A late afternoon, yet refreshing rainstorm rendered a pleasant evening for our last Evening Meeting of July. President Liz had planned an inspiring Meeting for us, as she shared some snippets of RI President Gordon McInally's speech from the RI Convention back in May.

After arriving at The Redwood, and being greeted by Bo and Pat, we joined Liz in saying The Pledge. Jack led us in singing "You're A Grand Old Flag" for our patriotic song, followed by Rose, who prayed that The Lord would teach us patience, tolerance, and gratefulness, as she gave The Invocation. Twenty-one Members were gathered, (with Blanche, Cindy, and Jill H. on Zoom), along with three Guests. We also welcomed Sharon, wife of Jack, Bill Cook, friend of Nancy, and David Dial, who is a potential Member. The Program centered upon Gordon McInally's theme of hope and caring for others in this New Rotary Year 2023-2024. Susan came up with a lighter Rotary Moment that focused on golf.

Pres. Liz had a few announcements to share with the Club. She would be sending out a reminder to encourage everyone to complete the Club Health Survey, which is important to the growth of Naples NY Rotary, and provides direction for us to go in the future. Taking a few moments to complete this Survey is very helpful!

There will be a "Meet and Greet" Event on Wednesday, August 9th, from 6-8PM at Engine 14. This gathering will take the place of Rotary Lite, and it will hopefully give us an opportunity to tell (potentially interested) people about Rotary and all that we do. The plan is to invite others to join us for a casual evening of fellowship, light refreshments, and a cash bar for those who are interested. Some Members are getting together to create Trifolds with pictures and texts that describe all that we do, so that we can share this with others. We will have these available at the gathering for others' perusal. Flyers describing this event will be going out soon!

A Street Dance is being planned, (as part of the Community Events), and it will be hosted by the Naples Fire Department, on Saturday, September 9th. Local businesses are being encouraged to advertise, and we, (Naples NY Rotary Club), have agreed to participate by having a booth of our own. Volunteers, of course, will be needed to help with this undertaking.

Carrie, representing Youth Exchange, had some news to share. Raul has returned home to Spain safely! The next Rotary Exchange Student, Giovanna, from Brazil, will be arriving in 3-4 weeks! Carrie also told us that next year, 2024-2025, there are three Naples Students who are interested in becoming Exchange Students!

Liz's last announcement was to let us know that next week's Meeting will be a Club Assembly, and that the Topic of Strategic Planning will be addressed. Both she and John will lead the discussion. Pres. Liz is pleased that the efforts of the SP Team have covered the goal of Membership and Recruitment in a satisfactory way, and she would like to see those efforts, (regarding additional goals), continue in a positive direction.

"Peace is the soil upon which hope takes root!" These words by RI President, Gordon McInally, are the underlying force which has driven his Action Plan for this New Rotary Year! His Call to Action in helping to "Create Hope in the World" reaches each and every one of us, as President McInally prompts us to be instruments of peace wherever we go, and this goal can be achieved if we take a moment to listen to others, and to always be kind. President Liz shared an excerpt from President McInally's Closing Speech at the International Rotary Convention in May. Peace is achieved through hard work, earning trust, and having open conversations." said Pres. McInally. "Everything that we do across our areas of focus has the potential to foster the hope that can make peace possible!"

This Rotary Year, supporting Mental Health is one of Pres. McInally's deepest concerns. The stigma of Mental Health needs to be changed, and this goal can be achieved through reaching out to others in kindness, and asking how someone is really doing, when you inquire about them. Supporting Mental Health speaks a personal message to Pres. McInally, as his brother experienced mental health issues, resulting in his taking his own life. We were reminded that Promoting Acts of Kindness, and truly listening to each other is transformative, aligns with our Areas of Focus, and keeps us connected! President McInally's full message can be gleaned from the July Issue of Rotary Magazine.

This message of understanding Mental Health was very impactful upon the Members, and it prompted many to share some personal experiences. Sue, Liz, Carrie, Jack, Judy, and David each shared some valuable insights that prompted each of us to do some reflecting on this subject. Many thanks to Pres. Liz for sharing a portion of Pres. McInally's encouraging words with us as we begin a New Year of Creating Hope in the World!

The Ace of Hearts was at $89.00 tonight, and Sergeant at Arms Jo had the packet of cards ready for Brenda, as her Ticket, #6650 was picked. Brenda drew the Jack of Clubs from the "fan"!

Happy Bills and Rotary Reflections were many and of a great variety this evening! We truly enjoyed tonight's Program filled with hope and inspiration. Liz is pleased that Clyde is adjusting to dialysis. Brenda is finding that being a Tour Guide is "all about people", and she enjoyed a trip to the New England States. Jo Anne and Albie appreciate our thoughts and prayers for their daughter, Stacey. Carrie and Bill had enjoyed their time with Raul, son Charlie is off to college soon, and son Grady has had a great Summer Baseball Season. Jack, along with each of us, is glad that David will be joining us soon! He had played a lot of golf, and he and Sharon had enjoyed seeing their niece, Toria, recently. Jack commented on how excellent the current play, "Little Women" is at the BVT. Bo enjoyed the Program, and he reflected on hearing Pres. McInally's speech in Melbourne back in May. 

Susan provided a "lighter" Rotary Moment tonight, as she expressed her pleasure in playing golf with the "Rotary Girls" each week! She "didn't mind" Bo filling in for Liz last week!

P.S. I stopped in to see Cindy last week, and she is coming along nicely. Her spirits remain positive, and she seems to be getting stronger each day!

Pres. Liz concluded our Evening Meeting by having us recite The Four-Way Test. Truly, following these "rules" will serve as a Steppingstone for Creating Hope in the World!