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No Noon Meeting Thurs. Sept 29 2022
Mesa West Rotary Club does not meet on the 5th Thursday of any month with five Thursdays.  
Chili Cook-Off - September 29
The competition is fierce and not for the faint of heart!
Please sign up to bring a chili to share, another side dish of your choosing, dessert, an appetizer, or just condiments for the chilis.  For those who don't have time to cook, we will also need non-alcoholic beverages.
 
This event is a fun way to meet our newest members and help to engage them in our club.  There will be an update on our Visioning process and how it relates to the club, its members, our community, and the world.
 
Don't miss this opportunity to mingle with club members and crown the newest Chili King or Queen!
 
CLICK HERE to Register
Westwood High School Interact Service Project
 
Wednesday September 21, Mesa West Rotarians took members of thee Westwood Interact Club to two local animal shelters to deliver the chew toys they have been making for the last few weeks.  Paige Kistner from Mesa Public  Schools made all of the arrangements and will be a featured speaker at Mesa  West in the near future.
 
First stop was Almost There:  A Mom + Pups Rescue, at 2611 East Indian  School Rd. Phoenix, Arizona.  This niche animal shelter only serves pregnant or new moms and their puppies.
 
Second stop was Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL) 25 N 40th St. Phoenix, Arizonaa.  Interact members got some up close experience with the felines, and also got to visit the canine residents.
 
Big thanks were expressed to Diane, John, and Ed for driving everyone around town on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.
Fanny's Corner
 
If you ask a young teenage girl from France, what athletics are you interested here in America?  Their answer:  Cheer
 
Fanny regularly shares her appreciation to Mesa West Rotary and all the support the Club is giving her to experience High School Cheer.  
 
This week has been practice on M, T, JV game on Wed, more practice on Thursday - as it was Homecoming on Friday. Fanny was part of the CVHS Assembly with tons of school pride “CAMPO CRAZIES”. And Friday Night - all the CVHS Cheerleaders were out at Homecoming cheering for the home team against Apollo High.   Their cheers worked, as 42 to 27 ended her first Homecoming!  Not that I am biased, but the JV Cheerleaders are much better than the varsity girls!!!
 
Fanny woke up on Monday Morning - and turned 17!!!  When asked if she felt older and wiser - she said “no”….."just me, Fanny from France."
 
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a series of three one-day educational sessions to learn about Rotary beyond the Club Level.  All three sessions are held in the same place on the same day enabling car-pooling for participants no matter which session they plan to attend.  The location where the sessions are held can move around, promoting a little Rotary tourism.  Whether you are a relatively new Rotarian or a seasoned Rotarian who finally has time to get more involved, members are encouraged to sign up and participate.
 
At their August 16 Board Meeting, Mesa West Rotary Club officers and directors approved making one of the recent visioning session ideas become a reality.  The club will cover the registration cost for those who register and attend RLI going forward.  
 
The next RLI is scheduled to take place in Flagstaff Saturday, September 24, at the Flagstaff Art Leadership Academy, 3401 N Valley Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.  Check-in will start at 8:00 AM and the sessions will start at 8:45 AM.  Lunch will be served at noon followed by a graduation ceremony for those attending Session III.  The sessions will resume at 1:00 PM and end by 4:00 PM.
 
Members who wish to register can e-mail Jeanie Morgan, letting her know which session they are ready for.  They are taken in order - Session I, II, or III.  Registration is open for the September 24 RLI.  If someone has Jeanie pay for their registration but fails to attend, they will be invoiced for the cost of their registration.
 
Our own Polly Cady is the current RLI Chairperson.  She will be glad to answer any questions about RLI.
Rotarian Volunteers Needed for Guaymas Hearing Project
 
The Guaymas Mission to provide hearing aids and medical treatment is planned for November 9th through November 12th.
 
We invite Rotarians to go on the trip and provide support to the medical team as they provide services.  Anyone who speaks Spanish would be most  helpful to the project.
 
Please contact Ray Smith to express your interest, questions, etc.  480-766-0565.
 
Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Service Projects
UPDATE - Midwest Food Bank still needs our help.  They are having a food drive soliciting donations of specific items.  Each week, we will focus on collecting a different item on their list.  
  • September 22 - please bring canned fruit or vegetables to our Mesa West Rotary Club meeting.  
 
Help the Chef - Salvation Army heat relief project
  • Wednesday mornings 8-10 August 31 through October 26
  • CLICK HERE to sign up
Rock relocation project at the Y
  • Saturday, September 24 8-10 AM  - move a pile of small decorative rocks from the parking lot to be used as ground cover around their grounds
  • CLICK HERE to sign up
 
Highlights from September 15 Meeting
 
Welcome to Mesa West Rotary - President Pam Cohen
 
Pam welcomed everyone to the meeting.  She explained her black eye.  She had a basil cell carcinoma removed from her lower eyelid.  She wanted to make sure everyone knew she had not had an altercation with Don LaBarge.
 
The Invocation was led by Dick Myren and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jack Rosenberg.  President Pam thanked Shelly Romine for serving as greeter welcoming everyone to the meeting.
 
Rotary Minute - Lu General
 
On the screen, Lu shared the Rotarian Code of Conduct:
 
As a Rotarian, I will:
  1. Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life.
  2. Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect.
  3. Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people's quality of life in my community and in the world. 
  4. Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians.
  5. Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities, report any suspected harassment, and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment.
This is the essence of what we as collective Rotarians say and believe we should be doing.  
 
The world lost a very impressive leader - Queen Elizabeth.  At a formal ceremony on April 21, 1947, when she was 21 years old.  She said, "I declare before you that my whole life - whether it be long or short - shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.  That was a 21-year-old woman speaking, and she adhered to that value her entire life.  Lu then shared an ancillary Rotary moment.  In 1959, Queen Elizabeth's daughter Victoria was making a trip to Australia.  The Rotary District which was geographically where Princess Victoria was visiting was where the first RYLA was invented, and the Princess was a RYLA attendee.  You can see that the ethics of the monarchy and the ethics of Rotarians have had a very nice overlap for a long time.
 
Mesa West Rotary has come to an awakening that planning internally is not the most sustainable way to move into the future.  We are now in a process of visioning where we need to form a plan that is a product and reflection of our community.  This is the thing Lucinda said everybody in the room should try to answer in their head:  Can you name a person who you see as living their life in coordination of their beliefs.  Lucinda suggested PDG Chuck Fitzgerald who believes in the cause of Peace and works to host a Peace Forum every year would qualify.  Our own Ed Koeneman has picked up on the mentoring theme and is working to make that happen  George Wheeler never stopped serving.  Buey with Aqua Africa is living his convictions.  Every person needs to own the Visioning Process.  It is not a one and done process.  It will be ongoing.  We will need to use electronic polling and other means of communicating.  We all need to respond and offer suggestions, and challenges.  Lucinda implored everyone to take a commitment to fully participate.
 
John added another quote attributed to the Queen:  "The world is not the most pleasant place.  Eventually your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally.  You need to learn to stand up for what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass."
 
Introduction of Guests
 
  • Jim and Beth Hoban - visiting from Honolulu Sunset Rotary Club.
  • Salina Graves is with the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is also a member of Chandler Rotary Club.
  • Diane Ware introduced her good friend, Mary Costello, was was visiting from Sacramento, California.
  • Esteban Holman was introduced by Kayla Mudge who said Esteban is exploring Rotary hoping to find a Rotary home.
  • Attending via Zoom were Lola McClane, Melodie Jackson and Lu General.
  • Pai Bethea as attending in person rather than on Zoom
  • Dick Myren and Jack Rosenberg wanted to welcome Jeanie Morgan back.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Steve Ross
 
Steve announced the big pot was up to $162.  The holder of the winning ticket would automatically win $35 and the chance to try to win the big pot by drawing the Ace of Clubs from the deck.  He asked Selina Graves to draw the winning ticket which was held by Jim Erickson.  Jim drew the 5 of Diamonds.
 
Happy Bucks - Sean Green
 
  • Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for he and Rod Daniels having the privilege of being part of Mesa West Rotary, and he gave another $1 to thank Ron Thompson for keeping up the tradition on September 8 when Dick had to be absent from the meeting.
  • Don LaBarge said the Salvation Army board took July and August off, but at their meeting in September, they learned their turkey order had been cancelled - apparently turkeys will be scarce this year because of the bird flu, so it might be wise to pick one up when you find one in the grocery to keep in your freezer for the holidays.
  • Kayla Mudge was happy to be at the meeting in person.  She was also happy to have enjoyed her family's annual Labor Day fishing trip.
  • Pai Bethea asked to be billed $100 for a donation to the club's foundation.  Half to thank Pam for the great job she is doing leading the club and the other half for keeping the Zoom option available so he can attend our meetings when he is away from home.
  • Warren Williamson was thankful the club has now survived two catastrophes - first, the pandemic and - second, Jeanie Morgan being gone more than a month. 
  • Jim Hoban's "Aloha" preceding his sharing that King Charles is a Rotarian.
  • Shelly Romine donated to confess that September 22 was not on her volunteer signup sheet so volunteers were needed to fill the duty roster for the next meeting.
  • Jay Stuckey was glad he and Melissa were back after missing the last couple of meetings.  They were on the east coast and had a wonderful time.
  • Jeanie Morgan confessed she did not keep up the tradition of bringing back something to auction.  She didn't do that kind of shopping while in Michigan.  She did learn how to make homemade bread and butter pickles that "are to die for."  She said she caught her son-in-law drinking the brine more than once.  She said she would bring some to the Chile Cook-Off, and would take orders.
  • Pam Cohen recognized the September 15 is National Nurse's Day.  She wanted to recognize Frank and Amanda Rosenberg who are both nurses.  Their dedication to service of human kind is over the top and she thanked them very much.  September 15 is also National Linquini Day. She had some linguini and pesto for her favorite Mesa West Italian Rotarian - Lu General.   Pam only recently learned that Lucinda had nominated Pam in 20008 and 2009 for a prestigious award in the City of Mesa which Pam did not receive.  Lucinda had kept the nomination documentation, and had forgotten about it until she ran across it recently and and gave it to Pam.  Pam said she was sitting in bed reading it and could not stop crying.  She will never forget Lu's kind words.
  • Ed Koeneman attended the Interact meeting where they made more dog toys and they met the lady from Mesa Public Schools who coordinates all the service animals that are allowed to brought by faculty and staff to Mesa Public Schools.  She brought her dog, Nellie, and will be a featured speaker at one of our meetings in the future.
  • Don Boucher said that on Tuesday he and Sharon had attended the new Queen  Creek Rotary  Club and Sharon is thinking of joining..
  • John Pennypacker was happy that our exchange student, Fanny, would be celebrating her 17th birthday on September 19.  He said that on the tables was some information about Polio from John Germ.  We are only hitting about 92% immunization rate in the USA.  We need to do better.  John asked to be billed $100 for a donation to the club foundation to support the Guaymas hearing project.  He expressed his disappointment that he would be unable to participate in the Guaymas mission because it is timed when John is already committed to attend the Rotary Zone Institute in Salt Lake City.
Announcements
  • Ray Smith announced the mission will take place November 9-12.  The ninth will be a travel day.  They will work the 10th and 11th and travel home on the 12th.  Instead of taking a large bus, they will be traveling in vans.  It will be a smaller operation with fewer medical professionals.  Rotarian volunteers are encouraged to help with logistical support for the medical professionals.  There will be no participation fee charged this year due to the savings by not going two years in a row and continued generosity designated for the mission during those years.  Housing and meals will be covered for all participants.  Anyone interested in participating should contact Ray.  Volunteers do need to have a passport.   A visa is not required.
  • In Dave Brauchler's absence, Pam announced 
    • Rock moving project from 8-10 AM on September 24 at the Y.  About 14 Interact members have volunteered to help but will need transportation.  Also, wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels will be needed to move the decorative rock from the parking lot to the designated areas in the Y's landscaping.
    • We will continue to collect non-perishable food items for Midwest  Food Bank at our meetings through October.  Each week a different item will be requested.  This week was canned tuna, chicken, or pasta.  Next week will be canned fruits and vegetables.
    • Help the Chef at Salvation Army on Wednesday mornings from 8-10 is also an ongoing project through October.  Diane Ware has been having fun doing this.
  • Shelly Romine reminded members of the Chili Cookoff on September 29th.  In addition to the competition, we will hear a "soft rollout" of the visioning project.
Program - Bonnie Lewis - 55+ TLC Interior Design
 
 
Jay Stuckey introduced Bonnie Lewis as a friend of his and Melissa's.  She is the owner of Bonnie J. Lewis Design.  She does both residential and commercial interior design focused on well-aging with a goal of boosting longevity and independent living.  Designing to enable safety and qualify of life so that individuals can stay in their own homes or reside in a community where they feel safe and independent has become her passion.
 
To reduce risk, many move into senior living communities, but most people would prefer to age at home.  She helped her own father.  When assisted living became his best choice, she designed his studio apartment.  When the staff at the facility he moved into were showing potential residents around they would ask for permission to show her father's bright, cheerful unit.
 
Even though most would prefer to age in place, 99% have not prepared their homes to make that a practical possibility.  
 
Planning ahead can help avoid a crisis.
 
Many incorrectly believe Social Security or Medicare will cover the cost of long-term care.  Long-term care insurance is something that is more cost-effective the earlier in life the decision is made to opt for that kind of protection.  Retirement plans to not include coverage for long-term care.  In fact, Medicaid will only pay for care after assets are exhausted and the available options are not desirable places.
 
The cost of remodeling a home so it is safe, wheel-chair accessible, and appealing is about the same amount one would have to spend on one year of long-term care, and will allow that dream of aging in place a more real possibility.
 
In many cases, medical social workers cannot allow release from a hospital for a patient to go home if the home is not properly equipped for their care.
 
Falls are the second leading cause of adults needing long-term care.  Dementia is the leading cause.  Causes of falls include home hazards, poor lower extremity strength, or balance, low blood pressure, and medication side effects.  Bathrooms are the most dangerous place in the home.
 
Understanding the fact that a moment can change one's ability to age at home, should influence financial and residential planning decisions throughout one's life.  Waiting until the need arises limits the available options and quality of life.
 
CLICK HERE to view the slide presentation shared at the meeting.
 
 
Read more...
Something to Ponder
Today's Chuckle
The Big Four - Ways to Support Rotary in Mesa West
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.
  1. 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.  
  2. 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.
  3. 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.  
  4. 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:
    1. Community Service
    2. International Service 
    3. Vocational Service
    4. 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.
 
Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
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.
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
Speakers
Sep 30, 2022
We will be dark - 5th Thursday
Oct 06, 2022
Service Learning and Vocational Programs at Westwood High School
Oct 13, 2022
Child Crisis Arizona
Oct 20, 2022
Medicare
Nov 10, 2022
Computer Tech
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Membership Dir "23
 
Director '23
 
Director '23
 
Director '24
 
Director '24
 
Public Image Co-Chair
 
Public Image Co-Chair
 
TRF Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Salvation Army chef support
Salvation Army Mesa, AZ
Aug 24, 2022 – Oct 26, 2022
 
Salvation Army chef support (replacement event)
Salvation Army Mesa, AZ
Aug 31, 2022 8:00 AM –
Oct 26, 2022 10:00 AM
 
Chili Cook Off and Visioning Information
Pam Cohen's home
Sep 29, 2022
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Member Orientation - Committee Speed Dating
Colleen and Dan Coons Home
Oct 15, 2022
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Oct 18, 2022 5:30 PM
 
Child Crisis Arizona Lunch for Love
Arizona Biltmore
Oct 26, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Mexico USA Friendship Conference
Oct 27, 2022 12:00 PM –
Nov 01, 2022 11:00 AM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Nov 15, 2022 5:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Allan Cady
September 16
 
Jim McGown
September 18
 
Robin Harris
September 18
 
Bob Jensen
September 19
 
Wendell Jones
September 25
 
John Benedict
September 30
 
Spouse Birthdays
Allan Cady
September 16
 
Marsha Harvey
September 17
 
Jane Benedict
September 20
 
Andrea White
September 22
 
Anniversaries
Darl Andersen
Kaye Andersen
September 1
 
Keith Deering
Kim Deering
September 15
 
Warren Williamson
Sunny Williamson
September 30
 
Join Date
Allan Cady
September 1, 2010
12 years
 
Jim McGown
September 2, 1994
28 years
 
Greg Bouslog
September 5, 2019
3 years
 
Bob Zarling
September 8, 2000
22 years
 
Ray Smith
September 19, 2000
22 years
 
Erika Yost
September 24, 2020
2 years
 
James Crutcher
September 29, 1998
24 years
 
Rotary District 5495 Links
District Links
Arizona Rotaract
Rotary District 5495
Rotary Interact 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
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