Opening and Welcome - Past President Polly Cady
Polly thanked Mike Lutcher for serving as greeter, welcoming members and guests as they arrived for the meeting. Connie Bunyard led the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Myren offered the invocation.
District Conference Highlight
Colleen Coons wanted the members to know that Jeanie Morgan had been named Rotarian of the Year at the final dinner of the Conference of Clubs Saturday, May 3. The bell, which is a traveling trophy will be in Jeanie's possession until next year when someone else will receive this recognition. The signatures which are on the base of the bell are those of the Rotary International Board of Directors during the 100-year anniversary of Rotary in 2004-05. There are brass plates with lists of names of Leaders of the 2nd Century for both Districts 5490 and 5510. Since those districts merged into District 5495, names have been added to a newer brass plate. It is interesting to note that engraved on the brass plates are the names of other Mesa West Rotary Club Members: Chuck Flint, Rod Daniels, Lucinda General, Donna Goetzenberger, and Colleen Coons. Also listed is our Assistant Governor, Dan Coons.
Introduction of Guests
Frank Rosenberg introduced his daughter and former Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Sammy Rosenberg. He said Sammy had been released from school early and begged, "please, please, take me to Rotary with you."
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that there were only 26 cards remaining in the deck, and that the small, weekly pot was $40 and the large, accumulating pot was up to $1,125. He asked District Governor Elect Jim Schmidt to draw the winning ticket, which was held by Mike Lutcher. After shuffling the cards, Mike drew the five of diamonds. He was glad to know he hadn't alienated his Mesa West friends by drawing the Ace of Clubs and winning the large pot. On May 15 there will be only 25 cards and a larger big pot.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
- Jack Rosenberg pledged $100 to the sponsor program to celebrate Sammy Rosenberg's graduation from high school.
- Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for he and Rod Daniels being in the Ace of Clubs. He also contributed an additional $3. His son had undergone cancer surgery. and was on the mend.
- Harry Grossman was happy to learn RLI is scheduled to be held in Anthem on May 31, which will be a much shorter drive for him than where it was originally scheduled.
- John Pennypacker was happy to report he had attended two excellent breakout sessions at the Conference of Clubs. One was an exceptional Toastmasters presentation led by Chad Reid. The other was a very professional CPR Training Session led by Frank Rosenberg.
- Deb Koeneman contributed. She was happy about her recent trip to meet her new grandson and daughter-in-law, and her weekend at the District Conference.
- Pam Cohen was sorry to have missed the May 1 meeting. She had a painful time getting a tooth extracted and a bone graft. She did get to babysit her grandson which lifted her spirits.
- Ron Thompson was happy to be back at our meeting. He's been enjoying the freedom of retirement.
- Frank Rosenberg was proud that Sammy would be graduating from high school in thirteen days. He and Amanda will be hosting a party celebrating her graduation on Friday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. He invited their Mesa West Family to join in the celebration.
- Colleen Coons was happy to have received a check from the Mesa West Rotary Foundation to reimburse her for the stipends due to our McKinney Vento students for their outstanding effort during the prior month. The program is working, and all the mentors are very much appreciated.
- Chuck Flint contributed celebrating that 80 years ago, Victory in Europe was achieved.
- John Bunyard contributed advising members to avoid food poisoning at all costs. He also announced that he is working with Sean, a high-functioning autistic young man.
- Connie Bunyard pledged $100 toward her fundraising team.
- Colleen Coons also pledged $100 toward her fundraising team.
- Speaker Ben contributed saying he grew up hearing about Rotary at the American Legion.
- Speaker Michael contributed. He said he is thankful and appreciates what Rotary does for young people. He heard about Crutches 4 Africa when he was at Hamilton. He has seen lives changed through Rotary Malaria Prevention.
- Ed Koeneman contributed. He had met the speakers in the parking lot and got their help getting Jeanie's heavy bell into the building. At the conference, when he learned that Danny White was a former Westwood High School Interact Club President, since Ed was working with the tech support at the conference, Ed was able to project that information on one of the slides. Amyla will be Westwood HS Interact Club President for a second term. Anise Carroll Covarubias will be Vice President. She served as Interact District Governor this past year. Ed was very appreciative of the wonderfully informative, nearly 2-hour tour Mike Lutcher provided for the Interact Club at the Mesa Salvation Army facility. Ed announced it was only 379 days until the scheduled release of the next Star Wars movie.
- Kayla Mudge pledged $100 for her sponsorship team saying she enjoyed the awesome conference. She said the Interact kids she was working with who will be Ambassadors to Kenya and Mexico were great and they got a lot of support from Rotarians. She was very complimentary of Frank Rosenberg's CPR breakout, saying it was humorous.
- Warren Williamson told a dad joke. A moth went to a pediatrist's office. The moth was depressed because his buddy had flown into a flame and died. The pediatrist asked why the moth had come to their office. The moth answered, "Your light was on."
Announcement
Polly announced that the Orientation scheduled for May 17 at Pam Cohen's home has been renamed The Mesa West Experience. While it would serve as a good orientation for new members, it is also a place where long-time members can brainstorm and expand their knowledge of the club and how it operates as well as share ideas about what they might like to see going forward.
Mesa West Rotarian of the Month Recognized
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.
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:.png)
Transforming Communities,Â
Creating Opportunities,Â
Impacting Youth
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Mesa, AZ 85210
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