The Rote – March 30, 2017
The Miami Yacht Club
President Oliver Ruiz welcomed everyone to the first post-gala luncheon meeting. He asked if anyone did anything fun this past weekend – those attending responded with a strong “YES”. Over 300+ guests attended the lovely gala at the Rusty Pelican. Many, many compliments have come in on the venue, the band and the program. Kudos to all!!!!!
Oliver personally wanted to thank: Phil Seipp for the terrific program book; Diane Landsberg for the mugs, Interact helpers and the photographer; Jay Almeida for compiling thousands of photos and many videos for display during the evening program; Shirley Pardon for recording and being at all the gala meetings; Dave Anderson and Scott Richey for securing the wonderful band; Dave Skinner, Linda Singer and Robin and Susan Shelley for the ice sculpture, which was an oft-taken photo op; The Shelleys for taking on the position as Chairs of the Gala; Cory Gittner for the PR associated with the event, and the entire Gala Committee for all their hard work.
Norm Kassoff shared that Dr. James Hutson, grandson of the Club’s Founder Dr. James Jackson, told him that “I will remember this evening and take it with me until the day I die – it was such a pleasure to be here.”
Robin Shelley lead a standing ovation in appreciation to Oliver’s hard work and dedication on his year as president and on the gala.
Oliver presented to the members in attendance the proposed Slate of Officers for 2017-18. Ballots were passed out for completion by active members.
Jay Almeida gave an invocation and Scott Richey led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Visitors and Guests were introduced by Cory Gittner
- Dr. Percy Nelson, a physician and TBM interviewer, joined us today at the meeting and said he is going to pursue membership in the club;
- Alexandre and Couisa Dauphin, guests of Renel Noel, were visiting after spending time with Renel in Haiti. They will be heading back to their home in Canada later in the day;
- Veronique Ductan, is a retired nurse, who also is returning from the trip to Haiti with Renel;
- Kathleen Dunn, of Dunn Organizing, is a professional organizer;
- Ryan Carter is Director of Development of Urban Promise Miami. The organization provides families in the Little Havana neighborhood with social services.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Juan Torres
- Scott Richey had a great time at the gala. He and Karla decided to stay at the Rotary Gala rather than moving on to the Red Cross Gala which was down the road. We’re glad he stayed!!!!
- Renel Noel was glad to have his three friends at the meeting and said he will be reliving the gala by taking them back to the Rusty Pelican for dinner;
- Shirley Pardon was happy that the gala went so well, but she was also happy it was over!!!! She was also happy that Dr. Percy Nelson will be coming a member;
- Randy Lichtman enjoyed the gala and thought that it reflected on the true meaning of Rotary;
- Robin and Susan Shelley both thought that the gala couldn’t have gone any better. They received many compliments from their guests, including Rotary District leadership. Robin reminded everyone that we are now beginning our second 100 years of service;
- Linda Singer thought the gala was the best party ever!!!! She also thanked Marcia Brod for saving the day when it came to getting the tent cards completed;
- Noreen Timoney was in Philadelphia over the weekend, but was happy to have been a part of the committee and its work;
- Jay Almeida thought the gala was great;
- Dave Skinner had a Rotary Week – Monday lunch with our Rotary Parisian Sister-Club guest Philippe Villette, Tuesday dinner with former member and Past President Carlos Ruiz and his wife Cathy and Wednesday night dinner with Marcia and Lenny Brod;
- Phil Seipp was thrilled with the gala;
- Ted Eldredge thought the event was fabulous and looked forward to topping it next year;
- Oliver Ruiz was so happy that everyone enjoyed the gala – he did as well. He was especially happy to see all the smiling faces as the evening went on.
Annoucements
- RLI is this Saturday in Miami
- Thursday, April 6 – meeting at the Miami Yacht Club
- Thursday, April 13 – meeting at the Yacht Club with pictures and videos from the gala
- Thursday, April 20 – meeting at the Yacht Club
- Saturday, April 22 – District Assembly
- Thursday, April 27 – NO MEETING
- Saturday, April 29 – Rotary Night at Marlins Park
Program – Club Historian Norm Kassoff gave a brief history of the Club and its achievements. Following are the notes from his talk.
Our First One Hundred Years:
- How and Why are we here….
- 16 men and a women answered the call of our first president, Dr. James Jackson, for the creation of the first YMCA and the Rotary Club of Miami –The “Y” was established in 1916 and Rotary came about in 1917 (it was the 271st club of Rotary International).
- The Y and Rotary marched together to achieve some wonderful things
- In 1942, Rotary President Horace Cordes said it all – “It is our Club’s hope that, as the years pass, the new members, as well as old, will always look on the past accomplishments with interest and pride as a guide and an inspiration for the future.”
- Looking back….
- The past years show that the early thinking and actions through the years have never aged.
- Well over 200 organizations and activities have received financial and/or in-kind support from our Club.
- The wide range of activities have been clustered into three groups: 1) Inter-governmental; 2) Institutions; and 3) People
- Inter-governmental:
- 1921 – Encouraged and made happen the expansion of Government Cut from 12’ to 25’;
- 1922 – Got City of Miami Commission to set aside land along the Miami River and the Bay called Bayfront Park;
- 1926 – Began our 91-year relationship with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind;
- 1933 – Got the City of Miami to hire a Park Director that the Club paid for the salary for in the first year;
- 1948 – Helped establish Everglades National Park;
- 1958 – Helped get a new airport for jets.
- Institutions:
- 1918 – Helped Dr. Jackson and Miami City Hospital fight the influenza outbreak;
- 1923 – Aided in the creation of a ward for those with polio;
- 1924 – Renamed Miami City Hospital to Jackson Memorial Hospital;
- 1929 – Created ward for children with TB;
- 1943 – Club member Bascom Palmer worked to create a hospital facility specializing in diseases of the eye;
- 1950 – Bowman Ashe helps to get the University of Miami the first medical school in Florida;
- Other efforts included:
- A $100,000 donation to the Bone and Tissue Bank;
- Spinal Injury Program
- Burn Center
- Medical Examiner’s office provided corneas for transplantation.
- People:
- 1917-1989 – a 72-year partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. Funding provided assistance to build camps, transportation to jamborees, paid for honors and awards for boys achieving Eagle Scout status;
- 1919 - Support for the Girl Scouts of America
- 1923-26 – Fed and clothed some 200 children from low income families;
- 1938 – With the Y’s help, created and funded Boys and Girls Clubs based in the YMCA building;
- 1948 – Provided $3,200 to the University of Miami for scholarships for students;
- 1952 – Shipped with several Dade County Rotary Clubs over 10 tons for warm clothing and 13 tons of food to Berlin and several other German cities in need;
- 1968 – Established the Griffitts Award;
- 1984 – Supported and developed the MEED (Microcomputer Education for the Employment of the Disabled) in cooperation with UM and MDC;
- 1995 – Liberty Square Program – with 30 other Rotary Clubs over 500 boys and girls enjoyed summer camp, reading programs, medical and dental care;
- 2000 – Started to support the Armed Service Center at Miami International Airport.
We now begin our next 100 years and will continue to work to keep Miami the vital city it is meant to be for all its citizens.
Dave Skinner led everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
