Highlights of September 1 Meeting

 

 

Dan talked about the culture of giving that exists in Rotary.  Our dues support club administration.  The charitable efforts of Rotarians internationally are financed through The Rotary Foundation. All Rotarians are encouraged to be donors to The Rotary Foundation - Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY).  The charitable endeavors of Mesa West Rotary Club are financed through The Mesa West Rotary Foundation.  Each year for the past few years sponsorships have successfully been solicited from members and those within their circle of influence.  

 

In addition to financial giving, there are many other ways Rotarians give.  Dan said that when he first met Colleen ten years ago, he quickly saw that she was a very giving person in ways that did not involve writing checks.  He realized that is also true in the Rotary culture.  There are many ways to support what we do by using our time, our abilities, and our energy.  In many cases, through our contacts and connections, we can help refine and define a purpose,  connect resources, and take something from an idea to a reality.  All of this makes it possible for Rotarians to effect positive change.  When Dan and Colleen were in Kenya, the Rotaract Club there took them to a shanty village where they saw recycled plastic making a very real difference.  Rotary money really does go where we want it to go...

 

 

 

To celebrate International Hotel Employee Day, President Pam presented gift cards to the following Doubletree employees who work to make our meetings a pleasant experience every week:

 

 

 

Ron asked Gina Schroeder to draw the winning raffle ticket which was held by Dan Coons.  Dan automatically won the small pot which was $25.00.  He also won the right to attempt to draw the Ace of Clubs which, if successful, would make him the winner of $175.00.  His attempt to draw the Ace of Clubs was unsuccessful.  

 

Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson 

 

 

October is Polio Immunization Month.  This year, our District has initiated a campaign titled "Pints for Polio."

 

Clubs have been asked to make arrangements with a local establishment to partner with them to promote polio eradication.  Rotarians will be asked to take their turn sitting outside of the pub or taprooms selling Pints for Polio packages which will contain a glass, tee shirt and koozie.  Purchasers of the packages will then be entitled to purchase their first pint at the establishment at a discount.  Mesa West Rotary will be teaming up with 
 

Community Service Chair Dave Brauchler reminded members we have three service activities going on at this time.  

Ed Koeneman thanked members who remembered to bring old t-shirts to the last two meetings.  The Interact Club made 63 toys during their August 31 meeting, and will make more September 7.  He added that our own Greg Bouslog is Executive Director and the Y and Greg donated two bins of shirts which will be used to coordinate with Gilbert Rotary Club on a children's clothing drive.

 

 

Ed Koeneman introduced our speaker, Desiree Garcia who taught for eight years before joining the Read Better Be Better program.  Two years of her teaching experience were in Glendale, and six in Phoenix.

 

Desiree is a Development Coordinator for the Read Better Be Better Program.  The program pairs 3rd grade Readers with middle school Leaders in after school programs at Title I elementary schools.  College students earn community service hours by helping as coaches. Retired teachers also serve as volunteer coaches.

 

Arizona has a literary crisis.  If students don't read proficiently by 4th grade, they have a disadvantage in all of their academic work.  Standardized testing does not start until 3rd grade. Children from low income families are most affected.  This program is designed to provide an after school opportunity to provide a solution to that problem.

 

The program's curriculum is separate from the reading curriculum in the school environment.  It is a program that uses 24 books.  The readers and leaders read the books together.  The leaders ask questions that align with the standardized testing.  Participating 3rd graders have shown a 20% greater improvement than their nonparticipating classmates.  The leaders benefit by knowing they have the qualities to be an effective leader.

 

This fall, the launch date is September 13.The program will be active in 64 schools mostly in the west valley.  If all works according to plan, they will be in some Tempe schools in the spring of 2023.  The program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Each book has its own set of questions the readers and leaders discuss.

 

They are working to pilot a program for younger children in their primary year.

 

 

Mission - Connects young readers with youth leaders 

to inspire a love for literacy and learning.

Vision - A society in which all children master foundational

skills necessary for literacy and learning.

Values - Be excellent.  Be kind.

 

click here to learn more on their website