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.
Rotary made a promise to the children of the world with the launch of the Polio Plus program in 1985 that we would eradicate polio from the world. Thanks to vaccines and the incredible support of Rotary members, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9%
BUT WE AREN'T DONE YET.
As we continue our work to eradicate polio worldwide, we need to remain vigilant so that we don't lose the progress we've made. No child should suffer from diseases like polio that a vaccine can prevent. Polio eradication is Rotary's top humanitarian project, and we need your help to educate your communities about the benefits of vaccination and tell the story of Rotary's efforts.
There are only two countries with reported cases of the wild polio virus this year. Afghanistan has reported 1 case in 2025. Last year they reported a total of 25 cases. Pakistan has reported 6 cases so far this year. They reported 74 cases in 2024.
As long as the wild polio virus is active anywhere, it has the potential to spread to unvaccinated communities elsewhere.
President Jay asked Ted Williams to offer the invocation. Connie Bunyard led the Pledge of Allegiance. John Pennypacker led the Four-Way-Test the way he memorized it - musically.
Introduction of Guests
John Pennypacker introduced Larry Gillham and his granddaughter, Kelsey. He then introduced his DG classmate, Elsa Gillham.
Todd Harris, a visiting Rotarian from the Four Peaks Rotary Club introduced himself as the district's new Membership Chair. He came to the Mesa West meeting hoping to meet an individual who he had been working with so he could introduce her to our club.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck briefly explained the raffle. The holders of the ticket drawn by Ted Williams, and the winners of the $300 small pot were the three musketeers at the "AARP table." John Benedict was their dedicated teammate to try to draw the Ace of Clubs, which would have entitled them to the large, accumulating, pot of $1,010. Sadly (for John, Steve, and Jack) the card John drew was the King of Clubs.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition - Foundation Chair John Pennypacker
John asked his guest, PDG Elsa Gillham, to present President Jay Paulus with his Paul Harris Fellow+2 recognition pin. It was noted that the birthday of Paul Harris, Rotary's founder, would be celebrated Saturday, April 19.
Happy Bucks - Andy Bradford, Sgt at Arms
Eric Silverberg was happy to see some great guests at our meeting. He shared some good news about a friend's new kidney and encouraged his fellow members to consider being organ donors.
Chad Reid announced his Toastmasters Club would be hosting an open house April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Oak for Less Amish Furniture Creations1660 S Alma School Rd #100Mesa, AZ 85210.
Colleen Coons contributed thanking
Todd Harris for stepping up to the the District Membership Chairman.
She was also happy to be receiving a reimbursement check from Mesa West Foundation for the $680 in stipends paid out to our mentored McKinney Vento students who are doing very well in their senior year.
She announced that District Conference registration would close at the end of the day Friday, April 18. She reminded members that Chad Reid would be leading a breakout session at the conference where he would facilitate attendees to gain the ability to present Rotary in two minutes or less.
Colleen has recently learned that McKinney Vento students will be able to utilize EVIT housing.
Chuck Flint contributed hoping his contribution was enough to prevent John from ever singing again.
Ted Williams is retired now, but was in the self-storage business for many years. His son Terrick, took over the business and Ted pledged $50 to the sponsor program because he had the privilege recently of being present when Terrick was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a Self-Storage Trade Show.
Dick Myren contributed with an update about his friend's granddaughter who was recently stabbed. She had been released from the hospital, but still facing a long recovery period.
Harry Grossman contributed for having made another trip to Sedona and returning with a carload of stuff. He is gradually getting moved.
Ray Smith contributed $500 to the sponsor program - glad that tax season was finally over.
John Pennypacker contributed. He was happy to have had his family together enjoying one another for a few days. He was also happy to be enjoying his guests: DG classmate, Elsa Gillham and her husband, Larry and granddaughter Kelsey.
Elsa Gillham contributed. She was happy to see her classmate and enjoy the warm fellowship of Mesa West Rotary.
Pam Cohen announced that Ed Koeneman's team is ahead by $250 in the Sponsor Program. She said the total gathered to date was about $29,000.
Jay Paulus contributed $2 celebrating a quote from Anne Frank "How wonderful it is that no one has to wait, but we can start right now to gradually change the world!'
Frank Rosenberg, who is on John Pennypacker's sponsor campaign team, contributed $250 to celebrate that he has now passed 250 patients in his new practice.
Warren Williamson told a story about a gentleman from the old Soviet Union who was migrating to the US to live with his nephew. As his luggage was being checked before leaving, a small bust was found. When questioned about it, the gentleman said it was a bust of Stalin, the founder and benefactor who had created a new and better way of life in the Soviet Union. Once in the US, his baggage was again checked and the same bust was found. When asked about it, he said it was a bust of the man who made him want to leave his country of birth because of the evil and suppression. After he finally arrived at his nephew's home, his nephew was helping him get settled. When he saw the bust, he asked who it was. The old gentleman said it really didn't matter who it was - it was six pounds of gold.
Announcements - President Jay Paulus
CLICK HEREor on the image to learn more about the Zap the Gap event to be held at The Studios on April 29.
Meta will be hosting an event similar to our Ignite Innovation on April 24.
District Governor Michelle Holcomb did a great job of promoting the Rotary license plate that is now available when she made her official visit to our club September 26. Mesa West Rotary members often lead the way. We want to encourage our members to get their plates purchased so we can be known for having the highest percentage of members displaying the Rotary license plate on their car(s). To that end, we have two incentives to offer:
The first Mesa West Rotary Club member who can honestly tell a story about how they met someone who showed interest in Rotary because of their plate AND that conversation resulted in an approved membership application into Mesa West Rotary or any other Rotary District 5495 club will get one free quarter of their Mesa West Rotary Club dues.
CLICK HERE or on Michelle's photo to go to the order form on the MVD website, scroll down alphabetically and get yours ordered.
Well, maybe NOT the shirt off your back, but instead some old t-shirts out of the back of your closet.
Westwood Interact Club will again be making dog chew toys for a couple of animal shelterswhere the Paws For Peers program rescues and trains dogs to work as therapy animals with teachers within Mesa Public Schools. .They make these dog toys out of old t-shirts. So, dig way back into your closet, or that drawer where all your old stuff is, and bring a shirt or two to lunch at one of our Thursday meetings this September.
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.
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.
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Well, maybe NOT the shirt off your back, but instead some old t-shirts out of the back of your closet. 
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.
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: