non profit created to implement a long term economic development strategy in the state. Prior to that, he was President of Fletcher Group, Inc. a group of engineering and environmental management companies. He is a professional engineer and a diplomate in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
He has been deeply involved in the community, having served as Chair of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair (with his wife) of the Greenville County United Way Campaign. He has served his profession as President of the American Council of Engineering Companies - SC. Over his career, he has served on some 15 Boards and Commissions.
He has been recognized as the SC Engineer of the Year in 1999 by the SC Society of Professional Engineers and as Greenville Business Person of the Year in 2000 by Greenville Magazine.
George and his wife Sarah have been married for 38 years. They have two children and three grandchildren.
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