Robert Bull welcomed everyone to the monthly Rotary Club of Miami Evening Club & Alpha Generator Investment Club joint meeting at 5:40 PM. There were ten Members in attendance. He also gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rotary @ Rose Bowl Parade:  The Rotary International had a float at the Rose Bowl Parade that was transmitted nationwide and internationally.

 

Rotary BBQ @ Tropical Park: We viewed a series of photos from the Rotary Club of Miami BBQ at Tropical Park that was held on Monday, January 17^th (MLK Day).  The photos documented the great time that everyone had.  Jay Almeida did a wonderful job as the Grill Master.

 

Tree Planting at Crandon Park: ESMAG will be conducting a tree planting at Crandon Park in the salt-water Marsh area.  This is the same location where we planted trees last year.  We will plant two hundred (200) green buttonwood trees. You may dedicate a tree to a loved one.  The dedication cost is $10/tree or $18/two trees.

 

Coral Reef Restoration:  The coral reef restoration project has now been rescheduled to March 5^th.  This is a snorkeling expedition.  We will start at the Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo and after lunch proceed to Pickles Key.  Please contact Robert Bull for further information.

 

National Day:  Today, January 18^th is National Peking Duck Day.  Go to your local Chinese restaurant to enjoy this delicious meal.

 

Alpha Generator Investment Club Results & Discussions: Despite the overall market facing serious headwinds, our total portfolio since inception is only down less than 1%.  Membership to the Club is open to interested parties.  The cost is $100 one-time fee to offset startup costs, and afterwards, Members are expected to invest $300/semester. We looked at the Dogs of Dow strategy but Members decided to skip this strategy. Following that we analyzed suggestions received from Members. 

We have $2,400 in cash from invest funds received from some Members this January, to those who have not paid in their $300/semester investment Please do so ASAP.  We group decided to invest funds in energy: Exxon ($300) and USO ETF ($500).  Additionally, we decided to investment in ETF that will benefit from the government’s infrastructure program with incremental investment in two ETF’s we will own (WAW & XLI -- $200 in each).  The balance was invested in the remaining holding of our portfolio based on their current proportional allocation.

Upcoming Keynote Speakers: This Thursday, January 20^th, Michael Hogan will be returning as our keynote speaker.  He will talk to us about his upcoming new book.  WOMEN OF THE IRISH RISING: A PEOPLE’S HISTORY.   On January 27^th, our keynote speaker will be Dr. Agatha Caraballo, who is a Director at FIU’s Maurice A. Ferré Institute for Civic Leadership.

Four-Way Test:  For the second time in a week, Shirley Pardon led us in the Four-Way Test.

Robert Bull ended the meeting at 6:40 PM by ringing a bell from 1834 that he brought from France many years ago.