

- Dave Brauchler offered the Invocation.
- Ray Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance



- Dave Brauchler - Community Service announced he and Don LaBarge had delivered the items donated to the New Life Center by our club members to the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club meeting March 15. He said they had a large pile of donated items plus $600-$700 in gift cards.
- Shelly Romine - Club Service
- April 8 - Spring Olympics at Koeneman residence. Ed said there might be a javelina roping contest. - Shelly urged members to sign up (see separate article in March 22 Messengerto follow link and do so)
- June 29 - 50th Anniversary Celebration - The planning committee has met. All members play an important part of the success of this event
- Get photos from 1973 or significant Rotary events and moments in your life to Ed Koeneman. You can give him an envelope - he will scan them and return them to you!
- We are soliciting nominations for a non-Rotarian volunteer to be honored at the event
- We are looking for input into a significant Rotary Club, Event, Project, or ongoing effort that is worthy of People of Action recognition at the event.
- Colleen Coons asked members to sign up to attend the April 1 dinner to be held at her home. She volunteered a place to hold the dinner when she learned of a unique need when she travelled to Hermosillo Mexico to visit the Microcredit Project our club is involved with there. The event is intended to inform Arizona Rotarians about a Rotary project needing support in Hermosillo, Donations are not required to attend, but will be appreciated from those who are inspired to do so. Teresa Ruiz-Mendoza, Past President of Club Rotario Hermosillo, Milenio.willl be cooking traditional Mexican food. Diane Ware has volunteered to be her sous chef. Several years ago an indigenous tribe relocated to the Hermosillo area to work the fields. They stayed and had children. The Hermosillo club became aware that the children's births were not recorded. Consequently, they were not enrolled in school - they had no birth certificates. That issue has been remedied. A school is being built to provide education for the children. The short version of the need is that funds are needed to get the structure to the point that the materials provided by the Mexican government can be locked securely while the balance of construction takes place. The need for fund to make that happen is pretty immediate. Tax-deductible donations can be made through GivSum. The Tempe South Rotary Foundation can also accept tax-deductible donations. They will manage the disbursement on proof of completion and receipt(s) The link to RSVP for the April 1 event is in a separate article in the March 22 Messenger.
- Pam Cohen reminded members who had taken children's books home to write messages and sign to please return them at the March 23 meeting. She said several Interact members had taken books home to sign over spring break. She also announced that Greg Bouslog who was scheduled to present our program had to fly out of town Wednesday evening after getting notified of a death in his family. Members were seated at tables with their sponsorship drive teammates with the hope they would strategize about raising funds from individuals and entities outside of our club, but money collected at the meeting would again go to the Interact Ambassador programs.
- Adrian and Josephine where asked to share a little bit about how they got to where they are today in Interact
- Josephine joined Interact during her Freshman year. It was the only service club that remained active during COVID. Huda Muhammed was president. They met online. There were projects they could do at home. Josephine was glad to have something to do. After they were able to meet at school again, they worked hard to rebuild a strong club. She was proud of the recognition Westwood HS Interact received at the recent Interact District Conference. She wanted to be an Ambassador on the Crutches for Africa team partly because she plans to be an anthropology major and thought the experience would provide her with a valuable perspective.
- Adrian joined Interact during his junior year. He enjoys the opportunities to participate in service projects. Because the club is "Interactive" he feels he has grown as an individual. The process of being selected as an Ambassador is competitive in the Interact District. He is excited to have been selected as an Ambassador to Mexico as he feels that the opportunity to be immersed in another culture and see special needs adults successfully making a contribution will enable him to be more open minded.
- Jeanie Morgan was aware that some people were feeling like there were feeling confused about money with two specific projects being talked about as well as kicking off a drive to raise funds for our club's charitable foundation. It had created a "deja vu" feeling for her, reminding her of how she felt when she first heard the Abbot and Costello "Who's on First" routine. For any member who would like to go back in time for a moment - or is too young to know about this comedic classic - CLICK HERE to watch the routine on YouTube. Jeanie did assure members who put more in the envelopes than they wanted to be used for the Ambassador missions, that she would honor there wishes about how their donation was recorded.
- Bob Jensen pledged $100 for "that thing" and Pam Cohen contributed $100.

- Dave Brauchler was happy to be involved with the choir at his church. They are having a concert on Friday, March 31. He promised to bring flyers to our next meeting.
- Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 - happy to report that our Honorary Member, Rod Daniels is doing better.
- Warren Williamson contributed to tell about a customer in a Chicago bar who approached another customer saying, "You look like you might be Irish." #2 responded, "I am." #1 asked, Have you ever been in Ireland? #2 responded, "I grew up in central Dublin." #1 responded, "So did I. Did you by any chance go to St. Mary's?" #2 responded, "I did." #1 said, "So did I. What year did you graduate?" #2 said "1964" #1 responded "So did I!" About that time a regular customer came in and asked the bartender, "What's new?" The bartender responded, "Not much -The Murphy twins are drunk again."
- Tom Yuzer contributed - he was happy they were going to have a visit from their granddaughter.
- Chuck Flint contributed saying he wasn't sure why he was happy - much like a lab who doesn't know why his tail is wagging.
- Diane Ware was happy to have recently learned that her grandfather was a long-time Rotarian in Pennsylvania.
- Colleen Coons was happy to report that team #5 (Ron Thompson's team) was doing a nice job accumulating donations in their envelope.
- Ed Koeneman was happy to have two of his favorite Interactors at the meeting, and very happy about the support the club was showing for their Ambassador opportunities. Ron thought maybe Ed had a trained pet javelina.
- Ray Smith was happy to be just 30 days away from April 15.
- Lola McClane contributed to share a time-appropriate knock/knock joke.

- Dick Myren offered the invocation.
- Ted Williams suggested members and guests Google The Star Spangled Banner and read the words to the other verses - especially the third verse. He also suggested that when reciting the pledge, a comma not be placed between "One nation" and "under God" before leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Pam thanked Steve Ross for serving as Greeter welcoming everyone as they arrived for the meeting.

- Dave Brauchler introduced Kassandra and Natlie as the Emporer and Vice Emporer of the Westwood High School Interact Club. They came to the meeting with cookies, which they were exchanging for donations to support the Africa trip both girls will be participating in this coming summer.
- Kassandra provided some information. Interact Clubs throughout the District collect mobility devices to be placed in containers and shipped to Africa as well as to Mexico. The Ambassadors selected to go to Africa and Mexico will have the opportunity to deliver the devices to individuals needing them. Two other Westwood High School Interact Club members have been selected to go on the C4A mission to Mexico.
- Chuck Flint introduced his guests - visiting Rotarian Konrad Milde and his wife, Idilko Milde. Chuck and Konrad are both pilots. They met through a mutual friend, Mike Wiggins. Mike is also a Rotarian from Canada.
- Konrad shared a little information. He is Youth Exchange Chairman in his country. He is originally from Switzerland. He now lives in Dubai. He and Idilko were married last year. His Dubai club has 65 members. They sponsor 2 Interact Clubs, and 6 Rotaract Clubs.
- Jay Stuckey briefly introduced Tim Holland, who would be presenting the program.
- Pai Bethea and Debbie Koeneman were attending via Zoom
- Kassandra provided some information about having been selected to be a C4A Ambassador. Each Ambassador is required to raise $750 to cover some of their trip expenses. In addition, they have to get all immunizations required for the trip and get their passports.
- Colleen Coons added some additional information about the C4A trips. For the students going to Africa, their airfare, some of their living expenses, shipping costs for the collected mobility devices. The total cost for each mission to Africa runs $50,000 to $60,000. Costs are a bit less for the mission to Mexico.
- Allan Cady made a $100 donation, challenging others to do the same - to the extent that they could afford to do so.
- President Pam announced that everything collected during Happy Bucks at the meeting would be designated for the C4A Interact Mobility Device Missions.


- Before Ron started around the room with the bucket, he put in $40, and Shelly Romine did the same with the $40 she had just won. Polly Cady put in $1. She was happy to have received an email from Anita Kegler explaining why we'd not seen her recently. Anita has been busy traveling back and forth to Albuquerque to help her mother who lives there. She hopes to be able to get back to attending our meetings soon. Allan Cady had some good things to say about a movie for which they had the privilege to attend the opening. The name of the movie is "Jesus Revolution." Allan understands it is based on a true story, and said it was very well done.
- John Pennypacker was happy to have booked his travel for his round-the-world trip following the RI Convention ibn Australia.
- Colleen Coons was happy to have the opportunity to go with Pam to visit the McKinney-'Vento department in the Mesa Public Schools. The goal of the McKinney Vento Act is to enable homeless youth to graduate. They learned 950 families in the Mesa school system qualify as "homeless."
- Warren Williamson, who had attended the last couple of meetings via Zoom, said he was happy to be alive. He also reported their washing machine was out. He was thankful to have an industrious wife who made it possible for him to be wearing clean underwear.
- Ed Koeneman made a $50 C4A pledge for Debbie Koeneman.
- Pam Cohen contributed and thanked hte Ambassadors for attending our meeting.
- Jim McGown contributed. He was happy to pick up food for a food bank. He picked up enough to fill his truck. The food bank was operated by St. Ann's Catholic Charity work operating out of their facility on Elliot Rd.
- Dick Myren contributed his customary $2 celebrating the fact that he and honorary member Rod Daniels are both associated with the Ace of Clubs. He went on to pledge $100 to celebrate his 87th birthday coming up on March 12. He spoke with Rod recently. He is doing much better. They removed 5 gallons of water from his system.
- John Benedict and Jack Rosenberg emptied their wallets to contribute a combined total of $16.
- Colleen Coons pledged $100 for C4A with the understanding we could bill her, but Dan has to pay.
- Polo Santiago contributed $10.
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
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Traditional Homemade Mexican Dinner with Tere
Dan & Colleen Coon's HomeApr 01, 2023
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM -
MESA WEST Spring Olympics
Ed and Deb Koeneman's HomeApr 08, 2023
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM -
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomApr 18, 2023 5:30 PM
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TRVFA Dinner
tbdMay 04, 2023
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM -
District 5495 Conference
Renaissance HotelMay 05, 2023 10:00 AM –
May 06, 2023 10:00 PM -
Mesa West Rotary: Blood Donation Opportunity
Ross Farnsworth EV YMCAMay 11, 2023
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM -
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomMay 16, 2023 5:30 PM
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Rotary Leadership Institute
May 20, 2023
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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