https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210 United States of America
Our hybrid meetings are held weekly on the 1st thru 4th Thursdays of each month. The meetings are broadcast via Zoom to include all, whether attending virtually or in person.
As Jeanie Morgan was finishing her bell-ringing shift Tuesday, December 20, a brass quartet of Salvation Army musicians showed up with their instruments, folding chairs, music stands and music. They set up next to our station to play holiday music - they even took requests. Debbie Koeneman was the lucky bell-ringer scheduled to start ringing at 2:00. Customers leaving the store were surprised and delighted when they exited from Bass Pro to hear live holiday music playing.
The musicians were promoting a free concert to be held at Mesa Community College Theater Saturday, January 7 at 6:00 p.m. The concert will be a performance of the Salvation Army USA Western Territory Staff Band. Admission is free, but reservation tickets will be required.
Reservations can be made at www.swmusicandarts.org/wtsb. On that site, reservations can be made for the performance at MCC, plus other performances the band will be presenting that same weekend at other venues in the Phoenix metro area.
Diane Ware was thanked for serving as greeter, welcoming members and guests as they arrived.
Don LaBarge announced he would be passing his book around and urged members to volunteer to fill the bell-ringing shifts which had not yet been filled.
Introduction of Guests
Don LaBarge introduced a neighbor, McKay Tucker who is in the Law School at ASU.
Don Boucher introduced District Governor Larry Thornton who was invited to attend the meeting by the threesome who would be presenting the program.
Sean Green introduced his guest, Russ Kirkpatrick.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Dick Myren
After explaining that the small pot would belong to the holder of the stub of the ticket drawn, and that person would also win the right to try to draw the Ace of Clubs, which would result in their winning another $80, Dick asked guest McKay Tucker to draw the winning ticket. DG Larry Horton was the lucky winner, although his luck was limited - he did not draw the Ace of Clubs.
Happy Bucks - Don LaBarge - Adding to our Kettle Fundraising for Salvation Army
DG Larry Horton was happy to put his raffle winnings in the kettle.
A couple of people were happy, Ron Thompson and Warren Williamson but the reasons why they were happy failed to be reported...
Ed Koeneman was happy to report that the electronic sensors they now install to under hot water heaters to detect malfunctions actually work - the Koenemans now have a new hot water heater.
John Pennypacker contributed $5 to the kettle to add to the donation he'd made earlier in the season.
Kayla Mudge was happy to be off. She was ready to enjoy some time off.
Gina Schroeder was happy to report they have a son who recently turned 21, and Mike Schroeder (who was not present at the meeting) turned 55 last week.
Jim McGown provided a kettle-station helpful hint. He believes we take in more money when we wish people a "Merry Christmas." He's been told more than once that the donor wouldn't have given if Jim had said "Happy Holidays!"
Announcements
Pam Cohen pointed out that Rotarians who want to get their 2022 tax year donations made to The Rotary Foundation for the Annual Fund or for Polio Plus should go to rotary.org and do so through their My Rotary account. Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given for donations to either fund. There are several members and the club itself have recognition points that could be transferred to match donations of $100 or more. You don't get a tax deduction for recognition point transfers, but anyone who makes a donation of $100 or more before the end of the year can email Pam a copy of their receipt and she will make arrangements to have matching recognition points transferred early next year. Recognition points can help someone get to their next level of Paul Harris Fellow, but do not count toward Major Donor recognition. Only monetary donations can be used to achieve Major Donor recognition (which starts at $10,000). Pam plans to use $1,000 of her own recognition points to make her grandson, Wilder, a Paul Harris Fellow.
President Pam reminded members that the Dickens Carolers would be providing entertainment at the December 22 Mesa West Rotary club meeting.
Dave Brauchler announced he was recovering from COVID round 3. He said that he is working on a January hands on service project to provide meal service at Paz de Cristo. He also said that Saturday, February 11, Mesa West would be hosting a Pizza/Valentine party at Child Crisis Center. For that project, there is a ten volunteer limit. If you hope to participate, sign up early.
Ed Koeneman had some items for sale. He had the Paws and Peers annual calendar. Nellie - who was part of the program at the November 10 meeting held at the Salvation Army - is Miss February. The calendars are $15 each and help put pets in the classroom. The other item Ed had for sale was a 15-day detox kit. They normally sell for $25, but are $20 on sale. When Daniel Becker (Interact Advisor at Westwood High School) spoke with our club he told about the work-experience project students have processing donated Amazon merchandise donations. That program is the source of the detox kits. The Interact Club will benefit from sale of the kits. The club recently had an event involving pizza, games, and team-building activities. The members brought treats to go with the pizza. They have 30-40 kids every week at their meetings.
Program - Member Spotlight, Featuring Kayla Mudge, Sean Green and Logan Harper with Ed Koeneman Serving as MC
Q - What do you do for a living?
Kayla - I am an attorney. I work for drive time and I also sell real estate.
Sean - I am an entrepreneur. I am a video marketing director.
Logan - I work in bulk logistics for a mining company. I've been with them for five years. I was first with Freeport McMoRan in Colorado where they mined molybdenum. In Arizona in Bagdad, copper is mined. I work from home coordinating their truck and rail transport
Q - What are 2 or 3 things others might not know about you?
Logan - I have 10 tattoos. I have visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee twelve times. celebrating my parents' wedding anniversary. I studied in Sydney, Australia where I learned deep-sea diving, and clebrated Christmas there twice.
Sean - I am 32 years old and have been in 32 states. When I was younger I was involved in the entertainment business. One time we toured eight states in six weeks. I am afraid of deep water.
Kayla - My parents sent me off to summer school in Austria when I was nine years old. I do not eat mushrooms.
Q - What is your favorite place?
Logan - Sydney, Australia - very international, interesting people, interesting professors. It was eye-opening. When deep sea diving at the great barrier reef, it looked like the great abyss in Finding Nemo.
Sean - North Carolina - it's where I found Rotary. He found a video marketing mentor who resides there. He found the program through an internet program that is almost like walkie talkie radio. It is very green there. There are no fences between neighbors. The Appalachian mountains are beautiful.
Kayla - My favorite place is where my family goes fishing every Labor Day. About 10-20 go each year. Allan and Polly Cady are included in our family gathering. It is on the Minnesota/Canadian border. We spend two days enjoying fresh air and beauty. I believe Polly is on record of having caught the largest fish.
Q Why did you join Rotary and what has been your best Rotary experience so far?
Logan - I felt like I had skill sets being wasted working from home. I wanted to give back. I was talking to the President of the Benson Rotary Club about Rotary. She reached out and later that day, Jeanie Morgan called me. I attended my first meeting soon thereafter. It was good to feel connected. My best experience was working with the resettlement of the Afghan refugee family. I understand records were set in how quickly everyone responded and the family's needs were met.
Sean - I also had skills which were not being used. I saw a chance to contribute. My experience is multi-faceted. I have visited other clubs. The best experience is the opportunities Larry Horton has given him to record visits and other club's events. I enjoy interacting and learning.
Kayla - Allan and Polly Cady invited me to participate in a painting project. It was the best day of that year. I made new friends and I love painting! If anyone needs painting done, call me! I've found connection and purpose in Rotary.
Ed asked Logan What Mesa West Rotary Club Member was on Let's Make a Deal with Monte Hall. Logan did not know, but Frank Rosenberg did - it was his dad, Jack Rosenberg.
Ed asked Sean what Mesa West Rotary Club Member starred in a beer commercial? The answer is Steve Ross if you trust his story.
Ed asked Kayla if she knew who Luke Skywalker's father was. She did. The correct answer was Darth Vadar.
Spin the Wheel to Question Club Members:
Q - Don Boucher - two or three things we might not know about you
A - I enjoy hiking outdoors - I've hiked the eastern Sierras and the Rocky Mountains. I love my wife. I was one of six kids and grew up on welfare. Police Department training cured my fear of heights.
Q - Jim Erickson - two or three things we might not know about you
A - I jumped out of airplanes in Army parachute school. I've participated in two National Immunization Days administering Polio Vaccine.
Q - Warren Williamson - what was your best Rotary experience
A - Mentoring students when in the Mesa Baseline club.
Q - Debbie Koeneman (on Zoom) was asked about her best Rotary experience.
A - I remember attending a Christmas party at Don LaBarge's house. It was the 2nd party of the evening for an elderly gentleman in attendance. At one point, he put a pair of ladies underwear on over his khaki trousers.
Q - Mike Whalen - favorite place
A - He and Devon spent their honeymoon at a private beach resort south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was only available by boat. There were two service staff for every guest there. He said everything about it was amazing and the food was spectacular.
Q - John Pennypacker - favorite place
A - Salt Lake City - hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the temple there. I felt the music in my heart.
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.
Dickens Carolers 
This is a REALLY big year for Mesa West.
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)
