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Executives & Directors
President
Dave Skinner
 
Vice-President
Norby Rudel
 
Immediate Past President
Phil Seipp
 
Treasurer
Phil Seipp
 
Secretary
Linda Singer
 
Chair-Community Service
Tim Ryan
 
Chair-Club Service
Diane Landsberg
 
Chair-International
Marcos Menendez
 
Chair-Membership
Dave Anderson
 
Chair-Public Image
Jay Almeida
 
Director
Robert Bull
 
Chair-Youth Service
Randy Lichtman
 
Director
Angel Rodriquez
 
Director
Noreen Timoney
 
Director
Cory Gittner
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
The Rote – December 6, 2018
The 51st Annual Griffitts Award Dinner at the Police Benevolent Association Hall
 
President Dave Skinner called the meeting to order and called for a moment of silence to honor the passing of our 41st U.S. President, George H. W. Bush and the 2300 Americans lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Our long-time member (40 years!) Don Van Orsdel gave the invocation and Brian Tschirhart (another 40+ year member) led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.

Announcements:
  • There will be no lunch meeting on December 6 or 13.
  • Our annual holiday party will be on December 15 at Diane’s house.
  • We return to the Yacht Club on December 20 for a festive holiday meeting, our last of 2018. Please come share some joy and fun.
  • There is no lunch meeting on December 27 or on January 3. We return to the Yacht Club of Jan 10.
Visitors and Guests:
Past President Phil Seipp (still another 40 year member!) introduced the event’s honoree and guests:
  • Officer Bennett Williams III, 51st recipient of the Griffitts Award
  • Officer Williams’ family members, including his father, Bennett Williams, his mother, Marsha Fowler, stepfather, Norris Fowler and proud grandmother, Marva Pinkney
  • Lt. Altarr Williams
  • Sgt. Daniel Mogro
  • Deputy Chief Ronald Papier, representing Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina
  • Major Cherise Gause, also representing Chief Colina
From Rotary District 6990:
  • District Governor Drew Monaghan and wife Sara
  • Past District Governor Alan Cohn
  • District Governor Elect Ray Williams and wife Susie
Our Past Presidents in Attendance:
  Jay Almeida, David Anderson, Art Bivins III, Bob Decker, Cory Gittner, Norm Kassoff, Diane Landsberg, Oliver Ruiz and Linda Singer.
Special Friends from Palmetto Bay:
  Maria & Michael Kesti and Sheila & Jay Lewis
 
Our Program:
Our members, friends, families and guests gathered for the 51st time to honor the recipient of our Dr. Jack Griffitts Award which recognizes the City of Miami Police Officer of the Year.
 
Club Historian Norm Kassoff took the podium to give us some history and background on the Dr. Jack Griffitts Award.  Out of a friendship with Chief Walter Headley and a common interest in Tennessee Walking Horses, our former member Dr. Jack Griffitts donated $50,000 to our Foundation to endow an annual cash award to the Miami Police Officer of the Year.
 
For many years, Norm has studied the files of the monthly Outstanding Officers and has been instrumental in selecting the Officer of the Year.  Norm recounted Officer Williams’ achievements including the fact that he had been twice named Officer of the Month. His outstanding service led to his selection as Officer of the Year, and Officer Williams was presented with the award plaque and a check for $1500.
 
Club President Dave Skinner, Deputy Chief Ronald Papier, Officer Bennett Williams III, Major Cherise Gause and Rotarian Norman Kassoff
 
Lt. Altarr Williams, Deputy Chief Ronald Papier, Officer Bennett Williams III, Major Cherise Gause and Sgt. Daniel Mogro
 
President Dave closed out the meeting by thanking those responsible for a great evening including:
  • Joe Longueira (our honorary member) and Rich Cosner of the PBA
  • Our Miami-Dade College Rotaract members who ably greeted and registered our guests
  • Our caterer, We’re Having a Party
  • And last but certainly not least, our own Diane Landsberg, organizer extraordinaire, assisted by club members Marcia Brod and Rick Miller
  • Member Col. John Carroll led us in the customary Rotary 4 Way Test to close.
 
In other club events:
 
On Saturday, December 5, Stephanie Bull, George & Jackie Arias, Jaime Tobin and Diane Landsberg participated in the Liberty City Health Fair with medical school students from the University of Miami. The Rotary Club of Miami purchased over 500 small toys that were handed out to the all the children. Many thanks to our own Norm Kassoff for organizing this valuable community event.   
The students performed Diabetes & Cholesterol tests, Dental check-ups, vision screenings, CPR training, male & female exams and much more. Also in attendance were several vendors with valuable medical and health information with handouts and items to give away. All participants were served a hot lunch and were given a bag of vegetables and fruits to take home.  It is a pleasure to continue to partner with other organizations, which our club has done for 102 years.
 
Miami Rotariams Diane Landsberg, Jaime Tobin and Stephanie Bull with toys for the visiting children.
Also serving at this event were George & Jackie Arias.