Calendar of Events

Welcome Ron DeSantis

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY
Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.


Meet Ron DeSantis
"Dreams From Our Founding Fathers: The Enduring Relevance of America’s Constitutional Foundations"

Born in Jacksonville, FL, Ron DeSantis is a proud Floridian of humble beginnings who knows the value of hard work. To put himself through college, he swept floors, collected trash, moved furniture, parked cars, served as an electrician’s assistant, coached baseball clinics, and set up hospitality tents, earning a reputation as the most employable student at Yale University.
 
He received his bachelor of arts, magna cum laude with a major in history, from Yale, where he was a four year starter and the captain of the varsity baseball team. He received his juris doctor, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

 
While studying at Harvard he earned a commission as a JAG officer in the United States Navy. During his naval service, he supported operations at the terrorist detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and deployed to Iraq during the 2007 troop surge as an advisor to a U.S. Navy SEAL commander in support of the SEAL mission in Iraq.

 
He has also served as a federal prosecutor and as a military prosecutor, prosecuting a wide range of cases involving offenses such as theft of sensitive military property, corruption, child abuse, child exploitation, and fraud, as well as notable cases concerning interference with military air navigation and “stolen valor” offenses.

 
His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (service) and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

 
DeSantis’ service in the military and as a prosecutor has required him to take an oath to support and defend the Constitution, an oath he takes seriously. Like many Americans, he is disgusted by political elites who display ignorance of—and in some instances, an outright contempt for—the very Constitution they swear to uphold. To this end, he wrote a book, Dreams From Our Founding Fathers: First Principles in the Age of Obama (2011), because he saw the nation moving away from the enduring principles that the Constitution reflects and upon which the nation was founded.

 
He is currently an officer in the reserve component of the United States Navy. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He has lectured on the law of war at Florida Coastal School of Law. His writing has appeared in National Review Online, The Washington Times, The American Spectator, Human Events and The American Thinker.

 
He lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL with his wife Casey Black DeSantis, an Emmy award-winning television host. On February 9, 2012, Ron announced that he is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the newly-created congressional district 6 along Florida’s First Coast, which includes St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia and Putnam counties. He has been endorsed by Erick Erickson of RedState.com and by the Combat Veterans for Congress PAC. 





Joy Hardaker in the Times Union

Joy Hardaker was quoted on a Times Union article about Rotary.  The full article can be viewed at http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-04-19/story/rotary-clubs-awarded-its-service-northeast-florida
Rotary Alhambra Event
May 22, 2012

Join us in the Rotary Alhambra Event on May 22, 2012 for the "Buddy Holly Story".  Tickets are $75.00 for adults and $50.00 for children.  It is sure to be a great event!




Rotary Literacy Project
The well-known and well-attended “Box-A-Go-Go” is making its return Spring appearance in April.  “Books-A-Go-Go” Executive Director, Betty Metz, was our guest at the April 3 meeting to remind us about the importance of placing a child’s first book in the hands of children who would not receive one otherwise.  Contributing books (new or gently used, age appropriate for a first time reader) and donations will make our Spring Literacy Project even more successful than last fall!  (Donations can be made directly to Patti or they can be charged to your account.)  Thanks! 





TPC Players Championship 
Discounted Tickets for D6970 Rotary Club Members
THE PLAYERS Championship is offering District 6970 Rotary Clubs a private, specially priced ticket program allowing members the opportunity to purchase 2012 PLAYERS Championship tickets at a substantially discounted rate. In addition, for each ticket purchased, THE PLAYERS will make a $2.00 donation to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Members can purchase good any one day grounds tickets for $35.00, regularly $55.00! Because these tickets are good any one day, there are no worries if you are not sure which day you would like to attend as these tickets are good any one day, Thursday – Sunday (May 10-13). This program is not limited to Rotary members and there is no limit to the number of tickets one member can purchase. Youth, 18 and younger, are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. To purchase, go to the link listed below and enter the promo code, ROTARY1. Tickets will be emailed to you after the purchase is complete. Your Ticketmaster link: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=pgaplayers&o=20025&g=156
Thank you for your support of THE PLAYERS Championship as we endeavor to showcase Northeast Florida and improve the lives of those in our community.

Mark Your Calenders
  • Our "Books-A-Go-Go" drive is on now during the month of April & 2 weeks in May.
  • TPC - Rotary Discount - May 10th - 13th
  • Rotary Alhambra Event - May 22nd


Pictures from Our April 24th Meeting 

 

Welcome Joe Whitaker, Business Recruitment and Retention Coordinator

Tuesday April 24, 2012
WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY
Lunch begins at noon -Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.


Meet Joe Whitaker
Business Recruitment and Retention Coordinator
Jacksonville Economic and Development Commission

            As Business Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, Joe Whitaker coordinates the efforts of the Jacksonville Empowerment Zone, the Jacksonville Enterprise Zone Development Agency and the Jacksonville International Airport Community Redevelopment Agency. 

            Joe also directs JEDC small business development efforts and works with businesses to structure financing and/or incentive packages to facilitate their expansion or relocation to Jacksonville.  Since 2001, he has assisted on more than 106 projects creating 17,300 new jobs resulting in private capital investment totaling $1,425,000,000.

            Prior to the formation of the JEDC, Joe also served as deputy director of the Jacksonville Downtown Development Authority and as program director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Company.

            Joe relocated to Jacksonville in 1978 to become vice president and general manager of Gaynon Iron Works, a truck equipment manufacturing company.  Before moving to Jacksonville he was a commercial loan officer for the First National Bank of Cincinnati (now Star Bank).  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in business finance from Xavier University.




Rotary Literacy Project
The well-known and well-attended “Box-A-Go-Go” is making its return Spring appearance in April.  “Books-A-Go-Go” Executive Director, Betty Metz, was our guest at the April 3 meeting to remind us about the importance of placing a child’s first book in the hands of children who would not receive one otherwise.  Contributing books (new or gently used, age appropriate for a first time reader) and donations will make our Spring Literacy Project even more successful than last fall!  (Donations can be made directly to Patti or they can be charged to your account.)  Thanks! 


Rotary Night 
at the 
Jacksonville Symphony Cirque de la Symphony
Thursday April 26, 2012 7:30pm
Jacoby Symphony Hall
Rotary Special discount tickets: $40
$10 of each ticket will support  
Rotary’s Polio Eradication Program
credited to your club
Ticket includes Pops Concert and Symphony hosted beverage reception at 6:45pm for Rotarians and guests in the Davis Gallery
To make reservations and purchase tickets call Bill Cosnotti at 356-0426 or bcosnotti@jaxsymphony.org
Fidelity National Financial Pops Series    Concert Sponsor: SunTrust


TPC Players Championship 
Discounted Tickets for D6970 Rotary Club Members
THE PLAYERS Championship is offering District 6970 Rotary Clubs a private, specially priced ticket program allowing members the opportunity to purchase 2012 PLAYERS Championship tickets at a substantially discounted rate. In addition, for each ticket purchased, THE PLAYERS will make a $2.00 donation to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Members can purchase good any one day grounds tickets for $35.00, regularly $55.00! Because these tickets are good any one day, there are no worries if you are not sure which day you would like to attend as these tickets are good any one day, Thursday – Sunday (May 10-13). This program is not limited to Rotary members and there is no limit to the number of tickets one member can purchase. Youth, 18 and younger, are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. To purchase, go to the link listed below and enter the promo code, ROTARY1. Tickets will be emailed to you after the purchase is complete. Your Ticketmaster link: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=pgaplayers&o=20025&g=156
Thank you for your support of THE PLAYERS Championship as we endeavor to showcase Northeast Florida and improve the lives of those in our community.

Mark Your Calenders
  • Our "Books-A-Go-Go" drive is on now during the month of April.
  • Rotary Night at the Jacksonville Symphony - April 26th.
  • TPC - Rotary Discount - May 10th - 13th
  • Rotary Alhambra Event - May 22nd.  
 


Holly Kartsonis DC Trip
Holly with her family last week on the steps
of the Lincoln Memorial!

Day 2 of District Conference in Jacksonville

Friday, April 20, 2012
District Conference at EverBank Field

This year the District Conference is a little different.  It will be 3 mini conferences held on 3 different days in 3 different locations.  The mini-conference on Friday April 20, 2012 will be in Jacksonville at EverBank Field from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  
For more information visit the District web site:  http://www.rotarydistrict6970.org/


Rotary Literacy Project
The well-known and well-attended “Box-A-Go-Go” is making its return Spring appearance in April.  “Books-A-Go-Go” Executive Director, Betty Metz, was our guest at the April 3 meeting to remind us about the importance of placing a child’s first book in the hands of children who would not receive one otherwise.  Contributing books (new or gently used, age appropriate for a first time reader) and donations will make our Spring Literacy Project even more successful than last fall!  (Donations can be made directly to Patti or they can be charged to your account.)  Thanks! 


Rotary Night 
at the 
Jacksonville Symphony Cirque de la Symphony
Thursday April 26, 2012 7:30pm
Jacoby Symphony Hall
Rotary Special discount tickets: $40
$10 of each ticket will support  
Rotary’s Polio Eradication Program
credited to your club
Ticket includes Pops Concert and Symphony hosted beverage reception at 6:45pm for Rotarians and guests in the Davis Gallery
To make reservations and purchase tickets call Bill Cosnotti at 356-0426 or bcosnotti@jaxsymphony.org
Fidelity National Financial Pops Series    Concert Sponsor: SunTrust


TPC Players Championship 
Discounted Tickets for D6970 Rotary Club Members
THE PLAYERS Championship is offering District 6970 Rotary Clubs a private, specially priced ticket program allowing members the opportunity to purchase 2012 PLAYERS Championship tickets at a substantially discounted rate. In addition, for each ticket purchased, THE PLAYERS will make a $2.00 donation to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Members can purchase good any one day grounds tickets for $35.00, regularly $55.00! Because these tickets are good any one day, there are no worries if you are not sure which day you would like to attend as these tickets are good any one day, Thursday – Sunday (May 10-13). This program is not limited to Rotary members and there is no limit to the number of tickets one member can purchase. Youth, 18 and younger, are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. To purchase, go to the link listed below and enter the promo code, ROTARY1. Tickets will be emailed to you after the purchase is complete. Your Ticketmaster link: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=pgaplayers&o=20025&g=156
Thank you for your support of THE PLAYERS Championship as we endeavor to showcase Northeast Florida and improve the lives of those in our community.


Mark Your Calenders
  • Our "Books-A-Go-Go" drive is on now during the month of April.
  • District Conference - April 20th.
  • Rotary Night at the Jacksonville Symphony - April 26th.
  • TPC - Rotary Discount - May 10th - 13th
  • Rotary Alhambra Event - May 22nd

Pictures from Suns Baseball Event April 10th





Come Out To A Suns Baseball Game

Tuesday, April 10, 2012
NO LUNCH MEETING
WE MEET AT THE BASEBALL GROUNDS OF JACKSONVILLE
Ball Park Dinner begins at 5:45 p.m.

 Suns Baseball Event for South Jacksonville Rotary

Join us for South Jacksonville Rotary's Suns baseball event on April 10th at 5:45 p.m.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  The event is $16.95 per person.  Children under 3 get in free.  The ticket includes group seating in section #101.  It also includes Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Popcorn and Sodas.

 President Odette Struys Visits Rotary Club of Johor Bahru


President Odette Struys presents the South Jacksonville's Rotary Club Banner to Ng Swee Poh, President of the Rotary Club of Johor Bahru.  


As President Odette returned from her travel, she saw a Rotary polio eradication advertisement in the Chicago airport.  Her quote about the experience, "Made me proud to be a Rotarian!!!"
Rotary Literacy Project
The well-known and well-attended “Box-A-Go-Go” is making its return Spring appearance in April.  “Books-A-Go-Go” Executive Director, Betty Metz, was our guest at the April 3 meeting to remind us about the importance of placing a child’s first book in the hands of children who would not receive one otherwise.  Contributing books (new or gently used, age appropriate for a first time reader) and donations will make our Spring Literacy Project even more successful than last fall!  (Donations can be made directly to Patti or they can be charged to your account.)  Thanks!

District Conference  
This year the District Conference is a little different.  It will be 3 mini conferences held on 3 different days in 3 different locations.  The mini-conference on Friday April 20, 2012 will be in Jacksonville at EverBank Field from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  For more information visit the District web site: 
http://www.rotarydistrict6970.org/




Rotary of South Jacksonville
Awards Nominations

The Public Relations-awards Committee of Rotary of South Jacksonville is proud to open nominations for two annual awards-The Frank Sherman Award and the Good Government Award.

The Frank Sherman “Service Above Self “ Award
The Frank W. Sherman-Service Above Self Award was established in honor of our Charter President and sponsored by the American National Bank.  Frank Sherman founded Southside Rotary in 1955.

This is an Annual award given to a Rotarian in the greater Jacksonville area who has demonstrated service to Rotary, his/her business or profession and community; selected by a committee appointed by the President and approved by the Board. 

Past recipients have included Walter Bussells, I. M. Sulzbacher and Ashley Verlander.

The Frank Sherman Award is open to nominations from throughout the Greater Jacksonville Area. Nominations should be submitted to Neil McGuinness (n.mcguinness@murphy business.com; 904-509-7582) by Tuesday May 22, 2012. The selected nominee will be announced at the “Hail and Farewell” event on June 26.

Good Government Award
The Good Government Award is given annually to a local government official in appreciation of his or her efforts. Past recipients have included Audrey Moran, John Delaney, Sheriff Nat Glover, Rick Mullaney and State Attorney Harry Shorstein.

The Good Government Award is open to nominations from throughout the Greater (multi-county) Jacksonville Area. Nominations should be submitted to Neil McGuinness (n.mcguinness@murphy business.com; 904-509-7582) by Tuesday May 22, 2012. The selected nominee will be announced at the “Hail and Farewell” event on June 26.

Please take a moment right now to think of who you’d like to nominate for one or both awards. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and nominations.

Marcus Drewa in the Florida Times Union 
Marcus Drewa was recently mentioned in an article in the Florida Times Union as the recipient of the R. David and I. Lorraine Thomas Child Advocate of the Year Award from the Children's Home Society of Florida.  The entire article can be found at
 http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400721/beth-cravey/2012-03-27/updated-childrens-home-society-recognizes-advocates


Thank You From Ken Weiss
Past President Ken Weiss thanks South Jacksonville Rotarians for allowing him to add their email addresses to the “Friends of YCC” list.  Periodic emails will keep readers up to date on what is happening at Florida’s FIRST and BUSIEST  emergency shelter for runaway and throwaway children.  Ken now serves as Associate Director of the Youth Crisis Center Foundation.  He invites all fellow Rotarians to visit the website www.ycc.org .  Call Ken at 904-237-2876 (c)  for a tour of the YCC Campus.
 Promoting Rotary
Charlie Sheppard via the Sheppard Company website promotes Rotary and hopes to attract new members with a link to the South Jacksonville Rotary Club's site.


Rotary Night 
at the 
Jacksonville Symphony Cirque de la Symphony
Thursday April 26, 2012 7:30pm
Jacoby Symphony Hall
Rotary Special discount tickets: $40
$10 of each ticket will support  
Rotary’s Polio Eradication Program
credited to your club
Ticket includes Pops Concert and Symphony hosted beverage reception at 6:45pm for Rotarians and guests in the Davis Gallery
To make reservations and purchase tickets call Bill Cosnotti at 356-0426 or bcosnotti@jaxsymphony.org
Fidelity National Financial Pops Series    Concert Sponsor: SunTrust


TPC Players Championship 
Discounted Tickets for D6970 Rotary Club Members
THE PLAYERS Championship is offering District 6970 Rotary Clubs a private, specially priced ticket program allowing members the opportunity to purchase 2012 PLAYERS Championship tickets at a substantially discounted rate. In addition, for each ticket purchased, THE PLAYERS will make a $2.00 donation to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. Members can purchase good any one day grounds tickets for $35.00, regularly $55.00! Because these tickets are good any one day, there are no worries if you are not sure which day you would like to attend as these tickets are good any one day, Thursday – Sunday (May 10-13). This program is not limited to Rotary members and there is no limit to the number of tickets one member can purchase. Youth, 18 and younger, are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. To purchase, go to the link listed below and enter the promo code, ROTARY1. Tickets will be emailed to you after the purchase is complete. Your Ticketmaster link: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=pgaplayers&o=20025&g=156
Thank you for your support of THE PLAYERS Championship as we endeavor to showcase Northeast Florida and improve the lives of those in our community.


Mark Your Calenders
  • Our "Books-A-Go-Go" drive is on now during the month of April.
  • District Conference - April 20th.
  • Rotary Night at the Jacksonville Symphony - April 26th.
  • TPC - Rotary Discount - May 10th - 13th
  • Rotary Alhambra Event - May 22nd

Pictures from April 3, 2012 Meeting