Assistant Governor, Lee Holmes, was introduced as a visitor.  Jeanie Morgan introduced Jennifer Morrill, a candidate for a vocational education grant from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.  Erwin and Joan Reiman chose NOT to be introduced as guests.  Jennifer G, a Guest of Greg Okonowski, came to hear the speaker who would be introduced later.

 

Our most recently inducted member, Tom Bradford, was the lucky $5 winner when the token with his badge number was drawn in the weekly attendance drawing.  Chuck Flint explained that the lucky holder of the ticket drawn in the weekly raffle would win $25, and have a chance to draw the ace of clubs which would entitle the weekly winner to also win $893.  Chuck asked our Assistant Governor Lee Holmes to draw a ticket.  The ticket he drew belonged to Warren Williamson.  After Allan Cady suggested he visualize the card he wanted to draw, Warren did draw the ace of clubs.  Warren indicated the majority of his winnings would go to his Paul Harris account at The Rotary Foundation.

 

Allan Cady was happy that our youth exchange student, Caio, was at the meeting.  Polly Cady was happy that Caio was there as well as she had a belated birthday card for him - Caio had celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, April 28.  Polly was also happy Carolyn Jones and Jane Benedict were both at home and both doing much better.  Polly confessed that she had to reveal her fear of stairs without rails when she became paralyzed and had to ask for help climbing three steps to the podium at the Club Leadership Academy Saturday, April 27.  Several members felt we should sing Happy Birthday to Caio, which everyone enthusiastically supported.  AG Lee has been in Rotary 20 years.  He joined Rotary because he was invited to do so.  He reminded members it is each of our job to actively recruit new members to be a part of our wonderful organization.  Bob Zarling pad sad dollars because he was unable to attend CLA as he had a prior commitment at a Chandler giveaway.  John Benedict paid happy dollars.  April 30 marked his 39th anniversary of being a member of Mesa West Rotary.  Jack Rosenberg paid happy dollars.  Don LaBarge paid tribute dollars to a commanding officer he served under in Viet Nam.  Don had the privilege of visiting him in South Carolina in the fall of 2018.  Don was proud to have known him and serve under him, but sad to report that he has been taken off life support.  Chuck Flint paid happy dollars reporting that any member wishing to know their donation status with The Rotary Foundation could check with him as he had the latest reports printed and available at the meeting.  He was also happy to report that Don LaBarge had been treated to a colonoscopy on April 30.  Joan Reiman reported that their grandson and his wife had visited with their seven-week-old baby boy.  Their grandson, Tony, who recently spoke to our club had again scored as the top American in his most recent meet, taking him another step closer to his Olympic goal.  Dick Myren contributed his $1 remembering Rod Daniel's tradition of "being happy to be a member of Mesa West Rotary."  He contributed a sad dollar as he had been unable to attend Spring Olympics on April 27.  Dan Coons contributed, stating that Caio has moved to the home of Bob Zarling, the Coons family has improved cash flow due to savings in their grocery budget.

 

Membership Chair, Don LaBarge, invited Joan and Erwin Reiman to come forward to be inducted into Mesa West Rotary.  They are both experienced Rotarians from South Dakota.  Erwin explained that their club in South Dakota had funded Storybook Park, a frequently visited free park, in their city.  Joan has fewer years as a member of Rotary, but has participated with Erwin on friendship exchanges both as hosts and travelling abroad.  She was their South Dakota club's music person, but has no aspirations of displacing Ray Smith who holds that role in Mesa West.  Now that Erwin and Joan will be spending more time in Mesa than in South Dakota, they were welcomed as members of Mesa West Rotary.