The Rote for May 24, 2018 (May 28, 2018)

The Rote – May 24, 2018
The Miami Yacht Club

President Phil Seipp welcomed everyone to today’s meeting. Tim Ryan gave a fitting Memorial Day invocation and then Randy Lichtman led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Guests and Visitors were introduced by Rick Hernandez:

Today’s sole guest was visiting Rotarian Hilger Von Livonius. He is a Rotarian from the München-Bogenhausen Rotary Club in Germany. He is a partner in K&L Gates.

Announcements:

Happy birthday wishes today go out to Linda Singer and Diane Stieber. Another member getting a year older is Randy Lichtman, whose birthday is tomorrow;
There will be NO LUNCH MEETING May 31 – There will be an evening meeting that night at the Miami Yacht Club featuring the Brand Ambassador of Glenmorangie Scotch. Be sure to RSVP;
June 14 will be the Installation Dinner for soon-to-be president (July 1) Dave Skinner. The dinner will be at the PBA Hall and RSVPs are required. Guests are $50. Please plan to attend so we can kick off the upcoming Rotary Year 2018-19;
July 4^th is once again going to be celebrated at the home of Don and Maria Van Orsdel. Their home is right on the south side of the Biltmore golf course with a fantastic fireworks view!!
The club received a nice thank you note and photo from UM medical students in the DOCS program for our help at their Liberty City Health Fair;
TBM scholarship award calculations are almost complete. In about 10 days the switchover will be completed on the Trust’s move to Northern Trust Bank – everyone is looking forward to it;
A reminder for those who have not already completed their membership commitment and renewal forms – please do so asap so the proper invoice can be sent out;
Marissa Miles presented the club with a copy of the 2018 FIU College of Medicine Year Book. It has 2 pages acknowledging the Rotary Club of Miami 4^th Annual TBM Pinning event;
Diane Landsberg reported that Miami-Dade County acknowledged the Club’s contribution to their Flag Football event to benefit youth in our community;
Randy Lichtman shared that the MDC Rotaract Club applied for participation in the Clinton Global Initiative. Their peer review training project was accepted by the Initiative. Randy also reported that two outstanding sophomores were presented awards for their achievements in Interact at Miami High School.

Member Focus – Incoming President Dave Skinner

Why did you join Rotary?

I joined to serve my community and hang out with my friends.

Rotary Positions Held?

I have been Sergeant-at-Arms, Director and most recently President-Elect

Recognition and awards?

Paul Harris Fellow and member of the Paul Harris Society, member of Thomas Brown McClelland Society

Personal information:

I am married to fellow Rotarian Past President Linda Singer, and I have a son Neil, daughter Joni and two grandchildren – Summer and Hunter.

Professional?

I am a graduate from the University of Georgia and am now a retired I.T. administrator, ending my career at Johnson & Johnson.

One thing you didn’t know about me….

I once set myself on fire in public – but guys..it really was an accident!!!!

Program:

Today is “Red Nose” day, so happy $$$$$$$$$ are going to benefit our TBM Scholarship Fund. Members were encouraged to contribute and/or share a happy event, joke or humorous story. Norby Rudel hosted our event:

Phil Seipp started off the fun with a nice check donation to TBM – the program that brought him back to the club. He also stated that a matching donation plan will be promoted in the next TBM newsletter;
Linda Singer was glad to be celebrating her birthday with her Rotarian friends and going out in the afternoon with her book club to see the movie with the same name;
Norby Rudel was happy that the Marlins won a game in the 9^th inning. He also thanked Marcos Menendez for his help created a beta program to easily survey members. He additionally acknowledged Red Badgers Angela Deggs and Amelia Bonilla for their project to help In Transitions North, a women’s shelter;
Renel Noel was happy to have spent four hours at the port loading goods to be sent to Haiti;
Jaime Tobin was at her niece’s birthday and noticed that she was in Rotary Park in Inverness;
Robert Bull is excited that his youngest son is getting married and his fiancé is going to Israel and then back to California;
Marcia Brod was sad to be missing next week’s social event, but will be vacationing in the Big Apple instead. She hoped everyone will be safe and arrange for a designated driver for the Glenmorangie Scotch event;
Greg Herman-Giddens is heading to NYC and will stop by Steve Duggan’s Irish Pub;
Dave Skinner shared a Garrison Keller joke;
Amelia Bonilla is excited to soon become an aunt. Domingo is due to arrive any time;
Angela Deggs went to see her daughter graduate magna cum laude from college. She went to another Rotary Club for a make-up meeting and made a possible job connection for her daughter;
Diane Landsberg shared two blonde jokes and also made a generous contribution to TBM;
Marissa Miles is happy to be taking a vacation and is truly thrilled to be feeling better – we all wish you a complete recovery;
Oliver Ruiz now has two middle-schoolers at home. He’s looking forward to next week’s evening event and also the upcoming world cup;
Randy Lichtman is heading to Colorado and will also get a chance to see his son, Eddie;
Scot Richey got to spend a nice weekend without the kids with his wife Karla in the Turks and Caicos. He also shared that Karla’s parenting magazine is celebrating its first anniversary;
Rick Hernandez shared a Rip Taylor joke that he remembered from his youth;
Tim Ryan has returned to Miami from his recent trip to Russia. He brought back a Rotarian magazine published in the UK;
President Phil Seipp shared with membership that Honorary Member Bob Decker has made another very generous donation to TBM;
TBM contributions for the day added up to a very nice $1283.

Today’s 50/50 was up to $1,371 -Greg Herman-Giddens was the first ticket selected – he unfortunately did not pick the correct card – on to next week we go!!

Dave Skinner led everyone in the 4-Way Test, bringing another fun meeting to an end.

We then adjourned to the yacht club patio for a group “red nose” photo for posterity.