Vol. 66 No. 23 Notes From The Podium

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President's Time

President Debbie reminded everyone that December is Rotary Family Month.  This is the time of year when we try and extend the benefits of Rotary to our family, loved ones and extended families.  The emphasis matches the time of year when people everywhere are concentrating on family celebrations.

Have you bought a Winner's Choice Raffle Ticket yet?  There are only 300 tickets being sold for your choice of a Mako Flatboat, a Fiat 500 or $20,000 cash.  They are $150 each and make great stocking stuffers for people you love! Proceeds will benefit our Club's Foundation to help pay for our many great projects.

Debbie noted that we had a visitor - Elvis was in the house today!  He is just one of the many stars that you'll meet at our upcoming fundraiser, "A Night at the Oscars".  Mark your calendar for Friday, March 9, 2012.  The party will be right here at the Country Club.

Nominations for President-Elect Walter Alvarez's Board of Directors have closed with no further nominations from the floor. In view of that fact, there is no need to hold an election for Officers for next year.  The Officers & Elected Directors for 2012-2013 are as follows:

OFFICERS

President - Walter Alvarez

President-Elect - Donald Trombly

Vice President - Greg Martini

Secretary - Rodney Langer

Treasurer - Bill Quesenberry

DIRECTORS

Community Service - Deena Bell-Llewllyn

International Service - Carol Brock

Club Service - Steven Spann

Membership - Bill Martinez

Development - Fred Baddour

Retention - Ana Fournaris

At Large - Dan Scipione

PE Walter has picked a really good board - look forward to another great year for Coral Gables Rotary. The remaining Board Members will be appointed by the President Elect in January pursuant to our Club By-Laws. If there's a board position you're interested in or a project you'd like to be involved with, let Walter know so he can make sure to use your energy and enthusiasm during this coming year.

 Introductions of Visitors & Guests

Not too many today, in fact only two.  First was our former member visiting us from Puerto Rico, Telin Fernandez ... it's always great to see him for a visit.

Alfredo Iglesias brought his friend Arthur Traub to a second meeting today as well.  Thanks for coming.  Come back soon.

Optimistic, intellectual, good humored and superficial describes Sagittarius natives.  Say Happy Birthday this week to Rolf Frankurther today, Ron Robison on the 3rd, Brad Forte, Trish Hoffman and Susan Guttmann on the 6th and Pastor Arnie Perry on the 7th.  

Happy Rotary Anniversary this week to Fred Ortiz who is celebrating 28 years and Jim Skinner who has been in our club for 14 years.  Time sure flys when you're busy doing Service!

Craft Talk

Carlos Ruiz de Quevedo

Carlos has been a Rotarian for a long time but just joined our Club in May of this year.  He came to Miami as a child in 1961.  He was pleased to tell us that he will be going back to Cuba for the first time in 50 years on December 13th.  He is naturally very excited!


His first career was as an architect. He studied at University of Miami.  He sold his architectural firm in 1999 and led a construction company as Vice President for the next few years.  Then began his investments in real estate.  He now is a broker with EWM and has lots of time left over to indulge in his passion for Green everything.  He is the Chair of the City's Green Task Force and is actively engaged in promotion Green Building and Green Energy throughout the City.
 

Foundation Minute

Abe Horowitz, Foundation Chair

 Foundation Chair Abe Horowitz recognized Carol Alexander today for achieving her Paul Harris 4 Sapphire Pin.  That means that Carol has contributed $5,000 to The Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund.

Much to his surprise, Ed Morris was also recognized today. He has donated $2,000 which gets him his very first Sapphire . The Rotary Foundation - a gift that keeps on giving.

Happy $$$

The globe-trotting Dr. Randy has finally returned to make our Scholarship $$ Groh.  'sbout time!  Pat Morris said he was "Freakin' Happy" because he attended the Rotaract event at the Chophouse in Midtown.  There were 50 young professionals there all interested in getting involved.  Fred Baddour had happy/sad dollars today for the passing of his good friend J.B. Spence.  J.B. was an outstanding American.  He was on the Board of the Mohawk Museum.  There will be a memorial service held for him on the ship.  Ana Fournaris was also paying her respects to J.B.  Phil Boswell invited everyone to sign up to work with the Interactors at the Caroling Competition which started last night at 550 Biltmore Way. You'll get to know a great bunch of kids.  This is their major fund raiser for the year and the bulk of the money them make will go to End Polio Now. Dick Golden had a great story about a samurai, a China-man, a Japanese and a Jew with a fly ... you had to be there.  Rick Tonkinson suggested that you consider giving Rotary Raffle Tickets to your friends for Christmas.  What's better than a one in 300 chance to win $20,000?  Carlos Ruiz is ecstatic to announce that he has a brand new grand baby. AND that his Visa for Cuba has been approved.  Dr. Randy had unhappy dollars because he had such a good time with his Rotarian friends on their photo safari that he's sad to be back. It was great fun.  Luis Boue urged everyone to sign up for one of Dr. Randy's trips.  Terry Long said she got some great lion king photos.  She also invited everyone to attend the opening of the new 50 acre park in Cutler Bay where she is the chair of the bike event.  Bob Schreiber was happy for the success of the Pws 4 You fund raiser at Finnegans.  He was also looking for volunteers for Art Basel.  Joan Reitsma was sad about the passing of J.B. Spence.  She's going to miss his smiling face at Burger Bob's.  She also presented Dr. Randy with a $500 check from Thrivent Financial for our Scholarship Fund AND she matched their donation with $500 of her own!! Felix Pardo was happy for the outpouring of sentiment and the support of all his Rotary friends at the death of his mother-in-law who passed away on November 19.  All the Pedro Pan people celebrated her life.  It was an amazing funeral.  Finally Diva wanted to add to the memory of J.B. because he always made her smile, he'd send her little secret (mash) notes that would make her day. She will really miss him.  Now you can see how it's really done .... when Dr. Randy makes Scholarships Groh!  Keep on smiling.  Happiness pays!

Working Rotarians - December 1, 2011

Greeter - Steven Spann

Registration - Aaron Glasser

Collections - Frank Sexton

Head Table - Rodney Langer

Special Needs - Bonnie Blaire

Open the Meeting - Jack Witty

Invocation - Steve Magenheimer

Pledge - Hank Collins

Singers - Dan Scipione

DeWitt Law Silver Dollars - Noelle Galperin

Given to - Ed Morris & Vanessa Estrada

Pin Drawing Gift - Rod Langer

Pin Drawing Winner - Keith Phillips

50/50 Raffle - Gloria Burns & Fred Baddour

50/50 Winner - Hank Collins

4 Way Test - Andrew Dixon

Today's Program

Ronald Roman, Esq., "How to Grow Your Business"

Ron Roman is a member of the Rotary Club of Pinecrest.  He is also a lawyer for 30 years.  His specialty is Franchising.  That's the way that you can really grow your business. It gives you the opportunity to look down the road objectively and to truly increase your business.

He cited McDonald's as the perfect formula for success.  They've developed a system for how to do everything with OPM (other people's money). You buy a McD's franchise and you're not just out there trial and error. You have a formula that is guaranteed (if you follow it) to lead to success.  

When people buy franchises they pay for that guarantee.  They pay a lot of money because their success is assured through the benefits of the franchise, the trademark (an important cornerstone of any franchise).  

Did you know that one of the most successful franchise operations was the Dent Wizard?  Also the Freedom Yacht & Boat Club.  Franchising has grown from its infancy to a point where it is now in its adulthood.  Today, over one third of all retail sales are made from franchise outlets. 

NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM:  Dr. Ken Broad, 2011 National Geographic Explorer of the Year talks about "Beyond the Invisible:  Secrets of Blue Holes."

Thought of the Week

by Sally B.

"For a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity 

is like a man standing in a bucket 

and trying to lift himself up by the handle."

                                                       Winston Churchill