Welcome District Governor John Brunner

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

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

Meet District Governor 

John Brunner

John is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville.  John joined Rotary as a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville in 1999.  He served in various capacities before becoming President in 2002-2003.   John served as the District Newsletter editor in 2003 through 2005, District Secretary from 2004 through 2006 and as an Assistant District Governor from 2007 through 2010.  He also served on the District Rotary Youth Exchange team from 2003 through 2006 and the District Foundation Committee from 2006 through 2009.   He is a member of the Paul Harris Society, a Major Donor, and both a Benefactor and a member of the Bequest Society.

John served in the US Navy for 22 years retiring in 1995.  While on active duty, he received his BA from California State University, Long Beach.  Since his retirement, John has been very active in his adopted hometown of Gainesville. He attended the University of Florida as a Post Graduate student in the College of Education.   He served as a Guardian ad Litem in the 8^th Judicial District, a mentor in Take Stock in Children, and as a board member of the American Cancer Society.  John is a former chair of the Alachua County office of Equal Opportunity and Fair Housing Board and was chair of the Alachua County Planning Commission.  

When time permits, John and his wife Ruth (Ruthie), a Paul Harris Fellow, enjoy working on their home together and tending to their flower gardens.   Ruthie has two daughters and three grandchildren which she proudly shares with John.  

Literacy Mentoring Partnership

San Jose Elementary

Below are the steps for all volunteers to complete the application on line:

• Go to https://dcps.infomart-usa.net/app/index.php?aid=28 
  
• Click on Community 
• Click "Get Started" on the bottom left
• Check “no” for Read it Forward Jax 

 Greetings from Taiwan

South Jacksonville Rotary's 2011-2012 inbound exchange student, Rex Fan Chiang, has been busy since his return home to Taiwan on July 13th.  On July 20th he shared his experience as an exchange student with the Taichung South Rotary Club.  Then on August 18th, he received an exchange student diploma from District 3460.  Rex is back in school, catching up with family and friends, and settling back into his life in Taiwan.   He sends a big "THANK YOU!" to the South Jacksonville Rotary Club.

 Update from Denmark

Krista Hill, South Jacksonville Rotary's 2012-2013 outbound exchange student, arrived in Denmark on August 4th.  She was met by her counselor and host brother.  In the few weeks she has been there she has traveled with her host family for a weekend in the north and to Germany for her birthday.  School has started.  Krista is attending school with 2 other Rotary exchange students from Wisconsin and Columbia.  As part of the intro-camp for all of Denmark's inbound Rotary exchange students, she has Danish lessons 6 hours a day.  

Board Action

The following candidate has been approved for your consideration into membership:  Roy Neal, sponsored by PP Mike Darragh and presented under the classification of Transportation-Railroad Operations.  Anyone having an objection, please submit it in writing to the Board within ten (10) days. 

Recap of the August 28th Meeting

Greeter:  Doug McCullough

The Pledge of Allegiance & Prayer:  Carolyn Gentry

Literacy Partners Update:  Kristie Kemp, Principle San Jose Elementary

Update on N. Jacksonville Annual Fund Raiser - Oct. 5 at the Zoo:   Doug Register

Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  Casey Martin
Family of Rotary - Member Update:  Carolyn Gentry

Guest Speaker Introduction:  PP Barry Covington
Speaker:  Corky Rogers

Corky Rogers, Bolles Head Football Coach, spoke to the South Jacksonville Rotary Club.  He shared his personal experience as a high school football coach, the rewards and the challenges of working with young players.