Roy Gonas is a graduate of Indiana State University and Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, with additional studies in London and The Hague Academy of International Law. Roy started the in-state International Law seminar series for The Florida Bar. He continues to practice, and is an arbitrator in domestic and international cases. And Roy, is receiving invitations each year from European universities to give lectures on International Commercial Arbitration and American Jurisprudence-being a visiting lecturer affords the opportunity to work with fine students and have some become friends. Additionally Roy is a Fulbright Specialist grantee-International Commercial Arbitration.
RCSM - Roy, who are what brought you to Rotary?
Roy - When I became active in the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the president, who was also chairman of the board (now called chairman), Ron Robison, and the executive director (now called president) Col. Tom Chegin, USA ret.), invited me to join them for lunch at the Rotary Club of Coral Gables. I knew nothing of Rotary. The two gentlemen (no ladies then in Rotary) encouraged my continuing attendance. My interest grew, probably from seeing my dad as a legislator and jurist and my mother as very active in community service. RCCG membership came in January 1979 and continued to June 1991. I was a director in the club. History took its course. My classification became and remained International Law. As far as I know, only Cleve Allen, Jim Barker and I were Chairmen/Presidents of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce (me in 1982-1983) and Rotary District Governors in D6990. Much was learned from them and CG Mayor Bill Chapman. (Bill, in early 1980's, expressed his desire to see part of Giralda become a promenade, as it just now has become. His shared knowledge in municipal affairs became invaluable to me.) I became a member of the Rotary Club of South Miami in June 1991 and was immediately put on its board as a presidential appointee. Marty Rosen was my sponsor, mentor, adviser and friend, and still is. Club presidency was 1995-1996. In spring 1996 the club informed me it wanted to nominate me for district governor, I accepted and was selected by the district committee that summer. By the time I served as DG, I had served the previous eleven district governors. (And to think I joined RCSM to be in a smaller, more intimate club.)
RCSM - What is your favorite Rotary memory?
Roy - Telling a favorite memory in Rotary is very difficult. My two sons being let out of school to attend a Rotary luncheon to receive their Paul Harris Fellows is certainly one. Another is what our (not my!) leadership team with great Rotarians did during 1998-1999 in District 6990. The district conference set substantial attendance records. It was also a record breaking year for fundraising. (To say D6990 Rotarians are great is an understatement.) My founding the idea and chairing the committee for the 1991 Rotary district-wide Rotary Foundation dinner with 700 attendees from four counties and GBI comes to mind. DG Fred Anderson arranged to have the RI president and TRF Chairman speak. (The event ran on time.) The size of the event is believed to have been in Rotary the largest of its kind in the United States. In addition to its size, the event was a fundraising base for the year and resulted in setting a new record. Founding the idea in Rotary of a student-led ethics initiative equally comes to mind. ("Initiative" was the word given by students. because they said its conference should be every year.) 581 students from four counties and nearly 27 schools participated in April 1999. (After 5 years of its success, and despite the initiative receiving accolades from RI presidents, D6990 terminated its support and any participation, but it remains in the Broward County School System as an annual event.) The initiative was deemed the first of its kind in the country. Any of these may be deemed a favorite. Being blessed with so many outstanding, supporting Rotarians, including the best Rotary club one could imagine for support while District Governor-the Rotary Club of South Miami-makes it too hard for me to give priority. But let me conclude #2 with this: My heart keeps going to the students. My sons know it. Fifteen or so years interviewing applicants at club and district levels for Rotary scholarships and the student-led ethics initiative bring happy memories. (Otto Fuentes gave me my first Rotary assignment, and it was interviewing such applicants. Today, some of those now former Rotary scholars are close friends.)
RCSM - What would you like to see Rotary do going forward?
Roy - For Rotary's future, I would like to see more done respecting and supporting our youth. Rotary does outstanding work feeding people, building for people, providing health services and educating people. Each enhances society. Letting our youth teach themselves and watching and learning from them in the student-led ethics initiative produces wonderful, direct benefits. It allows reaching children's minds and offering them our respect. Adult society needs to do more of it. It still could be a place for Rotary's leadership. A long-time educator, when talking about the student-led initiative told me "it is the adults who are the problem, not the students". He is right. I saw it and still see it.
The meaning of Rotary: the opportunity to serve.
Thank you Roy for your continued exemplary service!
edited by Jeff McNabb
