The Rote – Thursday, October 22, 2020 – Via Zoom
Scribe: Linda Singer
The meeting started with President Robert Bull having technical sound difficulties. Several Members jumped in to help and with a strong team work, the meeting started just a few minutes late.
Vice-president and President-Elect Noreen Timoney called the meeting to order. Karen Lapekas, one
of our newer members, gave an invocation. Fred Voytek, also a newer member, led us in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Announcements
Today is National Nut Day.
Birthday: Cory Gittner is the sole birthday celebrant among our members this week. His birthday is tomorrow, Oct. 23rd.
Jay Almeida is finalizing the video shoots of our members for the District posting. The theme
of each 30 second video is “Why are you a Rotarian?” Videos will be posted on the District’s Facebook page.
Noreen Timoney updated us on the latest Community Service activities.
1. This Saturday, October 24, we had a socially distanced, with mandatory masks and
gloves, beach cleanup on Miami Beach at Collins Ave. and 46th Street.
2. This is the last week for collection socks for our SOCTOBER EVENT (socks for the
homeless).
Diane Landsberg has been having sock donations delivered to her at her
home, 460 Sunset Road, Coral Gables, FL 33143.
3. This year, we will be participating again with the
Walk to End Alzheimer’s, sponsored by the Alzheimer Association, on November 14th. Walking will be anywhere participants choose to walk for as long as participants wish to walk. Please register early so that the Alzheimer’s Association has time to send you an envelope with End Alzheimer’s flag and a branded face covering.
4. We have also registered with the
Heart Walk, which will be a virtual walk on November 21. Please visit our team page of the Heart Walk webpage. We will be sending out our Rotary Club of Miami webpage sign-up information in an email blast next week.
5. We are writing letters to
Support our Troops. An email blast about this was disseminated last week. Students may earn an hour of Community Service for writing two letters, up to a maximum of 4 hours of Community Service.
6. Phil Seipp updated us on the Grand Bahama Island Rx Rotary Project where we are helping to
replace damaged hospital equipment at the Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama Island that was devastated during last year’s Hurricane Dorian. The Rotary Club of Miami Foundation will match all donations given in our district up to $100,000. The Rotary Club of Miami is challenging all other districts in our club in participating in this effort. Contact Phil Seipp for questions.
Our Speaker,
Norman Kassoff, was introduced by Diane Landsberg. Norm is a dear, respected member of our club for many years, past President, and polio survivor. Norm was recently recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
His personal experiences with polio as a
child of 8 lend extra interest to the topic of Polio, with October 24th being World Polio Day. Norm narrated a condensed historical perspective of the prevalence of polio among people beginning approximately 5,000 years ago along the Nile. Polio is spread in disease-laden water. Our club got involved in the Rotary International Polio and other childhood diseases eradication effort beginning in 1984. Our club contributed $84,000 over the next 5 years to fight to eliminate polio world-wide.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Robert Bull said that we could pay happy dollars by any of the following
methods:
1. Zelle to Robert Bull 305.733.3704;
2. Mail a check: P.O. Box 43-1466, Miami, FL 33243
3. Convert part of Meal Plan to Happy Dollars.
Happiness abounded:
Stephanie Bull was happy that she was able to rescue Robert Bull, who was having technical difficulties.
Robert Bull was grateful that Stephanie came to the rescue.
Marcia Brod is happy to have some semblance of normalcy in the theatre experience Actor’s
Playhouse is providing to its subscribers.
Noreen Timoney is happy for her brand-new granddaughter. Congratulations Noreen!
Dr. Jens Neumann is happy to contribute to the Grand Bahamas Island Project.
Phil Seipp is happy for our Grand Bahamas Island Project.
Steve Dutton is happy about the club project, Leading Change in a COVID World.
Priscilla Dames was over the moon. Her husband proposed to her again and presented her with
a new wedding ring.
Linda Singer was relieved that her nephew recovered from his serious bout with COVID and has resumed his rabbinical teaching of the Torah in Israel.
Norys Figuera is happy that her sister’s birthday is tomorrow.
Angela Deggs was happy that she cast her vote on the first day of early voting. She said Scott
Richey promoted her and her mother has taken the first few steps since last April. Congratulations on your promotion, Angela!
Patti Urban is happy to give to our club.
Renel Noel is happy to have voted this morning and to be participating in our club.
4-Way Test was led by Marcos Menendez.
President Robert Bull rang the Rotary Bell ending our meeting at 1:32 PM
