August 27 & September 3, 2025-The Rotary Club of Lake Worth Beach-Newsletter

“Teamwork  Makes the Dream Work”

Future Speakers

Sept. 3:    Vice Mayor Sarah Malega; Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner

Sept. 10:   Briana Moffatt; Founder, Mables Mission

Sept. 17:   Gwynette Williams; Vice President, United Way

Sept. 24:   Trudy Lowe & Carla Blockson; For the Children

Oct. 1:      Sarah Anne; CEO, Palm Beach Ray of Hope Foundation

Oct. 8:      Whitney Crowder; Sea Turtle Care & Conservation Specialists

Oct. 15:    Laura Waterman; Gulfstream Goodwill Industries

Oct. 22:    Jibby Ciric; Center for Child Counseling

Oct. 29:    Stephanie Brinez; Bat Conservation International

August Celebrations

Rotarian Anniversary Start Date

Josh Nelson          07 Sep 2022

 Thais Villanueva   20 Sep 2023

50/50 Drawing

The deck now includes 2 Jokers, which will improve the odds. Either of them will win.

August 20 - SPEAKER

Erica Whitfield, a Palm Beach County School Board Commissioner, was our guest speaker on August 20th. She provided updates on the state of schools in our district.

Serving on the board for the past five years, Commissioner Whitfield’s term extends through November 2026, and she plans to run for re-election.

She shared the latest school performance grades, noting that 93% of district schools earned an A or B rating. North Grade Elementary achieved an A, while the other three Lake Worth Beach elementary schools—Highland, Barton, and South Grade—received C ratings, with Highland narrowly missing a B.

The district serves 170,000 students and employs 23,000 staff members. However, it faces challenges as the 46th-ranked district in the nation for per-student spending, allocating approximately $9,000 per student annually.

On August 25, the district conducted its 10-day student enrollment count, which determines funding levels. School vouchers pose a significant challenge, as students transferring to private schools or other institutions reduce funding for those remaining in the district.

On a positive note, the long-awaited demolition of the Lake Worth High School pool has begun. A new pool will be constructed at A Street and 2nd Avenue South, near the football complex. The district is collaborating with the City of Lake Worth Beach and the school to secure funding for this project.

August 27 - SPEAKER

Lorraine Hernandez, Assistant District Governor presented on behalf of our District Governor Marcia Gaedcke.

RYLA is 10/29 to 11/02. Rotary Club of Lake Worth Beach is

sponsoring 4 Students.

On Nov 8, 2025,  there is a Grant Seminar which we must attend if we want to apply for a grant next year. Harry & Phil will attend on behalf of the club.

Next April 19, 2026 is the Paul Harris Celebration.

The district conference is on May 15, 2026 everyone is invited.

(below are a few slides from the presentation)

Presidential Message.  Quote is from Francesco Arrezzo, Rotary International President 2025-26.

The District, Zone, and even Rotary International, exist solely to provide support to the clubs and their members.  Taking advantage of those layers of support can make the club member and the club leadership's job easier and ultimately more fulfilling.

CHUCKLES FOR THE WEEK:

Did you hear about the guy who got hit in the head with a can of soda? He was lucky it was a soft drink.

Your Editors, Pat Growney &

Lorraine Hernandez

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Chartered December 23,1927

Motto: “Service Above Self”

Weekly Meetings:  Wednesdays at Noon

Location: The Irish Brigade - 621 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460

Board Meetings:  2nd Wednesday of the month at 11AM (open to all)

Rotary Year 2025-2026 Leadership

Rotary International President:  Francesco Arezzo

District 6930-District Governor:  Marcia Gaedcke

Area 7 Assistant District Governor:  Lorraine Hernandez

Lake Worth Beach Rotary Club Board Officers:

President:  Chris Dabros

President-Elect: Harry Wolin

Secretary:  Josh Nelson

Treasurer:  Lorraine Hernandez

Immediate Past President:  Amanda Cartwright

Board Directors:

Patrick Growney, Patrick Livingston, Dermot MacMahon & Frank Verney

Interact advisors:

Britt Feingold Lake Worth High School

Megan Albertz & Carlos Gonzalez John I. Leonard HS

Members—Joined Rotary—Classification

P.O. Box 1444      Lake Worth Beach, FL        33460

561-316-35650

Website:  LakeWorthBeachRotary.org