President Dave Skinner called the meeting to order. Randy Lichtman gave an invocation and Angel Rodriguez led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Norby Rudel:
Enrique Azuaje is the Miami Area Commander for the Salvation Army;
Nancy Azuaje is also at the meeting representing the Salvation Army;
Mara and Jessica Almeida were both at the meeting with their Rotarian hubby and dad, Jay Almeida;
Aldrick Dodds is a guest of Angela Deggs and the owner of an Assisted Living Facility in Homestead:
Jesus Garcia is a guest of Robert Bull. He is a representative of Coastal Wealth;
Brett Prieur joined us again today and is owner of South Florida Clothiers;
Christine Gudaitis is a partner in the firm of Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin, in addition to her co-ownership of South Florida Clothiers;
Amy Rico and her son, Zack, joined us today. She is the daughter of member Brian Tschirhart.
Announcements:
Some sad news – please keep in your thoughts John and Rosa Carroll on the recent loss of their grandson;
Thursday, November 15 – Give Miami Day – be sure to sign in to the Miami Foundation website at GiveMiamiDay.org and make your contribution so it can be matched. Your donation will support our TBM Medical School Scholarship program;
Thursday, November 15 – Regular lunch meeting. Our speaker will be Juan Perez, Director of the Miami-Dade County Police Department;
Sunday, November 18 – Heart Walk. The Club will make a donation to the cause for all who attend. Diane will register your names, so if you haven't signed up and want to go, please let Diane know ASAP. Registered walkers will receive an email explaining time, parking, instructions, etc. So far we have a total 23 on our team! Gather between 8:00-9:00am for the fun;
Thursday, November 22 – No Meeting – Happy Thanksgiving to All!!
Thursday, November 29 – Board Meeting at 10:30, followed by regular luncheon meeting;
Thursday, December 6 – No LUNCH Meeting – meeting will be in the evening at 6:00pm for the presentation of the Griffitts Award;
Saturday, December 8 from 9:00-2:00 the DOCS program will be holding its Liberty City Health Fair. Volunteers are welcome.
New Member Induction:
Membership Chair Dave Anderson had the distinct honor of inducting Macey Markowitz formally into Rotary. She is the Development Director for the Salvation Army. Welcome Macey!! We look forward to sharing Rotary and our Miami Rotary family with you.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Arlene Terrinoni:
Oliver Ruiz was happy to have had a positive result for a good client in a trademark trial case;
Robin and Susie Shelley are glad to have both Tim Ryan and Ron Magill at today’s meeting. They also had a wonderful time being part of the University of Miami’s homecoming weekend (with the exception of the results of the game itself);
Robert Bull is thrilled that the elections are over. He has vowed not to watch CNN or FOX for the next 10 months;
Amelia Bonilla is excited to be finishing up on her service project with Angela Deggs, Marcia Brod and Norby Rudel;
Rick Miller is looking forward to a weekend in the Florida Keys with his BFFs from Chicago;
Brian Tschirhart was happy to have his daughter Amy and grandson Zack at today’s meeting;
Linda Singer is happy to see such a good crowd at the meeting and also welcomed Macey to Rotary;
Randy Lichtman also welcomed Macey and let everyone know that next weekend is the Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College. He also is looking forward to traveling to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with his family;
Scott Richey was glad to see the good turnout for today’s meeting. He was also relieved to say goodbye to Halloween and proud of his Missouri Tigers in their win over the University of Florida in football;
Noreen Timoney was glad to see Tim Ryan at today’s meeting and ecstatic about how light the traffic was today in her travels to the meeting;
Jay Almeida was happy to see Tim. He had a wonderful cruise with Mara to celebrate her birthday (this scribe missed which birthday # Mara was celebrating – sorry);
Phil Seipp reported that turnout was great today – 30 members and 10 guests! He also thanked Honorary member Bob Decker for connecting Macey to the Club.
Today’s Speaker was introduced by Robin Shelley:
Ron Magill, a 40-year Zoo Miami employee and now Zoo Miami Goodwill Ambassador:
He spoke of discovering his passion for animals at an early age when watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom TV show. He idolized Jim Fowler of the show and later the two become good friends. He also loved attending the Bronx Zoo as a child. The Zoo did a great job connecting people with animals;
Ron’s first job after completing college at the University of Florida was at the Miami Serpentarium. He then started working at the Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne as a zoo keeper;
He spoke about the Zoo’s latest exhibit to open - Mission Everglades. It explores the coastal mangrove marshes to the areas vast grasslands and showcases some of our state’s most amazing and treasured natural wonders;
A Photo Ark exhibit will be opening next week with some amazing animal photographs;
He is very proud that the Ron Magill Conservation Endowment has now been established through the Zoo Miami Foundation. This Conservation Endowment is meant to protect wildlife and wild places FOREVER! He believes that for zoos to be validated, they must protect the animals in the wild.
No winner in the newly restarted raffle today. Scott Richey led everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
