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"I've been a Rotarian since 1983 and this is the best experience I have ever had in Rotary."
RCN member Dick Ritchie on his involvement in G&A
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Greetings!
 Take a look at the photo to the right. Larry Ingram had FUN at Grapes & Apes. I don't mind saying that I think we have lit a fire under most of our members, new and old, and that is a real cause to celebrate. All night long I saw Larry grinning and having a good time. He loved his Ask Me sign and the chance to serve his old club in a new and exciting way. Well, you heard the number by now. We pulled out a smashing success for 2011 with a net profit of about $58,500!! Just like at G&A, I loved watching Larry at our meeting this week as he closed his eyes waiting for that number to be announced. Helping members like Larry who have many, many more years of Rotary experience than myself become reignited in their passion for service is as fulfilling to me as being profitable and having satisfied patrons. That is why I am excited as we begin planning for 2012. A little progress has already taken place as you will see reported below. If you are on "the list" to get this e-news update you have either recommitted as a chair/assistant chair to our 2012 effort or we anticipate your enthusiastic assistance.
Sincerely,
Rich Ahrens
Gorilla-at-Large
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| 2012 Ticket Sales?
You bet! People are requesting tickets who had such an outstanding experience that they want to assure they get them now for next year. We managed to collect about 300 email addresses from patrons so an email blast will be sent soon announcing special ticket pre-sales for the month of May only at the discounted price of $50 per person.
We'll enter any sales into our ticket database and mail tickets this fall as soon as we print.
Later this summer or fall, we will hold another pre-sale period at a slightly higher price showing that we are serious about raising our price toward the ticket face value of $100 per person. We'll continue special ticket releases gradually charging more.
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Early Commitments
Planning for 2012 started even before 2011 had taken place. Jason Shimko has already started production of promotional materials, particularly for sponsorship solicitations and Rich Ahrens has been meeting with food providers to get them on board now. We naturally have Wynn's Catering, our most important partner in Grapes & Apes, but you will be pleased to know that Cheny Brothers (they provided the grilling/carving station) and Boar's Head were thrilled at the response they received and committed for next March immediately.
New for 2012 will be Royal Palm Chocolates and Mikkelsen's Pastry. Royal Palm sells their handmade chocolates at Wynn's Market and chef Philip Fincher, a former Ritz Carlton pastry chef, makes exquisite, hand-made confections from his North Naples factory. Philip will be a speaker at a club meeting in September to talk about chocolate and will also train some of our "chocolateers" to help serve his products at G&A.
Mikkelsen's Pastry Shop committed today after a meeting that filled Rich with amazing bakery items. Paw (pronounced POW) Mikkelsen is from Denmark but has lived in Naples longer than he did his homeland. Also of Ritz Carlton fame, Paw worked in Boston for several years before coming here as a pastry chef. His shop's specialties are extraordinary cakes for all occasions but certainly weddings. You have probably sampled Mikkelsen product, possibly without knowing, as they supply many restaurants and country clubs in Collier County.
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Progress Report
 Already in one month, a great amount of foundational work has been accomplished. The coordinator group of Rich Ahrens, Jay Crandall, Frank Fontana and Rich Kirschner have created an organizational chart, identified committee chairs as well as some assistant chairs, developed job descriptions for each committee and set gross financial goals for next year. A vision of the 2012 event has been cast and once we meet with our friends over at Naples Zoo for their input we will provide specifics and a new vision document so everyone can start planning and creating a strategy to execute with plenty of time to spare. We all want Mia to have more time to devote to tax preparations rather than auctions next March! In the next week, we will attempt to get commitments from the chairs we have not yet spoken to. We will also set a budget for 2012 and inform each chair of how much money they will have. |
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