WKU's SIFE Team Back

Lauren Torger seen here talked about her trip this summer to Kenya. She accompanied our own Cheryl Kirby-Stokes. Each year Cheryl brings home baskets constructed by native women and the monies are returned to the communities. Lauren helped the ladies to decide what kinds of baskets would sell best in the U.S. market. I think Lauren said that the average family income in that area was $7 a month. Obviously Lauren had a life changing experience in a remote and underdevelop part of the world.
The young man that made this trip last summer with Cheryl joined the Peace Corp after graduating from WKU and wants to return to Africa to help. (An article about him is archived on this web site.)
The Students in the Free Enterprise program gave their competition presentation and talked about the many programs they are involved with both locally and internationally. I was impressed by the work they are doing with the local alternative high school where troubled teens are sent to continue their education. Great program.

Jordana Greenberg Plays the Fiddle

Dr. Scott brought with him a fellow WKU faculty member, Jordana Greenberg. At his request she played some classic (not necessarily Classical) fiddle pieces. They were superb and after playing my favorite, Ashokan Farewell, she played an encore. What a great program and great pick me up for the middle of the week. Thank you Travis Keller for inviting Dr. Bill and thank you Dr. Bill for inviting Jordana. While we're handing out the kudos, thank you Jordana for your performance.

Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra Conductor Speaks

Dr. William Scott talked to us today about this year's programming for the BG Western Symphony Orchestra. This is their 100th Year and they have invited former conductors and musicians back. Dr. Scott reviewed the sceduled six performances and it sounds exciting. You can learn more by checking out their website at www.bgwso.org

Leadership Expert Micheal Burt Stirs Up the Crowd

Program Chair Travis Keller shown sitting here brought us a great program today. He introduced us to "Championship Coach and Leadership Expert" Micheal Burt, a 32 year old speaker from Murfressboro. Michael was a state champion high school girls basketball coach before retiring to become a public speaker and success coach. He reviewed the three books he has authored "Changing Lives Through Coaching", "The Inspirational Leader", and his most recent "This Ain't No Practice Life". He talked about the need to lead people and manage things. I think we were all enthused by Micheal insights and anecdotes. You may reach him at 615,849.2099 or email at coachburt@comcast.net. He gave us the opportunity not only to buy his books and DVD but also sign up for a weekly pick me up that he emails regularly. Several of us took him up on that. You can check out his website at www.michealburt.com

Welcome New Member Joan Wulff

Joan sent me to the website of the Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra - bgwso.org. I got her bio there and I'm reproducing it here.

"Joan Sadler Wulff has lived in Bowling Green since 2002 and joined the the BGWSO in June of 2006. Joan has prior experience with two other symphony orchestras before becoming the the Executive Director for the BGWSO. She was the Audience Development Manager for The Philadelphia Orchestra marketing department and the Development Assistant for the Cedar Rapids (IA) Symphony.

Joan also has experience in banking, sales administration & management, direct mail and telesales. She has lived in 4 other states but grew up in Iowa and graduated from Northeast Missouri State with a BS in Business Administration. Joan has been a member of the Lil' Angel's Attic Committee since 2004 and is currently a co-chair. She is an active member of Broadway United Methodist Church.

Phil Cavender Talks About Finances

Travis Keller is September's Program Chair. His Dad Ray is District Governor this year in the Northeast section of Arkansas. Ray is from the huge metropolis of Wiener, population 755. It's a little to the southwest of Jonesboro. Travis's guest today is a friend of the family, Phil Cavender from Murfreesboro, TN. Phil is President of the Cavendar Financial Group in the Boro. Phil started by talking about Ray and what a dynamic speaker he is. It sounds like we need to get him here to speak some day.
He made several poignant points about investing and financial planning. One point that struck me was his illustration of a million, a billion, and a trillion. He said that you can retire a debt of 1 million dollars by paying a dollar a second for 12 days. It would take 31 years to pay off a billion dollars at the same rate and 31,000 years to pay off a trillion dollars. (assuming no interest accruing of course) WOW! He talked more about making your money work for you in the environment in which it will be invested. Good program Phil and thank you Travis for inviting him.