Last week’s program was District 6890 Governor, Winnie Marvel. Winnie
was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, the fifth daughter of her Florida native
parents, Bobby and Alvin Lee Magnon. She was born into a Rotary family, as
her father was serving as Tampa Rotary club president when she was two years
of age. Her grandfather, Alvin, also served as Tampa Rotary president in 1942.
Her Rotary lineage is a true source of pride and was instrumental in shaping her
view of the world and business. After college, Winnie joined the family’s jewelry
business where she worked until 2016 when the store was closed. During her
tenure in the jewelry business she became a gemologist and enjoyed many
associations with fellow jewelers. Winnie became a member of the Rotary Club
of Tampa in 2001. She served as its first third generation president in the Club’s
history in 2012, and was the Club’s second female president. Although there is
plenty about Rotary she doesn’t know, there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to
advance Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self. In addition to her involvement
in Rotary, Winnie has served on the boards of the Humane Society of Tampa, St.
Joseph’s Hospital, and the H.B. Plant Museum. She is also a member of the
Athena Society for Women and Ye Loyal Krewe of Grace O’Malley.  This year’s
theme, “Rotary: Making a Difference” is an inspiration from RI President Ian
Riseley.  President Riseley has been a Rotarian since 1978 and is very well
respected by the 532 Governors worldwide.  This year’s goals for President
Riseley and for the Presidential Citation award include: strengthening clubs,
humanitarian service, membership, support of Rotary Foundation, support of
polio eradication efforts and environmental projects (planting trees for every
member).  District Gold Club criteria include; enhance engagement, member
involvement, district awareness and improving the spirit of “clubs helping
clubs”.  CART – coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust – is a program where
Rotarians drop their coins into a bucket at each weekly meeting.  Last year
this initiative made over $700,000!  District 6890 is comprised of 1,742
members, 40 clubs in zone 34.  A great district staff, including Assistant
Governor Clayton Jenkins, makes District 6890 a great Rotary asset!
            -submitted by Mike Arndt

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Club Anniversaries This Month