President Kayla Mudge opened the meeting, Steve Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Dick Myren gave an invocation...... To continue, click on the blue "Read More" to the right & below the line!!
President Kayla Mudge opened the meeting, Steve Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Dick Myren gave an invocation.
Warren Williamson, the Mesa West Rotary Club Rotarian of the Month for October, named Deb Koeneman the Rotarian of the Month for November.
Colleen Coons introduced Janice Walker from Helen’s Hope Chest, who allows our Rotary Builds Bridges/McKinny Vento students to shop at Helen’s Hope Chest twice each school year. Janice shared details of Helen’s Hope Chest with the club. The Mesa West Rotary Foundation presented a $1000 check to Helen’s Hope Chest.
Pam Cohen then did the raffle, which was won by Gabi Cutlip. Unfortunately, she did not draw the Ace of Clubs, so the large pot carries over.
Next, Blaise Vitale was inducted into Mesa West Rotary. Andy Bradford was his sponsor, and Blaise’s wife, Suzanne, pinned Blaise with his new Rotary pin. Guests, Happy Bucks, and Club Member announcements were done at the same time to streamline activities. Andy Bradford did all of these tasks today.
- Harry Grossman was happy to announce that he is considering not shaving until the Arizona Cardinals win a game
- Dick Myren was happy to donate extra for himself and Rod since he missed last Thursday’s meeting
- Blaise Vitale was happy to become a member and noted that he had done a service project with the Arizona Trail Veteran’s group
- John Bunyard was happy that many MWR club members have donated to his race and that the race is this coming Saturday
- Gaby Cutlip was happy to be a member of the club and announced that gifts are still needed for the McKinny Vento holiday gifts wish list; Also, if anyone wants to donate cash, they can give it to Pam Cohen or ask Jeanie Morgan to be billed, and a wrapping party will be held at Pam’s house on December 7th
- Lizzy Barron was happy to have gone on the Guaymas trip and to have completed the Camino de Santiago
- Pam Cohen also donated in honor of her own birthday and announced that the Salvation Army Bell Ringing sign-ups are available! PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER THANKSGIVING
- Brian Harvey was happy to introduce his wife, Marsha, and was happy to have spoken at a few other Rotary clubs recently
- Donna Goezenberger was happy that Augustine Tessier (Rotary Youth Exchange student from France) was at lunch today and that she and Bryan had taken several Exchange students on a hike this past weekend.
- David X from Scottsdale Rotary Club was happy to share about their raffle fundraiser to win either a car or cash
- Allan Cady was happy that David was here promoting the raffle
- Polly Cady was happy that Blaise Vitale was inducted today, and to find out that Blaise and Suzanne sing as part of the Leisure World Choir
- Augustine Tessier was happy that she was able to join the club for lunch today
- Ed Koeneman was happy that Bob Jensen had his grandson, Bennett, join him on Zoom, and was happy to have young people to hang out with, happy for the Rio Salado Rotaract club’s “Friendsgiving” celebration, and happy that he and Deb are going to Georgia after Thanksgiving for their son, James’s promotion ceremony
- Jim McGown was happy that he won several bariatric wheelchairs in an auction, and that two of them were brand new; NOTE – get any mobility devices to Jim, or to Ed K, before December 7th!
- Jim Schmidt was happy to donate to the Rotary Foundation since the Mesa West global grant for the Guaymas hearing project had been fully funded at the USA-Mexico friendship conference
- Warren Williams was happy to tell his weekly joke
- Kayla Mudge was happy to have celebrated her birthday at last week’s social meeting, and that her mom, Angilia, surprised her by coming to town!
Today’s speaker was Past District Governor, David Simmer, who gave a spectacular presentation about the history and importance of The Rotary Foundation. At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe. David discussed the “why” of donating to The Rotary Foundation and what has motivated him to become a major donor and Arch Klumph Society member. It feels good to help other people in this world!