A Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) team from India recently paid an extended visit to Rotary’s District 6990, which encompasses South Florida, the Keys and the Bahamas. Rotary’s District 6990 Group Study Exchange chair and past president of the Coral Gables Club, Yolanda Woodbridge, became known as “Mama Florida” during the planning stages and her job was not an easy one. As Hurricane Sandy was gathering steam farther south, the team arrived spending time in Broward and then traveling to the Bahamas where, you guessed it, they had a longer stay than expected, enduring several days with no power.
The group’s team leader, Rajeev Sood, past district governor of District 3080 and club past president, traveled here with Urmi Mehta, an MBA from Punjab University in Chandigarh; Jasmine Kaur Malhorta, a senior system engineer; Sanjit Singh Paul, a partner in Sunshine Gardens, and Hillary Victor, a principal correspondent for the Hindustan Times Media Ltd.
While they all enjoyed the Bahamas and the thrill of experiencing their first hurricane, all were happy to return to the Miami area where they visited numerous clubs including Woodbridge’s home club for a joint meeting on Nov. 1 with the Miami Rotary Club whose president, David Anderson, on behalf of his club, presented Woodbridge with a crystal engraved globe to thank her for all her efforts.
After their presentation at the joint club meeting where Sood gifted the two club presidents, Anderson and Walter Alvarez, with a traditional hat and shawl, the team visited various businesses in their respective fields and convened again at The Biltmore Hotel to share the day’s activities, discussed upcoming plans and once again thank Woodbridge. This busy group visited the Key Biscayne Rotarians on Nov. 2, and also enjoyed various other outings, including dinners and even a BBQ at the home of Miami Rotarians president-elect Diane Landsberg.
In other news, Club Blue Miami, Young Professionals for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, held an evening of cocktails and networking on Nov. 14 at Gibraltar Restaurant at Grove Isle Hotel in Coconut Grove. The affair for young professionals under age 45 offered guests an opportunity to network and learn more about Club Blue with its mission of building community awareness for the organization and creating long-lasting ties with the community.
The Club Blue Miami crowd enjoyed remarks by guest speaker Manny Diaz, former mayor of Miami and senior partner at Lydecker Diaz, while also participating in a silent auction featuring artwork by Latin American artist Samuel Navedo and a raffle. Club Blue members are individual contributors committed to expanding Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade’s mission.
For more information about Club Blue, visit <www.facebook.com/clubbluemiami>.
The event is sponsored by Tax Consultants of Miami, Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, JGB Bank, ArtByNavedo, Allstate Insurance – Andres Guilarte, Nutrition Bully, Elite Fitness, Unique Crystal by Michelle Rodriguez, Lindamood-Bell, Fortune Cupcakes and Sounds by DJ Laz Quintero. Finally, the Captain Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge, a non profit formed in 1993 and named to honor the legendary South Florida professional fishing guide, Capt. Bob Lewis, benefits the youth of South Florida, through its youth educational and fishing/diving programs. On Saturday, Nov. 3, the organization held its annual kids fishing tournament at Tropical Park. This free event offered children an opportunity to learn how to cast, bait a hook, and fish and was open to everyone with awards, free rods, free t-shirts, and free lunch.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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