We try to make our meetings interesting, educational and fun. Last month Richard Wohl made all three criteria possible by providing photos while you wait in our lobby. He brought along an assortment of Hewlett Packard printers, digital cameras and photo grade paper. He then proceeded to take excellent pictures of all attendees who would dare to strike a pose. In mere moments he produced an exquisite photo with its own little frame; a wonderful keepsake of our holiday meeting. This added to our holiday cheer as it was an unexpected surprise.

But he didn't stop there, no sir! He convinced Ralph Herrerias, the 27th Avenue and Coral Way Office Depot Manager, to donate an HP photo printer for Gold Coast Mac to raffle at that very meeting. It turned out to be one of the most popular raffle items of the evening.

Our guests were educated as to the different models of printers and what their relative merits were. They went away with something to remember the evening by and they had a blast posing for the camera. And of course, one lucky winner walked away with a great printer.

For this we recognize Richard Wohl as our January Volunteer Of The Month.

He wishes he could make it to meetings more often but in his golden years driving at night is a problem. That hasn't stopped him from trying the latest software and techniques for improving his computing life. He's ever the Mac evangelist trying to convince others that despite a bump or two that he's been through the Mac is still the way to go.

For making our list server very active, pushing on determinedly into his Mac and totally unafraid to ask questions we name Juan Diaz our April member of the month. Remember, the only dumb question is the one never asked.

Every month we go through the time consuming but necessary process of setting up the meeting hall so members can check in, pick up vendors’ materials and overall make the place look “Mac-like.” And every month Dennis Daley is there ready and willing to help out. Taking down the materials, packing them and lugging them to our cars just in time for the Museum to shut the lights out on us is also possible because Dennis is there to give a helping hand. Sure, he could go home happy that he learned something at the meeting, but he sticks around and gives freely of his time to make the burden easier on all of us.

Dennis is always eager to share his knowledge over the latest programs to come out and is not afraid to present demos as he did at a recent Advanced Users Special Interest Group (SIG) meeting. Thanks to him, even the die-hard gurus learned something about alternative browsers as he showed the speed and flexibility of FireFox.

We commend members who not only contribute to discussions and answer questions but also those who take the time to learn a program and share that knowledge with the rest of us through a demo. Plus, he gives back in so many ways, especially with his precious time, that we hold in high esteem Dennis Daley as our May member of the month.

Z'Garci

Like Cher, Z'Garci is known by a single name. If that's one way to set apart someone special, then that's appropriate for Z!

A board member of Gold Coast Mac for two years, Z'Garci joined the group, and was elected to the board, when she didn't even own a Macintosh. However, she'd seen what a Mac could do, and was enthusiastic about being a part of a group which could help her learn. While someone else might say "I don't know enough to help," that's not Z's way! She brought her enthusiasm to the board even as she learned the Mac, and showed that you don't have to be a tech guru to make a contribution.

She could always be counted on to work at check-in and to step in for special projects, like making a video of our holiday meeting. If you needed an extra hand, Z was always there, and even though she was not re-elected to the board this year, we expect her can-do attitude will keep her a contributor for years to come!

For her willingness to pitch in and make things better for all members of Gold Coast Mac we're proud to name Z'Garci the Gold Coast Mac Volunteer of the Month for July, and she's now in the running for Member of the Year, a new honor which will be decided from all monthly recipients and awarded at the annual Holiday meeting!

July 2002

Jan Barkan

This may be a first for Gold Coast Mac, naming a school as our Member of the Month. But when you read on, you'll understand how important this school in Southwest Miami-Dade has been to the success of Gold Coast Mac, and why its staff is deserving of this honor!

SIGS are an important service Gold Coast Mac provides its members. One of the biggest problems to solve when holding a SIG is the venue -- who will host the meetings, in the evenings, at little or no cost? Year in and year out, Atlantis Academy has stepped up, allowing Atlantis staffer and GCMac member Jim Bolinger to open the building. He sometimes holds more than one SIG in an evening, a number of times a month. There has never been any charge to Gold Coast Mac, and having the meeting in an all-Mac school is a plus for SIG attendees.

If volunteering is about service to Gold Coast Mac, then Atlantis and its Staff certainly qualify! Gold Coast Mac is proud to acknowledge the school's support, to thank them for their efforts on our behalf, and is pleased to name them Member of the Month!

April 2003

You've got to admire someone who stays in the game after being dealt a minor setback, and that's why the Board of Directors has a lot of admiration for our Volunteer of the Month, Dale LeCornu.

Dale is a long time member who finally heeded the call of leadership, and agreed this year to run for a position on the Board of Directors. We had an exceptional group of well qualified candidates this year, and unfortunately, not every one of them could be elected.

Dale was among those who was not. However, where some may have looked at that loss and decided a leadership role was not for them, Dale has taken the welcome step of attending board meeting as an observer, taking part in discussions and making suggestions...good ones. Any member can do this; Dale is among the few who does.

We admire that commitment to Gold Coast Mac, and are proud to name Dale our Volunteer of the Month for October.

October 2003