The Rote – January 31, 2019
The Miami Yacht Club
President Dave Skinner called the meeting to order. Jay Almeida gave an invocation. Angela Deggs led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Scott Richey:
- Piera Camposeo – is an instructor at Miami-Dade College and is interested in membership.
Announcements:
- Mark your calendars for the evening of February 14th for the return of our awesome Valentine’s Party! There will be no lunch meeting that day;
- Save the Date!TBM interviews are set for the last 3 Saturdays in March, 16th, 23rd and 30th. This is our biggest service project of all;
- Remember we have a great chance coming up to get or give for Paul Harris Fellow recognition. Please let Diane know if you are interested in participating;
- The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind will be hosting an Art Walk in Little Havana on February 20th at 3:00 pm. Wine and Cheese will be available for all to enjoy. Address: 601 SW 8th Ave.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Arlene Terrinoni:
- Randy Lichtman was happy to report that he has been promoted at Miami-Dade to Program Manager and he is now assuming the Interim Chair Position for the department;
- Marcia Brod is excited for our speaker next week. The speaker works at the Knight Foundation and is also a dog breeder (raises Shelties) and also judges dog shows;
- Dave Skinner was happy that his son and daughter-in-law enjoyed an exotic animal adventure at Safari Edventure in the Redland. He’s also happy that his son got an opportunity to address a group of cancer researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center;
- John Harrison shared his recent medical diagnosis with us and also shared his gratitude that it is a lighter version of ALS;
- Norby Rudel ran a half marathon last Sunday and showed off his medal. He trained and ran with his daughter and she beat him at the last minute!
- Piera Camposeo is happy her mom is visiting her for 3 months;
- Diane Landsberg is happy to have watched Norby play at Anthony’s Pizza in Coral Gables;
- Norene Timony is very happy to see Tim and she is keeping John Harrison in her prayers;
- Robin Shelley is happy to be celebrating his grandson’s 15th birthday on Groundhog Day. He is also happy Norby did so well in the half marathon. Robin said “If you finish, you’re a winner!”
- Jay Almeida was happy for Norby and proud of his daughters. His daughter Stephanie recently had to pass her Miss Florida Everglades 2018 crown on. Jessica Almeida is Miss Miami and the Almeida sisters are transitioning out of the event. They are on to their next amazing adventure;
- Phil Seipp is happy to have received checks into the Foundation. Marcia has been hard at work getting $$ from TBM recipients. The total impact has been $17,000 to TBM.
Member Focus: Norby Rudel:
- Norby is looking forward to involving more members in committees;
- He would like to meet with everyone on an individual basis to find out what they would like to do. Every member will be part of something;
- Norby wants to build up Interact and Rotaract. Jaime Tobin and Randy Lichtman will have big roles in this. Amelia Bonilla will chair the Committee. The first order of business is to train Rotaractors on how to go into schools and set up peer mediation groups;
- Rick Miller will work with Norby on the Red Badge Program to get members involved and engaged.
We got to learn a lot about Norby at today’s meeting:
Rotary:
- Norby Rudel has been a Rotary member since 2012;
- When asked why he joined Rotary, Norby answered that he was looking to secure funding for a bottled water facility that sourced rain water;
- Rotary Positions Held: Board Member/Director, President Elect 2018-2019;
- Recognition and Awards: Numerous community service awards, completed 6 full marathons and 4 half marathons.
Personal:
- Norby grew up in New York.His mom and dad are from Holland and they came to New York after the war. Norby was the first member of his family born in the US;
- The name Norby comes from Norbert which is German. Norby’s was named after his father’s best friend, Norbert Hoffman, who was instrumental in getting his Jewish grandparents out of Holland and to the US before the Nazis occupied Holland in 1940;
- Norby’s sister Patti passed away at age 29 from viral encephalitis leaving two children under two years (Michele) and 6 months (Christopher), Norby’s beloved niece and nephew;
- Norby graduated Cum Laude from Alfred University in New York, majoring in Spanish.
Professional:
Norby captivated the audience with all the interesting jobs he’s held over the years:
- Manufacturer representative in the Dental Business (this was very interesting – there were gold sales involved);
- Owner & Operator of an aerobic exercise business in 1981;
- Opened a Frozen Yogurt Business called Norby’s in 1983. It was strategically placed very close to the aerobics business;
- Senior Consultant for The Friedman Group for 9 years;
- Owner/Operator of Sonoma Wine Tours;
- President of Internal Performance International for 12 years.
Two things you don’t know about Norby:
- He lived in the Central African Republic for all of 1975 working in the diamond business as a buyer;
- He lived in New Zealand for 2 years as a GM in a hot tub business that served New Zealand and Australia.
50/50
No one drew the Ace of Spades today, so the pot continues to rise! Thank you to Angela Deggs for the ticket sales.
4-Way Test
Jaime Tobin led us in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
And that concludes another great meeting, brought to you by the Rotary Club of Miami.
Scribe: Amelia Bonilla
