Members were encouraged instead to register and attend the installation of Jim Schmidt as District Governor on Saturday, June 14.
Saturday June 14, 2025
Mesa Country Club
many Rotary friends
will witness the installation
of Jim Schmidt as the next
District Governor of
District 5495
Opening and Welcome - President Jay Paulus
After those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance, Harry Grossman shared a thought for the day - "Not all things that are changed are good, but all things that are better have changed." Jay also shared something philosphical, but this editor didn't get it down - except for the main point of it - "Try to make life better."
Introduction of Guests
- Colleen Coons introduced Assistant Governor Dan Coons who has served as our AG for three years. Dan introduced Jackie Wasik who will be serving as our AG starting July 1. She is a member of the Kyrene Rotary Club and has most recently served as Chief of Staff for District Governor Michelle Holcomb.
- Trent Ward who was a participant in the Ignite Innovation competition introduced himself.
- Frank Rosenberg introduced his daughter, Sam Rosenberg.
- Those who were attending via Zoom were acknowledged: Jim Erickson who was recovering from shoulder surgery, Pai Bethea, and Kate Packer from Rio Salado Community College. Kate is working with the community-based Rotaract club which has recently begun meeting at the college.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that the proceeds of the $5/ticket sales was split three ways. One third goes into the club operating account. The second third goes to the holder of the stub of the ticket to be drawn from Jelly Bean the Clown's Hat. The final third is added to the accumulating large pot, which the weekly winner will have an opportunity to try to win. Each week, the weekly winner draws a card from the deck. If the card they draw is the Ace of Clubs, they win the large pot in addition to their weekly winnings. If they draw any other card, they can keep or destroy it, but it won't go back in the deck. Each week the odds get better and the growing pot gets larger. At this meeting, the small weekly pot was $30. The accumulating large pot was up to $1,225.
Chuck asked Ted Williams to draw the winning ticket, the stub of which was held by Frank Rosenberg. After shuffling the cards remaining in the deck face down, the card Frank drew was the Six of Spades.
Auction of Rotary Travel Treasures
Lu and Wayne General had recently traveled to Italy. Before the bidding started, Lu explained that there was nothing liquid in the bag. She did say that Wayne did most of the shopping and that he tends toward nicer, more expensive merchandise. The bidding started at $50. Jeanie Morgan's bid of $100 to benefit the sponsor program (Koeneman team) was the top bid making her the proud new owner of the treasures shown in the photo.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
- John Pennypacker said that his DG classmate Larry Skaggs is on the Rose Parade Committee. If anyone is interested in going, or donating to support the Rotary Float, John has information he'll be glad to share.
- Kayla Mudge gave a shout out to Harry Grossman who, along with herself, helped with logistical details at the Rotary Leadership Institute held in Anthem May 31. She said Polly Cady deserves a round of applause for the outstanding job she does of coordinating the institute each time it is held.
- Sam Rosenberg thanked everyone who helped her celebrate her high school graduation. She also celebrated the fact that she has been accepted into an ASU study-abroad program in Italy.
- Colleen Coons celebrated the fact that the current AG is vacating his position and said she adores his replacement.
- Eric Silverberg had a shout out for Connie Bunyard for coordinating the Alcor tour. He wanted to make sure that everyone who went to the tour checked out after the tour../
- Wayne General celebrated the fact that he and Lu were both in attendance in person at the meeting on the same day and time.
- Ed Koeneman was happy Kate was attending on line.
- President Jay contributed $2. His twin granddaughters were baptized by the new pope in Italy.
- Jackie Wasik said she looked forward to seeing everyone at Jim Schmidt's installation as DG on June 14.
- Warren Williamson quoted a couple of famous female entertainers:]
- Betty White said "All women should get eight hours of beauty rest each night - nine if they're ugly."
- May West, was known for being risque and spent eight days in jail after her first appearance on Broadway. In responding to someone who said "my goodness, that's a beautiful diamond necklace you are wearing!," Mae responded, "Goodness had nothing to do with it."
Ignite Innovation - Trent WardTrent wanted to thank Mesa West Rotary for the Ignite Innovation opportunity for students coming out of college to present ideas and explore options and get feedback on their project through the Ignite Innovation competition event held this spring.
The project he presented was for a product that would help people residing in mobile homes to lower their risk of heat-related health risks. Statistically, those living in mobile homes in the Arizona desert climate are more at risk that those residing in other residential structures.
The device would be a heat monitoring device which would emit an audible warning - much like a smoke detector - when conditions reached a dangerous level.
The committee of judges committed to a second, smaller, award that evening, and Trent's project made him the proud beneficiary of that decision. He was extremely pleased with the entire process.
Friday, May 30, 2025, a ceremony was held at the MCC Rose Garden to dedicate the placard shown at right. DGE Jim Schmidt made remarks at the ceremony and is shown shaking hands with LeRoy Brady, the original Landscape Architect of the Rose Garden
In a shining example of community collaboration, the Tempe South and the Mesa West Rotary Club, in partnership with the Westwood High School Rotary Interact Club, completed an extensive beautification project at the Mesa Community College Rose Garden — the largest public rose garden in the Desert Southwest.
Over the course of several months, more than 30 dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves to restore and enhance key features of the garden. The project was supported by a $5,000 grant written together by Mesa West Rotary and the Tempe South Rotary Clubs, which funded much-needed improvements to preserve and uplift the garden’s aesthetic and structural integrity.
Over the course of several months, more than 30 dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves to restore and enhance key features of the garden. The project was supported by a $5,000 grant written together by Mesa West Rotary and the Tempe South Rotary Clubs, which funded much-needed improvements to preserve and uplift the garden’s aesthetic and structural integrity.
This week, several members of our Rotary Club took part in a fascinating tour of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, hosted by James and Amaya. Alcor is a world leader in cryonics—the preservation of the human body at ultra-low temperatures with the hope of future revival.
Our group was treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the facility and learned about the intricate process involved in body recovery and preservation. The tour was filled with eye-opening facts and sparked meaningful conversations about science, technology, and the future of life extension.
A special thank you to James and Amaya for their time, hospitality, and willingness to share such groundbreaking work with our club - and to Pam for providing lunch for us all. Your generosity helped make the day even more enjoyable!
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 the 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
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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Interact Ambassadors to Mexico
Jun. 13, 2025 - Jun. 23, 2025
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Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomJun. 17, 2025 5:30 p.m.
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Rotary Convention
Jun. 21, 2025 - Jun. 25, 2025
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Interact Ambassadors to Kenya
Jun. 27, 2025 - Jul. 15, 2025
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Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomJul. 15, 2025 5:30 p.m.
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No Lunch Meeting
Jul. 31, 2025
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RLI - Session I only
Aug. 09, 2025
Francesco Arezzo of Italy selected to be 2025-26 Rotary International President
The Board conducted a special session following the unexpected resignation of RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo on 8 June. Based on RI code and policies, the Board selected the new president-elect from a pool of candidates who were considered by the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in August 2023.
From e-waste to empowerment
How a Rotary initiative turns old computers into new opportunities
Rotary projects around the globe June 2025
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Italy, Uganda, and Taiwan.
A moment in time: Rotary magazine's 2025 Photo Awards
Sparks fly as Rotary members focus their cameras and freeze-frame the wonders of the world for Rotary magazine’s 2025 Photo Awards.
Club goes on the march against domestic violence
Club goes on the march against domestic
A retired executive profits most from empowering others
Retired business executive Stella Dongo profits most from empowering others
Transforming Communities,
Creating Opportunities,
Impacting Youth
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210
United States of America