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November 3, 2009
Today’s Speaker Markus Mittermayr Kiwanis District Council Meeting (DCM)
AGENDA
Opening remarks – Lt Gov – Markus Mittermayr
Introduction – Division 13 Sergeant in Arms –
Past Lt. Governors acknowledged
Kiwanis District Treasurer acknowledged
Charles Stuart – Secretary/Treasurer Division 13
Roll call - Division 13 Clubs
Gulf Beaches
Pinellas Park
Midtown
Seminole
Seminole Breakfast
St. Petersburg
Sunshine City
Minutes of prior meeting presented
Treasurer’s report
New Business:
Florida District Treasurer Report – Eddie Lee
Lt Gov Key Clubs – Frank Ji
CKI -
Club Reports:
Gulf Beaches – George Stone
Pinellas Park – William Cleary
Midtown – Bill Knowles
Seminole – Dave Kinsey
Seminole Breakfast – Vicki Sullivan
St. Petersburg – Bob Piplitz
Sunshine City – Chris Lillich
Closing remarks – Lt Gov.
Next DCM meeting - Gulf Beaches Jan 25, 2010 – 6:30pm
What’s Happening
A One, and a Two, and a Three
Tis the season for the not always annual Kiwanis Holiday Progressive Dinner. Mark the calendar for December 19th and watch for details in later bulletins.
“The Bernie”
With much deserved fanfare, “The Bernie” (aka the 2009-2010 Kiwanis Membership Directory) is yours for the picking. Thanks to Al Karnavicius for a job well done.
Banana Republic
Yes, with election supervisors closely monitoring yet another Kiwanis election, Kiwanians voted Pat Kraujalis as a new Director and Michael Brown as one of two Vice Presidents. Congratulations, gentlemen, and we look forward to your fine leadership.
Special Report
Correspondent Bob Byelick submitted the following report to the Kiwanians:
Suzi Fischer, Linda Carr, Kevin Carr, Bob Byelick, Al Karnavicius, and Jim Beach attended last week’s Mayor's Doorways Signing Ceremony at the Coliseum. Another Fischer-Carr banner hung from the stage thanking Kiwanis and our Scholarship Committee. Since Day 1, our efforts have achieved wonderful and unexpected results due to timing, partnering, and quasi-supernatural help. The wording on the banner was 45 students this year. We were told that the Mayor did not have the match that he had in previous years so the money we raised would sponsor 12 students. It seems that at the last minute, he was able to find a very generous donor to make the match. Our funds therefore resulted in 45 students! Our total number since 2004 is 158 students! Needless to say, this news is jaw-dropping. Despite no golf tournament and a bad economy, our efforts have resulted in a new high of 45 students in one year. Jim and Skip must be at work. Never underestimate the effect of trying to make a difference as good things can and do happen.
Robert Byelick, October 28, 2009, St. Petersburg
Editor’s Note: Worth Blackwell sent by email a message which captures the essence of Bob’s work. “Dear Bob: I believe I speak for the entire Fischer-Carr Scholarship Committee when I say that without your leadership very little, if any, of this would have happened. You have done an absolutely spectacular job as chairman and cheerleader.
My thanks to you.”
Ford Has A Better Idea
Great news from Harvey Ford. Last week Harvey secured a $3,000.00 check that he presented to J.C. Russell to be placed in Youth Investment Shares. And now, the rest of the story in Harvey’s words.
“My friend Richard Sanchez was with Damian Gerk (former St Pete Kiwanian) a month ago and mentioned that his Sanchez Family Foundation wanted to make $3000.00 in college scholarships, but that the 2009 recipients under his own program could not be found (checks were returned), so Damian alertly mentioned and explained Kiwanis (Al Muter, etc) and Richard called me the next day and verified that he would simply do his scholarship through Kiwanis this year rather than go back through his own interview process. His check was presented to the club on October 27, and Richard will visit the club in November to be recognized. Richard is a lifelong resident of Pinellas County (Lakewood High and FSU grad) and has successfully owned and operated an eye care benefits company named Advantica Eye Care. Most recently he and Sharon stepped in to save the Soulful Arts Dance Studio from closure making a large contribution. He and his wife Sharon have 3 sons and one grandson and all are serious Florida State Seminole fans and contributors.”
Major kudos to Rick, Damian, and Harvey.
Hickory, Dickory, Doctor Slocumb
The most beloved veterinarian in the club, Chick Slocumb, recently added a grandson to his litter. A collection of $190.00 goes to a college education fund set up in the grandson’s name, and Chick adds $380.00. Ouch!
Project Save-A-Smile
Kiwanian Dr. Ron O’Neal is sponsoring Project Save-A-Smile for the fifth year. On Saturday, November 14, at Dr. Ron’s office at 7401 Dr. MLK, Jr. St., N at 8:15 a.m. work will begin on children up to the age of 16. Time is getting short so please contact Kathy Condon to volunteer for this most rewarding experience. You will enjoy being a part of this event. And, thanks Ron, for helping young children in need.
Last Week at Kiwanis
Kiwanian of the Day, Paul Misiewicz, introduced Tom Porter, Director of Quest Incorporated. Tom is also the President of a Kiwanis club in Orlando and had high praise for our organization.
Quest is an organization founded in 1962 by a group of parents in central Florida concerned with autism. Today, Quest serves over 1,000 schools in twenty-three counties and administers care to individuals from eighteen months to the elderly. Quest, as a non-profit, has an annual budget of twenty-six million dollars.
Tom explained to us that autism is determined by one’s lack of social communication and speech skills as well as stereotypical patterns of behavior. Currently, four times as many boys are autistic – with no proven reason as to why. Autism is recognized today as the most diagnosed developmental disability and affects one in ninety one newborns.
Behavioral intervention services offered at Quest can enhance a person’s social and interpersonal skills, resulting in a greater level of success in all major life areas. In the case of Autism Spectrum Disorders, early intervention has repeatedly been shown to guide children to reach their personal goals, require fewer support services later in childhood and be more independent throughout their lives.
To further aid the autistic, Quest recently launched FACE. The Florida Autism Center of Excellence (FACE) offers successful educational programs for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As a public charter school that serves students with moderate to severe autism in pre-K through 12th grade and beyond, FACE provides a comprehensive academic environment to address the unmet needs of the growing number of children in Florida with developmental disabilities. Located in Tampa, the school is available to families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
Tom introduced us to one of his colleagues, Shannon Moss, Director of Schools with Quest. Shannon’s mission is to implement intervention to help students improve their self help skills, including dressing and toiletry issues. Additionally, elemental academic goals are stressed and parents are provided progress reports that graphically depict skill acquisition in a clear, meaningful way.
Over a period of time, the desire is to get the students into a mainstream environment including community schools. However, some students cannot reach that level and those are directed to basic, vocational skills that benefit society as well as themselves and their families.
Tom and Shannon, your efforts are appreciated in an area of growing concern and thanks for an illuminating look into autism.
Guests and Visitors
We had 54 members and 5 guests: Chic Carlson, guest from Akron, Ohio; Delf Boll, guest of Chic Carlson.
This Week’s Quiz
- Which professional sports team has remained the longest in one location?
- Which teams played in the first World Series? What year?
- What year was the World Series first televised? And what was the first year it was on the radio? Speaking of radio, who is the stadium announcer for the Yankees?
- Which current Major League teams have never been to a World Series?
- The Yankees have won the most World Series Championships; which team is second in the most World Series Championships?
Last Week’s Quiz
- Steve Spurrier was the Bucs first starting quarterback in their inaugural year of 1976.
- The Kellogg Cereal company is headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan.
- Kevin Spacey receive his first Oscar for best supporting actor, as Roger “Verbal” Kint, a “physically handicapped” character in The Usual Suspects.
- The Red River separates Oklahoma from Texas.
- Texas Christian University (TCU) is located in Fort Worth, Texas. Their nickname is the “Horned Frogs”.
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