Highlights of July 22 Meeting

President Dan Coons opened the meeting at 12:10 PM by introducing himself and reminding members and guest of the 2021-22 Rotary International theme - Serve to Change Lives.  He then recited the Rotary Vision Statement:
 
Together we see a world where people unite and 
take action to create lasting change - 
across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
 
Invocation - Robin Harris
 
Pledge of Allegiance - Shelly Romine
 
Rotary Minute - Ed Koeneman
 
As Youth Services Chair for Mesa West Rotary, Ed decided to talk about some of the Rotary programs benefitting youth.
 
Rotary Youth Exchange, a program dating back to the 1950's, encourages peace and understanding by sending students between the ages of 15 and 18 to study abroad for a year, fully immersed in the language and culture of the foreign country.  Reciprocal exchanges are part of what makes it all work.  To send an outbound student, we need to be open to hosting an inbound student.
 
Interact is a blended word combining international and action.  Interact clubs are chartered in high schools with the goal of instilling Rotary values and leadership skills in high school students.  Since started in 1962, Ineract clubs are very service oriented.  They mirror club and district structure and have district-wide conferences managed by the youth.  There is a growing movement to have middle school and even elementary school Interact Clubs.
 
Rotaract clubs are chartered on university campuses or can be community-based. Since their beginning in 1968, Rotaract clubs were created for young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 to provide service opportunities and an organizational structure much like Rotary but with more flexibility in structure and great opportunities to hone leadership skills in a friendly environment.
 
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) - Since the 1960's these camps - targeting students in their early years of high school - help youth hone their decision-making and leadership skills in a camp organized and managed by Rotary Volunteers.
 
As Mesa West Youth Services Chair, Ed is looking for members who have an interest in youth services and would like to get involved.
 
Colleen Coons added her own remarks, urging anyone with children or grandchildren in junior high and high school to plant seed of interest in the Rotary Youth Exchange program  Both of their sons, Ryan and Nick Dellolio, spent a year as outbound students.  She said the experience put them both on a better path.
 
Jeane's Word Power
 
Jeane Crouse explained the difference between ethics and morals.
 
Ethics are behaviors that are expected in your community or profession.  For instance in an automobile repair shop the price range for a specific repair might be ethical if within the range suggested in a professional guidebook, and unethical if customers were charged were above that range, or unethical toward peers if charge was less than that range.
 
Morals are standards of behavior we set for ourselves.  Jeane used an example of an urgent care physician who
saw an infant with a very high fever at 2:00 AM.  The child's mother was an immigrant and hand no means to pay for services.  The physician explained how to care for the infant, gave the mother some sample antibiotics and told her to bring the child back in two days if not feeling better.  The physicians moral code would not allow him to send the child away without means of getting better.
 
Jeane remarked that she has observed that religion has an effect on morality.  Those with a strong spiritual background tend to be more morally focused.
 
Introduction of Guests
 
Tim Troy introduced Jim Shorie, a potential member who owns an automotive shop. 
 
Robin Harris introduced his beautiful daughter, Rachel Harris. 
 
Colleen Coons introduced Gary Sievers a potential member who, being of German descent, explained that when a German is woke up too early, what you get is a sour kraut.
 
Ace of Clubs Drawing
 
Chuck Flint explained the rules of the raffle and asked guest Jim Shorie to draw the winning ticket number.  The other half of the ticket he drew had been purchased by Dick Myren, netting him at immediate $50.  Dick told that he had had a dram that his ticket was drawn and in his dream, after shuffling the cards, he drew the joker.
 
Dick's dream did not come true.  The card he drew from the deck was the four of hearts.
 
Sergeant With Arms - Logan Harper 
  • Dick Myren donated 10% of his winnings for himself and for honorary member Rod Daniels because they both believe Mesa West is the best Rotary Club in the world.
  • Chuck Flint contributed because he was going to fly with two friends to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin to an event where there would be a crowd of 600,000 and 8000 airplanes.
  • Colleen Coons donated $5 giving permission to guest, Gary Sievers to share a joke.  Gary said that Tuesday night at the Suns arena it sounded like the screaming fans at a Beetles concert back in the day.  During that period, he had tried to get a job in television and was told he had a face for radio.  Once, after receiving an unwelcome diagnosis from a doctor, he asked the doctor if he should get a second opinion.  The doctor replied, "Well, you're ugly, too.  Before the game there was a sign outside the arena that said, "When the Suns rise, the Bucks stop here."  After the game, he understood there was a beerfest in Milwaukee.
  • Shelly Romine contributed thanking the Paint Crew that worked July 17 at the YMCA.  She said they had a crew of eight.  She was also happy to get to see Greg Bouslog who hopes to soon be able to be free to attend Mesa West club meetings.
  • Frank Rosenberg was happy to have recently passed an audit by the Arizona State Department of Real Estate with flying colors.  He was happy to have had tickets for all the Suns playoff games and additionally happy to be headed to Flagstaff for the rest of the month.
  • Lucinda General said that Wayne General is an only child.  His mother is 94 years of age and recently tripped over her dog breaking her femur.  Jay and Melissa Stuckey and are helping them find new housing arrangements for mom closer to Lu and Wayne's home.
  • Lola McClane contributed $5, happy to report she remembered to bring her new badge back to the Doubletree so she could wear it at the meeting.
  • Darl Andersen was happy to see Robin's daughter Rachel after many years, but was also happy she takes after her mother instead of her dad.
  • Dave Brauchler was happy he took the advice of Rotary members when he asked the most scenic route to Sedona.  He was told to go through Payson, and enjoyed a very nice scenic getaway.
  • Ron Thompson contributed - just happy to be a member. He has so many friends in the club.  He enjoyed seeing Frank Rosenberg at a Suns playoff game.
  • Warren Williamson  had a story about shingles blowing off a roof...
  • Tim Troy was happy to report that a conflict that had kept him from attending meetings seems to be resolved and he will get to see his Rotary friends more often.
  • Pam Cohen remarked that she thought guest Gary Sievers must be a Past District Governor, as happy as he is to get a microphone in his hand.  She was also happy to report she was heading for Flagstaff to see her grandson,Wilder.
  • Ed Koeneman said that if anyone had been listening to KTAR, SonoraQuest was being featured and he was proud to announce that his baby brother Bryan was the individual being featured.
  • John Pennypacker recently noticed an unusual transaction on a credit card he had left with his daughter in Virginia to use in case of emergency.  When he asked about it, he learned the emergency had been an ice cream truck in the neighborhood and she had let his grandson use the card to purchase treats.  
  • Jeane Crouse contributed $5.50 - $1 for each acre her family recently purchased near the River Verde.  They will all be building homes there over the next few years.
  •  Robin Harris asked to be charged $100.  With his daughter moving from Idaho to Arizona, he will save a lot of money and get to enjoy his grandchildren more when they are living in Snowflake.  He will save on airfare, hotel, rental car, etc...
  • Bob Zarling who was attending via Zoom pledged $50 happy dollars. Bob announced he had shared some information for Jeanie to share with members about donations Salvation Army is seeking to help families get school supplies for their children.
  • Greg Okonowski also attending via Zoom was impressed that Bob Z was not gloating.  He was also impressed with the great job the Sergeant With Arms was doing.
  • Bob Jensen pledged $10 - happy to see Jeane Crouse addog that she is a great hostess and helped get the Guaymas project going in the early days.
Auction Item - Warren Williiamson
 
After announcing that the bag contained something made by Son Hee Williamson the bidding was lively, but he stopped the bidding after Shelly Romine's bid of $25.  When she opened the bag, she found blueberry preserves and some of Son Hee's amazing sauce.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Announcements
  • The club will be dark (no meeting) Thursday, July 29.
  • The official visit of the District Governor is scheduled for September 23.  DG Bret McKeand would like to meet with members who have joined the club within the past year to meet with him thirty minutes prior to the meeting.  He would like to meet with the Mesa West Board of Directors immediately following the meeting.
  • Jeanie Morgan announced that at the July 10 District 5495 celebration Mesa West was recognized as #2 in the district for supporting TRVFA.  Mesa West had the highest number of donors, but not the highest percentage, We also had the highest number of Rotarians participating in monthly recurring donations to TRVFA, the 2nd highest total dollars donated, and the second highest average dollars donated per member.  
  • Dan Coons announced he had printed a membership directory and members were welcome to take a copy with them after the meeting. 
 
Program - Lisa Rivera - House of Refuge
 
Tim Troy introduced the program reminding members that our 2021-22 District Grant will be used to make improvements at one of the House of Refuge residences, which are in housing that was used by military families when Williams Field was operating as a military base.
 
Lisa is in charge of donor and community engagement for House of Refuge.
 
She loves her job.  It gives her an opportunity to give back, helping others.  Many of the families helped by House of Refuge are fleeing from domestic violence.  in addition to providing housing, they provide employment services, education, including financial literacy.
 
It is very rewarding to see the results from when they families enter the system and when they graduate - doing better than ever.
 
House of Refuge does not provide permanent housing.  They provide "transitional housing."  While staying there the head of household is expected to take advantage of case worker, counselling, education and employment services.  They also provide help for the children.
 
Some families have been living on the street, in their automobile, or couch surfing - staying with friends and relatives who would take them  in.
 
They are charged $400/month rent which doesn't cover the cost but does reinforce the need to budget as taught in financial literacy program.
 
Their goal is to fix the cause of the financial distress and change the family's story for the better.  Mentors work with all members of the family. 
 
Most of the families arrive with very little.  House of Refuge receives donated goods, but set them up like a store so the families can go shopping for clothing and necessary household items.
 
In the past, House of Refuge did receive government funding, but the government no longer funds transitional housing.  They had to go to the public for donations and have been successful in doing so.  Some churches and other groups adopt a home.  They get a lot of work done with volunteer labor and donated materials - like our recent painting project at one of their homes.
 
They have a small staff of 21 employees - their volunteers are what enable them to extend their reach.
 
Lisa first got involved as a volunteer.  After moving to the valley three years ago, it was her intention to be a stay-at-home mom.  Her husband joined a men's group who were working with homeless individuals.  Some of their wives and girlfriends also got involved. She remembered observing a young man on a skateboard go into a McDonalds.  She followed him inside and noticed that he was filthy and looked void of  emotion or hope.  She also noted he was about the same age as one of her sons.  It broke her heart.  
 
After accepting the opportunity to work for House of Refuge, she has not looked back.  She feels like she is where she is meant to be, following her passion.
 
There is a lack of affordable housing in Arizona - particularly in the Phoenix metro area, making it difficult for residents to graduate from transitional housing.  They are having to redefine successful graduation to include situations where families graduate and share rent with another family.  
 
House of Refuge does not provide child care, but they do work with other nonprofits who do.
 
Some of the school systems are awesome.  The Chandler system provided bus transportation for students so they could continue to be in school with their friends and not have to change teachers. 
 
 They have 88 houses in their program.  80 are occupied.  others are used for their staff offices and programs.  They have an annual buget of $3,000,000.
 
One of the most important needs these families have is the need to feel they have the support of a caring community  Their volunteer opportunities help bridge that gap.