July 4th Picnic Made the NEWS!!!

First Party of 2014-15 - 4TH OF JULY!!!

DG Ellen Throws at "Thank You" Party

Coral Gables Well Represented

at DG Ellen's Reception

Nearly Past District Governor Ellen Blasi had a party for her 2013-14 District Crew at Perricone's Marketplace Sunday evening.  She took the opportunity to thank every single one of the people she had made responsible for helping her succeed "Engaging Rotary to Change Lives".

While Ellen had help from many of the clubs and Rotarians in the District, she tapped Coral Gables most often for the tough jobs that needed doing!  Top of her list was her Aide-De-Camp,  Yolanda Woodbridge, whom Ellen claimed was responsible for making her look good all year long.

Carol Alexander was the District Treasurer and her excellent money management skills made Ellen's year work just fine.  

Our District currently leads the Zone in Foundation donations for 2013-14 and that is due in no small part to the outstanding efforts of Chris Morrison who was her Rotary Foundation Annual Giving Chair.

Ellen claimed that Sally Baumgartner, who chaired District Assembly at the beginning of the banner year, was willing to do anything Ellen asked her to do ... that included making the Assembly a money making venture for the first time in many years!

And Noelle Galperin  pretty much saved the day when Ellen tapped her late in the  year to rescue District Communications.   She's designed a hot new webiste (www.RotaryNow.org) for the District and taken over the preparation and production of the District Newsletter. 

Ellen says that to be an effective District Governor, a person needs to have 40 to 42 individuals who can be relied upon to get the job done - no matter what.  It says a lot about the Rotary Club of Coral Gables when  you realize that more than 10% of the jobs are filled by members of our outstanding club!

Almost PDG Ellen & Spouse with Almost DG Joe Roth and Spouse!

Coral Gables Rotarians Morrison & Baumgartner

Noelle Galperin

A "Thank You" from District Governor "Queen" Ellen Blasi

WHAT A YEAR!!

Congratulations to us all and in particular to our club Presidents!

Our District 6990 had 19 Clubs qualify for the Presidential Citation from Rotary President Ron Burton.
Of those, 12 qualified with Presidential Citation with Distinction*.
They are:
Coconut Creek*
Davie/Cooper City
Deerfield Beach
Ft. Lauderdale North Beach*
Ft. Lauderdale South*
Grand Bahama Sunrise*
Hialeah-Miami Springs
Key Biscayne*
Key West
Lucaya
Miami Brickell*
Miami Shores*
Miami-Granada*
Miramar-Pines
North Dade
Perrine/Cutler Ridge/ Palmetto Bay*
Pompano Beach-Lighthouse*
Upper Keys*
Weston*

The Presidential Citation is given by the President of Rotary International every year to a Rotary Club that qualifies.  The Citation is a measure of an effective Rotary Club.  You can review the Citation at www.rotary.org/en/document/587.

Our membership goal of "don't lose anyone" is comfortably on it's way to being met, thanks in great part to the efforts of our District Membership Chair, Jonathan Parker.
We brought in 240 new members into our District this year and had a net gain of 37 members. 29 Clubs report a net gain in membership, lead by the Rotary Club of Miami Brickell with a net gain of 9 new members and the Rotary Clubs of Key Largo, Hollywood, and Miramar Pines each with 7 new members.
Now we just have to hold our numbers through the end of the year!

We gave very generously to the Rotary Foundation for the important work we do in our communities and around the world.  I say locally as well as around the world, because, as you know, half of the money we give to the Rotary Foundation comes back to us at the end of three years and half of those funds can be used for community work.
I want to particularly recognize 3 Rotarians on behalf of the Rotary Foundation.

Chris Morrison, RC Coral Gables, for his outstanding work in promoting the Annual Fund (the one where half the money comes back) through the "Golf ball Drop".

Kenneth Meeks, RC Upper Keys, for an outstanding contribution of $100,000.00 to the Polio Plus fund.

Karen Clarke, RC Lucaya, for an outstanding contribution to the Annual Fund.

At this date, our District averaged about $250.00 per person to the Rotary Foundation this year.  If you were unable to support the Rotary Foundation at this level this year, know that one of your fellow Rotarians donated on your behalf, and strive to do your part next year and in the future.

We are currently running neck and neck with the Rotary District that encompasses the Jacksonville area to be the leader of all Rotary Clubs in the state of Florida in giving to Polio Plus. We will have the final donation amounts mid to late July. If you would like to make a donation…..Please DO!

Any donation made, online or postmarked, by June 30, 2014 will be part of this year if you still want to support OUR Rotary Foundation.

Two clubs in the District achieved very notable status for the Rotary Foundation this year.

The Rotary Club of Ft. Lauderdale South became the first club in our District to become 100% Rotary Benefactor Club. Benefactors are those Rotarians who make a donation of $1000 to the Permanent Fund or make a pledge to donate $1000 to the Permanent Fund as part of their legacy when they die.

The Rotary Club of Key West Sunrise IN the Conch Republic had such an outstanding fundraising year that after funding all of their projects, scholarships and corpus of their own club foundation, they elected to make EVERY MEMBER of the club a Paul Harris Fellow or additional Paul Harris Fellow!

There were 10 Major Donors or Major Donors next level to the Rotary Foundation this year. They are Doug and Deborah Maymon, William C. Webb, Jr., Harold Zabsky, Charles Stewart, Rejean and Claudette Lappiere, Shane Moore, Baron Dean Degner, Kenneth Meeks, Gerald Richard Mosher and Karen Clarke.

There were also 2 Rotarians that added to or became Bequest Society members, Robin and Susan Shelley and Elihu and Lee Phares.

We also now count among our members 32 Paul Harris Society members and 16 new Benefactors to the Rotary Foundation.

We funded a Global Scholar this year under the new Rotary Foundation grants model.  There are 530 Districts in the world, each with opportunity to put forth an applicant to the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation.  Our candidate, Michael Matthiesen, was one of only 77 in the world that was accepted this year.

We are currently taking applications for our next Global Scholar.  Please contact me or our outstanding Global Scholar Chairperson, Anita Sandler asandler1011@gmail.com with your prospective Scholar recipient.  They must be studying at an advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate), they must be accepted at a non-US Institute of higher learning, they course of study must fall into one of the Six Areas of Focus and they cannot be directly related to a Rotarian.

There are also many outstanding Rotarians that helped in so many ways and I would be very remiss if I did not name a few.
The Officers of the District who agreed to serve with me this year and did such an outstanding job.

Yoli Woodbridge, Chief of Staff - Rotary Club of Coral Gables. She made me look good!
Carol Alexander, Treasurer - Rotary Club of Coral Gables.
She kept up with all the money. We are coming in BELOW BUDGET!!
Deb Maymon, Secretary – Rotary Club of Weston.
She made sure you got all of the information and helped me with all things Rotary!
Todd Dayton, Sgt. At Arms – Rotary Club of Coconut Creek.
He tried to keep us and me in line.

Jonathan Parker, Membership Chair, who really set the bar high for the Rotarian to Rotarian networking events that add value to our Rotary membership.

Robin Shelley, Rotary Foundation Chair, who guided us expertly into the new Rotary Foundation model and did an outstanding job with his committee in helping clubs understand the value of participating in OUR Rotary Foundation.

Chris Morrison, Chair of Annual Giving and the CEO of the "Golf Ball Drop” for breaking all records!!

My wonderful and outstanding Assistant Governors who served with me and served your clubs steadfastly for the past three years. They are:

Pat Short-Hornsby – RC Weston
Ligia Corredor – RC Miramar/Pines
Howard Lustgarten – RC Ft. Lauderdale South
Dan Young – RC Weston
Antonio Pinheiro – RC Miami Brickell
Carol Alexander – RC Coral Gables
Caesar Phillips – RC Allapattah
Patricia Romano – RC Key Biscayne
Sara Hamilton – RC Key Largo
Stan Rzad – RC Key West Sunrise in the Conch Republic
Mike Stafford – RC Freeport

BIG thank you to Tom Pratt, RC Coconut Creek, for President-elect Training throughout the District at at All Florida PETS in Orlando.

BIG thank you to Sally Baumgartner,RC Coral Gables for District Assembly! Great Job!

There were also four notable Rotarians that stepped up to the plate when called to fill vacancies that came up during the year.

Noelle Galperin and Mario Avalos for doing such a fantastic job for our district with Communications and especially for the new District website www.rotarynow.org.

Joe Schumacher for our Youth Services, especially for the outstanding Interact Conference.

Alan Cohn for The Rotary Foundation Grant Committee Chairperson.

And another BIG thank you for three truly outstanding "Rotary couples”.

Robin and Susan Shelley for always opening your lovely home and hosting numerous meetings this past three years.

Stephen and Alice Takach for opening their lovely home and hosting the first ever Rotary Foundation Major Donor Initiative event in Miami-Dade County.

Chuck and Sue Yea for opening their lovely home and hosting the first ever Rotary Foundation Major Donor Initiative event in Broward County.

Our District Conference was a resounding success!!
The Rotary clubs of Grand Bahama Island really made us proud. We took two other Florida Rotary Districts to the conference with us and we all had a grand time.

Special thanks go out Mike Stafford – RC Freeport.
His tireless efforts and those of his committee on Grand Bahama made it all possible.
Over on this side of the Gulf Stream, the always great Andrew Burnstine and most especially, his absolutely amazing wife, Judith, made it happen.

We had a lot of fun!
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of the Rotary Clubs in our District that included me in events and projects.
You made me feel welcomed and really showed me what outstanding Rotarians we are!
I am even more proud to be a Rotarian because of all of you.
Please invite me back!

As I end this year I would like to share that it has been exciting, daunting, inspiring and lots of fun!

I believe that we truly embraced the theme this year to
"Engage Rotary - Change Lives”.

I sincerely thank you for allowing me to serve!


My Very Best to you All in Rotary Service,

District Governor Ellen
   

2014-2015 Board and Officers Installed

2014-2015 Club Board

Installed

Friday evening, June 27th, more than 50 Rotarians, their spouses' and guests gathered at the Upstairs Board Room at Ana Capri to celebrate the installation of the 2014-15 Officers and Board of Directors who will serve under President Carlos Bolado.

The wine was plentiful, the fellowship was fine, the ceremonies were officiated by DG Ellen Blasi (one of the things out going DG's get to do a lot of ...).  Everyone is on board to make the coming Rotary Year one we will all remember.

OFFICERS

President - Carlos Bolado

Past President - Don Trombly

President-Elect (2015-16) - Greg Martini

Vice President - Steven Spann

Secretary - Paolo Possenti

Treasurer - Bill Quesenberry

Sergeant-at-Arms - Rick Belz

DIRECTORS

Club Meeting Service Chair - Lan Nghiem-Phu

Community Service Chair - Lorraine Sheldon

Rotary Foundation Chair - George Reeves

Vocational Service Chair - Carol Alexander

Youth Service Chair - Sally Baumgartner

Civic & Charity - Rodney Langer

International – Judy Pantoja

Membership - Joe Lancaster

Programs - Richard DeWitt/Frank Sexton

Public Relations - Gloria Burns

Rotarygram - Yolanda Woodbridge

At Large Director - Ana Fournaris

Community Service Chair Lorraine Sheldon wishes Carlos well!

Joseph Milton named Coral Gables Rotary Martin Hughes Citizien of the Year

L to R:  Past President Felix Pardo, JOSEPH MILTON, Past President Walter Alvarez

Joseph Milton serves as President and CEO of J. Milton & Associates, a fully integrated real estate and development company founded by his father the late Jose Milton, in 1963. Since its founding, J. Milton & Associates has built and developed over 50,000 residential units and has grown to a net worth of $3.5 billion.

Joseph Milton earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineeting from the University of Miami and, by the age of 23, was licensed as a State-Certified General Contractor. Today, Milton is a hands-on leader, carrying on the legacy bestowed by his father. He works directly with all project architects, interior designers and engineers, negotiates all contracts, and sets proforma and cost control standards.

In 1993, Milton launched the firm's luxury condominium development division; since
then he has developed Sands Pointe, Pinnacle, King David, Blue Lagoon, Sayan, and St. Tropez luxury condominums. Simultaneously, he maintains development responsibilities for the company's rental division, including such successful properties as the Country Club Towers, Brickell 1st, Intracoastal Yacht Club, and Royal Palms rental communities.

J . Milton & Associates is the the largest developer in Sunny Isles Beach, and enjoys a longstanding and cordial partnership with the city's civic and corporate leaders. A prime example of this collegiality: the City of Sunny Isles Beach's newest retail magnet, Towne Center, is located within the firm's latest development, St. Tropez Condominiums.

In addition to mentoring his staff, Mr. Milton is an active community leader and a deeply committed philanthropist. A prime example is his role as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Alfalit International, a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to fighting illiteracy around the world. Alfalit was founded in 1961 to provide educational programs for the world's neediest populations in literacy, basic education, preschool, health and nutrition, micro-business enterprises, and community development. He has received numerous awards for his efforts on behalf of humanitarian causes including, as a result of his work with Alfalit in West Africa, an honorary Doctorate of Humane
letters degree from the United Methodist University of Liberia.  His active efforts with local representatives and senators and his lobbying efforts in Washington helped to bring millions of dollars from USAID to help sustain Alfalit and carry on Rotary projects started with Grant money. 

Certainly Joe's dedication to Service Above Self and to Build A Better Community and World are worthy of recognition by Rotary Club of Coral Gables.  Congratulations and thanks for all that you do for the world and our community. 

Don't Miss the 2014-15 Installation Party

President Donald's Last 5th Friday

And he wasn't even there!

The last 5th Friday of the 2013-14 Rotary Year was held on May 30th at Community Newspapers in South Miami.  Hosted by the Miller Brothers, our own Gloria Burns was responsible for making the party happen.  She is an indispensable part of the inner workings of the Community News' 12 biweekly publications.

In addition to their Coral Gables paper they also publish papers for most of the major municipalities in Miami Dade including South Miami, Pinecrest, Cutler Bay, etc, etc.

Catered by Lovables, 5th Fridays are a social evening that our Club holds at a member's place of business.  It's cocktails, hors d' oeuvres and fellowship  from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday in any month that has five of them.  May was such a month.

Some 40 Rotarians and their spouses and/or significant others came to the South Miami Headquarters for a tour of what the newspaper business is REALLY like.  And if this is what is real then they have an awfully good time putting out that paper!

Thanks to Graham and Michael Miller and of course to Gloria Burns for providing such an interesting venue for the party.  And thanks as well to Liz Silverman (and Carl) for the awesome party flavors they provide for these events.  

Mark your calendar now for the next 5th Friday.  It will be August 29th.  The location will be disclosed as we draw closer.

Gloria Burns, Fred Baddour, Nancy Martini & John Swain

Terry Long with Fred Baddour and Bill Quesenberry

Rotarians tour the press room!

 

Don't Miss 5th Friday at Community Newspapers

A REALLY NICE "THANK YOU" ….

I just received this beautiful thank you note from Miami North Western 
Senior High and thought I would share with you.   Lorraine.

Lorraine, 

                   It was such a pleasure to have you visit Miami Northwestern last week. Many of our students were awestruck by the fortitude of you and your colleagues who pursued a career that did not necessarily have a program or degree to prepare them for. It pushed our students to "think outside of the box" in relation to their career aspirations. Our students also kept asking me questions such as, "why did they come to our school?" and even "were they forced to come here?"  As I explained to them time and time again that you came here on your own volition, they were joyful and grateful.

         "Is this about us being an 'A' school?"  I believe your visit illuminated a glimmer for many of our students that people outside of the community care about them and their dreams.  As we think about how to create pathways to opportunity for our students who are deprived and robbed of much of the basic necessities for upward social mobility, your presence is a meaningful step towards rectifying that inequity.

          We would love to invite you back if possible this year or possibly for the fall of this upcoming school year.  We have AP exams all this month but if you have a space in your schedule during the week of May 19-23, we would be honored to have you again and your colleagues.

           I know that there was some conversation of how the Rotary club could support the Summer School project that we have from your colleagues.  I want you to know that while we love for you to be a part of the movement for changing the inequity of our city, but in no way is it something we are expecting.  If you have further questions regarding involvement with the summer school, it would be my pleasure to answer them via e-mail or phone.  hope your week is going well and thank you again for visiting our school.

                                                                                 

                                                                                          Sincerely,

                                                                                          George Hart

George Hart
BA '11 Boston College in Political Science, Philosophy and History
MA '13 University of Miami in Education and Social Change

Teach for America '11, Miami Northwestern Senior High School
Dean of Discipline/Positive Behavior Support Coach,
AP/Honors World History Teacher, Tennis Coach
(305)799-7864

 

Hats, Bow Ties & Horseplay - A Great Evening for Charity!!

Fabulous Casino Night 

Benefiting 

Orphans in Haiti

NPH USA

More than 150 people crammed into the Courtyard Marriott on Saturday evening April 26 to test their luck at games of chance and win great prizes.  All proceeds benefit NPH USA's orphanage and hospital in Haiti.

The evening was sponsored by Bacardi, USA, Mercedes Benz of Coral Gables, CRB Environmental, Kahn-Carlin Insurance, Sam's Club, Walmart, Community Newspapers and a host of businesses and Rotarians from throughout the community. 

The evening was full of fun and games.  Horse Racing films were running all evening and fanatics could bet on one race or six.  A fantastic silent auction was held outside the casino with more than $9,000 in goods and services to bid upon.  Casino prizes included a 45" LED Samsung Television, an LG Sound Bar Woofer, iPad Mini, Google Nexus and even a digital smoker for the Rotarians who love to cook.  

The casino was expertly operated by A Hot Party and Rotarians and friends spent a lot of time on Poker, Black Jack, Craps and Roulette.  

The fund raising committee would like to thank everyone who worked so tirelessly to make this event such a tremendous success.  We ate, we drank, we gambled and we won.  And so did the children in the care of NPH USA in Haiti.  Thank you one and all!

Serious about Black Jack

Just a few of the lovely hats!

Community in Schools Program

 

“School to Work”

April 22^nd & April 23^rd

Miami North Western Senior High School

1100 NW 71^st Street,  Miami 

Our Club was contacted by the Community in Schools program to speak to high school students about our professions and offer "pearls of wisdom" to graduating seniors.

Two groups of Rotarians spoke on Tuesday and Wednesday morning at Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Liberty City. They serve 1800 students. It was founded in 1955 and the current school building was completed in the 90’s. They are best known for their achievements on the sports field in football and track, but recently have made the headlines by becoming the first inner city school in Miami to go from an “F” class school to an “A” class. Their graduating class used to be 40% and now it’s over 80% receiving high school diplomas. The principal and staff are very proud and the students were respectful and attentive.

We met the students in the college resource center. The lobby is plastered with college acceptance letters all over the walls along with a national map showing the students name and the school they’ll be attending. 

The Rotarians who volunteered their time for this community service event were Carol Brock, Dick Golden, Felix Pardo, Keith Phillips, Jim Skinner and Diane Thurston.  They were both entertaining and informative.

Carol Brock spoke about her career in Broadcasting and Media. 

Dick Golden spoke about his career as the owner of an ambulance company. 

Jim Skinner spoke about his career in law enforcement and serving as a police chief for three different cities including Coral Gables. 

Keith Phillips shared his path of multiple careers, beginning as an aviation pilot and then pursuing a  career in the insurance industry which took a turn after Hurricane Andrew. Then one day his air conditioner broke and decided that may be a good career path.

Diane Thurston shared her pursuit of many fields in college, until one day she met a psychologist. Her interest was piqued and she spent  years studying to become a PHD.

Felix Pardo spoke about his career in architecture. He knew that was the career for him before he even entered high school.  He told the students to follow their dreams and pursue what felt right in their hearts.

I spoke about the interior design industry and showed a power point presentation of spaces before and after remodeling.

We all enjoyed sharing these pearls of wisdom with the students.  We tried to offer inspiration as well as a glimpse of reality into the outside world. We also learned more about each other and I can easily see why each of these people are Rotarians. Serving our community is just who they are.

 This is the final Community Service Project for this year.  I hope more of you will join usnext year.  Our final event will be a wine paring dinner on June 10^th at Angelique Euro Cafe to raise funds for Civic and Charity events next year.            Lorraine Sheldon, Chair

 

2014 Scholarship Awards Presentations

Group Sc holarship Winners Photo

Front Row Left to Right: Maria Ceballos, Mavil Cordoba, Diana Galiano, Annelise Hernandez,

Kelley Rendon, Nataniah Trujillo, Wanda Bravo, Ana Chacin

Back Row Left to Right: George Monjarretz, Jose Melendez, Cole Scanlon, Michael Hammond,

Edward Torgas, Daniela Alvarado

At the April 10th meeting and for the 27th year, the Rotary Club of Coral Gables presented $20,000 in scholarships to 14 graduating seniors from Coral Gables Senior High School who are pursuing university degrees.

The students were selected based on community service, high academic performance and demonstration of leadership. The winners included Senior Class President, Cole Scanlon and Interact Service Club President, Nataniah Trujillo. 

The scholarship funds are sponsored by the Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables, Inc., and funded by the money collected weekly from Happy Dollars.  Additional Scholarship Donors include Dan & Donna Brandt, Terry C. Long, Joan Reitsma, Carlos & Cathy Ruiz de Quevedo, Elizabeth Silverman, Debbie & John Swain, Rick & Margarita Tonkinson Foundation and Yoli & Fred Woodbridge.

The Club is grateful to the Marilyn K. Gaylord Charitable Trust (Kenneth Lancaster, Trustee and Charles L. Gomes, Co-Adviser) and the Jules Zentner/California Community Foundation Fund for their ongoing support of our efforts.  They provide funding that, when matched by the private donors, gives the Club the ability to make significant awards to these talented young people.  In many cases, these scholarships are the difference between being able to afford college or not.

The Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables has opened an endowment for the purpose of providing additional funding and growth for scholarships in the coming years. Donations made to this endowment will assure continued growth and make it possible to fund such scholarship presentations far into the future.  The Endowment Donors to date include The Rotary Charity Golf Classic for Scholarships, Terry C. Long, Bruce Kerestes, Dick Golden, Debbie & John Swain and the Jules Zentner Fund/CCF Fund, David Sanchez, Trustee.  

Members of the Scholarship Committee, all who worked so diligently to make these awards include the Chairperson, Terry Long, Walter Alvarez, Dan Brandt, Dr. Phil Boswell, Bruce Kerestes, David Mitchell, Patrick Morris, Joan Reitsma, David Sanchez, Andrea Stone, Debbie Swain, Margarita & Rick Tonkinson and Donald Trombly. 

For more information on Rotary Foundation of Coral Gables Scholarships, to get involved or to donate, please contact Terry Long, Chair, Scholarships Committee at terryclong@bellsouth.net. 

Scholarship Chairperson Terry Long Recognizes Endowment Donor Bruce Kerestes,

Rotarian and Past-President of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables

Charles L Gomes Representing Donor/Advisor Marilyn K. Gaylord Charitable Trust with Terry C Long

 

Scholarship Presentation to Senior Class President, Cole Scanlon

Rotarian and former Coral Gables Senior High teacher, Joan Reitsma presents

scholarship to Cole Scanlon, as Rotary Club President, Donald Trombly looks on.