As we entered The Redwood this noon, being greeted by Jo's friendly smile and warm welcome made for the start of an enjoyable Meeting. Coupled with the much-anticipated overnight rain, this mid-summer day was made anew! President John led us in The Pledge of Allegiance, while Immediate Past President Bruce chose My Country Tis of Thee to lead us in song. Patrice gave the Invocation, asking the Heavenly Father to help us work together harmoniously in making a difference in the lives of others. Today's Program would be given by Pres. John, and President-Elect Liz would do the Rotary Moment. There were 20 Members in attendance today, while we welcomed three guests, Lisa, who was introduced by Tom, Tammie, who was introduced by Skip, and Chip, who often visits us from time to time.

Pres. John gave a recap of this morning's Board Meeting. The Budget will be in place by 7/31. The By-Laws were reviewed and accepted by the Board. The Club Leadership Ballot was reviewed. John encouraged the Membership to "throw your hat out" if there is a (Committee) Chair Position you would be interested in having. There are also vacancies on the Rotary Foundation Board. The ballot will be out next week. "Get engaged!" John prompted. Tom gave an update on the Naples Grape Fest. He distributed a colorful hand-out to the Board, explaining that there were many opportunities for engagement. Additionally, one special item is a T-shirt that has been created by Darryl Abraham. The site for sale of the T-shirt(s) is yet to be determined, but there will be a "pre-sale" online! There have been 30 Tables sold (out of 33) for the Gala Event on September 22nd. We also welcomed (Rotarian) visitors to the Board Meeting today. They were Sue, Rose, and Bo.

John scrolled through some upcoming dates and events for the calendar. Next week, we'll do the July Dates, (birthdays and anniversaries). Next week, 7/25, Liz will be giving the Program. The WOL Silent Auction ends on 7/31. August is Membership and Club Development Month. Elections will be on 8/1. Charlie Grove will be talking to us about RYLA on 8/8.

Rose gave a follow-up report on the Walk of Life. She thanked all those who supported the WOL both monetarily and actively. She acknowledged and thanked the WOL Committee Members. In addition to Rose, the Committee Members were Sherry, Laurie, Sue, Cindy, Judy, Jo, and Patrice. Next month there will be an open discussion about the WOL at a Regular Rotary Meeting. It was disappointing to see such a minimal in-person attendance at the WOL Events. There seemed to be slim community involvement at these events. Rose gave an efficient summary of the amount of money each event made. The Go-Go Goat yielded $420. After taking 35 minutes to "go", the goat picked a square that was not previously purchased, so the total amount was split 50/50, with Sue DeBrava receiving $210. There were four participants in the Pet Parade...three goats, (Doris, Moca, and Moonshine), and a 19-month-old "Cane Corso" pup named Luka. The sale of the Pinwheels garnered $1115! Rose thanked everyone for their input! Sue also encouraged us to let other people, (your contacts) know about the ongoing Silent Auction. She also mentioned the names of those who were on the Donation Committee, and she thanked them. Rose also thanked Caruso's, The Apothecary, and Arbor Hill for their steady involvement too.

Kristin will head up the construction of the Naples NY Rotary Club Float for the Grape Fest! She has some splendid ideas for its construction, and she welcomes any help that folks are willing to give. Many thanks to Kristin!

John had a few further announcements. He is still looking for someone to coordinate the song and Invocation for each week. He had talked to Roberta (Jordans) recently. There will be a Military Service in Florida on 7/23 for Warren, at the Country Club where he was President. There will be a Masonic Full Military Service in Warren's honor. Roberta has invited us to share our memories of Warren, as a friend and fellow Rotarian.

Bruce R. had some updates about Camp O. The Camp Experience starts soon! The Set-Up will be on 8/14, with the kids coming in on the 15th. Kitchen help is needed, Bruce pointed out, and the Boy Scouts need help as well, as they have sold Babcock-Hovey. Our Micah is on the Camp O. Board, and actually, he is Vice President! It's wonderful to see our younger Members become so involved! 

"The third time is a charm!" exclaimed Pres. John as he explained that his video on Membership and Recruiting would become available next week.

"A New Vibe" was today's Program theme, presented to us by Pres. John. Traditions are customs that bind us together in many ways and make us what we are. They represent a "comfort zone" for many, and a feeling of belonging is generated from following some of our practices which we have ardently adhered to. John's goal today was to focus on the "Inclusion" part of the DEI aspect of our traditions. The Naples NY Rotary Club is vibrant and dynamic, and we have undergone many changes since 2013. Some examples of our flexibility and resilience are the adaptation(s) we have made to such things as Club Runner, Face Book Live, Google Docs, and Zoom: especially during the Pandemic. "Juggling technology can be trying," noted John. Yet it seems through challenging times, Naples NY Rotary has managed to rise above these demands! John noted some changes that will be implemented. There will be no more "Stealing of the Gavel" for example. We will also return to the Thank You Gift of a Coffee Mug for our guest speakers. Some feedback from others was encouraged. Chip noted that all new businesses were invited to participate for a "free" year in the Rotary Club in Florida of which he is a part. They then can decide if they would like to have a membership. Rose added that one of her BVT boarders commented on the closeness of the Naples Community. Sandy would like to give a talk about plants, and Liz will see to this. Finally, Lisa said that she was a former Dental Hygienist, and she would like to see the Dental Health Poster Contest return. John noted that your Rotary ID Number is on the Rotary Magazine, and it is also on Club Runner. Change is not always easy, but it is healthy in many ways! We are moving forward as we "Imagine Rotary" in this New Year!

It was time for the Happy Bills and Fines, and though we would like to return to "passing the basket", we hate to see Karen out of a "job"!! We enjoyed Pres. John's Program and the "new focus" on our Club Traditions. We have appreciated the WOL efforts albeit small attendance at the various events. Here are some more specific reasons for Happy Bills. Bruce R. had a wonderful time with hid "Grands". Shanna had missed some Meetings. Laurie had had a flat tire, but all is well at home. Rose and Jo each have a new car. Karen bought a house! Sue is glad for the WOL. Jo Anne is hoping Grandson, Alliet will enjoy camp. John is glad that Brew and Brats can be an integral part of all things happening. Rose is happy for the WOL and her Band that she is a part of! 

The Ace of Hearts was up to $121 today! Kristin's Ticket, #4765169 was selected, and Kristin drew the Queen of Clubs!

Liz had the Rotary Moment this noon, and it was fabulous! "When is the Golden Moment"? Liz asked us, as she prompted a bit of feedback from the Membership. "Stop and smell the roses!" Liz compelled us, as she shared a few "Golden Moments" of her own. Such special moments such as having a bit of cash in your purse, finding your keys, getting ice cream at Lynnie Lou's, meeting up with old and new friends, baking, getting to work on time, and snuggling with your pets...these are moments that are treasured. Karen, Tom, Blanche, Bruce M., and Bruce R. shared that spending time with grandchildren, being with your own children, being "checked on" by a friend, and having a good walk are definitely "Golden Moments", as well!

Tammie Hicks, one of today's guests, thanked all those (of us) who supported the Memorial Town Hall in terms of sending a letter. Funding is being applied for the following items: a slate roof, an elevator, and an exterior stairwell for the Memorial Town Hall. Tammie noted that the letters have been very helpful!

Pres. John closed today's Meeting with a review of the Four-Way Test. He ended with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." May this be "Our Mantra" in the coming days ahead!