The following table summarizes the speakers or topics which will likely be discussed in the off season:
The Men's Coffee Group was established by 5 men in the community after Elaine Rumble, the Activities Director at the time, announced a meeting in the a 2007 Talk of the Walk newsletter. (there are now over 400 men and women on the mailing list and several meetings have exceeded 200 people). A picture of five men at a Men's Coffee meeting prior to May 2007, shows John Adams, Don Dailey, Carl Cappadona, Frank Keraney, Vince Marchesani). The group is run by 4 individuals (John Adams, Don Dailey, Frank Kearney, Don Martell) and assisted by others from time to time. The group is financed courtesy of the sponsorship of AAMCO of Naples and relies on the Homeowners' Association for facilities. The group maintains
a website containing useful information about tradepeople, health professionals, speakers, etc.
Over the years, and as a result of periodic polling members, the group has evolved to:
- provide a forum in which residents (albeit primarily men) can socialize and meet new residents
- provide a list of helpful hints / reliable professionals that can assist owners in addressing maintenance, health, legal and other issues
- address rumors that inevitably spread quickly by getting the facts from, the Home Owners' Association, Pulte Homes, elected officials, police officials, etc
- provide speakers in season on topics of interest to the community
- act independently from the builder and the Homeowners Association on topics that the Board / Pulte might prefer not to have (for example, the bubbling of cabinet doors, transition, etc.)
There are very few clubs and groups which appeal to a cross-section of male residents and hence the Men's Coffee Group fills a need. All speakers are co-ordinated with the Activities Director to avoid duplication with her plans. In the past, the Ladies Coffee Klatch has been approached in order to co-ordinate efforts; the Ladies Coffee Klatch has indicated that its primary goal is to function as a ladies' social organization.
In 2008, the Men's Coffee Group arranged with AAMCO of Naples to sponsor our coffee and miscellaneous costs; this sponsorship was later extended to the Ladies Coffee Klatch. As a consequence, the Homeowners' Association does not directly fund either group. In the case of Men's Coffee, it does provide the facilities in which meetings are held. Several years ago, an effort was made to expand the Men's Coffee Group to include evening meetings. Despite extensive promotion, very few people attended the meeting and no one was prepared to step forward to lead the evening group
.
This series of webpages is not affiliated in any way with Pulte / Divosta Homes or the VillageWalk of Bonita Springs Homeowners' Association. These webpages are hosted free of charge on the personal website of Frank Kearney.