We wish to thank the sponsors of our club’s newsletter! Click on our fellow Rotarians  business cards & visit their website:

We WECOME all of our visitors….

Dr, Pedro Alquizar DMD – took over Dr. Bruce Higley’s practice

Bothwell Gonas (Roy’s son)

We’re happy because…

To meet our visitors – Otto

To help Haiti – Linda

For Haitian relief – David

For the life of PDG Marty Yohalem – Roy

For Capt. Asaad’s upcoming birthday!! - Pansy

Today's Events:

President Pansy Graham presiding

ROTARY THEME 2009-2010

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News from the Club:

Monday, February 1, 2010 @ 6:00 PM

Board Meeting 

 @ 1st National Bank of South Mami

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ALL members are invited to voice their ideas about how to direct our club's assistance to the Haitian people.  Attend this meeting and be heard!

A thank you to the 15 who attended the new member orientation last Saturday. A BIG thanks to Doreen for hosting and to Ed for his slide show, to Felipe as IT person, Cathy who talked about the foundation, and Diana who brought all the information together.

Today’s Happy $’s…

go into the club’s treasury to be earmarked for Haiti.  Currently the club is not a 501.3C so any donations to the club are not tax deductable.  Donations to the Rotary Foundation of South Miami ARE tax deductable. 

Over $260 was raised today for Haiti!

Football Mania final tally:

Ed Fischer sold FIVE winning booklets!

535 booklets were sold

100 books were unsold  L

The club received $6.26 profit for each book sold.

The payout was $2,234 to the winners

News from the District:

ON HAITI’S EARTHQUAKE & RECOVERY:

From District Governor Lee Pheres:

The earthquake in Haiti is a horrific disaster and I am sure that everyone wants to help.  We all know that Rotary is not a first responder and we will have a lot to do in the future.  However, many of you are wishing to do something now.  I have been in contact with Rotary District 7020 Governor, Errol Alberga to see what our District 6990 can do to help.  He has advised us to keep in touch with their District Disaster Relief Team and the Haiti Task Force for instruction on how we can help. They are still in the process of evaluating the situation and developing a relief plan.

It has been reported by CNN that the United Nations Headquarters Building has collapsed and the UN Ambassador to Haiti is unaccounted for. Also, the UN Security Force commander and his staff are missing.  The situation on the ground is very unstable.

How you can help with the Haiti earthquake situation right now:

I have heard back from the District 7020 District Disaster Relief Team and the Haiti Task Force. Their greatest need right now is money. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International has established The Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund #296, a Donor Advised Fund, to streamline the flow of contributions from U.S. Rotarians and others.The fund will be directed by Rotarian account holders who will work with local Rotary clubs and districts, as well as emergency relief agencies, to meet the most pressing needs of people in affected areas. 

Complete information on The Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund #296 is available at www.rotary.org/haiti

Information is also available on the Rotary International home page, www.rotary.org and also on our Rotary District 6990 website at www.ri6990.orgFor you convenience, I have also attached the contribution form and information and instructions on how to contribute. Hopefully, you will find all this information helpful.

Yours in Rotary Service,Lee Phares, DG
Email: leephares@earthlink.net
HPhone: 954-492-8254 / OPhone: 954-492-8254

RI Letter on Haiti Disaster

Dear Rotarians:

We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent earthquake in Haiti and we are touched by the commitment of Rotarians to assist the communities affected by this disaster. Rotary International is coordinating relief efforts, and we are writing to you today to provide information on how you may work through Rotary to make a significant contribution toward alleviating this major humanitarian crisis.

RI coordinates information and provides resources on club and district disaster relief efforts. When informed of local relief initiatives, RI shares up­dates about these efforts on the RI website. Rotarians wishing to contribute funds or donated goods to disaster victims can visit the website or contact the International Service Programs Section at relief@rotary.org to learn about current relief efforts. The RI Foundation has established the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, a donor advised fund, for the purpose of collecting contributions. Details about the fund have been posted on the RI website. All contributions must be in U.S. dollars and only U.S. tax receipts will be issued. District Designated Funds cannot be accepted.

We have been in contact with District Governor Errol C. Alberga to offer assistance in publicizing any relief efforts that clubs in Haiti are implement­ing on RI’s online projects database, ProjectLINK. Any disaster recovery proj­ects registered by District 7020 will be posted on ProjectLINK.Additionally, articles have been posted to the home page of the RI website with details on Rotary club involvement in relief efforts and how you can help. Rotarians may contact Governor Alberga directly at al.gram@cwjamaica.com or visit the District 7020 website.

We encourage Rotary clubs and districts to work with experienced emergency relief organizations such as UNICEF, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Doctors Without Borders, ShelterBox, Aquabox and World Water Works to meet the immediate needs of victims. It is our hope that with your meaningful and rapid response to this appeal, you will be able to help rebuild the future for millions of innocent people affected by this crisis. Thank you for your commitment to helping disaster victims.

Sincerely,

John Kenny, President

Glenn E. Estess Sr., Trustee Chair

Ed Futa, Rotary International The Rotary Foundation of RI Gen. Secretary

Save the date: 

Saturday, February 27, 2010 @ 3:30 p.m.

Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks Game

American Airlines Arena

$20 / per ticket

Our Rotary District 6990 has arranged for an afternoon of fellowship, fun and entertainment with the Miami HEAT. All Rotarians, their families and guests are invited.

 This Rotary event includes the Miami HEAT game ticket, the Early Entry Program to watch the NBA players warm up before the public enters the building and the scoreboard & public address welcome during halftime.

Lee Phares, DG

Email: leephares@earthlink.net
HPhone: 954-492-8254
OPhone: 954-492-8254

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2010 RI Convention in Montréal, Canada

101st Annual Rotary International Convention
20-23 June 2010


Register and reserve rooms online or by fax: www.rotary.org/convention

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Next show:

Saturday & Sunday, February 27 – 28, 2010

www.southmiamiartfest.com  (official site)

DID YOU MISS A MEETING ‘CAUSE YOU WERE AWAY?

Our club goal is 100% Attendance!

If you miss a meeting, it can be made-up within 2 weeks, before or after, of the missed meeting date.

For online make-ups:

Visit www.ri6990.org to find a club to make up an absence. 

Attendance credit for a 30-minute interactive club Web site activity offers an alternative to making up a meeting at another club.

To earn this credit, Rotarians log on to the site, read up on a range of subjects, post comments, & submit a form to the club secretary.

How to do a Make-Up On-Line via Rotary eClub One?

Perfect attendance is now possible for every Rotarian with computer access. Rotary’s eClub One is a full-service online charted Rotary Club. Meetings operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What an easy way to make up for a meeting that you have missed! During the last Rotary year, Rotary eClub One welcomed more than 120,000 visitors from 161 countries. Of these, about 800 per week participated in one of eClub One’s meeting programs and applied for make-up credit.

Here’s what you have to do to earn make up credit. Go to http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/
en_pdf/eclub_list.pdf

It is mandatory that you spend at least 30 minutes on the website for qualify for a make-up credit. (Remember Rotarians are guided by the principles of the 4 Way Test).

1.  Read a variety of current articles in the programs section and/or choose articles from the Archived Programs list and/or information from the Avenues of Service pages. You will be required to answer questions. There is space on the makeup request form for up to three articles to be reviewed, however you will need to read more than three to meet your 30 minute visit obligation.

2.  At the end of your 30 minute visit, click on Make-up Request Form from the drop-down menu at the top of the page OR the bottom of each make-up program.

3.  Read the Makeup Request Form carefully, and follow instructions. The form will appear once you press the SUBMIT button (one time only) and an email copy will be sent to the email address you proved. This can be forwarded to your club secretary so your attendance records are properly updated.

embers in eClub One are usually experienced Rotarians who are unable to belong to a traditional club because they reside in a remote location or they are engaged in a demanding travel schedule. Those applying for membership in eClub One must provide an endorsement from their current District Governor, current Rotary club President, along with letters of reference from two Rotarian colleagues of their current club..

eClub One has standard requirements for memberships, including charges for dues and administrative fees. Participants also must be willing to take part regularly in the Rotary eClub One community by taking on tasks and responsibilities. Members are required to also have regular access to the Internet and be willing to acquire the necessary skills to participate in the activities of Rotary eClub One.

Rotary and eClub One are on the cutting edge of the technology age. How this evolves will only be determined by periodic evaluation and the involvement of its members. For today, however, it is an outstanding tool for Rotarians to makeup missed meetings and keep in touch with Rotary happenings throughout the world.

For make-ups anywhere around the world when traveling internationally: http://rotary.org/support/clubs/index.html

NOTIFY Brett Trembly, RCSM Secretary

of ALL make-ups:   b.trembly@gmail.com

2009-10 RCSM OFFICERS:

President:  Reverend Pansy Graham
pansygraham@bellsouth.net

President Elect:  Doreen Reitnauer
dhiker217@aol.com

Vice President:  Mike Mills
millsmike@aol.com

Secretary:  Brett Trembly
b.trembly@suttonlawgroup.com

Treasurer: David Jacobs
david@jnccpas.com

Sergeant at Arms:  Fabio Fernandez
fernandezfabio@bellsouth.net

Club Board of Directors:

Ellen Book, , Ed Fischer,  Donna Gaines, Lakitsia Gaines, Linda Kaplan,  Mike Mills, Diana Phillips,  Martin Rosen, Charles Ruiz De Castilla, Don Streaker, Felipe Vidal

Club Foundation Board of Directors:

Pansy Graham, Doreen Reitnauer, Brett Trembly, Don Streaker, Fabio Fernandez, Treasurer Artfest, Linda Kaplan, Diana Phillips, Ellen Book

To send an E-mail to the Rotary Club of South Miami’s Board of Directors, board@southmiamirotary.org

South Miami Rotary Club:
www.southmiamirotary.org

Rotary District 6990:

www.ri6990.org / 305-860-8060

District Governor Lee Phares & Eliju Phares District Foundation Chair

World Organization:
www.rotary.org

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Mission Statement

The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

THE 4-WAY TEST OF THE THINGS WE THINK, SAY OR DO:   

Benefits of Being A Rotarian (Membership)
Rotary membership provides the opportunity to:

¨       Become connected to your community.

¨       Work with others in addressing community needs.

¨       Interact with other professionals in your community;
assist with RI's international humanitarian service efforts.

¨       Establish contacts with an international network of professionals.

¨       Develop leadership skills.  Involve family in promoting service efforts.

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Renewing or Joining
To Renew ($275) or to become a New Member ($325) contact

Asaad Massoud at www.racharters.com

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Fundraisers
Interested in putting together a fundraiser?

Contact Club Fundraising Chair Wendy Lapidus at wendylapidus@bellsouth.net

Service Projects

Interested in helping others?

Contact Club Service Chair Linda Kaplan at lk@lindakaplan.com

Asst. Club Programming Chair Roy Gonas offered a brief biographical remembrance of PDG Marty Yohalem. 

He then introduced today’s speaker:

Angelo Demos, PA

WW II’s Battle of the Bulge

1101 Brickell Ave
Miami, FL 33131 / (305) 379-4529

Family: Spouse - Chrissie Demos, children - daughter Stephanie Demos Brown, Esq., and son-in-law Christopher D. Brown, Esq., daughter Cynthia Demos, anchor/reporter ABC television, Orlando.

Career/Life Highlights: High School: President of senior class; College: University of Pennsylvania, B.A.; president of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity; leading actor and singer in four annual Mask and Wig shows. Law school: University of Miami, J.D.; president of Phi Delta Phi Law Fraternity; director of Moot Court; member Omicron Delta Kappa; board of directors of law school alumni.

Bar activities: Author of many CLE articles in family law; former chair of Florida Bar Grievance, Juvenile Court, Lawyer Referral Committees. Certified family law mediator; Florida Supreme Court appointed grievance referee; AV rated lawyer in Martindale-Hubbell.

Public service: Former member of Florida State Welfare Board; Economic Advisory Board, City of Miami; prosecuting attorney, Surfside.

Military Service: WWII combat infantry staff sergeant; Central Europe, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Rhineland campaigns; After the war served 30 years in Army Reserve. Became a full colonel. Last assignment was as commandant of the U.S. Army Reserve School, Coral Gables. Awards include Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf, Army Reserve Achievement Medal.

Church activities: Member of parish council for many years and president for six years of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, Miami; former secretary of the G.O. Diocese of Atlanta; former member of the G.O. Archdiocesan Council of North and South America; Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Mr. Demos recently closed his office after 57 years of service to the law, but he’s still practicing. 

He was born in Trenton, NJ in 1924, he enlisted in the military during WW2. He was inducted at Ft. Dix, NJ at 18 years old in 1943 although he had hoped that while in college he could be deferred for awhile.  It was only one semester of college before he was called.

His first experiences were being given assignments that were meant to break down a young soldier to respect and respond to authority. 

After multiple inoculation shots and his induction, he was then transferred to Ft. Benning, GA and then onto the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP).  

For more info on the ASTP program read Scholars in Foxholds  by Louis E. Keepfer.  It talks about the 150,000 soldiers that were assigned to the ASTP with the idea of letting them go back to finish college as engineers. 

For those in college, they were giving basic training in 13 weeks instead of 17 weeks.  Then they were sent back to college to study.

Since he didn’t like engineering, he was offered the opportunity to study languages and stayed at Ft. Benning, GA and he awaited being assigned a college.  He got KP for weeks awaiting the next group to arrive.

While waiting he became an orderly in the officer’s mess.  A colonel told him that he saw one spot on a dish, and made him wash 80 dishes.  He told them that he quit since an enlisted soldier did not have to be a servant to an officer.  

He ended up staying there for two more training cycles and never got sent back to college.  He ended up as a training sergeant.  The ASTP was shut down.  Since they didn’t get special training, all 150,000 became privates and replacements. 

His experience in combat as an infantry soldier included a bayonet course where he was told to kill or be killed. 

2,000 soldiers from a completely trained division out of 15,000 man division were sent as overseas replacements – they were not assigned with a unit.  They went to replace an individual making them soldiers that were considered anonymous.  He was sent to Liverpool, England and then 16 hour train ride to S. Hampton to a troop ship on a filthy transport.  He mentioned the deplorable conditions so then he was ordered to clean it up.

He went through a mine field in 1944 in the English Channel.  They loaded us like pack horses to take the equipment from the ship and then sent us to climb down on rope ladders from the side.  He hadn’t had any training to be able to climb out of a ship while fully loaded.  To fall was to drown. He was offloaded onto Omaha Beach where there was debris from the battle three months prior. 

As a private, you were only privy to news that was happening just around you.  Of those 178 infantry men in his company, 58 died, 300 wounded.  He experienced 210 days of straight combat without getting wounded - very very lucky!

November 8, 1944 - made a first gal and progressed to acting Platoon Sgt. until the end of the war. 

At the war’s end he went back to school on the GI Bill and got into the advanced ROTC to get a commission. In 1949 he became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.  By 1969 his rank was Lt. Colonel. 

To commemorate the lost 58 who died, everyone in his company put in one month's pay ($105) to create an obelisk monument in Holton, Kansas. He recently visited, not sure whether the money was actually spent on a monument and was teary eyed when he saw the obelisk.