Opening and Welcome - President Jay Paulus
Dick Myren offered the invocation. Harry Grossman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests
- Connie Bunyard introduced her guest - Jennifer Mathus.
- Ed Koeneman introduced his guest - Kamal Della from the Rotary Club of Dublin California. In the photo below, President Jay exchanged club banners with Kamal:
Quarterly Donation Presentation
Susan Wahlers of Makers of Care was invited to the front along with Connie Bunyard, who had been responsible for making Susan's recent presentation to our club happen. Our charitable budget for the Mesa West Rotary Foundation allows for quarterly donations of $750 to be given to a local charity. Makers of Care was the recipient names for the first quarter of 2025.
Report on Rotary International Council on Legislation Report - Lu General
Once every three years, a Council on Legislation is convened to consider changes to the Rotary International Constitution and Bylaws. Each of the 520 Districts is authorized to send one delegate who is a Past District Governor. Lu was the delegate for District 5495. Of the 520 districts invited, 480 had delegates present and participating.They met from Monday April 14 through Thursday April 17 at the Hyatt in Chicago near RI headquarters. They had 86 items to consider. They were to evaluate each from a perspective of "Is it good for the world?" Thirty of the 86 items were approved by vote. One had been approved prior to the council convening. Eleven were withdrawn, Four were referred to the RI Board of Directors.
One of the significant changes was that the number of members necessary to charter a new club has been reduced from twenty to fifteen.
The duties of the District Governor were not expanded, but there were some adjustments in wording.
The ability to challenge actions was left, but the bar was raised in what was required to initiate a challenge.
All districts in our zone did have delegates present. Lu said it was a very enlightening experience. Because of the many cultures represented in the Rotary world, every detail has to be carefully analyzed to ensure that what might seem good to some will not create harm for others.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck asked Machel Considine to draw the winning raffle ticket which was held by Lola McClane. Lola automatically won the $35 small pot. She also won the right to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck which would entitle her to the large accumulating pot which was up to $1,045. After shuffling the cards face down, the card she drew was the Queen of Clubs which Lola was allowed to keep.
Happy Bucks - Steve Ross - Alternate Sgt At Arms
- As Harry Grossman was on the elevator on his way to our Mesa West Rotary meeting, he met a petite elderly lady in the elevator. It was Olga Korbut, the "Sparrow from Minsk," who medaled in gymnastics representing the USSR in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. Harry said Olga made him feel tall.
- Ed thanked Jim Erickson for taking time from the golf course to attend Interact Wednesday and receive $1,000 raised by the Interactors for Polio Plus through their Purple Pinkie fundraising efforts. Ed shared some polio knowledge and facts with the Interact members. Ed said that he had been busy at his mom's home. There was a slab leak and they were tearing up walls. He was happy to have Kamal at our club meeting and for the new circle of Rotary fellowship he was enjoying. He announced it was only 393 days 'til the next Star Wars movie is scheduled to be released. He said his dishwasher was not working, and clarified that statement by saying Debbie was out of town.
- Jim Erickson was happy to visit Westwood Interact and receive the $1,000 donation for Polio Plus. He explained that the presentation was originally scheduled the prior week. He was in California when the presentation was originally scheduled. While in California, he visited an exhibit where he saw the Dead Sea Scrolls - the oldest known manuscript of the ten commandments. He told us he said a little prayer for us all.
- Machel Considine was happy to be at the meeting. They had recently visited their son and his family in Oregon.
- Lu General said that as District Treasurer she has learned to use money to its fullest. Travel to the RI COL was an RI expense. Lou travelled early to spend time with her daughter on the gold coast. It only cost her $175 to change her ticket. "Thank you, Rotary!"
- Liz Paulus contributed. She was happy to have been able to identify four Westwood students graduating this ear to receive scholarships from Mesa West. She will be sending pictures to Jeanie for the Messenger.
- Polly Cady was happy to have spent time Monday with Isabelle - her McKinney Vento student. She gave Isabelle her stipend plus a little more. She was also happy about the keynote speaker gifts for the District Conference which were crafted from Saguaro Cactus by Ed Koeneman.
- Allan Cady was happy to have received checks from friends and former business associates for our Mesa West Rotary Foundation sponsor campaign. One check was for $1,000 and the other was for $2,500.
- Ray Smith reported that Honorary Member Wendell Jones is suffering with ALS, but sent a $500 check with Ray for the sponsor campaign dedicated to support the Guaymas hearing project.
- Jeanie Morgan pledged $500 for the sponsor campaign. She was thankful that Andy Bradford made the listing, sale, and closing of her condo an easy, painless process.
- John Pennypacker was happy to have survived a week with his two youngest grandsons staying in his home. He was also happy that his other grandson had done well in a college golf tournament. With 25 and 25 mph winds, he shot an even par and finished second overall.
- Pam Cohen was happy. With the donations announced at this meeting, we are at about $35,000 on our way to meeting our $50,000 sponsor campaign fundraising goal. She said John Pennypacker was still in the lead, and thanked Allan for his good connections.
- Jay Paulus said he was lucky to have Liz in his life. He pledged $100 toward her next Paul Harris.
- Dick Myren made his traditional donation, happy that he and Honorary Member Rod Daniels are in the Ace of Clubs. H regrets that since retiring he can't be as generous as he used to be, but thankful to still be a part of all that we do.
- Warren Williamson told about someone who had gone on the RFK, Jr. diet. "If it looks good and tastes good, spit it out."
Program - Marilyn Klingler - Global Volunteers
Marilyn spent two weeks in Peru with Global Volunteers. A lot of what they do is very similar to work being done in some of The Rotary Foundation Areas of Focus. She said she is still in awe of the connections formed in just a brief opportunity to spend time with those who have less and be allowed to be part of their community. The team she travelled there with ranged in age from 16 to 77. Among them was a respiratory therapist, a pediatrician, a retired business person and two teachers. During those two weeks, they were a part of something that is helping children reach their full human potential. Global Volunteers partner with communities worldwide. They are in over 200 communities.
She told about Miguel, who was a wealthy resident of Lima Peru. His youngest child had a heart condition. The child had a heart attack and died. When they were leaving the hospital, they saw two orphans who were street children. They took them home with them. The children disappeared and came back with friends. Miguel's neighbors were not very happy and had Miguel arrested. He was released, and his life has completely changed. He started a school where the street children would feel loved, appreciated, and valued. A place where they could learn that if they work hard and try hard, and are kind, compassionate, and caring, they can have a good life. The school is very self-sufficient. They have a water purification plant that provides clean water for the community. They have a bakery, and do sewing and carpentry. The children are encouraged to go on to college. All the students have chores plus school work to accomplish. Marilyn said the school was immaculate. One of their beliefs is that mastery of the English language is a passport out of poverty.
Many are migrants from the Amazon where stunting is common. They have started a program focused on the first thousand days of life. Anemia is prevalent. Lack of space provides many challenges to healthy living. They visited thirty families. The school provides parent education classes. The children have fun in the classroom. She was reminded of the Mark Twain quote: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness..." She showed a small family garden spot and a little chicken coop.
There is still lots to be done. Marilyn said it was an amazing two weeks. It was truly travel that feeds the soul.
CLICK HERE or on the image above to download the slides Marilyn shared during her presentation.