President Kayla Mudge opened the meeting, John Pennypacker led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Ed Koeneman did the invocation (“Boy Scout Grace”).
Today’s raffle was won by Augustine Tessier. She did not draw the Ace of Clubs, so the large pot carries over. Guests included Augustine Tessier, Seongjun An, Larry Horton, Stephen Phair, Misty Birks, Jackie Wasick, and Tara & Dave Dacus.
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Andy Bradford then collected Happy Bucks:
- Chad Reid was happy that a Toastmasters member who had been presumed dead was actually alive
- Blaise Vitale was happy to have completed his hike of the Maricopa Trail and his son is graduating this weekend
- Polly was happy to have family visiting
- Augustine was happy to have won the raffle again and was happy to have had a great exchange year
- Seongiun was happy to be going on the train tour and thankful for his exchange year
- Jackie Wasick was happy to thank Mesa West for all the amazing things we did this Rotary-year
- Pam Cohen was happy that he spent Mother’s Day with her daughter and grandson
- Eric Silverberg was happy to be helping out a potential Peace ambassador
- John Pennypacker was happy to be going to wine country, California, this weekend for his son’s wedding
- Ed Koeneman was happy to be going to Sedona this weekend for the wedding of a former student and many other things
- Kayla Mudge was happy for all of the youth (youth exchange, interact, etc.) involved with Mesa West
- Dick Myren was happy to contribute for himself, Rod Daniels, and Don LaBarge
- Chuck Flint was happy that Jim Schmidt has had time to attend our club meetings even when serving as DG
- Brian Harvey was thankful for the RYE students
- Jim McGowen was happy that his college roommate’s son-in-law went from enlisted to officer in the Navy
- Captain John Birks was happy that Misty attended today
- Misty Birks was happy that the youth programs at the Salvation Army are growing, and they will surprise the kids with a pizza party tonight
- Jim Schmidt was happy that Mesa West does so much for the District, and sad that he will lose the Nike family discount because his son got a new job
- Lucinda General was happy to contribute to the Salvation Army’s youth pizza party
- Rosalyn Schmidt was happy that Tara and Dave Dacus are joining Mesa West and for Jim’s DG year
- Stephen Phair asked to be in the Star Wars support group and reminded the exchange students that they are welcome to come back to visit
- Warren was happy to tell his weekly joke
The main program today was a club assembly led by President-Elect Connie Bunyard. She celebrated that Mesa West’s sponsorship program raised more than its goal this year. Then she presented her ideas and plans for the next Rotary Year. She is proposing to reduce the number of club meetings to 3 per month, with the 4th Thursday each month reserved for an evening service project. Also, for 5th Thursdays, when we typically do not meet, she proposes having either a happy hour or a potluck at a member’s home.
She asked all members to share potential service areas that are close to their hearts. For example, she and John B now volunteer with Arizona Adaptive Water Sports, who help people who need adaptations be able to participate in water sports. She suggested this could be something that the club could support next year. Also, she spoke about her Rotary Builds Bridges McKinney-Vento student (Jasmine) who has the opportunity to move into EVIT housing, but she needs $650. The full amount was raised on the spot and will be presented to Jasmine at our club meeting next week. Connie also recommended a travel fundraiser that she learned about at PELS. Raffle tickets are sold for $100, and travel packages are valued between $3500-4200. The club would receive part of the proceeds to use for service or charitable gifts.
Next, she requested that club members fill out a club survey. Finally, Connie asked club members to share their favorite service projects. Many club members contributed. Two key themes were helping youth and helping the elderly.