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No Noon Meeting for Mesa West Rotary June 23 or June 30
On June 23, our meeting has been moved to the evening for our annual Changing of the Guard Celebration.
 
We will be dark on June 30 because Mesa West Rotary does not meet at noon on the
5th Thursday of any month which has five Thursdays.
Preview of June 9 Auction Opportunity
At the Mesa West Rotary meeting Thursday, June 9, Tim Troy and his wife Angie will be offering a three night stay at one of their short-term rentals.  The person making the winning bid will have their choice between Pine Arizona or Lake Arrowhead California.  Proceeds of the sale will go to the Mesa West Rotary Foundation to be credited to the fundraising efforts of Tim's team.  
 
Following are images and descriptions of the properties:
 
Pine Arizona
 
Sleeps 6 comfortably - 8 maximum. 
Home is a two-bedroom plus loft. 
Master has 1 king bed.
Guest room has 1 queen bed.
Loft has 2 Full size beds and its own full bathroom.
3 bathrooms total.
 
Link below is all the information for the rental including photos.  Dates subject to availability (non holiday weekend if possible).  Value - typical weekend night is $225 plus $150 cleaning plus taxes etc. (value $825)
 
 
 
 
 
Lake Arrowhead California 
 
This is the Troys newest property and is still going through a remodel so it is not currently for rent and they don't have full photos.    
 
Three Bedroom Home
Sleeps 6 Comfortably - 8 maximum
Master has 1 king bed
Guest room has 1 queen bed
Other guest room has 1 queen bed and twin bunk beds
2 full bathrooms
 
The link has some photos going back to when they purchased the property last year.  Remodel will be done by the end of June so will be ready to go very soon.
Value - at least equal to Pine
 
June 23 - Changing of the Guard
If you have not already done so, CLICK HERE or on the image to register for this end-of-year celebration!
 
In case the fine print in the image is difficult to read,
Cocktails at 5:30 - Program at 6:00
 
It will take place at the Doubletree 
1011 W Holmes in Mesa
 
The cost for members is $35 and for guests $60
Final 2021-22 Service Project - June 28
We will be meeting at Midwest Food Bank from 5:30 to 7:00 PM to repackage bulk food items for distribution.  Their facility is located at 725 E Baseline Rd.,  Gilbert, AZ.  Other volunteer groups will be participating so it is a great night to get out, do good and meet others in our community who have a heart for service.
 
CLICK HERE to go to the sign-up page or EMAIL SHELLY ROMINE with your name and contact information so she can get you registered to participate.
President Dan and First Lady at RI Convention
Highlights of June 2 Meeting
President-Elect Nominee Robin Harris opened the meeting by thanking Ray Smith for serving as greeter.  He reminded Rotarians and guests of the Rotary International 2021-22 theme - Serve to Change Lives - after which he recited the Rotary Vision Statement:
 
Together we see a world where people unite and 
take action to create lasting change - 
across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
 
Invocation and Pledge
 
Ed Koeneman offered the invocation.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Shelly Romine.
 
 
 
Rotary Minute - Jeanie Morgan
 
Jeanie reminded members that ClubRunner is the technology the club pays for and uses for their platform for their database, bulletin (Messenger) and Website.  ClubRunner has a free app that members can download to their smart phones.  Using the free ClubRunner app, members can look up their fellow-club-members to call, text, or email them.  Jeanie said it was much faster to use the free app than to email Jeanie and ask her to send contact information for another club member, then wait for her to respond.  
 
Jeanie suggested it was time that members get with the times and download the free ClubRunner app and enjoy the advantages of this technology resource the club is already paying for us to enjoy.
 
Robin responded, "That was one of the kindest chastisements I've ever heard."  He went on to say that he was awake about 2:30 AM realizing that he had agreed to run the meeting, but realized he did not have an agenda and was not prepared to run the meeting.  So at that hour of the night he laid in bed with ClubRunner, and was able to find the scheduled speaker, the event that is scheduled for the 23rd in the evening.  There will be no noon meeting that day.  If anyone is not yet signed up to attend the Changing of the Guard on the 23rd, it is still open to do so.  It will be at 5:30 in the evening.
 
Introduction of Guests
 
Lucinda General introduced her brother David Rose.  She went on to say David has made the decision to move to Arizona, adding he loves to play golf and would look forward to an invitation to play from Mesa West golfers.  He said he was glad to be here.  His dad was a Rotarian and some of his friends and knows Lucinda is more than a little involved in Rotary.  He said he would be in Scottsdale in his new apartment starting June 5.  
 
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
 
 
Small money is $30, and the large money is $530.  We sell tickets for $5/ticket.  1/3 to little pot, 1/3 to big pot, and 1/3 to the club.  Ticket drawn will win the right to try to draw the Ace of Clubs and win the big pot.  The joker would net $20, any other card, nothing more.  David Rose drew Don Labarge's ticket.  Don took more than a little time to tediously shuffle the cards.  The card he drew was the 8 of Diamonds.
 
Happy Bucks - Mike Whalen
 
  • Ed Koeneman - Dan and Colleen Coons have a neighbor who was going to have a tree taken down.  Colleen went over and made arrangements for them to save the trunk of the tree for Ed.  The guy she spoke to did not speak any English - only Chinese, but was able to make arrangements for Ed to meet him at the sight in about a week.  When they met, Ed could see it was much too large for him to carry away in his truck.  and it would take at least another week to get the guy with the big truck and the sawmill there.  Ed used Google translate on his phone to attempt to communicate the delay and the reason for the delay.  When he showed the gentleman his phone with all the Chinese characters, his reaction was "Sooo happy!"  He picked up the log and the tree stump and had it milled May 31.  Ed said it is absolutely fabulous East Indian Rosewood from a sissou tree.  Ed understands it cannot be imported into the United States.  It has to be grown here.  It sells for $50/foot.  It was a real score!
  • Darl Andersen was happy Robin Harris was asked to preside and doing such a great job leading the meeting.
  • John Pennypacker had the pleasure of listening to his son and grandson critique the NCAA mens' championship at Grayhawk.  "When did they put the Tee on #8.  They didn't think there was room back there.  John said his grandson is very familiar with the course, having played about 40 rounds there.
  • Dick Myren contributed his usual "Two bucks for Rod and I for belonging to this great club."
  • Shelly Romine was happy to have spent the prior weekend in San Diego with her niece and her two littles.  She was exhausted after spending the weekend with a three-year-old and almost six-year-old that just want to sit on Aunt Shelly or jump on the trampoline with Aunt Shelly.  She is also happy to be home and almost caught up on her rest.  
  • Lucinda General said her dad was meticulous in how he took care of things.  She had some happy dollars to offer numerous pairs of size 11 shoes and shoe trees if a 38/29 and new black jeans, and a couple of 17" collared long-sleeve dress shirts.  Rather have them go to Goodwill, she had brought several items to the meeting hoping members who could use them would take them.  She thanked club members for their recent condolences, but felt like she could speak for both herself and her brother in saying they know their dad is much better off and is happily dancing in heaven with their mother.
  • Don LaBarge said now nice it was to meet Dave and hoped to get better acquainted with him.  He went on to say if Ed Koeneman had known him he would have known he had a truck with a 1600# lift gate that the log could have been rolled onto and delivered to Ed's home.
  • Chuck Flint donated saying saying that a planned flight with a friend to Connecticut in a small plane on Tuesday was cancelled due to electrical problems with the plane, but he also contributed saying some members would remember Alex and Julie Hopkins, a PDG from Washington.  Five years ago they became new real estate clients of his in a record day and a half.  He said it is not uncommon to show 30 or more houses before buyers find a home they wish to purchase.  At that time, it took them a day and a half to spend $300,000.  That purchase was a second home for them.  Now they want to move to Arizona permanently.  On Monday, in four hours, they spent $930,000.
  • David Rose contributed $5 happy bucks - He announced he was looking for work.  His skills are mortgage banking and baseball.  Baseball is his passion and he does other stuff to support that.  When someone asked if he was skilled at coaching baseball, it sounded like he answered affirmatively.  
  • Warren Williamson contributed $5 to tell a joke.  Doug Smith (not related to anyone we know) on deathbed.  He called in wife and child and his nurse to serve as a witness.  He turned to his wife and said "Sybil, I want you to take the properties down by the lake."    He turned to his oldest son and said, "I want you to take the business properties down in town center."  He had a daughter also and said he wanted her to take the apartments out on Mayfair.  The nurse's mouth dropped open and she looked at his wife and said I had no idea you husband was so wealthy, owing all that property."  His wife responded, "Don't be silly.  The old fool is talking about his paper route." 
Announcement
  • Tim Troy - Explained about the auction of a stay at one of his two vacation properties.  One is near Pine, Arizona, and the other property is at Lake Arrowhead, California.  The top bidder will be entitled to a three-night stay at their choice of the two sites offered.  More details are in the Messenger.  The auction will take place at the June 9 meeting.  Proceeds of the auction will go to Tim's fundraising team in this year's sponsorship program.
 
Program - Sean Green - New Member Talk
 
Robin introduced Sean, saying he had a chance to get better acquainted with him when the had the opportunity to sit near him at President Elect Training Seminar (PETS).  He is a young who has an incredible desire to be successful.  He also wants to be successful in the right way.  He loves his family.  He wants to raise a strong family.  He has a lot of energy and a lot of intellectual ability.  Robin said that at this point in Sean's life, we know he is really busy.  When Sean can be at Mesa West meetings, we are glad to have him.  When other priorities keep Sean away from our meetings, Robin said our other members would support him in that.
 
Sean began by saying he was an Arizona native, born and raised in Sunnyslope on 3rd and Hatcher.  Sean said he was actually born into a punch bowl in Section 8 housing on a bed pallet his dad had brought home from a construction site.  He said they moved every 2-3 years at the end of a lease into a different apartment.  He said his mom gradually moved them up and out into better neighborhoods.  
 
By the time Sean was nine, his mother married.  That was when he first lived in a house with his own front and back yard.  About the same time, his grandmother moved to Arizona from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  That changed a lot of things for Sean.  To tell a bit more about his parents.  Both were born and raised in Des Moines Iowa.  His dad was one of eight, and his mom was one of five - the other four were brothers.  His dad was big in music and art.  His dad dropped out of school at 15 and had hitchhiked to both oceans by the time he was sixteen.  He was a vagabond for many years.  He was in construction and concrete.  He currently is retired and lives in a cabin in Flagstaff.  Sean's mom graduated early from high school.  She has two bachelors degrees - one in Criminal Justice, and the other in Psychology.  She holds a masters in Clinical Psychology.  She was previously the Psych Associate for death row for legal injection in Arizona.  She is currently still working for DOC, looking to retire in a year and a half.  
 
Sean was a single child.  He travelled a lot for vacations with his mom.  His dad was gone by the time Sean was about four.  They travelled about every six months back to Iowa.  His mom would stash away bartending and server money to save up for them to travel to Iowa to stay with family.  Sean and his mom were the only members of his family residing in Arizona at all.  During those visits to Iowa, Sean got a taste of what the midwestern culture was like.  He said if you are from the Midwest, East Coast, or the South, you have an idea what Arizona lacks when it comes to hospitality.  There is a very different personality around the Mississippi than there is around the Pacific Coast or Atlantic Coast.
 
After they moved Sean's grandmother to Arizona, her home was just down the street from the first house Sean lived in with his mom's eventual ex-husband.  Sean was back and forth between the two houses "running the neighborhood."  
 
At age 12, Sean built his first computer.  He was very actively and competitively involved in video gaming from the time he was about age 12 to 15.  His mom graduated and allowed Sean to choose one friend to go with them and enjoy park-hopper passes in Disneyland California Adventure.  That was where Sean was exposed to his first concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim California at the downtown Disney District.  It was a rock show with three different.  That sparked his interest in concerts.
 
Sean started working painting and construction when he was about 15.  From where he was coming from, there wasn't much opportunity to think about going to college.  His mom couldn't afford it.  A profession requiring a college degree wasn't on the horizon for him.  Sean wasn't sad about that.  He has a lot of vocational grade skills.  Sean started working painting and construction when he was about 15.  He got involved with concerts and started doing festival promotions and ticket sales when he was about 16.  He did that until he was 23.  At 23, Sean went on a national music tour of 16 or 18 cities over 5 weeks.  He was in an apprentice to management position on that tour.  He supplemented his income with bartending and serving.  He worked as many hours as he could stashing as much money as he could hoping to stay out of trouble with all the hours committed to work, and eventually work his way into a place where the neighborhood wasn't as conducive to trouble for young people who were idle. 
 
At 18, Sean moved to Chicago for a month to stay with a complete stranger he had meant in video gaming.  Sean was friends with two of the stranger's sons.  His mom caught him walking out the door with a duffle bag large enough to hold a body the day after his 18th birthday.  He had told her nothing of his plans.  When she got up to have coffee, she caught him as he was laying down a note explaining his plans with details about where he would be, how he could be contacted, a complete itinerary, etc.  They had an "unfortunate" conversation.
 
During his stay in Chicago, Sean learned about real estate from the inside out in a crash course observing someone taking advantage of the chaos in that industry following the 2008 recession.  During his first month as an adult, Sean learned that a crack dealer from Chicago to do video games, meet a random white kid out of Phoenix and teach him for a month how to do real estate and really change his stars.
 
From age 16 thru 24.  He was doing concerts.  He had some money stashed away when his daughter was born in 2013.  Sean wanted to be present in her life.  For a year and a half he was a stay at home dad. After he had exhausted his savings, and realized that he and the mother didn't really get along, and was much too energetic to spend all his time changing diapers and staying home,  Sean successfully represented himself when he petitioned for 50/50 custody of his daughter. 
 
He then became a serial entrepreneur.   He started a motor sports performance in 2014.  He started a heating element touch screen business in 2015.  He continued working construction as a superintendent.  In 2016, officer Reed was murdered at the hotel where he was staying with his construction crew in Show Low.  They became witnesses to a crime they were completely unaware of.  Because their trucks, tools, etc. were at a crime scene, they were not allowed to leave.  They were stuck in a cafe at the hotel while the news crews were coming in and out.  He shifted out of construction because of a question he had asked about permits.  He thought it was the right question, but he found out it was the wrong question, because the permits didn't exist.  
While they were holed up at the hotel, inspectors were inspecting job sites in Tucson, Show Low and Pine Top.  The job sites in all three cities were shut down by the cities.  Sean left construction.  He liquidated the partnership with the motor sports business business he had started.  He put the heating element touch screen business on ice because the cost of making the product much more expensive than he thought.  From there, he started a video marketing business in 2016.  His son Grayson was born in 2017. 
 
Sean's primary care physician started his first medical concierge business in Arizona partnering with Sean's video marketing business.  Sean had never been involved in a degree-driven field.  It was interesting but it wasn't for Sean.  It was a lot of detail, computer input, jargon, and paperwork and Sean realized he was not that type of guy.  While Sean is capable of dealing with all that, it gives him a headache worse than changing diapers and trying to converse with small children who can't talk straight.
 
When Grayson was about 18 months old, Sean successfully represented himself petitioning for 50/50 custody with Grayson's mother. 
 
He explored getting back into construction knowing he had a lot of skills and background in all parts of construction that do not involve climbing a ladder.  Sean likes his feet firmly planted on the ground.  During all of this soul searching, Sean found an app called Clubhouse.  He described it as a "combination of a radio and walkie-talkie."  Though the app, he had the chance to listen to a conversations and are able to chime in on the conversation.  Sean met Scott Rippey from North Carolina through through Club House.  Scott was successfully operating a video production business much like what Sean started in 2021.  Scott invited Sean to visit him in North Carolina, taking him under his wing as a mentor.  Scott is a Rotarian and that visit is the way Sean found Rotary.
 
Through Rotary, Sean has found a sense of belonging.  He was honest enough to say that a year earlier, he might not have understood what a blessing that sense of belonging truly is.
 
 
Read more...
Something to Ponder
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits
original source unknown
Today's Chuckle
The easiest time to add insult to injury is when you are signing someone's cast.
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.
 
Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
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.
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
VenueMap
Venue Map
Speakers
Jun 16, 2022
The Happiness Breakthrough
Jun 23, 2022
Jun 30, 2022
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Membership Dir "23
 
Community Service Dir. '22
 
Vocational Dir '22
 
Foundation Dir. '23
 
Public Image Dir. '23
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Co Sergeant. At Arms
 
TRF Chair
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Services Co-Chair
 
Youth Services Co-Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Jun 21, 2022 5:30 PM
 
Changing of the Guard
Doubletree Hotel
Jun 23, 2022
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Installation Banquet - Changing of the Guard
Jun 23, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Rotary Leadership Institute
Jun 25, 2022
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
Midwest Food Bank Volunteer Night
Midwest Food Bank
Jun 28, 2022
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Jul 19, 2022 5:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Erika Yost
June 2
 
Pai Bethea
June 9
 
Carla Krcmarik
June 23
 
Spouse Birthdays
Cindy Rosenberg
June 10
 
Sunny Williamson
June 24
 
Sheena Bouslog
June 29
 
Anniversaries
Wendell Jones
Sandra Jones
June 11
 
Mike Whalen
Devon Whalen
June 13
 
Tim Troy
Angie Troy
June 13
 
Jim Schmidt
Rosalyn Schmidt
June 24
 
Join Date
Melissa Stuckey
June 14, 2021
1 year
 
Robert LaBarge
June 15, 2012
10 years
 
Colleen Coons
June 27, 2018
4 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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