Opening and Welcome - President Jay Paulus
John Bunyard offered the invocation and Eric Silverberg led the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Jay asked John Pennypacker to introduce a special guest on Zoom
John introduced Marilyn Mercer who was attending the meeting via Zoom. She is a member of the Rotary E Club of Greater Sydney in Australia. It was 6:00 AM Friday in her part of the world. She had recently asked John to participate in one of her club's meetings via Zoom. They kept asking him questions. He thought they just wanted to hear how we speak English. Marilyn said her background is a beach area which is next to a golf course. She said it was summer there and the temperature forecast was 95ยบ Fahrenheit on Friday. She plans to attend the RI convention in Calgary this summer.
Introduction of Guests
- Shelly Romine is still a member - her dues are paid through March. They have arrived in Washington. She hadn't visited a club there yet, as she was under the weather when they first arrived. She was feeling better and hoped to attend a local club within the next week.
- Glen Richardson was in attendance from Calgary. He was promoting some Home Hospitality opportunities available to enable Rotarians attending the International Convention to enjoy some of what the area has to offer including the Calgary Stampede which will take place July 3. He spoke of a train ride that many love because they get to enjoy the pristine beauty of the heartland. He spoke briefly about the '96 "Best Convention Ever" Calgary. and encouraged members to take an enjoyable 1500 mile drive to enjoy the 2025 Calgary RI Convention. CLICK HERE to see the flyer Glen had placed on the tables at the meeting.
- Ed Koeneman introduced Jim Bannon
- Allan Cady introduced our former member Greg Okonowski who is now a member of the Queen Creek Rotary Club. Greg was known as a big eater when he was in Mesa West. It's a good idea not to follow him in the buffet line. There might not be much left.
- Blaise Vitale introduced himself. He is a Rotarian from Grantsburg, Wisconsin who came to Arizona to get away from the snow.
- Rotarian Wayne Barefoot was again visiting from Pennsylvania. They will remain part-year residents as they don't think they could stand the summer heat. He introduced his guest - his brother - who is from Bloomfield, Ontario Canada. Wayne is pretty sure Jim will be a member of their Rotary Club soon.
- Brenda and David Brandhorst were visiting from the Queen Creek Rotary Club.
- Connie Bunyard introduced our speaker, Susan Wahlers, saying they've been friends for many years.
President Jay's MVP for February
President Jay asked members to stand while Jeanie Morgan was recognized. Her certificate which said, in part, "As our Executive Secretary, Cub Social Media Expert and the Heart of the Club, Jeanie has united members and brought us closer together, fostering a sense of community, camaraderie and pride." Jay kept calling Jeanie a young lady. Jeanie corrected him on that point. At 82, that description doesn't pass the "Is it the truth?" test.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that the proceeds of ticket sales are split three ways. A third goes to the club operating account. Another third is the small pot which goes to the person whose ticket is drawn. The small pot was $40 at this meeting. The final third gets added to the accumulating large pot, which was up to $780. To win the large pot, the weekly winner would have to draw the Ace of Clubs (which we believe we are) from the cards remaining in the deck. The other way the weekly winner might possibly win a little more, would be to draw the joker, in which case they would get an additional $20. When the large pot is over $500, only members of Mesa West Rotary can participate. Chuck added to Allan Cady's allegation about visitor Greg Okonowski being a big eater. He said that Greg might possibly need a building permit to go through the buffet line. Chuck said that anyone going to Calgary for the Convention should treat themselves to some enjoyable dining pleasure at the Salt Lick.
Chuck asked Glen Richardson to draw the winning ticket. It was held by Warren Williamson. After Warren shuffled the cards, the card he drew was the Seven of Spades.
Happy Bucks
- John Pennypacker was happy that 56 years ago, he exchanged "I do's" with Betsy. He rounded that number up to $60 to contribute to this year's sponsor campaign.
- Deb Koeneman pledged $100 to the sponsor program. They have a new daughter-in-law and a new grandson.
- Glen Richardson hopes to see many in the room again in Calgary.
- Blaise Vitale contributed.
- Eric Silverberg contributed celebrating a great hockey game.
- Allan Cady said the idea for our sponsor club came from Past President John Eagleston. He felt like raising money from personal donations, and asking for donations from each of our circles of influence would take much less personal time for members than would have to be invested to raise a similar amount of money at a public event. Since implementing his idea, we've averaged about $50,000 each year. One year, we raised $60,000. It gives each of us a chance to share why we are members of Rotary. It can be surprising who will want to support what they see you personally supporting with your time and energy. Donations have come from clients, dry-cleaners, family-members. A lot of us have most of our needs well met. When someone asks what we want for a special occasion, just think what might happen if you said. "I don't need anything, but I would be truly honored if you would give what you would have spent on a gift to my club's charitable foundation to support the things we do that I truly believe in." Allan said one year he was impressed that 80% of our members either made a donation or were able to bring in a contribution.
- Polly Cady was happy to have so many visitors at the meeting - and was glad Shelly and Marilyn from Australia were both attending on Zoom. Polly added that a "new member orientation" meeting is being planned for Saturday, May 17 from 8:30 to Noon at Pam Cohen's home.
- Penny May said it was good to be at the meeting. She'd had a cold, but is well now and glad to be among her Rotary friends.
- Wayne Barefoot was glad his brother came for three weeks. Wayne's wife has been in Toronto taking care of her terminally ill sister. She did get down here for a visit but had to get back to Canada. He said he was happy he got to spend time with her but shredded the "to do" list after she left.
- Brian Harvey shared something that would make you cry. He said every two minutes a young boy or girl is before a judge because they were born into the wrong family. People like Rotarians are needed to raise them.
- Jack Rosenberg said his granddaughter Danielle gave birth to a baby boy on the 19th of February making Jack a Grand Poppy and Frank a Poppy.
- Dick Myren shared that he and Rod Daniels participated in a Rotary Golf Fellowship event in Calgary. He told about seeing bear where the desserts were.
- Harry Grossman said he was decluttering his condo. He had something that he would sell for $1 if nobody wanted it he would take it to Goodwill or next door to Bookman's.
- President Jay said he'd been notified that he only had two weeks to get the disc ready to be sent to the moon later this year.
- Warren Williamson shared that Bill Eaton who was a PDG and member of the Mesa Baseline Rotary Club rode bulls at the Calgary Stampede when he was younger. He also shared a story about something overheard in a Catholic confessional. A male voice was heard telling about meeting a beautiful young lady in a lounge when he was travelling. He said he bought her a drink, and she invited him to her room where he said he had to most exciting time of his life. The priest asked when was the last time he'd been to confession. The person in the confessional said "Never, I'm not Catholic." The priest asked, "Why are you telling me this?" The answer - "I'm telling everyone!"
Announcements- Brenda Broadhorst invited members to participate in the Queen Creek Rotary Club's 3rd annual Walk/Run for Resilience to raise funds and awareness of the mental health issues facing young people. They started holding the event when they were a Satellite Club. The gold is o help eliminate teen suicide, support foster care, and a school - Canon State Academy, and Hope Mental Health Facility. The event will be held April 26 CLICK HERE to go to their registration site.
- Gary Whiting is working on the Adopt-a-Family help Mesa West will be providing to some individuals directly impacted by the California fires.
- March 21 is Rotary Day at the Park - the Cubs Spring Training baseball game. Our block of tickets has been sold. We have a waiting list. Reply to the Messenger if you want to be added to the list.
- March 27 will be the final event of Ignite Innovation. 30 candidates will be reduced down to the final five. Put the event on your calendar. CLICK HERE to see an article about the event recently published by the Mesa Tribune. The ages of the entrepreneurs making their pitches will be under 30.
- In April we will be looking for a joint project for Mesa West Members to join with other local Rotarians for a Rotary Week of Service Project. More information to come on this.
Program - Susan Wahlers - Care Makers
Connie Bunyard introduced her friend of many years, Susan Wahlers. Susan recently helped Connie and John navigate the process of transitioning John's mother into a care facility. She said Susan has a wonderful family.
Susan thanked the club for lunch. She told about her journey. Her husband was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. What she learned was that we have a very broken system of care. It was a very difficult six-year journey. They had teen-age daughters at the time. The frustrations they experienced has ignited in a desire to help, they have worked on attempting to provide what someone needs to know before they need to know it.
Their organization provides support group help. It is faith-based, but open to anyone. Susan has become a "hopeologist". In the support group, participants are urged to share real things that are going on. Their office is located in Chandler near Gilbert and Germann.
The have a sanctuary for Caregivers - a place to rest and have quiet time. They have a grant to provide respite care for their loved one so they can take advantage of the sanctuary and support group opportunities..
In the support groups they try to help participants understand the role of caregiver. It can be a very long season of life. They talk about the emotional and spiritual aspects of caregiving.
CLICK HERE or on the image to go to their website - makersofcare.com.
John Bunyard said he never thought of himself as caregiver. Caregivers can get PTSD. He is very glad for Susan's help. She helped equip them with questions they needed to ask, provided them with knowledge tools to make the best decision.
Susan is an injustice fighter. It's important to be equipped with the right questions - questions that are specific to your patient. "Never assume. Always ask." Education is key to good communication.
Gabby commented on the sandwich generation - individuals with children still in the home, and parents needing care. Susan said that by 2032, there will be more seniors in our nation than younger generations.
It was a thought-provoking program, and members lingered after the meeting to talk more about the subject.
