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Highlights of March 28, 2019 Meeting
President Chris Krueger opened the meeting asking Darl Andersen to offer the invocation and John Pennypacker to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  She thanked Jack Rosenberg for serving as official greeter welcoming members and guest to the meeting.
 
Guests
Jeanie Morgan introduced three members of the Mesa Rotary Club:  President-Elect, Tom Schildgen, Tom Rhodes, and Sally Harrison.  She also introduced Ebony Williams who had just arrived and who would be interviewed following the meeting for a grant from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona.   John Pennypacker introduced Jake Tabretsky.  Lucinda General introduced Tina Garrity with Lakeshore Associates, Inc.  Melody Jackson introduced Jerry Watson with Help People Win.  Aubrey Luma introduced her children and her father.  Tom Bradford introduced his father, Tom Bradford, Sr.  Jim Allison, a visiting Rotary from Casper Wyoming was introduced.  Don LaBarge introduced General Mick McGuire and Major Candace Park with the Arizona National Guard.  Penny May asked everyone to welcome our honorary member, Rod Daniels.  Erwin and Joan Reiman, currently Rotarians from Rapid City, South Dakota, but soon to be members of Mesa West were introduced.
 
Drawings
Tim Troy won the attendance drawing.  Chuck Flint announced that the holder of the ticket drawn for the weekly raffle would receive $35, and if they were to draw the ace of clubs from the cards remaining in the deck, they would also receive $733.  Jim McGown was the lucky ticket holder, but was not lucky enough to take home the accumulating pot, as the card he drew was the seven of diamonds.  
 
Happy Bucks
Dick Myren was happy to be at the meeting and happier to have Rod attending.  Penny May was also happy Rod was in attendance. Ryan Ellis was happy that the YMCA annual campaign has a fundraising goal of $68,000.  They are already at $60,000.  The funds are used to help those who need help paying to participate in their programs so no one is left behind.  To give to the campaign directly, CLICK HERE.  Jim McGown was also happy Rod was at the meeting.  Tim Troy paid $10, happy about a recent getaway he and his wife enjoyed at Castle Hot Springs near Lake Pleasant.  Jack Rosenberg echoed the happy to have Rod at the meeting theme.  Don LaBarge was happy our speaker accepted his invitation to speak to Mesa West Rotary.  John Pennypacker said it is birthday season in his family with two in March on the 3rd and 29th, followed by birthdays on April 3, 7, 9, 10 and 30.  Dr. Ron Thompson who was collecting happy bucks donated for a recent trip through southeast Asia with Toni.  He was also happy spring training has ended for 2019 and traffic will get back to normal.  Pam Cohen was happy to see her daughter and son-in-law recently when her daughter had to be in the area for oral surgery.  Darl was happy to be sitting with two of his favorite fellow Rotarians - Chuck and Pam.  Greg Okanowski fined himself for being late.  He committed to a $10 fine since he had no cash on him.
 
Auction
Ron Thompson had a bag full of items they brought back from southeast Asia to auction.  Jim Schmidt started the bidding at $50.  Melody Jackson was the lucky recipient of the bag when no-one topped her $80 bid.
 
New Member Induction
Chuck Flint invited Tom Bradford to be officially induced into Mesa West Rotary and his father, Tom Bradford Sr., to participate in the induction.  Tom, a former member of the Kyrene Rotary Club, was given a certificate of membership, the Object of Rotary and a Rotary Pin.  Tom said his career has been in information technology.  He said he learned a lot from his father and also has education in business.  He has worked for a property and casualty insurance company with over 30 years in the industry.
 
Program
Lucinda General introduced our speaker, but did not read the two pages of achievements so that he would have more time to make his presentation.
 

Major General Michael T. McGuire is The Adjutant General, Arizona and concurrently serves as the Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. He is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of Arizona’s Army and Air National Guard, Joint Programs, and the Division of Emergency Management. He leads an 8,000-member department, of which 2,400 are full-time federal military and civilian personnel and 600 are full-time state employees.

General McGuire received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in 1987. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, followed by several operational, combat and training assignments in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He joined the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing, Tucson International Airport in 2001 as an F-16 instructor pilot 2010, commanded the 214th Reconnaissance Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he flew the MQ-1B Predator and led the unit in combat operations in support of overseas contingencies. Prior to assuming his current duties, he served as Commander, 162nd Fighter Wing. General McGuire is a Fighter Weapons School Graduate and a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours, and 250 combat and combat-support flying hours.

Under his command are 8,000 individuals, 2400 of which are full time active military and civilian employees.  His first encounter with Rotary was when he attended his father's Rotary Club who was pleased to pay happy bucks and announce Mick had been accepted into the Air Force Academy.  

Adjutant general is the second oldest military position in the United States, dating back to 1634.  Every state has a governor and an adjutant general.  The guard is the greatest reserve as it is connected to community.  Arizona is a great community to serve - it is alive with economic development because it is a place where people are coming.

He has 750 deployed to the border doing title 32 work to repair/replace infrastructure needed to protect the border, allowing Border Patrol agents to do their job.  Even though the guard is state controlled, only 5% of their funding comes from the state.  The Federal Government supplies the balance of 95% of their funding.  He believes a fence would save lives.  He knows that cartels will find ways to tunnel under or catapult drugs over a barrier, but those involved in human trafficking are not likely to catapult a child over a fence.  He reported a staggering number of human remains currently found each year in the desert near unprotected sections of the border.

He also has 750 actively deployed to Afghanistan.  The US Army has no direct control over the National Guard unless mobilized.  When asked about the South China Sea, he responded that their Federal Counterpart - National Defense and FEMA were involved there.

He said the high school ROTC programs are an excellent source of recruits.  He also said that in the United States, an internal problem exists where recruiting for an all-volunteer Army is getting more challenging.  He said it is increasingly difficult to recruit from the 18-24 year-old demographic.

Gen. McGuire said when he entered the Air Force Academy in 1983, it was the seventh class with women cadets.  None of them were pilots.  He graduated in 1987.  As a fighter pilot, he knew a lot of great pilots - not differentiated as male or female - just great pilots.

To serve requires two things of those who serve under his command - tell the truth and deliver their best effort.  He also said that not all swamp creatures look the same.  He said this is as true in Washington, D.C. as it is in an actual swamp.  While the state contributes 5% of the budget that supports his command, that is not a large percentage of the state's budget so does not get a lot of lobbying attention.  In Washington, military spending is closer to 50% of the annual budget and this keeps the swamp creatures busy.

Read more...
Pinon Arizona Students at RYLA 
Mesa West was well represented at RYLA Ponderosa the weekend of March 29-31.  Shown in the photo in the front row are the Navajo students from Pinon, Arizona who were sponsored by Mesa West Rotary.  In the back row are Chris LaBarge, Robert LaBarge, and Donna Goetzenberger.  The students are from the school where Robert is now teaching.  Chris and Robert both served as student group facilitators, and Donna was at the camp representing and promoting Rotary Youth Exchange.
Today's Chuckle

Questions asked in a courtroom can be very revealing... especially in the South. Even of an old, sweet lady many would be happy to call grandma.

In a trial in the heart of the South, a prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly woman he had known since childhood, to the stand.

He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Whitaker, do you know me?"

She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Coolidge. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit lawyer. Yes, I know you."

The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Whitaker, do you know the defense attorney?"

She again replied, "Of course, I do. I've known Mr. Johnson since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Yes, I know him."

The defense attorney turned red with embarrassment.

The judge upon hearing the questions and answers thus far asked both counselors to approach the bench. In a very quiet voice he said, "If either of you asks her if she knows me, I'll throw you in jail for contempt."

April is Maternal and Child Health Month
Through The Rotary Foundation, we expand access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future. An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented.
 
Rotary programs improve women’s access to skilled health personnel: doctors, nurses, midwives, or community health care workers.
 
Rotary provides education, immunizations, birth kits, and mobile health clinics. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.
Sponsorship Campaign Update
Immediate Past President, Allan Cady, sent an update on the Sponsor Program to all members via e-mail Tuesday, April 2.  In case you didn't read it or read it hurriedly, he had some good news to share:
 
" At present, we have $37,871 in Sponsor Program donations.  That means we are 95% of the way towards our goal of $40,000.  The decision was made to continue the program through the end of April.  That means we still have a possibility of hitting the $50,000 number.  Donations to Aqua Africa now stand at $7,050.  The Gift of Hearing project now totals $5,750.  Unrestricted donations have now slowed down and are at $14,250.  We have received other donations to Local Projects, Vocational Service, Youth Service, and Microcredit.  Looking ahead to our Steak and Beans competition, Team Coons leads the way with $7,289 in contributions and 6 Mesa West members either securing a donation or making a personal donation.  To-date, 25 Mesa West Rotarians have either made a contribution or secured a donation from a non-member.  That is roughly 40% of our member body, which is lower than the 50% that participated last year.  If you haven’t participated in the program through securing a donation from a non-member but have the desire to do so, please give me a call at 602-738-1188 and I’ll try to give you some ideas how to go about it.  Remember it is through these fund-raising activities that Mesa West is able to make a difference in the lives of those disadvantaged both locally and internationally.  Thanks for all you do for Mesa West Rotary."
Sponsorship Campaign Tips
WHY A SPONSOR PROGRAM?
  • Donors appreciate that all their donation will be used for good rather than support event costs.
  • Opportunity for both private and business donors to support our causes.
  • Past and potential members can support what we do even though they don't currently have time to participate as members.
  • MOST OF THESE DONORS WILL SUPPORT THE SAME CHARITIES EACH YEAR IF/WHEN ASKED.
  • One successful sponsorship program is the foundation for annual campaign successes.
Successful sponsorship programs are annual programs that take advantage of the needs of all types of donors.  Our sponsorship program will be at its best when all of our members get involved by sharing their "Rotary Moments" with the people they come in contact with.  
 
What is a "Rotary Moment?"  It is any moment that grabs our heart and makes us want to enthusiastically tell our family friends and business associates why we are active Rotarians.  Typically it involves a service project we've participated in.  Sometimes it is something like polio eradication - especially for Rotarians who are old enough to remember when polio was epidemic in the United States.  We are most effective when talking to potential sponsors if our Rotary experience is shared in a way that is personal, heartfelt and sincere.
 
In our sponsorship brochure there are several specific ways to direct donations, but we will have the greatest capacity to respond to needs presented to the Mesa West Foundation for funding if the majority of donations are received marked "Undesignated (to be used most needed)."
 
Allan Cady, said that members have asked him how he was so successful last year, and already this year in securing donations or pledges.  When he reaches out to those he knows have the means to be generous, he spends some time on their existing relationship, catching up on what is happening in their family, their business, and their known hobbies.  Then he moves on to talk about some of the things he is passionate about, ending with the things he enjoys most about his involvement in Rotary.  It frequently results in the person he is talking to indicating that they are impressed with all that Rotary does and admire his involvement.  It is then easy to offer to share a brochure that tells about some things we, as Mesa West Rotarians, specifically do.  Some offer to make a donation on the spot.  Sometimes it is a pleasant surprise after-the-fact to see how much they mail in after looking the brochure over.  Some of his donors are family - others are long-time business associates or friends.  The people who are closest to us are the ones most likely to support what we care about.  CLICK HERE or on the image to download this year's Sponsorship Brochure.
 
Some ideas of potential donors each of us can reach out to are:  school associates ♦ other professionals ♦ adult friends of our young children ♦ old business associates ♦ people frequently seen ♦ owners of our health club ♦ old neighbors ♦ children's school and PTA ♦ spouse's friends ♦ waiters/waitresses ♦ church associates ♦ cleaning establishments ♦ civic activities ♦ hair/barber salon ♦ insurance agent ♦ previous job ♦ real estate agents ♦ bankers or credit union ♦ doctor ♦ dentist ♦ restaurants ♦ country club ♦ neighbors ♦ relatives ♦ sports/hobbies ♦ accountant. 

TEAMS
 
Chuck Flint
Melodie Jackson, Aubrey Luma, Steve West, Sharon Spane, Ted Williams, Darl Andersen, Karen Chavez, and Immanuel Beeson
 
Frank Rosenberg
Rick Deponte, Dick Myren, Polly Schumacher, Daryl Bethea, Keith Deering, Robert LaBarge, and Kristen Klein
 
Steve Ross
Bob Jensen, Jim McGown, John Benedict, Donna Goetzenberger, Don LaBarge, Jim Crutcher, Bert Millett, and Mai Ly Duong
 
Tim Troy
Kevin Gustafson, Jack Rosenberg, Don Boucher, John Bethea, Brian Harvey, Mike Whalen, and
Mike Polley
 
Dan Coons - Team Ribeye
Wendell & Carolyn Jones, Aaron Huber, Jim Schmidt, Ray Smith, Polly Cady, John Pennypacker, and Colleen Coons
 
Terry Diedrick
Kurt Klingenberg, Chris Krueger, Jeanie Morgan, Geoff White, Lucinda General, Wayne General, and Erica Williams
 
Bob Zarling
Pam Cohen, Ed Koeneman, Greg Okonowski, Alex Cohen, Shane Buntrock, Warren Williamson, and
Ron Thompson
Upcoming Events
Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting
Mesa Hilton
Apr 11, 2019 12:10 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Webinar
Apr 17, 2019
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting
Mesa Hilton
Apr 18, 2019 12:10 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting
Mesa Hilton
Apr 25, 2019 12:10 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Spring Olympics
Apr 27, 2019
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting
Mesa Hilton
May 02, 2019 12:10 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting
Mesa Hilton
May 09, 2019 12:10 PM
 
Steak and Beans Sponsorship Campaign Celebration
Home of Chris and Mike Krueger
May 11, 2019
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Mesa Hilton
May 15, 2019
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
 
Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting
Mesa Hilton
May 16, 2019 12:10 PM
 
Speakers
Apr 11, 2019
Triathlete Training for 2020 Olympics
Apr 25, 2019
Mesa West Rotary will not have a regular meeting this week.
Jun 06, 2019
Life as a Teacher in Pinon, Arizona
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Polly Cady
April 5
 
John Pennypacker
April 10
 
Tim Troy
April 11
 
Christy Citterman
April 17
 
Darl Andersen
April 20
 
Spouse Birthdays
Polly Cady
April 5
 
Debbie Koeneman
April 27
 
Anniversaries
Jack A. Rosenberg
Cindy Rosenberg
April 4
 
Bert Millett
Kelli Millett
April 5
 
Ed Koeneman
Debbie Koeneman
April 5
 
Melodie O. Jackson
Randy
April 30
 
Join Date
Keith Deering
April 1, 1992
27 years
 
John Pennypacker
April 5, 2001
18 years
 
Polly Schumacher
April 12, 2002
17 years
 
Rotary District 5495 Links
District Links
Rotary Interact District 5495
Rotary District 5495
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA)
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - RYLA
RYLA Service Project Support
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Club Service Director
 
Service Projects Director
 
The Rotary Foundation Director
 
Membership Director (480) 213-1617
 
Public Image Director
 
Executive Secretary
 
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?