Highlights of June 24 Hybrid Meeting

President Dan Coons called the meeting to order, first introducing himself, then reciting the 2020-21 Rotary International Theme - Rotary Creates Opportunities.  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
 
President Dan asked Ray Smith to offer the invocation, and Shelly Romine to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Logan Harper was thanked for serving as greeter, welcoming members and guests as well as recruiting members to fill positions on the weekly meeting duty roster.
 
Honing our Word Power - Jeane Crouse
  • Farther is a physical distance
  • Further is a figurative distance
Easy way to remember:
  • Farther and physical both have an A
  • Further and figurative both have a U
 
 
Jeane also shared a quote from a Rotary club in Camden, NJ:  "The reason why volunteers are not paid is not because they are worthless but because they are precious."
 
Introduction of Guests
  • Antoinette Farmer-Thompson (Toni) was introduced as a guest of Ron Thompson.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
 
Chuck Flint invited Toni Farmer-Thompson to come to the front of the room for a special recognition.  There are a few ways an individual can become a Paul Harris Fellow.  $1,000 must have been donated to The Rotary Foundation.  That amount is often donated 100% by the person being recognized.  In other cases, that amount has been given by another person who has elected to transfer some of their recognition points to enable the recognition.  In many cases, someone donates recognition points to help another person reach their first or next Paul Harris level.  Toni accepted her pin and certificate, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow for the first time.  Toni was very pleased, indicating the recognition was a wonderful, surprise gift.  
 
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
 
Sales of raffle tickets had gone very well.  Chuck announced that the holder of the ticket number drawn would win $75, plus the opportunity to try to select the Ace of Clubs from the 8 remaining cards in the deck.  Should that happen, in addition to the $75, they would receive the "big pot" which was $1,787.  Greg Okonowski was holding the ticket drawn.  Since he and Ron Thompson partner on purchasing raffle tickets, Greg insisted Ron try to draw the Ace of Clubs.  Ron did draw an ace - the ace of spades.  
 
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
  • John Pennypacker contributed - "happy" to have played golf in the rain Wednesday morning.
  • Jim Crutcher contributed - he announced their 44th wedding anniversary was coming up
  • Chris Krueger was happy to have travelled to Tennessee with her father for the wedding of Chris's oldest niece.  It was very heartwarming for Chris to see her father enjoy the very special family occasion.  Her niece was very obviously pleased to have her grandfather at her wedding.
  • Dick Myren was happy to announce his computer hack has all been cleaned up and nothing was stolen.
  • Jeane Crouse asked to be billed $25 because her 25-year-old granddaughter had graduated from dental school, another $25 because the same granddaughter was immediately going to report to Maxwell Air Force Base as a Captain, and another $25 because on Monday the same granddaughter became engaged to a wonderful young man.
  • Ron Thompson offered congrats to the young man who obviously understands the benefits of having a dentist in the family.
  • Bob Zarling pledged to donate $65 online to TRF to celebrate turning 65 in July.
  • Warren Williamson donated to celebrate Son Hee's birthday, but did not disclose her age.
  • Allan Cady announced that he and Polly Cady had recently attended Prescott Sunup Rotary Club - a club that meets at 7:00 AM.  He said Polly gave a presentation about Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI).  He said Polly's did a good job with her presentation.
  • Don LaBarge announced that one of the wildfires was close to the Scout camp in the Ponderosa/Heber area.  He said there was an engine and a hot shot crew at the same.
  • Pam Cohen contributed asking Warren Williamson to tell a joke.  He told about a small community in Illinois where they hold an annual Old Settlers Day.  Some of the very old-timers at the event are called on to tell some tall tales.  The final part of Warren's story was about an irritated old geezer who got tired of having someone else's well cluttering up his surroundings after the other party's well had blown onto his property.  The geezer solved the problem by cutting the well into post holes.  The story was much longer and Warren told it with a twinkle in his eye and without missing a beat.  One has to wonder if perhaps Pam might profit from some advice on how to invest her money wisely.
  • Dan Coons contributed $5.  He had planned a small gathering at his home of new members and club officers to provide some information, answer questions and mostly enjoy each other's company.  What started out as a small idea grew into an event where he and Colleen hosted a group of 37.
  • Shelly Romine contributed, thanking the volunteers who had participated in the service project at the United School moving the locations of a classroom and the school library.
  • Greg Okonowski had participated in the project at the school.  He voiced appreciation for the great effort by, saying Ray was the most capable volunteer working at the school.
  • President Dan pledged to donate $1,000 to Polio Plus - he is that thankful for all the new members this year.
Announcements
Program - Law Enforcement Torch Run - Mike Burnett
 
John Pennypacker introduced Mike Burnett as an individual with a 26 year history in law enforcement, a former Rotarian, a husband, dad, and proud papa.
 
Mike is the Director of Law Enforcement Torch Run with Special Olympics Arizona.  
 
Many people are aware of Special Olympics as an opportunity for those with developmental disabilities to compete with others with similar challenges, have fun and be embraced to celebrate their success.
 
The law enforcement torch run was an idea born of a police chief in Kansas who wanted to raise the awareness of the need to support Special Olympics.
 
Mike got involved even though the only running he did was to the donut shop.  The first run raised $340 which was more than they expected, and this sparked a more concerted effort to see how the success could be leveraged.  It has grown into a global law-enforcement effort.  He said it is the largest grass roots fundraising effort to date, raising over $904,000,000 in 40 years.  Last year $43,000,000 was raised in North America.
 
Mike said in normal years, $1.1 to $1.2 million is raised in Arizona.  Last year during COVID only $340,000 was raised in our state.  He said there is an informal association of 140 law enforcement agencies in the state partnering together.
 
When he says "law enforcement professionals," he is not just speaking of officers, the numbers are large because support staff also participate in supporting this cause.
 
For the athletes, participation not only provides a fun social opportunity and allows them to explore new challenges, at the events, they have the opportunity to get free health benefits including free vision, hearing, dental and podiatrist screenings.  
 
Over the time Mike has been involved, he has seen public schools become more inclusive through the "unified" program.  
 
Participating in Special Olympics gives the athletes and their families opportunities and understanding about how to access to better health, education and social service benefits.  Their opportunities to learn, grow and develop confidence is improved.  Many are able to enter the workforce and interact in society as a result of their participation.
 
Mike said that Special Olympics is infectious.  He has seen it transform grumpy old cops.  He said there is a special dance team of cops that cheers the athletes on during competitions.
 
The Torch Run team effort goes on thoughout the year.
  • Hand out medals at events
  • Raise Awareness
  • Raise Money
  • Tip a Cop events
  • Pan Handling at Restaurants with the wait staff.
He talked about an "over the Edge" fund/awareness-raising event where participants repel off high rise buildings.  It costs $1,000 to enter and 150 or more participate each year
 
He said it is a great way for law enforcement to get out from under the negative microscope and commit their time and energy in a visible positive project.
 
The department of corrections allows inmate fundraising to support Special Olympics as part of a restorative justice program encouraging positive participation in society.  
 
Volunteers are always welcome.  Groups can organize Tip a Cop events
 
The age of Special Olympic athletes can range from five through late forty's.
 
President Dan asked Mike to sign a children's book to be given to the Children's Hospital in his honor to thank him for his presentation.
 
Mike can be contacted at Mike@Special OlympicsArizona.org.  CLICK HERE to visit their website.