The Rote – December 19, 2019
The Miami Yacht Club Scribe: Marcia Brod
President Norby Rudel called the last Rotary Club meeting of 2019 to order. Pastor Bill White gave an invocation and Scott Richey led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Visitors and Guests were introduced by Rick Miller
Bob Decker, former club member and President, joined us today. He was glad to see everyone.
Brian Cartwright, a sales executive with RBGreen Energy, came to the meeting as a guest of Bob Decker. He has been in Miami for four years and works to provide solar power to businesses and residences.
Bjorn Hansen is the area sales manager for Meson. He is a Rotarian with the Brickell Club, but is transferring his membership to the Rotary Club of Miami – good to have you join us Bjorn!
Edvard Phillipson, the founder of Philipson Business Consulting, is a visiting Rotarian from the International Mexico City Club.
Warren DuPree works for American Airlines and is a Rotarian from the Wilmington Delaware Club in Miami on vacation. The Wilmington Club is 105 years old and has over 200 members.
Willy Chertman was glad to come to the meeting. He is a TBM recipient and 3rd year medical student at the University of Miami. He thanked the club for the scholarship he received.
Three FIU Medical Students also attended. Matison Alderman, Monique Motta and Samantha Rodriguez are all recipients of the Club’s TBM scholarships. Matison and Monique are the driving forces behind the creation of the FIU Medical School’s Rotaract Club that has already been very active in the community.
Rotary Club partners were also in attendance. We’re always happy to see Mara Almeida and Maria Rudel.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy December Birthday wishes to Stephanie Bull, Mara Almeida, Bob Decker, and Jaime Tobin. Pastor Bill White helped the birthday recipients by blowing out the ever-relighting candles on the cake.
Rotary Anniversaries were acknowledged: Rick Hernandez (10 years), Jamie Tobin (2 years).
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Phil Seipp
Phill Seipp was happy to report that Northern Trust, through the diligence and skills of our own Ameilia Bonilla and Angela Deggs, has brought all Club accounts to a total of over $6 million. He was also happy to report that the TBM account portion is over $5 million.
Linda Singer was happy to see so many like-minded individuals in the Club who want to help in our community. She also was a gleeful holiday bagger, bagging the food collected for Feed Miami.
Randy Lichtman was happy about his wife Susan’s receipt of an endowed teaching chair at MDC. He also thanked Jay Almeida for presenting to the students at MDC. The students appreciate the information he shares.
Scott Richey congratulated Amelia and Angela on their financial efforts on behalf of the club. He is also celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary and will be heading to Orlando with his family for the holidays.
Alberto Diaz was happy to be part of the Rotary Club of Miami.
Bob Decker was happy, as always, to be at the meeting with some many “old” friends.
Diane Landsberg was thankful for the BIG December of Club events – the Griffitts Award, the Holiday Party, the Feed Miami collection and more;
Robin Shelley reported that his wife Susan is home recovering from surgery, but they both wish everyone a happy holiday.
Norby Rudel was happy to be celebrating six months in as Club President. He looks forward to getting our soon-to-be new members involved in Club activities.
Amelia Bonilla was happy about TBM and the Rotaract Club working hard at the FIU Medical School.
Dave Skinner enjoyed a recent cruise and came upon two Rotary sightings along the way. A traffic circle in Belize City with a Rotary Sign in the middle and another in Honduras – at the information office for a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Roatan.
Jay Almeida praised Robert Bull for all the community service projects the club has worked on since July. He also shared that over 1,800 pounds of food were collected for Feed Miami.
Marissa Miles shared that this will be the 10th Anniversary of the Club’s TBM – FIU Med School relationship. The pinning ceremony is January 31 and everyone should try to attend.
Announcements
The District 6990 Golf Ball Drop fundraiser is still in progress. Be sure to purchase your chance to win some terrific prizes – members have already bought $4,050 in tickets so far.
Food contributed by members was brought to the Club for transfer to Pastor Bill White for distribution through Feed Miami;
Two high profile speakers are scheduled for the beginning of January – be sure to RSVP and attend. On January 9th, State Attorney Kathy Rundle will speak about preparations for the upcoming Super Bowl. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of Miami-Dade Public Schools will join us on January 16. Thanks go out to Noreen Timoney and Tim Ryan for their efforts to schedule these community leaders to speak.
A Blue Badge was given to Marissa Miles and another is ready-for-pickup by Jan Figa.
Scott Richey brought some bubbly to the meeting to add to the celebration of the holidays and also contributed a toast to all.
Robert Bull reported that the Perrine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay Rotary Club will be joining us to plant trees at Zoo Miami. More details will follow.
The Club shared some holiday cheer and gifts to the staff at the Miami Yacht Club. They go above and beyond on a weekly basis to make our meetings so special. Thanks go out to to Jean Pierre and Jessenya.
Paul Harris Recognitions
Robin and Susan Shelley have generously donated Paul Harris points to the Rotary Club of Miami. Members were awarded with points for their outstanding service to the club and the community. The points are to be used towards a new or next level Paul Harris designation.
