This was a great week as I had a chance to visit clubs throughout the district and began with an assessment of all of the hard work completed by Rotarians in Volusia County. As the disaster committee begins to consolidate our efforts in the district and look to helping those hit in SW Florida, I want to give a special special thank you to all who helped out.
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It is always special when I get to see someone get their 1st Paul Harris Fellowship and Assistant District Governor Brandon Perry of the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach was both surprised and humbled.
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On my visit to the Rotary Club of Palatka Sunrise, I mentioned that it seemed that everyone in the club had greeted me when I arrived. After the meeting, a Rotarian sheepishly came up and apologized for being the only person in the club not to welcome me. So here is the question. When someone comes to visit your club, are you welcoming, or do you let them hang out on their own? If it is the latter, what do you think the likelihood is that they will return? It sure did make me want to return to Palatka Sunrise!
To be positive, I have heard from so many of you that you are organizing your tickets and sending your checks to get your Jaguars tickets. Remember it is about eradicating Polio and having fun with your fellow Rotarians. November 6 is just around the corner; we need to sell out this week. Send your checks and forms today
A highlight of my week took place on Saturday at the Rotary Club St. Augustine, not because I was a rib and sauce judge, but because I met the CEO’s of two Nonprofits in St. Augustine that were partners in District grants. I got a chance to experience Ability Tree First Coast with CEO Joanne Alicea and learn how a Rotary District 6970 grant can help families with special needs kids and give kids a refuge during all the commotion of the heat and music.
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It was also a great opportunity to meet Betty Griffin Center CEO Kelly Franklin and learn how a Rotary District 6970 grant can help women in the community to escape domestic violence.
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You won’t see any pictures this week of my visit to the Rotary Club of St. Augustine Beach, as it seems that, while having fun with Past District Governor Rich Turnbull and club President Marie Turnbull, I failed to take any pictures!
Pictures of the Week
A great visit to the Rotary Club of Mandarin with Past District Governor Wilson Smith, District Insurance Representative Jim Register and President Marc Hassan. It was great to hear them brag about all that they were doing before they started trash talking college football.
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What a fun meeting at the Rotary Club of Port Orange South Daytona where everyone wears their Paul Harris bling, including Assistant Governor Hewitt Dupont, President Ray Donadio and Randy Wilhelm—the Sox complete Randy’s PHF ensemble.
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A fun evening with the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach with Assistant Governor Brandon Perry and President Kira Honse. Brandon was surprised with his first Paul Harris Fellow by Becky Parker. Past President Carleen Leffler-Nicastro fined half the club for not wearing their pin. I loved it!!
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What a fun breakfast at the Rotary Club of Palatka Sunrise. Thanks President Keith Collier and the entire club for welcoming me and the Rotary Club of Crescent City President Lucía Valdivia-Sanchez.
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It is always nice to visit the Rotary Club of Gainesville Sunrise. On this visit I got to recognize 11 new PolioPlus Society members. Previously they gave me the opportunity to celebrate 40 new Paul Harris Fellows on their 40th club anniversary. Thanks Club President Pam Gretter for including me. Thanks Assistant Governor Dorothy Zimmerman for taking the photo, although you were left out of the photo.
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It was fun to talk with Daytona West Rotary about our Membership challenge where winning clubs will get a bottle of Angel’s Envy Bourbon. Past District Governor Bill Griffin asserted that the winners would be Angels and the Envy of everyone else. Thanks for the warm welcome from President Joe Chance and Assistant Governor Hewitt Dupont.
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