 Greater Naples Leadership, Inc.
www.gnlwebsite.org |
|
GNL Connection
|
December 2007
|
|
|
|
| Dear Member,
 GNL will soon be accepting applications for Masters Class XIII. We've mailed a package of information about the process to all alumni and Class XII members and have followed up with an e-mail that provides additional details. There is even more about the Masters Program and the application process on our website, www.gnlwebsite.org.
The use of technology at GNL is making us more productive. As an example, we were able to embed the Masters Class application directly into the e-mail that you received. This makes it easier than ever to have a candidate and sponsor complete the necessary forms. For those who don't use e-mail, we can make arrangements to get the application to the candidate and sponsor.
The most important thing is that your sponsorship of a qualified candidate will help us to accomplish our mission of "bettering the community."
GNL's technology is allowing us to communicate with you in "real time" with more frequent and timely newsletters, invitations to events and follow-up evaluation surveys. Now we've added a new, convenient feature with this newsletter. It is a "Print & Go" link that you can click on to print the newsletter, formatted with pages in sequential order. I'm sure that this will appeal to those who like to read GNL Connection in hard copy, away from their computer screens.
I would like to wish all GNL members and families a safe and joyous holiday season.
Frank Gorke
President |
|
Membership Application Assistance
We have "technical assistants" standing by to help anyone who needs assistance in completing the Membership Application Process. For technical help, contact Web Manager Art Shafer (Class VI) at ashafer02@mac.com. For questions about eligibility or criteria, contact Membership Chair Tom McCann (Class IX) at tmccann24@comcast.net. |
|
Ave Maria Session Sells Out
 The January 24 Ave Maria Bus Tour and In-Depth Session has been hugely popular with GNLers. In less than a week after the invitations were e-mailed, capacity was filled, and a wait list was created. Organizers Anne Hale, Ben Tiley and the Alumni Committee certainly have planned a big hit! |
|
Middle East Insight
The third Alumni Luncheon of the season features Jack Tymann, retired Westinghouse International president, talking about his harrowing experiences during the Iranian Revolution and his current work to help build mutual understanding between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East.
All alumni and Class XII members are encouraged to join us on Thursday, January 10, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Moorings Park, 120 Moorings Park Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road, just south of Pine Ridge. The cost is $15, payable at the table. Reservations are required for all attendees; and cancellations must be made no later than January 8. RSVP by January 4 to GNLOffice@gnlwebsite.org or by calling Karen Danni at the GNL office, 213-9211.
|
Come to the Fair!
The Community Service Fair Committee has been working hard on all aspects of this major GNL event:
Check our new website home page to see how we've begun to publicize the Community Service Fair and make sure that you've marked your calendar for Tuesday, February 12, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Edison College - Collier Campus. You won't want to miss this Fair!
|
Baseballs, wine and helping children
 He serves on several boards, as well as being a major collector of sports memorabilia, passionate about helping underprivileged children and proud of his career with Bechtel Group, Inc.
Read the conversation Jen Walker had with Don Gunther (Class X), chair of the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival as they were surrounded by 350 baseballs, 300 bats and dozens of other sports mementos.
|
Holiday Gala
A record-breaking 220 members and guests celebrated the holiday season on Tuesday, December 11, at Wyndemere Country Club. The tasty buffet and the large attractive club were a big hit with everyone. Two huge boxes were filled with members' gifts for students at the PACE Center for Girls. Congratulations to the Alumni Committee for producing another great success!
Mellony Tracey, Program Director and Threasa Miller,
Executive Director of PACE are shown collecting the donations with Arlene Shapiro (Class IX), PACE board member.
View photos of the partygoers.
|
Brent Batten Observes Southwest Florida
Jinny Johnson reports on the December 7 Alumni Luncheon, with speaker Brent Batten of the Naples Daily News, pictured next to Ben Tiley (Class VIII).Employed by NDN since 1985, Brent told us that his job as a thrice-a-week columnist is to "observe life in Southwest Florida and offer comments" . . . everything from how loudly car dealers speak in their commercials to the belief that if teams can afford to pay millions of dollars to their players, then they can afford to build their own stadiums.He updated us on the changes in the Collier County school board, Mike Davis's death and the ensuing election, the I-75 widening and possible toll road, the opening of the Golden Gate overpass and many other topics.He also informed us that almost all letters to the editor are printed, as long as they are not profane or libelous and do not exceed 250 words. View more photos of the luncheon. |
Sponsor a Qualified Candidate
GNL will be accepting applications for Masters Class XIII from January 7 through February 1, 2008. The tuition for the class year is $1,400. Now's the time to consider whom you would recommend for this program. You can check Class XIII dates, eligibility criteria and selection guidelines here and download the application form in Microsoft Word directly from the Masters Program page of our website.
|
|
Class XII Goes to School
Jody Jordan, principal of Osceola Elementary School, greets Class XII members.
Education Day was a real education for Class XII members as they split up to visit four different public schools, tour Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology (LWIT), hear panel discussions on critical issues, listen to school officials and a school board member, and enjoy a meal prepared by the culinary arts students at LWIT. Read Martha Forbe's report of the day. |
Alumni in the News
Jean Ann Lynch (Class XI) was honored by Children's Aid and Family Services, Inc. of Ridgewood, New Jersey, in recognition of "her vision, dedication and leadership in founding the Baby Basics program" there. She also received a commendation from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino on the 10th anniversary of the program in South Boston.
Paula Grady (Class VIII) spoke at the Naples Council on World Affairs on December 11 about her experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica. Paula recently returned from her two-year tour of duty in that country.
|
|
Board Highlights
The GNL Board met in November and December and took action on several items:
- Insurance coverage for class days has been increased from 50 to 55 people.
- Vendor liability policies must be reviewed prior to serving alcohol at GNL functions.
- Board Development Committee and Membership Selection Committees have been appointed.
- Beginning with Class XIV, participants may not be spouses of a Leadership Team member; also, gender balance is the goal for each class and its wait list.
- GNL will maintain a minimum of 50 percent of fixed costs as equity cushion.
- The Parke Wright Award committee will consist of members from seven different classes.
The Leadership Team and Alumni Committee were thanked for all their work. Young Professionals of Naples and GNL class reps have been invited to send a rotating member to GNL board meetings; Sam Hinkle (Class II) attended the December meeting. |
A Tip for using our Website
 It's easier than ever to contact all Alumni members of GNL. Log on with your member ID and password. Click on Alumni Directory where you see pictures in alphabetical order. You can go to the first letter of a person's last name or select a class number in order to find the member you wish to write. Then, to e-mail, simply click on Email beneath the local phone number and an e-mail page with the correct address will appear. That's all there is to it! If you have questions or problems, write Art Shafer, ashafer02@mac.com.
|
|
Mission
To provide proven leaders with a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the issues and needs in Collier County and to encourage the use of their skills in bettering the community.
Communications Committee
Jen Walker, Chair* Jinny Johnson* Jeanne Bolds* Art Shafer, Website Manager* Dick Borel Kaye Willette Linda Diaz Frank Gorke, Ex-Officio* Gretchen Green *Editorial board members
|
|
|
