The Rote – October 8, 2020
Happy Hour Meeting Via Zoom
President Robert Bull called the meeting to order. Bunny Uriarte gave an invocation. Phil Seipp led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Announcements
- Today is National Pierogi Day.
- District 6990 Awards for 2019-2020 Year. President Robert announced that our club ran away with the District awards for last year. The Rotary Club of Miami won the Rotary Citation and the District Governor’s Citation. In addition, our club won the Public Image Award, thanks to the efforts of past president Jay Almeida, and the Membership Award because we grew our total net membership by plus ten last year. Our past president, Diane Landsberg, received the Unsung Hero Award. Past president Norm Kassoff won the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Rotary Club of Little Haiti, which our club sponsored, won the Club on the Rise Award. Diane Landsberg and Renel Noel had worked diligently to help the Rotary Club of Little Haiti. President Robert congratulated Norby Rudel, immediate past president during the last fiscal year, and our club for all the awards.
- Noreen Timoney informed us about the upcoming service projects:
- Beach Cleanup at Matheson Hammock on Saturday, October 10th. Advise Robert Bull if you are attending. Meet at the parking lot in front of the Red Fish Grill no later than 8:45 a.m. The park entrance fee will be waived if you tell the attendant you are going to a beach cleanup. Wear your Rotary T-shirt.
- Socktober Event: we are collecting white athletic crew socks for the homeless. Deliver your sock donation to Diane Landsberg’s home at 460 Sunset Road, Coral Gables, or if you are unable to deliver them, advise Robert.
- Walk to END Alzheimer’s is scheduled for Nov. 14th. Participants will walk wherever they choose to do so as there will not be a large group walk. Register early, please.
- Heart Walk is scheduled for Nov. 21st. Similar to the Walk to END Alzheimer’s, the Heart Walk will also be a virtual walk.
- Norby Rudel explained that our Club, together with other Rotary Club of Palmetto Bay, Cutler Ridge and Perrine will hold a virtual conference entitled “Leading Change in a COVID World” on Saturday, October 24th for 80 students in Miami-Dade County High Schools to discuss mental health issues. There will be breakout rooms led by facilitators. Priscilla Dames, Noreen Timoney, and Susan Lichtman will be leading sessions.
Today’s Program:
Irela Bagué was introduced by Noreen Timoney. Ms. Bagué is a former board member of the South Florida Water Management District, a writer for the Sun Sentinel, and a member of the Resiliency Task Force. She currently is heading the Biscayne Bay Task Force, which was established by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in 2019.
Biscayne Bay and its wildlife have been affected adversely by pollution and algae issues as our infrastructure has aged, leading to broken sewage pipes, and from over 100,000 septic tank systems in our county. The heaviest pollution is in the northern part of the system. Biscayne Bay is in a state of emergency.
Last August, fish kills occurred in the northern part of the bay. The Biscayne Bay Task Force produced over 60 recommendations to the board of County Commissioners. Since then, the county has taken action.
After her Presentation, Robert Bull, presented her Certificate of Appreciation and also advised Ms. Bagué that the Club will be giving a third graders dictionaries in her honor.
- World Polio Day will be on October 24th and our Club will commemorate that event at our meeting on Thursday, October 21st.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 15th. Mr. John Coldwell from The Urban Beekeepers will be our speaker. As bees are fundamental for the pollination of coffee flowers, we will hold a Lucky Draw for a bag of Guatemalan Organic Coffee. This will be a no-cost drawing. The only requirement will be one’s attendance at the meeting.
4-Way Test was led by Norys Figueroa.
