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SAVE THE DATE - JUNE 23, 2022
Mesa West Rotary will not meet at noon on Thursday, June 23, 2022
 
That evening we will have our annual "Changing of the Guard" 
Installation Celebration and Dinner
May 12 Rotary Minute - John Pennypacker
Last month, John spent several days in Chicago representing our Rotary District 5495 and the Council on Legislation, which is held every three years to review, debate, and enact changes in Rotary's governing documents and procedures.  
 
The COL doesn't get much - if any - press coverage, even though the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives is apparent to those who participate.  It is handled respectfully.  On the table at our meeting last week were some of the more interesting items reviewed at the 2022 COL.  John will be prepared to talk about them during his Rotary Minute on May 12.
 
CLICK HERE to review them and EMAIL JOHN if you have a question you would like him to answer during his presentation.
Highlights of May 5 Meeting
Opening of Meeting - President Dan Coons
 
President Dan opened the meeting by thanking John Benedict and Steve Ross for serving as greeter.  He thanked the members for the gift of being able to serve as Club President  He then reminded Rotarians and guests of the Rotary International 2021-22 theme - Serve to Change Lives - after which he 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.
 
 
Invocation and Pledge
 
 
Rotary Minute - President Dan Coons
 
Dan talked about the opportunities he has enjoyed because of his involvement with Rotary.  His newest opportunity is one he will get to share with Colleen.  Crutches for Africa is an organization that supplies mobility devices to people in need in Africa.  Gently used devices are collected, stored, and eventually loaded into shipping containers then shipped to Rotary Clubs in Africa where they are distributed.  Our local Interact District is in charge of a program where six Interact Ambassadors are accompanied by adult sponsors and advisors.  This year two Rotarians (Dan and Colleen) will be going with two teachers.  When presented with the opportunity during which they will be home-hosted by local Rotarians, and participate in Rotary projects while in Africa, they said, "Yes!"  
 
Introduction of Guest
 
 
Don LaBarge introduced his sister Karen Brooks.  After visiting and helping Don for nearly a month, Karen was going to be leaving May 6 to visit their brother.
 
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
 
 
Chuck explained that the holder of the winning ticket would automatically win $55 plus the opportunity to try to win an additional $395 by drawing the Ace of Clubs (which we believe we are) from the deck.  He asked Karen Brooks to draw the winning ticket.  Darl Andersen was once again the holder of the ticket drawn.  The odds were in his favor since he had told Chuck to keep his winnings the prior week and use that money to purchase 10 tickets at the May 5 meeting.  After shuffling the cards himself, he asked Chuck to draw for him.  The card Chuck drew was the 2 of Diamonds.
 
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
 
  • Pam Cohen contributed because her daughter had a case of extreme vertigo, causing Pam to drive to Flagstaff to take care of her grandson, Wilder, which always makes her happy.
  • Warren Williamson lost his wallet the prior Saturday causing him to make several phone calls and on-line reports of missing identification and credit and debit cards.  On Sunday, he found his wallet.  This reminded him of a story about a man whose wallet had been stolen, but he had not reported the missing credit cards because the thief was spending less money than his wife.
  • Dick Myren contributed his usual $2 - $1 each for he and honorary member Rod Daniels for the privilege of being associated with Mesa West Rotary.
  • Jim McGown contributed for the privilege of educating members about a way to have shorter waits at flashing yellow left turn signals in Mesa.  The arrow will turn green if the sensor believes there are three cars in line.  If only one car ahead of you, don't pull up to it - leave a car-length between your car and theirs.
  • Frank Rosenberg was happy to report that their daughter Sammy now has her drivers license and to date has not been involved in an accident.
  • Dave Brauchler contributed.  He was happy they were able to celebrate their granddaughter Abigail's 2nd birthday with her.  Their gift to her was an American Girl doll.  The thing he was obviously very proud of was that Lynn had used her skills as a seamstress to make matching dresses for Abigail and her new doll.
  • Colleen Coons said to bill Dan $5.  At a recent Crutches for Africa orientation meeting she learned that the ambassadors would be sleeping in tents on their trip to the wildlife refuge where lions roam about freely.  There would be watchmen staying awake and keeping the camp safe.  She wasn't sure she felt like that was an opportunity but felt better when she learned the adults would not be sleeping in tents.
  • Chuck Flint contributed because he had enjoyed the green bean casserole in the lunch buffet.  He had not been introduced to that delicious dish until Thanksgiving a few years ago, and it immediately became a favorite.
  • Darl Andersen contributed $50 of his raffle winnings to his sponsor campaign team's effort, and left $5 so he could have a raffle ticket on May 12.
Auction - Colleen Coons
 
 
Colleen had two bags containing articles purchased on her recent trip to Illinois.  The bidding was pretty competitive, but several noticed it would have been more-so if Chris Krueger hadn't moved to Nebraska.  Ron Thompson's bid of $45 made him the proud new owner of two very nice drink containers.
 
Announcements
 
 
  • President Dan reminded members that it wasn't too late to register for the District Conference.
  • Ed Koeneman announced that the Zoom mentoring event for Interact members would be scheduled for 5:30 PM Tuesday, May  10.  He thanked the members who had volunteered to participate.
  • Dan announced that in the 2022-23 school year, our club would be hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from France.  The student will be attending Campo Verde High School in Gilbert. Collen and Dan will be the first host family.  Ideally, there should be three different host families, so a couple more families who are willing to be hosts are needed.
 
Program - Steve Hewitt - Majestic Theaters
 
 
Pam Cohen introduced the speaker, Steve Hewitt as the director of experiences for Majestic Theaters, working to form partnerships to benefit the community.  
 
Steve had an interesting and varied background.  In the 90's, he was a golf professional in California.  He is a former member and past president of Chandler Horizon Rotary Club.  He was selected as Chandler Man of the Year in 2021.  He enjoys coaching his children's sports teams. 
 
Before joining Majestic, Steve was with the Chandler Unified School District.  His job was fun when he was in charge of community relations, but when COVID created lots of changes, his responsibility shifted to transportation, which was not nearly as much fun.  He is very enthusiastic about his position with Majestic.
 
Majestic evolved when the Alamo Drafthouse cinemas were bankrupt and needed to be rebranded.  COVID was very hard on the movie entertainment business.   New production was stopped, paused or put on the shelf.  Steve was glad to be involved with that transformation.  The Majestic theaters have full kitchens.  Their meal and bar service to the seats makes a movie night at Majestic a very special experience.
 
In each Majestic venue, there are seven to nine theaters.  They can host corporate events.  Steve shared several short video clips of a variety of events held at their theaters.  To view those clips, click on any or all of these links:
  1. https://youtu.be/xwjunQjxOQc   You're Invited
  2. https://youtu.be/gIsoMEnRT64  Deandre 1
  3. https://youtu.be/zfv7PSMrMcg   Kurt visits- Crystal
  4. https://youtu.be/qHwgSEJw9dY   -Feasts and Dinners
CLICK HERE or on the image at the top of this article to visit the Majestic Theaters website
 
Might be a fun 5th Thursday event sometime in our future...
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
May 19, 2022
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
May 26, 2022
Hire a Rotarian
Jun 02, 2022
New Member Talk
Jun 09, 2022
East Valley Institute of Technology
Jun 16, 2022
The Happiness Breakthrough
Jun 23, 2022
GCU Rotaract Club
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Membership Dir "23
 
Community Service Dir. '22
 
Vocational Dir '22
 
Foundation Dir. '23
 
Public Image Dir. '23
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Co Sergeant. At Arms
 
TRF Chair
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Services Co-Chair
 
Youth Services Co-Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Sleep In Heavenly Peace Bunk Bed Build
VIP Mortgage
May 21, 2022
7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
 
Rotary International Convention
Jun 04, 2022 – Jun 08, 2022
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Jun 21, 2022 5:30 PM
 
Installation Banquet - Changing of the Guard
Jun 23, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Rotary Leadership Institute
Jun 25, 2022
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Bryan Goetzenberger
May 11
 
Diane Ware
May 12
 
Chuck Flint
May 16
 
Ed Koeneman
May 20
 
Greg Bouslog
May 21
 
Sean Green
May 21
 
Robert LaBarge
May 28
 
Spouse Birthdays
David Murphy
May 8
 
Bryan Goetzenberger
May 11
 
Jessica Lamborn
May 14
 
Michelle LeCheminant
May 17
 
Julie West
May 27
 
Anniversaries
Bob Jensen
Nancy Jensen
May 16
 
Shelly Romine
Scotty Romine
May 25
 
Jim LeCheminant
Michelle LeCheminant
May 29
 
Carla Krcmarik
Kevin Fleege
May 31
 
Join Date
Amanda Rosenberg
May 1, 2019
3 years
 
Erwin Reimann
May 1, 1998
24 years
 
Jack Rosenberg
May 1, 1980
42 years
 
Joan Reimann
May 1, 2017
5 years
 
Shelly Romine
May 1, 2005
17 years
 
Logan Harper
May 5, 2021
1 year
 
Polly Cady
May 6, 2010
12 years
 
Kayla Mudge
May 13, 2021
1 year
 
Jay Stuckey
May 25, 2021
1 year
 
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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