President Oliver Ruiz welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Gala Update
Oliver reminded members to reserve their seats at the upcoming Gala – space is going fast!
The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne will be reserving a table to celebrate our 100th Anniversary with us.
Norm Kassoff delivered an invitation to Dr. James Hutson, grandson of our Club Founder Dr. James Jackson. Norm reported that Dr. Hutson was brought to tears at the thought that he was remembered and hopes he and his three sons (all physicians) will be able to join us.
Jay Almeida gave an invocation and Dave Skinner led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Diane Landsberg
Maria Woodson is an Assistant Director with the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department;
Leslie Forrest, a friend of Diane’s, joined our lunch meeting again.
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Juan Torres
Cory Gittner, with a bit of suspense, announced his daughter has decided to attend the University of Florida;
Renel Noel, after a medication mix-up, is glad to be alive and kicking!
Marcia Brod enjoyed watching the helicopter drop all 2000+ golf balls for the District 6990 fundraiser at the Biltmore Hotel;
Maria Woodson was happy to be attending the meeting and thanked everyone for the warm welcome;
Oliver Ruiz was happy to report that a father of a TBM recipient shared with him how important the scholarship award was to his daughter. He also said he might attend the Gala.
Announcements
On Saturday, February 18 the Club will be participating in the distribution of food at a community Food Bank in Homestead – see Rick Hernandez for details;
Thursday, February 23 – NO LUNCH MEETING. Juan Torreswill host the club in the evening at Sabadell Bank – 1111 Brickell Avenue at 5:30pm. The event will be on the 30th floor and, if parking, valet park at the JW Marriott and the ticket will be validated;
Thursday, March 2 – Joint lunch meeting with the Rotary Club of Coral Gables at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables – 50 Alhambra Plaza;
Saturdays, March 4, 11 and 18 – Thomas Brown McClelland interviews – Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office - 1851 Northwest 10th Avenue. Arrival time is 8:00am – everyone should sign up
Program – Thomas Brown McClelland and the Scholarship Process
Norm shared some of the interesting information he found at the UM library about our club member and trust founder, Thomas Brown McClelland. He came to Miami from Puerto Rico in 1934 and lived in Coconut Grove. He was fluent in Spanish and extremely interested in UM and their students. He often gave plants to the school for the students to use for research. He was also part of the contingency of local leaders who lobbied in Tallahassee for UM to be given permission to open the first medical school in Florida;
Diane encouraged everyone attending to sign up to participate in the interview process. Instruction will be given for those “first-timers” and it is promised that meeting with these outstanding young people will be a life-changer. The idea is to make the students comfortable and willing to talk about their studies, outside activities and observations;
Phil briefly spoke about how far we have come in the last few years with the TBM program.
A branding logo combining the Club and the Trust was created;
Stethoscopes were given to those receiving funds;
A lapel pin was made for recipients to display on their lab coats;
Pinning ceremonies were held to spotlight the students and their families;
The Thomas Brown McClelland Society was created to acknowledge those who have been vital in the Trust’s work.
Phil gave an overview of the interview process, forms, scoring and expectations for those planning to come to the interview sessions.
He encouraged everyone to step up and be part of this signature program of the Club.
Bunny Uriarte lead everyone in the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do.
