President Dave Skinner opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Jaime Tobin gave an invocation and Scott Richey led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Vistors were introduced by Diane Stieber:
Today’s sole visitor was Peter Verbeeck. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and the District Governor Nominee.
Announcements:
The District Assembly is going to be held at Jungle Island on Saturday, April 13;
TBM Interviews continue on March 23 and 30. This is the Club’s signature project and every member should do their best to participate at least one Saturday. The interviews will start at 9:00am. Members should arrive at 8:15am for orientation. If you are available, but not signed up, let Diane know so you can serve as backup;
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is set for March 30. Those attending will be reimbursed for their fees by the Club;
Phil Seipp and Diane Landsberg were proud to present new and upgraded Paul Harris Fellows pins to several members:
First time PHF pins were presented to Jaime Tobin and Angela Deggs;
Cory Gittner received his PHF +2 recognition;
Dave Skinner was given his PHF +7 pin;
Linda Singer received recognition of her PHF +8 contributions, even though the pin could not be located at the moment – it will be coming!
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Angela Deggs:
Angela Deggs started things off by being happy that today’s speaker from the YWCA was with us and also that her Dad is getting to see his favorite formula one car race in Australia;
Robin Shelley wished everyone a Happy Pi Day;
Oliver Ruiz extended an invite to everyone (email to follow) to attend the celebration of his firm’s 60th Anniversary at the Rusty Pelican on Tuesday, March 19. He is also proud to be going to Washington DC for the Federal Bar Association’s Capitol Hill Day. He’ll get the opportunity to meet with our Representatives in Congress. He also shared that he has been nominated for a Vice President position with the Federal Bar Assn. for Florida, Georgia and Alabama;
Dave Skinner was happy for all the new PHF and upgrades. The PHF Dinner on March 28 with our International President Barry Rassin is open to everyone;
Noreen Timoney was happy to be at the meeting;
Greg Herman-Giddens was glad to be back at the meeting after a long absence because of work-related travel. He was also happy that UNC has beaten the Duke Blue Devils in basketball twice. He’s hoping for one more win in the tournament;
Peter Verbeeck thanked Huffy Bikes for their donation of new bikes for his club’s project in Ghana. The bikes will shorten the time required for so many children to get to schools that are many miles from home;
Norby Rudel enjoyed the PETS training he attended with Diane Landsberg and his wife, Maria. He encouraged everyone to attend RLI – he feels it is a terrific experience;
Dave Skinner echoed Norby’s plug for RLI attendance.
Today’s Speaker was introduced by Angela Deggs:
Kerry-Ann Royes is the Chief Executive Officer at the YWCA. She is a 20-year veteran of the social sector, having founded Arrow Consulting where she worked with organizations on corporate social citizenship, non-profit strategy, and collaborative community development issues, all with a passion for improving the lives of families and children in South Florida;
In 1919, Mary Glenn Jackson, wife of Dr. James M. Jackson, founder of Jackson Memorial Hospital and also founder and first president of the Rotary Club of Miami, led a small group of women to start YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, Inc. With only $2,000, Mrs. Jackson and the women believed in the strength of women and their innate ability to impact the lives of their family and community. They believed convening and collaborating together gave women a more powerful voice;
The Y is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. They are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families. The South Florida YWCA is celebrating their 100th year of work in the Community;
They focus on programs that help women and families and promote
Racial Justice and Civil Rights
Empowerment and Economic Advancement
Health and Safety
YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, Inc. has been at the forefront of changing the lives of women in Miami, disrupting systems of social injustices by:
Building the resilience of young people through enrichment programs that provide academic support, leadership development and skill building to navigate a 21st century environment;
Delivering access to high quality early education (preschools) to ensure children of color enter school at or above the level of their peers;
Empowering women and their families through economic security, entrepreneurship, and college and career readiness programs;
Mobilize young women to action in support of the YW movement through volunteerism, fundraising, and activities that foster personal and professional development;
Providing breast and cervical cancer screenings to mitigate the prevalence and disproportionally high fatality rate of women of color from these cancers.
The meeting closed with Diane Landsberg trying to pick the winning Ace of Spades from the deck of cards for the 50/50 raffle. Not today, Diane.
Robin Shelley led everyone in the Four-Way Test to finish up another terrific meeting.
