President Jim opened Mesa West Rotary's first official on-line meeting, reminding all in attendance that Rotary Connects the World - and this year with COVID-19 related shelter-in-place protections in place, Rotary is finding new ways to connect. In fact, it was the second highest meeting in attendance so far in 2020.Lola McClane was prepared with four patriotic quotes to share with those in attendance. The one she chose to emphasize was using some literary license, changing the word "country" to "neighbor." in the following: "Ask not what your neighbor can do for you, ask what you can do for your neighbor.
Wendell Jones offered the invocation, grateful for the availability of virtual connection and praying for relief from the pandemic.
Dan Coons introduced each of the Rotary Youth Exchange students who were in attendance, allowing them to share a bit of information with the members and guests attending the meeting.
- Colton Cagle returned early from his exchange - a precaution imposed by the district in the Netherlands to optimize the changes of preserving their visiting students' safety. Since arriving home, Colton has been working on his YE presentation and staying in touch with other students who returned home early.
- Paige Goetzenberger is still on her exchange in Austria. Prior to being confined, she had visited seven new countries including a trip to Ireland with her school. Obviously, the travel planned during the second half of her exchange has not gone as planned. She is enjoying having fun with her host families and very much enjoying her time there. It was noted that Greg Okonowski's virtual background was the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Hannah Mason, Westwood High School Interact President was also in attendance. She expressed appreciation for the opportunities that her involvement with Rotary has provided and was very happy to get to see so many of her Rotary friends.
Happy Bucks
- Pam Cohen announced that she became a grandmother on April 3 when her daughter Alex gave birth to Wilder Cohen Gray. She noted that Wilder was born on Alex' grandfather Cohen's birthday. To celebrate, she committed $100 for her Paul Harris.
- Dan Coons was happy to be able to attend Rotary with Colleen even though they were in separate locations.
- Wendell Jones committed to donate $10 as he was happy he did not have to put up with Ray Smith's driving on the way to the meeting.
- Allan and Polly Cady were both happy to be on the call and noted there were 39 participants on the call. They were very happy to see everyone's faces.
- Bob Zarling asked Colton if he had made it to Tilburg while he was in The Netherlands. Colton had not.
- Melodie Jackson said a bird had landed on their windowsill and watched her and Randy for quite a while. She said, "Now we're the animals in the zoo."
- Warren Williamson pledged $100 as he has already received his stimulus money.
- Bert Millett pledged $20 as he and Kelli recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
- Steve West pledged $100 to celebrate his birthday.
- Lucinda General reported that an interesting phenomenon is the numerous clubs are reporting higher levels of attendance with electronic meetings - evidence that we should keep on being innovative.
- Colleen Coons was happy to report that UPS is busy, busy, busy importing and exporting health care products.
- Donna Goetzenberger shared that she remembered sharing tears with Colton when he wanted to shelter in place, but that decision was taken away. About the time people were being told not to travel because the exposure risk was so high, Colton had to fly to Chicago and endure a 14-day quarantine.
- Chris Krueger noted that next year Paige Goetzenberger indicated she would be in Italy and Japan, and Emilee plans to travel to Belgium. Chris wondered if Bryan and Donna would consider adopting her.
- John Pennypacker asked Colton if he had visited a miniature city in The Netherlands. The answer was "No." He asked Paige if she had visited the fashion capital in Milan. She had not. John had received an e-mail from Rotary International about Paul Harris' birthday on Sunday, April 19. He promised to send it to Jeanie so she could share the message in the Messenger:
- On 19 April 1868, Rotary founder Paul Harris was born in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. You can mark the occasion by reading notes to Harris from his Rotarian friends.
- How else will you celebrate the 152nd anniversary of Paul Harris’ birth? Tell us by writing to annualfund@rotary.org. You could be featured in the next Paul Harris Society Resource. Subscribe to this quarterly newsletter if you aren’t already receiving it, and you’ll get updates on membership, read about what motivates our contributors, and more.
- Thank you for being a member of the Paul Harris Society. In these uncertain times, the world needs Rotary leaders like you more than ever. Your support allows us to fund critical projects near you and around the world.
Announcements
- Community food banks are in crisis. Chuck Flint has offered to pick-up and deliver food to be donated. Cash is best donation so it can be used to purchase what the food bank is actually short of and the sorting and storing labor is minimized. Either type of donation is very much appreciated. Greg Okonowski said the food bank he is associated with is the 7th Street Food Pantry - has all volunteer labor and their volunteer opportunities are posted on their website: https://www.7thstreetfoodpantry.com/
- Rotary International is involved with some collaborative educational efforts during the COVID-19 crisis to expand the number of certified nursing assistants and another shorter program to train individuals to assist health care by learning how to follow up with patients who have been released by contacting them by phone and asking specific questions.
- Chuck Flint announced that 27 members of Mesa West have not yet donated to The Rotary Foundation this year. On a positive note - 25 members are giving through Rotary Direct - the most efficient way to support TRF. Chuck has offered to match new donations of $100 through Rotary Direct with 300 of his Paul Harris points. Members who want to take him up on this offer need to let Jeanie know.
Presidential Humor
Jim told about a shifty Mexican bandit who would cross the border and rob banks in Texas and go back to Mexico. A Texas Ranger tracked him down in a Cantina in Mexico and held him at gunpoint and tried to question him. Unfortunately, the bandit spoke only Spanish and the Ranger could only speak English. As luck would have it, a bilingual attorney was at the bar and offered to interpret. When asked where the loot was hidden, the terrified bandit said it was buried under the oak tree behind the Cantina. The attorney turned to the Ranger and said, "He said 'Get lost turkey, you wouldn't dare shoot me.'"
Rotary Minute - Greg Bouslog
Because Greg is with the YMCA, he decided to look into history about Rotary and the YMCA working in partnership. He found that in 1924 in Akron Ohio, the YMCA started a camp for disabled children. Rotary partnered with them. In the beginning they primarily served children who had cerebral palsy or were crippled by polio. The partnership continues. Last summer they served 1,000 children and adults keeping participants entertained while learning life-long skills and values. He said that in Chicago the is a mural outside on a wall celebrating YMCA and Rotary whose missions are very similar.
Program
President Jim provided the program. He wanted to share some points he learned when he attended the district's President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in 2019. The presenter was Suzanne Peterson who had conducted a study on what a great leader should do. She said that Drivers are good at their jobs but are train wrecks with people. Those who value fellowship build great teams, but their results aren't great. The 10% who are most admired produce superior results, and people are fans of them. Colin Powell is a leader in this category. They are credible, competent, and have great character. This is demonstrated in the way they lead their family or small or large businesses. There are five common characteristics:
- They make promises and they keep those promises - whether small or large commitments.
- They are not above doing anything they ask of others. They will not ask anyone to do anything they are not willing to do themselves.
- They are deeply present in the moment. They don't allow interruptions. They make the person they are with feel like they are their total focus. They make a point of being accessible and are present when available.
- They treat "unimportant" people and places with same respect as "important" people.
- They find ways to save people - especially publicly. They make others feel safe, valued and respected.