Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint

• John Pennypacker pointed out that there were papers on the table explaining how to sign up for "My Rotary," and offered to help if anyone needs assistance.
• Ray Smith contributed celebrating his 24th anniversary of joining Rotary.  He was on the phone with Bob Jensen earlier in the day.  This year's hearing mission to Guaymas Mexico will be November 6-9.  We will be renting a bus and travelling to Guaymas.  He invited members to sign up to go on the trip as volunteers.
• John Pennypacker said he played 18 holes on Tuesday, September 17, and had a very good day.
• Ed Koeneman contributed celebrating a successful collaboration of Westwood High School Interact and the school's Earth Club in constructing a float on Don LaBarge's trailer, which Don was kind enough to loan to them.  Ed had the pleasure of driving Don's truck, pulling the float in the Homecoming Parade.
• Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2, happy that he and Honorary Member Rod Daniels are affiliated with the Ace of Clubs.  He also expressed his wish that everyone would realize what a great club we have and in-person attendance would pick up now that the weather is cooling down.
• Deb Koeneman contributed voicing concern for one of her work teammates who is ten years younger than Deb.  He is a former Navy Seal.  He recently suffered a massive stroke.  He is doing well, recovering in an accute rehab facility.
• Colleen Coons made a pledge to thank Frank Rosenberg for supporting a group of Chinese women entrepreneurs at Women Build Bridges for Women.  He will be making a presentation about how to offer affordable health care for their employees.

• Jim Schmidt contributed.  He was thankful for a great week of education in Spokane the prior week preparing for his role as District Governor in 2025-26.  He said it was a great opportunity to learn and grow.
• Ron Thompson expressed appreciation to Jim.  The prior week, Ron's wife Toni while they were in California.  With Jim's assistance, they were able to calm her down.
• Pam Cohen fined herself for missing the prior week's meeting.  She was in Nebraska attending her 50th high school class reunion.  She saw Chris and Mike Kreuger and said they are doing great.  Chris has opened her second Pilates studio.  The other thing she was happy about was the excellent care received by Braly from Frank Rosenberg when Pam took Braly to Tempe Primary Care
• Jim Erickson had attended his 55th class reunion at the Air Force Academy.
• Lizzy Barron was happy to be at the meeting.  Her daughter is in the throws of looking at colleges.
• Harry Grossman said he was still levitating from Sunday's Cardinals victory  He was wearing his red shoes to commemorate their win.  His memorabilia was being auctioned again less the two books and plus a roll of Cardinals duct tape.  Kayla Mudge modeled the contents.  The starting bid was $25.  President Jay made the top bid of $40.
• Chuck Flint contributed $2 for winning the raffle.  He said he is happy to be a member because the club is a lot of fun.
• Warren Williamson told a story related to the fire in Ed Koeneman's workshop.  Deb had gotten on the phone with the insurance company to see if they were going to send a check.  She was told they would need to evaluate the loss to see what it was worth.  She now wonders if she needs to cancel her life insurance policy on Ed.
• Jay Paulus was thankful for all the work at the Rose Garden.  He said more volunteers were needed to finish up some painting and other odds and ends on Saturday, September 21.

• President Jay informed the members that Colleen Coons is interested in putting her name in the hat to be considered for District Governor.  He said our club needs to send a letter of resolution supporting her nomination.  After a motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously, Colleen voiced her appreciation for the support from her Rotary family.  She understands the rules that she cannot "campaign" for the position.  Dick Myren said he had read a copy of the letter President Jay drafted.  He said that with that letter, she ought to be running for President of the United States.
• On October 10, we will not have an in-person meeting at the hotel.  Instead, we will be celebrating the open house at the Mesa Main Library introducing the devices Mesa West purchased for the libraries using the funds from the Meta Grant received last year.
• On October 17, Mesa West Rotary has six seats for the Forever Aster fundraising breakfast.  They will be available on a first-come/first-serve basis.
• Interact students who helped with the Rose Garden project at MCC will receive service learning hours for their effort. 
• Members were encouraged to attend and volunteer at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed-build on Saturday, September 28.  Mesa West will be honored with a plaque being placed on their "Wall of Dreams."
• Rotary Leadership Institute is being offered Saturday, September 28.  Deb Koeneman will be attending Session II and Jim Schmidt will be facilitating one of the sessions.
• On October 5, an event will be held at MCC celebrating winning contributions to the  Week Without Violence competition.
• September 26, District Governor Michelle Holcomb will make her official visit to Mesa West Rotary.  A group photo will be taken that day, so members were encouraged to come photo-ready.
• Lu General said that making DG official visits is a daunting task, and asked members to please show up.  Wayne will be there with his backdrop to get decent head shots as well as taking the group photo to go to outer space.
• Pam reminded members of the upcoming Soup to Nuts event to be held at her home the evening of October 5.

As I have said,

the first thing is to be honest with yourself.

You can never have an impact on society

if you have not changed yourself...

Great peacemakers are all people of

integrity, of honesty, but humility.

~Nelson Mandela