Rotary E-Club
Bulletin 

Volume 3 | Issue 1

  
Welcome to another issue of our bulletin! View Club highlights from the D6950 Conference, find out about updates on Polio, and learn more about our Members of the Month.
July is Maternal and Child Health Month
 
 
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Announcements
 
 
Our sympathy goes out to the family and friends of PDG Russell Stewart Miller, who died on June 24, 2026. 

Member of the Rotary Club of Green Cove Springs (FL), District 6970.  Served District 6950 in 2008-2009.
He was a member and Past President of our Club. 
 

Cards of Condolence may be sent to Susan Miller and family members at 3385 Caroline Blvd., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.

Russel Stewart Miller passed peacefully on June 24, 2026, surrounded by the love of family and friends, leaving behind a legacy of service, adventure, leadership, faith, and friendship.

As a teenager, Russ and his brothers were members of the Explorer Scout Troop "Flying Eagles," performing trapeze and high-wire acts at venues across the country, including the 1965 World's Fair. Those early adventures reflected the courage, determination, and zest for life that would define him for years to come.

After graduating from Monticello Central High School in 1968, Russ enlisted in the United States Navy. While attending the U.S. Naval Preparatory School and playing lacrosse, he earned an appointment to West Point. Although a medical condition prevented him from attending the Naval Academy, he proudly continued his naval service as a computer technician.

Following six years in the Navy, Russ built a successful 35-year career in sales and marketing, first in Jacksonville and later in Tampa, Florida. The final 17 years of which were spent as the owner of Pro-Con Services, LLC. In 1975, he married the love of his life, Susan Caile. Those who knew Russ admired his remarkable ability to connect with people, his unwavering work ethic, and his genuine desire to help others—qualities that made him successful in the custom printing industry.

Russ and Susan shared a love of boating and tennis before an unexpected opportunity led them to an Arabian horse breeding, showing, and racing operation in Wesley Chapel, FL. A vast learning experience for both.

Service was woven throughout Russ's life. After becoming active in the Arabian Horse Association of Florida, he discovered Rotary in 1999 and chartered the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel. Rotary quickly became one of his greatest passions, serving in numerous leadership positions, serving as District Governor of District 6950 in 2008–2009. Through his enthusiasm, generosity, and steadfast commitment to Service Above Self, Russ inspired countless Rotarians and touched lives throughout Florida and beyond, earning The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service.

His compassion for children led him to serve as a Guardian ad Litem for 14 years, Through the bequest of fellow GAL Milton Starnes (who unexpectedly passed away while planning the projects) and his wife Judy, he was inspired to establish Rotarians for the Development of Youth, a 501(c)(3) organization that continues building homes for foster families on agricultural property, providing children with opportunities they might not otherwise have. 

Russ was equally devoted to his faith. He served as First Reader at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Jacksonville Beach and was a member of Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, in Jacksonville.

Retirement in 2009 marked the beginning of yet another adventure when Russ and Susan embraced life on the road in their motorhome, traveling extensively throughout the United States and Canada, including a journey to Alaska. Russ served as International President and later CEO of the Foretravel Motorcade Club, participating in countless motorcade journeys and along the way, hiking became a favorite pastime, and later, pickleball brought them both tremendous joy.

In 2022, Russ and Susan began a new chapter at Penney Retirement Community, where many wonderful friendships were established.

Whether serving his country, leading in Rotary, advocating for children, building a business, exploring the open road, or simply sharing a laugh with friends, Russ embraced every chapter of life with boundless energy, curiosity, compassion, and optimism. He possessed a rare gift for making everyone feel welcome, valued, and inspired.

Russ is survived by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Susan, along with countless family members, dear friends, fellow Rotarians, and colleagues whose lives are richer because they knew him.

"All in all, it has been a very good and active life, for which we are grateful."

Indeed, it was a life extraordinarily well lived—a life of purpose, generosity, and joy that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him.

If desired, donations may be made to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693 or Rotarians for the Development of Youth, 312 St. Johns Ave., Ste 2, Palatka, FL 32177

 

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Polio Update
Current conditions, plans, targets...SEE:
 
 
Thank you to:

   DICK  SCHULTZ,  A Native Floridian, Rotarian,

   https://www.endpolio.org/donate  

 

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D6950 Conference
 
 
District Governor Mark Middleton (2026/27) speaks to Conference attendees.
 
 
 
E-Club sponsored S4TL Alumnus and RYE Student, Kalila Giordano participating in the D6950 Parade of Flags. She is heading for Brazil in August.
 
 
 
PDG Will Miller, Club PP and Youth Leadership Chair Susanne Nielsen and PDG Vince Cautero are holding awards given to the E-Club during the D6950 Conference.
 
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Click Me!
 
July Birthdays
 
 
 
     Brad Tharp   July 2
 
  Jennifer Bucerel   July 25
 
                                      
 
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Twenty-Four Words Written to Save a Company 

In 1932, a Chicago businessman and Rotary member named Herbert J. Taylor was handed an almost impossible assignment: rescue his aluminum company on the brink of collapse during the depths of the Great Depression. He could have cut corners. He could have misled creditors. Nobody would have blamed him — it was that kind of moment. 

Instead, he wrote four questions on a notecard and asked every employee to apply them to everything they thought, said, or did: 

Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? 

The company survived. Taylor eventually shared his Four-Way Test with Rotary International, which adopted it as a cornerstone of the organization. It has since been translated into more than 100 languages and is recited at Rotary meetings in over 200 countries — including right here at Medford Sunrise Rotary, every Wednesday morning. 

It takes about twelve seconds to say. It takes a lifetime to fully live. 

What the Four-Way Test Is Not 

It belongs to no political party, no ideology, no faith tradition. It carries no agenda beyond this: before you act, pause long enough to consider the effect of your words and decisions on everyone around you — not just yourself. 

The anonymous congressman’s scheme doesn’t survive the first question. He told his followers one thing while privately betting on the opposite. That’s all you need to know. 

But let’s not make this about one person’s spectacular lapse in judgment. The more interesting question is the one that follows: what would our businesses, our community, and our daily relationships look like if more people paused to ask these four questions before they acted? 

What It Looks Like in Real Life 

As an example, in the Medford Sunrise Rotary, the Four-Way Test is not a decorative poster. Their members are business owners, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders from Medford, Medford Lakes, Marlton, Lumberton, Tabernacle, Vincentown, Shamong, and across Burlington County. They carry these four questions into contract negotiations, difficult personnel decisions, pricing conversations, and the daily choices that quietly define a reputation over time. 

Does holding yourself to this standard make things harder occasionally? Perhaps. Does it make for stronger businesses, more trusted names, and deeper roots in the community over the long run? Ask anyone in our club who has been doing it for twenty years. 

There is a reason Rotary has endured for 120 years across almost 200 countries. It turns out that treating your word as your bond is a pretty sound long-term strategy — in business, in friendship, and in life. 

 
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