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.
Helpful hint - if you are near the buffet line when the opening activities are about to begin, make sure the lids to the food trays are closed. The lids were disruptive at least twice at this meeting...
Introduction of Guests
Sean Green introduced Julius Hicks as a potential Rotaractor who wanted to know more about Rotary.
Colleen Coons introduced Anita Kegler - a potential new member.
Polo Santiago introduced Maria Jesus Cervantes.
AG Dan Coons introduced Edgar Martinez, now a member of Rotaract. Edgar was an Ambassador on the Interact Crutches for Africa mission to Kenya last summer.
Dan also introduced our regular seasonal visiting Rotarian, Tom Yuzer.
Rotary Minute - Pam Cohen
Pam had a brownie in a bag to be given by Ed Koeneman to the first person to shout out the answers to all three questions:
What is the current year's Rotary International Theme? - Imagine Rotary
Who is the current Rotary International President? - Jennifer Jones
Who is the current District Governor of our Rotary District? - Larry Horton
John Pennypacker was the lucky winner.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Dick Myren
Dick explained that the person holding the stub of the raffle ticket drawn would automatically win $30 plus the opportunity to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the remaining cards in the deck, which - should they be so lucky - would net them another $80. Ted Williams drew the winning ticket, which was held by Steve Ross. Unfortunately - for Steve - the card he drew was a Jack.
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson
Warren Williamson contributed saying he had been led to believe the only way a retired CPA could become famous was to have a tax loophole named after them, but he wanted to congratulate Jim Schmidt for being selected District Governor nominee designate - to serve as our District Governor in 2025-26.
Ted Williams was happy about something, but editor missed what it was...
Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 - happy that he and Honorary Member Rod Daniels were associated with the Ace of Clubs - Mesa West Rotary.
Pam Cohen contributed $5 congratulatory dollars honoring Jim Schmidt.
Steve Ross was happy to be a Salvation Army bell-ringer and had a $100 check from his sister for the Salvation Army.
Colleen Coons contributed, confessing that she had promised Polly Cady she would take care of potential member, Anita, while Polly was out of town, then found that Anita had arrived before her and was already being well taken care of.
Ray Smith contributed - his buddy Wendell Jones was having a four-hour back operation. He was also happy for his room-buddy at Guaymas - Jim Schmidt.
John Pennypacker had a "bone to pick" with whoever handled the banners while he was self-quarantined with COVID. His banner had been put away with Al Mabry's... John pointed out the blank banner which was his way of saying that we need to make sure we order a new one - for Jim Schmidt.
Jim Schmidt contributed because he was happy Allan and Polly Cady filled in for a bell-ringing shift he had to miss when he was taking care of a sick kid.
Ed Koeneman contributed congratulating Jim Schmidt, and acknowledging Mike Schroeder's birthday (even though Mike was not at the meeting). Ed also mentioned that the release of the new Star Wars movie has been indefinitely postponed, but there will be a new Star Wars series in the spring. He thinks maybe a support group for himself and Jay Stuckey (who is also a fan) may be in order.
Bob Zarling contributed thanking Ed and Keeper's Workshop for helping him with an Advisory Board project. Ed helped Bob make 50 oven push sticks resembling reindeer. After someone asked why, Ed explained that oven racks are really hot. The reindeer can be kept in a drawer near the oven and used to push the rack in or pull the rack out with no danger of the person doing it being burned. Ed explained they are made out of pieces of wood from cedar fence posts, so they could be used in drawers to repel cloth-eating moths. They could also be used as back scratchers. Bob said the project idea came from a boy scout project many years ago. He also said that Ed was not satisfied with Bob's sanding skills and finished sanding the reindeer himself.
Bob Jensen who was attending via zoom pledged $10 to congratulate Jim Schmidt - calling Jim a "fascinating man."
AG Dan Coons Congratulating Jim Schmidt
Dan explained that earlier this year, when he transferred his club membership to the new Queen Creek Satellite Club, Jim Schmidt was one of the most important factors motivating him to do so. Dan knew that both he and Jim were interested in having their names submitted as candidates to be selected for the DG line of succession. He also knew that the club board could only vote to support one such candidate. Dan did not want the board to have to choose between he and Jim. Since Dan lives in Gilbert, his new club is actually closer to home, so his moving to the new club allowed them both to submit their names with each of their clubs' support. He made his decision to switch clubs to support Jim's candidacy. He gave his heartfelt congratulations to Jim who will be the 8th in the list of District Governors associated with Mesa West Rotary - the late Al Mabry, Ted Williams, Lu General, Don LaBarge, Jeanie Morgan, John Pennypacker, Jim Erickson, and - in 2025-26 - Jim Schmidt.
Announcements
Pam announced a very special meeting December 22 - Dickens Carolers will be at our meeting providing holiday entertainment with traditional Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holiday-season music.
Maria Jesus Cervantes - Chicanos Por La Causa
Polo Santiago introduced our speaker saying she has over twenty years experience in communications, public relations and international affairs. She is currently the Vice President of public relations and international affairs for community development corporation - Chicanos Por La Causa. She supports corporate leadership in the development and execution of key projects and initiatives in growing markets to advance the organization's mission and presence in the United States and in other countries. She is also responsible for overseeing corporate media relations; growing multi-state media and other strategic partnerships; and developing bilingual media production to support company's growth nationally and internationally.
Prior to joining Chicanos Por LaCause, Maria Jesus managed media and political affairs for the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix. In addition, she was entrusted with maintaining and building relationships with community leaders, government officials, and the business community. She has also served as a news reporter, anchor and producer.
When invited to present at Mesa West, Maria did enough homework to know that Rotarians do good and have fun doin it. She said it was an honor to be at our meeting.
She said Chicanos Por La Causa has 2,000 staff in five states (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as in Puerto Rico and soon - in Mexico.
The goal is to create for-profit entities that will support long-term growth through these five areas:
Advocacy
Economic Development
Education
Health & Human Services
Housing
Maria said they were originally founded in South Central Phoenix. She sees them continuing to evolve and look for new partnerships. They have diverse sources of fundraising, and are a part of Operation Santa on Channel 15.
Partnerships can provide many things, manpower, expertise... The list goes on and on. She said the LDS church in Glendale had been expecially helpful.
In the area of education, they support university scholarships to ASU, with the scholars donating hours. In other education endeavors, the provide parent education, support Head Start, and other efforts to enable all to have a chance at success.
Their organization is large and key staff will travel to other Chicanos Por La Causa locations to provide help to each other. They take advantage of opportunities through cultural commonality.
Some challenges they work with are identifying areas where action can be taken to improve economic equity, recognition of key holidays, awareness of mental health challenges, acknowledging homelessness, and - in education - identifying barriers and ways to face and overcome those barriers. Pam Cohen said her first awareness of CPLC was regarding real estate - down payment help was available. Maria said that there is real commitment and passion where housing is concerned. Providing access to information can be very empowering. A four-hour Saturday Homebuyer Assistance Class was very beneficial. Those who attended learned about budgeting, home-buying strategies, and simple day-to-day life & financial management. The payback for those who attended was long term.
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.
AG Dan Coons Congratulating Jim Schmidt
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)
