 Greater Naples Leadership, Inc.
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GNL Connection
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Volume 12 Issue 2 October 2007
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Dear Member,
I'd like to welcome you to the 2007-08 GNL year -- it promises to be a truly great year. As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world." Do you suppose she was thinking of Greater Naples Leadership?
Throughout the summer, a small group of GNLers have been working very hard: the Leadership team, preparing for Class XII; the Communications Committee, designing and planning our new efforts in that area; and the Community Service Committee, organizing our Community Service Fair now scheduled for February 12. In addition, the Alumni Committee has put together a great schedule of luncheons for the coming year.
I'm confident this will be a most rewarding year for all of us in GNL. Please join us at as many of these functions and activities as possible.
Greater Naples Leadership has been making a difference in Collier County for years. Let's work together to continue this tradition and to accomplish our mission of "Bettering the Community."
Frank Gorke
President
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Welcome Back Party
 Join your friends and meet the members of Class XII at this year's Welcome Back Cocktail Reception on October 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. We've grown so much that we have moved this annual event for GNL members to the Grey Oaks Clubhouse, entrance off Airport Pulling Road. RSVP by October 22 to GNLoffice@GNLwebsite.org.
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The Sheriff and Illegal Immigration
 Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter will talk about the illegal immigration problem and its possible solutions at the first Alumni Luncheon of the season on Tuesday, November 6. Did you know that the cost of incarceration of self-admitted illegal immigrants in Collier County is approximately $25,000 per day?
All alumni and Class XII members are encouraged to join us for this luncheon program that will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Moorings Park, 120 Moorings Park Drive (off Goodlette-Frank Road). There is plenty of room for everyone at our new location. Alumni luncheons are $15 per person. RSVP by November 1 to Karen Danni at the GNL office by phone, 239.213.9211 or by e-mail:
GNLoffice@GNLwebsite.org. |
Jefferson Honorees
Two GNL graduates have been honored for their extensive volunteer service in Collier County by the media company that publishes the Naples Daily News and Marco Eagle, among other newspapers. Congratulations to:
 Mary Ann Durso (Class V) and Sam Durso were recipients of the first monthly Jefferson Award for Public Service established by the Collier County Publishing Company for their leadership of Collier's Habitat for Humanity. The couple first volunteered for the Habitat affiliate in 1993 when the group was working on its 100th house; in May, the group completed its 1,000th house. Read about the couple who together are the driving force behind our county's Habitat for Humanity in the June 28 article in the Naples Daily News.
 Susan Calkins (Class VII) was named the August winner of the Jefferson Award for Public Service for her extensive work to try and preserve Naples' environment, among other volunteer activities. She has worked in many capacities for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, is on the boards of the Friends of Rookery Bay and Immokalee Non-Profit Housing, Inc., co-founded the Park-West Neighborhood Association, and has taught courses at Hodges University's Frances Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning, where she serves on their advisory board. Read more about Susan and her volunteering in the September 6 Naples Daily News article.
Monthly Jefferson Award winners will become finalists for the annual regional award to be selected by an independent panel of judges. The annual winner will represent the area at the Jefferson Awards National Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and economic development expert Sam Beard, the program now has more than 150 media partners in 90 U.S. communities. |
 From Peace Corps to Camp to GNL
She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria, classroom teacher, corporate trainer and realtor. Now she and her husband own a summer camp for some 700 youth and a corporate center in Maine... all of that when she's not volunteering in Collier County during the rest of the year. Read a conversation between Jen Walker and Joyce Coughlan (Class IX), former GNL Class Leader and now chair of the Class Representatives Committee. |
 Revised Date for Community Service Fair
Mark your calendar with the revised date for the Community Service Fair.
February 12, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Edison College - Collier Campus
Details to follow later in the fall. |
A GNL Choreographer
 She danced off Broadway, worked in event management, and has been a choreographer and theater company manager in Collier County for a number of years. Meet Karen Molnar Danni, our new GNL office manager. Karen and her husband, Mark, brought musical theater to the Community School of Naples in 2002 and started TheatreZone, the county's only equity professional theater company. Still a dancer, choreographer and teacher, Karen has twirled right into GNL support with excellent administrative and organizational skills. Meet Karen and learn more about this mother of three.
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Class XII Gets Started
Class Leader Martha Forbes reports: Retreat Day for Class XII was held on October 17 at The Club Pelican Bay. The Leadership Team of Martha Forbes, Jack Morgan, Jutta Parsons and Doug Johnson (above) enthusiastically welcomed the class members. President Frank Gorke set the tone of the day with a lively introduction to GNL and a preview of what the year would entail. The rest of the morning was spent on "Getting to Know You" exercises. GNL is delighted to have such an outstanding class of 42 talented and professional participants.
Next, teams were selected to undertake a community project, which required them to develop a plan to benefit people living in Collier County. Armed with the required tools and guided by the rules that applied, the teams worked hard to complete their assignments. All present were appreciative of the interesting projects, the professional presentations and the great humor that filled the room.
The finale of Retreat Day was a cocktail reception, where the class was joined by various board members.
Thanks go to President Frank Gorke, President-Elect Jeanne Bolds and Tom Fahey, chair of the History Session. They contributed greatly to the format of the day.
Class XII is off to a great start! View more photos of Retreat Day. (Be patient . . . there are a lot of photos, so it may take some time to download.)
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What's New on the Web
 Web Manager Art Shafer (Class VI) is keeping www.gnlwebsite.org up to date and making it even easier to use. Be sure to check the changes in the Welcome to the Members Area page where we now have links to Board minutes, Board operating guidelines and pages with Board members, committee chairs and class representatives. Also, check the Alumni calendar from time to time as there may be changes regarding dates and/or speakers. More enhancements are planned for this year, so we hope that you will be a frequent visitor to our website.
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Medical Caution!
We have learned that the GNL magnetized name badges may interfere with the operation of a pacemaker. If you have a pacemaker, please consult with your physician about wearing the badge at GNL functions. Should you prefer a name badge that is not magnetic, contact the GNL office at 239.213.9211 or e-mail to GNLoffice@GNLwebsite.org. |
Board Highlights and Retreat
The GNL Board met on October 9 in a short but productive session:
- Ratified a revised budget to reflect a larger class of 42 members and slightly higher expenses. The budget was prepared under the guidance of Barbara Teaford and Anne Hale.
- Class Representatives will be invited to future board meetings, reflecting their important role in GNL operations.
- Board members will attend at least one class session during the year.
- Alumni and class members will be alerted that that our magnetized name badges may interfere with the operation of pacemakers; alternative badges are available from the office.
- Committees are at work on plans for Retreat Day, the Welcome Back Party, the alumni luncheons, the Community Service Fair and upcoming newsletter issues.
The next board meeting is November 13. At the November 2 Retreat, the board will address issues and strategies for GNL's future. Read Ann Berlam's report. |
Alumni in the News
  GNL alumni continue their commitment to serve our community in a variety of volunteer capacities. To read about Ann Berlam's appointment by Governor Charlie Crist, Carol Shaw's election to the EDC Board and much more, click here to download a page of Alumni News.
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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.
GNL Connection Editorial Board:
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