President Phil Seipp, with a smile and good humor welcomed everyone to today’s meeting, which will
be his last as club president. He has a lot to smile about – 2017-18 was a fantastic Rotary year!!
Robert Bull gave an invocation and Angel Rodriguez led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Guests and Visitors were introduced by Amelia Bonilla
Keith Gregor is visiting the club for the second time. He is a Senior Financial Advisor with the Mellig Group in South Miami;
Nelson Brutman is Logistic Director for Quicken Logistics which works in the import/export field;
Roberto Ruvalcaba, a Brickell Club Rotarian, was visiting the club for the last time as our Assistant Governor;
Mark Kirn, a good friend of Diane Landsberg¸ was visiting the club for a final farewell before he heads home to Spain;
Bob Decker joined us today – he is an honorary club member and former club president.
Announcements:
Today’s 50/50 pot is starting at $1,484 – there are only 16 cards left!! Who will be the winner of the big pot? You have to play to have a chance, so buy your tickets early;
There will be no meeting July 5th. Our big 4th of July bash will be held at the home of Don and Maria Van Orsdel. RSVPs are required. The evening will start at 6:30pm;
Angel Rodriguez presented certificates of appreciation to those members who participated in the Mercedes Benz fundraising event for the Military Lounge;
Membership renewals have been coming in. We will begin the new year with 57!
Wells Fargo has been transferring the TBM Trust assets to Northern Trust. The latest TBM Alumni newsletter has been distributed and already $1,350 in contributions has been received. The Miami Rotary Foundation will match these donations up to $15,000 over the next three months;
Happy $$$$$$$$$$$$ were collected by Norby Rudel. Funds collected will be sent to member’s EREY account at Rotary International:
Norby Rudel congratulated President Phil on a terrific Rotary year;
Rick Miller was happy to be associated with such a wonderful group of individuals;
Robert Bull is enjoying the World Cup and thanked Phil for a wonderful Rotary year;
Robin Shelley also congratulated Phil on his year. He has just returned from the RI convention in Toronto and participated in the World Water Summit. He gave a water purifying devise to Renel Noel to take to Haiti to pass on to those who need it. The devise is reasonably priced and can make a real difference in so many lives;
Marcia Brod thanked Phil and shared a nice evening out with Norby and Maria Rudel. A 50% off burger at Tap 42 (on Mondays) and a free play reading at GableStage;
Bob Decker was happy to attend the meeting. He shared that he and President Phil go waaaay back and he is glad the club had such a good year and is flourishing;
Noreen Timoney was happy for such a good year and glad that Phil will remain on as Treasurer;
Scott Richey was happy that his wife Karla could come to today’s meeting. He also is happy that folks from the Lighthouse for the Blind will be initiated as members today;
Diane Landsberg is glad to see Noreen at today’s meeting after her accident and will be sad to see friend Mark Kirn return to Spain;
Angela Bonilla is so happy to be a member of the club;
Mark Kirn will miss lunch at the club, but Diane has tried to connect him with Rotary when he returns to Spain;
Shirley Pardon shared banners and a pin she received from Rotary meetings she attended on the Queen Mary 2;
Randy Lichtman told us that Rotaract is having its first fundraiser shortly and other good things are in the works;
Phil Seipp was ecstatic about today’s meeting (his last as President), but proud of the past year of work.
New Member Induction
On Phil’s last meeting lunch, he was honored to induct two new members. Former Club President and Past District Governor Robin Shelley did the honors. Virginia Jacko and Cameron Sisser are both with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. The organization has a long history with the Rotary Club of Miami and we are honored to have them both as new members. Additionally, Eva¸ Virginia’s companion and guide dog, was made an honorary club member. Welcome to you all!!
2017-18 Rotary Year Awards & Recognition:
Members of the 2017-2018 Board:
Dave Anderson, Jay Almeida, Robert Bull, Cory Gittner, Diane Landsberg, Randy Lichtman, Marcos Menendez, Shirley Pardon, Norby Rudel, Oliver Ruiz, Tim Ryan, Dave Skinner & Noreen Timoney.
For their special Commitment to Service,
The 4 Amigos of the Haiti Water Project, Rick Miller, Dave Skinner, Norby Rudel, Renel Noel
Dave Anderson – our Outstanding Membership Chair
Norm Kassoff – Our Club Historian & TBM Co-Chair
Bunny Uriarte – for your work with Interact / Rotaract
Gregory Herman-Giddens as TBM Legal Advisor and a great Service project
Scott Richey - Foundation Board / Investments & TBM
For going Above & Beyond:
Maria Rudel - Co-Hostess Extraordinaire
Susan Lichtman – Assistance at special events, TBM interviews, Interact 4-Way Test Essay judge
Linda Singer – Assistance with Board Minutes
The award acknowledging that You Make the Difference:
Arlene Terrinoni - Always ready to assist
Maria Socarras - Chapman Partnership, Interact 4-Way Test Essay judge
Robert Bull – for being the Wells Fargo “Burr in the Saddle”
Shirley Pardon – our Special Secretary, prolific membership sponsor & for arranging program speakers
Noreen Timoney - Membership committee, special projects, 4-Way Test Essay judge
Our two new Shining Stars from Northern Trust: Angela Deggs and Amelia Bonilla – for two Service Projects and their work on the TBM Trust transition
And very special to Phil, for our most outstanding program of the year, Dr. Ted Malinin for his Lindberg presentation!
We also have some little gifts to recognize some people:
Marcia Brod, accepted a mirrored box with a little something special inside - Marcia sets a great example every year by always sending a separate EREY check with her dues. She was half way to her PHF+2, so we decided to help her out!
For his efforts with TBM and the Foundation, Robert Bull – a Candle –how does the saying go? “It is better to light one candle than to sit in the dark and curse Wells Fargo!”
Just because….Norm Kassoff and Scott Richey – desk caddies
And there are two people who always mean the world to the club - Robin and Susan Shelley – the crystal world globe.
For organizing our great Scotch Event, a special memento for Dave Anderson. It was hard work, but someone had to drink the Glenmorangie before we could install the lights, and Phil was happy to oblige!
To recognize his music contributions at several of our events, we have a fitting gift for our own rock star and now President Elect, Norby Rudel – Guitar Pick and because you rarely see him without a hat, a Rotary ball cap.
At the Installation Dinner, if you missed it, Phil was presented with a cake celebrating his 40 years of membership. He would also like to recognize Don Van Orsdel and Brian Tschirhart for their 40 years of membership with a small memento. Coffee cups. And for Don, in anticipation of the 4th of July party, a little patriotic something for his pool.
Now, to shift into a little more serious mode, at the Presidential Installation dinner, we presented Dave Skinner with a beautiful walnut Spirit of Service plaque for all his efforts this year as a fantastic Sgt. Of Arms, Webmaster and President-Elect.
We also have had the pleasure of having a good friend from District this year as our Assistant Governor. A Certificate of Appreciation was given to Roberto Ruvalcaba, thank you! I bet you wish all your area clubs were like us!
Rotarian of the Year
There is ONE person that makes a HUGE difference in our Club. There has not been a Rotarian of the Year award presented since June 2015, and it has never been awarded to anyone twice until now. For all her fundraising efforts, hospitality and hosting, charity donations, TBM Co-Trustee duties, Club administration assistance and more recently applying her talents to aid our District, Phil is extremely proud to present Rotarian of the Year to Diane Landsberg. We thank you for all you have done for the Rotary Club of Miami and a special thank you for all your help in Phil’s year as President. Congratulations on this, your second award!
Final Thoughts from President (for a few more days) Phil Seipp
Well, that almost does it. I want thank each and every one of you for making this a spectacular year for the Rotary Club of Miami. A list has been shared of what has been given out by your Club in the past year. It is pretty impressive. You all can feel very proud to be Miami Rotarians. Being your President has been a lot of work, but I have truly enjoyed most of it. My biggest regret is that I wish I had been a better Rotarian years sooner. I now encourage everyone to support Dave Skinner in his coming year and get engaged. Committees, service projects, grants, there are numerous ways to do service. Find something! It has truly been a wonderful year! Thank you!
Final Presentation
Past President Scott Richey presented out-going president Phil Seipp with the traditional gavel plaque to keep with him always. Dave Anderson presented Phil with his past-president pin.
50/50
Dave Anderson had the chance to win the big pot today – but, once again, it was not to be. Next meeting we will be down to 15 cards. Good luck to all.
Phil Seipp led everyone in the Four Way Test to conclude a wonderful meeting and a tremendous Rotary Year 2017-18.
