Highlights of October 10 Meeting

President Jim Schmidt opened the meeting by asking Ray Smith to offer the invocation followed by Robert LaBarge leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Jeanie Morgan introduced Bailee Langford, who Jeanie had interviewed prior to the meeting as a candidate to be sponsored by Mesa West for a grant from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.  Bailee plans to attend the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Arizona Medical Training Institute.  Most TRVFA grant applicants are referred to TRVFA by financial aid officers at their vocational education institution, but Bailee was referred to TRVFA by Mesa West member, Greg Okonowski.  Greg Bouslog introduced his father, Steve Bouslog as a visiting Rotarian from Princeton, Illinois.  Idaho Rotarian, Shelly Romine, who has recently relocated to Arizona, was also introduced.  Frank Rosenberg introduced Sammy Rosenberg who was given time by President Jim to tell about her Bat Mitzvah project to benefit the Child Crisis Center.  Sammy is gathering donations of NEW stuffed animals, NEW children's underwear, and NEW children's socks.  She will also gladly accept money or gift cards so she can personally go out and buy the items.  Aubrey introduced her children who were enjoying their fall break.  

 

President Jim asked Steve Bouslog to draw the token to determine the winner of the weekly attendance drawing.  Steve drew the token matching his son Greg's badge number.  In the weekly raffle, Chuck Flint announced that the holder of the ticket drawn would win $40 and have a chance to draw the Ace of Clubs from the dwindling deck of cards and win $544.  Sammy Rosenberg drew the ticket, which was held by Penny May.  The card selected from the deck by Penny was the three of clubs, so the large pot will continue to grow.

 

Dan Coons contributed sad bucks.  His sister's husband, who was a sheriff in Illinois had passed away recently at the young age of 56.  Steve Bouslog contributed happy bucks for being able to be present to celebrate Greg's oldest son's 6th birthday.  Chris Krueger contributed.  She was happy to have been able to spend time at Disney World with grandchildren and was happy to be at the meeting, since work had also kept her away recently.  John Pennypacker had hoped to have a friend attend the meeting.  Thanks to the friend, who recently touched John's heart, his heart is now beating steadily.  Penny May, who reported a financial windfall October 3, said it is not a good idea to let your car hear you say anything about coming into money.  She spent most of what she had gained on an unexpected car repair since making that announcement.  Erwin Reiman was happy to be back in Arizona.  They had left South Dakota Monday, October 7, and missed the 8" snowfall that occured Wednesday the 9th.  Chuck Flint was happy to have some "inside scoop" that Shelly Romine will likely soon be joining Mesa West.  Robert LaBarge was asked to start an Interact Club on the Navajo Reservation.  It is going to happen - it will be the first Interact Club ever on the Navajo Nation.  Robert was also happy to have recently met his long lost half sister.  Frank Rosenberg was happy for the help fellow Rotarians were giving his daughter, Sammy, with her project.  Pam was happy to have met Scott - Shelly Romine's other half.  She was also happy to report that the celebration of Alan Ramsdell's life was very nice.  Jim Crutcher "did an awesome job honoring Alan" and proved to be a great ambassador for Rotary.  Shelly Romine was happy to report she has accepted employment in Arizona with Horizon Community Bank.  Bob Zarling was happy to report his community had recently published an article about Rotary and Bob's recent trip to Africa to visit a Rotary project with Assistant Governor, Lee Holmes.

 

Greg Okonowski had a bag containing a gift from his recent trip to Alaska.  Dan Coons' top bid of $45 make Dan the lucky winner of a salad utensil serving set.  Dan Coons had a gift to auction from his recent trip to Illinois.  The top bid for Dan's bag was made by Chris Krueger, who was thrilled by the gourmet chocolate treats she found in the bag.

 

President Jim said that one of Dr. Ron's patients was referred to an oncologist after evidence oral cancer was found.  The patient was a relatively recent widow.  The oncologist said that she had six months maximum to live and suggested she marry an accountant.  The widow asked how that would make her live longer, and the oncologist answered it wouldn't, but that it would seem longer.  John Pennypacker felt obligated to share something he'd found during a sleepless night's search for humor.  He learned where Captain Hook got his hook - at a second hand store.

 

President Jim shared highlights from Colton's Youth Exchange report from The Netherlands.  See the letter in its entirety in a separate article in this newsletter.

 

President Jim introduced Pam Cohen who was going to serve as our club's Vanna White leading a discussion of ideas for a Legacy Project for our club.

 

Pam wanted to make sure that the result of the search for a legacy project in our own community would in no way diminish or take away from our annual Gift of Hearing mission in Guaymas, Mexico.  Instead, the goal is to come up with something locally that will create name and purpose recognition for Mesa West Rotary.

 

Some initial ideas were a wellness clinic suggested by Jeanie Morgan, and the 7th Street Food Pantry, suggested by Greg Okonowski as he feels homelessness and hunger are among the greatest needs in the community.  In response to a question, Pam said that Melodie Jackson and Bert Millett would be able to do a needs assessment of any project before action would be initiated.  Greg Bouslog stated that the YMCA has recognized that one in ten children will be sexually abused.  On October 8, the YMCA trained 150 on this subject, and Greg was trained to be a trainer.  Chris Krueger stated that homelessness at the college level is a growing problem.  Other Rotary Clubs are already addressing high school homelessness in their local communities.  Melodie Jackson stated that youth age out of foster care when they turn eighteen.  This often occurs during a student's senior year, creating a big void.  Shelly suggested an elementary literacy project, stating that 50% of third graders are not reading at grade level.  The discussion moved on to the Imagination Library idea that is actively supported by Rotarians in the Sedona, Anchorage, and Peoria communities.  Attractive stands containing books are placed throughout the communities and replenished as needed. 

 

In a turn from project to provision, Lucinda suggested an identifying event like the Oktoberfest run by Rotarians as a participatory fundraiser in the Kingman area.  Pam mentioned the the Rotarian-run art show her sister-in-law's club runs in the San Jose area.  Frank Rosenberg spoke of the Elgin Art Show run by a Rotary club in England.  In his absence, Jim Schmidt shared Bert Millett's idea that our club sponsor a travel race working with an outside organization.  Shelly shared an idea for a St. Patrick's event from Coeur d'Alene Idaho.  Pam reminded members of her Pony Plop idea for a day-long event.  The Reimann's shared the success of the Rapid City Golf Tournament.  Another idea shared was a scavenger hunt where participants visit various businesses.  Darl Andersen was asked to tell about the Rotary Shoot-Out that was co-sponsored by Bashas and MCC in the past.  He noted that he was the Bashas connection and another Rotarian was the MCC connection.  Another idea suggested was a Planes, Trains, and Cycles event that could be held at Falcon Field.

 

The field of possibilities was narrowed down to fundraising events, and that field was further narrowed to the following

The next step will be to have teams of two advocates presenting each of these ideas at our next evening meeting to be held Thursday, October 24.  The teams will be seated at tables and Rotarians and guests will do "speed dating" visiting each table to hear each presentation, after which those in attendance will be led through a voting process to finalize our choice to move forward.  Implementation will take a long time.  It may not happen until Dan Coons' presidential year in 2020-21.

 

Pam suggested members reach out to Mary Jo Ramsdell.  She could benefit from the thoughtful companionship of Allan's Rotary friends.