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.
When a child receives a polio vaccine from a Rotary volunteer health worker, their pinky is painted purple so they know which kids have already received it.
This Thursday, members from Westwood Interact will be at our lunch meeting painting your pinkies purple in exchange for a donation to Rotary's End Polio campaign. Be sure to have some cash in your pocket this week to support their efforts.
Westwood Interact will be doing their Purple Pinky drive all throughout the month of October at their school.
Daniel Becker from Westwood High School is our speaker this Thursday. Mr. Becker, or Mr. B. to his students, is our faculty advisor for the Interact Club at Westwood and also oversees all of the service learning programs at the school. But in the classroom, Mr. B. specializes in teaching classes for non-college-bound students.
Join us for lunch to hear him tell us about the special challenges and needs that he sees every day in the classroom.
All members of Mesa West Rotary are invited to attend the Orientation - Membership Matching - Speed-Dating event scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 15 from noon to 4:00 pm at the Coons residence. Lunch will be provided.
No matter what we call it, it is intended to be an opportunity for members to see where they might be able to become more engaged and use their skills, passions and energy to make a meaningful contribution to our great club, making it even greater.
If you have not yet registered to attend, CLICK HERE. We hope to see you there!
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 Riverside Resort & Casino in Laughlin, NV on November 19, 2022. All the information is given in the link(below). To take advantage of the discounted room rates, registration must be completed by October 17th.
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.
October 6- please bring canned soup or stew to our Mesa West Rotary Club meeting.
Help the Chef - Salvation Army heat relief project
Forgive me for my bias, but folks definitely need to read the October Rotary magazine.
There are great articles to which we can all relate and inspire us to do more beginning with the Cover and the fight to end Polio. Flip to page 1, then 5 and on page 6 the table of contents - find something that grabs you. Then pages 9, 10, 11, 12, 15.
On page 17 one can read that in 2021-2022 the foundation approved 1,197 global grants, 478 district grants (almost 1 in every district) and 228 disaster response grants. One can only imagine what needs to be done in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina after the hurricane Ian devastation. Then turn to pages 18-19, 24-25, 26-27 and on page 28 read about the new novel oral vaccine that is helping in the fight to end polio. Pages 33, 37-43, 50 and 53 which depicts the ways we can use Visioning to inspire our club.
Past RI President Ian Riseley has written an article outlining the fight to end Polio - read it and support the fight. Our Rotary theme is on page 59. And just for good measure check out the back cover. If these pages and all those not mentioned don't grab your passion for something, you should check your pulse.
This is one of the most impactful Rotary Magazines I have seen in years. Enjoy it and IMAGINE what you can do!
Mesa West Rotary Club has its own Charitable Foundation. It has its own taxpayer identification number and is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. It serves as the fundraising and funding vehicle for our club's charitable activities. It also has its own set of officers and trustees. There are five trustees - three terms expiring in odd years and two in even years. Current board makeup:
President - Jim Schmidt
Vice President - (recently vacated by Dan Coons)
Secretary/Treasurer - Allan Cady
Chairman - Chuck Flint
Jim Crutcher (E)
Bob Jensen (O)
Ed Koeneman (O)
Ray Smith (O)
Ron Thompson (E)
The relationship between the club and its charitable foundation is defined in governing documents. "The purpose was to enable donors and supporters to enjoy the benefits of donating to a charitable non-profit organization while supporting the charitable endeavors of the Club. The charitable and fundraising activities should meet IRS guidelines. They should also support the Avenues of Service and Areas of Focus of Rotary International. While donors will have the option to choose among these areas of interest, donor restricted funds involving a requirement from the donor to approve any expenditure of their funds shall be avoided. If an ongoing project or purpose becomes obsolete, the Board has the right and obligation to remove the designated purpose of those funds so they can be used where the current needs and opportunity to effect positive change exist."
"All officers and Trustees must be members in good standing of the Rotary Club of Mesa West. No one – other than the Chairman of the Board – shall serve more than four total years in succession on this board. In November of each year, the Board shall nominate individuals to serve on the Board and fill terms expiring at the end of the (fiscal) year. Such nominations shall be ratified by the Club board and presented at the Club’s annual meeting (held in December) for approval of the Members. In no case shall someone serve as a Foundation Board member without the approval of a majority of the Directors of the Club."
The annual sponsorship campaign that Allan Cady has spearheaded the past few years has brought in over $200,000 of support from members and those in their circles of influence to support our charitable endeavors.
In the fiscal year 2021-22 (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, the following charitable expenditures were made from the Mesa West Rotary Foundation:
Community Service
$2,000.00 - Child Crisis Arizona to support their mission of supporting safe environment for children in Arizona.
$2,000.00 - NovaHope Foundation to support their work to enable patient digital access
$5,000.00 - 7th Street Food Pantry and Outreach to provide support for their mission of providing food for those in need
$3,596.93 - House of Refuge to support the costs of a District Grant improvement project at their facility
$2,000.00 - YMCA - to support Holiday and improvement projects at their Mesa facility.
$1,048.00 - Was reimbursed to members for expenses related to joint club project to relocate a refugee family
$2,677.43 - Was reimbursed to member who purchased bedding supplies for Sleep in Heavenly Peace Rotary Week of Service Project
International Service
$70,500.00 - Transferred management of funds for a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation to the District Foundation Committee. The grant development effort was started in 2018 working with Aqua Africa to provide a source of clean water for a community of 20,000 in Kenya
$1,000.00 - The Rotary Foundation to support eradication of Polio
$1,050.00 - The Rotary Foundation to fund our commitment on a Global Grant in Mexico
$2,500.00 - Support installation of environmentally safe latrine systems in community in South Africa
$1,015.64 - Reimbursed to a member for out-of-pocket expenses related to Gift of Hearing Mission in Guaymas, Mexico
Vocational Service
$6,500.00 The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona - to support their mission of providing vocational education grants to those who are at or below 150% of the published poverty levels for Arizona
Youth Service
$6,000.00 - Rotary District 5495 - to support Interact District Council Crutches 4 Africa mission of delivering mobility devices to those in need in Kenya
$2,000.00 - Rotary District 5495 - to support registration of Interact Members to attend RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).
$ 120.00 - Rotary District 5495 - to support registration of Interact members for Interact District Conference.
$10,000.00 was awarded in scholarships of $2,000 each to five Westwood High School graduates
$ 100.00 was awarded to an individual Boy Scout for his Eagle Scout project
$ 200.00 reimbursed to a member who purchased gift cards to incent Interact member activity
At their most recent board meeting, the Board of Directors of Mesa West Rotary Club approved forwarding a charitable spending budget totaling $65,200.00 for the 2022-23 fiscal year to the Mesa West Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees for their approval.
"With your hands, honey. If you do it with your mind instead of relieving the pain, it toughens even harder."
"With your hands grandma?"
"Yes, our hands are the antennae of our soul. If you move them; knitting, cooking, painting, playing or sinking them into the ground, you send care signs to the deepest part of you and your soul lights up because you're paying attention to it. Then signs of pain will no longer be necessary."
"Hands are really that important?"
"Yes my daughter. Think of babies; they start to know the world through the touch of their hands. If you look at the hands of old people, they tell you more about their life than any body part. Everything that is done by hand is said to be done with the heart. Because it's really like this; hands and heart are connected. Masseurs know well: when they touch someone with their hands, they create a deep connection. It is precisely from this connection that healing comes. Think of lovers: when they touch their hands, they make love in a more sublime way."
"My hands grandma... how long I haven't used them like this!"
"Move them, my love. Begin to create with them and everything within you will begin to move. The pain will not pass away. And instead what you do with them will become the most beautiful masterpiece and it won't hurt anymore. Because you have been able to transform its essence."
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.
When a child receives a polio vaccine from a Rotary volunteer health worker, their pinky is painted purple so they know which kids have already received it. 
All members of Mesa West Rotary are invited to attend the Orientation - Membership Matching - Speed-Dating event scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 15 from noon to 4:00 pm at the Coons residence. Lunch will be provided.
Forgive me for my bias, but folks definitely need to read the October Rotary magazine.
This is a REALLY big year for Mesa West.
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:.png)
