Lorenzo De Toro - Is Your Laptop Becoming an Antique?

Lorenzo De Toro presented the question, "Is Your Laptop Becoming an Antique?" to our club today.

A survey by The Business Journals indicated that, in less than a year from its 2010 introduction, 9 percent of business owners said they were using iPads.

Mr. De Toro pointed out, "Apple's iPad hasn't just dominated consumer technology, it has also helped lead a basic shift in the way small and midsize business owners do their jobs." 

De Toro Technologies assists small to medium sized businesses with the design, installation, and maintenance of their office computer networks. His company has more than 15 years experience in the design, expansion, and deployment of technology systems for small and midsize business in a variety of industries.            

Mr. De Toro holds multiple certifications in IT systems and has a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University.      

Mr. De Toro pointed out that in 1925, a Jesuit priest predicted the internet by saying that we will one day all be interconnected.

Cloud computing is the future of the internet. Cloud computing is the delivery of a service rather than a product.  Mr. De Toro explained his reasons:

1. Cloud Computing is cheap
2. It is resilient and reliable
3. It is universal
4. It is secure

However, even the brightest cloud has a dark lining: privacy concerns, identity theft, and the potential for war due to countries hacking into other countries' systems. All this leads to a greater need for cyber security.

Mr. De Toro is currently reading a book called "Dark Market" and recommended that anyone interested in technology read this book.

Fabia Glockmann - Where Do We Go From Here?

Rotarian Fabia Glockman helped us gain a better understanding of the current real estate market as well as the status of REO's and Short Sales. Her focus answers the question: Where do we go from here?

Fabia's career started in the world of banking. She is a member of the Miami Realtors Association, Florida Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Director, IWIN (Independent Women International Network), West Kendall Business Association and Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Miami Metro Zoo.

Fabia founded Palm Properties in 2003 specializing in Property Management, Commercial/Investment Brokerage. She has APM (Accredited Property Management) designation and TRC ("Transnational Referral Certification" International Network). Currently she is working on her CAM (Community Association Management) license with the State of Florida.

Rotarian Al Smith also presented signs that his company, Fast Signs, made for our club. A special thanks to Al Smith!

President Carol Nobles, Al Smith, and Sargent-at-Arms Lawrence Percival display our club's new sign and motto.

 Lawrence Percival, Al Smith, and Carol Nobles present The Four-Way Test and the Object of Rotary.

Michael Kesti on Rotary's Commitment to Sports

Rotary's commitment to Sports is guided by Michael Kesti! 

Mike is a member of the Rotary Club of Perrine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay. He has been a Rotarian for 11 years, having been introduced to Rotary by his wife, Maria.  

He is a Past-President of his club, a Past Assistant District Governor, the Founder and Chairman of Rotary Marlins Night (2003 - present), the Founder of Rotary Heat Night and Rotary Panther Night. 

Michael & Maria have been to 6 International Conventions, including Singapore, and hosted Rotary Student Exchange students and GSE Members in their house, and chaperoned RYLA. He is a member of the Bequest Society and a Paul Harris Fellow. 

Michael was the Special Representative to the District Governor and RI for the Chartering of The Rotary Club of Miami MetroZoo.

Professionally, Michael owns and operates a few companies, including Health Ventures and Net Marketing, and is Chairman of Government Relations Group. 

Mike spoke to the club about Rotary's "A Night With The Marlins". He is currently the Chair of the Rotary Marlins' Night. 

He also donated a signed baseball our club! On behalf of The Rotary Club of Miami Metrozoo we thank Mike for his generosity.

 

 Mike Kesti speaking to the club.

Mike Kesti presents baseball to Secretary Phil Cabase

Secretary Phil Cabase presents Mike Kesti with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Rotary Club of Miami Metrozoo.

Close up of the signed baseball.

Treasurer Riesa Lewis also presented the Rotary Flag that she received from the Rapid City Rotary Club when she visited South Dakota last month.

Treasurer Riesa Lewis poses with members of the Rapid City Rotary Club during her visit to South Dakota.

Thought for every day:
     As a Rotarian, what you get out of Rotary depends largely upon what you put into it.

New Perspectives to Service Above Self

Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self is channeled through the Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of each club's ongoing activity. 

         
    Club Service- one of four Avenues- is focused on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club. The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a multi-district, grassroots leadership development program of member districts organized into regional divisions.

     Carol Nobles and Riesa Lewis will describe their learning experience at the recent Rotary Leadership Institute. Fabia Glockman reports on The Rotary Membership and Branding Symposium.     

     As a Rotarian, what you get out of Rotary depends largely upon what you put into it.

Pedro J. Garcia - Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser

We had a very exciting guest speak to our club - Pedro J. Garcia, Miami-Dade County's first elected Property Appraiser in five decades!

Mr. Garcia took office on January 9, 2009. Prior to his election, Mr. Garcia pledged to ensure complete fairness and accuracy in the County's property assessments which, in part, determine a homeowner's level of property taxes.

His efforts, since being elected, have resulted in him being named the 2009 Civic Leader of the Year by the Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches and 2010 Public Servant of the Year by the Minority Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Garcia has worked in the real estate industry for some 34 years as a Realtor, operating his own real estate firm.

Jeri Philips - Costco

Metrozoo Rotary member Jeri Philips spoke to the club today about her career as a Marketing Manager at Costco.

Jeri has to help build and keep Costco's relationships with both Consumers (B-2-C) as well as Business Consumers (B-2-B), which is no easy assignment. Her Costco warehouse is located at 13450 SW 120th St
Kendall, Florida 33186-7393. The services that they provide include a food court, gas station, hearing aids, optical department, pharmacy, photo printing, auto buying program, bakery, membership, deli, meat and produce.

One of Jeri's key B-2-B relationships is with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. Among the most influential trade associations in Florida, it includes the entire hospitality industry: lodging, restaurants, and thousands of industry suppliers.

Costco's B-2-C membership programs give Jeri a constant challenge. Jeri's talk helped members focus upon activating their own marketing activities, along with a profitable Q&A session.

Rob Schroeder - Safespace Foundation

Rob Schroeder spoke to our club today regarding the Safespace Foundation, the organization which Miami Metrozoo Rotary held a fundraiser for this January to raise funds for a kitchen renovation. The renovation (which has been completed) has opened up a wall so that mothers can cook and watch their children at the same time. Before, the wall prevented mothers from interacting with their children while in the kitchen, as children were not allowed to be in the kitchen.

Mr. Schroeder serves as the Executive Director of the Safespace Foundation, which serves as the advisory Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade County Safespace Shelters and Transitional Housing programs for survivors of Domestic Violence. He has also served on national think tanks with John Hopkins University on the issue of human trafficking and with the Department of Justice on the issue of police community relations. Mr. Schroeder has also been elected to several boards of directors, including serving as President on both the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Human Relations Professionals of Greater Miami.

Did you know that when you get married in Florida, $30 of the license fee is allocated to the 42 certified shelters across the state?

Safespace houses about 200 women at any one time. The occupancy rate is 90 - 92%. There are too many victims.

"One thing I will never understand," Mr. Schroeder said, "is how pregnant women end up here."

The difference between men and women is that when men are walking out the door, they are leaving. When women walk out the door, they are escaping.

One-third of ongoing intimate relationships experience domestic violence. The number one reason for homicide of women is domestic violence related (about 30% of all homicides). Comparatively, the number one cause of homicide among men is a result of associates, business partners, and friends.

Mr. Schroeder sees a silver lining to this cloud, however; when he first started working in this field, 50% of women returned to their abusive household. Today, that number is down to 12%. Society has finally come to embrace domestic violence awareness.

You can help! Please consider donating your used cell phones to their thrift store, located at 20710 South Dixie Highway (305) 253-5743. They are currently running a cell phone drive to provide phones for women in their shelters.

The Induction of William Riera

Congratulations to William Riera, our newest member!

William Riera is the owner of Hi-Tech Computer Management, which provides computer and network security solutions.

President Carol Nobles, Secretary Phil Cabase, and Membership Chair Al Smith lead the induction.

 

William Riera displays his framed copy of Rotary's Four Way Test

William Riera's wife, Jessica, performs the pinning ceremony.

Upcoming Rotarian 2 Rotarian Mixer

Save the date for the second R2R "Monday Mixer". It's on September 12th at 5:30 PM at Season's 52 on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

Please contact District 6990 Membership Chair Joe Roth for more information

Don Horton "Texas Bred and Keys Conch"

Don Horton, who was President of the Upper Keys Rotary Club, moved to the Keys in the mid 70's after finding that he loved the island style of living better than fighting oil fires in the Texas City, Texas refineries.

A Paul Harris Fellow, Mr. Horton is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and is currently studying to be a district and regional discussion leader for Rotary International and is the District 6990 Assistant District Governor.

With his wife Sherri, Mr. Horton owns a property management company called No Stress Property Management where they offer property management for privately owned homes as well as project and construction management and permit expediting. Don is a land use, building and code consultant, and an expert witness for many projects in the Keys.

Mr. Horton talked to the club about the objectives we seek to fulfill for the remainder of the rotary year.

Congratulations to our two newest members, Miguel Lopez and Lawrence Percival, who were inducted into the club today!

Miguel Lopez is a a Financial Representative for L.M. Bravo and Associates. He is also the President of Transcript, Inc. a Medical Transcript Solution Provider.

Lawrence Percival is a West Kendall Community Activist and a blogger for WestKendallToday.com. He is also the owner of DCA Inc., which provides Information Services.

 

Don Horton speaking to the club

The induction was led by President Carol Nobles, Secretary Phil Cabase, Don Horton, and Past President Bill Tuttle.

Bill Tuttle reads the Four Way Test

Phil Cabase pins Lawrence Percival and Carol Nobles pins Miguel Lopez

Lawrence and Miguel receive their pins as well as a framed copy of The Four Way Test

Member Jose Colli received a membership pin.

Front: (from left) Lawrence Percival, Jose Colli, Miguel Lopez

Back: (from left) Carol Nobles, Don Horton, Bill Tuttle

New Member Carmen Sanchez

Congratulations to Carmen Sanchez, who is now officially Miami Metrozoo Club's newest Rotarian!

Carmen receives her induction into the club from Membership District Vice-Chair Joe Roth

Al Smith MDC Alumni

Congratulations to Al Smith for his listing with the MDC Alumni Network!

Joe the Jeweler - Rotary Membership

District 6990 Membership Chair Joe Roth shared membership secrets with the club today.

Joe asked why it was important to strengthen your club and members. The answer was to create bigger, better, and bolder clubs. It is vital for our clubs to make a good first impression to potential members.The result of an expanding membership is the direct consequence of strong and effective clubs and its members.

How?

• Present an energetic, well organized meeting
• Enthusiastically welcome your visitors
• Communicate with guests after the meeting

THINK:  
If you were a first time visitor to your club today, what would your first impression be?

Joe encouraged members not to be RINOs - Rotarians In Name Only

A good way to prevent RINOs is to offer members leadership opportunities.

On that note, the club would like to recognize the following guests who were at the meeting today:
Saundra Lange, Senior Vice President of 1st National Bank
Miguel Lopez, Financial Representative at LMBravo and Associates
William Riera, Computer Manager at Hi-Tech

Hong Kong Flag

 

The club received a flag from the Rotary Club of Hong Kong Northeast! It was placed on our Rotary Banner.

Insights on Aging - Robin Kroth

Guest Speaker Robin Kroth holds a B.A. degree in English and has over 33 years of experience in newspaper and magazine advertising, book publishing and printing. Also a writer and editor, Korth has published four books for private authors and has worked with many companies helping them grow their businesses with advertising and strategic business profiles.

In 1983, as the owner of a fledgling aviation support advertising agency, she drove The Korth Company to be the single largest advertiser in the World Aviation Directory. The Korth Company actually contracted for more advertising space than any other advertiser, including Pratt & Whitney and General Electric during that year.

In 1999, Korth received a Master's degree in nursing, with a concentration on research and the care of the older adult. This augments Korth's other experiences to firmly ground her in solid knowledge and practical experience as the driving force behind Insights on Aging.

 Robin Korth realized that she was in an unhappy life and did not know what she was missing. Then, "I fell in love with me", and she realized that everyone is beautiful and powerful. She had to share this with the world. Now she conducts workshops with Insights on Aging.

"If we're laughing at people and not learning to laugh at ourselves, we're not connected". We need to bring ourselves home; to connect with ourselves.

"Let's do this aging thing well; let's do this living thing well."
-Robin Korth

Join Robin Korth's "Shut Up! Workshop Series Focus Group - A Coming Home!"

They are looking for a select group of people to help them fine-tune their ALL NEW workshop in the IOA Shut Up! series called "Coming Home"

Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 9:00am to 2:00pm

Best Western Plus

1900 Stirling Road

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33004

$49.95, Lunch Included

Seating is limited. Reserve today!

Contact: Call 877-389-7979 or email info@insightsonaging.com

 

 Robin Korth presenting to the club.

 President Carol Nobles presents Robin Korth with a certificate of appreciation.

President Carol Nobles presents Al Smith with a certificate of appreciation.

Presidential Citation

Past President, Jack Courtright, informed the club that we have received a Presidential Citation. Thank you, Jack, for your selfless leadership and contributions to the club. Congratulations to all the members of the Miami Metrozoo Rotary Club!

Member Spotlight - Al Smith with Fast Signs

Today, Al Smith shared his experiences about his franchise, Fast Signs, with the club.

Fast Signs was started in 1986 in Dallas, Texas. Fast Signs is a good franchise to be apart of: 450 stores in the United States means great buying power. There are a team of experts in Dallas to help out all franchisees.

Al stated that, "A business with no signs is a business with no business". Al knows that getting a sign is money well spent.

Banners are a great way to promote a business - they are economical, durable, and popular. Exhibits and displays are also a popular media at the beginning of the year for conferences as they are portable and inexpensive.

At Fast Signs, they always send a proof beforehand to the customer so they can check the work and make any necessary corrections before the final product is created.

Al mainly sticks to his core business of signage. They have two graphic artists on staff who can design logos, signage, etc. Therefore, not only does Fast Signs print signs but they design them as well. This is because Al knows that first impressions are very important.

Al's Fast Signs also offers:

• Posters and murals
• Exterior building signs
• Promotional products
• Printing products - business cards, flyers, etc.
• Vehicle wraps (they use 3M, which actually protects the paint of the car. Life expectancy is easily 5 years with 3M control tac. They can do sections or a whole wrap. Prices range from $500 to $4,000)

Visit Al's Fast Signs today for your advertising needs. Do business with a Rotarian: they hold themselves to a higher standard.

Fast Signs

13550 SW 120th St Ste 448

Miami, FL 33186  

(305) 254-2220

 Al Smith holds a sign he made for the Gold Coast Railroad Museum Day Camp

 President Carol Nobles presents Al Smith with a certificate of appreciation.

President Carol Nobles presents a certificate of appreciation to Michael David Hall, Executive Director of the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

() ‎

Unfranchise with Latifa Marceau and Zafeira Nomicos

Today's speakers were Latifa Marceau and Zafeira Nomicos with Unfranchise.

Market America was founded in 1992, and has had 72 quarters of consecutive growth. It is a product marketing company.

Unfranchise brings the power of people and technology together. There is no incentive to compete; everyone is helping each other. Consumers shopping through the Market America portal get cash back. Market America also provides a good way for customers to shop by comparison and save money.

Not for profits also receive money when customers use the Market America portal.

Check out Latifa and Zafeiria's Market America portal and see for yourself!:
www.marketamerica.com/phoenixflight

Wacky Barn - Tedor Whitman

Tedor Whitman, the Director of Education from the Zoological Society of Florida at Zoo Miami, spoke to us today about the upcoming Wacky Barn attraction. It will be opening at the Zoo next month on July 4th.

Mr. Whitman, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, hails from Connecticut. He has held positions at the Philadelphia Zoo, Camden Aquarium, and, most recently, the Beardsley Zoo.

His goal is to try to get people to realize that zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) do not exist solely for the purpose of exhibiting animals but also for education;

"Zoos are not to be places where we display animals before they become extinct"

The AZA  is currently trying to dedicate at least one tenth of their overall budget to field conservation. If every AZA institution participated this would generate at least another $75 million for towards field conservation annually. This benchmark is only their initial goal; eventually they would like to increase this amount to $250 million.

Zoo Miami has a variety of strengths: it has a great collection of animals, 810,000 visitors annually, and "First Contact Potential" - a majority of visitors have never been to a zoo before.

A study that was conducted found that people did not go to the zoo simply to see the animals (this could easily be achieved via TV or the Internet with better results). Based on their findings, a majority of the 143 million people who visit zoos annually are looking for an experience that they cannot get anywhere else; they want to be educated.

Zoo Miami wants to "turn the ACT of visiting the zoo into the conservation ACTION". The zoo will act as an ambassador to influence people to support conservation. If the zoo is involved in conservation efforts, people's perception of the zoo improves (regardless of what condition the zoo parking lot is in) because they are then involved in making the world a better place.

The Wacky Barn itself has no right angles; it is evocative of Dr. Seuss. The mission of the barn is to get children to feel comfortable with animals. The animals in the barn will be heritage breeds. This first contact that the children have with the animals will introduce them to the message of conservation.

To summarize, Zoo Miami wants to make the zoo so pleasurable to attend that the visitors will want to do more to help the zoo.

 

Past President (2010 - 2011) Jack Courtright presents Tedor Whitman with a certificate of appreciation.

 

 Various presentation slides.

 

Rotarian honored for fund-raising efforts

Congratulations to Carol Nobles for being featured in the Miami Herald:

Carol Nobles has been named Rotarian of the Year for the Rotary Club of Miami MetroZoo. The club’s community-minded vice president is the chartered retirement plans specialist at Young, Stovall & Co., a South Dade financial services firm. She was honored in part for coordinating an event that raised more than $11,000 for renovations at a Miami-area domestic violence shelter.
The fund-raiser organized by Nobles was called “Dine, Dance, Make a Difference,” and enough money was raised to initiate renovation at the Safespace South domestic violence shelter.
Nobles also was installed as the club’s incoming president at the dinner event held at Papichi’s Restaurant in South Dade. Todd Dayton, the Rotary’s incoming District 6990 Governor, made the presentations.
Chartered in October 2009, the Rotary Club of Miami MetroZoo is still in its infancy, but Nobles said she has ambitious plans for the coming months. The club recently began having its meetings in a historic railcar at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum located at the zoo’s entrance.
“All members are on board and looking forward to the coming year,” she said. “We’re on track for continued growth.”
For more information, visit www.rotary-atzoomiami.org. For membership information, call William Tuttle at 305 801-6806.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/10/2260810/rotarian-honored-for-fund-raising.html#ixzz1WZGqmCog

Ask A Banker - Carmen Sanchez

Today our club discovered how a community bank can often provide more advantages for business development than a large commercial bank.

Carmen Sanchez is the Assistant Vice President Customer Relationship Officer at 1st National Bank of South Florida. She has been with 1st National for 11 years. 1st National used to be 1st National Bank of Homestead, established in 1932. They have $223 billion in assets.

Ms. Sanchez's bank has a focus on community banking. Her motto is that "bigger is not always better". If you invest in a community bank then you invest in your community. They work on relationship banking; they want to know you! 1st National is a full service bank.
 
The customers of 1st National have Ms. Sanchez's cell phone number. Has your banker given you theirs?

1st National also promotes their clients business in their banks; customers can advertise their business inside their branches. There is no charge to do so.

If you are interested in banking with 1st National, please contact Carmen Sanchez at 305-247-5541. You may also email her or visit a 1st National branch.

 

Carmen Sanchez and her assistant, Omar Cubero, present to the group.

Past President (2010 - 2011) Jack Courtright presents Ms. Sanchez with a certificate of appreciation.

Bobby Bebber - National Foundation for Transplants

Come join us for a benefit to support the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Bobby Bebber, a 2002 Columbus Alumni.

Friday, June 24, 2011 at 7:00PM

At

Christopher Columbus High School

3000 Southwest 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33165

You can make a difference!

Your tax deductible donation will help Bobby receive a second chance at life. He is waiting for a double lung transplant. A typical double lung transplant can cost more than $650,000! Transplant medications can cost $2,000 to $5,000 every month.

Donation is $25.00 per person.

Drinks, Appetizers, and Raffle included.

Additional raffle tickets will also be available for purchase that evening.

RSVP by June 10th with number of attendees to

Salpost@yahoo.com or Patbebber@yahoo.com

Make your checks payable to National Foundation for Transplants.

Your prepaid tickets will be waiting for you at the door.

Please mail the check to

Sally Ohnesorge Postmus

8505 SW 107 Street

Miami, FL 33156

If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation in honor of Bobby Bebber.

Thank you.

The Artist, Malcolm Rae

A fellow Rotarian, Malcom Rae is known as "The Artist" at his rotary club;

"I try to capture the beauty of the Bahamas before the politicians, preachers, and progress destroy everything...I fear that I am losing."

Mr. Rae paints with a variety of media, including acrylics, watercolors, and pastels. His styles range from traditional to abstract, with a bit of sculpture thrown in. He is a self taught artist, although he enjoys visiting museums. Originally he studied medicine at the University of the West Indies, but discovered that he had a greater passion for art. Over the years, Mr. Rae has participated in eight street shows in Florida.

He is also a 2011 Ambassador to the Bahamas for the Portrait Society of America.

At Mr. Rae's Rotary club, he is responsible for the Bahamas' Annual Government House "Art of Thanks", held during Thanksgiving. They received permission from the Governor-General to hold the show in the ballroom for a black tie event. Artists were assisted by the members and sold their works with the club handling the sales. A percentage of the profit was given to various charities. New artists learned that art can be a serious business.

Mr. Rae graciously donates his artwork to the seven Rotary clubs in Nassau to raise money for their various charities. He also generously allowed our club to pick out one of his paintings for a fundraiser!

If you would like to learn more about Mr. Rae's artwork, please visit his website. He may also be emailed at stingrae@batelnet.bs

 

Mr. Rae discusses his artwork with various members.

Presenting one of his latest works of art.

Bill Tuttle, Exhibits and Graphics Coordinator at Zoo Miami, was asked to pick a painting from Mr. Rae's collection, to be used for fundraising purposes for the club.

President Jack Courtright presents Mr. Rae with a certificate of appreciation.