Opening of Meeting - President Dan Coons
President Dan opened the meeting by thanking Robin Harris for serving as Greeter. He thanked the members for the gift of being able to serve as Club President He then reminded Rotarians and guests of the Rotary International 2021-22 theme - Serve to Change Lives - after which he 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 and Pledge
The invocation was offered by Sean Green. Dan Lamborn led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rotary Minute - Robin Harris
Robin asked members to think about the power of the words in the Rotary Four-Way Test. If we truly evaluate everything we think, say, and do, using that standard, we will be able to effectively create the lasting change we envision with our Vision Statement.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOOD WILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
He suggested that if we have not yet done so, that we memorize both the Four-Way Test and the Vision Statement. John Pennypacker made a confession. On his first official club visit when he was District Governor, he was asked to recite the Four-Way Test, and he was unable to do so. He was motivated to commit those very special 25 words to memory so he would not face that problem again.
Editorial Comment: At the meeting both the Vision Statement and the 4-Way Test were said to contain 24 words. Technically, there is a space between "GOOD" and "WILL," making a total of 25 words in the Four-Way Test.
Introduction of Guests
- Jim Schmidt introduced Rosalyn Schmidt
- Colleen Coons introduced PDG Barb Feder who said that as District Governor, she memorized and could recite the Four-Way-Test from the bottom up. She is working on the initiative in our District to bring more awareness to Rotary's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative. Barb and Colleen were going to meet to strategize how Rotaract could be involved.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck Flint briefly explained the rules of the raffle. The holder of the stub of the ticket drawn would win $55 plus the opportunity to try to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the deck, which would make them the winner of an additional $170. Should they draw the only joker in the deck, they would win $20. Logan Harper was asked to draw the winning ticket - which was held by John Pennypacker. When John drew from the deck of cards, his luck stopped - he drew the Four of Diamonds.
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
- John Pennypacker said that he recently visited the Mesa Rotary Club where he learned about a young lady from Russia who is a student at the Benedictine University in Mesa. It was John's understanding that she was attending the University on a volleyball scholarship. The war in the Ukraine has created an unusual hardship situation for her. She cannot go home to Russia. She can no longer receive funds from her family in Russia from whom she had been receiving $500 each month. She has apparently injured her knee requiring corrective surgery and is facing a bill of $2,500 for that. John will try to learn more about how the Mesa Club plans to help her and see if there is opportunity for Mesa West Rotary to help through our club foundation.
- Ed Koeneman is happy the club will be visiting his home and his workshop March 31. He said that Sean Green had visited for a preview and "play date" March 23. They made "man glitter" together (sawdust). He was also happy that Sean brought a gift of a hand-crafted wooden shelf to him at the meeting (he showed it off) and that Jack Rosenberg had brought him some pieces of stuff he created and Ed will use it to create something using using Jack's pieces. Ed was also happy because it is only 639 days until the next Star Wars movie will be released.
- Tim Troy was happy. He had hoped Frank Rosenberg would be at the meeting. He said he had talked to Frank 6-8 weeks ago about having an interest in learning to fly. After that conversation, Frank took Tim on a flying adventure in his plane. They flew over Tim's place near Cornville, Frank's place in Flagstaff, and flew over Sedona as they headed back south. Frank would not accept any money for fuel. Tim pledged $100 for the sponsorship campaign to be credited to Frank's team.
- Warren Williamson contributed. He wanted to keep Jeane Crouse's word education tradition alive. He recalled a second grade teacher who taught him the difference between can and may when he asked "Can I do..." and his teacher responded, "if you are able, you can, but you may not." He pointed to the lectern and said many would call that object a podium but that would be inaccurate. The word "podium" was derived from the latin root word for foot and refers to a raised platform.
- Colleen Coons contributed. She was happy to announce that Ed Koeneman has accepted the Director of Interact Relations on the Rotaract District Council.
- Donna Goetzenberger donated $20. She was very happy with the support she received Tuesday, March 22, when a committee at the Arizona House of Representatives was discussing striking words from a bill before they approved it to go on to the House floor. CLICK HERE to learn more in a letter from Donna to Mesa West members.
- Jim McGown contributed. The reason he missed the March 17 meeting was because he was serving as a volunteer driver at the Mecum Collector Car Auction in Glendale March 16-19. He enjoyed the entire adventure, but the car that seemed to be his favorite was the one he drove last - a McLaren. Members were urged to let Jim know if they wanted to find out how to be volunteer drivers at the auction next year.
- Don LaBarge recalled Ben Eubanks telling Rotarians to face the wall and recite the Four-Way-Test. He said his granddaughter Renee will be coming from New Jersey to Arizona for a week-long visit.
- Polly Cady contributed. She was very proud of the way Donna Goetzenberger approached the legislative challenge faced by Youth Exchange. She was also happy that Mesa West had five members in attendance at the March 19 Rotary Leadership Institute. Three graduated - Colleen Coons, Pam Cohen, and Logan Harper. Sean Green is ready for Session III and Diane Ware is now ready for Session II.
- Allan Cady contributed announcing he will become a great grandfather next summer. His granddaughter Lauren is expecting. He was also happy to announce that by popular demand, he has been able to schedule Judge Tommy Webb to be the speaker at the club meeting on April 21. We may need to ask the hotel to have a n extra table or two in the room that day. Allan encouraged members to invite guests to the April 21 meeting.
- Chuck Flint contributed $3. He has fond memories of Rotary Youth Exchange. He and Dave Howell have taken Youth Exchange Students on an annual adventure into Mexico several times. They are supporting Macy in her studies at GCU.
- Colleen Coons contributed a second time - she was very happy to have her own money to share.
- Pam Cohen was happy to have graduated from RLI. She also was thankful for the opportunity to be at the Mecum auction where she was introduced to drifting. She shared some videos to show the heart-stopping excitement of drifting. She was also happy to see Barb Feder and have Tim Troy at our meeting.
- Don Boucher asked to be billed $10 - partly because he was late, but mostly because he was impressed with Donna's hard work.
President Dan wrapped it up. He, too, was very impressed with Donna's hard work and the support Rotarians and the family of Rotary provided. He also wants to make sure he is on the volunteer list to be one of the drivers at the Mecum auction in the future. Bob Zarling recalled taking a Rotary Youth Exchange student to the Barrett-Jackson auction, saying the student came away from the auction, obviously stunned.
Program - Recognition for Support of The Rotary Foundation - Foundation Chair Chuck Flint
Chuck began by sharing some information: On the Rotary Website, we now show 1.4 million members worldwide. For decades the number has been stagnant at 1.2 million. The difference - Rotaract members now have Rotarian status.
The easiest way to give to The Rotary Foundation is through Rotary Direct. It is an automated, repetitive, systematic way of giving. Each time a donation is automatically made, the donor receives an e-mail acknowledging the donation. 31 members of Mesa West have signed up for Rotary Direct. It can be accomplished on line through the Rotary Website or with a call to Rotary International Headquarters or by using the information contained in the flyer - a couple of which he had placed on each of the tables. Chuck announced that he had the list with him that would let members know where they stand in receiving their first or subsequent levels of Foundation giving if anyone wanted to check with him after the meeting.
On the Foundation pages of the RI Website, this vision statement appears:
Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international
relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to
support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
On a sub-page, nine causes are listed:
- Ending Polio
- Promoting Peace
- Fighting Disease
- Providing Clean Water
- Supporting Education
- Saving Mothers and Children
- Growing Local Economies
- Protecting the Environment
- Disaster Response
The first level of recognition for support of The Rotary Foundation is Paul Harris Fellow recognition, which is awarded when dollars given and/or recognition points transferred total $1,000. Members reaching this level receive a pin and a certificate.
Logan Harper was the first to be recognized. After receiving his pin and certificate, he yielded to Chuck's suggestion that he start a new tradition by celebrating with a flex pose for the camera.
Each additional $1,000 level achieved is recognized with pins with gems mounted in them. Receiving Paul Harris Plus One recognition pins, each containing one sapphire, were Don LaBarge (accepting for Robert LaBarge) and Ed Koeneman.
Next to be recognized was Tim Troy who receive his new pin containing two sapphires and representing $3,000 in total giving and/or recognition points accrued.
Joan Reimann and Jack Rosenberg were each recognized for achieving Paul Harris Plus Four recognition status. Jack indicated it was one more milestone in his 40+ years with our club. He joined Mesa West in 1980. They each received Paul Harris recognition pins containing four sapphires representing $5,000 in total giving and/or recognition points accrued.
Erwin Reimann was presented a pin containing 5 sapphires representing $6,000 in total giving and/or recognition points accrued. Erwin remarked about how easy it is to achieve higher recognition when using Rotary Direct. He doesn't have to remember to do anything. It just happens.
Jim and Rosalyn Schmidt were invited to the front of the room. Jim was presented with his final two Paul Harris Recognition Pins. Paul Harris Plus 7 - a pin containing 2 Rubies, and Paul Harris Plus 8 - a pin containing 3 Rubies. These are the final levels that can be achieved with a combination of monetary donations and recognition points. The next recognition presented was that of Major Donor Level One - $10,000 in accumulated monetary donations are the only way to achieve Major Donor Status. Giving at this level is truly a family achievement and Rosalyn had been invited to participate in the celebration.
Current members of Mesa West Rotary who have achieved Major Donor status in supporting The Rotary Foundation are: Allan and Polly Cady, Pam Cohen, Jim Crutcher, Keith Deering, Jim Erickson, Chuck Flint, Lu and Wayne General, Don LaBarge, Jeanie Morgan, John Pennypacker, Jim Schmidt, and Ted Williams.