Fayetteville GA Rotary - Guest Speaker

Our guest speaker was John Oxendine, Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner and Fire Safety Commissioner. Although, not currently a Rotarian, Mr. Oxendine said that he is a Paul Harris Fellow and for that he is proud.

Mr. Oxendine relayed to us his concerns regarding the public

officials running the state. He is concerned that they are forgetting their constituents and who they truly represent. Our state is very diverse and Mr. Oxendine is making a special

effort to go out and meet the public and determine their needs.

He believes that our state has some serious water problems especially in the North Georgia area. Another pressing issue is transportation. These two issues do not get the attention they deserve from our officials.

He is also concerned that too much attention is given to who takes credit for a job.

This should not be the focus, but “getting the job done” is all that matters. He feels strongly that the state needs to consolidate state agencies in the future.

When asked if he were going to run for Governor, Mr. Oxendine said that he is not sure.

He also discussed professional liability insurance and the grandfather clauses for fire code in Clayton County. He concluded by giving us his direct email address: johnox@eathlink.net and thanking us for allowing him the opportunity to speak with us.

Guest Speaker: 7-02-2007

Truett Cathy;

“How do you know if someone needs encouragement?” Truett Cathy asked the Rotary Club members. “If they are breathing” he answered.

Truett Cathy was kind enough to share his life story with us on Monday. His company, Chick-Fil-A, is celebrating their 60^th year in the restaurant business.

Truett has experienced many things in his lifetime and the greatest piece of advice

that he has is to take advantage of unexpected opportunities during your lifetime.

He did not start out to build Chick-Fil-A, but he did take advantage of the opportunities

that came his way.

Truett came from very humble beginnings and started his business entrepreneurship by going door to door reselling Cokes in a bottle. He also sold newspapers and magazines. He was drafted after high school and never attended college. He and his brother pooled their money and obtained a loan to start the first grill in Hapeville, but success did not happen overnight. He owes his success to a divine calling in the restaurant business. He was committed and believes that when you are fully committed you will not quit or fail. He also believes that you can do anything, if you want it badly enough and set your mind to it.

Truett has watched what America has become and feels like we are not focused on the important things like time with our families and a person’s good name. There is too much focus on materialism today. “Courtesy is cheap, but it pays great dividends”, Truett relayed. He encouraged us to own up to our responsibilities in today’s world within our homes and our faith in the Lord. He quoted Proverbs 22: 1 as a focus for his life “Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.”

Truett is very actively involved in a ministry for boys without dads. He has 12 Foster homes open now and finds that there is no substitute for a Mom and a Dad in the home.

He gave us an overview of the 10 Ways to be an All Pro Dad. All Pro Dad is a program whose goal is to build public awareness of the importance of being a good father.

The ten ways are:

1) Love your Wife

2) Spend Time with Your Children

3) Be a Role Model

4) Understand Your Children

5) Show Affection

6) Enjoy Your Children

7) Eat Together As A Family

8) Discipline with a Gentle Spirit

9) Pray and Worship Together

10) Realize You Are A Father Forever