President Chris Krueger opened the meeting with Daryl Bethea offering the invocation and John Benedict leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray Smith led Rotarians and guests in singing White Christmas.
Guests
Donna Goetzenberger introduced her guests - her and Brian's daughters, Emilee and Paige. She pointed out that Paige will be an outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student this coming year. Frank Rosenberg introduced his wife Amanda and daughter, Sammi. Brian Harvey introduced his wife and best friend, Marsha. Don LaBarge introduced Tom Bradford who has submitted an application for membership in Mesa West Rotary.
Drawings
Lolita Wiesner won $10 in the attendance drawing. $5 had rolled over from the prior week when the tokens for the drawing could not be located. Chuck Flint asked Tom Bradford to draw the winning ticket for the weekly raffle. Steve Ross, John Benedict and Dick Myren - the three musketeers had pooled their ticket money and were the lucky ticket holders. Steve Ross accepted the $30 winnings on their behalf. John Benedict was elected to try to draw the ace of clubs for the $304 in accumulated winnings, but he disappointed the team when he drew the three of hearts. Chuck Flint explained the buck board for the benefit of our guests, then sold available spaces on the board to those who wanted to buy them as the meeting continued.
Happy Bucks
Don LaBarge was the first to contribute - happy that bell-ringing season was coming to an end and was very thankful to announce that he was able to cover all the remaining shifts. Frank Rosenberg has happy to celebrate his birthday. Dick Myren contributed $1 to continue Rod Daniels tradition of paying that amount each week because he was happy to be a member of Mesa West. Tim Troy contributed happy dollars to be able to attend the meeting and to make a big announcement. They recently sold TNT Shredding. Wendell Jones was happy to celebrate his and Carolyn's 36th anniversary. Chuck Flint had gone to Puerto Lobos, Mexico with some Phoenix 100 Rotarians. and six Rotary Youth Exchange students on an annual mission to bring some holiday joy to a very impoverished area of that community. Pam Cohen paid some sad bucks admitting that she was an hour late to the December 19 board meeting - arriving as everyone was headed to their cars. The board meeting was over.
Announcements
Brian Harvey distributed a Rotary "Count Your Blessings" Tax Yourself Form, suggesting members fill it out and contribute their tax to the Mesa West Foundation. CLICK HERE to download a copy of the form.
Program
Emilee and Paige Goetzenberger, along with Sammi Rosenberg, went to the podium to introduce Janel Huyett, a director with the Phoenix Children's Chorus. All three girls are active participants in programs under the PCC.
Mrs. Huyett began her involvement with the Phoenix Children’s Chorus in 2006. Her first role with the organization was as a Prep Choir parent and soon thereafter as a music literacy instructor. She became the Prep Choir director in 2008.
Mrs. Huyett is originally from the mid-west but considers Arizona her home. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Iowa and a Master of Arts in Education: Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.
Mrs. Huyett lives in Chandler with her husband Greg, and her daughter Rachel (who has sung with Prep, Cadet, Concert and Bravo Choirs).
Active participants in the choir programs find friendship, meaningful relationships, travel and a sense of community through their participation.
Mrs. Huyett feels that she can teach children to be better human beings through choral music. It is almost impossible to be thinking of themselves while actively participating. It is truly a place to belong and be accepted. Participants receive a world class music education. She was personally impressed when her daughter entered the program. Since she, as a teacher, considers herself to be an education "snob," her being impressed with the quality of the instruction was an indication that it was truly excellent. She enthusiastically became part of the team.
Mrs. Huyett said the administrative staff is excellent. The program is very well run. The organization is like a caring family. In addition to the youth finding their best friends in the organization, many of the parents find close friendships through their own involvement with other parents. The choirs perform locally at beautiful and challenging venues. Many outside groups ask for them to perform. What creates lasting memories for many of the students are the opportunities to participate in touring choirs. The memories of the planned activities are great, but what is overwhelming is what she calls "tour moments" that could not possibly be planned, but just happen. One such moment happened in New York when the choir was touring the 9/11 Memorial, and stopped everything around them when they spontaneously performed, singing from their hearts. Another such moment was on a tour to Australia, when the choir was in a rustic building and they had local musicians crying when the choir actually knew and beautifully delivered a performance of "Waltzing Matilda."
During those special moments, members sing from their hearts. Each gives a piece of their soul resulting in unimaginable connections with their listeners.
Costs of involvement are high. There is tuition, uniforms, and tour costs. PCC does fundraising to keep costs to students as low as possible, but also to scholarship youth with limited means so they are not excluded from participation. They have an intern program. There is an audition process to get into the choir program.
CLICK HERE or on the image to view a video that will create understanding about why our President, Chris Krueger is passionate about wanting to support Aqua Africa with a first-time Arizona awareness and fund-raising event during her presidential year.
Mesa West Rotarian, Steve West, and Ruth Collins, a lifelong Mesa resident will be honored at a February 19 banquet to be held by the Mesa Citizens of the Year Association.
A December 30 article in the East Valley Tribune had the following to say about Steve:
"West has served on the Mesa Baseline Rotary Club, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Mesa United Way, Grand Canyon Council Boy Scouts of America, the East Valley Partnership, Mesa Boys and Girls Club, the East Valley Institute of Technology and Visit Mesa.
"His community service spans 30 years, beginning as a member of the City of Mesa Museum and Cultural Advisory Board.
"Steve is an individual who is always willing to assume leadership roles in the organizations where he serves... One notable example of his volunteer service was his work as the co-chair for the 2010-11 Mesa United Way Annual Campaign. Although Mesa was still feeling the serious effects of the great recession, the campaign met its goal.
"West has also served in a variety of capacities for his church and several professional legal societies."
For the newer members of Mesa West who will attend the Holiday Party for the first time, the gift exchange is anonymous and optional. Numbers are drawn out of a hat for attendees to select a gift. Be prepared however, your gift "could" be stolen if someone likes it better than their chances of opening another gift. CLICK HERE or on the image to download a larger image of the flyer. If you did not sign up at a club meeting, E-MAIL PAM COHEN to rsvp and to let her know what appetizer or dessert you plan to bring to share
In Arizona, Rotarians have a unique way to do great Vocational Service in our local communities through The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona. Individual members can support vocational education grants for the working poor and get a dollar for dollar credit for their donation as a deduction from their state income tax obligation. Individual donors have until April 15 to make their tax credit donation for the 2018 tax year. They can make their donations on line at donate.trvfa.org.
Clubs also support TRVFA when they are approached by students who have applied for grants for club sponsorship of their application. Clubs are urged to develop relationships with their sponsored scholars and include them in club projects and activities. Some clubs choose to donate from their project budget to support the work of this find
TRVFA was incorporated by Rotarians as a 501(c)(3) public charity which is managed by a board made up entirely of Rotarian leaders. It is an on-going multi-district project which was "blessed" by Rotary International in 1993. For over 25 years, this organization was been a model of vocational service enabling the benefitting vocational scholars to move into well paying professions. The Rotary equivalent of choosing to "teach a man to fish so he will be fed for a lifetime as opposed to giving him man a fish and feeding him for a day."
Even though TRVFA is a Rotary-organized, Rotarian managed charity, supporting TRVFA is not limited to Rotarians. The tax credit donation opportunity is open to all Arizona residents who will have a state income tax obligation for 2018. Share this opportunity with your family, friends, and associates.
President Chris Krueger opened the meeting with Daryl Bethea offering the invocation and John Benedict leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray Smith led Rotarians and guests in singing White Christmas.
Program
CLICK HERE
Mesa West Rotarian, Steve West, and Ruth Collins, a lifelong Mesa resident will be honored at a February 19 banquet to be held by the Mesa Citizens of the Year Association.
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In Arizona, Rotarians have a unique way to do great Vocational Service in our local communities through The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona. Individual members can support vocational education grants for the working poor and get a dollar for dollar credit for their donation as a deduction from their state income tax obligation. Individual donors have until April 15 to make their tax credit donation for the 2018 tax year. They can make their donations on line at 
