July 7, 2015

Lunch is served at Noon, Meeting begins at 12:30 pm

Our 2015-2016 Club President
David Bissell

A little about David, in case you did not know...

David Bissell, born November 7th 1956 in Orlando, FL moved to Jacksonville at a very early age and has been here since that time. Growing up on the city's south side David attended Hogan Spring Glen Elementary, Southside Jr High and Englewood Sr High, graduating in 1974. 

He entered the USAF promptly after high school and received training as an air traffic controller, spending the majority of his enlistment at Eglin Air Force base in Ft Walton Beach, FL. Upon his discharge from the military in 1978 and using the GI bill, David attended FJC Jr College.  After completion, he transferred to FSU, where he graduated in 1982 with a Business Degree in Marketing.  

Pres David joined his family's insurance business after graduating and began what has become a 33 year career in insurance. In 1997 he ultimately purchased the agency his father founded in 1971 and through growth and acquisitions David has created one of the city's premier property and casualty insurance agencies, located on Hendricks Ave in the city's San Marco area.

David's background in volunteer service started in the early 1980s at the TPC golf tournament. Over the next 20 years he worked in multiple areas of the event, beginning in the general parking lot as an attendant and then later as the chairman of construction, sign installation, ecology, transportation, markers and the practice area. Rotary service began in 2001 when David was sponsored into the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville.  Since joining, David has served on multiple committees and on the club's Board, finally ascending to the presidency of the Club in 2015.  Additionally, David received training in 2010 and was certified to become a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer through the State's Attorney's office where he represents the needs and rights of minors who've been temporarily removed from the custody of their biological parents.

Pres David's interests include golf, fishing, surfing and car collecting. He's been married for 31 years to his wife Page and they have two grown children.  David and Page  reside in Neptune Beach, FL.

Our Club in Action!

Our mobile health clinic bus donation is currently a medical clearance clinic for refugees on the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti!! This picture was sent by Ms. Loune Viaud, Board of Trustees for Partners In Health for Zanmi Lasante, Haiti. We can be so proud of this accomplishment!!

 
Polio Vial on Display...

Photo is a vial of the first polio vaccine given to children during the 1950's.  Currently housed at the Smithsonian museum.  Thanks to PP Jay Plotkin for the photo.

Save the Date!!

The next RLI will take place on Saturday, August 1st, in a new venue - the Palm Coast Campus of Daytona State College! Palm Coast DSC will be rolling out the red carpet for the Rotarians in District 6970. Plus, our caterer extraordinaire, Noni Larson, will be providing a gourmet breakfast and lunch for all who attend. Most importantly, RLI District Chair Charles Allen and his team will be conducting informative and inspirational sessions that will help you make the best of your Rotary membership. Anyone who attends RLI leaves the event feeling it was time well spent. So plan to join us on Saturday, August 1st, in Palm Coast for the fun and fellowship that is RLI in District 6970.