banner
Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mesa, AZ
United States of America
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
Stories
You are invited!  See the fruits of Mesa West labor
Don LaBarge would like to invite you to see the finished project this Friday 3/26 at Noon.
 
A hearty group of volunteers with a most awesome leader - Don LaBarge - spent last weekend removing floor tile, cleaning, and painting in preparation for new flooring for the 7th Street Food Pantry.  This was also accomplished with generous donations and a district matching grant.  Anyone who would like to see the completed project is welcome to come by and take a look.  This is one of the many great things Rotarians can do when we work together.
 
The 7th Street Food Pantry is located at:
4223 S. 7th Street, Phoenix AZ 85040
Friday 3/26 at Noon
 
Shown in the photo l-r are Pam Cohen, Don LaBarge, Kayla Mudge (a recent meeting guest and friend of Allan and Polly Cady), and Carla Krcmarik, our most recently inducted member.
Highlights of March 18 Zoom Meeting
President Dan opened the Zoom meeting platform at 11:15 enabling members and guests who arrived early to enjoy casual conversation before the meeting started.  
 
Somehow, the conversation turned to favorite breakfast foods and even though Lu General was not present, we learned that she just really does not like breakfast foods.  Jeanie hasn't eaten oatmeal on purpose since a boisterous great uncle demanded she eat every bite when she was staying at her grandmother's house when she was only three.  She does however, like oatmeal in cookies.  Many were raised by mothers who said that breakfast was the most important meal of the day.  
 
Favorite breakfast cereals brought new information to most about Pam Cohen.  At one time, she worked in a Kellogg's plant in Omaha, Nebraska.  Working one-ounce boxes which had to be packed into larger containers, she was supposed to pick up 15 boxes in a row, squeezing them together so they stayed in a line.  Too much pressure and they would burst out of her hands.  Too little pressure, they would fall.  The conveyor kept moving.  She said she felt like she was in the I Love Lucy episode when Ethyl and Lucy were working at a conveyor belt.  As Pam became more adept and the conveyor belt assignment more boring, she entertained herself by waxing poetic:
 
Snap, crackle, pop.  What was that?
I heard this noise 
on the stool where I sat.
 
It’s Rice Krispies someone said,
What’s wrong with your head?
Everyone knows that!
 
President Dan said he was a hod carrier for three of the longest weeks of his life.  Pam told everyone that Chuck had been a roofer, where he learned that wet wood is much heavier than dry wood.
 
Allan Cady said he would pay a fine later for repeating a St. Patrick's Day toast a day late:
 
There are good ships
And wood ships
And ships that sale the sea.
The best ships are friendships.
May they always be.
 
Allan had received the toast in a text from a really good friend and Rotarian in Yuma - Mark Hansburger.  
 
Bob Zarling was in Wisconsin and said the toast Allan shared is familiar enough in that part of the country that one of the boats in the marina is named Friendship.  If it's owners are on the boat when it is in the marina, they have an "open aft deck."
 
This conversation reminded someone that in the old days, sailing ships would lose sails in stormy weather, inspiring the saying about drunken sailers - "They are three sheets to the wind!"
 
Lola McClane's little dog could make some big noise.  When asked, Lola said her dog was a dachshund, someone else added "half-a-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long.
 
Ron Thompson has a new home, which is pretty much done.  They have now started a swimming pool.  Don said he needed a little more stress in his life.  He wasn't happy being done.
 
Steve Ross won't be playing golf for a bit.  He was scheduled for wrist and hand surgery Friday, March 19.  Luin Ross told him that he's had to have so many parts replaced or repaired in recent years, she wonders when he will be recalled.
 
John Pennypacker's Zoom background was a helicopter.  It was like one of the ones he flew when he was in the Army.  He said it was the easiest aircraft he ever flew, and lots of fun.
 
Pam said her grandson Wilder's first birthday would be April 3.  The theme of the birthday party is "Where the Wild Things Are."
 
It was noted that the new IRS tax deadline is May 17.
 
Call the meeting to order - President Dan Coons
After introducing himself, President Dan recited the 2020-21 Rotary International President's theme - Rotary Opens Opportunities.  He then recited the Rotary Vision Statement:
 
Together we see a world where people unite and 
take action to create lasting change - 
across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
 
President Dan then asked PDG John Pennypacker to recite The Four-Way Test.  Dr. Ron Thompson offered the invocation.
 
Introduction of Guests
  • Allan Cady a Rotary Youth Exchange student Marcella Sousa, whose exchange was sponsored by Mesa West Rotary in 2019-20.  Even though sponsored by Mesa West, Marcella spent the academic year in Flagstaff.
  • Tom Yuzer, a regular visiting Rotarian, was introduced.
  • Dan Lamborn was introduced - not as a guest, but as Mesa West Rotary Club's newest member. 
Happy Bucks - Bert Millett
  • Allan Cady pledged $10 for the Irish Toast he shared prior to the meeting.  He pledged another $10 because he was happy to be back home, and because he was happy with the start of March Madness.
  • Chuck Flint pledged $10 for snitching off John for missing one word in The Four Way Test. and because he had the pleasure of hearing Allan's Irish toast from John Pennypacker at Chuck's house on St. Patrick's day.
  • Dan Coons pledged $10 because he was happy to have Marcella at our meeting.  He pledged another $1 if Allan Cady would share how much money had been raised in the sponsor campaign.  Allan reported we have crossed the $45,000 line, now exceeding the second goal set by the committee.  He knows of over $3,000 in pledges not yet paid and said Jeanie Morgan had told him that approximately $2,300 has been pledged to the foundation this quarter.  As invoices due to go out April 1 are paid, he expects to pass the $50,000 mark - tremendous effort during time of pandemic.
  • Pam Cohen pledged $10.  She was happy that we had one new member at the meeting. Another new member, Erika Yost, has had serious health challenges since her membership became official, so her formal induction is still pending.  Pam was glad to hear an update from Jeanie indicating that Erika is seeing noticeable improvements and feeling hopeful again about regaining her health.  Pam was also happy that her daughter, Alex, son-in-law, Joey and grandson, Wilder had spent the week with her.  She had lots of fun being Bubbe!
  • Ray Smith pledged $25 for two things.  He has his third great grandchild - a little girl.  He also has another 30 days to help his clients get their 2020 taxes filed.
  • Erwin Reimann pledged $10.  His grandson was in the valley - staying in Scottsdale.  He reminded the club many had met his grandson when he made a presentation at our club while he was here training for the olympics.
  • Polly Cady pledged $10.  She was happy Marcella made it to the Zoom meeting.  There is a four-hour time difference between Arizona and Marcella's home in Brazil.
  • Warren Williamson celebrated with a $10 pledge.  He has already filed his state and federal tax returns and received his refunds.
  • Colleen Coons paid a $10 fine 
  • Shelly Romine pledged $10 saying it is good that women are mysterious.  She was glad to know Pam's grandma name is Bubbe.  Shelly had feared Pam was impersonating another Rotarian.
  • Ron Thompson was so happy he received a call offering him the opportunity to offer the invocation that he pledged $25.
  • Bob Zarling fined himself $10 for asking Warren Williamson to repeat his Genie joke and another $5 thankful for an uneventful flight to Milwaukee the day before.
  • Andrea Murphey pledged $15.  $5 because her son got a scholarship to help pay for his college.  $5 because she got to brag at another service club that she was a member of Rotary. The final $5 was because she is in school full time.  The program she is studying is going well and she does see light at the end of the tunnel.
Rotary Minute/Classification Talk - Dan Lamborn
 
Dan began by saying he has been with Intel since 2007.  His wife is a former Rotary Youth Exchange student.  His father-in-law, who lives in Utah, is a Rotarian.  Dan is an engineer working with vendors in the international supply chain.  He has to communicate with them about specific details their products will need to have in order to meet the requirements of Intel.
 
Dan said he also has some side gigs.  He has a small investment company.  His father in Idaho started a business when he retired involving agri-business - specifically snap peas.  Dan is taking a more active role in that.  He says he has three jobs - one pays.  
 
The reason Dan wanted to get involved in Rotary is that for the last fourteen years, he has had very little interaction outside of work.  He's been missing having a connection with the bigger world, and has seen only good things in this father-in-law's Rotary connection and his wife's youth exchange experience.
 
Dan has three daughters.  The oldest is at NAU.  The next daughter is a junior in high school.  His youngest daughter will enter high school next year.
 
Announcements
  • Shelly Romine reminded members of the 7th Street Food Pantry service project beginning Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21 and if work remains, Monday, March 22.  After floor removal, clean-up and painting, a vendor will professionally install the new floor in the food pantry.
  • The official visit of our District Governor, Elizabeth Mahoney will be April 22.
  • As soon as details are settled regarding a decision made at the March 16 board meeting, Dan will be sending an e-mail to all members.  One decision that was made at the meeting was that dues for the final quarter of the year will remain at $75.
  • Polio Plus donations from Mesa West Rotarians are lower than they were a year ago at this time.  All were asked to consider donating.
  • Rotary Week of Service will be April 17-24.  Mesa West will be partnering with the Gilbert Rotary Club on a project for Paz de Christo, with details to follow.
 
Program - Lyman Shipshee
 
Lola McClane introduced our speaker.  Lola grew up northeast of Topeka, Kansas on the Potawatomi reservation.  She said it was a wonderful place to grow up and there were lots of wonderful people.  She shared Lyman's bio, which humbly states, "Just an older Prairie Band Potawatomi tribal member living on our reservation in Northeast Kansas. I’m a brother, nephew, husband, Dad, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, teacher, friend and a few other things. Just trying to make the best of this life.
 
Lyman began speaking in his native language.  Early in the presentation he talked about living on a reservation.  "What's left over."  They were put on land that was left over.  They are still around.  He tries not to use the word "Indian" when talking about his people.  That word was born of a mistake when Christopher Columbus thought he was in the Indies.  Lyman said each tribe has their own language and own ways of identifying themsleves.  The loose interpretation of the name of his tribe is "Fire People."  He went on to describe them as "Ones who came down to take care of great grandmother earth.
 
Lyman was wearing a ribbon shirt, a shirt worn for special occasions.  His mother made it for him.  He hasn't worn it often.  He said it is a little tight today.  He first wore it to his brother's wedding in 1974.  He said he has grown a little since then - not height-wise.
 
Lyman remembered growing up with four reservations within 30-40 miles of each other.  They were near Chickapoo, and his grandfather settled there.  Lyman's mother always pushed education. To please her, Lyman went to college.  At junior college he noticed guys eyeballing him as he walked to the dorm.  They hollered at him.  He went over and was a little leery.  They said they had heard he was an Indian.  He confirmed that was correct.  They had thought all Indians had been killed.  He replied they were still around.  He told them his story.  He said he was one of the special ones they let out to go to school, but he had to check in.  He felt bad afterward, because he had not been truthful and they had been listening and were truly interested.
 
There are estimates that in 1492, there were 60,000,000 native American people.  By 1900, the numbers were down to 5-6,000,000.  In those few hundred years, numbers had really dropped.  The losses were due to battles and diseases like smallpox which had not been in the Americas before the European immigration.
 
Some people don't realize that the Potawatomi were in New York state.  They kept moving west.  They were in Indiana.  They settled there because of tribes west of them.  During the Civil War, they were pretty much left alone.  After that, there was more movement west because of Manifest Destiny, which from their perspective meant "Even though you claim that's yours, because I am stronger than you, I can take it."  Because of refusal to go, thousands of treaties were made.  Very few of the treaties were kept.  Many times, they surrendered with conditions that is where some of the treaties came from that they still try to hold the government to.
 
When they refused to move, they were gathered up and marched by the military down to Kansas.  That journey was called Trail of Death if anyone wants to look it up on the Internet.  859 of his people were rounded up to be marched to Kansas.  They left September 4, 1838.  November 4, after walking 660 miles, they reached eastern Kansas.  Over 40 deaths occured along the way - mostly children.  The trail has been marked by boy scouts.  That is how they ended up in Kansas with their population really decimated.  The deaths compare with the holocaust, but that part of history is never taught in our schools.   Lymon's opinion is that history is written by those in power.
 
Today, they have over 1500 registered tribal members.  500 live on the reservation.  The reservation has gotten smaller.  They were left 25 x 25 miles in the mid 1800's.  Today their reservation is 5 x 6 miles.  Of that, they only own about half of that area.  
 
Government treaties and laws were used to eliminate Native Americans.  Assimilation was attempted.  Different denominations would open boarding schools.  Native children were taken from their parents to attend boarding school.  "Kill the Indian, save the man."  The children were made to dress alike, have their hair cut and were not allowed to speak their native language.  They were traumatized.  That trauma lasts generations.  They still feel that.  His own grandfather was one that was taken to a boarding school in Lawrence Kansas about fifty years ago.  In 3rd grade, he walked home.  He may have older than an average third grader.
 
Today, 2,000,000 Indian people in the United States are members of 500 tribes that are recognized by the government.  There is a list of requirements to be considered a tribe.  Lyman's own tribe's tribal constitution has been in jeopardy a few times.  If that happens, they lose their rights.  They are required to carry a card saying they are a tribal member.  As a people that has been here a long time before the European immigration, they have to be enrolled, and they do that.
 
They have been here for 10,000 years.  There were several hundred Native American people who fought in World War I.  They were not even citizens.  They became citizens in 1924.  That did not automatically give them voting rights.  That was left up to each state.  In 1960, Utah was the last state to allow them to vote.
 
Lyman says he doesn't mind being forgotten.  "leave us alone, we'll be alright, but give us our treaty rights."  The slang term "Indian giver" comes from giving to Indians and taking it bad.  
 
Lyman admitted one disadvantage in dealing with those who came and descended from European nations was that the native people did not understand how you could own land.  To them they seemed like owning pieces of their grandmother.
 
Today, 4500 members - not all on the reservation have a casino.  It is pretty nice.  It has enabled them to do a lot of things they couldn't do with government funds received.  There is a government building which is very nice, a senior center, police force, fire department, senior housing and other programs which are run through grants much of which comes from the casino.
 
Lyman works in the language center.  Grant funds for the center were nearly lost, but it is now coming back.  Native languages are being lost.  His own grandparents thought it better to learn English - "it's a white man's world."  His mother knew words, but was not a speaker.  All Lyman knows are a few words.  He feels language is their identity.  He said there are several different bands of Potawatomi.  Some went to Canada, some to Mexico, and Wisconsin.  8-9 bands are here and there.  They speak a similar language but different.  Much like the way English sounds different in different parts of the US and the world.  Language gatherings planned the last two years were cancelled due to COVID.  Some believe that what they are able to hold onot should all be the same.  Lyman feels differently.  He feels that language differences are part of what make you unique and special.
 
Lyman said many things they struggle with are brought on by themselves, referring to alcoholism and things like that.  He said he went through that.  He is grateful to be alive.
 
Lyman recommended a little book - Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee written by Dee Brown.  It is an account of the systematic destruction of the American Indian in the second half of the 19th century.
 
Colleen Coons asked what he would like to pass on to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He said he would tell them what his mother told him.  "Being who we are - to be accepted, you are going to have to work twice as hard.  Remember who you represent.  We don't just represent ourselves.  We represent past and future generations.  Watch what you do out there.  Be a good representative."
 
Lyman ended by saying it is a sacred thing to share from the heart and to be listened to by those who are listening with their hearts.  He said “Igwien” (Thank you) for inviting him to share his story with Mesa West Rotary.
 
Learned since the meeting, Lola moved to her home on the Potawatomi reservation with her folks when she was in the second grade.  She lived on the Rez until her senior year in high school.  The road she lived on was a dirt road and now, with the Casino income, that road and many more are paved.
Read more...
Gates Foundation $2 for $1 Donation Match
Last year Mesa West Rotary qualified to be the first club named on the travelling trophy to be awarded each year to the club in District 5495 providing the highest level of support for the End Polio Now program of The Rotary Foundation (TRF).  Overall, giving is down this year.  
 
What many may not know - because we get so much information that we fail to absorb much of it - is that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match donations to End Polio Now with $2 for every $1 donated.  To provide an idea of the kind of man who would stand behind that kind of offer,  remarks Bill Gates made at a graduation ceremony for Mr. Whitney High School several years ago in Visalia, California might be revealing...
 
Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! 

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem.  The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. 

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both. 

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. 

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity.  Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it opportunity. 

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them. 

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now.  They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were.  So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try de-lousing the closet in your own room. 

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT.  In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer.  This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life. 

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters.  You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF.  Do that on your own time. 

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life.  In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. 

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one. 

 

Many in Mesa West could tell stories about classmates who suffered permanent paralysis, lived for months in iron lungs, or even died when polio was epidemic in our country as they were growing up.  As long as it exists anywhere, it can return everywhere.  You can go to rotary.org and make your donation, or you can send an e-mail to Jeanie Morgan requesting an invoice.  Once your donation invoice is paid, she will electronically transfer your donation to TRF for the End Polio Now campaign in your name.
Read more...
Something to Ponder
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets.  Don’t save it for a special occasion.  Today is special.
Source unknown
Today's Chuckle
Motivating Donations to TRF - Recognition Point Match
Foundation Chairman Chuck Flint has offered to use some of his accumulated recognition points to increase Mesa West support of The Rotary Foundation.  For the foreseeable future, he will match donations, in $100 increments two for one.  If you donate $100, he will transfer $200 in recognition points to your account.  Whether you are striving to receive your first Paul Harris Fellow or striving to reach the next level, this is a great way to move that achievement closer.
 
You can donate through your "My Rotary" account on the RI website
 
Rotary Direct is the best way to establish a habit of regularly supporting the Rotary Foundation with minimal effort.  CLICK HERE to learn more about Rotary Direct.  CLICK HERE to download a form to sign up for Rotary Direct. 
 
If you have questions about Chuck's offer - CLICK HERE to send him an email. 
You CAN make a difference!
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Foundation Director
 
Public Image Director
 
Club Service Director
 
Service Projects Director
 
Director
 
Membership
 
Executive Secretary
 
Speakers
Apr 01, 2021
Stop Recruiting, Start Attracting (New Rotary Members)
Apr 08, 2021
Reducing the number of people with mental illness who are incarcerated
Apr 15, 2021 12:00 PM
FBI Community Outreach Role, Objective and Programs
Apr 22, 2021 12:00 PM
Official Visit
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 01, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 08, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 15, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Monthly Board Meeting
Apr 20, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 22, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 29, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
May 06, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
May 13, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Monthly Board Meeting
May 18, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
May 20, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jim LeCheminant
March 3
 
Dick Myren
March 12
 
Erica Williams
March 31
 
Spouse Birthdays
Angie Troy
March 6
 
John Yost
March 25
 
Anniversaries
Erika Yost
John Yost
March 3
 
Terry Diedrick
Patty Diedrick
March 16
 
Robin Harris
Debbie Harris
March 17
 
Join Date
Wendell Jones
March 1, 1989
32 years
 
Rotary District 5495 Links
District Links
Rotary Interact District 5495
Rotary District 5495
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA)
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - RYLA
RYLA Service Project Support
Bulletin Editor
Jeanie Morgan
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile

THE FOUR WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do

first  Is it the TRUTH?
second  Is it FAIR to all concerned?
third  Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
fourth Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?