https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
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.
Rotary Leadership Institute offers a leadership development program in three full-day sessions (Parts I, II and III). Each time RLI is scheduled, all three parts are offered. The courses are designed to provide Rotary knowledge beyond the club level in a sharing environment where those in attendance learn from each other. The intent is to develop leadership skills for Rotary which are also relevant in other volunteer organizations.
Often RLI is scheduled in the Phoenix Metro area, but in some cases, it is scheduled in an outlying area, creating an opportunity for Rotary tourism.
The next RLI will be held at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, 401 North 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Check-in and continental breakfast will open at 8:00 AM. All the information is given in the link(below).
Here is the registration link for the upcoming RLI in January:
The following is from an E-mail sent by Joe Genovese, AZ-Phoenix Chapter President of Sleep in Heavenly Peace:
First - thank you, Jon Roeder and Jason Prenevost of AZ Pro, for hosting the event. Your support of SHP when no one knew who we were and what we stood for has meant the world to us. We proudly carried SHP banners made by you in the Fiesta Bowl parade last month and our beautiful trailer - wrapped by AZ Pro at NO COST - followed our float. Thank you!
A month ago, John called me and we reviewed our volunteer sign-ups. Bottom line - we needed help! So, we put the word out there and here's who showed up:
All four of our Delivery Hubs - Phoenix, Mesa, Avondale-Buckeye and Glendale-Peoria
Seven Churches - Palm Valley of Avondale, Summit of Buckeye, Pure Heart of Glendale, St. Luke Lutheran of Mesa, St. Patrick's Catholic of Scottsdale, Elevation Church of AZ and Scottsdale Bible of Scottsdale
Two student groups - Grand Canyon University and United Aviator Academy
Three Rotary Clubs - Mesa West, Verrado and White Tanks
Sponsorship funds from two wonderful and generous entities - West Valley Mavericks and the Kelleher Family Fund.
With approximately 125 volunteers, we built 82 beds from scratch, repaired and stained almost 25 beds from GCU's inventory and increased our inventory of side rails. And we were leaving th parking lot by 12:30 PM. Just amazing!
Special thanks to the St. Luke team that put in a few extra hours after unloading at our warehouse near Sky Harbor. The headed to Mesa to unload more beds for their January delivery blitz. I'm sure they slept well that night!
We sart a new year in the hopes of helping more kids than ever gaining more supporters, followers and volunteers, and finding a permanent build space.
Opening and Welcoming Remarks - President Pam Cohen
Dick Myren offered the invocation.
Lola McClane led the Pledge of Allegiance
Steve Ross was thanked for serving as greeting, welcoming members and guests to the meeting.
Welcome Back!
Chuck Flint was welcomed with applause after having been absent from our regular meetings in recent months. Anita Kegler was present, and will be formally inducted into the club at our post-holiday celebration January 21.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Dick Myren
Dick asked our speaker, Lt. Bill Peters, to draw the winning ticket. The ticket he drew belonged to Chuck Flint, making Chuck the automatic winner of the small pot of $35. He also won the opportunity to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck. If Chuck had drawn that evasive card, he would have won an additional $230. The card Chuck drew was the Nine of Hearts,. The large pot will be even larger next week.
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson
President Pam contributed $5 and apologized for failing to introduce our speaker who is also a visiting Rotarian. Bill Peters is a member of the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club.
Warren Williamson contributed to tell a story. He said he was reminded of it when Colleen Coons talked about Handyman Dan at our last meeting. A handyman was working behind the altar in a church. He noticed a sweet little old lady come in and sit down and start saying her Rosary. In a clear, deep, voice, he said "Madam, this is Jesus speaking. Thank you for coming to my house of worship today. The lady looked up briefly. When she couldn't see anyone, she went back to saying her Rosary. The handyman, again using his clear, deep voice, asked "May I ask what brings you here today." The little lady used a loud firm voice of her own when she said, "Young man, you need to be polite and wait until I am finished with my conversation with your mother."
Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for the privilege of he and honorary member Rod Daniels being associated with the Ace of Clubs.
Jack Rosenberg pledged $100 for the Rotary Foundation.
Steve Ross pledged $100. He was happy their son came to visit and to celebrate Steve's 76th birthday.
Allan Cady contributed - happy to see Chuck Flint at the meeting.
Polly Cady was happy Anita Kegler committed to be inducted at the post holiday celebration.
Jim McGown pledged $100 to be sent to Polio Plus and count toward his Paul Harris recognition account to celebrate what would have been his dad's 107th birthday.
Ray Smith contributed $35 but wanted Chuck to get credit for it.
Don LaBarge said when he owned a boat, he had tons of friends. After he sold it - not so many. He said he thought he had something that would attract friends almost as well. He had tickets for the Barrett Jackson 2023 Auction in Scottsdale. He got the tickets because he has a booth there - a booth he had to pay $7,000 for.
Ron Thompson contributed $20 to get two of the tickets.
Penny May was happy her back was feeling much better, but sad that she didn't win the lottery.
Announcements
On behalf of Shelly Romine President Pam reminded everyone to make their reservation for the post holiday celebration to be held Saturday, January 21 at the home of Ron and Toni Thompson. If you have made your reservation but not yet let Shelly know what you would be contributing to the pot luck, please do so.
Polly Cady announced that Rotary Leadership Academy would also be held Saturday, January 21, at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in downtown Phoenix. Polly is very proud of Mesa West as Jim Schmidt and Jeanie Morgan will both be facilitators. Anyone wishing to register can send Polly and email.
Good news was announced. A new club was chartered Monday evening. the Rotary Club of the Verdes. They have 22 charter members.
January 12 is National Curried Chicken Day.
Program - Lieutenant Bill Peters - Mesa Family Advocacy Center
Polly Cady said she felt privileged to have the honor of introducing Lieutenant Bill Peters. He has been in the Mesa Police Department over 32 years. He currently oversees the Special Victims Unit at the Mesa Family Advocacy Center. Lt. Peters has worked in, or been responsible for, nearly every sworn and civilian area within the Mesa PD.
Lt. Peters holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University, a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Arizona. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police DRE Subcommittee. Lt. Peters serves on the State LETR Executive board. He is a past President of the Arizonan Chapter of the VBI National Academy Association and a two-time President of the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club.
Mesa Family Advocacy Center was established in February, 1996. It was the first victim/child advocacy center in Arizona. There are currently 24 victim/child advocacy centers in Arizona and over 500 nationwide. The Mesa center has been a model used by agencies across the Nation and abroad.
At the center, they utilize a multi-disciplinary team (MDTT) approach. A coordinated response and system of investigation and prosecution intended to reduce the trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault, abuse or molestation.
Primary goals are to reduce further trauma to the victim, increase the quality investigations, reduce crime and recidivism and empower each victim.
Involved in the multi-disciplinary approach are:
SVU Detectives/Victim Services
Department of Child Safety/OCWI
Phoenix Children's Hospital
HonorHealth Healthcare
Maricopa County Attorney
San Tan Behavioral Health
Adult Probation.
Mesa Family Advocacy Center Police Units:
Special Victims Unit
Victim Services
Digital Forensics
Missing Persons
SONET
Lt. Peters explained that Trauma-Informed Response begins with telling someone you trust something you don't want anyone to know. There are six key elements: safety, trust,. choice, empowerment, collaboration, and respect. He shared some shocking statistics. One in five women and 24.8% of girls 14 and under have been targeted,
During his presentation, Lt. Peters shared some personal quips. He said when Jim McGown was on the force, Jim picked up a lot of drunks for him. One of the things he thought was too good to be true about being a police officer was that he actually got paid to ride a motorcycle. He said he has had a blessed career. He has been on the force in Mesa longer than anyone else.
He was asked some questions about human trafficking and said that would actually be a program in and of itself. The one thing he did share was that in the past prostitutes were treated like criminals. Today, they are treated like victims. They are involve in a life they would never have chosen for themselves, and are nearly always under someone else's domination.
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.