President Diane Landsberg welcomed everyone to the “Greatest Rotary Club in the World”
Linda Singer lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Jair Almeida gave an invocation.
President Diane introduced guests and visitors to the club. They included:
Maria Kesti – Rotary District 6990 Assistant Governor
Cathy Cahill – soon-to-be member from FIU
Maria Van Orsdel – wife of member Don Van Orsdel
Michelle Garcia – guest of our speaker – Mike McCord
Announcements
Diane stated that the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign is continuing. All members encouraged to make a contribution to RI every year – no matter how big or small – every dollar is important in continuing the valuable work of RI worldwide.
Saturday, January 31 is the 3rd Annual Peace Conference – run by the Club in partnership with Miami Dade College. All are invited to stop by.
Phil Seipp reminded members to reserve the first three Saturdays in March (3/7, 14 & 21) for Thomas Brown McClelland interviews. The students will be interviewed by a team of three and participation from the entire club is essential. Try to attend as many days as you can, this is a vital part of the scholarship award process.
Phil also mentioned the TBM pinning ceremony to be held at 4pm on Friday, January 30 at FIU. FIU TBM recipients will be awarded their lapel pins. Everyone is welcome.
Diane invited everyone to the Pre-Valentine’s Party to be held at the Cloisters Party House in Coconut Grove – home to Robin and Susan Shelley - on Thursday, February 12 (no lunch meeting that day). RSVPs are essential so that you can pass through security. Starting time is 5:30pm. Members & their significant other are free. $15/person and $25/couple for guests. Hope to see you there.
Norm Kassoff is recovering nicely after a fall.
Joachim de Posada is in the hospital – be sure to wish him well.
February 8 is the Rotary District 6990 family picnic at Tropical Park – all are invited.
Speaker
Norby Rudel introduced today’s speaker – Mike McCord.
Michael McCord is the founder and managing director of Team LearnerNation! He is a six-time nationally published author in graduate level education. Mike works to make On Line learning a productive and interesting learning environment. His company’s work for his clients attempts for focus learning on concepts and uses multiple learning strategies to achieve greater attention and comprehension for learners. LearnerNation is passionate about helping improve knowledge and performance across organizations.
Happy $
Linda Singer found a lot of happy folks at the meeting today:
Diane was happy to have honorary member Michael Nobel at the meeting
Norby Rudel was thrilled to finally be conducting a training for FDLE in Tallahassee and to be on the State-approved contractor list.
Susan Shelley was also excited to have Michael Nobel at the meeting today.
Robin Shelley reminded everyone of the District Golf Ball drop and EREY.
Rick Hernandez was happy to be at City Hall.
Phil Seipp announced that 10 applications had been received from applicants for the TBM scholarships – more will be coming in.
Humberto Rivera announced the new website for the children’s clothing company he and his wife have started. Check it out at: www.littleforestboutique.com
Jenny Huertas will be heading to Sao Paulo for a visit and she has family in town visiting now.
Tim Ryan has been approved as a Federal consultant and will be going to Philadelphia for some work.
Robert Bull was happy to be back in the States after a visit to Venezuela. He sadly reported that the country no longer resembles the country he remembers when he lived there.
Don Van Orsdel was happy to have his wife with him at the meeting today and reported that his daughter will be graduating and becoming now the 4th generation to join the family business.
Linda Singer was relaxed and refreshed, but happy to be back, after a week in Key West after a friend offered her a time-share stay.
Next meeting at:
City Hall Restaurant
2004 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33137
with Guest Speaker
Ali Soule
All Aboard Florida is an intercity passenger rail project being developed by Florida East Coast Industries, LLC (FECI) – owner of Florida’s premier passenger rail corridor – that will connect Miami to Orlando with intermediate stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. This rail service will provide Floridians and visitors a viable transportation alternative to congested highways and airport terminals. All Aboard Florida will provide a high quality experience for passengers and will be the first privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail system in the United States.
