March 6th - Alhambra Event

REMINDER: There is NO LUNCH meeting Tuesday, March 5, 2013, due to Alhambra event Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The Rotary Club of South Jacksonville is presenting a night at the Alhambra featuring the play “Driving Miss Daisy”.  Proceeds will benefit the Episcopal Children’s Services “Generations Start” Project.   March  6, 2013 at The Alhambra Dinner Theatre, 12000 Beach Boulevard.

Reception will begin at 5:30 PM with the bar being on the main floor.   Dinner service will be 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Show begins at 8:00 PM.

News From the Board

The Board is pleased to announce the following candidates have been approved for your consideration into membership: Sandi Christiansen-sponsor is PP James Chansler and the proposed classification is Computer Technology-Resource Planning; Alejandro Leon-sponsor is PP Dick Morales and the proposed classification is Business Services-Ceramic Import/Export.  Anyone having an objection should submit it in writing to the Board within ten (10) days.

  Tuesday, March 12, 2013

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

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

Meet Dr. Carlos Vargas

Dr. Vargas trained in Radiation Oncology at William Beaumont Hospital, in the Detroit metropolitan area. Upon completion of training, Dr. Vargas relocated to Jacksonville, Florida as faculty at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Jacksonville.  At the Shands Proton Center in Jacksonville, Dr. Vargas developed and ran their proton beam program for prostate cancer for many years. 

Dr. Vargas is an internationally recognized expert on the use of proton beam radiation for prostate cancer and other diseases.  He has over 40 publications regarding the treatment of prostate cancer, having made important contributions to the advancement of proton beam radiation, brachytherapy, seed implants, external radiation, IMRT, and image guided prostate cancer treatment (IGRT).  Dr. Vargas has additional expertise in the use image guidance and stereotactic treatments for brain and lung cancers.  He also helped in the development of a sophisticated intensity modulated image guided adaptive process for head and neck patients.

Dr Vargas is the principal investigator for several prostate cancer research studies.  His research includes the uses of different forms of radiation and image guidance, as well as combined treatment with systemic agents.  He is frequently invited to speak at both national and international meetings about using radiation to cure prostate cancer.  He has multiple publications and presentations that can found in peer review journals.

ROTARY VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM

A SUCCESS STORY IN SANTA CRUZ, HONDURAS

Rotary is an international service organization with more than 1.2 million members worldwide with goals of world peace and understanding.  The 62 Clubs in Rotary District 6970 that are in Northeast Florida have worked locally, nationally, and internationally to improve the quality of life of those in need.  In addition to the dozens of local projects undertaken each year, efforts have been made over the past several years to support the Rotary International effort to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation world-wide.  In some third-world countries, one in five children dies of water-borne diseases before the age of five.  One in seven people world-wide do not have access to clean drinking water--and many more lack adequate sanitation facilities.

Here’s just one Rotary story that changed the lives of 300 people in Honduras – led by a club in Jacksonville, Florida.

In 2013, the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville took on its biggest international clean drinking water and sanitation project ever.  The South Jacksonville club partnered with the Rotary Club of Oceanside, Rotary District 7550, and Rotary District 6970 to come up with matching funds for a Rotary International Global Grant totaling US$51,366 for a Santa Cruz, Honduras project. Other contributors included World Water Alliance Florida (WWAF), Books-A-Go-Go, and Agua y Dessarollo Comunitario (ADEC) who also threw their hats in to participate with the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville’s initiative. 

South Jacksonville Rotarian, James Chansler (retired COO of JEA), and two non-Rotarian water experts, Pat Davis and Scott Kelly (of WWAF) led the effort.

The project had its beginnings in June 2011, when the three men made a scoping and discovery trip to the Santa Cruz area.  Their reports showed that the village was remote, did not have electricity, and was only accessible by horse or four-wheel drive vehicles. The grant proposal and project partnerships evolved based on the findings of the scoping trip. 

The main objective of the project emerged – and it was to provide gravity-fed, clean drinking water supplied by a protected spring. This entailed installation of four kilometers of pipe, five pressure-break boxes, a storage tank, disinfection facilities, and 43 water service connections.  Additionally, the village school was included to receive a hand washing station to help with maintaining basic hygiene standards. Latrines were also added as needed for over 300 people in the village.  And, a major difference from past Rotary International projects is that this one included a Rotary Vocational Training Team (VTT).

A VTT consists of a Rotarian leader and at least three other experts who provide training that will help with the local sustainability of projects. For this Honduran effort, the VTT consisted of the original scoping team from 2011, plus Richard Walker, a water quality expert from the South Florida Water Management District. The team completed its training goals over a rigorous five-day visit from February 2 – 7, 2013.

In those five days, they had a village meeting at Santa Cruz, inspected the Santa Cruz water & sanitation project, did lab training in Marcala, set up a mobile lab in Gracias, visited three remote villages for future project consideration...and did hygiene training in schools in both Santa Cruz and San Manuel!

Final construction on the entire water project will be completed in March, 2013. Thanks to the collaborative effort of Rotary Clubs and local South American organizations coupled with Rotary’s leadership and all the caring from the individuals involved--the lives of folks in this remote village have been permanently changed for the better.  As one of the native Santa Cruz Water Committee members remarked at a meeting with gratitude, “We are poor and cannot pay you, but God will pay you.”

The power of a few Rotarians from the Jacksonville community to do global good is a shining example of thinking outside the box to help others - by placing service above self.

The Santa Cruz, Honduras Vocational Training Team outside their hotel in Marcala (Feb. 7, 2011). Note the overhead electric lines—a luxury sometimes not found elsewhere. Left to right: Pat Davis, Scott Kelly, James Chansler, Richard Walker.

James Chansler and interpreter Miguel Raymundo talking to the class at Santa Cruz. A total of 68 parents and students attended.

James Chansler with the students at San Manuel displaying their hygiene coloring work.

 Looking down the Santa Cruz “main street” from the front of the school (Feb. 4, 2011). The water line ditch--on the left side of the photo and continuing down the street--has been dug and is awaiting pipes. 

The teacher at the Santa Cruz school rides a long distance to school every day on a mule—and is happy about it!

Greetings from PP Barry Covington

Since I have somewhat limited computer access....especially since Madame PDG needs most of our available access time, and I'm not sure what's occurring on the home front, it appears new member additions, etc. is going well.  In conversations with Indian Rotarians, they are busy with their own efforts in this respect.  Much of the talk seems to revolve around the "focus" aspect of identifying prospects, getting present members INVOLVED in the process, and following up in some systematic fashion.  The phrase of "basic blocking and tackling" popped into my head since that seems to be much of what's involved.  It's the consistent steps that need to happen in prospective member additions.

The Indian Rotarians have been wonderful hosts in Chandigarh, as they were in our two previous trips.  It's presently about 7:00 a.m. and we're getting our acts together for about a 9:00 a.m departure back toward Delhi.  We stop for a visit to a specialty cancer hospital and eye clinic en route, with the hospital sponsored by the Ambala club.

I could spend the morning relating tales of our experiences but I'll just pass along this thought:  The Rotarians of India are very grateful for the involvement of Rotary groups who visit and support them and RI in the ongoing quest to wipe out polio.  It's becoming less common to see people afflicted with the results of polio and the population eagerly looks forward to immunization days.  They all know about January 2014 as the 3-year "no new cases" date.  If that happens, the various organizations will officially declare India as polio free.  The locals are proud of the fact that historically India was thought to be an impossible project to completely rid the country of polio....yet it's actually happening.

Our host club was holding immunization days in a very rudimentary fashion in the '90's, with local Rotarians manning booths,  giving the drops, and financing it themselves.  They could see the positive results quickly.  For 10 years they tried to get the government on board and it finally happened when a Rotarian came to power in India as the Prime Minister and then things changed.  It took a Rotarian to make the government shift its attitude!

Enough for now....got to finish packing.  We have a great group of 27 of us and every one has been a trooper.  Warner and Sherrie Webb appear to be enjoying the entire experience.  I have some shots of Warner with some serious boogying during a local rock star's appearance at their district conference.....more on that later.

Miss you all and see you after the 12th.

Regards,
Barry

 Welcome New Member

Cheryl Robitzch

 Cheryl Robitzsch is the Director of Design at Haskell for the Water Division.  Cheryl and her husband Derek have been in Jacksonville for over 14 years. They have one son who is 9 years old. She likes to golf, fish, kayak and spend time in the outdoors. 


Recap of the February 26th Meeting

Greeters:  Ryan Maloney, Travis Peters, PP Bobby Purser

The Pledge & Prayer:  Randy Gordon

Craft Talk: Ryan Maloney

Literacy Easter Basket Project Update: Chris Boutan

Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  Lee Hunter 

    Introduction of Guest Speaker: Madison Shelly (Jacksonville Club)

Guest Speaker:  Tim Cost, JU President

Welcome Tim Cost, JU President

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

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

 

Meet Tim Cost

President, Jacksonville University

 Tim Cost became Jacksonville University’s 12th President on Feb. 1, 2013, coming full circle from his time spent at the school decades earlier as a student-athlete.

In assuming a leadership role, he realized a personal and professional dream to apply the skills he began acquiring with his liberal arts education at JU to help lead and develop people at his beloved alma mater to their fullest potential.

His 30 years on senior management teams at several of the world’s largest and best-known institutions, including Eastman Kodak, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ARAMARK, Wyeth and PepsiCo, helped refine his approach to leadership, capitalizing on the strengths of diverse teams to maximize talent, trust, connections and performance. President Cost is committed to helping mentor young talent, and likes to say it’s about “inspiring the good to be great.”

“Jacksonville University is a special place. We are committed to creating an extraordinary educational experience for our students – academically, socially and culturally – so that JU continues to nurture the visionary leaders who will shape our future,” Mr. Cost said.

Affable, confident and not above poking fun at himself for getting “a little jacked-up” – his version of passionate – over the things he cares most deeply about, he can often be seen around the beautiful JU campus bantering with students; texting alumni, Trustees or community members; or pulling aside faculty or staff members for a quick piece of advice on a new program or practice.

“Good coaching moves in all directions, and I learn something valuable here every day,” Mr. Cost said.

Mr. Cost graduated magna cum laude in 1981 from JU. As a JU athlete and four-year varsity letterman on the baseball team, he is one of the top 10 winningest pitchers in JU baseball history (.688 career winning percentage). As a freshman, he pitched the only 9-inning no-hitter in Jacksonville University history. After his undergraduate work, Mr. Cost evolved as a new JU alum, growing his career and family. Wife Stephanie has owned her own business and led many philanthropic efforts, daughter Melanie is a consultant in Washington, D.C., and son Drew works in management for Gatorade. As Mr. Cost built a successful professional career, he continued focusing his energy on becoming deeply invested in the success and growth of the University.​

He was selected one of Jacksonville University’s “75 Most Distinguished Dolphins” to commemorate the University’s 75th anniversary, and also received JU’s “Distinguished Alumni Award” in 2006. He joined the JU Board of Trustees in 2009, chairing the Board’s Enrollment and Retention Committee and Development Committee. He is also chair of the ground-breaking $85 million “Aspire: The Campaign for JU 2016” comprehensive giving campaign, which is designed to support faculty development, student scholarships, honors and undergraduate research, the JU Annual Fund and unrestricted giving needs; expand the new College of Health Sciences; bolster campus enhancements; and enhance student life.

“In my heart I never left JU. I’ve invested more time and energy here than anywhere. It’s a special place. (JU Past President and Chancellor Emeritus) Fran Kinne was a huge part of my life and taught me what a real leader is,” Mr. Cost said. “(Retired) President Kerry Romesburg taught me the importance of listening, and viewing problems from all angles to arrive at the best solutions to move forward.”Over the years, Mr. Cost involved himself in numerous campaigns to support and improve JU, including spearheading the development of the running trail on Dolphin Green, the C.P. Cost indoor hitting facility at JU’s baseball stadium, the “Artis 53” Scholarship Campaign, “Adopt a Classroom” and many others.

Building on the education he received at JU, Mr. Cost crafted an impressive background as an experienced business leader, adding to his academic credentials along the way with an MBA in Finance and Economics from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester. Over 30 years at several FORTUNE 500 companies, he acquired sophisticated skills in marketing, strategy, public policy, capital markets, crisis and issues management, investor relations, government affairs, business development, philanthropy, brand and corporate communications, customer outreach and retention, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory affairs, corporate social responsibility, reputation management and alliance development.

He taps into those experiences regularly in his role as JU’s leader, he noted.

“We work hard on the kind of shared governance – shared leadership, really – that makes an institution work best. If you use that model, you can move effectively from consulting people, to cooperating, and then to really collaborating. And that journey is important to making sure we develop and support the best possible JU for students, faculty and staff.” 

Mr. Cost is well-versed in balancing the best interests and competing incentives of many stakeholder groups: employees, communities, investors, analysts, boards, partners, fellow executives, regulators, investor/owners, policy makers, elected officials, government organizations, media, customers and advocates.

During his professional business career, he was recognized as part of successful senior management teams known for innovation (FORTUNE’s “Most Innovative Companies”), workplace environment (“Best Places to Work”), inclusion (“Best Places for Women,” “Best Places for Hispanics” and others) and progressive management (“Most Improved U.S. Investor Relations Program”), among others.

Handling high-profile, public, on-the-record interactions with media, investors, donors, government officials, partners and stakeholders, he has been honored as one of the top business communicators in U.S. corporations (The Holmes Report, 2011).

Through it all, he has remained closely connected to higher education through his years of committee, council and board work, as well as through a career path that includes clients on dozens of college campuses.

His work ethic and commitment to giving back don’t stop at the business or academic world: Mr. Cost has devoted numerous hours to civic and community volunteerism, including, among many others, co-chairing the Franklin Caucus (business leaders dedicated to positive community involvement and economic development); co-chairing the Philadelphia Leadership Exchange (75 public and private sector senior leaders sharing best ideas among major geographic regions); working on the Philadelphia 2016 Olympic organizing effort; helping youths in Students in Free Enterprise; and helping Community Volunteers in Medicine, receiving the Pillar Award for his philanthropic and leadership service to provide health care to workers in need.

“Ultimately, to me – and this counts for colleagues, the community and students, staff and faculty – leadership is all about service. You need to meet people, make connections, create improvements and have an impact … every day,” Mr. Cost said.

“There is no leadership without followership. There must be trust in a leadership team to achieve the pace and trajectory to truly succeed. We are absolutely committed to making sure our students and faculty have everything they need to excel at Jacksonville University.”

​

Introducing Our Newest Members!!

Ryan Maloney is married to Amy, and they will celebrating their 10th anniversary in August of this year.  They live in San Marco and have two children, Christopher who will be 7 in a few weeks, and Sarah who just turned 5.  Ryan is involved in the community as mentor with the United Way Achievers for Life program and as a member of the YMCA's Downtown District Board.  He is also a huge Seminole football fan, and enjoys attending Jaguar games as well.  Ryan tries to work out a couple times a week, and also enjoys playing tennis.

 

Robyn Watson is married to Doug Watson, an insurance agent.  They met and started dating 16 years ago and have been married for almost 7 years.  We have two four legged children (golden retrievers), “the boys”, Wrigley (3) and Murphy (1). 

When not working, Robyn enjoys spending time with family and traveling.  She also loves spending time in the Florida sunshine - playing golf, hanging out at the beach/pool or playing out in the yard with the boys.  She recently started running and completed her first Gate River Run in 2012 and her first half marathon in Savannah in Nov 2012.  She is signed up to complete another half marathon in April in Kansas City.

Additionally, Robyn belongs to a neighborhood knitting club and she enjoys reading and scrapbooking.

Upcoming Club Events

 

Plan to stay after the Rotary meeting on March 19th to pack Easter baskets for our Literacy Class that members are mentoring at San Jose Elementary School.  All items to fill the baskets will be there

Nothing else is needed!  This will also count as a makeup for those who may need it.

Equally important, try to attend the delivery of baskets on Thursday, March 21st at 2:00pm at the San Jose Elementary School, if possible

The Rotary Club of South Jacksonville is presenting a night at the Alhambra featuring the play “Driving Miss Daisy”.  Proceeds will benefit the Episcopal Children’s Services “Generations Start” Project.   March  6, 2013 at The Alhambra Dinner Theatre, 12000 Beach Boulevard.

Our club has committed to buying the entire show for the evening and we will have exclusive use of the venue.  Reception will begin at 5:30 PM with the bar being on the main floor.   Dinner service will be 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Show begins at 8:00 PM.

Each club member is responsible for the sale of 4 tickets at $75.00 each for a total of $300.00.  Your account will be billed automatically March 6.  *Sale or purchase of a sponsorship at any of the levels below satisfies your ticket responsibility.

As you can see from the seating chart, the tables are filling up.  Please let Patti know which table you prefer from those that remain.  Several more have been taken since the photo above was taken, so get your request in quickly.

 

There are sponsorship opportunities at the following premium levels:  (See promotional sheet at the sign-in desk for the complete benefits of each sponsorship level.)

  *SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Title Deed Package          $7,500

Limo Package                     $5,000

Driver’s Package               $2,500 

Passenger’s Package       $1,000 

Recap of the February 19th Meeting

Greeters:  Dale Malloy Ryan Maloney, Travis Peters, Cheryl Robitzsch & Robyn Watson

The Pledge & Prayer:  David Bissell 

Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  Bill Langley 

    Introduction of Guest Speaker: PP Hobart Joost 

Guest Speaker:  Jim Overton