The beautiful holiday decorations at The Redwood certainly gave us a clue to the coming of December today! Eighteen Rotarians gathered for our Annual Meeting and presentation of the ballot for our Club leadership for July 2026- June 2027. We were joined by three new member applicants and our exchange student Romane.

 

Jack started us with the Pledge, followed by God Bless America. The inspiration was the many reasons we are thankful for our Rotary friends!

 

Frank introduced our guests: Tom and Destiny Salviski, 

Brittany Tierson and Romane.

 

Announcements: Skip is still accepting reservations for the Holiday Dinner next Monday at The Naples Hotel. Let him know asap! We will also have a $15 gift exchange (optional) and be accepting donations (food or financial) to Naples Open Cupboard. * The NOC Thrift and Thrive shop had a successful Grand Opening Saturday and Sunday. * The Community Holiday Concert is Sunday 12/7, 2 pm at St. Januarius. Lots of variety will be heard, including several Rotarians playing hand bells and there will be cookies! * Light Up Naples is Saturday, 12/13, 5-8pm. Set up is at 3:30 pm if you can come to help. * We will help deliver to 40 families for Operation Santa on Saturday, 12/20. More details coming soon! * Naples Historical Society cookie sale is Saturday 12/6 at Morgan Hose Building, noon-5pm. Donations happily accepted. * Rotary's December Theme is disease prevention and treatment.

 

Celebrating birthdays this month are: Albie, Jo, Gerry and Judy Manser. Romane celebrates her birthday on December 26th! Jo Anne and Albie have their 58th anniversary next week! Congrats were sung to all.

 

Jack handed out the election ballot to all Rotarians. There were two positions without candidates. The Vice President slot is still open. In addition, the Treasurer, David, has resigned the position, effective immediately. Per our Bylaws, the Board will be meeting after the Club meeting to appoint a replacement. Several questions were asked: What are the duties of the Vice President? Per the Bylaws, the VP sets up speakers and programs, attends or appoints someone to attend the Camp Onseyawa Board meetings and other duties as directed by the President and Board. Training is provided by our District "President Elect Leadership Seminars" (PELS). They can be done on-line. Conferences and learning assemblies are valuable for interacting with and learning from other clubs. The VP moves on to be the President Elect, then President in the following years.

What do Directors do? The four directors attend board meetings and direct / authorize spending, decide on projects and time spent on Rotary efforts in the community and beyond. Board meetings are open to all members. They are scheduled on the 2nd Monday at 4:30 pm prior to the Club meeting at 6pm.

Jack will send out the ballot by email, requesting a email vote response by Saturday. The results will be announced at next Monday's Holiday Dinner meeting and in the Grapevine.

 

The Ace of Hearts was $40. Judy Manser had lucky ticket #9805 but chose the Queen of Clubs.

Laurie shared a thank you note she received from the Rotary Club of Asheville NC. We sent them a donation last year when the area suffered tremendous flooding. We also donated to Texas flooding victims this year.

 

Happy Bills were given for the Club and officers who serve, to Thrift and Thrive success in a great new facility, Light Up Naples team, grandsons home for Thanksgiving, a good meeting today with soon-to-be new members, explanations of officer positions, family gatherings and Rotary activities in our community. Jo Anne is delighted to be asked to be her granddaughter Chloe's flower girl next fall! Liz shared sad news of Nancy Joseph's serious illness. She is in palliative care at Strong. We will send a card and keep all the family in our prayers.

 

Jack led us in the Four Way Test and adjourned the group at 1:01pm.