“Idea Swap” at National Gator Club Leaders Weekend!

Gator Club officers and leaders from across the country converged in Gainesville Jan. 18-19 for the 26th Annual Leaders Weekend. The event, organized to help club leaders network and swap ideas on topics such as local programs, events, and fundraisers, brought over 230 representatives from over 50 of the 100+ Gator Clubs now in existence. The San Diego Gator Club was represented at the forum by President-Elect Bena Leslie and Club Secretary/Photographer Wayne Mostecky.

After general and breakout sessions designed to educate and facilitate networking on a variety of Gator Club topics, the event wrapped up with an awards presentation for top programs, clubs, and volunteers. The club awards are broken up into category by large, medium, and small sizes. While too numerous to mention here in their entirety, here are some highlights:

Outstanding Clubs (within Florida):

Tampa Gator Club, Brevard County Gator Club, & Key West Gator Club

Outstanding Clubs (outside of Florida):

Atlanta Gator Club, Music City Gator Club, & Portland Gator Club

The award for “Best Event Outside of Florida” went to the Las Vegas Gator Club for their hosting of the UF vs. FSU football viewing party during Thanksgiving weekend of 2006, which was attended by membersof many other Gator Clubs who were in town for the basketball tournament, which featured UF losing a squeaker to Kansas in the championship game in double-overtime, 82-80. Dozens of members from the San Diego Gator Club attended this fun event and the basketball game as well.

Leaders Weekend featured the customary visit by Albert and Alberta, and this year had a surprise appearance by none other than Mr. Two Bits, fresh off a statewide tour in honor of his decades of service and support of the Gator Nation.

“The weekend always provides a great opportunity to not only gather helpful ideas and information, but to meet officers and leaders of the UF Alumni Association and Gator Clubs from all over the country,” said Wayne, who you’ll see pictured along with Bena in these photos. “Bena and I encourage more members to get involved in the San Diego Gator Club as leaders and possibly get an opportunity to attend this event themselves in the future.”

If you are interested in volunteering your time and talents in any way to help the San Diego Gator Club remain the best Gator Club in the world, please contact Bena Leslie or any club officer at sdgatorclub@yahoo.com.