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.
Be prepared to donate or pledge Happy Bucks to End Polio Now at our October 24 club meeting. Be sure to fill out a happy bucks form so your donation can be credited to you when it is forwarded to The Rotary Foundation. At their October 15 Board Meeting, Mesa West Directors were in favor the suggestion to have Happy Bucks on October 24 be designated for this purpose.
World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take in order to end polio for good.
All donations are matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, tripling your impact!
Sunday, October 13, our Mesa West Rotary Club President Jay Paulus and member Liz Paulus both successfully completed the Army Ten-Miler in Washington DC.
CLICK HERE or on the image for a more detailed view of the course map showing the iconic landmarks they passed as they completed the run.
President Jay missed the Mesa West Rotary Club Board Meeting Tuesday, October 15 as he and Liz were enjoying a road trip on their way home from the event. He greatly appreciated President-Elect Kayla Mudge's willingness to run the board meeting for him. Kayla was congratulated by one of the board members for wrapping the meeting up in less than an hour and ten minutes.
Thursday, October 10, an open house was held at the Mesa Main Library introducing the community to the Virtual Reality headsets recently donated by Mesa West Rotary Club for use in the Mesa Public Libraries. The donation was made possible through a Meta community action grant received by Mesa West Rotary Foundation. Mesa Mayor John Giles was present and made remarks to those present for the occasion.
CLICK HERE or on the collage above to see the Facebook post from the Mesa Public Library expressing appreciation for the VR headsets.
Opening and Welcome - Immediate Past President Colleen Coons
Following the open house at the main library introducing the Virtual Reality headsets donated by Mesa West Rotary for use in the Mesa libraries and their programs, a regular club meeting was held in one of the meeting rooms at the facility. Members and guests socialized while enjoying some box lunches.
Past President Colleen Coons welcomed everyone to the meeting. Dick Myren offered the invocaton and Troy Campbell from the Mesa Rotary Club led the Pledge of Allegiance. Since there was no flag in the room, Colleen found one on her phone and held it up during the pledge.
Introduction of Guests
District Governor Nominee Joe Sweeney was introduced. The presence of Interact Club members was acknowledged, and they would be introduced later, during the program portion of the meeting. Troy Campbell from the Mesa Rotary Club was introduced, as was Dr. Ruth Linn from the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club and Assistant Governor Dan Coons.
Classification Talk - John Bunyard - Use My Guy Handyman Services
John Bunyard was given the opportunity to make his classification presentation. He and his wife and fellow-member Connie Bunyard are involved with two businesses - Valley Remodeling and Use My Guy handyman services. To make a brief summary, John talked about his life as a handyman and working for his wife.
Program - Ed Koeneman, Youth Services
Ed Koeneman, Youth Services Chair introduced the Interact Members who were present to help with the program: Kyndra Blumer, Vanessa Gastellum, Jorge Garcia, , Jazmine Comina, and Anise Carroll Covarubias.
Ed talked about Rotaract and Interact. He asked questions which were answered by the Interactors about
Why they joined Interact
What do their parents think of Interact
For those who ad been Ambassadors in the District's Interact Crutches program(s), Ed asked about their decisions to get involved and their impressions. Jazmine had gone to Mexico and Anise had gone to Kenya.
They indicated they enjoyed helping with club service projects as well as the service projects they do independently. A few of the students are district council officers as well as officers in the Westwood High School Interact Club.
In the photo l-r: Joe Sweeney - DGN, Anise Carroll Covarubias - Interact DG, Ed Koeneman - Utility Infielder, Vanessa Gastellum - Westwood Interact Secretary, and Interact Assistant Governor, Jorge Garcia - Westwood Interact Member, Kyndra Blumer - Westwood Interact Treasurer, Interact AG, Jazmine Comeno - Westwood Interact VP, Interact AG, and Colleen Coons - DG Wannabe
Our Community Service Chair, Shelly Romine recently sent out an email to active member to participate in this annual event hosted by the Fiesta Division of the Mesa Police Department Friday, October 25. The event is led by the Mesa Police Department. Two shifts are needed. We can help during the day (from 11:00 to 2:00) to set up (decorating, blowing up inflatables, etc.).
The evening shift (from 5:30 - 8:00 PM) will be handing out candies. This is a drive through event so passing out candy will require you to be able to stand on concrete during the event. Volunteers will also need to park off site (maybe at the Hilton) and walk over as there will not be room for volunteer parking for the event. They typically get about 700 kids at the event.
If you want to volunteer for either shift and cannot locate Shelly's email. CLICK HERE to let her know which shift you would like to work and if anyone will be accompanying you, let her know their name(s)
Message from Zones 33 & 34 Director Patrick Eakes:
Friends:
I appreciate your concern and prayers as communities across zones 33 and 34 try to survive the next few days before starting the long recovery following Hurricane Helene.
We have established a fund where those who would like to assist recovery efforts by making a donation can do so via online payment, mailed check, or wire transfer. Information to make a donation is at https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/ . I have also attached a QR code. That code will take folks to the same web page. Our zones’ organization is a 501(c)(3), so donations are generally tax-deductible, although Beth would be very upset if I didn’t add the caveat that donors should check with their tax advisors.
We are collecting these funds at a zones level. I will ask district leaders, in cooperation with club leaders, in the most affected areas to submit requests for funding to a group of seasoned leaders (many with significant disaster relief experience) who I will appoint. This group will make recommendations to me to approve grants that will support the efforts of volunteers by providing equipment, tools, storage, mobile storage, etc. Our hope is that our donations can amplify the efforts of volunteers, which seems like a solid Rotary type of approach. When we can, we will leverage district grants and RI disaster relief grants (if/when they become funded again) to further maximize our impact.
Thank you again for your many texts, phone calls, and caring about the residents affected by Helene.
Patrick
Patrick Eakes is the Zone Director in Zones 33 and 34 - where those who where most impacted by Hurricane Helene are located. Clicking on the image, the link within his message or using the QR code below will take you to their zone website's giving-opportunity to support relief and recovery.
Well, maybe NOT the shirt off your back, but instead some old t-shirts out of the back of your closet.
Westwood Interact Club will again be making dog chew toys for a couple of animal shelterswhere the Paws For Peers program rescues and trains dogs to work as therapy animals with teachers within Mesa Public Schools. .They make these dog toys out of old t-shirts. So, dig way back into your closet, or that drawer where all your old stuff is, and bring a shirt or two to lunch at one of our Thursday meetings this September.
At our September 26 meeting, Liz Paulus made an announcement inviting members to attend this fundraising event to benefit College Bound. She followed up on that announcement by providing this information:
"Join us for an unforgettable evening of Hawaiian-style hospitality at the Luau of Love Tropical Fundraiser Dinner, benefiting College Bound AZ. Immerse yourself in the spirit of aloha with authentic food, music, and entertainment. College Bound AZ is dedicated to helping low-income and disadvantaged students realize their dreams of attending college through advising, mentoring, and scholarships, paving the way for a brighter future through education.
"Relax in the intimate setting of Modern Moments, located at Val Vista Drive and East Baseline Road in Gilbert. Your dinner ticket includes island-inspired appetizers, a sumptuous luau dinner, haupia for dessert, and a drink ticket for beer, wine, or one of our signature island cocktails. Enjoy mesmerizing performances by the Royal Islander dancers, featuring graceful hula and high-energy fire dances, all set to live music.
"The evening will also feature an exciting array of auction items, including travel experiences, balloon rides, beauty treatments, golf packages, and more. Mega Events Auctions will ignite the night with opportunities for you to make a meaningful impact on our youth, who will be sharing their inspiring personal journeys.
"Bring your aloha spirit and experience a Hawaiian adventure like no other, all while supporting a cause that transforms lives through education!"
If the QR code in the image does not work, CLICK HERE or on the invitation to go to the event registration site.
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 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.
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.
.png)
Classification Talk - John Bunyard - Use My Guy Handyman Services
Our Community Service Chair, Shelly Romine recently sent out an email to active member to participate in this annual event hosted by the Fiesta Division of the Mesa Police Department Friday, October 25. The event is led by the Mesa Police Department. Two shifts are needed. We can help during the day (from 11:00 to 2:00) to set up (decorating, blowing up inflatables, etc.). 
Well, maybe NOT the shirt off your back, but instead some old t-shirts out of the back of your closet. 
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:
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.