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.
Event: GAIN Webinar: Emergency Preparedness & Neighborhood Communication Date: Wednesday 3/26 Time: 11:15AM – 12PM Guest Speaker: Robert Campa, City of Mesa Emergency Manager
Emergencies can strike at any time, and a community’s response plays a crucial role in how quickly and effectively it recovers. This GAIN Webinar will equip neighborhoods with the knowledge and tools needed to stay prepared and connected during crises as we cover the following topics:
Types of emergencies most likely to impact the City of Mesa
Essential steps you can take now to be prepared
Real-life examples of communities working together in times of crisis
Plus, one registered attendee will receive a Walmart gift card to help them put together their own emergency preparedness kit.
ASU Edson Entrepreneurship+Innovation Institute and The Mesa West Rotary Club Present the Igniting Innovation Venture Challenge to Support Young Entrepreneurs.
It was recently announced to the public that the Mesa West Rotary Club, in partnership with ASU J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute (Edson E+I), is thrilled to announce the community pitch competition, Igniting Innovation Venture Challenge. This event is designed to empower young local entrepreneurs by providing a platform for them to pitch innovative business ideas that address community needs and drive sustainable impact in the creative technology industries. The Challenge is the culminating event for the 3-month Innovation Series being hosted by Edson E+I at The Studios @ Mesa City Center.
The Igniting Innovation Venture Challenge will feature a panel of esteemed judges, including successful entrepreneurs, investors, government and business leaders, who will offer mentorship, guidance, and funding for promising ventures. This exciting event showcases the spirit of innovation in Mesa and ASU, highlighting ventures that have the potential to transform the local economy and inspire the next generation of business leaders.
"We’re excited to bring the Igniting Innovation Venture Challenge to our community," said Gerald Paulus, President of the Mesa West Rotary Club. "Our Theme This year within our District, is “Rotary Means Business” and this initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering young entrepreneurship, local economic development and supporting innovative thinkers. By giving young entrepreneurs a stage to present their ideas and learn from experienced professionals, we’re helping them turn their visions into reality." Applications will open on January 27, 2025 and close on February 21st 2025. https://entrepreneurship.asu.edu/e_i_events/
The Igniting Innovation Venture Challenge in person event will take place on March 27, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at The Studios @ Mesa City Center. Aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their applications by February 21st 2025. Selection criteria include the originality of the business venture and demonstrate that income is already being generated, the feasibility of the business plan, and the potential for growth and community impact.
In addition to the opportunity to pitch their ideas, selected entrepreneurs will benefit from:
Mentorship: Direct guidance and expert advice from the panel of judges.
Networking: Access to a network of professionals who can provide valuable connections and resources.
Exposure: Increased visibility through media coverage and community support.
Funding: Potential investment from the judges and other investors attending the event.
"We have created a supportive, inclusive environment where young entrepreneurs can thrive," said Kristin Slice, Director of Community Entrepreneurship, Edson E+I. "Our goal is to empower participants with the knowledge, resources, and confidence they need to succeed in today’s competitive business world."
Registration for the event may be found here and applications may also be found there. Community members are encouraged to attend to support local entrepreneurs, and witness firsthand the innovative ideas shaping our community.
Saturday, March 8, Mesa West Rotarians were visible. Jim Schmidt was very much in the spotlight as the Club Leadership Academy is all about training club volunteers for their roles in the coming year, which will be Jim's year as District Governor. During the opening session, Jay Paulus as Mesa West Rotary Club President and Pam Cohen as Mesa West Rotary Foundation President Joined Jim in presenting a check to Mario Marquez for the Paradise Valley Community College Foundation to support scholarship(s) for one or more students in need. Mario is a Rotarian who is on staff at PVCC and was instrumental in making their facility available for CLA and helping arrange catering for the event, while keeping costs at an affordable level. Mario gave a shout out to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona for the grants TRVFA has provided for some of their nursing students.
Polly Cady is shown with Jan Gray from Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary. Polly was promoting Rotary Leadership Institute at her table as well as sharing it with Dan Coons who was promoting State 48 T-Shirt sales.
Allan Cady and Jeanie Morgan were promoting giving to support TRVFA and providing education about their vocational education grants and the advantages of tax-credit giving.
There were several other Mesa West Rotarians in attendance at CLA either as session presenters or taking advantage of the excellent learning opportunities.
Harry Grossman enthusiastically led everyone in reciting The Four-Way Test.
Introduction of Guests
Melody Jackson introduced her sister-in-law, Carrie Wilkerson. Several members who were attending via Zoom were acknowledged: Lizzy Barron, Pai Bethea, Shawn Buntin, Shelly Romine and Gary Whitehill.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck asked Kayla Mudge to draw the winning raffle ticket, which was held by Eric Silverberg. After delivering the $35 weekly pot to Eric, he let Eric shuffle the cards face down. Eric then attempted to draw the Ace of Clubs, which would have made him the winner of the large, accumulating pot of $855. Sadly (for Eric) the card he drew was the Jack of Spades, which was destroyed. Each week the odds get better the the accumulating pot gets larger. After the accumulating pot is over $500, the raffle is not available to guests. It's not unusual for member attendance to improve when the pot reaches this level.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms - Andy Bradford
Chad Reid announced that he has been nominated in Toastmasters for their #3 position in Arizona. He said he is the only candidate, which improves his odds of being elected.
Penny May, our favorite visiting Rotarian from Alaska, contributed saying she was happy for support received when she recently posted about the 3rd anniversary of the loss of her husband, Charlie. She was very happy to be at the meeting.
Eric Silverberg donated his raffle winnings to the Sponsor Campaign. He was happy Jim Schmidt and the others from Mesa West who were there enjoyed a great President Elect Training Seminar (PETS). He was also happy for the guests at his table who would be speaking later.
Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 - happy that he and honorary member Rod Daniels were associated with the Ace of Clubs. He added some additional $$ confessing he'd left his Rotary badge in his car. His great grandson in Washington Iowa was in 3rd place in state competition on an archery team that was also in 3rd place in the state. He was soon going to be headed to national competition in Kentucky. The school system was paying his parent's expenses to travel with the team to the competition. Dick asked to be billed $20 for the sponsor program to celebrate his second granddaughter to get married. The wedding was in Willard, Missouri (near Springfield) and her husband prepared all the food.
Allan Cady was happy they had company from Charlotte. Polly was absent because she was with them. Allan made a pledge of $100 to the Sponsor Program for Polly's team.
Pam Cohen contributed for her recent missed meetings and also pledged $100 to the Sponsor Campaign. She went on to mention information on the table about the sponsor campaign, saying it was time "to get this party started." The campaign will be in sprint mode between now and the end of the Rotary fiscal year - June 30. She said that, so far, $16,000 has been donated to Mesa West Rotary Foundation this year. Pam said she would use matching points from her Paul Harris recognition account to match donations made between now and the end of March. The five team leaders are: Ed Koeneman, John Pennypacker, Kayla Mudge, Ray Smith, and Chuck Flint.
Kayla Mudge enjoyed PES. She tended bar at the hospitality suite hosted by District 5495. She confessed the drinks might have been a little heavy.
Warren Williamson said even though he is an electrical engineer, he is not in love with technology - especially not in love with cyber security and the necessity of creating and recreating passwords. We're advised not to use pet names as they are too easy to hack. In an attempt to make life easier for himself, he named his Chihuahua 43L92&g, but the dog won't come when he calls her.
Auction - Chuck Flint Auctioneer, Melodie Jackson Donor
A bag of items purchased by Melodie Jackson on her recent European vacation was auctioned. Jim Schmidt began the bidding at $25 and the bidding was pretty lively and competitive until Connie Bunyard verified that she could designate her bid to go to her team in the Sponsor Campaign and bid $75. There were a variety of items in the bag, including a beach towel, wooden spoon, sea salt, Cypress Delights, lemon rice, an orange/honey mixture and more.
Announcements
Jay Paulus announced that those who have signed up to attend Rotary Day at the Park March 21 will be able to pick up their ticket at the will call window on the south side of Sloan Park. He also encouraged those who plan to attend to carpool. There will be no regular meeting March 20.
March 27 we will have a regular meeting at noon. That evening will be the Ignite Innovation competition. It will be free for those who attend. Members were encouraged to arrive at the Studios at Mesa City Center at 4:30. Because it is an ASU facility, alcohol will not be available.
Jay announced that several possibilities are being considered for our Rotary Week of Service Project the week of April 14-19. Possibilities are House of Refuge or Midwest Food Bank. More to come in the near future on this subject.
John Pennypacker announced that he had been looking into an alternative solution to adding a new banner for each new district governor in our club, now that we are up to seven PDG's and two DG's to be. He showed a sample of what it would look like to list several listed on the same pull-up banner. He learned he can purchase two pull-up banners for the cost of one felt banner as we have been displaying. It will make getting the room ready for each meeting much easier, and allow more space to enjoy socializing with one another.
Members were encouraged to register for the District Conference which will be held May 2-3. Thursday evening May 1, there will be a steamboat cruise on Saguaro Lake to raise funds for The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.
Members were reminded of the Blood Drive to take place at the YMCA on April 2.
Ed reminded members to put the April 5 Spring Olympics on their calendar at the Koeneman hacienda. There might be a new event - the Great Chicken Chase!
President Jay was happy to have completed what was needed for the etched disk that will be launched to the moon in September: it will include our club photo, our roster of club members, the Rotary Four Way test and a letter from our President to the future - for whoever might one day find the disk as part of a Time Capsule on the moon. Exciting Project...
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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Al Nunez led the Pledge of Allegiance. 
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: