The Wheel for July 25, 2019

by Jul 25, 2019The Wheel0 comments

The Wheel


Thomas A. Thomas – Thomas & Mack Co.

Tom Thomas is the Managing Partner of the Thomas & Mack Co., an investment management and commercial real estate development company. Mr. Thomas has managed the company since its formation in 1992.

The Company owns and operates over 4 million sq. ft. of office and light industrial properties in Las Vegas as well as real estate developments in California, Arizona, and Utah.

Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance from the University of Utah in 1982 and a Law Degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1986. He is also a graduate of the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University.

Current philanthropic and community efforts include Opportunity Village, the Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic at the Boyd School of Law, the Greater Good Council, the Las Vegas Rotary Club and the Boy Scouts of America.

 

Thomas currently serves on the following boards:

  • Southwest Gas Corporation
  • Nevada State Bank
  • Opportunity Village Foundation
  • Las Vegas Rotary
  • Foundation The Greater Good Council
  • UNLV Academic Corporate Council
  • Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic at UNLV
  • BYU President’s Leadership Council
  • Switch Inc
  • Oversight Panel for Convention Facilities in Clark County

Message From The President

Dear Rotarians,

We heard from the International Foundation Chair Brenda Cressey two weeks ago on how very close we are to eradicating Polio. As we express our joy and happiness at how Rotary and Rotarians worldwide have joined with other world health organizations in this fight, we look to a new International Foundation service project.

Together, We Read is a partnership of action taken between Rotary International and Save the Children to raise awareness about early learning and to make early literacy, (0-5-year olds,) and kindergarten readiness a central focus in our communities.

This new International Foundation project was first revealed at my PETS training back in February. At the International Assembly, where all the District Leadership meets with the incoming Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney, he made it known that early childhood literacy was a concern. He further stated that we should begin a with a focus here in the United States. Four Districts were chosen to participate in the pilot program and District 5300 was one of the four!

Here are some troubling statistics from the Save the Children website:

Did you know that in the United States:

  • 1 in 5 children grows up in poverty
  • Nearly 63% of low-income children do not attend preschool
  • 60% of children living in poverty have no books in their home

That means millions of children growing up in poverty in the U.S. enter kindergarten unprepared. Children who reach third grade not reading at that grade level are more likely to drop out of high school.

We are so fortunate to be a part of the pilot program. Our District Governor, Lu Arredondo, has taken this project and has worked on the development of the pilot program to begin in July. Our club will receive a kit with tools, banners and resources to help us with our rollout. Additionally, we are fortunate to already have a longtime action partnership with Spread the Word Nevada. Through our sponsorship of Will Beckley elementary school, we support the children with the Breakfast with Books monthly program and reading mentors who work one-on-one reading with the students. Our goal is that the two programs will blend together to provide books and mentorship opportunities for the 0-5-year olds our local Las Vegas community.

As more information is received from the District, I will deliver that information to the Board of Directors. For all of the club membership who would like to be involved, we will get the information to all of you as soon as possible. How exciting it will be to be able to potentially affect children’s literacy in the very early years, especially for those children who may not have easy access otherwise.

I am just thinking about how our Club Mission Statement is being realized more and more as each Rotary year passes!

Jackie Thornhill
President
Las Vegas Rotary Club

Member Highlights

Scribe – July 18, 2019

Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: July 18, 2019

President Jackie Thornhill called the meeting to order.

  • Brian Sorrentino gave the invocation.

  • Eric Astramecki led the club in singing “God Bless America”, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

  • The Sergeant at Arms was Howie Hopkinson.

  • There was (1) International Rotarian, (2) visiting Rotarians and (2) Guests of Rotarians introduced

  • President Jackie encouraged members to log in to Facebook and share the live stream. There was then a reminder that the People of Action Campaign is still going and the 30th annual peace conference is at Treasure Island on November 15th.

  • Carey Grohs gave a reminder about the Alpine Picnic that will be held on July 27th. Jaime Goldsmith announced the results of the SOAR committee 4th of July event and also announced that her co-chair stepped down leaving a $1,500 donation. P.P. Jim Kohl discussed the drop your drawers drive and announced that clothing collection will begin at the end of August. P.P. Michael Gordon announced that a bid is being submitted to host the RI convention. P.P. Karen Whisenhunt discussed the Open World Program and discussed the status. She is currently looking for host families for delegates and program participation.

  • The weekly drawing began at $1,960 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Kathy Mahon, who received both a prize of $10 and the Lawry’s Bucks.

  • Glenn Meier introduced our program speakers, attorneys Audrey Damonte, Esq. and James Puzey, Esq., with Holey Driggs Walch Fine Puzy Stein & Thompson. James and Audrey discussed the 2019 legislative highlights adopted by the Nevada Legislature during its 80th session. This included a presentation on laws effecting: payroll tax rates; higher minimum wage; equal pay regardless of gender; drug screening; Nevada Equal Rights Commission directives and statue of limitation; paid leave; informing employers of being sick; injured workers; pre-existing conditions; emergency room healthcare providers; and maternity care; and medical marijuana.

  • President Jackie presented our speakers with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit the local USO and then adjourned the meeting.


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