President Dan Coons Called the meeting to order at noon, welcoming everyone by reciting the Rotary Vision Statement:
Together we wee a world where people unite
and take action to create lasting change
across the globe, in our communities,
and in ourselves.
He also recited the 2020-21 Rotary International Theme:
Rotary Opens Opportunities
President Dan asked Ray Smith to offer the invocation.
Tom Yuzer, a Rotarian from Minnesota, was welcomed again as a guest. Twenty-seven members were present, including honorary member, Sharon Spane. Members were very happy to see that Dick Myren had joined the meeting - his first Zoom meeting with Mesa West since the club stopped meeting in person last March. Several members were vocal about welcoming him.
Rotary Minute - Carla Krzmarik
Carla is our newest member of Mesa West Rotary. This is the 2nd time she had delivered our Rotary Minute. She did her homework and found the following information about Rotary and the United Nations:
During and after World War II, Rotarians became increasingly involved in promoting international understanding. In 1945, 49 Rotary members served in 29 delegations to the United Nations Charter Conference. Rotary still actively participates in UN conferences by sending observers to major meetings and promoting the United Nations in Rotary publications. Rotary International's relationship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) dates back to a 1943 London Rotary conference that promoted international cultural and educational exchanges. Attended by ministers of education and observers from around the world, and chaired by a past president of RI, the conference was an impetus to the establishment of UNESCO in 1946.
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
Greg noted Ron Thompson had a birthday coming up on New Years Eve. Ron pledged $100 toward his Paul Harris Fellow to celebrate that event.
Chris Krueger also was scheduled to celebrate a birthday before the club would be together again on December 22. She matched Ron's pledge.
Wendell Jones bragged about a 2400 road trip he had enjoyed with two of his sisters, Bethleen and Melody, and their husbands. Wendell picked them up where they live in Virden, New Mexico. They stayed at the Frury Inn in San Antonio and spent three days seeing the exotic animals on the ranch (Kudus, Ibex, Oryx, Zebras, Gemsbok, Black Hawaiian, Blackbuck antelope and many more), seeing his oil wells, walking and boating the Riverwalk, the Alamo and the other four missions there in San Antonio. "It was awesome!" Wendell wrapped up his happy talk saying he wanted to celebrate what would have been his and Carolyn's 38th wedding anniversary on December 18 by pledging $38 to the RI Foundation in memory of his sweetheart.
Bob Jensen was happy to have closed on a home he and Nancy have purchased in Tucson. The seller passed away after the purchase contract was signed, so closing the deal got complicated. Even though they will be making Tucson their permanent home after their Mesa home is sold, Bob made everyone happy when he announced he planned to remain a member of Mesa West Rotary.
Chuck Flint reminded those who had pledged to the RI Foundation, that Polio Plus donations also accrue Paul Harris recognition points and suggested they redirect their pledges to Polio Plus to help Mesa West keep the travelling trophy for Polio Plus support which we were the first club in the district to win when it was awarded for our giving in the 2019-20 Rotary Year. All agreed to redirect their pledges to Polio Plus.
Jeanie Morgan is confessing and making a $20 pledge. She did not take notes during the meeting. She had asked Dan for permission to record the meeting so she would not have to take notes and was really enjoying not being busy. Unfortunately, she failed to make an essential final click and the meeting did not get recorded. If members made a pledge not recorded in this segment, they need to follow the four-way test and email Jeanie stating how much and what was being celebrated.
Announcements
President Dan again thanked members for stepping up to fill vacant slots ringing the bell for Salvation Army this year.
Allan Cady reminded members that the Sponsorship Program for 2020-21 has officially started. Teams have been assigned, and a $30,000 goal has been set. There will again be a steak and beans celebration at the end of the drive - which will likely be sometime after the end of the first calendar quarter of 2021. The first year, the goal was $30,000 and we raised $40,000. The second year, the goal was $40,000 and we raised $54,200. He and his committee have set a modest goal of $30,000 this year, but they anticipate again exceeding it. President-Elect Bob Zarling has been working with Allan to prepare for this fundraising drive.
Club Assembly - Officiated by President, Dan Coons
In officially starting the assembly, Dan noted that we did have a quorum present so business could be conducted. In fact, it is noteworthy that the meeting was the second highest percentage of members attending a meeting this Rotary year.
The primary business to be conducted was to discuss and vote on whether to accept the Club Constitution and Club Bylaws which had recently been sent to all members to review prior to the meeting. Dan asked for comments or questions.
Ray Smith complimented the committee on the well thought out documents which he felt would bring everything together.
Dan specifically mentioned the suggested edits submitted by John Pennypacker.
Lucinda General commented on those suggested edits saying they would certainly optimize the clarity and were worthy of consideration.
Several voiced their confidence in the clarity of the documents as originally distributed.
After it became clear there were no further questions, Dan said the first document to consider should be the Constitution.
A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the Constitution of the Rotary Club of Mesa West.
After again verifying there were no further questions or comments, Dan said the next order of business would be to act on the Bylaw.
A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Mesa West.
President Dan noted that typically at the annual meeting in December, the club would vote on the slate of officers and directors to serve in the next Rotary Year. Bob Zarling reported that the slate is not yet complete. He does have a nominee for the highest position, but prefers to wait until commitments have been made regarding other positions before announcing the slate and asking for the club to vote to affirm the selections.
Chuck Flint provided a financial report on the Mesa West Rotary Foundation using balance sheet information as of December 12, 2020. CLICK HERE to view the information he shared.
It was noted that for the work of the Bylaws Committee to be completed, the Mesa West Rotary Foundation Board would need to meet for the purpose of reviewing and acting on the acceptance of the proposed Bylaws of Mesa West Rotary Foundation, Inc.
President Dan voiced his appreciation for the good attendance and participation at the Club Assembly.
The documents approved at the assembly are posted on the Mesa West Rotary Website under the "About Our Club" tab.
When the business of the assembly was completed, Allan Cady wanted to go back to Happy Bucks. Hesuggested that Jeanie Morgan should be directed to tally the number of words John Pennypacker wanted to add to the two sets of proposed bylaws and assess a $5 fine for each additional word.
Two Mesa West Rotarians are on the board at the Mesa Salvation Army. PDG Don LaBarge has worked with them for many years, and President-Elect Bob Zarling is a new recruit.
COVID created havoc at the Mesa station when ten members of the staff including Major Scott Ramsey and his wife contacted the disease. The center had to be shut down while all the other staff were tested and had to wait for their results.
The photo shows only part of what had been collected for Angel Tree gifts which needed to be sorted for each child and combined into family packages to be picked up this week. In addition, money coming in from the kettle stations had to be counted and taken to the bank. Major Ramsey is the one who enters that information into the computer, and he is still out ill with COVID. Even though the tickets from the incoming funds are ready to enter into their computer system, there is no way for Don to provide a tally of what our club has brought in so far this year from out bell ringing station at Bass Pro.
Over the weekend, a plea was sent by Shelly Romine for volunteers from our club to help with the sorting of all the donated items. The same plea was sent by District Governor Elizabeth to 50 clubs in the District. Don reports the response from Rotarians has been wonderful. Those picking up food and gifts have to stay in their cars and have their things brought to them. The line of cars waiting is creating traffic problems in downtown Mesa. It is all very frustrating, but everyone is trying to stay positive and do the best they can.
Don reported that Mrs. Ramsey had to be hospitalized late December 21. She is in critical condition with COVID complications. Prayers are needed. Thanks to all who are trying to help under these very difficult circumstances.
Colton Cagle graduated from Westwood High School in the spring of 2019. Mesa West Rotary had awarded him a scholarship of $1,000 which was put on hold since he was soon to embark on the adventure of being a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in The Netherlands in 2019-20.
Mesa West Rotarians may remember Colton when he visited our club with the executive officers of Westwooh High School Interact. The next year, he served as an AG on the Interact District Council. He was chosen to travel to Africa as an Ambassador on the 2019 Interact Crutches for Africa trip. During his senior year, he was the Interact District Governor.
His exchange ended earlier than anticipated because of COVID-related concerns of his host district. Since returning to the US, Colton has continued to be involved in youth programs of the District. He led the first virtual RYLA in October, and is set to lead another virtual RYLA in January.
Colton recently contacted Chuck Flint to activate his scholarship. He is planning to begin classes in January, and is very excited to begin his studies.
It has been fun watching Colton evolve, and we wish him well as he begins this new educational adventure.
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary that enables the amazing work we, as Rotarians, are all proud to be a part of. Every Rotarian is strongly encouraged to support TRF every year by donating to the General Fund of TRF. The target gift is $100 per year per member. That has been the target for a very long time and in the US the average family income has multiplied a few times since that target was set. Many Rotarians who have the means to do so have set their personal target at the $1,000 per year mark making them eligible for the Paul Harris Society level of donor recognition.
The End Polio Now campaign is a separate fund to which gifts are matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Many Rotarians choose to support both the general fund and the fight to end polio.
No matter what level you decide to donate, please support the Foundation by giving through Rotary Direct. CLICK HERE to get answers to commonly asked questions about this program. DOWNLOAD A FORM to authorize your Rotary Direct donations. By giving through Rotary direct, the opportunity for human error is eliminated and recognition credit for the Rotarian and their club is much more accurate and timelier.
President Dan Coons Called the meeting to order at noon, welcoming everyone by reciting the Rotary Vision Statement:
Two Mesa West Rotarians are on the board at the Mesa Salvation Army. PDG Don LaBarge has worked with them for many years, and President-Elect Bob Zarling is a new recruit. 
Colton Cagle graduated from Westwood High School in the spring of 2019. Mesa West Rotary had awarded him a scholarship of $1,000 which was put on hold since he was soon to embark on the adventure of being a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in The Netherlands in 2019-20. 
