President Oliver Ruiz opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
Rotary District Assistant Governor Peter Verbeeck gave an invocation and Phil Seipp led everyone in the pledge.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Juan Torres:
Bob Hills has returned to visit the club again. He is with Peak Form 500;
Robert Sealey, originally from England, is happy to visit the club and be back in Miami;
Dave Newton is president of Front Nine and a guest of today’s speaker;
Bunny Uriarte is happy to report that she plans to become a member after the first of the year.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Rick Hernandez
Rick Hernandez was happy that his daughter was accepted into Palmer Trinity School and he will also be going to the Orange Bowl to cheer on his Noles!
Marcia Brod shared the new Thomas Brown McClelland Newsletter that has been sent to all the alumni;
Linda Singer had a wonderful vacation in Atlanta and Sarasota. She is also looking forward to a future Eastern European trip with friends;
Robin Shelley was happy to be able to give his children four tickets to the Orange Bowl and bought tickets for himself and Susan to the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando to see UM play;
Robert Bull sadly shared that he has known a few young people who have passed away from the terrible heroin epidemic. He encouraged everyone to hug their children every day;
Peter Verbeeck was happy that he will be going to India on a Rotary trip to administer polio vaccines;
Oliver Ruiz was especially happy today because he also has tickets to the Orange Bowl Game and will be there to watch his FSU Seminoles take on Michigan.
Announcements
No lunch meeting on December 15. Instead the meeting is in the evening. The Club will be meeting at the PBA Building, 2300 NW 14th Street, from 6-8:30pm for the presentation of our annual Griffitts Award to City of Miami Police Officer(s) of the Year. Board members are asked to get to the event by 5:30.
Rick Hernandez is organizing another volunteer effort at the Miami Rescue Mission from 10 a.m. - 1:00pm on Friday, December 23. Please let him know if you can attend.
NO LUNCH MEETINGS DECEMBER 22 OR 29. SEE YOU NEXT FOR LUNCH IN 2017!!!
Tim Ryan was selling raffle tickets for the District 6990 Golf Ball Drop that will take place on February 2. Tickets are $25 and a Rotarian’s RI account is credited with the purchase. Checks should be made out to “Rotary Foundation HGBD”.
Shirley Pardon said that the Club has 8 cabins reserved on the Adonia for the service trip to the Dominican Republic.
Speaker
Peter Verbeeck is a District Assistant Governor and was happy to be with the Club today.
He shared that he and his family have gone on the Adonia cruise and found it very rewarding and recommended it to everyone.
Peter shared some of his Rotary moments, and emphasized how amazing Rotary is when it comes to meeting people and connecting with the rest of the world. He encouraged everyone who can to attend the upcoming RI Convention in Atlanta.
He advised everyone to be on the lookout for “folks like them” who would be great Rotarians, they only need to be invited to a meeting and asked to join.
Rotary offers many opportunities. He suggested folks check out the Fellowship interest groups – there is something there for everyone.
The next R2R gathering is Wednesday, December 14 at the Salty Dog in Oakland Park. They will be collecting unwrapped toys to give to children in need.
Robert Bull lead everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
