Ask Dr. Stephen C. Jones when he first envisioned becoming an educational scholar, and he’ll tell you about a day in middle school when he couldn’t answer a question about the U.S. Constitution. At home that night, he read it thoroughly, and began his love affair with learning.
He was raised in Baltimore and attended Morgan State University there where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in history and educational leadership.
He began his career in Baltimore County as a social studies teacher. Over the next 40 years, he assumed positions of increased responsibility in the arena of public education. He served as assistant principal and principal as well as in superintendent roles in Baltimore County, MD; Syracuse, NY; and, Norfolk. Before he retired in 2010 as superintendent of Norfolk public Schools, Steve worked collaboratively on numerous innovative initiatives, including the establishment of the Norfolk Education Foundation that supports Norfolk Public Schools.
Steve gives credit to many people who mentored him in his life, including key individuals he met in Washington, DC, where he was the executive director for one of the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation programs. In the true spirit of education, Steve "passed it on," mentoring a long list of people -- some are those with whom he developed relationships years ago, who he continues to mentor. Countless young people have learned to trust that he is always there for them. “Reverse mentoring” occurs when a person learns from someone younger. Steve acknowledges this is an experience that he often has now with his grown son, who lives and works in Baltimore.
When Steve worked in New York, he joined a group of colleagues in a travel club. Over the last decade, the group has journeyed to many exotic places such as the Valley of the Kings in Egypt and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His group currently is planning a return trip to Italy.
Steve "devours" mystery novels and particularly enjoys works by Walter Mosley, John Sanford and John Grisham. He also enjoys swimming, cooking, golfing, and designing floral arrangements.
Steve was a member of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Club from 2006 to 2008. He rejoined in 2013, is a Paul Harris Fellow and serves on our Board as Director for Fundraising.
We had 59 Rotary Club of Norfolk members complete our recent 2015 program survey. Here are the top=ranked topics survey participants say they want to learn about this year:
Business and industry
Community issues and needs
Arts and culture and current events (tie)
Health and medicine
History
Sports
Environment
Transportation
Our club members, politics, the port and technology (four-way tie)
Responders were 68% male and 32% female with 33% belonging to our club for five years or less, 26% belonging from six to 20 years, and 41% in Rotary for 21 or more years. Several responders asked for "more of July" with its mix of thought-provoking luncheon speakers, field trips to interesting places and community service opportunities. Members also suggested we "fully take advantage of the pilot program for flexibility," improve networking, increase member engagement, raise visibility of our club, have ice breakers at socials, play Rotary Jeopardy, have an annual club assembly, stop singing at meetings, mentor younger members, have a monthly theme, leave more time for questions at meetings, "shake it up" and innovate. Some responders mentioned enjoying our traditional club meetings and speakers.
As for potential field trips we had lots of suggestions from visiting area arts, cultural and historical attractions to getting behind-the-scenes looks at military installations, the port, businesses and even going on outings to the Eastern Shore and on a boat trip from Tappahannock. Several members mentioned wanting to go to the new Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach.
With regards to community service we had requests for more one-and-done projects that help others and give Rotarians a sense of accomplishment. Responders suggested doing environmental work, helping the elderly, volunteering at special events, working in literacy, connecting with Paint Your Heart Out and planning projects that can include their children as volunteers. Our past work at The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Clean the Bay Day and Norfolk Botanical Garden was mentioned as something to continue. Some responders expressed an interest in less physical types of volunteering. One responder's comment was: "Ask not what your Rotary Club can do for you...."
Memorable speakers members ranged from economist Dr. James Koch's to Kay Kemper, our own political analyst. Bagpipers, Major Tom the dog, historians, poets, coaches, improv comedians, mayors and brewery owners were among the past speakers ranked among the most memorable. Our members shared lots of great ideas for upcoming speakers and topics that our program committee will draw from during year.
Among the Rotarians volunteering at the Kroc Center school supply distribution were Pam Tubbs (right) and Ann Baldwin.
Rotary Club of Norfolk members made sure some of our region's most vulnerable children get to start the new school year with the right supplies. For two weeks we donated crayons, notebooks, scissors and money for the Salvation Army and WVEC-TV 13 Write Stuff school supply campaign. Then on August 26 and 27 more than 20 Rotarians staffed the distribution at the Salvation Army's Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. We helped document financial need for families receiving backpacks stuffed with new school supplies and also registered them to receive holiday gifts from Toys for Tots, the Joy Fund and the Angel Tree in December. As a bonus we got to meet some of the bright-eyed students eager to start school. They included kindergartners up to high school seniors.
Thanks go to our Rotary Club member Major Stephen Long, who heads the area Salvation Army command; Rotarian Jim Kitz, our community service chair who spearheaded this project, Rotarian Pam Tubbs who headed our volunteer team and all the Rotarians who gave supplies and volunteered their time.
August Rotary optional outings gave our club members a glimpse into different parts of our community, including how the Norfolk Police Department trains its canine force and its officers.
August was a busy month for the Rotary Club of Norfolk. In addition to hearing excellent luncheon speakers enlighten us about Horizons Hampton Roads, the Rotary world and the saving of Sweet Briar College, many club members enjoyed optional activities that all counted as meetings or went into participants' Rotary bank for future use.
The biggest crowed turned out for the rainy day tour of the Norfolk Police Department's K9 training center where we learned about the bond between police officers and their dogs. We also learned how these highly trained dogs add value to our police force and got to see one of them in action. During August Rotarians also visited the Y on Granby to learn about its programs and spent a pleasant evening at Ocean View Beach Park listening and dancing to Glen Boswick's swing band. Volunteering for the Salvation Army at the new Kroc Center let our members help get the new school supplies we collected to children in need.
On the Tuesdays when we didn't have an official lunch meeting Ben Mason and Linwood Beckner hosted a group of Rotarians at the Virginia Club for lunch, which was a great opportunity for members to get to know each other better. Perhaps other members will host additional Dutch treat lunch gatherings on September 29 when we do not have an official Tuesday luncheon.
If you would like to attend the Rotary District 7600 Conference in Williamsburg Oct. 2-4, the Rotary Club of Norfolk will pay your registration fee of $50. Visit rotary7600.org to log in and register. Or, let Jane Dembert know you want to attend, and she can register you. Contact her at rotaryclubofnorfolk@gmail.com. The Rotary conference starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 and runs through mid-day on Sunday. Any part of it you can attend will help you learn more about Rotary, have fun and meet other Rotarians.
The annual conference will be at the Fort Magruder Hotel & Conference Center in Williamsburg. It will include a variety of inspirational speakers and an optional cruise on the York River, behind-the-scenes tour of Colonial Williamsburg and beer and wine tasting. If you want to stay at the hotel, Rotary has a special rate of $109 per night.
Golfers have the opportunity to play the nearby Kingsmill Resort River Course on Thursday, Oct. 1 during a pre-conference outing starting at 12 noon. Golf on the course that has hosted both PGA and LPGA tournaments costs a bargain $75. (The normal rate is $165.) Your fee includes range balls, cart and the chance to win awards. To reserve your spot contact Bill Mutell at wmutell@yahoo.com.
.JPG)
