President Robert Bull welcomed everyone to our April 1^st meeting.  This was our 40^th meeting of this fiscal year.  This year Passover and Easter overlap, so Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all.

 

Bunny Uriarte gave the invocation and Marcia Brod led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

This morning breaking news is that Prince Harry is returning to the UK.  Some may say that he is going home with his tail between his legs. Maybe he is going to apologize to the Queen and be done with Meghan Markle.

 

Today is April Fools’ Day, so beware of the jokes.  Today is also National Burrito Day, very appropriate for today.  Burrito means little donkey, so enjoy your burritos.

 

Rotary Anniversaries/Announcements: We have no birthday’s this coming week, but we do have Rotary Anniversaries.  Michael Harwin’s and Jonathan Welsh’s first anniversary and Norm Kassoff’s 42^nd anniversary is today.  Happy Anniversary, gentlemen.

 

Maternal & Child Health Month starts today.  Yep, April is Rotary’s Maternal & Child Health month.  Noreen Timoney will tell us a bit about that.

 

EREY: Every Rotarian, Every Year: Past President, Robin Shelley will tell us a bit about this important program.

 

Matzah Mitzvah:  We just found out the Norys Figuera participated with this program on Marchs 21^st.  Thank you Norys.  Norys is always there where we have a Community Service project.

 

#IFixThePlanet  I want to remind everyone, yet again, that we are participating with this competition.  Please visit the website: www.ifixtheplanet.org/the-videos and vote, vote, vote.  Get your family, friends, acquaintances and other to vote for our videos.

 

Renew Your Membership:  An email on this topic went out.  Our dues are very reasonable just $200/year.  Please pay by June 15^th to avoid a $20 late fee.  If you pay by credit card or PayPal, the total is $204 to cover the service fees.  Please get this done soonest.  We do not want to chase after too many stragglers.

 

New Member Recruitment Program:  Emails have been sent to our list of interested parties.  There are several and some have replied.  We also sent out a similar email for you to forward to your friends and acquaintances who are “Rotarians in Heart”.  We all know people who are qualified to be a Member of our Club.  The old saying is; If you don’t ask, you don’t get.  So go ahead and forward this email.  Some may say that they do not have friends who qualify.  Well, if that is true, you need new friends.  That’s a totally different problem. 

 

Miami Rescue Mission: They are holding their Thanksgiving on Good Friday.  Children will receive Easter baskets, people will be fed and there will be some traditional activities, such as washing feet of some people.  Our Club donated to this event.

 

COVID Vaccines:  Some are having difficulties getting this vaccine.  Our new Member, Karla Acosta, let us know that at Chen Senior Medical Center they have this vaccine.  Please contact Karla at 305.305.9307 for further details.  Karla works in their Miami Lakes facility, which is conveniently located. Thanks Karla. 

 

Alpha Generator Investment Club; David Anderson updated us of the progress of this Club.  In a few short weeks, get ready to start investing and learning.

 

ESMAG: All Club Members were mailed a packet of wild flower seeds.  Please plant them soonest.  We will Celebrate Earth Day on April 22^nd at our usual Thursday midday meeting.  We will also find out who won the Earth Day contest.  Prizes will be awarded to the best photos/comments for those who are doing something positive for Earth.  Please email me your photos and comments.  All photos will be displayed. 

 

Remember that ESMAG is a non-cost membership.  Just send me an email to let me know you want to join.  Your children/grandchildren and other interested parties may also join.  The website is www.esmag.org , we also have a Facebook page.

 

Elliott Montaudon, Hugo’s son, has joined ESMAG.  He is actively working on picking up litter in his neighbor and has earned six (6) Community Service Hours.

 

MDC Rotaract Club Presentation: Rosa Mendoza (secretary) and Juan Parra gave us an update of the progress of this club.  Congratulations on a job well done. After their presentation Robert Bull virtually presented them with a Certificate of Appreciation. Thank you to Randy Lichtman and Amelia Bonilla for all you do to assist the Rotaract and Interact Clubs.

 

Happy Dollars: Today's Happy Dollars will go to purchase diapers and other items for needy families.  Happy Dollars donors were: Robert H. Bull, Marcia Brod, Randy Lichtman, Gloria Romero Roses, Diane Landsberg, Robin Shelley, Susan Shelley, Amelia Bonilla, Hugo Montaudon, Linda Singer, Noreen Timoney and Patti Urban.

 

Easter: Tomorrow is Good Friday and Sunday is Easter.  We wish everyone a very Happy Easter.

 

Four-Way Test: Past President Oliver Ruiz led us in the Four-Way Test, thereby ending our meeting.