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Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, Impacting Youth
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
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.
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Stories
March 29 Service Project
 
Mesa West Rotary Club volunteers, including our AG Dan Coons and a couple of inbound Rotary Youth Exchange Students provided meal service at Paz de Cristo Friday, March 29.
Meta Data Center Community Action Grants
Mesa West Rotary lives our motto: Transforming communities, creating opportunities and impacting youth!!!
 
Mesa West Rotary is one of 15 selected grantees for the Meta Data Center Community Action Grants.  Mesa West Rotary will put the power of technology to use for community benefit, connect people online or off, improve local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education for all. Access to all with your Mesa Library Card.
 
Our project will provide VR/AR Oculus headsets to public libraries in Mesa, Arizona to develop programs for the entire community to participate in multi-sensory experiences to “imagine the possibilities of a career in STEM”. Additionally, the community will be able to experience Rotary: A giant artificial reef in the shape of a Rotary wheel restores marine life and protects the livelihood of several villages in the Philippines.
Upcoming Service Opportunities
If members go to our mesawestrotary.org website and click on the calendar, they can see upcoming events.
 
CLICK HERE and you can see the calendar, which lists the following service opportunities and you can click on them and sign up on-line
  • Saturday, April 13 - our Rotary Week of Service Project to clean and pain the pool deck at the Ross Farnsworth East Valley YMCA.
If you are not a member and want to help or are a member and have difficulty signing up, Email Shelly Romine.
Queen Creek Rotary Invites Participation
Highlights of March 28 Meeting
Opening and Welcome to Meeting - President Colleen Coons
 
President Colleen thanked
  • Andy Bradford for serving as Greeter
  • Jeanie Morgan for handling check-in
  • Ted Williams for offering the invocation
  • Logan Harper for leading the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Ed Koeneman for serving as Chief Technology Officer
  • John Pennypacker for handling room setup
Introduction of Guests
 
  • Polly Cady introduced Valeria, the daughter of PDG Omar Falcon, who they met and became friends with several years ago at a USA/Mexico friendship conference. Valeria  She also introduced our inbound exchange student from Sweden, Olivia.  Valeria and Olivia were going to be travelling Friday with Allan and Polly to spend a week on their boat in San Diego.
  • Harry Grossman was happy to introduce his guests.  At the Cubs game, he spotted a familiar face - Bill Anderson, who was a former President of the Community College in Illinois where Harry worked for 35 years.  Bill and his wife, Anna, were Harry's guests at the meeting.
  • Our guest speaker, Deborah Schaus, was acknowledged and would be introduced in more detail later in the meeting.
  • Lizzy Barron, a new, yet-to-be inducted member was introduced.
  • Shane White, whose work responsibilities too often conflict with his ability to attend our meeings was acknowledged.
  • Mariana Meraz was introduced as the current President of the Rotaract Club at Benedictine University.  She stepped up in the middle of the term to fill that position and will be President of the Rotaract Club again next year.
  • Penny May, a seasonal visiting Rotarian from Alaska was introduced.
  • Pam Cohen introduced Diane Woods-Fowler who works with Banner Health Care was visiting for the second week in a row.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Dick Myren
 
 
Dick explained that the ticket sales revenue is divided into thirds.  One third would be added to the big, accumulating pot, Another third would be added to the banks operating account and the person whose ticket was drawn would win the final third.  That person would also win the opportunity to try to draw the Ace of Clubs (which we believe we are) from the cards remaining in the deck.  Should they be so lucky, they would win the big pot.  Dick asked Mariana to draw the winning ticket.  The ticket stub was held by Jim McGown.  He said we would spend his winnings on mobility devices for the Interact Crutches 4 Africa project.  The card he drew from the deck was the Ten of Clubs.
 
President Collee Introduced One Additional Guest
 
AG Dan Coons was in attendance.  She said she always forgets to introduce him because she sees him every day.
 
Sponsor Program Update - Steve Ross
 
Steve said we were seven weeks into the program and about half way to reaching our goal of $50,000.  John Pennypacker and his team were in first place with Bob Jensen's team was close behind in second place.  All five teams have brought in about 45% of the revenue received so far.  The other 55% has been brought in by Allan Cady, Steve Ross, Seasonal Visitors and any other unassigned donations.  Those funds are divided equally among the five teams so no team has a huge advantage over the others as a result of those relationships built over the years Allan ran the annual campaign.
 
 
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms - Ron Thompson
 
 
  • John Pennypacker shared some words of praise about what he observed at the Aspire Academy when members of the club got up early Friday, March 22 to cook breakfast for the girls who were at the academy to get indoctrinated on careers in police and fire departments both on the front-line and in support positions.  He thought the young ladies were pretty impressive especially when they demonstrated they had enough stamina to be able to drag a tire for a mile.  One word was stressed - Integrity.  No matter what you are doing, without integrity, it will amount to nothing.  With integrity, anything is possible.  John had an impressive coin/medallion from the Academy that he passed around so everyone present could see it.
  • Pam Cohen said Chuck Flint had to be readmitted to the hospital to have some blood clots removed.  She said he was doing well and she would be picking him up to take him home later that day.
  • Penny May said she would be leaving Tuesday to go home to Alaska.  She thanked everyone for being such wonderful friends.
  • Dick Myren was glad the University of Iowa basketball team had made it to the final 16.  Caitlin Clark has been recognized for scoring the most points in a season.  They would be playing at 12:30 Saturday on ABC.
  • AG Dan Coons noted that this far along in the Rotary year, he was surprised the President had to read the Rotary Vision Statement.  He said both he and Jim Schmidt always recited it during their terms as Club President.  He thought she should be charged $5.
  • Jim McGown contributed $20 for the fun of telling at the prior week's meeting about Colleen's burnout at the Mecham Auto Auction.
  • Harry Grossman was very happy to have Bill and Anna at the meeting as his guests.
  • Polly Cady contributed.  She was very happily looking forward to a week in San Diego with Valeria and Olivia.  She was also happy to have our two newest members, Lizzy and Gerry at the meeting.
  • Allan Cady was happy to be enjoying a grand time with Olivia and Valeria. 
  • Valeria hopes to return to Mexico with a large bag of gently used children's clothing to be used in Mexico for charitable purposes.  She hoped members would turn some in at the next meeting.
  • Jim Schmidt was happy to be with Colleen and Ed when Mesa West Rotary Foundation was one of 15 organizations recognized as recipients of  Meta Grants to benefit our local community.  He followed up on AG Dan's observation that the Rotary Vision Statement should be recited - rather than read.
  • Gerry Paulus was happy to be a new member of Mesa West Rotary.  He said fifteen years earlier he received his first Paul Harris Fellow and he pledged $100 toward his next level of recognition.
  • Ed Koeneman said their son had spent another week in Poland still sleeping in a closet near some large AC equipment.  He told his parents he was going to get a tattoo of the Koeneman Coat of Arms.
  • Warren Williamson told a story about Little Johnie.  They were studying sea mammals in their science class.  Little Johnie was proud to tell her about Jonah being swallowed by a whale.  The teacher tried to explain that in reality that would not be possible.  Little Johnie was sure it was true because it was in the Bible.  Little Johnie said, "Well, when I get to Heaven and see Jonah, I'm going to ask him."  The teacher retorted, "What if Jonah isn't in Heaven?"  Little Johnie said, "Then, you can ask him."
Announcements
  • With the Meta Community Action Grant, we will be purchasing 30 Oculus II head sets for placement in local public libraries.  Because it was so difficult, many students were not inclined to study science, technology, engineering and math.  Colleen believes when students experience what STEM can do through the virtual enhanced reality the grant will allow us to provide, they will be more inclined to aspire to higher goals for themselves.  The libraries will be provided the RI virtual reality featuring the Rotary Wheel image that was sunk to create an eco-system renewal.
  • Our Rotary Week of Service project will be at the YMCA managed by our own Greg Bouslog.  Our volunteers will be cleaning and repainting the pool deck at their facility the morning of April 13. 
  • It has been approved that our club will transfer recognition points to help any member get their first Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.  Once the member has contributed $500, the club will transfer up to 500 recognition points to get them to their first $1,000.  If you don't know where you stand, John Pennypacker can help.  It's easy to check for yourself through your "My Rotary" account on the rotary.org website.  If you haven't set up your "My Rotary" account yet, put that chore on your "to do" list.
  • Our final March service project was announced.  Meal service would again be provided by our volunteers at Paz de Cristo Friday, March 29.
Program - Deborah Schaus - Aster Aging
 
 
Eric Silverberg introduced Deborah Schaus - the CEO of Aster Aging.  Deborah has over 30 years experience as a Social Worker in Non-Profit Aging Services.  She received her Masters from ASU.
 
Deborah hoped everyone was relaxed after lunch.  She began by reminding everyone how excited children are to be aging.  They use fractions to excitedly say how old they are, like "I'm seven and a half!"  They admire their older siblings just because they are older.  One of the goals of Aster Aging is to bring back the joy of aging.
 
Aster has facility-based services where classes and activities are held..  They have huge kitchens at both their downtown and Red Mountain facilities where they can prepare and serve congregate meals as well as prepare meals on wheels to be delivered to those who are home bound.  
 
They try to meet seniors where they are at, encouraging them to get out and socialize but being available for those who cannot do so. For those who receive meals on wheels, their interaction with their driver may be the only social contact they have.  The drivers and the meal recipients form bonds where they truly care about and look forward to seeing each other.
 
For homebound seniors who have pets but no way to provide supplies for them, Aster has a service to help with that as well.  
 
Their "neighbors" program can provide drivers to get homebound seniors to their medical appointments or simply visit them in their home for social interaction, or simply call to check on them.  Volunteers can also help with non-medical home care.
 
Aster is a National Council on Aging Benefits Enrollment Center.  Sometimes there are benefits available that the seniors are unaware of, laving money on the table that could benefit them.  Through this center they are helped with enrolling for available benefits and navigating a complicated system which can be very daunting for seniors.
 
Their counselors can provide a hub helping seniors or family-members who are helping their parents adjust to life under new circumstances following a variety of health-related events which change their capacity dramatically.  The Aster staff can help them connect to needed resources.
 
The quality of a community can be judged by how well they provide for their most marginalized citizens.  Aster is there to try to take care of a very vulnerable population in Mesa and the surrounding communities.  They need growth in both volunteers and funding support to meet the growing needs of our aging population.  The numbers needing service grow each year.
 
Visit AsterAZ.org to learn more.
Read more...
Mesa West Rotary Foundation - Annual Sponsor Drive
Mesa West Rotary Club operates two separate legal entities.  Our Rotary Club is a 501(c)(4), which is not a tax-deductible charitable organization, but is exempt from income tax.  Our club operations income from dues, most happy bucks (unless otherwise designated), raffle income, etc. is used to pay for the cost of operating the club - our meal expense, supplies, education of our officers, etc.
 
The charitable work and giving that we do is funded through Mesa West Rotary Foundation.  It is a 501(c)(3) public charity.  It is the fundraising and funding vehicle for our charitable endeavors:  Donations to MWRF are tax deductible.
 
For the past several years, rather than have major public events to raise funds, we have quietly gone to our friends, family, current and past business associates, etc. and simply asked for sponsorship donations.  We have averaged about $50,000 each year in revenue from our sponsorship drive.  So our members will be better acquainted with those who are involved with the MWRF Board of Trustees, each of the five Trustees will be team leaders this year.  CLICK HERE to down load a list showing who is on each Trustee's team.  Traditional fundraising events are very time and effort intensive and rarely yield the kind of results this effort has produced.  The Sponsor Drive has allowed Mesa West Rotary Club members to focus their Rotary effort on service projects.  The other advantage is that our donors can be assured that their donation will go entirely to charity as there are no cost-of-fundraising expenses.  
 
Sometimes donors hesitate to give to a fundraising dinner where names of sponsors are published because they don't want others knocking on their door asking for more money.  There are probably many people we know who admire what we do that would like to be a part of it, but cannot afford the time to be involved.  More people would admire what we do if we bragged about it outside of Rotary more often.  You might be surprised that someone would offer to donate if you bragged about the fact that we don't waste our time and resources putting on lavish events. Some of those donors  may have the opportunity to have their gift matched by their employer.  
 
Have fun telling why you are proud to be a Rotarian, and get your "ask" in gear.
Something to Ponder
“Spread love everywhere you go.
Let no one ever come without leaving happier.”
—Mother Teresa
A Bit of Humor
A man walks into a lawyer's office and asks, "How much do you charge?"
The lawyer says, "$5,000 for three questions."
The man says, "Wow! That's pretty expensive isn't it?"
And the lawyer says, "Yes. Now, what's your third question?"
 
Support Westwood HS Interact with Tax Credit Donation
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.

Go to https://westwood.mpsaz.org/page/eca/ and click on the link to pay on the district's website. 
Or go straight to https://mpsaz.sites.thrillshare.com/o/mpsaz/page/pay-donate  in lower right, click on Pay Online


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.
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.
 
Speakers
Apr 04, 2024
MPS Community Partners
Apr 11, 2024
Kenya Mother-Child Global Grant
Apr 18, 2024
Councilmember District 2
Apr 25, 2024
Guaymas Project
May 02, 2024
Power of Positivity
May 09, 2024
Homeless Youth Connections
May 16, 2024
Metabolic Syndrome "X"
May 23, 2024
Mesa Chamber
May 30, 2024
We are dark on the 5th Thursday of any month with five Thursdays
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Director '24
 
Director '24
 
Director '25
 
Director '25
 
Director '25
 
Mesa West Foundation President
 
Club Service Chair
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair for Mesa West
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Services Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Rotary Week of Service Project at YMCA
Ross Farnsworth EV YMCA
Apr. 13, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Apr. 16, 2024 5:30 p.m.
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
May 21, 2024 5:30 p.m.
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
John Bethea
April 1
 
Lu General
April 2
 
Wayne General
April 3
 
Polly Cady
April 5
 
John Pennypacker
April 10
 
Tim Troy
April 11
 
Stephen West
April 26
 
Debbie Koeneman
April 27
 
Spouse Birthdays
Wayne General
April 3
 
Polly Cady
April 5
 
Kim Deering
April 12
 
Randy Jackson
April 18
 
Debbie Koeneman
April 29
 
Tom Considine
April 30
 
Anniversaries
Andy Bradford
Kim Bradford
April 2
 
Jack Rosenberg
Cindy Rosenberg
April 4
 
Bert Millett
Kelli Millett
April 5
 
Debbie Koeneman
Ed Koeneman
April 5
 
Ed Koeneman
Debbie Koeneman
April 5
 
Lu General
Wayne General
April 11
 
Wayne General
Lu General
April 11
 
Ron Thompson
Toni Farmer-Thompson
April 15
 
Bryan Goetzenberger
Donna Goetzenberger
April 29
 
Donna Goetzenberger
Bryan Goetzenberger
April 29
 
Melodie Jackson
Randy Jackson
April 30
 
Join Date
Jim Erickson
April 1, 1977
47 years
 
Keith Deering
April 1, 1992
32 years
 
John Pennypacker
April 5, 2001
23 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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