The August 2 meeting got off to a great start with Polly Schumacher serving as the greeter.  Dr. Ron Thompson offered the invocation and Ed Koeneman led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Donna Goetzenberger introduced a longtime family friend, Brinton Johnson, who is a member of Phoenix 100, and has been a Rotarian for 24 years.  Brinton has been a host mom for Rotary Youth Exchange students many times.  Brinton's son, Michael was also introduced as a guest at the meeting.  He has recently returned from a year as an exchange student in Spain.  Bryan Goetzenberger was proud to introduce their daughter, Emilee who has recently returned from her year as an exchange student in Belgium.

 

Daryl Bethea introduced Ryan Ellis, a prospective member, who is the Director of the YMCA in Mesa.  Geoff White introduced Chris Johnson, who has moved to the Phoenix area.  Chris Krueger introduced Keon, who was an intern with her bank, but is now full time.  He is originally from Belgium and Chris thought he would enjoy the program.  Lucinda General introduced her guest, Lola McClain, who has had a variety of careers, but at this time, her profession is court reporting.  Ed Koeneman introduced the guests at his table.  They were the 2018-19 leadership team from Westwood High School Interact Club.  See their photo in the bottom row of the collage (l-r) Valeria Gutierrez, Secretary Shakima Fagen, President; and Hannah Mason, Treasurer.  

 

Steve Ross was the winner of the $5.00 attendance drawing prize.  The accumulating raffle was held with some electric tension in the room, since the weekly winnings would be $187 and the grand prize (if the ace of clubs were drawn from the two available cards left in the deck) would be $2,500.  Jim Crutcher looked pretty serious when his raffle ticket was drawn.    With a 50/50 chance of winning, he almost looked happily relieved to have drawn the queen of diamonds.  He would not have to keep the promise he had made to himself to give at least half of the winnings to the Gift of Hearing Mission project.  Since there will only be one card left, the rules for August 9 drawing are:  There will be a $20 limit on the number of tickets any one person can purchase, and the owner of the ticket drawn will finally win the whole pot, which is now in its 14th month of accumulating.

 

Greg Okonowski collected happy dollars.  Donna Goetzenberger was happy that many members responded to her e-mail asking for beverages and other snack items for the orientation planned for inbound youth exchange students on Saturday, August 4.  Lucinda General paid happy dollars when she announced that with the help of Wendell Jones, Henry and Horne has agreed to help Rotary District 5495 with a review of the 2017-18 year of financial activity reporting.  Kristen Klein was shamed into paying $5 happy dollars as the proud owner of a new Honda that was NOT purchased from Berge Ford where Jim Crutcher proudly serves.  Jeanie Morgan paid happy dollars for a nice vacation visiting her daughter in Michigan and for the great job John Pennypacker did gathering photos and writing the highlights article for the Messenger about the July 26 meeting.

 

Jeanie had an auction item from her trip to Michigan - an item highly recommended by her son-in-law who grew up in Michigan.  Donna Goetzenberger was the high bidder at $35 and took home a new bag and a sampler box of fudge from the Mackinac Island Fudge Shop.

 

Pam Cohen announced a community fund raising event for Child Crisis Arizona, which will be a luncheon to be held Wednesday, September 26 at the Arizona Biltmore.  Pam hopes to fill a table of 10 with members of our club.  John Benedict as long been involved with this outstanding community resource and Pam suggested anyone who wanted more information about how the proceeds would be used talk to John.

 

Chris Krueger spoke briefly about the information behind the recent e-mails to members about changes in the amount charged, in order to be fiscally responsible, for membership dues going forward.  She also said we would be returning to the policy of members being charged for their meals at social events unless the club had gone dark to allow the cost of the meal to be transferred to the social.  Members will always be charged for the cost of their guests to attend social events.  She said it used to be that way.  She does not know when or why that policy was abandoned, but it really doesn't matter.  To be a responsible board, the policy needs to be reinstated.