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TODAY'S ISSUE
Gwinnett's 395 nonprofits are big business in Gwinnett County
By Ellen Gerstein
Executive Director, Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services
Special to GwinnettForum

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., July 11, 2006 -- Most people imagine charity work as volunteerism, but a new study shows non-profit organizations amount to big business in Gwinnett. A full copy of the report is available upon request and available on our website at www.gwinnettcoalition.org.

The first analysis of its kind calculates the combined payroll of the county's 1577 non-profit organizations to be larger than the wages paid in state government, transportation and warehousing, or telecommunication sectors. The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services today released the Economic Impact of Gwinnett's Nonprofit Sector, a report that thoroughly quantifies Gwinnett's nonprofit sector and its impacts on the state and local economy.

"On the whole, the non-profit sector is pretty much misunderstood in terms of their contributions," said Tom Tate, an attorney who is the current chairman of the board of the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services.

The study was conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute for Government at the University of Georgia as a way to give the public a truer picture of the impact of charities. The report concludes that Gwinnett's nonprofit sector is large, diverse, and growing. Gwinnett nonprofits bring in money from outside sources, provide jobs and wages to residents, and circulate money in the economy through the purchase of goods and services--as well as employ a taxpaying workforce. More important, they provide a network for solving problems and building community leaders, policy makers, and business leaders.

"We have always known the significant social contributions of Gwinnett's nonprofits, and this financial data now proves the economic benefits nonprofits have as employers, revenue generators and community builders," said Tom Tate.

Tate concludes: "It is clear that Gwinnett's nonprofits are major factors in our local economy and that we need to revise how we perceive nonprofits and their roles in our community. They are a major employer and revenue generator. But just as important is their value in bringing people together around issues of mutual concern and common interest in pursuit of the common good."

To look at the 395 nonprofits in Gwinnett, go to this link: www.gwinnettcoalition.org

ELLIOTT BRACK
Years in military proves invaluable as part of my training
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

JULY 11, 2006 -- Lucky for me and the United States, I never had to be tested under fire in my strategic mission when in military service. I suppose other military veterans, for instance those manning missile sites armed with atomic weapons, were equally pleased they never were tested under fire.

My service included three and a half years duty in Germany during the "Cold War." I began as a second lieutenant, commissioned through the Reserve Officer's Training Corps in the Quartermaster Corps. My daily main job was as a commissary (foods) and Class VI (liquor) officer, in first Bad Nauheim, and later, at Giessen, both north of Frankfurt.

That's right. I faced the rigors of duty each day trying to please mostly military wives when it came to food. It was something like its own "war zone," since military wives can be quite demanding.

But I had another job, a strategic one. Our location was 50 miles from the East German border. The United States and the Soviets of that day had missiles pointed at each other. Literally, both sides were at a fever pitch, armed, facing one another, and waiting for the other one to blink.

If hostilities erupted, at a moment's notice I was to lead our post's military dependents, the women and children, on an escape route over back roads to a point west of the Rhine River. (The autobahn would be primarily for military traffic.) Via these back roads the route was about 50 miles. This was serious business.

To do my job, I traveled these back roads regularly, to remain familiar with them, knowing any problems, bottlenecks, etc. so that I could lead this group to so-called "safety" in case of hostilities. So about once a month, my wife and I on weekends drove the "escape route" through the back German countryside. You hoped you never had to take this route under duress.

And can't you envision what it would have been like to lead a group of military housewives on such a frantic trip? Like herding cats, who they would bring with them, and dogs, too, both no-no's. It would have been pandemonium! and I was supposed to be in charge! Luckily, I never had to do it.

Command: The colonel asked one day: "You ever had a command, boy?" He gave me the additional duty as commanding officer of the 61st Army Postal Unit, with 18 men in 17 locations. So once a month, armed with cash, I had to make the circuit to the 17 small post offices to pay my "men," accompanied by the unit's sergeant, who had strapped on a sidearm. I had that added job about four months, while the postal officer in charge was ill.

The mess trays: Routinely officers were assigned special duties. Ordered to Frankfurt one day, the train sergeant had me "sign" for a entire railroad passenger train hauling soldiers who had been court martialed to Bremerhaven. There these misfits would be shipped to the States, where they would be dishonorably discharged. Next morning near our destination, the sergeant woke me up to report that the men had thrown their mess trays out the window when going through a tunnel. Oh, the paperwork! It took about eight months for a Report of Survey to find no fault with the officer who had signed for the train (me). Whew!

My seven years of military experience were tremendous. It taught leadership, discipline, trust and hard work. Today's youth, many of us feel, should be required to spend time in such training, and learn as most of us did from a good sergeant. It would make our country a whole lot safer…..from military foes. However, probably no one can prepare anyone for military housewives.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is the Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett County's First Choice for Professional Theatrical Entertainment. Celebrating their 11th year and inaugural season in its new home on the square in Downtown Lawrenceville, the Aurora Theatre is committed to producing quality, professional theatre for all of North Georgia. In the 2006-2007 season, Aurora Theatre will produce Five Mainstage productions including: Lucky Stiff, Glorious! and Christmas Canteen 2006 in their interim theatre at Lawrenceville City Hall. The season will conclude with Noises Off & Camelot to be staged in Gwinnett's crown jewel for the performing arts, the new Aurora Theatre. For young children, ask about the Saturday Children's Playhouse on the second, third and fourth Saturday morning of every production. To purchase individual tickets, season tickets or for more information, visit their website at www.auroratheatre.com or call 678-407-6690.

FEEDBACK
7/11: Seeks information from parent's groups on charter schools

I am interested in knowing parent groups in Gwinnett that are interested in starting up charter schools. I am currently working at a Gwinnett County public school. I have been an educator for over 20 years. I do believe in alternative forms of education such as home schooling, charter schooling, and both public and private schooling. I am interested in comparing what each has to offer.

Pop Pop seems to be a popular name for a grandfather. My kids always loved their grandparents, Nana and Pop Pop, both now deceased. They had four kids with two kids each and were proud of all eight grandchildren.

You hear the old in-law story (true in many cases) but my in-laws were the best a person could have. They were great folks. I couldn't have known nicer ones, was very fortunate in that regard. Both were helpful yet unobtrusive, kind, friendly, smart, great personalities, funny.

I used to brag on my in-laws; I guess I still do. I'll bet others have had similar experiences - I hope so. I'd love to be able to bring them back. I look at family reunion pictures and see how many are gone. Now I'm part of the older generation !

Noel Holcomb, commissioner of Georgia Department of Natural Resources, will speak at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11. A light reception will follow the talk.

Subject of the presentation will be the three-state "water wars." He will also address Green Space and natural resource issues that Georgia and Gwinnett will face in the next 5-10 years. He will be introduced by Tom Wheeler, Chamber Board member and Chairman of the DNR's Environmental Protection Committee, who has served for years on the board of the Department of Natural Resources.

The meeting will be in the Stephens Education Room of the Chamber, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. The meeting is open and free to members and non-members of the Chamber.

As an antidote to the summer heat, the City of Suwanee is offering up a cool, really cool, film for its Star 94 Movies Under the Stars presentation at Town Center Park on Saturday, July 15. Before its release on DVD and video, Ice Age: The Meltdown will be shown on the big (really big) screen in Suwanee. And, it's free!

This energetic sequel starts at dusk, but fun activities will begin earlier, around 7:30 p.m.

Ice Age: The Meltdown continues the adventures of Manny, the woolly mammoth (Ray Romano), Sid, the sloth (John Leguizamo), and Diego, the saber-toothed tiger (Dennis Leary), joined by newcomer Ellie, a mammoth who thinks that she's a possum (Queen Latifah). As the Ice Age is coming to an end, the animals delight in their new world "a melting paradise of water parks, geysers, and tar pits" only to realize that the melted ice spells impending doom.

The 90-minute film is rated PG. Bring blankets and chairs, popcorn and snacks, but no alcohol can be brought in to Town Center Park. For more information call (678) 924-1919.

Planning for the 2006 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk is now in full swing. Its third Captain's Kickoff will be on Wednesday, July 26 at the Waffle House headquarters at 5986 Financial Drive in Norcross, from 6-8 p.m. The event, the final of three Kickoff sessions, is designed to educate Atlanta businesses about how they can participate in this annual fitness event and to provide registration information.

Speaking will be Susan Puckett, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Food Editor and author of The 5:30 Challenge: 5 Ingredients, 30 Minutes, Dinner on the Table.

Additionally, guests who attend the last Captain's Kickoff will be able to pick up registration packets, get free VIP event parking passes, make tent reservations, schedule team photos and talk with Run/Walk officials.

Additional information about the 2006 Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk can be found at http://www.kpcorporaterunwalk.com, and online registration is now open.

Spring Hill College in Norcross will host an all day Open House on Thursday, July 20 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Those attending can learn about its graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs. Classes are forming now for the Fall I term, which begins mid August. This is a chance to meet with an adviser to have all of your questions answered. Call 678-924-1919 or visit www.shc.edu/atlanta for more information.

This fall Spring Hill College will be offering several courses in their Certificate in Christian Spirituality. Spirituality and Vocation will be offered at its Norcross campus on Thursday evenings at 6-9 p.m. beginning August 17. This course will also be offered at Saint Pius X Parish in Conyers on Saturday mornings from 9-noon beginning September 9. Both courses run for eight weeks.

Spring Hill will also be offering two one credit courses at Our Lady of the Assumption church in Brookhaven. Beginning Monday, August 14, The Parables of Jesus: Invitations to be Transformed will be offered.

Beginning Monday September 18, The Spirituality of the Beatitudes: Faith, Hope and Love in Action will be offered. Both one credit courses meet from 6-9 p.m. and run for four weeks. Courses may be taken for college credit or on an audit basis if space is available. For more information call (678) 924-1919.

RECOMMENDED
Every Drop for Sale by Jeffrey Rothfeder

"I just finished reading Every Drop for Sale, by Jeffrey Rothfeder. The book deals with the present water shortage, worldwide, and especially in our state. The first chapter begins with the Chattahoochee River and the battle for its water by Georgia, Alabama and Florida. It is both chilling and informative, and I highly recommend it.

"If your readers can't find it in local book stores, go to www.EdwardRHamilton.com and type in the author's name, not the book title in the search area. Presently, I am not planning on any new books for reading. I am working on a collection of short stories from my youth up to the 80's."

A controversial Creek Indian leader in the 1780s and 1790s, Alexander McGillivray (1750-1793) was one of many Southeastern Indians with a Native American mother and European father. He played off European powers to protect Creek interests, initiated nationalist reforms within Creek society, and used trade to increase his own position on the southern frontier.

McGillivray was born probably in 1750 in Little Tallassee near present-day Montgomery, Ala. The son of Scottish trader Lachlan McGillivray and a Creek woman named Sehoy, McGillivray grew up in matrilineal Creek society as a full member of his mother's Wind Clan. In addition to learning the unwritten rules and expectations of Native American society, McGillivray also became comfortable in the colonial society of his father. Before returning to Creek society in 1777, he had lived in Augusta, received a European-style education in Charleston, South Carolina, and held a business apprenticeship in Savannah.

At the start of the American Revolution, McGillivray permanently returned to Little Tallassee and Creek society when the revolutionaries confiscated his Tory father's property in South Carolina. Upon his return to the Creeks McGillivray discovered that his linguistic ability and understanding of Creek and colonial societies allowed him to take on increasingly important roles. During the war he held a commission as a colonel in the British army, worked for British Superintendent of Indian Affairs John Stuart, as well as Stuart's successor, Thomas Brown, and orchestrated alliances between Creek and British forces.

After the Revolution, McGillivray used his growing influence within Creek society to resist Georgia's attempt to confiscate three million acres of land and to otherwise protect what he viewed as the sovereign rights of the Creek people. He persuasively argued that Creeks had legitimate claims to their land. To these ends, in 1784 he negotiated the Treaty of Pensacola with Spain, which protected Creek rights in Florida and guaranteed access to the British trading firm of Panton, Leslie, and Company. Afterward he relied on his alliance with Spain to help convince officials of Georgia and the United States to respect Creek boundaries.

McGillivray also used his influence to shape Creek domestic policy. The political decentralization of Creek society, which allowed villages to sign treaties as autonomous entities, threatened his ability to protect Creek sovereignty. As a result, McGillivray tried to create mechanisms of centralized power within the Creek Nation. This deviation from traditional village autonomy faced many threats from within Creek society. McGillivray used his connections as the nephew of Red Shoes, the Koasati leader, and his control of trade goods to weaken his opposition. The Yazoo land grants by Georgia and the federal government's desire to take control of Indian affairs led to President George Washington's signing of the 1790 Treaty of New York, in which the United States promised to defend Creek territorial rights. This treaty created a formal relationship between the United States and the Creek Nation and affirmed McGillivray's position as a legitimate national leader.

McGillivray died in Pensacola, Florida, on February 13, 1793.

"The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very small one, particularly if he plays golf."

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