FLORIDA
SUNBEAM
Volume 9, Issue 4
Fall 2013
Governor’s Notes The 2012-2013 Civitan Passion Speaks with Action year went by in a heartbeat. The first six months zipped by in break-neck speed. That whirlwind pace was tempered by the April Florida District Meeting in Orlando. What a fun time that was at the Doubletree with the Florida Junior Civitans, who were having their convention at the same time as our meeting. I t was a wonderful occasion to share experiences and learn from each other during the fellowship. Next, in July, came the Civitan International Convention in Denver. Dazzling Denver, spread out in front of the leading edge of the Rockies, provided a splendid setting for our annual assembly. Not to be outdone, Florida Civitans and Clubs captured numerous International awards, highlighted by Lake Eola’s Robert Dietz, who collected Civitan’s highest International award, The Civitan International Honor Key, and the Uptown Civitan Club, which earned the Shropshire Award as Civitan’s top club for the umteen time. Above all, for me the year reached its crescendo at the Florida District Convention in my charming city of Naples. Despite the long drive for some, all I heard was positive feedback and that everyone had a delightful time. We were fortunate to have as guests, International President-Elect Bob Robinson and his wife Wendy from Perth, Ontario, Canada, as well as International Region 2 Director Faye Evans from Atlanta, Georgia. Congratulations to all of the award winners. Thank you, Bob Robinson for installing our new district team. Many thanks to all of the attendees that celebrated the Service, Knowledge and Fellowship of the 2012-2013 Civitan year in Florida. Lastly, before, between, and after these events that I have featured above, Florida Civitans, you have done your usual steadfast service to those in your communities that are in need of it. Blessings and praise are your reward. Please continue you staunch support for those in need in your communities with your ardent allegiance to the Civitan Creed as well as the tenets of Civitan, Service, Knowledge and Fellowship as Civitan Hometown Heroes in 2013-2014. Bob Kircher, Governor, Florida District Civitan
What’s Inside District Officers and Florida District Calendar Growth and Retention Junior Civitan Update Immediate Past Governor’s Message The Chaplain’s Corner
2 3 3 4 5
Governor-Elect’s Message Region II International Director’s Message Club Beams District Convention Pictures
6 7 8-12 12-13
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FLORIDA SUNBEAM
DISTRICT OFFICERS 2013-2014
V O LU M E 9 I S S U E 4
CIVITAN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER, BIRMINGHAM, AL
Governor: Robert C. (Bob) Kircher
Governor-elect: Deborah McCoy
Immediate Past Governor: Robert G. (Bob) Brightman
Elected Past Governor Director: Gay Aaron
Area Directors: Area 1: Area 2A: Area 2B: Area 3: Area 4: Area 5:
Patricia (Trish) Mlekodaj Mattie Fraser Linda Weinstein Karen Johnston Vickie MacKenzie Polly Forestier
Secretary: Gayle Kanak
Treasurer: Jayne Keil Fishman
Chaplain: Philip Nordstrom
Judge Advocate: Robert Dietz
Sergeant-at-Arms: Victor Forestier
Committee Chairs Awards, Nominations, Robert G. Brightman
Bulletin/Newsletter Karen Taylor
Candy/Coin Box: Council of Past Governors Gay Aaron
Don DeVane Scholarship Nery Kircher
Finance: Robert Dietz Fruit Cake: Pat Kirk
Growth & Retention, Historian and Training Coordinator: Helen Galloway
Junior / Campus Civitan: Penny Bonawitz
Public Relations: Tricia MacKenzie
Registrar: Lynn Maurer
Time & Place Gay Aaron Website: John Edward Dietz
International Foundation Liaison for the District: Polly Forestier
FL DISTRICT TENTATIVE CALENDAR - 2013—2014 December 1
Honor Club/Competitive Awds apps due to Int’l with copy to Immediate Past Gov.; District Awds apps for Outstanding Club, Outstanding Club President due to Immed. Past Gov. January 1 Deadline to submit material for Winter Sunbeam January 17-22 Governor-Elect Academy in Birmingham, Alabama January 24-27 Junior Civitan International Sno-Do in Canada Jan 30—Feb 5 Clergy Appreciation Week January 31 Quality Achievement Award Applications due to International January 31 Postmark Deadline Shropshire Application due to Int’l February Junior Civitan International Appreciation Month Feb 27—Mar 1 Governor’s Update March 7—11 Junior Civitan Int. Dance-a-thon in South Carolina April Civitan Awareness Month Junior Civitan Advisor Appreciation Month Apr. 1 Deadline to submit material for Spring Sunbeam April 4—5 Florida District Meeting with Jr Civitans and Board Meetings April 30 Area Directors’ Semi-Annual Visit with Club Presidents Due May 31 Florida District Board Meeting Conference Call 9 a.m. June 26-30 Junior Civitan International Convention July 1 Report of Club Officers to Civitan Int’l & Governor-Elect July 1 Junior Civitan Club Year Begins; Officers Assume Duties (report due) July 1 Deadline to submit material to Summer Sunbeam Aug 11—16 Civitan Int’l Convention, Caribbean Cruise August 15 Awards Applications postmarked to Awards Chair R. Brightman Sept. 12-13 Florida District Board Meeting and Annual Convention & Installation Banquet, Place TBD Sept. 30 Area Director’s Year-end Report with Club Presidents due Oct. 1 Deadline to submit material to Fall Sunbeam
CIVITAN—HOMETOWN HEROES
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FLORIDA SUNBEAM
STAY ON THE ENERGY BUS! …
V O LU M E 9 , I S S U E 4
Helen Galloway, Growth & Retention Chair
“Only the highway of useful service leads to the city of happiness.” Civitans rode the highway on 2012-2013 International President Joe Parker’s Energy Bus and reached a plus in membership for the year!!! A total of 302 new members joined our great organization. And, the Florida District welcomed 105 new members to our 31 clubs! Although we did not end with a plus in membership, we are on the road to success by sharing our Civitan tenets with others. Psychologists who study human behavior have concluded that we are happiest when we are striving to achieve success. When we strive to achieve success through service to others, we multiply the benefits to ourselves, and ensure that whatever road we choose in life will ultimately lead to success and happiness. Congratulations to the following clubs who welcomed new members during September: Arlington (2), St. Petersburg, Treasure Coast, Uptown (6) and West Orange. Special kudos to 2012-2013 Governor Bob Brightman for his enthusiasm and encouragement throughout the year. He did lead us on our ride on the Energy Bus. Best wishes to our new Governor, Bob Kircher, as he guides us in the coming year to achieving success as we serve others and enjoy the fellowship of Civitan! We were pleased to have 2013-2014 International President Bob Robinson and his lovely wife, Wendy, join us at our recent exciting convention in Naples! We look forward to living our Civitan goals with him and illus-
trating that:
Civitan – Hometown Heroes
Junior Civitan Update...Penny
Bonawitz, Junior Civitan Chair
The Junior Civitan Board kicked off the year with a district wide project of collecting new and gently used t-shirts for the homeless in each clubs area. This project should wrap up by the end of November. It will also cover clubs for collection selection and a social project. So far two clubs reported their totals, Durant 480 and they only have 9 members this year, and Lake Howell with 139. There are many other clubs participating but have not submitted totals as of this report The Junior Board conducted FLOAT (Florida Officer and Advisor Training) at Bishop Moore High School on Oct. 19. Seven clubs were represented, Mainland, Durant, Bishop Moore, Lake Howell, St. Francis, Ocoee and Ft. Pierce. I will be traveling to Naples on Nov. 7 to train and install officers of the Naples and Golden Gate clubs then travel to Tallahassee to train and install the officers of Chiles and hopefully Lincoln on Nov. 17. The clubs in the Tampa/ St. Pete area are working on dates for their training. Clubs should be receiving donation requests from both Governor Nico Tyjeski and PRC Hazel Go for Sno-Do and Dance A Thon in the very near future. Please let me know if your club has not received this request. We are gearing up for the next district project, Polar Plunge. Board members are adding their names to the team and emails and fliers will be sent to all clubs to participate either by attending the event or being a virtual plunger. We encourage Civitan Club members to join us in this event. Continued on Page 5
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FLORIDA SUNBEAM
FROM THE IMMEDIATE PAST GOVERNOR … “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” Helen Keller
V O LU M E 9 , I S S U E 4
Bob Brightman
happen, and that he would drive over to Orlando on Monday and would fix everything. And Steve did. And he was right. The meeting did happen, and I heard nothing but favorable comments. The registration Being Florida District Governor has been surprisingly fee was low, the breakfast was enjoyable---except for the e-mails---I just never got on good, and the hotel rates were top of the e-mails. On my first day in office, Oct 1, great. The Friday night social with 2012, I visited the Tampa Metro club for their officer the Juniors was great. The feedinstallation. It was a nice way to start the year. And back I got regarding combining our district meeting the Tampa Metro Club made a donation to CIRC in with the Jr. convention was very favorable, and we my name. Thanks Tampa Metro. That was really ap- are planning to meet jointly again with the Juniors this preciated, particularly as my only real “platform” this year. The joint Civitan District Meeting and Junior year was that I would like to see the Florida District Convention ended up being the highlight of my year increase its support for our flagship charity, the CIRC. as Governor. Steve came through one more time, Similarly, I was excited when the District Board voted and he is going to be greatly missed. We are grateful at the April meeting, pursuant to a motion from Mattie for all Steve did for Civitan through the years. Hillary Fraser, to donate $5000 to the CIRC, which supand I attended Steve’s funeral in St Pete along with a ported our Golfers at the International Convention in contingent from Orlando. I was proud to see we had Denver. approximately 30 Civitans in attendance to show their love and respect for Steve. Club visits, officer installations, and new member installations ended up being my favorite part of the job. A second highlight for me was the International ConI particularly enjoyed installations at the West Orange vention in Denver. The Florida District had a banner Junior Civitan and the Lake Howell Junior Civitan. I year in Denver. As mentioned above, Naples Civitan would particularly like to congratulate Lynn Mauer on won the award for Best Youth Project. The Golf Tour20 years as club sponsor of Lake Howell Jr. Civitan. nament raised $240,000 for the CIRC, and Robert It is a large and active club and won an award at the Dietz, who was one of the original organizers of the Junior Civitan convention for its weeklong antiBreakthrough Golf Tournament, was recognized with bullying presentation. Lynn, your 20 years of service a well deserved International Honor Key. The are greatly appreciated. Hillary and I particularly en- Jacksonville Uptown Club received the Shropshire joyed our visit to the Naples Civitan Club in the spring Outstanding Club Award ( their 11th ). for Dancing Under the Stars with Nery and Bob, who I was excited not only that we won a lot of awards, but sang up a storm. And congratulations to Naples Civitan for receiving the award for Best Youth Project was excited about what rewards we won. Last year’s at the CI Denver Convention for its support of Collier District Budget seriously over estimated our income. As a result, when I did this years budget, I cut back Challenger baseball. I hope some of you saw the recent feature on the Sunday Evening NBC news re- several thousand dollars ,and I believe we have exceeded our budget in most expense categories. garding challenger baseball. Gov. Kircher will have challenges devising a budget The low point of my year as Governor had to be Feb- 2013-14 for the Florida District that will allow us to do ruary. We were preparing for the April 5th District the things we do the way we have been doing them. Meeting and Jr. Civitan Convention. The hotel in Mel- Our clubs and CI are having to change how they do bourne where we thought we were going to hold the business, and I believe the District will have to also, meeting backed out. I called our time and place chair but I believe the change will be evolutionary. And I Steve Steenberge in a GIANT PANIC that the District think the awards the Florida District won in Denver Meeting and Jr. Convention were not going to happen Continued on Page 6 and that we were only eight weeks out. Steve assured me the meeting would happen, they always
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FLORIDA SUNBEAM
THE CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
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… PHIL NORDSTROM
At the Florida District Convention at the Inn on 5th in Naples a brief Memorial Service was held to honor and remember Florida District Civitans who have gone on since our District Convention in 2012. In the fall issue of the Florida Sunbeam for the last six years, I’ve honored those who passed on during the Civitan year. Listed below are the Civitans who were honored this year. Dorothy Baker – Gainesville Civitan Club Guy Flanders – Tallahassee Civitan Club Hugh Foster – Lake Eola Civitan Club Margie Graham – Lake Eola Civitan Club Ann Kohler Shearer – Florida’s First Coast Civitan Club Steve Steenberge – Seminole Civitan Club and Tampa Metro Civitan Club Don Williams – Tampa Metro Civitan Club
for all citizens. No one knows when our Lord is going to call us home. Remember, we are on Heaven’s most wanted list! In addition to honoring the Civitans named above who passed on this year, a moment was taken to honor Florida District They were loved and supported their Civitan loved ones. Our 2013-2014 Civitan theme is Hometown Heroes. Why is a Civitan a Hometown Hero? To me, a Hometown Hero is someone that helps someone in need or does something to make life better for all of us. While keeping this in your mind, take the time to read The Civitan Creed. If Civitans (you and me) are following The Civitan Creed, doesn’t that make us Hometown Heroes?
Remember the Lord will help us do this if we will look to Him and ask Him for His help. Isaiah 41:13 says; The hands of these Civitans did the work of the world “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right and reached out in service to others. Also, their heart hand, Who says to you, Do not Fear, I will help you.” beat for every friend, bled for every injury to humanity Let’s be sure we seek the Lord’s help in making the and throbbed with joy at every triumph of truth. In adjustments we need to make in order to be better addition, they practiced the Golden Rule of doing for Civitans in helping others. others what they would want done for them. Can you (me) say that? Each of us needs to make sure we do Also, it is good to remember that: “Wise men talk our best in following the Civitan Creed. When we do, about ideas, ordinary men talk about things, and fools we can be sure we are working to make this a better talk about each other.” world for all people. In His Grace, We thank the Lord for these Civitans. They gave of Phil themselves to make their communities a better place
Junior Civitan Update (cont.) Continued from Page 3
We are also encouraging all Juniors to attend Dance A Thon which will be held in Myrtle Beach, SC next March. As of November 4, five clubs had paid their dues and four of the five have a 10% increase in membership! Officer reports and Activity reports are still missing from quite a few clubs. This makes it hard to contact club Presidents and board members and to know what clubs are doing. The Junior Civitan Florida District facebook page and website are constantly being updated when new information is sent in from clubs. Penny
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FLORIDA SUNBEAM
GOVERNOR—ELECT REPORT Some exciting new from the Gainesville Club! Next year will be their 40th year anniversary. We have had a lot of recent communication with them and had the opportunity to view a video that they produced to give some history on the club and the growth of the Life South blood bank system that they support! If anyone is interested in seeing the video let me know and I will send it to you. Civitan International has also asked that they write an article for the Civitan International magazine. Gary Kirkland, President is also going to be a guest speaker at the Leesburg club following a request from President, Trish Mlekodaj.
...(Deb McCoy)
high of 26 to 16 in one year! In our board meetings we are dissecting the reasons for the sudden drop and increasing our efforts to gain more new members. We are definitely thinking about reinventing ourselves. Trish Mlekodaj, Area 1 Director and Leesburg club president and I are meeting with local couple in an attempt to develop a new club in Central Florida.
Also giving some thought to developing a club for people with intellectual disabilities. Some other civic organizations have come into local Arc’s such as the We are beginning to really feel how important growth Kiwanis club, who sponsors the Aktion club. I am and retention is for all of our clubs. This will be a common theme for me in the upcoming years, begin- looking at an Arc in Live Oak, which is close to Tallahassee. ning with my own club, Leesburg. We went from a
FROM THE IMMEDIATE PAST GOVERNOR ...(cont.) Continued from Page 4
suggest we are well positioned from a communication and technology standpoint to make the necessary evolution. We won Best Club Newsletter( congratulations Uptown) and Best District Newsletter for the Sunbeam ( congratulations Mattie and Helen). We also won best Club Website for Civitan Lake Eola and best District Website. As a District we are going to have make some changes in what we do and how we do it. But our Civitan Magazine this year spotlighted a club that had just built its 400th handicapped ramp. The Florida District’s oldest chartered club this year celebrated its 92 anniversary, and its current My wife, Hillary, and me at the president recruited 10 new members. I believe there remains a place for Naples Club visit in March our locally based community service projects. I believe we will continue to do great things one fruitcake at a time! Left: The 3 Bobs—Int’l President Bob Robinson, Outgoing Florida District Gov. Bob Brightman, and Incoming Gov. Bob Kircher at Naples District Convention. Right: Gov. Bob Kircher presenting CIRC Fellowship to Outgoing Gov. Bob Brightman
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FLORIDA SUNBEAM
O LU S SEU E4 2 V OVLU M EM E9 , 8I S, SIU
FROM THE REGION II INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR Region II Civitans, What an Awesome Year! Over 3,850 new members joined Civitan International. 33 new clubs were built in the United States, three (3) new clubs build in the Philippines, and one (1) new club built in Canada, Germany, Ghana, and Uganda, respectively. Overall, Civitan International had a net gain of 302 members! What energy as we rode the Civitan Energy Bus! The Georgia District ended in the Top Five Districts with the highest numerical value of clubs and district officers sponsoring a minimum of one (1) member in 2012-13. With 3 clubs attaining Golden Circle Status and one (1) Rebuilt Club; five (5) members sponsored four (4) or more members and received Members Sponsorship Team (MST) recognition; and 23 clubs added one or more members and will receive Honor Club Recognition.
This year, I installed the new members of the Johns Creek and Duluth Civitan Clubs and assisted Georgia’s incoming Governor, Dianne Hansard with the installation of the Druid Hills, Atlanta Tech, Atlanta Skyline, and the South West Fulton Civitan Officers for 2013-14.
Additionally, during my visit to the Florida District Convention, in beautiful Naples, Florida, I assisted President Elect Robert (Bob) Robinson with the installation of the incoming Florida District Officers and served as a judge for the well-constructed and memorable Scrapbooks. Kudos to the District Convention Planning Committee! Teamwork was definitely exhibited as Governor Robert Brightman, Governor-Elect Bob Kircher and his lovely wife, Nereyda, overwhelmThe Florida District had five (5) members sponsoring ing displayed love, warmth, and extreme hospitality four (4) or members and received Members Sponsor- that was enjoyed by all. ship Team (MST) recognition. Additionally, nine (9) clubs added one or more members and will receive Always an inspiration, the chartering ceremonies of Honor Club Recognition. the Chattahoochee, Northview, Johns Creek (Georgia); Mainland (Florida); and Buford, and Early The South Caroline District had one (1) club to attain College (South Carolina) High School Junior Civitan Golden Circle Status with one (1) member sponsoring Clubs. Words cannot explain the delight in seeing four (4) or more members and received Members how the adult sponsors take time to serve as mentors Sponsorship Team (MST) recognition. Additionally to our youth to prepare them to become outstanding six (6) clubs added one or more members and will citizens in our communities. receive Honor Club Recognition. For 2013-14, I look forward to working with GoverRegion II’s contributions assisted Civitan International nors: Bob Kircher (Florida), Dianne Hansard immensely in achieving its overall membership gain. (Georgia), and David Simpson (South Carolina). I also look forward to visiting your clubs and districts. What a way to go Region II! The new theme for 2013-14 is “Civitan – Hometown It was very delightful visiting the three districts this Heroes.” year. It is always rewarding to meet the members and share in their community service activities. The Congratulations to everyone for all that you do to help real joy is witnessing the great deeds that the clubs others! Let’s all be Hometown Heroes by continuing are doing in reaching out and helping others in the our community service projects and supporting the Civitan International Recommunities. Your community service and involvesearch Center. ment is undeniable. Congratulations to the South Carolina District for its many, many, wonderful comFaye E. Evans, MST munity service projects! My visit to the South CaroRegion 2 International lina District left me with many new friends. Hats off to Director Governor Don Floyd and Past Governor Lura Boggs.
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CLUB BEAMS CLAY COUNTY CIVITAN CLUB Clay County Civitans have been active---including a pool party and lunch with Knights of Columbus/Sacred Heart; Sunday afternoon “Bingo for Bucks” with the Seniors at Drs, Lake Health Care; working with the Special Olympics with members participating in both the County and area games. In Clay County, August means a themed Hawaiian Dance, and September means Western Night at OP United Methodist Church. Sept 21 was a group scavenger hunt fundraiser, with teams given a map and a list of items to be “found” along the way.
CLEARWATER CIVITAN CLUB On Oct 4 Earl Lusk, outgoing Clearwater President and Clearwater members, organized a joint installation for 5 Tampa Bay/St Pete area clubs at the St Pete Beach Club House. Over 70 Civitans and guests from Clearwater, North Tampa, Seminole, St Pete, and Tampa Metro Civitan clubs enjoyed an evening of good food, fellowship, and Civitan camaraderie. The club officers and boards were installed by Governor Robert Kircher. Governor Kircher also presented outgoing St Pete club president Bonnie Ruth with the District Outstanding Membership Recruitment Award. Governor Kircher also presented Linda Steenberge with the Resolution honoring Steve and Linda unanimously adopted by the Florida district at the Naples convention. And before the evening ended, Clearwater Civitan presented outgoing President Earle Lusk with the Club Honor Key. Photos from the Tampa Bay/St. Pete area clubs Joint Installation
Thank you to Pete Galietta of the St. Pete Club for the photos!
FIRST COAST CIVITAN CLUB First Coast Civitan welcomes its new President Manny Enriquez and wants to thank new club member Lucreita D. Becude who volunteered to become their President-Elect after attending training in Orlando.
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CLUB BEAMS… two FRONTIER CIVITAN CLUB Frontier Civitan is doing its annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Saturday December 7th with six homes to amaze and delight their visitors.
HEART OF FLORIDA CIVITAN CLUB Heart of Florida had an active 2012-2013, during the year assisting A Gift for Teaching, the Edgewood Childrens Youth Ranch, Florida Symphony Youth ranch, Clean the World, Feed Florida First, Best Buddies, the Downs Syndrome Association, the Cancer Society, the Orlando Museum of Art, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. In November the club held a fundraising Rummage Sale and in December the club will again enjoy its Holiday Potluck Dinner and Gift Exchange.
LAKE EOLA CIVITAN CLUB Civitan Lake Eola was well represented at the Denver International Convention with 5 members in attendance. Our member Robert Dietz received the International Honor Key. Kudos also to webmaster John Dietz for First Place district website and second place club website. Four Lake Eola Civitans competed in the Dick Batchelor Run for Children. Proceeds from the race support the Howard Phillips Center which provides services for children, families, and individuals who have faced child abuse, sexual trauma, and developmental disabilities. This year Lake Eola will be volunteering at the Howard Phillips Center for the annual Autism Clinic and Downs Syndrome Clinic, and will be supporting the second area Golden Heart Award.
LEESBURG CIVITAN CLUB As one of 2013-14 Governor Bob Kircher’s first official acts, he travelled with his wife Nery to install the officers and board of directors of the Leesburg Civitan Club. Leesburg is also the home club for our 2014-2014 Governor-Elect, Deb McCoy. The installation was attended by 2002—2003 International President Curt Thomas.
Leesburg Installation photos with Governor Bob Kircher
Treas. Bobby Sullivan; Pres.-Elect Cindy Taylor, Pres. Patricia Mlekodaj, Secretary Kathy Parrish
Past Int’l Pres. Curt Thomas; Gov.-Elect Deb McCoy; Pres. Patricia Mlekodaj; Doyle Finney; Nery Kircher
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CLUB BEAMS
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‌ three
MIAMI-HIALEAH CIVITAN CLUB Miami-Highland Civitan continues to service stores for the annual fruitcake project and support a Junior Civitan Club.
NAPLES CIVITAN CLUB Kudos to the Naples Civitan Club for hosting our District Convention in Beautiful Naples. It was a great hotel, a great town, and a good time was had by all. Our thanks to Mayor Sorey of Naples for opening our convention. Our thanks also to Golden Gates High School ROTC Junior Civitans for presenting the colors, and to Jessica Frank from Naples High School Junior Civitan for singing the National Anthem. In October, the Naples club had Barry Williams, Parks and Recreation Director as speaker.
SOUTHPOINT CIVITAN CLUB The Southpoint Scoopette indicates Sheri Criswell of Dreams Come True spoke to the club about its activities on behalf of children with life threatening illnesses. The club also had a speaker from the Karples Manuscript Library and Museum, and Melissa Witmeir, Project Coordinator of the Grant for Suicide Prevention.
ST PETERSBURG CIVITAN CLUB St Petersburg Civitan visited and enjoyed lunch and camaraderie with longtime friends at PARC, and toured the PARC facility. PARC has 40 programs for challenged individuals. Club President David Crowe presented the annual Civitan donation to help further the work of PARC.
SUNSET CIVITAN CLUB Our thanks to Sunset Civitan Club Member Karen Johnston for stepping up and becoming Area 3 director. Area 3 consists of the 5 Orlando Clubs and the Sunset Club in Daytona. We think Karen’s service as Area 3 director will help meld the area together. The Sunset Club has moved its meeting place of many years, but continues its strong relationship with Volusia ARC, and has developed a strong relationship with the Special Olympics. And congratulations to Sunset for having a great 2012-2013 year, which was recognized at the Florida District Convention in Naples by the receipt of numerous awards. 2012-2013 Sunset Club President and 2013-2014 Area 3 Director Karen Johnston, with Immediate Past Gov. Bob Brightman, receiving one of numerous awards for the Sunset Civitan Club
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CLUB BEAMS
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… four
TAMPA METRO CIVITAN CLUB Tampa Metro had a very active summer and fall which kept members hopping. Members performed many different roles—volunteering at the week-long National Veterans Wheelchair Games, handling awards at Special Olympics County and Area Aquatics, and County bowling. Four members attended the Florida District Convention in Naples. Members continue to be busy, working on the Night of a Thousand Stars Homecoming Dance for those with special needs, the Jingle Bell Run for the Arthritis Foundation, and Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tampa Metro was saddened by the loss of two very special, longtime members ,Don Williams and Steve Steenberge. Tampa Metro spearheaded the drive to honor Steve with the newly created Civitan International Sustaining Research Center Fellow. Tampa Metro is very appreciative of the contributions from the Florida district, district Clubs, and individual Civitan members who helped make the Fellow possible. The Fellow Plaque was presented to Steve’s wife Linda at the Oct 4th Tampa Bay area installation banquet.
TREASURE COAST CIVITAN CLUB Our thanks to Ruth Ann Hewson, Editor of the Treasure Coast Newsletter for forwarding the newsletter. Also, congratulations to Ruth Ann Hewson for receiving the Florida district Award for outstanding new member. Club members volunteered for the Halloween Party at Challenger, Feed the Hungry, and are supporting the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. Treasure Coast Club members received patches at the district convention for their donations to Sno-Do and Dance A Thon in support of the Junior Civitans. Treasure Coast Civitan once again also achieved Honor Club status for its continuing service to the community. And I was glad to see the last issue of the Treasure Coast Newsletter promoting the annual Claxton Fruitcake sale. Their last newsletter also included the recipe for Fruitcake cookies. For those of you who don’t have it, see below: 1 pound Claxton Fruitcake 1 box Duncan Hines Cake Mix (yellow, spice, or chocolate) 4 eggs ½ cup Wesson oil Break fruitcake up into small pieces. Mix all ingredients together. Bake for 9 minutes at 350 degrees on cookie sheet. NOTE; You can use yellow, spice, or chocolate cake mix and each really gives you a different cookie!
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CLUB BEAMS
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… five
UPTOWN CIVITAN CLUB Good luck to new Uptown president Gayle Kanak. Robert Dietz, Civitan Extraordinaire, traveled to Jacksonville and installed the 2013-2014 officers and board of directors. Uptown is planning a trip to Birmingham to visit the CIRC, and it has established a “stretch” goal for this year of re-establishing Club 10, which turned in its charter this year. In September, Uptown presented checks to two worthy agencies—Horse Sense and Sensitivity and the North Florida School of Special Education. They also recognized their flagship project—PACE Center for Girls. And congratulations to Uptown for the numerous well deserved rewards it received at the Florida District Convention in Naples, including awards for outstanding total service to people with disabilities, single community service project, and outstanding youth project.
2012-2013 FLORIDA DISTRICT CIVITAN CONVENTION IN NAPLES
er Kirch b o B Gov.
Nery K ir Ruthe cher Kurtz
The Fabulous Inn on 5th in Beautiful Naples Int’l. Pres. Bob Robinson and Wendy
Int’l President Bob Robinson & Past Int’l. Presidents from Florida
Immed. Past Gov. Bob Brightman & Hillary; Int’l. Region 2 Director Faye Evans; Chaplain Phil Nordstrom
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2012-2013 FLORIDA DISTRICT CIVITAN CONVENTION IN NAPLES
Beautiful Downtown Naples
Installation of 2013-2014 Florida District Officers
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The Florida Sunbeam Hillary Brightman, Publisher 831 N. Westmoreland Drive Orlando, FL 32804 E-mail: rgbcivitan@aol.com Robert & Hillary Brightman, Editors 831 N. Westmoreland Drive Orlando, FL 32804 E-mail: rgbcivitan@aol.com Phone: 407-340-8608 If undeliverable, please return to: Hillary Brightman, Publisher 831 N. Westmoreland Drive Orlando, FL 32804 E-mail: rgbcivitan@aol.com
PLEASE SEND SUBMISSIONS FOR THE WINTER SUNBEAM TO THE 2013-2014 EDIITOR: Karen Taylor 8910 Easton River Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32257 karen.p.taylor@bellsouth.net FLORIDA DISTRICT WEB SITE…floridacivitan.org
Be A Hometown Hero! Florida District’s own Hometown Hero, Robert Dietz, was awarded an Honor Key at the Civitan International Convention in Denver in recognition of his many years of service and dedication to the values of Civitan. Congratulations Robert!