The Rote – January 24, 2019
The Miami Yacht Club
President Dave Skinner called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Marcia Brod gave an invocation and Angel Rodriguez led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Marcos Menendez:
- Razvan Luca is a visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Târgoviște in Romania. He is the owner of Class Park – a real estate development firm. Razvan brought us a couple of nice gifts symbolizing the town of Târgoviște and banners were exchanged;
- Lauren Skinner came to Miami from Atlanta and is the daughter-in-law of President Dave Skinner. She is a senior nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital;
- Representatives of the Overtown Girl Scout Troop were attending the meeting today and happily selling yummy Girl Scout Cookies. Anita Najiy is the new troop leader. Anita is thrilled to be taking over the reins as Troop leader. Shanea Reed and Taquan Jackson were there to help and represent the Girl Scout Council.
Announcements:
- The Club will meet at the Club House at the Cloisters in Coconut Grove for the annual Valentine’s Day event. We thank the Shelley’s in advance for their hospitality. There will be no lunch meeting on Thursday, February 14;
- TBM Interviews will be held on Saturday March 16, 23 and 30. Please be sure to save one or more of those dates to participate in this important club service project;
- Treasurer Phil Seipp received an updated report from the Miami Dade College Foundation. The Club’s endowment for the MEED program is now valued at over $245,000. The Club also has provided funding for a Teaching Chair which is valued currently at $142,000. Nice to hear that these investments are doing so well for Miami Dade College;
- The FIU TBM Pinning Ceremony will be held on Friday, February 22 from 4:30-6:00 pm. Please try to attend.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Rick Miller:
- Rick Miller was happy to see Girl Scout Cookies;
- Marcia Brod reported that she spoke to member Amelia Bonilla and she continues to recover for her fall. Marcia was also thrilled to be able to see the world outside her house again after the windows were cleaned professionally;
- Susan Shelley was also happy to have the Girl Scouts and their cookies in attendance;
- Tim Ryan donned his do-rag and encouraged Norby Rudel for his upcoming efforts to run the half marathon this weekend;
- Randy Lichtman shared that the next phase of the Clinton Global Initiative has begun and Miami Dade College is working on its project of leadership training;
- Linda Singer is enjoying having Lauren and Neil Skinner visit Miami;
- Robert Bull stated that this was the 61st anniversary of the removal of a dictator in Venezuela. He hopes today’s change in government holds;
- Diane Landsberg thanked the Girl Scouts for coming and wished Norby well on his half marathon;
- Jaime Tobin also was glad to see the Girl Scouts and is beginning to adjust to her daughter getting her learner’s permit (good luck with that!);
- Dave Skinner also agreed upon how great it was to see the Girl Scouts (Sounds like the cookies are a big hit with everyone!!!!) He was also happy to have Lauren and Neil visiting;
- Norby Rudel is looking forward to running the half marathon. He also thanked Diane Landsberg for hosting a meeting for District 6990 leadership. There were a lot of great plans and ideas for the future;
- Phil Seipp proposed that today’s Happy $$$$$$$ be donated to the Overtown Girl Scout Troop. Everyone approved!!!!!
Today’s Program
Today was our annual Belly Laugh Day. A day to laugh or cry – depending on your perspective and the quality of the jokes presented. Those who shared jokes – for better or worse – were Rick Miller, Renel Noel, Norm Kassoff, Randy Lichtman, Angel Rodriguez, Robert Bull, Robin Shelley, Linda Singer, Phil Seipp, Lauren Skinner, Marcia Brod, Marcos Menendez, Diane Stieber, Tim Ryan, Diane Landsberg, Norby Rudel and Dave Skinner.
There were prizes for the top three jokes, but no clear way of judging them. In a totally unscientific survey of crowd applause, Robin Shelley, Norm Kassoff and Robert Bull were somehow determined to be winners. Congratulations.
50/50 Raffle was held with no winner for the big money.
Linda Singer led everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
Scribe: Marcia Brod
