Today's Events:

President Mike Mills presided

* * * A N N O U N C E M E N T S  * * *

John Sorgie reported that that Club Member Leo Haskins won a split for the second week in a row and that two other winners got their books from Ed Fischer.

PDG Roy Gonas informed the membership of a concert on December 4^, at the Coral Gables Congregational Church that will feature the woman who brought the singers to Rotary several weeks ago. At this performance, the singers will be supported by FIU’s band.

Captain Assad asked if anyone could babysit a cat for two weeks. Contact the Captain at: <captain@racharters.com> or by phone at: 305-666-7979.

Raquel Hickey announced a free seminar on Identity Theft Protection, 6:30 PM this evening at her Bank United branch on South Dixie Highway.

Don’t forget Social Networking at the Club’s new MYSPACE page: 

<www.myspace.com/southmiamirotaryclub>

$$$ PRINTER CARTRIDGES FUNDRAISER $$$

We are accepting empty inkjet cartridges for recycling.    Bring them to the meetings or take a postage-paid plastic envelop home –  ask Mike Mills

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:

http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/pdfs/eclub_list.pdf

2007-08 RCSM OFFICERS:

President:  Michael Mills
millsmike@aol.com
President Elect:  Bill Enright
bill@handsonmiami.org
Vice President: Linda Kaplan
lk@lindakaplan.com
Secretary:  Doreen Reitnauer 
dhiker217@aol.com
Treasurer: David Jacobs
david@jnccpas.com
Sergeant at Arms:  Hampton Booker
Hg262@bellsouth.net

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.rotary6990.org

World Organization:
www.rotary.org

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:       

• 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 effort

Renewing or Joining
To Renew ($250) or to become a New Member ($300) contact
Asaad Massoud, at www.racharters.com

Fundraisers
Interested in putting together a fundraiser? Contact Club Service Chair Linda Kaplan at lindakaplan@lk.com

Programming Chair 2007-08:  Roy Gonas
Members responsible for programming by month:
September - Marty
October – Bob
November – Suzanne
December – Bill
January – open
February – Wendy
March – Otto          
April – Ann   
May – Ed

Today’s Speaker

September Program Chair Marty Rosen introduced Donald “Bud” Whelan, Area 16 Committee Chair of the Employers Support of The Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Area 16 covers all of Miami-Dade and Monroe County -- from Key West to the Broward County line. Bud is a former Rotarian from New Jersey who was relocated to Miami as an executive with Ryder Trucks. Bud also served in the US Marine Corp and served in during the Korea War.

ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. It is a Department of Defense organization under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs.  Currently, 50% of US military forces are comprised of National Guard and Reserve units of all branches of the military.

The nation's Reserve components (referring to the total of all National Guard members and Reserve forces from all branches of the military) comprise approximately 50 percent (50%) of our total available military manpower.

Bud thanked the membership who as civilian employers, play a critical role in the defense of our nation by complying with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the Reserve component. Employers of Guard and Reserve members may be nominated to receive the ESGR’s Above and Beyond Award for doing something similar to the City of Coral Gables. The City issued a proclamation supplementing the salaries of City employees who were called up to serve.

The Florida legislature has authorized $3 Million for the Florida National Guard (FLANG) to establish a Family Readiness Program. The monies are split between the Program Assistance Fund and the Emergency Relief Fund.

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), an employee is protected from unlawful discrimination by an employer based on military affiliation. An employer cannot refuse to allow an employee to attend scheduled drills or annual training and the employer must allow the employee to return to his or her job position plus receive any raises that would have accrued had the employee not been called up to serve. Health Insurance as well, must be reinstated. However, the employer is not obligated to continue contributing to a qualified retirement plan during the employee’s period of military activation.