Welcome and Opening of Meeting - President Jay Paulus
Jay reminded members and informed guests of the Rotary International Theme for the year - The Magic of Rotary.
He recited the Rotary Vision Statement
TOGETHER, we see a world
where PEOPLE unite and take action
to CREATE lasting CHANGE
across the globe, in our communities
and in ourselves.
He also recited Mesa West Rotary Club's vision of
Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, and Impacting Youth
Dick Myren offered the invocation and Steve Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests
- Visiting Rotarian Wayne Barefoot from Easton Pennsylvania Rotary Club was welcomed.
- Exavier King was introduced as a potential new member. He is with the Boy Scouts of America.
- Assistant Governor Dan Coons was welcomed.
- Bert Millett introduced his guest - his daughter, Sage.
- Colleen Coons introduced Amber Johnson who is a student at Rio Salado Community College. Amber hopes to start a community-based Rotaract Club in the area.
- Councilwoman Jenn Duff and her assistant Priscilla Gutierrez were introduced.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that the small weekly pot is $35, and the large pot is up to $400. He asked Bert Millett to draw the winning ticket, which was held by Melodie Jackson. After shuffling the cards face-down, the card Melodie drew when attempting to draw the Ace of Clubs was the three of clubs instead.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
- Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2, happy he and Honorary Member Rod Daniels are associated with the Ace of Clubs. He contributed an additional $1 saying he had finished another session of Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) on Saturday, November 16. He now has two down and one to go to graduate.
- Harry Grossman contributed. He said that, since the Cardinals had not played the prior weekend and he had not been able to attend the November 14 meeting at Longbow Golf Club, he was wearing his red shoes to celebrate their win the prior week.
- Ed Koeneman was happy Amber wants to start a new community-based Rotaract Club. He was also happy there were only 547 days left until the release of the next Star Wars movie.
- Wayne Barefoot announced his wife was still back in Easton, PA. His snoring had been keeping her awake and she suggested they might need separate rooms. He had not understood they would be in separate states.
- Allan Cady pledged $10. He was very proud of the successful Rotary Leadership Institute his Polly and her team had conducted on the 16th in Fountain Hills.
- AG Dan Coons remembered when he was Club President of Mesa West, Colleen would make a Happy $ announcement asking that it be charged to the Club President. Dan said to invoice the Immediate Past President for $10 because he was happy to be at our meeting.
- Melodie Jackson contributed her winnings - $35. She was happy for the RLI session she attended. She learned some new things about Rotary and met some very nice people. She also announced she would be passing the McKinney Vento Students' holiday wish list around hoping members would commit to providing some of the wished-for items. She also hopes the mentors of the students will share stories about their experience. Melodie shared a bit about Isabella. She is charming, tall, pretty, and well-spoken. She is the youngest of eight siblings. She is a good student and plays in sports. She is very appreciative of our wonderful program for homeless unaccompanied seniors in high school.
- Liz Paulus was thankful for all the youth from Interact and Rotaract who helped with the College Bound Veterans Day Parade activities. She was also extremely thankful for the donation from Mesa West Rotary Foundation that was presented at the College Bound AZ Luau for Love fundraising event November 15. The auctioneer leveraged our donation to cover an additional fifteen laptops for College Bound students.
- Colleen Coons was happy to announce their son Ryan is engaged. She was also happy that the Rotaract recruitment event at her house was amazing. She also celebrated the trip she and Dan had recently taken to Chicago where thy had an amazing time. She said she had the best pizza and hot dogs ever!
- Jim McGown announced he had brought Don LaBarge's bell-ringing schedule notebook and would be passing it around to try to get more two-hour shifts covered.
- Gabby Duran pledged $10 saying she was happy to be a member and wants to jump in where needed.
- Jay Paulus was happy to have participated in the hearing project in Guaymas.
- Warren Williamson shared a story about Kayla. When she was first out of law school and working for a big law firm. When she arrived late one day, a senior partner asked her to come to his office and he asked her why she was late. She replied that a young man had been following her. The partner asked her how that made her late and she responded it was "because he was walking really slow."
- Ron Thompson contributed fining himself for being late.
Mesa West Rotarian of the Month for November Honored
President Jay asked Shelly Romine to come forward where he presented her with some Texas Road House gift cards and a certificate highlighting her service as our club's Community Service Chair. Shelly does a great job of finding projects for members to support that promote goodwill and better understanding while enhancing a sense of community and comradery.
Foundation Chair - John Pennypacker
John mentioned that it appears Mesa West is on track to make their fundraising goals for the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation as well as for Polio Plus. He said that some members have not given to either for a few years, and held up a document that was available on all the tables telling how members could look up their own contribution history. He also said he would be happy to help anyone who asked for his assistance in setting up an automatic monthly donation through their "My Rotary" account on the Rotary International website.2024 Guaymas Hearing Project - Lizzy Barron
CLICK HERE to see the slides Lizzy shared while she spoke briefly about her recent experience participating for her first time as a volunteer on our club's annual Guaymas Hearing Project. She shared a little about herself. She first joined Rotary in 2014 when she joined the Santa Clara club while living in California. She still went back to help that club after relocating to Arizona. One thing that attracted Lizzy to Mesa West was our hearing project. Guaymas is her mother's home town. They had a summer home there. One of the photos she showed was an area near Guaymas where she has hiked. The Rotary sign about our program displayed at the school where the clinic is held translates to "Help me Listen." Lizzy works in higher education. Her daughter, who she calls her spawn, was unabled to go with Lizzy this year.
She said there were 34 volunteers from Mesa and Tucson who rode a bus twelve hours each way to help with the clinic. This year, 278 patients were seen. 98 were children and 180 were adults. 224 earmolds were made and 119 hearing aids were delivered.
We do leave a legacy. Lizzy told about seeing one of the volunteers from the Guaymas Rotary Club who had tears after understanding that a child who was helped had heard a bird for the first time. She met a 25-year-old who has been at the clinic every year since she was a young child. She had a childhood illness affecting her hearing. It was so severe, she only had an 11% chance of surviving. She now has a college degree and helps at the clinic as a translator.
A hidden benefit to our club is the legacy for future Rotarians like Sammy Rosenberg who made the trip for the first time with Frank this year. Although Lizzy's own daughter didn't get to go, the passion she observes in her mother's Rotary efforts. It's easy to write checks to do good. It's not so easy to give time, but the real-life experience improves family ties and real communication enabling us to recruit next-gen Rotarians. Then, there are those common experiences to share, like a hotel room with no hot water!
President Jay added that the Magic of Rotary may rub off on the Guaymas/Mesa sister cities relationship. He believes the school might benefit from that relationship through our hearing program.
Dick Myren Promotes Rotary Leadership Institute
Dick reported Mesa West is very active in RLI. Nineteen of our members are either graduates or in process of taking RLI courses. He shared that he has been an active member of Rotary since 1970, but has been amazed at what he didn't know about the larger world of our great organization.
Dick suggested that not only new members should attend, but long-time members like himself, will gain a lot from participating.
Announcements
- There will be no in-person meeting November 28 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
- Officers and directors for our club for the 2025-57 year will be elected December 12 at our Annual Meeting.
- January 31 is the 5th Thursday in January. Instead of meeting at the Doubletree, we will visit the Mesa Historical Museum.
- Mark your calendars for January 11 when our annual post-holiday celebration will be held.
- We will not meet at the Doubletree December 26 or January 2. ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
Welcome and Opening of Meeting - President Jay Paulus
As members and guests arrived at Longbow Golf Club for the meeting, they were welcomed with a sign directing them to the meeting location. They were welcomed by John Pennypacker, who had made the meeting arrangements. Before the meeting was called to order, there was opportunity to socialize and enjoy the cool fall temperatures in the pleasant patio area outside the clubhouse. President Jay Paulus called the meeting to order and invited those present to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests
- Kayla Mudge introduced her guest, Mariel Olson, President Elect of Camelback Crossroads Rotary Club.
- Pam Cohen introduced Braly Moreno and Mariana Meraz from Benedictine University Rotaract Club. President Jay noted that the Rotaract Club at Benedictine is doing a great job of managing the food pantry at the University. He also mentioned that on November 20, they will be hosting a pizza party to recruit new members to their Rotaract Club.
- President Jay introduced his guests, Johnie and Mike from Mega Events. They were in town to assist with the College Bound AZ Luau for Love fundraising event Friday, November 15.
- Pam Cohen introduced returning seasonal visitor from Minnesota - PDG Tom Yuzer.
- Spouses of several members were acknowledged - Son Hee Williamson, Jane Benedict, Sharon Boucher, and Luin Ross
- Logan Harper was welcomed to the first meeting he's been able to attend in several months.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
Lizzy Barron was recognized by Foundation Chair John Pennypacker for her generous support of The Rotary Foundation. She received her Paul Harris Plus 5 recognition pin. Lizzy went to Guaymas this year. It turned out she served as "interpreter extraordinaire" while volunteering during her first participation with our annual hearing mission.
Guaymas Hearing Project
A few of our Mesa West Rotary Club members who participated in the 2024 Guaymas Hearing Mission were Gary Whitehill, Lizzie Barron, Lu General and Ray Smith. Not in this photograph, but additional participating members were Bob Jensen, Erica Williams, Jay Paulus, Jim Schmidt, and Chuck Flint. In an amazing two-day clinic, they saw 98 kids and 180 adults for a total of 278. 224 earmolds were made and 119 hearing aids delivered. Son Hee Williamson was recognized for the small purses and backpacks she sent with the volunteers to serve as incentive gifts for children at the school where the clinic is held each year.
Announcements
- Ed Koeneman said
- The Interact Club recently delivered pet toys, which they had made from old tee shirts, to the Arizona Animal Welfare League. He said he will be continuing to collect old t-shirts to use for this ongoing project.
- RYLA signups are being processed.
- Westwood HS Interact assisted College Bound with the Veterans Day Parade in Mesa.
- Logan Harper will be staying in the states - is currently in Arizona. More updates to come.
- Melodie Jackson has volunteered to coordinate fulfillment efforts for the holiday wish lists submitted by our McKinney Vento students. You can see her to sign up to be responsible for specific items on the list(s) or you can donate VISA cash cards and they will do the shopping for you. There will be a wrapping party on December 4.
- Shelly Romine reminded members
- We need to respond to Don LaBarge's e-mails soliciting commitments to fill shifts ringing the Salvation Army bell at Bass Pro Shop from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. The first couple of weeks are the most difficult to fill. Sign up early and often for as many two-hour shift commitments as you can possibly fit in. For several years, the Mesa West Kettle has been the most productive in the southwest region. We want to continue that tradition. Along that line, during the bell-ringing season, happy bucks at club meetings will go to our kettle donation total. Please put your annual Salvation Army donation in the kettle rather than sending it in the mail.
- There will be a blood drive at the YMCA. Only a couple of volunteers are needed at the event. but when you receive the information in your e-mail, members are encouraged to share it with their family, friends, and business associates.
- President Jay announced a New Year's Eve celebration in the east valley he thought some members might want to take advantage of:
Roaring 20s Night at the Museum!
Step Back in Time and Celebrate with Style at Arizona Heritage Center
Ready for a New Year’s Eve celebration like no other—where the charm of the Roaring 20s meets the timeless elegance of Arizona’s rich history! Hosted at the stunning Arizona Heritage Center in Tempe, this night promises a blend of excitement, nostalgia, and purpose, all while supporting public art in our community. This is more than a party—it's your chance to make history, leave a lasting legacy, and dance the night away under the stars! All for a Great Cause.
Date: December 31, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Location: Arizona Heritage Center, 1300 N. College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85288
Under 21 welcome, with a parent or legal guardian
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:30 AM
Location: Arizona Heritage Center, 1300 N. College Ave, Tempe, AZ 85288
Under 21 welcome, with a parent or legal guardian
Tickets Can be purchased by following the QR:
Auction - Gifts obtained while on her fantastic European vacation were donated by Melodie Jackson
President Jay's guest, Mike, served as the auctioneer. Kayla Mudge started the bidding, but Luin Ross' high bid of $75 made her the proud new owner.
New Member Induction - Gary Whitehill
Membership Chair Polly Cady invited Gary Whitehill to come forward for his induction into Mesa West Rotary Club. She asked Gary, "Why Rotary?" Gary said he had been in both Kiwanis and Lions while living on the east coast. He was briefly in the Sedona Rotary Club. His home is in Sedona. His schedule makes it difficult to attend more than two meetings each month. He travels in and out of Phoenix. He met the Cady's while attending RLI. He affectionately calls Allan "Big Bear," saying he found him to be very heartfelt. Allan is Gary's sponsor into Mesa West. Gary feels like Allan is his "brother from another mother." DGE Jim Schmidt handled the actual induction. He had worked with Gary, and found him to be a lot of help" on the recent Guaymas trip. Being a member of Mesa West makes Gary part of a global network of 1.2 million Rotarians. Jim recited the Rotary Vision statement without notes:
TOGETHER, we see a world
where PEOPLE unite and take action
to CREATE lasting CHANGE
across the globe, in our communities
and in ourselves.
He reminded Gary our motto is "Service above self," and the Mesa West Rotary club has it's own vision - Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, and Impacting Youth.
Gary was welcomed as the newest member of our club with a standing ovation. Pam Cohen pinned him and Polly Cady presented him with his Membership Certificate.
Eve of the Final Super Moon of 2024
Members and guests continued to socialize while enjoying a pleasant, outdoor, moonlit evening.
Thursday, October 10, an open house was held at the Mesa Main Library introducing the community to the Virtual Reality headsets recently donated by Mesa West Rotary Club for use in the Mesa Public Libraries. The donation was made possible through a Meta community action grant received by Mesa West Rotary Foundation. Mesa Mayor John Giles was present and made remarks to those present for the occasion.
CLICK HERE or on the collage above to see the Facebook post from the Mesa Public Library expressing appreciation for the VR headsets.
Mesa West Rotary Club's volunteer service vests were very visible the evening of November 8 after the Gift of Hearing 2023 volunteers arrived at their destination and were enjoying an evening meal.After returning to Arizona Sunday, Erica Williams expressed appreciation for all the volunteer hours invested in this year's mission. She reported 232 patients were served, again making an impact for the hearing health of the Guaymas community. True to the Rotary Service above Self motto, Rodolfo will continue to travel back a few times during the year for mini clinics to help meet needs until next November. She said they have been training the Mexican doctors on some of the more advanced testing needs as well to bring back to their community.
Erica said they are targeting the same week/weekend for 2024, with more information to follow in the future. CLICK HERE for a link to an article Bob Jensen came across to reflect about why the team does what they do.
If you haven't already seen the reel about the project that was posted on our club's Facebook page, CLICK HERE or on the image to view it.
As most of you know, Arizona has a very unique state tax credit program. If you pay taxes to the state of Arizona, you can specify where your tax dollars go (state taxes only). These instructions are for your reference only. Please consult a tax prep professional with any specific questions about state tax credits.There are many different nonprofit organizations that AZ recognizes as authorized recipients of these tax funds. Mesa West sponsors the Interact Club at Westwood High School, and they are a qualified recipient of these tax credit funds in the Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) category. Here's how you can donate up to $200 as an individual or $400 as a couple filing jointly and deduct that amount from your state tax burden.
Or go straight to 
https://mpsaz.sites.thrillshar
https://mpsaz.sites.thrillsharIf you have children currently enrolled in Mesa Public Schools, you can use your existing login information. Otherwise, it's easy to setup a guest account.
Once you are logged in, select 'Items At All Schools' under the 'Shop/Donate' list on the Home page.
On the next page select 'High Schools', then select 'Westwood High'
Select the link for 'ECA Tax Credit', and then 'Programs G-K' on the following page.
Interact - ECA is under code 8646. Enter a dollar amount in the box, and click the Add button. That dollar amount should then appear in your cart (highlighted in green at the top of the page).
You can then proceed to the Checkout process and pay with a credit card. You will receive a receipt that you can print out and save for when you do your taxes.
Thank you for supporting Westwood Interact and all of our youth programs.
As Rotarians, we are regularly exposed to opportunities to support various causes with our time, talent and treasure. Sometimes it is hard to sift through all the information and decide where we are going to use our available financial resources.
It would be wonderful if every Arizona Rotarian would make the following BIG FOUR their Rotary charities of choice and support every one of them every year, we could make a bigger difference than we are making today.
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Annual Fund - The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world." Giving a small amount each month adds up. CLICK HERE to download a form you can use to sign up for Rotary Direct, electing "Annual Fund - Share" for your recurring donation. - The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Polio Plus - Rotary's commitment to eradicate polio is so well known and respected that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations $2 for $1. To take advantage of this opportunity to multiply the effect of your giving, CLICK HERE and download a second Rotary Direct form, this time electing electing "Polio Eradication" for your recurring donations. Those who donate $100 or more annually to Polio Plus qualify in District 5495 as Polio Plus Society Members. If you would like to make that commitment, CLICK HERE to download the commitment form.
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) provides vocational education grants to Arizona Residents who meet specific low-income guidelines. The grants enable the recipients to lift themselves out of poverty, benefitting themselves, their families and the economy of our state. TRVFA is a 501(c)(3) charity. They also are a Qualifying Charitable Organization for Arizona Tax Credit Donations. Their QCO Code is 20698. Many Arizona Rotarians say giving to TRVFA is a "no brainer." If you can help someone lift themselves out of poverty and it won't end up costing you anything why would you not do it? Mesa West Rotary has the highest number of members who have signed up for automated monthly recurring donations by electing that option on the "Donate Now" button on the TRVFA website. Click the image to learn more or CLICK HERE to DONATE NOW. 
Mesa West Rotary Foundation, Inc. is the funding and fundraising arm of our own Mesa West Rotary Club. It is a 501(c)(3) charity. We have had successful sponsorship campaigns the last few years enabling us to spend our energy on service rather than on holding fundraising events. Charitable grants that we get involved with are funded through our charitable foundation, Our signature Gift of Hearing Project in Guaymas Mexico is funded through this foundation. Scholarships are awarded annually to Westwood High School Students (the high school where Mesa West Rotary sponsors an Interact Club). Funds are used to support a variety of activities in four of the Rotary Avenues of Service:- Community Service
- International Service
- Vocational Service
- Youth Service
The process isn't quite automated at this point in time, but we hope it soon will be. For now, you can email our executive secretary who can help you work out a recurring donation plan should you wish to make that arrangement to support our own club's charitable activity.
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Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Executive Secretary/Director
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Director '26
Director '26
Director '25
Director '25
Director '25
Membership Chair
Rotary Foundation Chair
Club Service Chair
Community Service Chair
Fundraising Chair
Public Image Chair
Sergeant-at-Arms
Vocational Service Chair
Youth Services Chair
Executive Secretary
Mesa West Foundation President
Mesa West Foundation Vice Pres.
Mesa West Foundation Secretary
Mesa West Foundation Treasurer
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
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Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomDec. 17, 2024 5:30 p.m.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Ross Farnsworth EV YMCAJan. 04, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. -
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomJan. 21, 2025 5:30 p.m.
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Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, Impacting Youth
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210
United States of America