Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
A Message from President Walter Alvarez
 |
| President Walter Alvarez presides |
Another Rotary year has ended and my term as President is over. I view this event with mixed feelings. In a way it is a relief from the duties and responsibilities that come with the job, but in a way I am also saddened by the realization that I won’t have those duties and responsibilities anymore.
As I said at the beginning of the
year, during my time as president my goals were to ensure that the
contributions that our Club makes to the Coral Gables community, and to the
rest of the world, would continue, and to make sure our weekly luncheons were
fun and interesting, a true example of the fellowship that exists among all of
us.
I have been fortunate to lead a team
of individuals who are self motivated to perform good deeds in their community
for the benefit of all, and who enjoy sharing their good times with
others. Participation in our Community
Service and Civic and Charity projects has been exemplary, and I thank all of
you for your dedication. Additionally,
our weekly meetings have been entertaining and well attended, thanks to the
friendly disposition and camaraderie of all our members.
Another job of the president and the
board is to ensure that the club is run in a financially responsible way, and I
am happy to announce that we will end the year with a net increase in
assets. It is also our job to increase,
or at least maintain, our membership level.
As we are all aware, due primarily to the recent difficult economic
times, our membership rolls have been strained in the last few years. This year I continued the trend set last year
by PP Debbie to increase our membership.
It has been my honor and pleasure to
conduct our meetings every week and to lead our Club this year. I expect PE Donald to do the same this coming
year. It shouldn’t be difficult if he
gets the same amount of support and cooperation I got. Thanks again to all of you!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Ashley Clinton - 2012-13 Outbound Youth Exchange
May
26, 2013Living here for 10 months I have come to appreciate things that I took for granted back home like the hot sun, and the cool beach of Miami. I now know why Swedes light so many candles at dinner time, to keep it cozy and have some light in the dark time of the winter. Sweden has taught me to really appreciate home and the things I have there, but also be so curious to want to try new things and see the world from another perspective. I now only have a mere 59 days left in Stockholm and I want to cry because I have never been so in love with another country as I am with Sweden. Exchange is an opportunity of a lifetime that cannot be described in words or pictures, as much as you sit there and read through other people's journals. Because there's a certain feeling you get in the moments you have here and only other exchange students can understand it. You can't stop time, you can only think on the many memories; having bonfires wit h all the exchange students in Stockholm, getting lost in a Stockholm suburb on your way to a party because the streets all look the same, gaining weight from meatballs and numerous fika and waiting outside at 2am for 2 hours in the freezing arctic wearing nothing but pajama shorts uggs and a down jacket with another American exchange student because you thought you saw the Northern Lights, when in fact it was just the sun rising, but nothing had ever seemed more beautiful than that.
Saint Augustine said "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." This quote is what I have lived by my entire life, and having the opportunity to leave my home country and travel to Europe has let me read more than one chapter of my book and surely bring me more to come in the future. Travel makes you modest, and you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. This year abroad has really opened my eyes and saved me from making choices that I didn't want to make, this year has taught me so much about myself. I'm not sure what I'll do, but I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale. So I thank Rotary for giving me this chance to go abroad and I thank the Rotary club of Älvsjö for hosting me this year and for putting me with two amazing families and giving me the opportunity to take your country in fully, experience all the culture and live like a tr ue Swede.
For more photos and exploits form Ashley's year in Sweden go to:
http://www.ryeflorida.org/Students/OB/2012-13/Ashley-Sweden.htm
Ashley wanted to share the photos from her High School Graduation in Sweden
She's planning to visit the Club when she gets back next month
for a "Show & Tell" about her year as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student.
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