April 27, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Club Meeting

On Thursday evening, April 27, 2017, President Elect Jim Juliano led the  invocation and pledge. Sgt-at- Arms elect Olga Schultz collected happy bucks. President Elect, Jim Juliano introduced our speakers; Amy Lane, Director of Development Major Gifts for the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Naples  and Dr. Candace Ellis one of Bascom Palmer’s Naples  based  optometrists. They gave slide show presentations on who BPEI is and  what their specialties areas are. Bascom Palmer is a world class eye  research based organization, ranked  #1 in Ophthalmology based on reputation, by US News and World Report 15 times since 1990. They are  affiliated  with the University of Miami University and have 5 Florida locations. They have  been in Naples since 2001 at the request of NCH, to serve patient needs in the Naples community. The 21,00 sq-ft vision care and ambulatory surgical center is located on Rt 41 in Naples. BPEI  partnered  with the  Naples Children Education Foundation ( Wine Festival of Naples) to screen  20,000 Collier County children last year  for eye disorders  and treated  100 with challenging eye  disorders beyond just needing glasses. Some of their other world class services  include, the world’s first orbital vision research center in Miami to  find novel treatments for orbital disease,  the world’s  first center  dedicated to pediatric glaucoma helping young children see, and The Florida Lions eye bank that provides human corneas and other eye tissues to patients  needing transplant surgery. BPEI does not advertise, is privately funded  by donations, and will hold two fundraising events . A "For Your Eyes for Only" luncheon for women” in October 2017 and a gala reception at their Naples HQ in January 2018.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all meetings are at the Hyatt House Hotel Naples

Wed morning May 3, 7:30 AM: Newborns in Need- Liane Sanson -  Founder

Wed morning May10, 7:30 AM: Collier County Sheriff’s Dept- Sgt Leslie Weidenhammer , mental health unit coordinator

Friday evening May 12, 530 PM :RI Atlanta convention meeting- Home of of Robbie Selby

Thursday evening May 18,6:00PM: Co Founding member Bob Hatter

Thursday evening May 25,6:00PM: Co Founding member George Leamon

Saturday morning, June 3: Paintball Tournament- In the Estates

Click here to check out our blog site: http://www.naplesgulfshorsunsetrotary.club/  which is managed by Co founding member Marcus Zillman who attended last evening- Welcome back Marcus

April 20, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Club Meeting

On Thursday Evening, April 21, 2017, Kristen Petry led the Club in a beautiful invocation and the pledge.. Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby, collected happy bucks.  Robbie updated us on the Rotary Convention in June and Jon Titus updated us on the June 3rd Paintball Tournament.  Please ask your friends and contacts for sponsorships, teams and gift certificates.  More detailed info on the Tournament will be forthcoming soon.

President, Rob Samouce then introduced our speaker, Juliana Meek, Regent of Naples-on-the-Gulf Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  The Naples Chapter has evening meetings and around 35 members. DAR is a non-profit social society that does lots of charity work including providing scholarships for girls.  To be able to be a member, a woman has to be an ancestor of someone who fought, or who assisted in the fight, of the American Revolution against the British.  The Chapter can help prospective members find out if their ancestry qualifies for membership and apparently more people qualify than one may think because of all of the generations that have passed since the Revolutionary War.  It looks like two of our members would probably qualify.  There is also Sons of the  American Revolution for men and Children of the American Revolution for kids. Juliana was a member of Everglades Society, Children of the American Revolution when she was a child and previously served as Chapter Regent for two years  at the Arlington House Chapter at the DAR headquarters at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening Apr 27, 6:00 p.m.:  Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Wed. Morning May 5 7:30 a.m.:  Newborns in Need

Wed. Morning May 10 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Sheriff’s Department

Thurs. Evening May 18, 6:00 p.m.:  Co-Founding Club Member Bob Hattemer

Thurs. Evening May 25, 6:00 p.m.:  Co-Founding Club Member George Leamon

Saturday Morning, June 3:  Paintball Tournament- In the Estates

April 12, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday Morning,  April 12th, 2017, Olga Schultz led the Club in the invocation (in Russian) and the pledge (in English). Sgt. At Arms Robbie Selby collected happy bucks.  Sandy Harter then let us know about a thank you e-mail from the Director of the Centre of Hope in Guatemala, Geoff Doppenberg, for the $2,000 our club donated to the Centre that was much needed and spent on Windows for the School and for Therapy Equipment.  Jon Titus then updated us on the 6/3/17 Club Paint Ball Tournament we will be having. Please ask your friends and contacts for sponsorships, teams and gift certificates.  More detailed info on the Tournament will be forthcoming soon.

Robbie then introduced our guest speaker and her friend, Linda Wallace, Chapter Leader of the Southwest Florida Chapter of The Compassionate Friends (TCF). TCF is a non-denominational nationwide organization for people who have lost a child, sibling, or grandchild of any age under any circumstances. Susan Shaw, TCF member also joined us.  The members, from all walks of life and ages, meet a few times a month at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the YMCA.  The main mission of TCF is to support the family members of children, brothers, sisters and grandchildren who have passed with their grieving. 

If you, or someone you know, has lost a child, sibling or grandchild you may want contact TCF or share TCF with them.  For more info go to:  https://www.compassionatefriends.org/wcl-service/the-compassionate-friends-southwest-florida-chapter/

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening Apr 20, 6:00 p.m.:  Daughters of the American Revolution

Thurs. Evening Apr 27, 6:00 p.m.:  Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Wed. Morning May 5 7:30 a.m.:  Newborns in Need

Wed. Morning May 10 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Sheriff’s Department

Thurs. Evening May 18, 6:00 p.m.:  Co-Founding Club Member Bob Hattemer

April 5, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday Morning,  April 5th, 2017, President Rob Samouce led the Club in the invocation and the pledge. Sgt. At Arms Robbie Selby gave us a recap of last week’s Boccie Social at Wyndemere in honor of founding Club member Bob Hattemer.  Fun was had by all and the Wyndemere staff turned us into Boccie experts and they were very accommodating.  Rob then reminded us that we have a few American Flags left for sale (only $25) and he distributed the awesome Stowe Vermont Maple Syrup to those in attendance (at least 2 bottles each per member-only $15 each bottle).  Let Rob know if you need a Flag or more Syrup.  The British Invasion District conference in Sarasota is coming up end of May and then early June many from the Club will be going to the National Rotary Convention in Atlanta.  Robbie announced that at some point there will be a special meeting of those going to Atlanta to go over last minute details and what we will be doing.  Paintball is still set for June 3^rd.  Robbie then collected happy buck.

Rob then introduced our guest speaker Meredith Chase, Director of Development from Youth Haven.  Youth Haven is over 45 years old in Naples and houses children and youth from age 6 to 18 as an emergency type halfway house for the kids before they are assigned to a foster home or similar facility.  The average stay there is over 100 days now. Youth Haven has two cottages (girls and boys), 51 beds and is always full.  They are building a third cottage for 16 additional beds.  The facility is manned by around 60 staff members 24 hours a day so the kids are being well taken care of during their crisis time of need.  They can always use volunteers and donations.  They are having their 30^th annual golf tournament on May 8th.  Go to www.youthhavenswfl.org for more info.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning Apr 12 7:30 a.m.:  Compassionate Friends

Thurs. Evening Apr 20, 6:00 p.m.:  Daughters of the American Revolution

Thurs. Evening Apr 27, 6:00 p.m.:  Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Wed. Morning May 5 7:30 a.m.:  Newborns in Need

Wed. Morning May 10 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Sheriff’s Department

Wednesday March 29, 2017 Wyndemere Boccie Social

On Wednesday, March 29^th, Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary had a social at Wyndemere County Club where members, spouses, significant others and guests enjoyed a beautiful evening outside on the lawn learning to play Boccie Ball and enjoying unique hors.d'oeuvres and libations.  The event was in honor of founding club member Bob Hattemer and the colorful country club slacks he liked to sport at club meetings throughout the years.  

March 23, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday Evening,  March 23^rd, 2017, Maple Syrup Thorpe led the Club in the invocation and the pledge.  Rob then introduced our guest speakers, Connie Preu, Executive Director and Annette Kirk, Database Administrator of Collier Harvest.  Collier Harvest is a non-profit that distributes food to over 50 agencies in Collier County for the needy.  A few times a year they will purchase about $15K in discounted food (worth about $23K) from Publix and distribute to the agencies for further distribution to the needy.  They work personally with the agencies to make sure needs are met quickly and they have been doing this great work since 2005.  To help or donate to Collier Harvest go to:  http://collierharvest.org/

Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby announced a guest of Mikel Groendahl (his Cousin) and then collected happy bucks.  John Titus gave us an update on the June 3^rd paint ball tournament (mark your calendars and get a team together)  Rob then discussed members purchasing American Flags for their homes as part of a District Wide Project.  If you want a 3 x 5 foot flag with pole and bracket for mounting (only $25) let Rob know.  The Club bought 25 and there are only 9 left. Get yours before they are gone.

Robbie Selby then went over again the Rotary Social we will be having at Wyndemere Country Club next Wednesday evening, March 29^th, in honor of Bob Hattemer.  We will be playing Boccie Ball while enjoying happy hour. Please bring a prospective member, spouse or significant other and make sure to wear your most fancy country club colorful slacks/pants to see if you can win the Hattemer Fancy Pants Challenge. Robbie needs a head count for the Wyndemere Party so please e-mail Robbie and let her know how many you are bringing ASAP:  robbieselby@gmail.com

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Evening Mar 29, 5:30 p.m.:  Rotary Social at Wyndemere CC

Wed. Morning Apr 5 7:30 a.m.:  Youth Haven

Wed. Morning Apr 12 7:30 a.m.:  Compassionate Friends Speaker

Thurs. Evening Apr 20, 6:00 p.m.:  Daughters of the American Revolution

Thurs. Evening Apr 27, 6:00 p.m.:  Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

March 8, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday Morning, March 8, 2017 President, Rob Samouce, led the Club in the invocation and the pledge.  Rob discussed members purchasing American Flags for their homes as part of a District Wide Project.  If you want a 3 x 5 foot flag with pole and bracket for mounting (only $25) let Rob know. Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby then went over again the Rotary Social we will be having at Wyndemere Country Club on Wednesday evening, March 29^th, in honor of Bob Hattemer.  We will be playing Pickle Ball and Boccie Ball while enjoying happy hour. Please bring a prospective member, spouse or significant other and make sure to wear your most classy country club colorful slacks/pants to see if you can win the Hattemer Classy Pants Challenge.  Jon Titus then talked about the upcoming Paint Ball Tournament now planned for June 3^rd at a field owned by the Collier’s located out by Ava Maria.

Rob then introduced our guest speakers, Lawrence J. Egger (PA-C) and Geneve Egger (Nurse) Co-Founders of Panira Healthcare Clinic, a not-for-profit Community Health Clinic located in East Naples that just had its 1^st anniversary yesterday.  The Clinic offers Express Care, Wellness Care, and Family Practice to low and no income individuals.  Patients range from 12 months old to 65+.  The Clinic is located at The Village Falls on the East Trail.  Patients must show their income to determine how much they will be charged.  The Clinic is in need of an X-Ray machine and will kindly accept donations.  You can make a much needed donation at their website:  http://www.panirahealthcareclinic.org/donate.html

Robbie then collected happy bucks.  

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening Mar 16, 6:00 p.m.:  TBA

Thurs. Evening Mar 23, 6:00 p.m.:  TBA

Wed. Evening Mar 29, 5:30 p.m.:  Rotary Social at Wyndemere CC

Wed. Morning Apr 5 7:30 a.m.:  TBA

Wed. Morning Apr 12 7:30 a.m.:  Compassionate Friends Speaker

March 1, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday Morning, March 1, 2017 we had a Club Assembly,  Walter Douglas led the Club in the invocation and pledge. President Rob Samouce then gave announcements starting with the Club members purchasing American Flags for their homes and friends as part of a District Wide Project.  District Conference will be coming up in May 18^th thru the 21^st at the Sarasota Hyatt where British Invasion will be the theme.  All members are welcome to attend.   Organization of the Club trip to the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta in June is coming along well according to committee chairs Robbie Selby and Anne Towers.  Robbie went over the Rotary Social we will be having at Wyndemere Country Club on Wednesday evening, March 29^th, in honor of Bob Hattemer.  We will be playing Pickle Ball and Boccie Ball while enjoying happy hour. Make sure to wear your most colorful slacks/pants to see if you can win the Hattemer Loud Pants Challenge.

Kirsten Petry then discussed the sad event that happened to a friend of her son, Mitchell Reidy from Naples, who was severely injured by a hit and run driver recently on the East Coast of Florida where he was attending College when he was walking home.  He is still in critical condition with head injuries in induced coma.  A fund has been set up to help with the large medical bills he and his family will suffer as a result.  You can go donate at:  https://www.gofundme.com/mitchell-reidy.

Robbie Selby then collected happy and lucky bucks (lucky for Luck of the Irish with St. Patrick’s Day coming up).  There was lots of accomplishment kudos expressed from proud members about what their children have recently done in the education arena. Also shared were some lucky events some members have experienced in the last year.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning Mar 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Panira Healthcare Clinic Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCPS- Visually Impaired Inst. and Author Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 23, 6:00 p.m.:  TBA

Wed. Evening Mar 29, 5:30 p.m.:  Rotary Social at Wyndemere CC

February 23, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday Evening, February 23, 2017,  President-Elect, Jim Juliano, led the Club in the invocation and pledge and announced that February 23^rd, 2017 is the 112^th birthday of Rotary International.  Jim then collected happy bucks.

President-Elect, Jim, introduced guest speaker Mike Sullivan, Development and Sustainability Coordinator of Love A Child, Inc.  Mike helps support sustainable living and farming projects for Haitian families. Other activities Love a Child Inc is involved with in Haiti include; child education scholarships, mobile medical clinics, meal programs for the hungry in19 Haitian villages and 18 schools, and the largest orphanage in Haiti.Love A Child raises $35MM per year to support these projects. They partner with 85 education foundations and he reported that 80% of education and food programs in Haiti are supported and funded by non-profits like Save A Child.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning Mar 1, 7:30 a.m.:  Club Assembly

Wed. Morning Mar 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Panira Healthcare Clinic Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCPS- Visually Impaired Inst. and Author Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 23, 6:00 p.m.:  TBA

February 16, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday Evening, February 16, 2017, Thorpe from Vermont led the club in the invocation and pledge. Rob Samouce then gave announcements.  The Club will be purchasing 2 cases of the finest of this Season’s real Vermont maple syrup and selling it as a mini-fundraiser. The Club just donated $1,000 to Polio Plus for which we will receive Paul Harris Fellow Credits. The Paint Ball Tournament is still in the works. President Elect, Jim Juliano went to PRE-PETS last weekend and will be going to PETS in North Carolina.  We have extended our contract to have our breakfast and dinner meetings at the Hyatt House for another year!

Rob then introduced Guest Speakers, Dianne Reed, Director of Communications, and Lisa Gruenloh, Director of Development for Collier Child Care Resources, Inc. (CCCR).  CCCR helps us with volunteers every year at our annual Hallowine Walk and we donate each year to them as one of our select charities.  Dianne reminded us what CCCR does-teach children of low-income, working families up to 5 years of age at two locations in Collier as well as watch over children of high school students at Lely and Immokalee High Schools so that the students can attend class and graduate high school. Dianne and Lisa then went over some of their upcoming events wherein they can use volunteers and looking for attendees. 

The first is a “free” networking event on Tuesday, February 28, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kitchens by Clay.  The second is “a little bit o-blarney!” on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Clive Daniel Home ($60 a ticket) and the last is “Big Impressions by Little Artists” on Friday, May 5, 2017 from 1l:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hilton Naples ($75 a ticket).  For more information on these events go to: www.collierchildcare.org.  Hope you can attend or volunteer at one or more.  

After the CCCR Presentation, Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby collected the happy bucks.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening Feb 23, 6:00 p.m.:  Love a Child Speaker

Wed. Morning Mar 1, 7:30 a.m.:  Club Assembly

Wed. Morning Mar 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Panira Healthcare Clinic Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCPS- Visually Impaired Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 23, 6:00 p.m.:  TBA

February 8, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday Morning, February 8, 2017, President Rob Samouce led the club in the invocation and pledge. Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby, then followed with guest introductions and happy bucks. Announcements were made as to Paint Ball Tournament and District Conference in Sarasota.

Rob then introduced Guest Speaker Cynde Covington who came all the way from Jacksonville, FL (Southpoint Rotary Club) who gave a great presentation on Polio Plus and her 4 visits to India working on inoculating the poor there.  Polio has been on the Earth for about 3,000 years and  Rotary Polio Plus started in 1988 when there were over 350,000 new cases a year.  We are now down to 34 new cases last year in Afghanistan/Pakistan and 4 in Nigeria.  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches every donated Rotary dollar 2 to 1 up to $35 million per year for the fight. $1.5 billion is still needed to fund the end of polio.  For every one child who gets polio another 200 have been exposed so it will be a heavy lift to get the last remaining.  The world will be polio free when we get 3 years in a row with no reported cases. You can make a personal donation online to Polio Plus at the Rotary International Website: https://map.rotary.org/en/selfservice/pages/SelectFundF.aspx?FUND=APF.  Polio Plus Donations count toward your Paul Harris Fellow.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening Feb 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCCR Speaker

Thurs. Evening Feb 23, 6:00 p.m.:  Love a Child Speaker

Wed. Morning Mar 1, 7:30 a.m.:  Club Assembly

Wed. Morning Mar 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Panira Healthcare Clinic Speaker

Thurs. Evening Mar 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCPS- Visually Impaired Speaker

February 1, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Wednesday Morning, February 1, 2017, John Roeder led the club in the invocation and pledge. Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby, then followed with happy bucks and updated us our upcoming Social event at Wyndemere in March and the Atlanta trip in June to attend the RI convention. Activities and logistics to the convention are being planned by Robbie and Anne Towers. Please contact them if you are not signed up to go but may want to.

President Elect, Jim Juliano then introduced Guest Speaker Mark Strain, Collier County Hearing Examiner & Chairman, Collier County Planning Commission.  Mark has been on the Planning Commission since 2005 and has been Chairman for the last 12 years.  He was hired by the County as its first Hearing Examiner in 2013. As Examiner, he hears, evaluates and decides specific land use and development proposals.  Mark gave use an exceptional and detailed power point presentation showing where all the growth will be coming in Collier County on both a macro and micro scale.  Keep your seat belts on, we here in Collier County are in for a rocket growth ride over the next twenty (20) years. One kudo he pointed out is that Collier County has been ranked the happiest and healthiest place to live in the U.S.!

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning Feb 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Polio Plus Speaker

Thurs. Evening Feb 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCCR Speaker

Thurs. Evening Feb 23, 6:00 p.m.:  Love a Child Speaker

Wed. Morning Mar 1, 7:30 a.m.:  TBA

Wed. Morning Mar 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Panira Healthcare Clinic Speaker

January 26, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday evening, January 26, 2017, Kevin Hutchison led the club in the invocation and pledge. Sgt. At Arms, Robbie Selby, then followed with happy bucks,  visitor introductions and announcements about our upcoming Social event at Wyndemere in March and the Atlanta trip in June to attend the RI  convention. Activities and logistics to the convention are being planned by Robbie and Anne Towers.

A visiting Rotarian form Switzerland, Arthur Bowliger and  his  business partner Thorp Freemen a former  Rotarian from Vermont, summarized Rotary activities  at the 100+ member NewGand Club.

President Elect, Jim Juliano, introduced Guest Speaker Aimee Schlehr,  CEO /Executive  Director of the Naples ART Association, who spoke about her vision to strengthen NAA’s roots in the  community: to  continue supporting  and promoting artists and to inspire new audiences ( particular  focus on  young  children  in Naples  schools) to discover and create art. She then introduced Amy Kessler ,Volunteer Services  Manager at NAA,  who described the upcoming sponsored ART exhibits NAA will  sponsor in February (Cambier Park)  and  March (5th Ave). Amy  mentioned the need  for  volunteer help to  manage  donation collection points, and asked if anyone might be interested.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning Feb 1, 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Chief Hearing Examiner Speaker

Wed. Morning Feb 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Polio Plus Speaker

Thurs. Evening Feb 16, 6:00 p.m.:  CCCR Speaker

Thurs. Evening Feb 23, 6:00 p.m.:  Love a Child Speaker

January 19, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Meeting

On Thursday Evening, January 19th, 2017 Ryan Benson lead us in the invocation and pledge followed by happy bucks, visitor introductions and announcements by President Rob Samouce. Rob then introduced our guest speaker, Teresa Shaw, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County.  She was also joined by Boys & Girls Club Board Members Jose Baez and Jim Kemp (picture attached).  Teresa Shaw, originally hailing from Virginia and North Carolina gave an excellent presentation about the local Boys & Girl Club located on Davis Blvd.; and now with a campus in Immokalee. The local Club serve more than 3,000 youth age 6 to 18 after school and in the Summer.  The Club’s vision is to “provide a work-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters their doors, with all members on tract to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.”  Their 5 core program areas are: education & career development; the arts; sports, fitness & recreation; character & leadership development; and health & life skills. 

January 11, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Club Meeting

On  Wednesday Morning, January 11th, 2017 we had our second meeting of the New Year.  Kevin Hutchinson lead us in the invocation and pledge followed by happy bucks and visitor introductions by Sgt. at Arms, Robbie Selby.  President, Rob Samouce, then gave an update on searching for a new venue for our annual Paint Ball tournament and Robbie discussed our next Social at the end of March and preliminary club plans for the International Rotary Convention in Atlanta in June.

Rob then introduced our guest speaker, Greg Turchetta, Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Collier County Public Schools (CCPS).  Greg and his team is responsible for district-wide communication with 45,000 students, parents and 7,5000 employees (largest employer in Collier County).  Prior to working with CCPS, Greg had an award-winning 21 year news career as a News Director in Fort Myers, Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle, and Austin.  He was Executive Producer & Assistant News Director here in Southwest Florida for NBC2 and ABC7. 

Mr. Turchetta presented a well-made video showing all the facets of CCPS and then a power point presentation of facts and trends in the local School System.  In the last 10 years the school district has morphed from a majority white student population to a majority Hispanic student population and at the same time has grown 14 percentage points in its graduation rate to now graduating 82% of the CCPS Students! Achievement programs such as Cambridge and Advance Placement has grown significantly and high school students are introduced to College Programs at FGCU and area Technical Schools. The takeaway from the presentation is that we in Collier County have one of the best Public School Systems in the State of Florida that keeps getting better every year.  We should all be very proud of our Collier County Public Schools.

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Thurs. Evening Jan 19, 6:00 p.m.:  Boys and Girls Club Speaker

Thurs. Evening Jan. 26, 6:00 p.m.: Naples Art Association Speaker

Wed. Morning Feb 1, 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Hearing Examiner Speaker

Wed. Morning Feb 8, 7:30 a.m.:  Polio Plus Speaker

January 4, 2017 Naples Gulf Shore Sunset Rotary Club Meeting

On  Wednesday Morning, January 4, 2017 we had our first meeting of the New Year.  Melvin Drury lead us in the invocation and pledge followed by happy bucks and visitor introductions by Sgt. at Arms, Robbie Selby. President, Rob Samouce, then inducted into the Club our first new Member of the year, Brian Willett, with his sponsor Melvin Drury.  Brian is VP of Operations of Dale Carnegie Training recently relocated from Kentucky and is married to his lovely wife Jennifer. Please welcome Brian.

Our guest speaker, Mike Dalby, CEO of the Naples Chamber of Commerce told us all about the Chamber.  It has over 1,600 members promoting smart business growth in Collier County.  Mr. Dalby has been CEO of Chambers of Commerce for the last 23 years after a career in the Air Force.  He worked with chambers in Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Indiana and Ohio and grew up in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Mike went over the networking advantages of being a member of the Chamber and gave an overview of all the things the Chamber does in promoting future leaders in the Community.  He then discussed the challenges of providing housing for workers in the Naples Area which is needed to keep up with the expected explosive growth as having workers commute from Lee County is not a lasting solution.     

Mark your calendars, unless otherwise stated, all our meetings are at Hyatt House Naples.

Wed. Morning Jan 11, 7:30 a.m.:  Collier County Public Schools Speaker

Thurs. Evening Jan 19, 6:30 p.m.:  Boys and Girls Club Speaker

Thurs. Evening Jan. 26, 6:00 p.m.: Naples Art Association Speaker