President Jim Schmidt opened the meeting by asking Ray Smith to lead everyone in singing Viva La Compagnie, Dick Myren to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Jim LeCheminant to offer the invocation. He thanked Steve Ross and Jack Rosenberg for serving as greeters, making Rotarians and guests feel welcome as they arrived for the meeting.Guests
John Pennypacker introduced several people at his table including Mesa West Rotarians, Erwin and Joan Reimann who have returned from spending the summer in South Dakota, and Shelly Romine, who is currently a member of a Rotary Club in Idaho, but has recently moved to our area and accepted local employment. He also introduced Bob McNichols of Daedalus Development LLC, the father of Meghan Fable, one of the speakers from Ability 360. Frank Rosenberg introduced a colleague and paramedic who teaches CPR, Blake Lee.
Drawings
The winner of the weekly attendance drawing was Polly Cady. Chuck Flint announced that the winner of the weekly raffle would receive $35 and have a chance to draw the ace of clubs to win $584. Don LaBarge was holding the winning ticket, but after shuffling the dwindling deck, the card he drew was the six of diamonds.
Happy Bucks
Frank Rosenberg thanked members who had generously supported Sammy's project. Don LaBarge was happy to have won the raffle, but also happy to have turned 72 on Saturday. He said that he was now old enough that no one noticed how he dressed, a statement which caused some murmerings. Don was also happy that the organization of the new Interact Club on the Navajo Reservation had started. Chuck Flint snitched on Dan Coons being the owner of a new car and failing to pay happy bucks for its acquisition. Dan admitted to being the proud owner of a new Tesla. Polly Cady contributed $1, announcing that a cure for dementia was a regular inclusion of blueberries and walnuts in our diet. Donna Goetzenberger was happy that she was able to be in attendance. Alan Cady contributed $4 - the remainder of the $5 Polly had won in the attendance drawing. Erwin Reimann contributed. He had recently had an opportunity to drive a car his father bought fifty years ago - a 1970 Ford Fairlane station wagon. The current owner of the car coincidentally lives in the same community as Joan and Erwin. John Pennypacker invited everyone to visit the San Marcos Resort Concours in Chandler on Saturday, where the Jaguar Club of Central Arizona was scheduled to host their annual show. Dick Myren was happy that only one client waited until 3:00 on the afternoon of October 15 to do their taxes. Jack Rosenberg was proud of Sammy. Steve Ross was happy to report that even though their son Scott is still in the Congo, with phone technology, they were able to celebrate his birthday with him on October 15. Jim Schmidt that his birthday was on October 15 - and for an accountant, having a birthday on that date, allowed little time to celebrate. He did find a little time to celebrate with his grandson who had flown in for the event.
Accounting Humor
Q. What does an accountant call a trial balance that doesn't balance?
A. A late night.
Youth Exchange Announcement
Donna Goetzenberger, who is the District 5495 Chair for Rotary Youth Exchange is looking for students to send abroad for the 2019-20 academic year. She would like to double the number that have already been interviewed and approved. The students have to be between the ages of 15 1/2 and 18 1/2 at the time they leave on the exchange, which would have them on their exchange during their junior, senior or "gap" year (the year following high school graduation and before they start college). She asked members to spread the word and have anyone interested get in touch with her.
Announcements
- Someone pointed out that the new Interact Club is being formed on the Navajo Nation rather than Reservation. Don LaBarge explained that if you saw what the roads where Robert lives have done to Robert's truck, you would understand that it would be odd to call it a "nation truck." It is common vernacular to call it a "res truck," so for Don, the new club will be on the reservation. Probably another privilege of his age.
- Don LaBarge announced that scheduling for Salvation Army bell ringing will be coming up soon. We will have fewer days because of the ways the holidays fall this year. The Salvation Army has now officially sanctioned our bell ringing on Sundays.
- Items donated by Dr. Adam Prosinski from Tucson for the Guaymas Gift of Hearing mission are being stored at Don LaBarge's facility. Those items will need to be picked up and delivered to the bus pickup area at Red Mountain Community College as Don's vehicle will be filled with food for the farewell breakfast for the team going on the mission. John Pennypacker volunteered to pick up and transport the donated items to the bus stop on the morning of November 6.
Rotary Minute
Dan Coons explained that what used to be known in the Rotary world as an Ambassadorial Scholarship is now known as a Global Grant Scholarship. It is available for graduate students who wish to study abroad at a foreign institution in a subject area falling under one of the six areas of focus of The Rotary Foundation. The $30,000 grant the student would receive should cover most, if not all, of the student's costs. Dan serves on the district committee which is seeking applicants.
Program
John Pennypacker introduced Meghan Fable, Director of Development for Ability360. Meghan serves as their Director of Development and has been with Ability360 since 2013. She’ is originally from Denver, Colorado, but moved to Arizona in middle school and has been here ever since. Meghan was formerly a ballet dancer, and now enjoys taking barre classes.
Meghan explained that Ability360, formerly Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, is the largest center for independent living in the state. They provide advocacy and peer mentoring for the individuals with disabilities that they serve. Their 45,000 square foot sports and fitness center will have been open eight years as of October 31. They serve those with visible or invisible disabilities with extensive family and support system. They have over 2700 members from youth through seniors and include service to the military.
Meghan introduced Robert "Robbie" Reed who was diagnosed as a boy with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. He slowly lost his mobility. For boys, sports can play a significant role in building strong self-esteem. He thought that was gone for him forever. Adaptive sports turned Robbie's outlook around and restored his confidence.
For Robert, it is amazing to be a part of all that happens through Ability360. The sports include basketball, rugby, soccer, and softball. He now is a coach. He now has the opportunity to guide as he was guided. The sports and fitness facility provides many impacts. It is a place to find a family atmosphere, where classes are available where the teachers can adapt to each person's ability.
The facility is located near 50th Street and washington in Phoenix. They have a light rail stop, which they are proud to state is the most accessible stop of its kind in the country.
Upcoming tournaments will include the Dual in the Desert basketball tournament, rugby (originally muscle ball), amputee basketball and soccer. Those who use the center have a great exposure to adaptive athletics including wheelchair tennis, wheelchair pickleball, sled hockey, and USTA Sanctioned pools. The monthly fee to be a member of the fitness center is on a sliding scale. They have a pool of money to help those who are financially challenged - they never turn anyone away. Personal training is a separate cost.
Ability360 needs volunteers. They use them a lot. They have an excellent volunteer coordinator. Volunteer opportunities include special events or regular service. To learn more about these volunteer opportunities, CLICK HERE to visit their website. Meghan was proud to say they are good stewards of volunteer time. Family members are welcome to serve with volunteers.
The center for Independent Living receives state and federal funding to support their program. The sports and fitness center does not. Their annual $2,000,000 budget is funded by philanthropy. They are a 501(c)(3).
Ability360 facilities are "fragrance free" facilities as strong fragrances can be very disturbing to those with disabilities. Meghan pointed out that the sports chairs are more expensive than regular wheelchairs. The foundation helps with equipment needs for their athletes. Robbie stated that at least five or six athletes have received college sports scholarships. In Arizona U of A is the only school with a wheel chair athletic program.
Jim Schmidt asked both Meghan and Robbie to sign books to be given to the Children's Hospital. He reminded Rotarians and guests that our October 24 meeting will be at 6:00 PM at the Mesa Hilton. At that meeting, the legacy project discussion will continue.