Opening and Welcome - President Pam CohenThought for the Day - John Pennypacker
Recently I attended the Army Aviation Association of America Convention in Nashville where I was reunited with men with whom I flew in 1968 – some awesome warriors. The war stories were moving right along – lies, liquor and ladies – and we were having a grand time.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand with a very strong grip. As I turned to see who it was, initially all I saw was a very old man in a mobility scooter. He looked up at me and said “thank you for being our Maintenance Officer and test pilot. A million thoughts ran thru my brain. I did recognize his name as being one of my sergeants and it dawned on me what really happened all those years ago. I simply said, no, I thank you for teaching me how to do my job a little bit better. I knew I was doing a good job, but the sergeants and mechanics in my unit were the ones who unknowingly taught me how to do my job a little bit better.
I realize now that this thought process has permeated my life ever since whether I am mowing the lawn, folding laundry, making a salad, or serving Rotary. This just goes to show that if we listen to those on whose shoulders we stand, we might learn to do our jobs a little bit better – the origin of life’s lessons.
On another note, I noticed a large group of folks lining up to welcome an “Honor Flight” arriving in our nation’s capital. This is a beautiful thing and a great way to honor veterans. However, I would ask that you seek out a veteran in your family or among your many friends, but DO NOT thank them for their service. Give them a hug, that is what we need!
Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Polo Santiago
Rotary Minute - Jeanie Morgan
At our meetings, we hear about money frequently - happy bucks, auctions, projects, guest speakers, sponsor program, etc. Our dues, and - unless otherwise specified - our happy bucks and auctions are used to cover our meal costs and the administrative expenses of running our club. To simplify and help prioritize charitable requests, Jeanie shared the BIG FOUR ways we hope all Mesa West Rotary Club members will contribute as much as their budget will allow.
- The Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation. TRF is one of the world's most respected and well-run charities. Most of the good work that Rotary does in the world is funded with these funds. Some of it comes back to work close to home in District Grants and some Global Grants. The goal is that Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) will give at least $100 each year to the Annual Fund.
- Polio Plus - To help us keep our promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio from our planet, we need to give to this fund. Each dollar donated is matched two for one by the Gates Foundation. Jeanie grew up when polio was epidemic in our country. She remembers classmates coming back from extended absences with paralyzed limbs. She remembers one little girl who lost her life to polio. She hopes she will live long enough to see eradication become a reality.
- Mesa West Rotary Foundation - this is our own club's charitable foundation through which we fund our charitable activities. CLICK HERE to read a report about our foundation published last fall in the Messenger. For the last several years Mesa West has held successful sponsorship campaigns to raise funds for our charitable fund rather than invest time and money conducting fundraising events. The goal is for every member to donate and/or solicit donations from their circle of influence.
- The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona - TRVFA provides grants for vocational education to Arizona residents who are at or below 150% of the poverty level. The grants enable the beneficiaries to lift themselves out of poverty through higher earning capacity. Because TRVFA is a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) donations can offset personal state income tax liability dollar for dollar up to defined limits. Statewide, Mesa West is the highest giving club to this organization. We have the capacity to do better than we are currently doing since not 100% of of members have given yet this Rotary Year.
Links and information about how to support all four of the BIG FOUR near the bottom of every Messenger as well as near the bottom of the home page of the Mesa West Rotary website: mesawestrotary.org.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck briefly explained how the raffle works. He said the weekly pot would be $30 and the big pot is up to $475. He approached Joan and Erwin Reimann to see if one of them would be willing to draw the winning ticket. Erwin accepted that responsibility. After Chuck read the number of the ticket drawn a couple of times and no one claimed it, he checked his own ticket. Erwin had drawn Chuck's ticket number. Chuck asked Erwin to shuffle the cards and try to draw the Ace of Clubs for him. Unfortunately for Chuck, the card Erwin drew was the Seven of Diamonds.
Introduction of Guests
President Pam briefly introduced Merry Caswell and Dawn Reinholdt who would be presenting the program later. She also pointed out that Jim Erickson, Jack Rosenberg and Melodie Jackson were attending the meeting via Zoom. Debbie Koeneman rarely can attend our in-person meetings. Pam asked Debbie to tell members about the new chicken mansion on their property. Debbie said the chickens are gradually adapting to their new living environment. It is a secure environment equipped with WIFI, fans, misters, and individual water sources for the residents. Ed built it from scratch.
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson
- Joan Reimann contributed $100 for Polio Plus. They will soon be leaving for South Dakota. They plan to return to Arizona in October - date to be determined. Once back in South Dakota, they will be moving into their new surroundings in an extended living villa which has facilities for everything. They will be busy getting their new home in order.
- Debbie Koeneman donated $20. She was happy to have finished a work project, which allowed her the time available to attend our meeting in person. She was also happy to be enjoying all the family birthdays and other celebrations Ed had announced the week before.
- John Pennypacker enjoyed being in Virginia on Sunday to celebrate his daughter's birthday with her. While he was there, his seven-year-old grandson asked John if he would like to read a story he had written. After John said "Yes!" the boy asked if he preferred fiction or non-fiction.
- Warren Williamson contributed enough to share a story. He said John's thought for the day had triggered his memory about a story he'd heard abut John when John was much younger. When he was a young man John had a part-time job stocking shelves in a grocery store. He would get off work about 11:00 PM and walk home. Between the store and John's home was a large cemetery. One night when it was cool and damp from recent rain, John decided to save time by walking through the cemetery rather than walk around it. It was dark and gloomy. John failed to see where a grave had been opened for a service the following day. John slipped in the mud and fell into the open grave. Because of the slickness of the mud, the sides of the grave were unstable. John's attempts to climb out were unsuccessful. He finally decided to huddle there as best he could and wait for help in the morning. After a while someone else made the same mistake and fell into the grave. For several minutes, they tried unsuccessfully to climb out. John finally spoke up and said, "You're not going to be able to get out of her on your own power" but he did! He was motivated!
- Ed Koeneman was glad Debbie was happy with her new chicken coop. Because of the date he couldn't resist saying, "May the 4th be with you!" He shared that it is now only 960 days until the release of the next Star Wars movie.
- Erwin Reimann said Warren's tale reminded him of a friend in South Dakota who was a mortician. The friend had one time shared his most embarrassing moment from his career. He was helping with a graveside service on a rainy day and as they were lowering the coffin into the grave, he fell in.
- Chuck Flint donated his raffle winnings. He said he had sponsored a former youth exchange student from Ukraine to four years at ASU. The young man now owns a successful window-washing business in Washington. A young lady who he sponsored through GCU will soon graduate and be married the next day.
- Pam Cohen told of recently being in a doctor's office. While waiting to see the doctor, she was reading one o their magazines. On the inside back cover of the magazine, she found a "together we Learn" Rotary ad. Pam shared some news about missing members. Ray Smith and Vickie were getting ready to leave for Alpine when Vickie fell and broke her ankle in two places. Tim Troy loaned a saddle to be used in the decor of the hospitality suite Mesa West would be hosting at the District Conference on Friday evening. Tim gave Pam a sponsor program check for Ron's team. After hearing about Wendell Jones' recent ALS diagnosis and his being hit by a car while riding his bike, Pam went to visit him. Wendell was doing well. He is walking with a cane. His wife, Sandra, has been having difficult back issues and been in and out of the hospital recently. Prayers would be appreciated. Pam added that her best friend's husband has Alzheimer's disease and recently underwent surgery for throat cancer. The surgeon was unable to get it all.
Announcements
- Dave Brauchler reminded members that Mesa West Rotary was sponsoring a blood drive at the YMCA Thursday, May 11 from 9:00 AM. to 2:00 PM. He is trying to fill the rest of the slots. He reminded members there is a critical shortage of blood supplies. Dave said he, personally, has donated 20 pints - and was glad to share donors get treats at the end. If anyone did not sign up when it was open to only our members, he would be glad to help them get signed up.
- Pam announced that we would have a real treat at the May 11 meeting at the YMCA near Recker and Baseline. Members who contact her to make their reservation will enjoy a boxed lunch from Kneader's. While we are there, our member Greg Bouslog will be hosting a tour of the YMCA.
- Pam reminded members that they can still make plans to attend the hospitality night on Friday night at the District Conference Conference activities would start with an informal dinner at the Cornish Pasty Thursday May 4 and wrap up with a group attending the Diamondbacks game Sunday afternoon.
- Ed Koeneman reminded members to share pictures of ourselves taken in 1973 as well as photos of ourselves during significant Rotary moments - as Club President, District Governor, at a favorite Rotary event, etc.. He is preparing a slide show for our 50th Anniversary Gala to be held June 29. You can email your photos to Ed or you can bring them to a meeting and he will scan them and get them back to you.
- Ed Also announced that Interactis collecting mobility devices including walkers, crutches, canes and wheelchairs. If anyone has equipment to donate he will be glad to pick it up and get it to storage for the Crutches 4 Africa/Mexico missions.
- Pam confessed she again forgot to introduce Dan Coons as a guest. He is a former member, Past President for two years and is our current Assistant Governor. She felt really bad...
The Rotary Foundation Recognition - John Pennypacker
Each level of Paul Harris recognition represents $1,000 in giving.
- Colleen Coons received her Paul Harris Plus One recognition pin.
- Warren Williamson received his Paul Harris Plus Seven recognition pin.
Program - Joy Filled Living - Merry Caswell and Dawn Reinholdt
Jay Stuckey introduced the program which would be presented by Merry Caswell and Dawn Reinholdt.
Merry spoke first and talked about how her passion for senior care began when she was involved in care for her grandmother who had Alzheimer's. For three years, she looked after them because the cost of memory care was cost prohibitive. Unless you have wealth, options are very limited. Far too many seniors affected by deteriorating health, cognition decline, or both stay in their own homes - often alone - much longer than is wise.
As her awareness and understanding of the challenges grew, she decided to join forces wit a friend. They co-founded Joy Filled Living Ministry. It is not affiliated with a church. It is their personal ministry. They are both in real estate. To fund their ministry, 1/3 of their commission for sales listings is donated to their 501(c)(3).
Their long term goals are to purchase and renovate residences that will be safe for small goups of seniors to live as independently as possible in a safe environment where their nutritional needs are met and they can feel safe.. Where most facilities are very high priced and profit-driven, they do not accept Arizona Long Term Care patients. Joy Filled Living residences will not be driven by profit, they will be driven by compassion and will accept ALTC patients. It will take a while before they can reach their goal. They want to enable individuals to have a safe, forever, home.
While they are working toward that goal, in the meantime, they are doing things to enhance living for seniors. They arrange for a licensed hairdresser to provide cuts and styles. They provide goodie bags. They do it for everyone, not leaving anyone out. They also provide activities/entertainment. They can use more volunteers to help them enhance the lives of seniors. Good story-tellers are welcome, especially those who can tell jokes.
Dawn was a nurse for over 30 years. She is inspired by the desire to improve quality of life, meeting seniors where they are and helping them navigate their journey.
Dawn shared a story about a private duty nursing client who was very ill. She called 911 and he was taken to ER. He needed to be admitted, but they did not have a bid for him. They finally found a bed for him at a different hospital. This bed shortage was due to a shortage of nurses. Many nurses have left hospitals for the bigger money of being a travelling nurse. Post COVID, many nurses took early retirement causing hospitals to be short of help. Some small hospitals are closing as they cannot afford the high cost of travelling nurses.
They want to be part of the solution providing a different option and providing a joyful environment.