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| Jay Crandall, 2010-2011 Club President |
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April 20, 2011
Dear Rotarian,
Congratulations to all of those who were able to pay taxes this Tax Season and congratulations to all of the people who helped in the preparation of those returns. We dedicate this segment not only to the financial people in our lives, but also those involved in the financials for our Club.
Recently, Annie and I had the opportunity to have dinner with a friend and his wife. This gentleman was the Chairman of the Board of a bank a few years back that sold at a multiple, and needless to say, he does not need to work another day in his life. What has always impressed me has been the way this gentleman views things. For one, like so many of the veteran members in our Club, he is not sitting on his laurels. He believes he has been blessed for his hard work, and that as long as he is alive, he has the responsibility to use his wealth wisely. Part of that will be used to help children in need. The other part of his equation is to leave a strong legacy when he leaves this earth.
What also caught my attention was how he views his wealth. He stated that money is nothing more than "options". Jocosely he mentioned that he just happened to have more "options" today than he did ten years ago. He was also quick to add that he realized that something could happen tomorrow and he could lose it all, and thus he would have fewer "options". He explained that regardless of the number of "options" he has, he still has an incredible wife, beautiful children and grandchildren, and his health. Regardless of his net worth, he is a wealthy man. Money is not who he is. He derived no false grandeur from money. He did not see himself as better, smarter, or loftier than anyone else. Money to him is little more than having a great number of "options" than he previously had.
As we celebrate the end of another Tax Season, I want to thank all of the "Bean Counters" in this Club. I want to thank the CPA's (Al Hackney, Ron Gustason, Mia Delk, etc.), the Financial Advisors (Frank Fontana, Steve Stolz, etc.), our Treasurer (Paul Huber), our Board Members, and Sue Cobb (who does so much more for this Club than Bookkeeping). I would also like to thank those who count money at the back table at meetings (Rich Kirschner, all the prospective members checking people in, etc.), to Jim Connell who counts the progressive pot money. Thanks also to those who are involved in making sure our monthly financials balance to the penny. A big thanks to Frank Fontana, Ron Gustason, and the entire staff at Gus's office, who make sure that we are current with the state on all of our filings and tax returns. Lastly, we cannot forget all of those who account for the funds at our various fundraisers. As we look at projects that are grossing in the tens of thousands of dollars (and we believe soon to become hundreds of thousands) it takes an entire financial team.
It is because of these people mentioned (and a lot of others in this Club not mentioned...... just because as you know.....I'm trying to keep these writings short); we have more "options". It is the astute management of funds, their ability to manage cash flow, and their ability to plan and set aside funds so that we grow from a position of strength, that I salute all of these people. The future of the Rotary Club of Naples is bright because of the fiscal discipline and responsibility of many people of this Club, and the efforts of many leaders who have preceded me (most recently, Jerry Wynn- Immediate Past President) whose contributions cannot be underestimated. This hard work will naturally equate to more good work being able to be done both locally and worldwide. What all the possibilities will look like in the future, I am not exactly sure yet. The one thing I do know for certain is that we will have many more "options". Thank you to all of you that have helped create these opportunities for this Club.
Yours in Rotary,
Jay Crandall
President of the Rotary Club of Naples 2010-2011
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