https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85900479873
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210 United States of America
Our hybrid meetings are held weekly on the 1st thru 4th Thursdays of each month. The meetings are broadcast via Zoom to include all, whether attending virtually or in person.
CLICK HEREor on the invitation above to register to attend.
Whether you’re brand new to Rotary or have been part of the Mesa West family for years, The Mesa West Experience is your invitation to reconnect, recharge, and celebrate what makes our club so special.
This fun, casual gathering is part orientation, part storytelling session, and part social — designed to give everyone a fresh look at the heart, history, and culture of Mesa West.
Come meet the people behind the projects, hear inspiring stories that define who we are, and rediscover the spirit of service and friendship that makes Mesa West one of a kind.
New members will get a deeper glimpse into the Rotary experience, while longtime members can reflect, share, and connect in new ways.
It’s all about the people, the passion, and the purpose that drive us forward — and we can’t wait to see you there!
Sammy Rosenberg (top left in the above photo taken in Guaymas during the hearing project last fall) is graduating from high school. Her grandfather-Jack, father-Frank, and mother-Amanda Rosenberg are members of Mesa West. Sammy and Frank are both former Rotary Youth Exchange Students.
Friday, May 23, at 6:00 p.m., Frank and Amanda are inviting Sammy's Mesa West Rotary family to attend Sammy's high school graduation celebration at their home.
Friday, May 30 at 6:00 P.M., Tempe South Rotary Club has invited Mesa West Members to attend the dedication of the placard being placed in the Rose Garden at MCC acknowledging the renovations made possible by a District Grant this year. Following the dedication, participants will walk across Southern to Los Sombreros Mexican Restaurant to enjoy some Mexican food and social time.
In order for the Restaurant to reserve plenty of space and have sufficient food available, please respond by May 25 if you plan to attend. CLICK HERE or on the image of the placard to register to attend.
Polly thanked Mike Lutcher for serving as greeter, welcoming members and guests as they arrived for the meeting. Connie Bunyard led the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Myren offered the invocation.
District Conference Highlight
Colleen Coons wanted the members to know that Jeanie Morgan had been named Rotarian of the Year at the final dinner of the Conference of Clubs Saturday, May 3. The bell, which is a traveling trophy will be in Jeanie's possession until next year when someone else will receive this recognition. The signatures which are on the base of the bell are those of the Rotary International Board of Directors during the 100-year anniversary of Rotary in 2004-05. There are brass plates with lists of names of Leaders of the 2nd Century for both Districts 5490 and 5510. Since those districts merged into District 5495, names have been added to a newer brass plate. It is interesting to note that engraved on the brass plates are the names of other Mesa West Rotary Club Members: Chuck Flint, Rod Daniels, Lucinda General, Donna Goetzenberger, and Colleen Coons. Also listed is our Assistant Governor, Dan Coons.
Introduction of Guests
Frank Rosenberg introduced his daughter and former Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Sammy Rosenberg. He said Sammy had been released from school early and begged, "please, please, take me to Rotary with you."
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that there were only 26 cards remaining in the deck, and that the small, weekly pot was $40 and the large, accumulating pot was up to $1,125. He asked District Governor Elect Jim Schmidt to draw the winning ticket, which was held by Mike Lutcher. After shuffling the cards, Mike drew the five of diamonds. He was glad to know he hadn't alienated his Mesa West friends by drawing the Ace of Clubs and winning the large pot. On May 15 there will be only 25 cards and a larger big pot.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
Jack Rosenberg pledged $100 to the sponsor program to celebrate Sammy Rosenberg's graduation from high school.
Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for he and Rod Daniels being in the Ace of Clubs. He also contributed an additional $3. His son had undergone cancer surgery. and was on the mend.
Harry Grossman was happy to learn RLI is scheduled to be held in Anthem on May 31, which will be a much shorter drive for him than where it was originally scheduled.
John Pennypacker was happy to report he had attended two excellent breakout sessions at the Conference of Clubs. One was an exceptional Toastmasters presentation led by Chad Reid. The other was a very professional CPR Training Session led by Frank Rosenberg.
Deb Koeneman contributed. She was happy about her recent trip to meet her new grandson and daughter-in-law, and her weekend at the District Conference.
Pam Cohen was sorry to have missed the May 1 meeting. She had a painful time getting a tooth extracted and a bone graft. She did get to babysit her grandson which lifted her spirits.
Ron Thompson was happy to be back at our meeting. He's been enjoying the freedom of retirement.
Frank Rosenberg was proud that Sammy would be graduating from high school in thirteen days. He and Amanda will be hosting a party celebrating her graduation on Friday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. He invited their Mesa West Family to join in the celebration.
Colleen Coons was happy to have received a check from the Mesa West Rotary Foundation to reimburse her for the stipends due to our McKinney Vento students for their outstanding effort during the prior month. The program is working, and all the mentors are very much appreciated.
Chuck Flint contributed celebrating that 80 years ago, Victory in Europe was achieved.
John Bunyard contributed advising members to avoid food poisoning at all costs. He also announced that he is working with Sean, a high-functioning autistic young man.
Connie Bunyard pledged $100 toward her fundraising team.
Colleen Coons also pledged $100 toward her fundraising team.
Speaker Ben contributed saying he grew up hearing about Rotary at the American Legion.
Speaker Michael contributed. He said he is thankful and appreciates what Rotary does for young people. He heard about Crutches 4 Africa when he was at Hamilton. He has seen lives changed through Rotary Malaria Prevention.
Ed Koeneman contributed. He had met the speakers in the parking lot and got their help getting Jeanie's heavy bell into the building. At the conference, when he learned that Danny White was a former Westwood High School Interact Club President, since Ed was working with the tech support at the conference, Ed was able to project that information on one of the slides. Amyla will be Westwood HS Interact Club President for a second term. Anise Carroll Covarubias will be Vice President. She served as Interact District Governor this past year. Ed was very appreciative of the wonderfully informative, nearly 2-hour tour Mike Lutcher provided for the Interact Club at the Mesa Salvation Army facility. Ed announced it was only 379 days until the scheduled release of the next Star Wars movie.
Kayla Mudge pledged $100 for her sponsorship team saying she enjoyed the awesome conference. She said the Interact kids she was working with who will be Ambassadors to Kenya and Mexico were great and they got a lot of support from Rotarians. She was very complimentary of Frank Rosenberg's CPR breakout, saying it was humorous.
Warren Williamson told a dad joke. A moth went to a pediatrist's office. The moth was depressed because his buddy had flown into a flame and died. The pediatrist asked why the moth had come to their office. The moth answered, "Your light was on."
Announcement
Polly announced that the Orientation scheduled for May 17 at Pam Cohen's home has been renamed The Mesa West Experience. While it would serve as a good orientation for new members, it is also a place where long-time members can brainstorm and expand their knowledge of the club and how it operates as well as share ideas about what they might like to see going forward.
District Governor Michelle Holcomb did a great job of promoting the Rotary license plate that is now available when she made her official visit to our club September 26. Mesa West Rotary members often lead the way. We want to encourage our members to get their plates purchased so we can be known for having the highest percentage of members displaying the Rotary license plate on their car(s). To that end, we have two incentives to offer:
The first Mesa West Rotary Club member who can honestly tell a story about how they met someone who showed interest in Rotary because of their plate AND that conversation resulted in an approved membership application into Mesa West Rotary or any other Rotary District 5495 club will get one free quarter of their Mesa West Rotary Club dues.
CLICK HERE or on Michelle's photo to go to the order form on the MVD website, scroll down alphabetically and get yours ordered.
As most of you know, Arizona has a very unique state tax credit program. If you pay taxes to the state of Arizona, you can specify where your tax dollars go (state taxes only). These instructions are for your reference only. Please consult a tax prep professional with any specific questions about state tax credits.
There are many different nonprofit organizations that AZ recognizes as authorized recipients of these tax funds. Mesa West sponsors the Interact Club at Westwood High School, and they are a qualified recipient of these tax credit funds in the Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) category. Here's how you can donate up to $200 as an individual or $400 as a couple filing jointly and deduct that amount from your state tax burden.
If you have children currently enrolled in Mesa Public Schools, you can use your existing login information. Otherwise, it's easy to setup a guest account.
Once you are logged in, select 'Items At All Schools'under the 'Shop/Donate' list on the Home page.
On the next page select 'High Schools', then select 'Westwood High'
Select the link for 'ECA Tax Credit', and then 'Programs G-K' on the following page.
Interact - ECA is under code 8646. Enter a dollar amount in the box, and click the Add button. That dollar amount should then appear in your cart (highlighted in green at the top of the page).
You can then proceed to the Checkout process and pay with a credit card. You will receive a receipt that you can print out and save for when you do your taxes.
Thank you for supporting Westwood Interact and all of our youth programs.
As Rotarians, we are regularly exposed to opportunities to support various causes with our time, talent and treasure. Sometimes it is hard to sift through all the information and decide where we are going to use our available financial resources.
It would be wonderful if every Arizona Rotarian would make the following BIG FOUR their Rotary charities of choice and support every one of them every year, we could make a bigger difference than we are making today.
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Annual Fund - The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world." Giving a small amount each month adds up. CLICK HERE to download a form you can use to sign up for Rotary Direct, electing "Annual Fund - Share" for your recurring donation.
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Polio Plus - Rotary's commitment to eradicate polio is so well known and respected that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations $2 for $1. To take advantage of this opportunity to multiply the effect of your giving, CLICK HERE and download a second Rotary Direct form, this time electing electing "Polio Eradication" for your recurring donations. Those who donate $100 or more annually to Polio Plus qualify in District 5495 as Polio Plus Society Members. If you would like to make that commitment, CLICK HERE to download the commitment form.
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) provides vocational education grants to Arizona Residents who meet specific low-income guidelines. The grants enable the recipients to lift themselves out of poverty, benefitting themselves, their families and the economy of our state. TRVFA is a 501(c)(3) charity. They also are a Qualifying Charitable Organization for Arizona Tax Credit Donations. Their QCO Code is 20698. Many Arizona Rotarians say giving to TRVFA is a "no brainer." If you can help someone lift themselves out of poverty and it won't end up costing you anything why would you not do it? Mesa West Rotary has the highest number of members who have signed up for automated monthly recurring donations by electing that option on the "Donate Now" button on the TRVFA website. Click the image to learn more or CLICK HERE to DONATE NOW.
Mesa West Rotary Foundation, Inc. is the funding and fundraising arm of our own Mesa West Rotary Club. It is a 501(c)(3) charity. We have had successful sponsorship campaigns the last few years enabling us to spend our energy on service rather than on holding fundraising events. Charitable grants that we get involved with are funded through our charitable foundation, Our signature Gift of Hearing Project in Guaymas Mexico is funded through this foundation. Scholarships are awarded annually to Westwood High School Students (the high school where Mesa West Rotary sponsors an Interact Club). Funds are used to support a variety of activities in four of the Rotary Avenues of Service:
Community Service
International Service
Vocational Service
Youth Service
The process isn't quite automated at this point in time, but we hope it soon will be. For now, you can email our executive secretary who can help you work out a recurring donation plan should you wish to make that arrangement to support our own club's charitable activity.
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As most of you know, Arizona has a very unique state tax credit program. If you pay taxes to the state of Arizona, you can specify where your tax dollars go (state taxes only). These instructions are for your reference only. Please consult a tax prep professional with any specific questions about state tax credits.
Mesa West Rotary Foundation, Inc. is the funding and fundraising arm of our own Mesa West Rotary Club. It is a 501(c)(3) charity. We have had successful sponsorship campaigns the last few years enabling us to spend our energy on service rather than on holding fundraising events. Charitable grants that we get involved with are funded through our charitable foundation, Our signature Gift of Hearing Project in Guaymas Mexico is funded through this foundation. Scholarships are awarded annually to Westwood High School Students (the high school where Mesa West Rotary sponsors an Interact Club). Funds are used to support a variety of activities in four of the Rotary Avenues of Service: