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 Leadership Institute (RLI) will next bew held at the Anthem Civic Building, 3701 W Anthem Way, Anthem, AZ 85086 on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All three sessions will be offered. CLICK HERE or on the logo to register.
Registration fees for Mesa West Rotary Club members in good standing will be refunded through their dues account. The only stipulation is that their attendance be confirmed.
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.
March 21 - Rotary Day at the Park - Cubs Spring Training Game. $49/person for full-dues members - $74/person for discounted dues-paying members and guests. CLICK HEREto email Jeanie Morgan to register.
Polly Cady led the Pledge of Allegiance and John Bunyard offered the invocation.
Curt Ward, from the Rotary Club of Gilbert invited members to participate in their annual Gilbert Rotary Trivia Night.
The event will be held February 1 at 6:30 PM at the SW Regional Library in Gilbert.
Members were encouraged to attend, compete for prizes, have fun and show off their smarts. More information is available at www.gilbertrotary.org. CLICK HERE to download the flyer that was available on the tables at the meeting.
Introduction of Guests
Lu General introduced visiting Rotarians Tom Yuzer from Minnesota and Pamela Woodard George from Arkansas.
Al Nunez proudly introduced his wife Suzette.
Brian Harvey introduced Neil Theobald, a visiting Rotarian from Laramie Wyoming. Neil said he retired two weeks prior. He said they have two grandchildren here. In Wyoming, he would be up before daybreak clearing his driveway. He was glad to be in Arizona.
Wayne Barefoot introduced himself as a visiting Rotarian from Easton Pennsylvania and formerly from Toronto Canada. He was wearing shorts, saying the current weather was summer weather where he comes from.
Certificate of Appreciation presented
President Jay has been honoring members who go above and beyond each month. This month, Lola McClane was honored for her service in providing photo journalism for our Messenger. Jay said a picture is worth 10,000 words. He expressed his appreciation for her contribution and her dedication to excellence in taking the photos.
In addition to the nice certificate, she also received a gift card for a local steakhouse.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Before getting started with the raffle, it was pointed out that Jack Rosenberg was sporting Ace of Clubs socks...
Chuck explained the raffle. Tickets are sold for $5 each 1/3 of the proceeds goes to the club operating account. 1/3 is given to the winner of the weekly raffle. The final 1/3 is added to the growing balance of the large pot which accumulates until the Ace of Clubs is drawn from the cards remaining in the deck. The card drawn each week is destroyed so the chances of winning and the size of the pot bot improve each week. At this meeting the weekly pot was $40 and the large pot was up to $605. After the large pot exceeds $500. ticket sales are restricted to club members.
Chuck asked John Bunyard to draw the winning ticket which was held by Brian Harvey. The card Brian drew from the deck was the Six of Clubs.
Happy Bucks - Andy Bradford - Sgt at Arms
John Pennypacker had a video chat with his primary care doctor and was happy to report his was still healthy.
Pam Cohen fined herself for not remembering the gift to be auctioned at the club which she purchased on her recent 10-day cruise with Melodie Jackson
Harry Grossman wanted to do something to benefit the areas affected by the recent fires in California. He pledged $20 toward that effort. He then told about another disaster which happened January 15, 1919. The Boston Molasses Disaster occurred on that date in the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. A large storage tank filled with 2.3 million US gallons (8,700 cubic meters) of molasses, weighing approximately 13,000 short tons (12,000 metric tons) burst. The resultant wave of molasses rushed through the streets at an estimated 35 miles per hour killing 21 people and injuring 150. The event entered local folklore and residents reported for decades afterward that the area still smelled of molasses on hot summer days. Harry thought it would put things in perspective to know that 106 years ago there was a sticky situation on the East Coast.
Dick Myren was happy to report a wonderful family celebration which included four grandsons among the family members visiting from Iowa City, Boston, and Illinois.
Polly Cady was happy to be at the meeting in person. She said Allan was recovering from COVID.
Jim Schmidt was happy his scalp had healed enough he could get a hair cut again.
Brian Harvey was happy to be at a meeting where we can enjoy each other and happy we live in a society where we can.
Shelly Romine had happy/sad dollars. When they put their home on the market, it sold in two days. They will be moving to Washington state in February.
Andy Bradford was happy be be in an organization where we build relationships.
President Jay was happy Mesa West is involved in forming a Satellite Club in Southeast Mesa. There are many young leaders in businesses in that area. It should be a great project. Through getting to know Andy better, Jay learned that he worked with Andy's dad for twenty years.
New Member Induction - Al Nunez
Membership Chair Polly Cady asked Al to share a little bit about he choice to join Mesa West Rotary. He said he met Jay Paulus when Jay was delivering some food for the food pantry at Benedictine University. They spent some time talking. Jay invited Al to attend a couple of meetings. Al said Mesa West was the kind of group that "speaks to" him. He learned there are multiple Rotary Clubs in Mesa, but understands we are the best one so he joined ours. He is from Illinois. They moved to Arizona in 2020. He learned of the opportunity at Benedictine as was glad to be a part of his Alma Mater. He said he was honored to be part of our club.
Jay thanked Suzette for attending this special occasion. He remarked that the Rotaract Club at Benedictine is small and we'd like to see it grow to at least twenty members, so help with their "pledge drive" would be appreciated. Jay said it was a privilege to welcome Al as an official member of the club and Rotary International. He recited the vision statement, and our principal of Service Above Self, and that we are People of Action. Suzette pinned Al and everyone present gave Al a standing ovation.
Update on Potential Ways to Help Those Affected by California Wildfires
Gary Whitehill shared an idea about developing a spreadsheet offering available housing for those who will be unable to return to their homes in the foreseeable future. It could include casitas, vacation homes, finished basements, etc. The spreadsheet could also include extra vehicles that could be used to fill transportation voids. It could also include available spaces in schools. Financial support could also be pledged. Gary told about one of his best friends who had started an alternative Charter school in one of the areas affected. The school burned down. Their CEO lived on top of the school, which caused the loss of his home and his job. When a house burns, money is not the only problem. Many have to move. Some may never be able to go back. The average rent in California is $6,000 per month. This creation of housing inventory is a simple way to put families in housing all around the world. Affected people need hope. It is not his intent to push things through. What does the club want to do?
As Distric Treasurer, Lucinda General said that the District Budget is solely used for operating costs of running the district. There are no line items for this sort of thing. There is a District Foundation, but it is not cash rich.
Jim Schmidt said he is are of $11,000 remaining in District Designated funds that could be used to match club giving. The housing idea is a good one. There are no hard costs to the club.
Dick Myren mentioned that he was aware that the Mesa West Rotary Foundation has a significant balance of "undesignated" funds.
President Jay said he wants these discussions to be very transparent. One idea was to adopt-a-family to give gift cards to handle basic needs of $250. He said he had learned that American Leadership Academy had plenty of capacity to add students.
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.
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.
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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Curt Ward, from the Rotary Club of Gilbert invited members to participate in their annual Gilbert Rotary Trivia Night.
Certificate of Appreciation presented
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: