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Black/White Dance 2018
Spanish American Club celebrates the first event of the year
By Herman Santa
The Spanish American Club, Inc. celebrated its first event of the year (Black/White Dinner Dance) on Friday, January 26, at the Polish American Social Club in Port St. Lucie.
The members and their guests kicked off their first get together of the year with raffles, honoring birthdays, dinner and non-stop Latin dancing from 6:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M. The attendees enjoyed a delicious sit-down dinner. The meal consisted of Beef Burgundy, Roasted Chicken, Tilapia, Salad, Baked Potato, Vegetable Medley, Bread, Butter and dessert.
Master of Ceremonies and President of the club, Rubén Alemán, welcomed everyone to the party, gave the members an update of the status of the club and thanked every one of them for their continued support. They were entertained by D.J. José Ramírez.
Followed the President’s update, the Dinner/Event Coordinator and Public Relations Director Ray Guadalupe conducted the raffles and the month of January birthday celebration. Among the birthday members that were present were: Evie Cardona, Ana Rodriguez, Sonia Echevarría, Alfredo Medina, Xiomara Guanill and Adela Romero. Door prize winners were: Martín Rivera, Mirta Zapata, Mary Figliola, Evelyn Carrillo, Josie Guadalupe, José Garcia and Al Manzanares. 50/50 winners were: Gabriel Torres and Mary Figliola.
Many thanks to the members who donated the door prizes and those members who helped with the decorations and the set -ups. The new Board extends its thanks to the generosity of our members and their guests who bought tickets for the 50/50 drawing. Proceeds of the drawing will go to the scholarship funds of the club.
The events of the club are now being held at the Polish American Social Club in Port St. Lucie on Prima Vista Boulevard. A new Board has been elected for fiscal year 2018 and the members are looking forward to a great new year. Calendar of events will be the same as last year’s dinner/dances, dances with D. J, golf, bowling, dominoes games, picnic, cruise and more.
The Spanish American Club, Inc. is a non profit organization comprised of members in Martin and St. Lucie counties who are dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Hispanic heritage on the Treasure Coast.
Mark your calendar
» Next event of the club has been scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23, to be held at the Polish American Social Club in Port St. Lucie. Reservations are required.
» For more information on joining the group, please contact club President Ruben Aleman at: aleman.999@aol.com. For more information about the club, visit www.thespanishamericanclubinc.org
Photo # 1 Birthdays From left Evie Cardona, Ana Rodriguez, Sonia Echevarría, Alfredo Medina, Xiomara Guanill and Adela Romero
Photo # 2 Door prize winners. From left Martín Rivera, Mirta Zapata, Mary Figliola, Evelyn Carrillo, Josie Guadalupe, José Garcia and Al Manzanares.
Photo # 3 From left Luis Carrillo (Treasurer), Gabriel Torres (50/50 winner), Rubén Alemán (President) and Mary Figliola (50/50 winner)
Board 2018
A Final Message From The President 2018
It has been a privilege serving our members. As you all know, from the very beginning our board faced a challenging year. Our board was never in full capacity with all board members in place, yet we managed to keep our promises to maintain the dignity and integrity of SACI.
This year our main goal was to make certain all SACI members had a copy of our bylaws, one they could be proud of. Our bylaws committee, directed by Charles Quiles and his wife, Maria did a fantastic job in basically mirroring our Spanish bylaws which are the foundation of any non- for-profit organization. Some changes that needed to be made were made and ratified.
Another goal we achieved was to reach every single member of SACI by making certain that our flyers were sent out in both English and Spanish, so those of us who did not read English could know about our current events first hand, and not have to depend on another member’s recollection.
The change in venue was a contributing factor in our losses. Some of our members felt the rental cost for the event was too high and understandably so. Many of our regulars (those who attend every event) could not be there due to sickness in the family. Another factor was this year our members went on two really nice cruises, and were not able to attend the events. Due to conflicting schedules the November cruise hurt our November event to the tone of over $600.00. Although, in spite of it all our funds at the end of the year are still in good standing.
I promised our members that I and the board would not change our donation prices, if at all possible. We did not, in spite of the fact we were losing funds at every event. Creatively, we held a raffle with the cooperation and efforts of our board and many of our members, we sold enough raffle tickets to add over $1,200 dollars after expenses to the funds.
We are members of a non-for-profit organization, and the only reason we are considered that is because of what we do for the Latin community. Some of our members question the amount we give in scholarships, why so much? I say why not? We do not ask for direct donations the 50/50 drawings at each event is an opportunity for our members to take home 10 times what they donate which is a win—win for our scholarship funds and our members. Also, we hold garage sales which is another win—win and no one is compelled to donate. So again, I say why not?
One of the main reasons we lost money in 2018 was membership participation—had we increased our membership participation by 25 members per event, our funds would have grown by about $1,200.00. In my personal assessment an increase in membership dues is not warranted at this time.
In closing, if we are to continue doing business with the Polish American Club, either our participation must go up per event or our donation prices. I and the board want to thank all of you for your participation and support throughout these last 2 years.
Respectfully Yours,
Ruben M. Aleman
SACI President of 2018
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
I hope you’re all in the best of health, as for my wife and I, we are doing as well as can be expected, considering my wife’s illness. The good news is that she is responding well to treatment, as many of you have seen from our last two events—she looks great. From my eyes, she looked beautiful and vibrant doing the things she loves best. She danced the night away, even though I was not as attentive, as I should have been, but we did have our moments.
I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Cheers to you SACI.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
I’d like to begin by wishing all of you a prosperous and healthy New Year and, as you receive this message, it is my hope that you are all doing well. As for my wife, Daisy, and I, we are doing as well as can be expected.
Last Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the General Assembly meeting, we held our Board Member election for 2018. Your newly elected board has not changed much. Re-elected were, myself, Ruben Aleman, as President, Nancy Rozon as our Vice President, Luis Carrillo as our Treasurer, and Ray Guadalupe will continue as our director of Public Relations.
Elected for the position of Vocal Director is Mr. Carlos Mejía, who previously held the position of Substitute Director. Our new Substitute Director is Mr. Charles Quiles. Al Feliciano, who has been our Recording Secretary for the last six years, opted out this year and, at the time of our meeting, the position remained vacant. First, on behalf of our organization, I would like to thank Al for the great job he did during his tenure.
Unfortunately, at the meeting, there were no volunteers for the position, which leaves it up to the board to select an interim member for the position. The good news is we have a volunteer for the position: Ms. Giselle Borrás. The bad news is that she presently does not qualify for the position as she is a brand new member. After reviewing her qualifications during our monthly Board Meeting held on January 23, 2018, we asked if she would consider taking on the role on an interim basis for the next six months. After that time, with your approval, we would elect her to the position on a permanent basis for the remainder of 2018.
I hope to see many of you this Friday, the 26th of January, for our “Winterland Black and White Event.” Please dress properly. No tank tops, dungarees, or tennis shoes are allowed. That rule applies to ALL members and their guests, so please inform any guests that you have invited to adhere to the dress code. We don’t want to have to reject any one at the door. Let’s have a great year!
Ruben Aleman
Photo From left Charles Quiles, Carlos Mejía, Rubén Alemán, Nancy Rozon, Ray Guadalupe and Luis Carrillo
Bowling 50/50 winners 2018
2018 50/50 Bowling winners
Photo # 1 Millie Asencio (Dec.10, 50/50 winner) with Ruben Aleman
Photo # 2 Orlando Tirado (Nov.12, 50/50 winner) with Ruben Aleman
Photo # 3 Orlando Tirado (Oct. 1, 50/50 winner) with Ruben Aleman
Photo # 4 Nereida Pellot (Sept. 10, 50/50 winner) with Ruben Aleman
Photo # 5 From left Luis Carrillo with Herman Santa (July 2, 50/50 winner) with Ruben Aleman
Photo # 6 From left Luis Carrillo with Felix Asencio (August 6, 50/50 winner) with Ruben Aleman
Photo # 7 From left Hugo Rios, Ruben Aleman and David Santiago(June 4,50/50 winner)
Photo # 8 Ruben Aleman and Gus Meza (May 7, 50/50 winner)
Photo # 9 From left Ruben Aleman, Sonia Echevarria (50/50 winner-month of April. 2018)
Photo # 10 From left Luis Carrillo, Luis Arroyo (50/50 winner-month of February 2018)
Photo # 11 From left Ruben Aleman and Mirta Zapata (50/50 winner-month of Jan. 2018)
Photo # 12 From left Luis Carrillo and Tony Canales (50/50 winner-month of December)
Photo # 13 From left Luis Carrillo, Ray Guadalupe, Ruben Aleman and Orlando Tirado (50/50 winner-month of November)
Photo # 14 From left Ruben Aleman, Herman Santa (50/50 winner-month of October) and Luis Carrillo
Photo # 15 From left Ruben Aleman, Johnny Borras (50/50 winner-month of September) and Ray Guadalupe
Photo # 16 From left LuiS Carrillo, Ruben Aleman and luis Rosa (50/50 winner-month of July)
Photo # 17 From left Ruben Aleman and Lou Carrillo (50/50 winner-month of June)
Photo # 18 From left Daisy Aleman (50/50 winner-Month of May), Ruben Aleman, Lou Carrillo and Josie Guadalupe
Photo # 19 From left Al Feliciano (50/50 winner of the month of February)
Photo # 20 From left Dick Diamond, Karen Diamond (50/50 winner of the month of April)
Photo # 21 From left Luis Carrillo, Nereida Pellot (winner of the month of March)
Assembly 2018
Spanish American Club elects new board for 2018
By Herman Santa
The members of The Spanish American Club, Inc. elected a new board for the fiscal year 2018. The Annual General Assembly meeting was held on January 14, at the Polish American Social Club in Port St. Lucie.
Each year, in January the members elects new officers to help set organizational goals and to ensure that funds raised through the annual campaign are being invested wisely in the club’s strategic priority areas such as scholarships for low income Hispanic students, donations of food baskets at Thanksgiving for needy families and collection of Christmas toys for disadvantaged families.
At the meeting, the members of the club elected Ruben Aleman, President; Nancy Rozon, Vice President; Luis Carrillo, Treasurer; Ray Guadalupe, Public Relations; Carlos Mejia, Director and Charles Quiles; Substitute.
Much of The Spanish American Club, Inc.’s success derives from strong volunteer leadership. For more than 25 years, The Spanish American Club, Inc. (SACI) has relied on the guidance and expertise of Hispanic leaders to make a positive impact in Martin and St. Lucie Counties through fundraising, volunteerism and character-building.
The Spanish American Club, Inc. is a non profit corporation, established in 1992. It is the oldest social, civic, sport and benevolence organization on the Treasure Coast. The main goals of the club are to promote friendship and solidarity among its members and other non profit organizations, through social, cultural and civic activities and to promote the knowledge of the Spanish-speaking countries’ geography, history, art, culture and folklore.
Next event of the club has been scheduled for Friday, January, 26, at the Polish American Social Club in Port St. Lucie. Reservations are required. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the club, please contact the president of the club, Ruben Aleman.999@aol.com. For more information about the club, visit www.thespanishamericanclubinc.org
Nueva Junta Directiva del Spanish American Club, Inc.
Por Herman Santa
Bien planeada y exitosa fué la Asamblea General Anual del Spanish American Club, Inc. celebrada el domingo 14 de enero en el Polish American Social Club en la ciudad de Port St. Lucie. Fue re-elegido como presidente para el año fiscal 2018, Rubén Alemán. El Sr. Alemán se ha destacado a traves de largos años en el club por su esfuerzo, entusiasmo y creatividad, llegando a tan alta posición por sus propios méritos.
Al empezar la asamblea, El Sr. Alemán hizo un corto discurso acreditando a su directiva y a los comités por su magnifica labor que hicieron durante el año pasado. La nueva Junta Directiva se compone de los siguientes socios: Rubén Alemán; Presidente, Nancy Rozon, Vice Presidente; Luis Carrillo, Tesorero; Ray Guadalupe, Relaciones Públicas; Carlos Mejía, Director y Charles Quiles; Substituto. ¡Felicitaciones a los nuevos directores!
Una vez más la camaradería que distingue a los socios se puso de manifiesto, no solo durante la reunión, sino tambíen durante toda la tarde. Sin duda alguna, fue una asamblea de gran exito.
El club es una organización sin fines lucrativos compuesta por socios residentes de los condados de Martín y St. Lucie que se dedican a preservar y promover la herencia hispana en la Costa del Tesoro. La Corporación se creó con los siguientes propósitos:
- Promover la amistad y solidaridad entre los socios y otras instituciones a través de actividades sociales, culturales, cívicas y deportivas.
- Promover el conocimiento de la lengua, geografía, historia, arte, cultura y folclor de los países hispanos.
- Ayudar, asistir a los socios y a la comunidad hispana de acuerdo con las habilidades de la Asociación.
El club se ha destacado por su desinteresada contribución a la comunidad hispana de los condados de Martín y St. Lucie ofreciendo becas a estudiantes hispanos, donando tarjetas certificados a familias de bajos ingresos en el día de Acción de Gracias y donando juguetes en el Día de la Navidad a niños de familias de bajos recursos económicos entre otros.
La próxima actividad del club está planeada para el viernes 26 de enero en el mismo local para celebrar el primer evento del año con cena y baile. Reservaciones son requeridas. Personas interesadas en unirse al grupo, por favor de comunicarse con el presidente del club Rubén Alemán 999@aol.com. Para más información con respecto al club, visite www.thespanishamericanclubinc.org
Photo # 1 From left Charles Quiles, Carlos Mejía, Rubén Alemán, Nancy Rozon, Ray Guadalupe and Luis Carrillo
Photo # 2 From left Carlos Mejia, Ray Guadalupe, Nancy Rozon, Luis Carrillo and Charles Quiles
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