Greater Naples Leadership is a dynamic nonprofit organization committed to educating proven leaders who wish to volunteer their services in bettering our community.
Men's Social with Chip Beck 2/3/2012
11:30 a.m. "Life on the Golf Tour," featuring Chip Beck, professional golfer, will highlight this event for GNL men.
Alumni and Class XVI Luncheon - Immigration 2/23/2012
"Perspectives on Immigration" Learn about the Task Force on Enforcement and Removal as well as the benefits and difficulties of immigration from the perspective of the taxpayer.
GNL Women's Social - Luncheon 3/21/2012
Naomi Buck is the Director of Programing and Production at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. She will provide a fascinating behind the scenes look into selecting and scheduling all the diverse programs that appear at the Phil.
Alumni InDepth Seminar - Education 3/22/2012
The in-depth alumni session on March 22 will center on education reform, both at the National level and within the State of Florida. Speakers include two Nationally prominent advocates for reform at the P-16 level; Kati Haycock, CEO of The Education Trust and Mike Cohen, CEO of Achieve. In addition, Florida speakers are: Gerard Robinson, Commissioner of Education and Kamela Patton, Collier County Superintendent of Schools.
Class XVI Graduation 3/28/2012
Members of Class XVI and their guests celebrate a successful year.
Celebration Luncheon & Annual Meeting 4/5/2012
Alumni and Members of Class XVII gather for the annual meeting and presentation of the Parke Wright III Distinguished Leadership Award.
The very full and intense day started with the bus ride to
St. Matthew's House.Ernie
Bretzmann discussed
the history and amazing growth of nonprofits in Collier County. The
very competent panel members, Mary Ellen Barrett (Class X) and Rick Fumo
(Class XIV), discussed the difficulties and successes of coordination,
collaboration and funding among so many varied and overlapping
agencies.
Then, Cynthia Rodriguez-Schweisthal and Rev.Vann Ellison
discussed homeless and hunger issues and services.
A highlight of the day was the tour of St. Matthews.Then the bus moved the group on to the
impressive Shelter for Abused Women and Children, a model for the rest of the
U.S.
On Economic Development Class Day, January 4, 2012, the session
leaders, Jay Cook, Jim Fischer, Joe Wall and Lois Bolin, developed an
encompassing program with an impressive panel of participants.
The timely topic of Economic Development came on the heels of the
$80,000 "Strategy for Strengthening Collier County's Economic Plan,"
followed by the unexpected closing of the 33 year old Economic
Development Council on September 30, 2011.
Skyping, a new
benchmark, allowed James McGraw, developer of the new economic plan, to
participate with Reinhold Schmeiding, Arthrex CEO, Leo Ochs, County
Manager, and retired chairman and CEO of Western Auto, John Barlow.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Collier County Program is
looking for adult role models to be matched with children ages 6-18
years of age in the program. We offer options that fit the needs of the
volunteer, (full time residents or seasonal), . . . do you have an hour a
week?
In the Community-Based Program, volunteers provide children with
individualized time and attention based on their schedule. Outings
filled with conversations and shared activities foster a relationship
that helps youth manage the everyday challenges that are part of growing
up. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them.
The objective is to provide a child with a positive role model who can
spend time with the child on a one-to-one basis.
Brian Holley, Class XIII, is one of six leaders in the local arts community to be named one of the Stars in the Arts for 2012 by the United Arts Council of Collier County.
The UAC initiated the award seven years ago to recognize individuals and organizations for leadership in the arts. "These are considered almost as 'People's Choice' awards," says Elaine Hamilton, UAC executive director.
The public nominates worthy candidates from the arts and cultural community. Nominees are evaluated by their peers. Awards will be presented at a luncheon Friday, February 10, at the Naples Grande Resort. GNL members Barbara Sigel, Class XIII, and Jane Berger, Class XI, are co-chairing the event. For tickets or more information, visit www.collierArts.com.
Elijah Arreaga, John Henry, Kerby Henry, Elijah Basile photo courtesy Immokalee Foundation
John Henry, GNL Class X, a mentor in The Immokalee Foundation's (TIF) Take Stock in Children (TSIC) program and a TIF board member, was named Mentor of the Year for the State of Florida by the Take Stock in Children program. He was formally recognized during the program's state conference in Tallahassee in January. Henry has been a board member of the Immokalee Foundation for six years, serving as both Treasurer and Chair, and has served as the TSIC board liaison for two years. He currently mentors three Immokalee High School students (shown in photo), all of whom nominated Henry for the honor. To learn more about volunteering as a mentor or for additional information, call (239) 430-9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.
"It was an honor," states David Drobis, Class XV, "to serve as co-chair of 'Thank You Myra Days,' and help produce the two-day tribute to the founder and former CEO of the Phil." Conceived last year when Myra announced her retirement, the board and staff at the Phil, as well as the two auxiliary organizations, the League and Friends of Art, wanted an event to celebrate Myra's achievements and contributions to Naples.
"Myra is a pioneer who set the standard for the arts in this area; we have an enriched quality of life in Naples because of what she achieved, 'starting from scratch,'" the Naples Daily News wrote in its editorial.
Bobbi Skaggs, Class XV, received the Coast Guard Auxillary Meritorious Team Commendation Award from the Commandant of the US Coast Guard. Bobbi recently retired as the Flotilla Staff Officer for Navigation Systems of the US Coast Guard Auxillary 96, Wiggins Pass. She directed the team that provides inspection services of the red and green waterway markers. Local boaters as well as the coast guard valued her volunteer service. In 2011, she directed the verification of 400 patons (private or county markers) and atons (federal markers).
Next time you are out boating in the area, thank Bobbi and her team for a safer passage.
Congratulations to Vi Steffan, Class XIII, and Franny Kain, Class XV,
who will be honored for their service to the community at the AAUW Women
of Achievement Benefit & Luncheon on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at
the Grey Oaks Country Club.
The annual luncheon and awards ceremony is sponsored by the AAUW Greater
Naples Charitable Foundation, Inc. Proceeds from the event funds the
AAUW Re-Entry Women Scholarship Program which provides annual
scholarships to women over 21 who are seeking associate or baccalaureate
degrees.
Congratulations to Sandra Buxton, Class XV, Susan Calkins, Class VII,
Nina Gray, Class XI and Nancy White, Class X, who will be honored for
their service to the community at the Women of Initiative Awards
luncheon on Tuesday, April 10, 1012, at the Naples Beach Hotel &
Golf Club.
The annual luncheon and awards ceremony supports the Women's Initiative
Fund, founded by the Women's Philanthropic Network of the Community
Foundation of Collier County to develop a sustainable way to meet the
special needs of women and girls by creating opportunities for economic,
educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth.
To purchase tickets, please contact Susan Utz, 239.649.5000 or sutz@cfcollier.org.
Five GNL members are among those chosen to be honored as 2012 Men of
Distinction: Doug Campbell, Class IV; Craig Jilk, Class XI; Tom McCann,
Class IX; West McCann, Class XII; and Bob Morantz, Class Class XI.
They have distinguished themselves through extensive philanthropic
service for the betterment of the Collier County community. On Thursday,
February 17, 2011, from 6-9 p.m., ten men will be honored at the 10th
Annual Men of Distinction Awards Celebration hosted by Hilton Naples.
The Education Foundation is pleased to have the support of PNC Wealth
Management as the Title Sponsor of the event.
In addition to the presentation of the honorees, the evening includes a
cocktail reception, dinner and auctions. Tickets are $125 and may be
purchased by visiting www.EducationForCollier.org or by calling 643-4755. Table reservations are also available.
Featured Galleries
Class XII Service Day - January 24, 2012
Class XII and spouses drove to Immokalee to spend the morning gardening at the Guadalupe Center. We planted several vegatable gardens as well as flower pots to honor the memory of our classmate Bob Lisbon who for many years worked with the children and staff at this wonderful facility. Following our hard work we all had lunch at the local restaurant. All felt it was a job well done and Bob would have enjoyed this project
Photos by Joan Sehdev
Class IX, the BEST class, invited members and guests to join them for a wonderful day at the Ringling Museum/Circus in Sarasota. We enjoyed the Asolo Theater, the Circus Museum, the art galleries and Ca'd'Zan and had a box luncheon at the Banyon Cafe. Returning home, we enjoyed wine and memories on the bus. Arranged beautifully by Wayne Mullican, Anne Hale and Tom Roets . . . our sincere appreciation for a job well done. Photos by Joan Sehdev.
The day was full and intense with excellent speakers introducing us to the difficulties and successes of many varied human service agencies serving Collier County. A highlight of the day was the tour of St. Matthew's house. A visit to the Shelter for Abused Women and Children and the Boys and Girls Club rounded out the day. Excellent panels enlightened and informed the class members. Photos by Carol Jonson.
Jack and Pella Fingersh's beautiful condo was the venue for this reunion. Many thanks to them for their outstanding hospitality. Anyone who left the party with thirst unquenched had only him or herself to blame. Ditto with respect to the food! Photos by Ned Bastow and Dennis Corbly.
Chief Tom Weschler presented an overview of the work he has been involved in for the last nine months as the Regional co-chair of a statewide drug task force. This task force addresses the problem of prescription drug abuse as opposed to the more traditional and longstanding legal fight against illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Photos by Dennis Corbly.
The panelists for Class XVI's Economic Day were James McGraw, Reinhold Schmeiding, Leo Ochs, John Barlow, Tammie Nemecek and Gray Swoop. A reception for Class XVI was hosted at Collier's Reserve with more than 45 classmates and spouses attending.
Men's Social with Chip Beck
Alumni and Class XVI Luncheon - Immigration
GNL Women's Social - Luncheon
Alumni InDepth Seminar - Education.gif)
Class XVI Graduation.jpg)
Celebration Luncheon & Annual Meeting
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Collier County Program is
looking for adult role models to be matched with children ages 6-18
years of age in the program. We offer options that fit the needs of the
volunteer, (full time residents or seasonal), . . . do you have an hour a
week?
Brian Holley, Class XIII, is one of six leaders in the local arts community to be named one of the Stars in the Arts for 2012 by the United Arts Council of Collier County.
"It was an honor," states David Drobis, Class XV, "to serve as co-chair of 'Thank You Myra Days,' and help produce the two-day tribute to the founder and former CEO of the Phil." Conceived last year when Myra announced her retirement, the board and staff at the Phil, as well as the two auxiliary organizations, the League and Friends of Art, wanted an event to celebrate Myra's achievements and contributions to Naples.
Bobbi Skaggs, Class XV, received the Coast Guard Auxillary Meritorious Team Commendation Award from the Commandant of the US Coast Guard. Bobbi recently retired as the Flotilla Staff Officer for Navigation Systems of the US Coast Guard Auxillary 96, Wiggins Pass. She directed the team that provides inspection services of the red and green waterway markers. Local boaters as well as the coast guard valued her volunteer service. In 2011, she directed the verification of 400 patons (private or county markers) and atons (federal markers).
