A Rotary Group Study Exchange Team from India 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 further 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 Past Club 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 Rajeed Sood gifted the two club presidents, David 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 thanked Yolanda Woodbridge, whom they affectionately named “Mama Florida.” 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 followed by shopping on Sat., Nov. 3, getting a passing glance at the South Miami Arts Festival on the way.
In other non-profit news, lots of children had the time of their lives at the Captain Bob Lewis Kids Fishing Challenge on Nov. 3, an event also attended by several local Rotarians including Judith Pantoja who had great fun helping one of the many little girls and boys bait their hooks, not a job for the finicky but one that brought lots of smiles.
Katie Meier, Head Woman’s Basketball Coach at the University of Miami will be the featured speaker at the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Network Lunch on November 20, at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables. Tickets are $35 for Chamber members and $45 for all others. To reserve space, call 305 446-1657.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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