November 12, 2013

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30pm

  Wounded Warrior Project Program

The Wounded Warrior Project is a veterans’ service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of 9/11/2001. It operates as a nonprofit organization with a mission to "honor and empower Wounded Warriors" of the United States Armed Forces.

Our Speakers 

 Jeff Robertson, Dean of Students 

After graduating high school in Palm Coast in 2000, Jeff joined the Marine Corps. During his tenure, he was deployed to Turkey for Operation Northern Watch in 2002, and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005.  After being honorably discharged he attended the University of Florida where he earned a BA in English and a Master’s degree in management. He has served as  the Dean of Students at Wounded Warrior Project since September 12 ^th,   2011.

Chris Rick, Track Manager 

 Chris retired from the Navy, as a Master Chief, after 21 years of service in June 2003. He holds a bachelor of science in business administration degree and is currently enrolled in a graduate program at UNF in nonprofit management. He helped to develop the Wounded Warrior Project TRACK program, when he was hired in July 2008, as the dean of students. He was promoted to TRACK manager in April 2011 

 Our Two Wounded Warrior Guests 
Specialist Bill Schnarr 

Bill served as an Infantryman in the US Army from 12/2009 – 3/2013.  He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 12/2009 – 12/2010, for which he received the Army Commendation Medal.  He comes from Montgomery City, Missouri. 

PFC Kevin Crowder 

Kevin is a Jacksonville native and retired Artilleryman from the US Army, which he served in from 1/2008 – 10/2012.  He was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, for which he received the Army Commendation Medal. 

Supporting our Foundation thru Amazon

A simple way to help our club! 

On-line shoppers who use Amazon can designate a (very) small percentage of the proceeds from their purchases to a 501(c)3 of their choice. Simply shop thru smile.amazon.com instead of Amazon; select Rotary Club Of South Jacksonville Charities Inc from a list of charities, and 0.5% of the purchase price will be donated to the Foundation.  It may not seem like much, but the cumulative effect might be considerable, especially with holiday shopping underway.

Interact Minute 

The Wolfson HS Interact Club is up and running.  The club has exploded in numbers and there are more than fifty students who have paid their dues for the year.  They meet twice a month and have an incredible faculty advisor, Gwen Hoza. 

Their first service project is collecting gently worn clothing for the Clara White mission. The project will last the entire month of November. They are planning a winter festival as a fund raiser and will be looking to our club for some volunteer help.

They meet at 2 pm the first and third Monday of each month at Wolfson.  Attending their meetings does constitute a make up!

Minutarian Update, Week 19

 November is Foundation Month. Remember, we can’t do good in the world with the money contributed by our members, until your club sends it in. If you are in need of a Foundation Speaker this month, please go to the District Website, Speakers Bureau Tab.

Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)

Student interviews - Nov 16th & 17th 

November is also exciting for Youth Exchange. We need your help to interview over 40 candidates for a position in our Outbound roster for the Rotary year 2014-2015. We will be accepting 20-25 students from District 6970. All Rotarians are invited to participate in the student interviews, Saturday & Sunday, November 16, 17. The interviews will be held at St Johns River State College in St. Augustine. For further information, times, and registration information, please check the District website.

We need as many volunteers as we can get. Please be sure that you are there to help us select next years outbound students.

 Volunteers can log onto the www.ryeflorida.org website and sign up for when they can help. 

Once on the site open up District 6970, Under the November 2013 Calendar.. open the link to sign up to volunteer to help us.  

 

November 5, 2013

Welcome Congressman Ander Crenshaw

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30pm

 

Congressman Ander Crenshaw

Ander Crenshaw represents Florida’s Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently in his seventh term representing a district that includes Baker, Nassau, and Duval Counties, Crenshaw is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Prior to coming to Congress, Crenshaw worked both in the private sector, as an investment banker, and served as an elected official in the State Legislature. His life in public service ultimately led to the Florida State Senate where he served as the state’s first Republican President of the Senate. Representative Crenshaw was first elected to Congress in 2000.

In that time, Crenshaw has established himself as a respected voice on defense issues and a champion for our men and women in uniform. He has fought for key priorities for Northeast Florida and led the way to bring the National Veterans Cemetery to Jacksonville.  He continues the fight to make Naval Station Mayport a nuclear aircraft carrier homeport. In 2013, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus recognized Crenshaw's dedication to the nation's Sailors and Marines and awarded him the Navy's highest civilian honor - The Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.
 

Originally a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Crenshaw is now a member of the Appropriations Committee where he chairs the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee and sits on the prestigious Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and also serves on the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. Additionally, he is a member of the Republican Leadership Whip Team serving as a Deputy Majority Whip.
 

Representative Crenshaw has gained a reputation for being a strong advocate for strengthening and rebuilding our military, enacting responsible and permanent tax relief, and standing up for projects vital to Northeast Florida. Long an advocate of job creation and economic prosperity for Florida, Crenshaw has worked to secure projects that benefit the Port of Jacksonville, local beaches, and other important economic drivers.

A third generation resident of Northeast Florida, Congressman Crenshaw was born on September 1, 1944 in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Crenshaw attended Robert E. Lee High School, the University of Georgia on a basketball scholarship, and later received his law degree from the University of Florida.

Crenshaw and his wife, Kitty, have been married forty years and live in Jacksonville. They have two grown daughters and two granddaughters.

Community Service Project & Fellowship

All members are invited to come socialize and assist with placing 
Rotary stickers on dictionaries to be donated to local elementary schools. 

Beer, wine and light snacks will be served.

Tours of Florida Custom Marble available.  

Please wear closed toe shoes if you want to participate in tour.

Social time and community service combined - come join us!  

Thursday, Nov 7^th at 5pm 
Florida Custom Marble, 4566 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL  32207.

 

Take an American Hero to Lunch

Show your appreciation by buying lunch for a wounded warrior. 

Minutarian Update, Week 18

This past Thursday was World Polio Day.  Clubs have made contributions, with the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach leading the way with $10,000, and Deerwood with $5,500 submitted to the Foundation; the Jacksonville Oceanside is nearly half way to their $18,000 pledge. The District Foundation Share Committee stepped up to the plate with $50,000 from our Designated Funds. The donations listed here, together with the Rotary and Gates Foundation matches, represent immunizations for over a half million children; District 6970 has always been a world leader with it’s commitment to this fight. Thank you and please keep your pledges and dollars coming!

Past District Governor William (Bill) Moredock passed away Friday.  Bill was our Governor in 1994-95, a friend to many, a family man and a great Rotarian.  Please keep Bill, his wife Sparky and their family in your thoughts and prayers. Information on services and Bill, will be posted on the District website soon.

 

October 29, 2013

Welcome Sam Kouvaris, WJXT Sports Director

WE MEET RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

Meet Sam Kouvaris

Georgia vs Florida Game Highlights

Wear Your Game Colors!

A native of Baltimore and a graduate of the University of Maryland, Sam Kouvaris began his broadcasting career in Charleston, S.C., as the sports director at the ABC affiliate, WCBD.  He also worked as a sports reporter in the Washington/Baltimore area.  In June 1981, Sam joined WJXT, formerly the CBS affiliate in Jacksonville, and was promoted to sports director in March 1982. On Jan. 1, 2000, Sam was given additional duties as managing editor of the sports department at WJXT.

As sports director/managing editor, Sam's responsibilities include the presentation of the daily newscasts and the leadership of the sports department.  Along with the news director and general manager, he helps determine the sports coverage policy throughout the year.  Sam's play-by-play experience stretches from football to polo, and he has called events for CBS, NBC, ABC and ESPN. A three-sport varsity athlete in high school, Sam also participated in football and baseball in college and on the semi-professional level.  He still stays active in sports as a tri-athlete and the occasional fantasy baseball camp.  As part of his sports coverage, Sam has tried out for the Jacksonville Tea Men and the USFL Jacksonville Bulls. He served as voice of the Tea Men of the NASL in 1983.

A popular feature on WJXT's Channel 4 News at 5:30 p.m. is "Stump Sam."  Viewers are invited to send in their sports questions to see if they can "stump Sam." Sam has maintained about an 80 percent correct answer rate since the feature's inception in 1990.  Sam also maintains a sports-themed Web site -- SamSportsline.com -- with current sports information, as well as personal commentary.

Sam calls his experience flying Navy tactical aircraft the highlight of his career.  After a promotional flight with the "Blue Angels," Sam completed six weeks of training from the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Cecil Field, and was qualified to fly in the FA-18. He has done stories with several squadrons in the Atlantic Fleet and has one carrier arrested landing and launch.

His sports commentaries can be heard twice each day on WFYV-FM in Jacksonville and on the syndicated Lex and Terry radio show, which is broadcasted throughout the country.
A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee, Sam is one of 38 electors asked each year to vote on candidates eligible for induction into the hall.  He also is a designated voter for the Heisman Trophy and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Sam is an Emmy Award winner and has won the Associated Press Broadcast Award, as well as other honors, including Sportscaster of the Year by numerous organizations.  Music and drama are among his hobbies.  Sam plays several musical instruments, including the trumpet and guitar.  He has appeared as the lead vocalist for the St. Johns River City Band at several "Big Band" concerts.

He serves on the Board of Directors for numerous charities in North Florida and is active at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.  Sam lives in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville with his wife.  Together, they have three children.

Rotary Fall Social Event

What:  FL-GA Oyster Roast (dinner, live band)
When:  6:30pm, Friday, Nov 1 (night before the game!)
Where:  San Jose Country Club
How much?  $50 per person, inclusive
Dress:  Casual, long pants for gentlemen and your school colors!

It is the best party you could possibly attend the evening before the big game 

with great food and entertainment!

Take an American Hero to Lunch

Show your appreciation by buying lunch for a wounded warrior.  

Sign up with Patti.

Minutarian Update, Week 17

DG Art thanked Jeri Williar, our District Interact Chair, for a successful Interact Summit. The annual summit was much like a District Assembly, with the event being held at St Joe’s Academy in St Augustine with 67 Interactors and 19 sponsors from 19 different schools in attendance. They learned about Rotaract, RYLA, how to run a great meeting, fund raising, best club practices and the family of Rotary. Pictures can be found on the District Website.

DG Art also mentioned PETS (Personal Energy Transportation System). This is a project of the Rotary Club of Orange Park and supported by Rotarians throughout our District (including our club). Any club looking for a project should take a look at PETS.

Remember, October 24th is World Polio Day.