This Week

There’s a meeting of the TNWAC Board of Directors today. These community leaders have joined the effort to promote global literacy, recognizing the importance it plays in the civic life of our cities, regions and the State of Tennessee. I’d like to thank and recognize them for their service. You can see who it is who serves on our Board of Directors and learn a little about their backgrounds and achievements on our web site. [Here]

At this evening’s BOD meeting we’ll acknowledge the service of members who are completing their terms and becoming members of the TNWAC President’s Advisory Board, Kurt Butefish, Mark Braden and Dr. Charles Womack. Thank you for generously sharing your time, expertise and support for the work of the Council.

I’d like to especially like to proclaim the work of Dr. Womack. In 2003, Chuck Womack and I stood in the back of a meeting room at Tennessee Tech University listening to specialists talk about the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He and I knew each other through our Rotary affiliations for a couple of years. Chuck was a remarkable physician who was instrumental in approving healthcare across the community and had served two terms as Mayor of Cookeville. He and I shared an interest in international affairs. At that moment at Tech we talked about how much more needed to be done to inform and educate our community and students about the world.

Over the next few years we’d occasionally commiserate on how little Americans knew about global affairs and that someone should do something about it. Then in 2007 we talked about a report from National Geographic and Roper called, “Most Young Americans Can’t Pass a Test on Global Affairs – Can You?” It was time for the someone to be us. Chuck became a founding member of the Tennessee World Affairs Council alongside J.D. Parks, Connie Trisdale, and myself.

Chuck Womack was key to getting TNWAC launched and in the 14 years since he has been a steadfast participant, supporter and advocate of global literacy in our community. In addition to his leadership as a founding Board Member: he has been a regular moderator of the WorldQuest competitions, he has represented TNWAC on delegation visits to China, he has shown the TNWAC flag at National Conferences of the WACA network and he has shown his generosity as a donor to sustain the Council’s work.

In all things Dr. Chuck Womack has performed significant service to the people of Tennessee, especially through his commitment to the Tennessee World Affairs Council’s mission — bring the world to Tennesseans.

Thanks, Chuck!

Wishes for a safe and prosperous week.

Sincerely,

MARK THE CALENDAR

VOLUNTEERS

The Tennessee World Affairs Council invites you to consider becoming a volunteer. TNWAC programs, development and administration are managed by a (very) small staff. We’re always on the lookout for people who are interested in our mission — bring the world to our fellow citizens — and have an opportunity to share their time and talents. There’s a great need so if you’re interested drop us an email. [[email protected]]

COMPETING FOR THE FUTURE

Your World Affairs Council is pleased to be a partner with the Connecticut World Affairs Council in offering the 2021 Global Security Forum: Competing for the Future, coming to you on October 1-2, 2021. At this forum generals, experts, and foreign leaders will convene to address the most critical global security issues of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. Learn more about the GSF and register for this terrific opportunity.  HERE.

YOU SHOULD SPONSOR THESE PROGRAMS