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Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, Impacting Youth
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
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.
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Stories
Cooking Breakfast at Aspire Academy March 22
 
What an Inspiring morning at the Aspire Academy! It was a delight to see so many young ladies getting a chance to see what it takes to become a Police Officer or Fire Fighter….and not necessarily an operational person.  They can also be involved in administration, logistics or training. By going through the training they will understand and have a greater appreciation for those who do the patrols and other operational aspects of police and fire efforts.
 
Listening to some of the presentations given to these young ladies, the one thing that really stood out to me was the emphasis on INTEGRITY. They said without it, your word is worthless and you cannot do your job.  I have also felt this way about the jobs I have had during my career, because without integrity surely many folks would have needlessly died. 
 
I hope Mesa West Rotary Club will maintain this close relationship with the Aspire Academy and support it more than just monetarily. This Academy is turning out good citizens.
 
--John Pennypacker
Upcoming Service Opportunities
If members go to our mesawestrotary.org website and click on the calendar, they can see upcoming events.
 
CLICK HERE and you can see the calendar, which lists the following service opportunities and you can click on them and sign up on-line
  • Friday, March 29, provide evening meal service at La Paz de Cristo
  • Saturday, April 13 - our Rotary Week of Service Project to clean and pain the pool deck at the Ross Farnsworth East Valley YMCA.
If you are not a member and want to help or are a member and have difficulty signing up, Email Shelly Romine.
Queen Creek Rotary Invites Participation
Appreciation Helps Us Remember Why We Give
 
Donations to The Rotary Foundation are acknowledged with e-mail messages reminding us why our donations matter.  The messages are similar but different.  For those who sign up through their "My Rotary" account on the Rotary website to make monthly recurring donations, these emails are a pleasant reminder that what we do effortlessly is making a difference in the lives of people we will likely never meet.  Following are highlights of a donation acknowledgment recently received by one of our members:
 
Thanks to donors like you, Rotary members around the world are:
  • Uniting a divided nation around a water project in Lebanon
  • Recognizing a woman’s worth and needs in Nigeria
  • Giving the gift of reading to students in Guatemala
  • Raising awareness about the environment in the United States
  • Fighting for a community cure for malaria in Zambia
  • Supporting female vaccinators who are doing more than helping end polio in Pakistan
We’re grateful for donors like you, who are dedicated to Doing Good in the World.
 
If you haven't set up your "My Rotary" account and signed up for monthly recurring donations, take time to do it.  Be a participant in the good being done through the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation!  Don't give until it hurts - give until it feels good!
Highlights of March 21 Meeting
Opening and Welcome - President Colleen Coons
 
 
President Colleen thanked
  • Dick Myren for offering the invocation
  • Steve Ross for leading the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Andy Bradford for serving as greeter
  • Jeanie Morgan for handling sign-in
  • Dick Myren for handling the raffle
  • Ron Thompson for serving as Sgt at Arms
  • Pam Cohen for filling in as Chief Technology Officer after Ed Koeneman's close encounter with his power sander rendered him temporarily disabled
  • John Pennypacker for setting up the room
Introduction of Guests
 
 
  • Masa was introduced as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Japan.
  • Kassandra and Natalie from Westwood High School Interact Club were introduced.
  • Margaux was introduced as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Belgium.
  • Myla and Jazmine were introduced as members of the Westwood High School Interact Club
  • Gerry Paulus was introduced as a soon-to-be member whose application is "in process."
  • Dennis and Hada Rogers were visiting from Tempe South Rotary 
  • Shawn Buntin introduced his guest - his son Nick Buntin
  • John Pennypacker introduced potential member, Diane Woods-Fowler
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Dick Myren
 
 
After explaining the raffle, Dick asked Jazmine to draw the winning ticket, which was held by Nick Buntin.  Nick won $40 and the chance to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck.  The card he drew was the King of Diamonds.
 
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson - Sgt at Arms
 
  • Penny May celebrated her grandson Peter and granddaughter Angelica's trip to Barcelona for a soccer tournament.  They won their first game with Peter scoring two goals.  They tied the second game, and sadly lost their third game.
  • Gerry Paulis was happy to see Margaux.  He and Liz were her first host parents.
  • Tom Yuzer was happy to be wearing shorts - back home in Minnesota it was snowing.
  • Brian Harvey was happy to see Chuck Flint in attendance.
  • Eric Silverberg announced his daughter was getting married.  Her shower was held at the Desert Botanical Garden.
  • Harry Grossman went to the Cubs game by himself.  He was surprised to see a familiar face.  It was Bill Anderson who he had worked with 35 years ago at Carl Sandberg College.
  • Jim McGown said Colleen asked him to help her get signed up to drive at the Mecham Auto Auction and mentor her.  He learned that at one point in her life, Colleen was in Germany and spun out of control when driving the autobahn at 100+ mph in the rain - for which she received a ticket.  At the auction, it had rained.  there were puddles on the concrete.  Colleen was driving a Camaro.  She "lit it up" as she was approaching one of the puddles.  The Camaro spun, and shuffled, but Colleen was able to recover.  She texted Jim that she wants to drive all five days of the auction next year.
  • Jim Schmidt contributed.  His youngest daughter has a new baby boy.  He was glad to have talked to Jim McMahan who was at the Cubs Game.  They share the same Alma Mater.  McMahan set 70 records while there playing football.  Jim bragged that he was surprised to learn he was taller than McMahan and maybe in better shape...
  • Ed Koeneman said his son was deployed for his first duty assignment.  It's been a comedy of errors.  He is in Poland, but wis supposed to be in Lithuania.  The Army is trying to figure out how to get him to where he is supposed to be.  In the meantime, he is sleeping in a closet near some air conditioning equipment.
  • Ron Thompson was sorry he had to miss Spring Olympics, but glad someone else had a chance to win.
  • Dennis Rogers is glad to be President-Elect of his club.  He is visiting other clubs to help him prepare for running Tempe South.  He said his broken neck is spoiling some of the fun.
  • Pam Cohen was happy both Melodie and Chuck were at the meeting.  She was thankful that Deb and Ed hosted the Spring Olympics and that the chickens and ducks were not involved in the competitions.  She brought Tupperware to be claimed by members who had delivered food for Melodie and her family.
  • John Pennypacker enjoyed Spring Olympics.  He had a gift basket to auction off.  Jim Erickson made the high bid of $110 which will benefit his team in the Sponsor Campaign.
  • Warren Williamson told about the richest man in DeWitt County Illinois where Warren grew up.  Lyle Butler was around 70 when the incident Warren recalled happened.  Butler showed up at the local "fine dining" establishment with a beautiful young woman and introduced her as his new bride.  One of Lyle's long time friends discreetly asked him how he had landed such a prize.  Lyle said he had lied about his age.  The friend said "there's no way she would believe you are close to her age."  Lyle replied "I told her I was 95."
  • Dick Myren contributed $2 happy that he and Rod Daniels are associated with the Ace of Clubs.  He was also happy Chuck and Melodie were back.  He fined himself saying he would have to leave early to pick his son up at the airport.  He would be flying in from Boston.  When asked by Ron, Dick reported Kaitlin would be playing on Saturday at noon.  He added that the Iowa men's team had beat Kansas State 91/82.
  • Colleen Coons was also glad Melodie and Chuck were at the meeting.  She said Jim McGown was the best mentor ever, and that when she hit that puddle, she was the most scared ever.  She said we would be touring the Mesa library May 30 and should be able to see the virtual augmented realty the Meta grant will have enabled us to provide for them.  She thanked Gerry Paulus for organizing the Cubs game and said she hoped it would be an annual event.  She showed a hand-made blanket made by Son Hee Williamson that will be auctioned.  The bids will be taken on-line.
Paul Harris Recognition - John Pennypacker, Foundation Chair
 
  • Joan Reimann was presented with her Paul Harris Plus Six recognition pin representing $7,000 in total giving to date to The Rotary Foundation.
  • Ron Thompson received his Paul Harris Plus Seven pin representing $8,000 in total giving.
John announced that for any member who has not yet received their first Paul Harris Fellow, once they have contributed $500 to The Rotary Foundation, the club will transfer $500 in recognition points to enable them to get their first Paul Harris Fellow recognition pin.
 
Banner Presentations
 
  • Masa presented a flag from his sponsor club in Japan to Pam
  • Ed received a flag from Margaux's sponsor club in Belgium
Colleen acknowledged that Mesa West Rotary owes a Mesa West banner to each of them and committed to make sure that she gets them delivered before they have to head home.
 
Program - Youth Services - Ed Koeneman
 
 
Ed said that Mesa West Rotary has been very involved in Youth Exchange this year.  Our own Donna Goetzenberger is the Youth Exchange Chair for our District.  Machel Considine has served the district as inbound chair. 
 
Margaux 's inbound exchange is sponsored by Mesa Rotary Club.  Her first host family was Liz and Gerry Paulus.  Ed and Deb Koeneman are her second host parents.  Masa is sponsored by the Sun Lakes Rotary Club.  Colleen and Dan Coons are his fourth host family.  Mesa West is Olivia's sponsoring club.  Her host families to date have been from the Gilbert Rotary Club.  Carlotta is sponsored by Tempe South Rotary.  Her first host family was the Koenemans.  She is now with Bert Millett and his family.  Frank and Amanda Rosenberg were host parents for Lotte.  
 
Ed said Interact members think Rotary is Interact for old people.
 
Kassandra is currently President of the Westwood High School Interact Club.  She also is serving as District Governor of the Interact District Council.
 
Natalie is Vice President of WHS Interact and serves as an Assistant Governor on the IDC.
 
Kassandra said that she joined Interact in her freshman year.  Her older sister was a member.  Kassandra said she used to be shy but she wanted to get out of her comfort zone.  She definitely got that when she attended RYLA.  She has been a RYLA volunteer ever since!  She encourages others to get into Interact - the younger the better.
 
RYLA is an acronym for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.  It is a four-day experience in January in Prescott.  It involves public speaking, leadership and team-building experiences.  You meet international students 
 
Myla said it changed her life.  She was on "team Germany with Lotte."  One exercise was supposed to simulate what it is like for exchange students when they first arrive.  They learned some simple communications in jibberish then had to meet with others and attempt to communicate with them.  They had learned a different form of jibberish.  Communication was impossible and emotions flared.
 
Kassandra told about having to spontaneously tell a story about a dog house during her public speaking exercise really forced her out of her comfort zone and shy shell   She said her decision to run for Interact President was born in that moment.
 
Junior RYLA is for middle school students and is held at a different camp near Prescott.  Some of the Westwood Interact students at the meeting have volunteered to help at that camp and witness the transformative changes in the participants.
 
They talked about the Interact District Conference, saying it is kind of like a RYLA reunion.  About 200 students from all over the district attend.  At this year's RYLA which was held a few weeks ago, Kassandra was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow and was also honored by being named Interactor of the Year.
 
Myla and Jazmine are in their junior and sophomore years. and are up and coming leaders.
 
Jazmine said when she was at RYLA she was blindfolded and had to listen to directions to take a walk in the woods.  She had to learn to listen and trust.  She said that exercise got her out of her shell.
 
Masa said that Sweden and Japan did teamwork at RYLA together, saying they are good friends.  He said they learned from each other and gained confidence.
 
Margaux said at first at RYLA some were yelling "Where am I - I want to go back."  One of their first exercises was to make a costume for their mentor.  She said her team's mentor became a french fry.  She said the people on her team became good friends and still stay in touch with each other.  She said when she first arrived on her exchange she had to get over some preconceptions.  She has learned to appreciate American high schools.  She is no longer afraid of the food and likes it here.
 
Masa said he thought he would spend a year eating hamburgers and hot dogs, which he likes.  He loves baseball and enjoyed visiting the spring training Cubs game Rotary event.  He said when he first arrived it was dry and hot.  He loves this time of year.  He said he didn't know before how hot it would be in the summer here.
 
A bit was explained about the Interact District's Crutches for Africa missions.  They collect crutches, walkers, canes and wheelchairs to distribute in Kenya.  Jim McMahen helps Ed transfer the devices to the storage facility.  Kassandra was an ambassador on the Kenya trip last year.  She learned that one person can make a difference.  She said that lesson will stay with her forever.  She wants to make change throughout her life.  
 
Natalie said that it was super inspiring.  In addition to the wheelchair distribution, they gave out supplies.  Seeing how excited the students there were to receive the supplies made her realize how privileged she was.  She also wants to continue to make change.
 
Jazmine will be going on a trip to Mexico this year to a facility where they repair wheelchairs.  She said she applied for Crutches for Africa after she heard about it at club.  At first, she didn't tell her mom.  She was interviewed for Kenya but was selected for Mexico.  The team meets on Sundays to prepare working to learn as much as possible about language, culture and history.  
 
Natalie said Junior RYLA is run by Rotaractors.  She said they don't know much and it was fun to see them learn how to treat each other.  
 
Myla enjoyed being mentored by others at RYLA.  She thought it would be a good experience to be the mentor.  She applied to be a junior counselor at Junior RYLA.  
 
Colleen wrapped things up saying we are preparing Rotary's future.  She said she was looking around the room and seeing several future Rotaractors.  She also declared Youth Exchange students are the bravest!
 
Read more...
Photos from March 14 Cubs Game
Mesa West Rotary Foundation - Annual Sponsor Drive
Mesa West Rotary Club operates two separate legal entities.  Our Rotary Club is a 501(c)(4), which is not a tax-deductible charitable organization, but is exempt from income tax.  Our club operations income from dues, most happy bucks (unless otherwise designated), raffle income, etc. is used to pay for the cost of operating the club - our meal expense, supplies, education of our officers, etc.
 
The charitable work and giving that we do is funded through Mesa West Rotary Foundation.  It is a 501(c)(3) public charity.  It is the fundraising and funding vehicle for our charitable endeavors:  Donations to MWRF are tax deductible.
 
For the past several years, rather than have major public events to raise funds, we have quietly gone to our friends, family, current and past business associates, etc. and simply asked for sponsorship donations.  We have averaged about $50,000 each year in revenue from our sponsorship drive.  So our members will be better acquainted with those who are involved with the MWRF Board of Trustees, each of the five Trustees will be team leaders this year.  CLICK HERE to down load a list showing who is on each Trustee's team.  Traditional fundraising events are very time and effort intensive and rarely yield the kind of results this effort has produced.  The Sponsor Drive has allowed Mesa West Rotary Club members to focus their Rotary effort on service projects.  The other advantage is that our donors can be assured that their donation will go entirely to charity as there are no cost-of-fundraising expenses.  
 
Sometimes donors hesitate to give to a fundraising dinner where names of sponsors are published because they don't want others knocking on their door asking for more money.  There are probably many people we know who admire what we do that would like to be a part of it, but cannot afford the time to be involved.  More people would admire what we do if we bragged about it outside of Rotary more often.  You might be surprised that someone would offer to donate if you bragged about the fact that we don't waste our time and resources putting on lavish events. Some of those donors  may have the opportunity to have their gift matched by their employer.  
 
Have fun telling why you are proud to be a Rotarian, and get your "ask" in gear.
Something to Ponder
The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon,
but that we wait so long to begin it.
--original source unknown
A Bit of Humor
When I ask for directions,
please don’t use words like “east.”
Support Westwood HS Interact with Tax Credit Donation
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.

Go to https://westwood.mpsaz.org/page/eca/ and click on the link to pay on the district's website. 
Or go straight to https://mpsaz.sites.thrillshare.com/o/mpsaz/page/pay-donate  in lower right, click on Pay Online


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.
The Big Four - Ways to Support Rotary in Mesa West
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.
  1. 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.  
  2. 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.
  3. 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.  
  4. 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:
    1. Community Service
    2. International Service 
    3. Vocational Service
    4. 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.
 
Speakers
Mar 28, 2024
Aster Aging
Apr 04, 2024
MPS Community Partners
Apr 11, 2024
Kenya Mother-Child Global Grant
Apr 18, 2024
Councilmember District 2
Apr 25, 2024
Guaymas Project
May 02, 2024
Power of Positivity
May 09, 2024
Homeless Youth Connections
May 16, 2024
Metabolic Syndrome "X"
May 23, 2024
Mesa Chamber
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Director '24
 
Director '24
 
Director '25
 
Director '25
 
Director '25
 
Mesa West Foundation President
 
Club Service Chair
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair for Mesa West
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Services Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Dinner service at Paz De Cristo
Paz De Cristo
Mar. 29, 2024
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
 
Rotary Week of Service Project at YMCA
Ross Farnsworth EV YMCA
Apr. 13, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Apr. 16, 2024 5:30 p.m.
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
May 21, 2024 5:30 p.m.
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Dick Myren
March 12
 
Connie Bunyard
March 16
 
Erica Williams
March 31
 
Spouse Birthdays
Angie Troy
March 6
 
John Yost
March 25
 
Anniversaries
Erika Yost
John Yost
March 3
 
Robin Harris
Debbie Harris
March 17
 
Join Date
Wendell Jones
March 1, 1989
35 years
 
Mike Whalen
March 9, 1995
29 years
 
Rotary District 5495 Links
District Links
Arizona Rotaract
Rotary District 5495
Rotary Interact District 5495
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA)
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - RYLA
RYLA Service Project Support
Bulletin Editor
Jeanie Morgan
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THE FOUR WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do

first  Is it the TRUTH?
second  Is it FAIR to all concerned?
third  Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
fourth Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?