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.
Yuleidi, who recently left for Basic Training for the US Army Infantry got her cell phone on Sunday and wanted to give us an update. "I am doing fine, sore and tired, but having fun." Most girls have dropped out, but she is having a good time. She was issued her M-4 (her weapon assigned to her) and is looking forward to the training of becoming an 11B - (Army Infantry). So - on Sunday, what does Yuleidi do? She attends church and updates her Rotary Family.
Braly is now in her second week at Ben U. With the guidance of her adopted mentors, Polly and Allan Cady, Pam Cohen, Donna Goetzenberger, John Pennypacker, and Kayla Mudge along with the advice of Jim Schmidt and Ray Smith, she has declared Accounting as her degree.
Mesa West Rotary will be participating in a Bed Build for SIHP on Sept. 28th where the club will also be honored with a Plaque on the Wall of Dreams in their warehouse. This recognition is for the prior donations and partnerships in bed builds including a District supported bed build in 2023. I will be sending out a separate sign-up sheet for volunteers, but we will also be hosting a bedding drive during the month of September.
If you would like to donate, please bring any of the following items to our Club Meetings during the month of September and I will collect and deliver them on the 28th:
Twin Size Sheets
Twin Size Blankets
Twin Size Comforter
Twin Size "Bed in a Bag" Sets
Pillows
All items must be new for health reasons. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Your help is needed! We are partnering with Tempe South Rotary Club to use funds they have been awarded in a District Grant which President Jay helped them submit. We will be refreshing the largest rose garden in the Southwest located on the Mesa Community College Campus. The dates are intended to coincide and complement he National Day of Service which was designated to honor those lost in the 9/11 attacks.
The project will consist of several activities including refurbishing signage, a monument and a statue as well as light gardening.
Three different mornings (from 7:30 to 11:00) to choose from to choose from:
Our current District Governor, Michelle Holcomb will be making her official visit to Mesa West Rotary September 26. Please plan to attend so we can give her a warm, enthusiastic Mesa West Rotary welcome!
Just so you know, there are plans to get a group photo of those in attendance on September 26, The photo taken that day just might be sent to the moon in September 2025...
Registration Link: D5495 RLI Session I, II, & III You can also register on the District website at: rotary5495.org, or contact Polly Cady at pcady@cadyfam.com
Learn more about Rotary beyond the club level through facilitated discussions with other Rotarians from our District.
Mesa West Rotary Club will reimburse members who register and attend any session they have not previously attended.
Come interact with fellow Rotarians about:
Rotary Basics
Community Service Ideas
Leadership Styles
Rotary’s Impact Worldwide
Ethics & Vocation
Engaging Members
RLI is a world-wide organization that some refer to as Rotary’s “College of Knowledge.” RLI touches on “everything Rotary” and is not a “leadership” course to become an officer of your Club. RLI is made up of three one-day Sessions to give you an overview of what Rotary is and what it does worldwide. Its goal is to create ENTHUSIASM for Rotary and show the enormous potential of Rotary service and how with knowledge and excellent leadership in Clubs, the world will benefit.
Thursday, August 29, Mesa West Rotary members were invited to participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of the Arizona Museum of Natural History in downtown Mesa.
Individuals involved in providing an enlightening tour:
Simon Tipene Adlam, Director
Alison Stoltman, Deputy Director
Dr. Ismael Sanchez-Morales, Anthropology
Laura Benedict, Collections Manager 0 Anthropology
The museum's purpose is to provide a hub of discovery based on scientific data enabling visitors to take positive actions to become better citizens.
Internships are offered through the museum. They have the largest internship program in the City of Mesa - twelve weeks fully funded ten interns at $20,000. These internships provide hands-on experience and enable the intern to practice and get real jobs from their experience.
What is the difference between Paleontology versus Archeology? Debbie Koeneman answered it!!!
Paleontology: The study of fossils to learn about the history of life on Earth before humans. Paleontologists study fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms that lived in prehistoric times. They can use fossils to understand past ecologies, evolutionary events, and climate.
Archeology: The study of human-made artifacts and structures to learn about the history of people on Earth. Archaeologists study material remains of past human life and activities, such as tools, cave paintings, and ancient scripts.
Bottom line: Paleo is the study of fossils, plants, animals and Archeology is how the humans used them in the past.
One bit of information shared: The "correct" term for the indigenous people in Arizona is "Tohono O'odham." "Hohokom" is nothow they wish to be known.
The Natural History Museum now offers a room for birthday parties as a revenue stream. They are the highest performing facility with a 68% recovery rate on costs.
Photos are courtesy of Colleen Coons, Lola McLane, and John Pennypacker.
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.
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Yuleidi, who recently left for Basic Training for the US Army Infantry got her cell phone on Sunday and wanted to give us an update. "I am doing fine, sore and tired, but having fun." Most girls have dropped out, but she is having a good time. She was issued her M-4 (her weapon assigned to her) and is looking forward to the training of becoming an 11B - (Army Infantry). So - on Sunday, what does Yuleidi do? She attends church and updates her Rotary Family.
Braly is now in her second week at Ben U. With the guidance of her adopted mentors, Polly and Allan Cady, Pam Cohen, Donna Goetzenberger, John Pennypacker, and Kayla Mudge along with the advice of Jim Schmidt and Ray Smith, she has declared Accounting as her degree. 
Saturday, September 28, 2028
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.
