December 2011 President's Message
As I write this message I look back at a wonderful year with great speakers. December promises more of the same. Not only will we install officers for next year but we will also present our GEM Award a month early. Our recipient, Carole Green, will be in Tallahassee in January because of the early session. The legislature has redistricting to finish so that candidates will know their district.
The GEM Award is a prestigious award given to someone in our community who has exhibited Great leadership, Effective programs, and made a Major contribution to our community. Carole is all of these things and more. I look forward to making this presentation to a very dear friend, and hope you can attend our meeting on the 13th. We are a week early in order to not interfere with holiday festivities.
Carole will perform our installation of officers, and she will be our speaker. I look forward to handing the gavel to Gaile Anthony, a friend and a warm and wonderful leader. Carole and Gaile have much in common, besides both of their first names ending in e. They both have a long and important role they planned in the success of the Lee Memorial Health System; Carole as an Auxiliary President and LMHS Board Secretary and Trustee; Gaile was a Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Lee Memorial Hospital. They certainly broke the glass ceiling.
Next year will be a busy year and Gaile has asked me to run our legislative forums. As a club we don’t support candidates before the Primary. We attempt to educate through forums. We also hope attendees write checks to candidates rather than to the club or to Emily’s List. In fact, I can remember many checks written to George W. Bush four years ago when he ran his last campaign.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to be your President. We have a wonderful club and we do good things in support of our Republican leaders. I close by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.
Best,
Marilyn Stout
