Tuesday, August 7, 2012
WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY
Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.
Meet Donovin Darius
Donovin
Darius was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1975. He graduated from Woodrow
Wilson High School where he received a full scholarship to play football at
Syracuse University. He was a record-setting defensive player — setting
the team record for tackles – and graduated in 1997 with an Exercise Science
and Coaching Degree. In 1998, he was selected 25th overall in the NFL draft by
the Jacksonville Jaguars – the highest pick ever by the team for a Defensive
Back. He was blessed to have played Strong Safety with the Jaguars at an
elite level for 10 years. Darius is in the NFL record books as the first
to be labeled a “Franchise Player” three consecutive years.
As a
1st Team Pro-Bowl alternate and a 10 year NFL veteran, Darius was an 8-year
Player Representative for the NFL Players Association and 4-year Player
Association Vice-President where he was elected by his teammates to work for
player’s rights, safety and ever-improving working conditions. In Darius’
spoken words, “It was an honor and privilege to be able to play on such a large
platform and represent so many men and their families.” Darius retired
from the NFL in 2007 but in 2011, he signed a one-day ceremonial contract with
the Jaguars to retire as a member of the team.
In
2010, Darius founded Next Level Training and Performance, where the vision
focuses on character, athletic and spiritual development. With numerous
programs, Next Level Training & Performance develops persons of all skill
levels and age levels through various camps, clinics and motivational speaking
sessions. He has developed programs with the same methodology that he
utilized to advance his own career and deliver his own professional success.
Some of
the notable programs that are in demand are the Catch/Cover/Conditioning
Football Camps and Clinics, Speed & Agility Clinics and his Summer Youth
Football Camps. Darius is also working with adults in his Women’s Fitness
classes and is currently developing long-term programs to enhance the
off-season youth sports and increase conditioning and techniques of youth
football players overall.
His
motivational speaking engagements cover a variety of topics including
Leadership, Relationships and Teamwork and he has booked many academic,
corporate and non-profit events all around the country and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. His wide appeal and personal, transparent delivery style make
him a favorite with clients that want to be impacted in a short period of
time.
Donovin
also established the Donovin Darius Foundation in 2011 as a means to give back
to the community that gave him so much support as an NFL player. Programs
include free sports clinics featuring exclusive tours of EverBank Field,
on-field agility and speed trials and motivational talks.
Donovin is a devoted Man of God and Christian who seeks to share
his faith, knowledge and experiences with everyone in
the hopes of encouraging and developing men and women to live out their
God-given purpose.
Meet New Member
Dr. Leandra Dopazo
Dr.
Leandra Dopazo is an orthodontist in the San Marco area. She and her
husband Abe have two extraordinary children, Lucca and Enzo. In her spare time
she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, enjoying the beach,
cooking and traveling to Brazil to visit family.
Mark Your Calendar
Rotary Foundation Seminar - August 18th: Rotary Foundation Seminar
at
the Thrasher Horne Center in Orange Park on College Drive. Breakfast and
lunch are provided and the club pays for anyone who would like to attend.
Recap of
the July 31st Meeting
Greeters: Doug McCullough & Neil McGuinness
The
Pledge of Allegiance & Prayer: Mary Goldsmith
Craft Talk: PP John Callender
Introduction
of Guests: PP Dean Scott
Family of Rotary - Member
Update: Mary Alice Phelan
Literacy Mentor Program Update: Richard Dow
Technology Update: Joe Miller
Guest
Speaker Introduction: PP Robert Harris
Speaker: Mike Weistein
Mike Weistein spoke about his experiences with the legislative process in Tallahassee.
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