President Chris Krueger opened the meeting asking Immanuel Beeson to offer the invocation and Pam Cohen to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  In remembrance of 9/11, Ray Smith led those in attendance in singing My Country Tis of Thee.  Steve Ross was thanked for serving as official greeter for the meeting.
 
Guests
John Benedict introduced his wife, Jane, and Daughter, Julie.  He also introduced Colb Arbin, Executive Director of Friendship Village, Tempe.  Dr. Steve Ferrara was introduced.  Bert Millett introduced Ryan Ellis of the YMCA.  Immanuel Beeson introduced his wife, Holly, and daughter, McKenna.  Penny May, a regular visitor during our cooler months, was back, stating she has made a "note to self" to wait until October 1 to return to Arizona next year.
 
Drawings
Chuck Flint was the $5 winner when the token with his badge number was drawn.  Penny May won the $22 weekly drawing, but failed to win the initial $22 in the accumulating pot when she drew a club from the deck, but not the ace of clubs.  
 
Buck Board
Before circulating with the board, Chuck Flint took time to explain the Buck Board in light of so many visitors in the room.  To do good in the world, Rotary operates The Rotary Foundation.  Those who donate $1,000 or more are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows, honoring one of the original four individual founders of Rotary in Chicago in 1905.  The Buck Board has ten vertical columns and ten horizontal rows, making a total of 100 squares available to be sold at a price of $10 each.  Visitors must pay cash, but members can charge the cost of their square(s) to their membership account.  When all squares are sold, cards will be drawn to assign values to the columns and rows.  Those twenty cards will be shuffled and redrawn to eliminate columns and rows until only one square remains.  The holder of that square will have $1,000 donated in their name to The Rotary Foundation, and receive a receipt for that tax deductible donation.
 
Announcements
  • Allan Cady announced that we are weeks away from the Guaymas mission.  Funding of the Gift of Hearing Mission comes from "a 4-legged stool:  Mesa West Foundation, Mesa Baseline Foundation, volunteer participant contributions, and contributions from Mesa West Rotary Club and its members.  This year, Rotarians who contribute $100 or more will be entered in a drawing.  Four winners will each win one of three available purses or an afghan - all made and contributed by Son Hee Williamson.  Polly Cady was the first to contribute $100 in honor of Allan's recent birthday.
  • Brian Goetzenberger announced that we are kicking off our second annual sponsorship program, which produced $40,000 in contributions last year.  Updated brochures were distributed to members present for their use in approaching those who donated through them last year or new donors.  Letters will be sent to last year's donors.  We will have a team approach to the drive again this year.  Allan Cady mentioned that he and Polly had attended a Rotary meeting in Pt. Loma the prior week.  One of their members suggested that for those who are uncomfortable asking for money, that they pass on information about potential donors so that others in their club could make the "ask."  Brian and Allan both thought that was a good idea and encouraged members to provide potential donor information to them so they can approach the donor.
  • Bert Millett reminded members that remembered when he was involved in a project several years ago to build a park in Mesa.  He was energized by that project and has been involved with Mesa Parks since that time.  One fundraising project supporting parks he has been involved with is the Mesa Sprint Triathlon.  Volunteers are needed - Caiu is already scheduled to help.  (See a separate letter in this e-mail.)
Trivia
President Chris is starting a new practice to encourage members to read the weekly newsletter and monthly Rotarian magazine.  Steve Ross was the first winner, correctly answering that A.T.Still University is the location of a new Rotaract Club soon to be launched.  There was some debate about the accuracy of the Rotarian trivia question, but the correct answer to the number of countries where polio cases have been diagnosed this year is three.
 
Auction Item
Bob Zarling has recently returned from an extended vacation in Wisconsin.  He had a bag to auction containing a variety of unique-to-Wisconsin items (some perishable):  pecan kringle, Spotted Cow Beer, Cheese, Sausage, Wisconsin BBQ Sauce, Craisins (Wisconsin is the largest cranberry state in the nation), cheese-head socks, canned green beans from the green bean Green Bay packers.  Chuck Flint's bid of $40 made him the proud owner of the bag.
 
Happy Bucks
Polly Cady enjoyed celebrating Allan's birthday in Pt. Loma.  Jane Benedict was wished a happy birthday by all.  Dr. Steve Ferrara was happy to be at his first Rotary meeting.  Penny May's Alaskan Club hosted a delegation from Russia wanting to learn more about good business practices.  Immanuel Beeson says with the holidays approaching, his favorite time of year - Salvation Army Kettle Season - is coming.  He and his wife, Holly, met during kettle season.  He introduced Holly who shared that this year in mesa they will have a Kettle Kickoff Dinner on November 8.  They will have celebrity Bell Ringers, a silent auction, and will sell tables to raise fund to support the work they do.  In another Salvation Army post, Holly reported that their kick off dinner raised as much as the entire crew of bell ringers raised during the rest of the season.
 
Paul Harris Recognition
Chuck Flint invited Karen Chavez to be honored with recognition for her generosity to The Rotary Foundation as a Paul Harris Plus 2 donor.  In doing so, he reminded members that one of the focuses of The Rotary Foundation is education, and important focus because 10% of the world population is illiterate.
Pam Cohen introduced the representatives of Child Crisis Arizona to provide the program:
 
Jodi Stoken, with more than 16 years of fundraising experience, has lead the philanthropic efforts of Child Crisis Arizona since 2001. Jodi began her tenure with the organization as a volunteer in 1998 when she became a member of the Board of Directors. Her passion for the agency’s mission lead her to leave her career in the for-profit sector and join the Child Crisis Arizona team.  She has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).  In 2017, Jodi was awarded Fundraising Executive of the Year by AFP Greater Phoenix Chapter. As Chief Development Officer, Jodi directs and oversees the Child Crisis Arizona's philanthropic and marketing efforts and has a deep passion for connecting people to their philanthropy goals.  She serves Child Crisis Arizona as their Chief Development Officer.
 
Sue Gifford, has over 30 years of combined customer relations, real estate, and fundraising experience, serving communities in Michigan and Arizona.  She has an impressive history of successful fundraising experience prior to joining Child Crisis Arizona.  Sue is committed to make a difference to improve child welfare in Arizona. She is a participant of Scottsdale Leadership Class 33, is currently serving on the Board of Directors of ArtWins Arizona, the Greater Arizona Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), on the committee for the National Philanthropy Day luncheon.  Sue builds relationships with donors who are passionate about making a significant difference to support the mission and vision of Child Crisis Arizona. She serves as their Director of Major and Legacy Gifts.
 
In beginning her presentation, Jodi acknowledged the long connection of Mesa West Rotary to Child Crisis Arizona - especially the influence of Mesa West member, John Benedict.
 
A brief video helped establish the theme of intervention, prevention, and long term solutions to provide a legacy of love.  In 2017, Child Crisis Arizona provided 78,000 nights of safe sleep for children.  The other statistic shared, which is very concerning, is that in 2017, Mesa Arizona was number 1 as the fastest growing in childhood poverty.  Unfortunately, with poverty, abuse and family violence are, too often, associated problems.
 
Child Crisis Arizona has a model program of providing services that make a difference for families in crisis - especially the children:
Parent Classes & Workshops
Home Visitation Program
Emergency Children's Shelter
Foster Care and Adoption
Counseling
Early Education Services
 
John Benedict was honored by Jodi and Sue for his years of service with Child Crisis Arizona.  In 1988, he was already a legend.   He served on their board from 1984 to 2004, and on their foundation board.  One of his major contributions was the development of a long-range plan, the establishment of a thrift store, and the establishment of a program attracting endowments to their foundation.  John was supported in his volunteer service to Child Crisis Arizona by his wife, Jane and his daughter, Julie.  A feeling that kept him going was his memory of being struck with how starved the children in the shelters were for love and affection.  He was presented with a very special lifetime of service award.