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2008-2009 Tennis Event Calendar

July 21, 2008

Dear Fellow Member,

            In the fall of 1999, several of the Club’s Members asked to have a special golf event that had two goals: 1) to memorialize any Member who had passed-on during the last year, and 2) to raise money for local and national charities. Over the years, this “golf event” has grown tremendously and now includes tennis, marina and social activities. In 2004, it obtained Federal Tax Exempt Status as a “Foundation” which allowed it to gift to any charity that also had an official tax exempt status. Since its inception, it has raised and contributed over $700,000 to more than twenty local and national charities. In short, it is something of which all of us at Gulf Harbour can be very proud.

            A few years ago, the Club’s Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of asking the Board of Governors to establish the Members’ Memorial Foundation, Inc.  as the “official” charity for Gulf Harbour Country Club. This action would restrict the use of the Club facilities such as bulletin boards and the Club directory for solicitation purposes. (However, it did not prevent an individual Member from having a “Charity Event” – it just prevented the Member from soliciting the Membership.) The Board voted to institute such a policy.

            The rationale for this policy was to make sure that the Club’s Membership was not being asked to contribute to so many charities that it would dilute the effectiveness of the Members’ Memorial not to mention the negatives resulting from “going to the well” too often.

            There is no question that our Members are generous and caring. This is clearly demonstrated by the fact that we have had to remind Members and Staff this summer of the limitation on soliciting for charities.

            The amount of work and effort that goes into the Members’ Memorial is staggering. Suggestions by Members wishing to have their charities recognized and gifted are always considered by the volunteers who make these decisions. In fact, we would like to take this opportunity to ask those Members who work to support their own personal charity to consider getting involved with the Members’ Memorial. They can always use more help. Call Donna Cicale or Frank Phillips if you wish to lend a hand.

            We hope this reminder will provide you with the understanding of why we try to place some limitation on charitable solicitation at Gulf Harbour. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Frank Caroselli and Russ DeVries