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Rotary Club Launches

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: January 14, 2009

NEW TAMPA - Organizers of New Tampa's third Rotary Club plan to roll out the group's inaugural meeting Thursday at the Hunter's Green Golf and Country Club.

The first provisional meeting of the New Tampa Evening Rotary Club will begin at 6:15 p.m. at the country club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive, said Said Iravani, a Rotarian and a founding member of the new group.

Iravani said as of last week as many as 35 residents had expressed interest in participating.

"We are encouraging more people to contact us," said Iravani, president of Iravani P.A., an engineering and environmental consulting firm.

Iravani of Heritage Isles, in partnership with Jim Mutascio of Tampa Palms and Doug Andrews of Lutz, is organizing the club.

The trio said they have spoken to local businesspeople, civic leaders and educators who would be interested in participating in an evening Rotary Club.

The organizers are encouraging business professionals, community activists, PTA presidents and others to participate.

The group aims to attract civic-minded residents with workday schedules that make it difficult to attend a morning or midday meeting in New Tampa.

Club meetings will be Thursdays at 6:15 p.m.

Rotary International requires a new club to have at least 20 members and be sponsored by an existing Rotary Club. Organizers expect it should take about five weeks to become a charter member of Rotary District 6890, which covers Hillsborough, Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa, which meets Friday mornings, is sponsoring the group, Iravani said.

Residents who attend the provisional meetings will become charter members. Annual dues will be less than $200.

Andrews, Iravani and Mutascio aim to create a casual environment where civic-minded volunteers can discuss a wide range of community service projects and activities over coffee or cocktails. Buying dinner will not be a requirement at the meetings.

Mutascio, who will serve as club president, is vice president of Kauffman Tire in Tampa. Andrews, a past president of Rotary Club of New Tampa and the immediate past district governor, will serve as sergeant-at-arms.

Of the existing Rotary clubs in New Tampa, one meets for breakfast on Fridays at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, while the other group gathers for lunch on Wednesdays at Circles Bistro in the Pebble Creek Collection plaza.

When approved, the evening Rotary group will be the 47th club in the district.

JOIN THE CLUB

For information about the New Tampa Evening Rotary Club, contact the organizers at NTpmRotary@gmail.com.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842.

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