Tuesday, March 22, several members of our club and district and friends of Rotary Youth Exchange were present at the Education Committee meeting in the Arizona House of Representatives. Their presence and support made a positive impact on action taken by the committee that day.
This Saturday morning, April 2nd, the Gilbert Club along with other clubs and volunteers will be helping to move and assemble the furniture items for the Afghan Refugee family. I believe I've coordinated with those of you who have donated items, however, if I missed you, please reach out so that I can coordinate with you. At this time there are no outstanding items that need to be sourced! Once again, a big THANK YOU to all of you!
If you want to help, and missed seeing the email containing details, CLICK HERE
Rotary Club of Mesa West is planning to collect pillow donations (standard size-new) from now until April 23rd to benefit Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) as a kick off for our Rotary Week of Service Project. (see below or click on their logo for more info on SHP)
We now have a location where NEW standard-size pillows can be dropped off for this project. They can be dropped off between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Salvation Army, 241 East 6th Street, Mesa, Arizona. AZ 85201
Please save the date of SaturdayApril 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
We will be coming together with the donated pillows to assemble bedding kits.
The Mesa West Rotary Foundation is contributing funds to purchase other bedding that will be matched with the individually donated pillows to be delivered with beds that are provided by other sponsors of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The planned location for the bedding kit assembly on April 23 is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, located at 848 North Westwood, Mesa, AZ 85201.
Club members can also bring donations of NEW standard-size pillows to club meetings. EMAIL SHELLY ROMINE if you have any questions or need to arrange for your donated pillows to be picked up.
In the coming weeks you will see additional communication for this project and requests for you to share the details on social media to help promote Rotary and all the good we do in the community.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a volunteer organization that builds beds for kids who are sleeping on the floor. Their motto is "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town". A link to their website is below:
President Dan opened the meeting by thanking Robin Harris for serving as Greeter. He thanked the members for the gift of being able to serve as Club President He then reminded Rotarians and guests of the Rotary International 2021-22 theme - Serve to Change Lives - after which he recited the Rotary Vision Statement:
Together we see a world where people unite and
take action to create lasting change -
across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Invocation and Pledge
The invocation was offered by Sean Green. Dan Lamborn led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rotary Minute - Robin Harris
Robin asked members to think about the power of the words in the Rotary Four-Way Test. If we truly evaluate everything we think, say, and do, using that standard, we will be able to effectively create the lasting change we envision with our Vision Statement.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOOD WILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
He suggested that if we have not yet done so, that we memorize both the Four-Way Test and the Vision Statement. John Pennypacker made a confession. On his first official club visit when he was District Governor, he was asked to recite the Four-Way Test, and he was unable to do so. He was motivated to commit those very special 25 words to memory so he would not face that problem again.
Editorial Comment: At the meeting both the Vision Statement and the 4-Way Test were said to contain 24 words. Technically, there is a space between "GOOD" and "WILL," making a total of 25 words in the Four-Way Test.
Introduction of Guests
Jim Schmidt introduced Rosalyn Schmidt
Colleen Coons introduced PDG Barb Feder who said that as District Governor, she memorized and could recite the Four-Way-Test from the bottom up. She is working on the initiative in our District to bring more awareness to Rotary's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative. Barb and Colleen were going to meet to strategize how Rotaract could be involved.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck Flint briefly explained the rules of the raffle. The holder of the stub of the ticket drawn would win $55 plus the opportunity to try to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the deck, which would make them the winner of an additional $170. Should they draw the only joker in the deck, they would win $20. Logan Harper was asked to draw the winning ticket - which was held by John Pennypacker. When John drew from the deck of cards, his luck stopped - he drew the Four of Diamonds.
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
John Pennypacker said that he recently visited the Mesa Rotary Club where he learned about a young lady from Russia who is a student at the Benedictine University in Mesa. It was John's understanding that she was attending the University on a volleyball scholarship. The war in the Ukraine has created an unusual hardship situation for her. She cannot go home to Russia. She can no longer receive funds from her family in Russia from whom she had been receiving $500 each month. She has apparently injured her knee requiring corrective surgery and is facing a bill of $2,500 for that. John will try to learn more about how the Mesa Club plans to help her and see if there is opportunity for Mesa West Rotary to help through our club foundation.
Ed Koeneman is happy the club will be visiting his home and his workshop March 31. He said that Sean Green had visited for a preview and "play date" March 23. They made "man glitter" together (sawdust). He was also happy that Sean brought a gift of a hand-crafted wooden shelf to him at the meeting (he showed it off) and that Jack Rosenberg had brought him some pieces of stuff he created and Ed will use it to create something using using Jack's pieces. Ed was also happy because it is only 639 days until the next Star Wars movie will be released.
Tim Troy was happy. He had hoped Frank Rosenberg would be at the meeting. He said he had talked to Frank 6-8 weeks ago about having an interest in learning to fly. After that conversation, Frank took Tim on a flying adventure in his plane. They flew over Tim's place near Cornville, Frank's place in Flagstaff, and flew over Sedona as they headed back south. Frank would not accept any money for fuel. Tim pledged $100 for the sponsorship campaign to be credited to Frank's team.
Warren Williamson contributed. He wanted to keep Jeane Crouse's word education tradition alive. He recalled a second grade teacher who taught him the difference between can and may when he asked "Can I do..." and his teacher responded, "if you are able, you can, but you may not." He pointed to the lectern and said many would call that object a podium but that would be inaccurate. The word "podium" was derived from the latin root word for foot and refers to a raised platform.
Colleen Coons contributed. She was happy to announce that Ed Koeneman has accepted the Director of Interact Relations on the Rotaract District Council.
Donna Goetzenberger donated $20. She was very happy with the support she received Tuesday, March 22, when a committee at the Arizona House of Representatives was discussing striking words from a bill before they approved it to go on to the House floor. CLICK HERE to learn more in a letter from Donna to Mesa West members.
Jim McGown contributed. The reason he missed the March 17 meeting was because he was serving as a volunteer driver at the Mecum Collector Car Auction in Glendale March 16-19. He enjoyed the entire adventure, but the car that seemed to be his favorite was the one he drove last - a McLaren. Members were urged to let Jim know if they wanted to find out how to be volunteer drivers at the auction next year.
Don LaBarge recalled Ben Eubanks telling Rotarians to face the wall and recite the Four-Way-Test. He said his granddaughter Renee will be coming from New Jersey to Arizona for a week-long visit.
Polly Cady contributed. She was very proud of the way Donna Goetzenberger approached the legislative challenge faced by Youth Exchange. She was also happy that Mesa West had five members in attendance at the March 19 Rotary Leadership Institute. Three graduated - Colleen Coons, Pam Cohen, and Logan Harper. Sean Green is ready for Session III and Diane Ware is now ready for Session II.
Allan Cady contributedannouncing he will become a great grandfather next summer. His granddaughter Lauren is expecting. He was also happy to announce that by popular demand, he has been able to schedule Judge Tommy Webb to be the speaker at the club meeting on April 21. We may need to ask the hotel to have a n extra table or two in the room that day. Allan encouraged members to invite guests to the April 21 meeting.
Chuck Flint contributed $3. He has fond memories of Rotary Youth Exchange. He and Dave Howell have taken Youth Exchange Students on an annual adventure into Mexico several times. They are supporting Macy in her studies at GCU.
Colleen Coons contributed a second time - she was very happy to have her own money to share.
Pam Cohen was happy to have graduated from RLI. She also was thankful for the opportunity to be at the Mecum auction where she was introduced to drifting. She shared some videos to show the heart-stopping excitement of drifting. She was also happy to see Barb Feder and have Tim Troy at our meeting.
Don Boucher asked to be billed $10 - partly because he was late, but mostly because he was impressed with Donna's hard work.
President Dan wrapped it up. He, too, was very impressed with Donna's hard work and the support Rotarians and the family of Rotary provided. He also wants to make sure he is on the volunteer list to be one of the drivers at the Mecum auction in the future. Bob Zarling recalled taking a Rotary Youth Exchange student to the Barrett-Jackson auction, saying the student came away from the auction, obviously stunned.
Program - Recognition for Support of The Rotary Foundation - Foundation Chair Chuck Flint
Chuck began by sharing some information: On the Rotary Website, we now show 1.4 million members worldwide. For decades the number has been stagnant at 1.2 million. The difference - Rotaract members now have Rotarian status.
The easiest way to give to The Rotary Foundation is through Rotary Direct. It is an automated, repetitive, systematic way of giving. Each time a donation is automatically made, the donor receives an e-mail acknowledging the donation. 31 members of Mesa West have signed up for Rotary Direct. It can be accomplished on line through the Rotary Website or with a call to Rotary International Headquarters or by using the information contained in the flyer - a couple of which he had placed on each of the tables. Chuck announced that he had the list with him that would let members know where they stand in receiving their first or subsequent levels of Foundation giving if anyone wanted to check with him after the meeting.
On the Foundation pages of the RI Website, this vision statement appears:
Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international
relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to
support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
On a sub-page, nine causes are listed:
Ending Polio
Promoting Peace
Fighting Disease
Providing Clean Water
Supporting Education
Saving Mothers and Children
Growing Local Economies
Protecting the Environment
Disaster Response
The first level of recognition for support of The Rotary Foundation is Paul Harris Fellow recognition, which is awarded when dollars given and/or recognition points transferred total $1,000. Members reaching this level receive a pin and a certificate.
Logan Harper was the first to be recognized. After receiving his pin and certificate, he yielded to Chuck's suggestion that he start a new tradition by celebrating with a flex pose for the camera.
Each additional $1,000 level achieved is recognized with pins with gems mounted in them. Receiving Paul Harris Plus One recognition pins, each containing one sapphire, were Don LaBarge (accepting for Robert LaBarge) and Ed Koeneman.
Next to be recognized was Tim Troy who receive his new pin containing two sapphires and representing $3,000 in total giving and/or recognition points accrued.
Joan Reimann and Jack Rosenberg were each recognized for achieving Paul Harris Plus Four recognition status. Jack indicated it was one more milestone in his 40+ years with our club. He joined Mesa West in 1980. They each received Paul Harris recognition pins containing four sapphires representing $5,000 in total giving and/or recognition points accrued.
Erwin Reimann was presented a pin containing 5 sapphires representing $6,000 in total giving and/or recognition points accrued. Erwin remarked about how easy it is to achieve higher recognition when using Rotary Direct. He doesn't have to remember to do anything. It just happens.
Jim and Rosalyn Schmidt were invited to the front of the room. Jim was presented with his final two Paul Harris Recognition Pins. Paul Harris Plus 7 - a pin containing 2 Rubies, and Paul Harris Plus 8 - a pin containing 3 Rubies. These are the final levels that can be achieved with a combination of monetary donations and recognition points. The next recognition presented was that of Major Donor Level One - $10,000 in accumulated monetary donations are the only way to achieve Major Donor Status. Giving at this level is truly a family achievement and Rosalyn had been invited to participate in the celebration.
Current members of Mesa West Rotary who have achieved Major Donor status in supporting The Rotary Foundation are: Allan and Polly Cady, Pam Cohen, Jim Crutcher, Keith Deering, Jim Erickson, Chuck Flint, Lu and Wayne General, Don LaBarge, Jeanie Morgan, John Pennypacker, Jim Schmidt, and Ted Williams.
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.
Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
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.