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Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mesa, AZ
United States of America
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Stories
Rocky Point Computers for Kids
Kathleen Duncan presented a program at Mesa West Rotary on March 5, 2020 about a program where she works to create a path to a better life for extremely impoverished children in Rocky Point Mexico.  With District Grant funds for which President Dan completed an application several months ago, Kathleen was able to purchase tablets for use by the children in her program.  She sent the following report to President Dan and Mesa West Rotary Foundation Chairman on January 22:
 
I just returned from spending the week in Rocky Point and had the chance to go out with my team yesterday.  They are currently going to six different sites each day to bring educational resources and technology to several hundreds of students.  The tablets we purchased using the generous donation from your Rotary Club had been a tremendous asset for our primary school students.  We have also just launched a new program for students with special needs in the community and we are very excited to have the ASU Speech and Hearing Clinic partnering with us.  Our students will be receiving weekly tele-speech therapy through the ASU clinic and these tablets will also be a wonderful resource for this program.  
 
We are so grateful for the generous support you provided that made this possible and please thank the other members of your club for us.
 
CLICK HERE if you want to read about Kathleen's March 5, 2020 presentation at Mesa West Rotary.
Highlights of January 21 Zoom Meeting
Prior to the meeting actually starting, the members who gathered early enjoyed some casual conversation.  At least one member was enjoying a beverage in a can which was sporting a Four Way Beer Test koozie.
 
Allan and Polly were still enjoying time on their boat in San Diego, but the latest COVID restrictions had really quieted activity in the area.  They planned to meet friends at a Joe's Crab Shack near their dock.  Allen had even checked ahead to be sure they would be open.  When they arrived at the restaurant, they learned it was only open for take out, so they walked back to their boat with their friends and ate on the boat.  
 
At Noon, President Dan Coonsofficially called the meeting to order, introducing himself and welcoming everyone to the meeting.  After reciting the Rotary Theme - "Rotary Opens Opportunities," he called on Ray Smith to offer the invocation.
 
Rotary Minute - Tom Yuzer
 
Tom shared a few paragraphs from Jim Boyd when he served on the Rotary Membership Committee:
 
What does it mean to be a Rotarian?  Chances are this question in one form or another will pop up in discussions between a Rotarian and someone who is thinking about becoming one.  It is the sort of question a Rotarian should like to have asked.  Whatever is said in reply almost certainly will be drawn from the Rotarian's own personal experiences as a member of a Rotary Club.  
 
A Rotarian believes in Rotary and in what Rotary stands for.  What Rotary stands for is stated in the Object of Rotary.  Above all, Rotarians believe in "Service Above Self," Rotary's international motto.  Rotarians believe in sharing Rotary with others.  Being a Rotarian means more than the sum of what a Rotarian believes about Rotary; it means maintaining high ethical standards in one's business, one's profession, and in one's personal life.
 
Being a Rotarian means having the opportunity to experience the warm fellowship of a Rotary Club which can greatly expand one's circle of acquaintance, foster lifelong friendships, and help one do for his or her community what he or she might never accomplish alone.  Being a Rotarian means to be actively involved in the affairs and service projects of one's club.  Rotarians look for ways to get involved.  Rotarians demonstrate the strength of their commitment to Rotary in the service they render to their club, through their club to the community, and through the Rotary Foundation to people throughout thee world.  Being a Rotarian is a way of life and can be a satisfying lifelong adventure for those who are willing to give of themselves to enjoy and benefit from all that Rotary has to offer.
 
After sharing what Jim Boyd had to say, Tom added, "Some days you need a hand and there are other days when we're called to lend a hand."  He asked if anyone would be willing to share their "Rotary Moment," - something from their own personal experience about when they moved beyond being a member of a Rotary Club to truly becoming a Rotarian.  Pam Cohen said it was working with RYLA participants and transporting students to the camp.  John Pennypacker said he first joined Rotary in 1976 when he was young impetuous captain in the Army and was invited by a Colonel who was a survivor of the Bataan Death March.  Two years later, John was transferred away from that assignment.  He did not rejoin Rotary until he became a charter President of the Rotary Club at the Boeing plant in Mesa.  He said when he witnessed the difference Rotary Youth Exchange and RYLA makes in the lives of young people, he had his moment.  John sais there are no strangers in Rotary - just friends who haven't met yet.  Dan Coons said it was a trip Don LaBarge invited him to go on with Rotarians to a city in Mexico to provide polio immunizations.  He said "Seeing the need while experiencing the graciousness and kindness of the poor residents showed the value of Rotary to that community and the world."  Polly Cady said Youth Exchange did it for her.  She hosted before becoming a Rotarian.  After she joined, she stayed involved with Youth Exchange.  Bob Zarling said the Caborca immunization trip did it for him.  Lola McClane said she met Lucinda General and the rest is history. 
 
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
  • Greg began by fining himself $50 for the boat he appeared to be on
  • Polly Cady pledged $5 - she was happy that Dan Lamborne, who is hoping to join a Rotary club was in attendance.
  • Allan Cady pledged $5 - for a nice new commitment which will take us over the half-way mark to our $30,000 goal for our sponsorship campaign.  Jim Schmidt had contacted a former member whose foundation will make the $5,000 donation.
  • Jeanie Morgan pledged $10 and asked for thoughts and prayers for Sharon Spane, an honorary member of Mesa West.  Sharon has been diagnosed with COVID and has other non-related health challenges.  Her husband has only one kidney and she fears he will be contaminated with COVID as well.
  • John Pennypacker pledged $5 hopeful bucks.  He made a TRVFA presentation at the Superstition Mountain Rotary Club January 20.  Several of their members had just received TRVFA flyers in the mail.  John asked them to use them to talk to their neighbors about TRVFA.  John has talked to his own neighbor about TRVFA   He believes in asking others to do as he does - rather than as he says.
  • Pam Cohen pledged $5 sad dollars.  Her good neighbor to the west moved away permanently.  While new renters were moving in two doors east, Pat contracted COVID and died within a week.
  • Chris Krueger pledged $5 sad dollars.  Her cousin in Nebraska passed away from COVID.  He was only 64 and a very fine person.
  • Greg called out Ron Thompson and told him he was looking good.
  • Dan Coons pledged $10 for Colleen's birthday saying there would be more later.  
  • John Pennypacker pledged $10 noting Colleen shares a birthday with the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
Announcements
  • President Dan reported that at the club board meeting on Tuesday, the board voted to recommend to the Mesa West Foundation board that $4,000 be committed for the purpose of finding grant opportunities at the Mexican American friendship conference which will be held virtually this year in February.  The also voted to recommend that the Foundation write $500 checks to each of the organizations where the club has held hands-on service projects this year.
  • Shelly Romine reminded members of the January 30 service opportunity at Vinny's garden from 8:00 AM to Noon.  Children are welcome to come with their parents.  Members can still sign up through the website or by contacting Shelly by email.
  • President Dan also announced that Jim Crutcher's nephew donated 696 cases of hand sanitizer valued at $34,800 for Mesa West Rotary to distribute to service agencies in the east valley.
Dan Coons - 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
 
Program - Layne Gneiting - World Cycling and Finding the Real You
 
Wendell Jones introduced the speaker.  He bikes with Layne almost every week.  Layne helps people excel through adventure.  He has his own unique  leadership development program.  CLICK HERE to visit his website to learn about The Breakthough Mindset - Discovering your untapped superpowers by learning to change the game.  He and his wife and their eight children live in Mesa.
 
Growing up in Idaho, traveling the world was something Layne believed that would never happen for him.  Many of us feel like we are pawns in somebody else's game.  We do our duty, moving through the world feeling like we are chained and shackled.
 
An early international adventure for Layne was a bicycle trip from Portugal to Vatican City.  The trip lasted two months and he covered 2,500 miles.  There were occasions where he and his bike rode a train or bus.  He did some camping, occasionally staying in a hotel or cabin.  Many times, he stayed with good people.  It was both exhilarating and exhausting.  It was tough.  Since then, he has taken people all over the place.  He has seen everything from remote and rustic to enchanted.
 
To give an example of how messaging and identities can allow others to define us, Layne got us all involved in playing a game.  Those present were divided into teams:  The Pirates were Dan Coons, John Pennypacker, Warren Williamson, Jeanie Morgan and Bob Zarling.  The Thieves were John Benedict, Pam Cohen, Allen Cady, Wendell Jones and Ray Smith.  The Heroes were Lola McClane, Tom Yuzer, Pai Bethea, Jack Rosesnberg, Jim Schmidt and Greg Okonowski.  The rest were The Underdogs:  Bert Millett, Ron Thompson, Steve Ross, Don Boucher and Chris Krueger.
 
The goal of the game was to make the most money possible.  Each team had a spokesperson who was to hold up a piece of paper - on the count of 3 with an X on one side and a Y on the other.  The team could provide input via text, private chat, but ultimately the spokesperson had to decide whether to hold up an X or Y to help their team make the most money.  There were six rounds played.  There were higher weights to the scores in some of the founds.  The scores shown in the score box were cumulative, and that would help the team and spokesperson decide which letter to hold up.  
 
In the first round, every spokesperson held up a Y.  In the second round there were 3 Y's and 1 X.  In the third and fourth rounds, there were 2 Y's and 2 X's.  In the 5th Round, it was all X's, and in the final round, all Y's.  
 
After it was all finished, some wondered if there was any significance to the naming coincidence of the pirates and thieves winning equal amounts of money and the underdogs barely being in the black while the heroes were the only team with a negative final score.  And we learned that if everyone would have held up a Y every time, we all would have made more money.
 
The primary point to be made was that we all have story tellers in our lives - parents, media, clergy, instructors... We receive definitions of what is important and what is not, what pleases others and what does not, and we try to fit the mold that those messages provide about acceptance and success.  All of that can become who we think we are supposed to be and can be very limiting.   It is important for each person to find ways to push past those boundaries and discover their true self in order to live a rich, fulfilling life.
 
Read more...
January Service Project - Back to the Garden
Hello Rotarians and friends.  For the month of January we are heading back to the garden.  This is a great activity for those who want to volunteer safely while social distancing outside.  There are lots of activities that anyone can do; no need for a green thumb and best of all the food harvested at the garden is used in the dining rooms of St. Vincent de Paul to give their guests a delicious and nutritious meal.
Your help is needed!  Volunteers are required for the following event:
 
Garden Helpers
Saturday, January 30, 2021 
8:00 AM to Noon
 
Chair:  Shelly Romine
 
Location:
Urban Outdoor Garden
1300 W. Harrison St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
 
CLICK HERE to view available slots and book yourself directly online.
Help United Food Bank Raise Funds & Enjoy the Open
There is an opportunity to volunteer at the Concession Stands at the Phoenix Open! By volunteering your time you help bring in FUNDS for United Food Bank! For each volunteer who completes the full hours of the shift United Food Bank gets a check! Last year we raised $4,000 dollars through this event which helped provide 20,000 meals! Please share this opportunity on social media, with your friends/family, or maybe work associates! The more volunteers the more people we can feed!
 
Sign up to be a concessions volunteer for United Food Bank at the Phoenix Open, to help raise funds to feed Arizona families!
 
Although this year's event will be smaller, the Waste Management Phoenix Open is committed to providing a safe experience for everyone while raising dollars for charity.
 
Volunteer Requirements:
• Must be18 years of age or older
• Available to work at 1 day between Feb. 1 - 7
You will receive a Volunteer Pass that you can enjoy the event after completing your shift. Returning another day is not an option this year due to COVID restrictions.
 
Concessions volunteers will take part in the energetic and fast-paced food and beverage venues around the course. Shifts are about 7 hours in length and duties typically include cash register operation, stock replenishment and drink dispensing.
 
Sign up as a volunteer here and select "Concessions - United Food Bank" under Committee choice.
*Click Register Here on the website.
Family Caregiver Day at the Capitol - March 11
Shelly Romine asked that we publish this event in our newsletter.  Many we know and some of our Mesa West Rotary members are family caregivers.  Please share this information with them.  Registration for the event is open.  CLICK HERE to register.
 
Nominations are still being accepted for the David Besst award for contributions to caregiving in Arizona.  The David Besst award is presented to an individual and/or organization that has made a significant contribution in family caregiving.  The award honors the awardees but also David Besst, who untiringly worked to establish resources and respite for family caregivers.  Nominations are due on January 31, 2021 and a selection will be made in February.  Honorees will be recognized with a plaque at the Family Caregiver Day at the Arizona Capitol on March 11, 2021.  To nominate an individual or organization, CLICK HERE to complete the form providing details on your nominee. 
Today's Chuckle
Something to Ponder

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." -Helen Keller

Support the Mesa West Sponsorship Drive
If you or a friend, family member or associate would like the convenience of electronically contributing to the Sponsorship Campaign, EMAIL JEANIE
 
Please provide the dollar amount to be donated, the name and email address of the donor if it is not yourself, and tell Jeanie whether the funds should go to:
 
  • Community Service
  • International Service
  • Youth Service 
or
  • UNDESIGNATED - TO BE USED WHERE MOST NEEDED
Jeanie will e-mail an invoice from Mesa West Rotary Foundation which can be paid electronically using debit or credit card or bank-to-bank transfer.
The Most Efficient Way to Support The Rotary Foundation
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.
You CAN make a difference!
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Foundation Director
 
Public Image Director
 
Club Service Director
 
Service Projects Director
 
Director
 
Membership
 
Executive Secretary
 
Speakers
Jan 28, 2021
Providing incarcerated women with a second chance
Feb 04, 2021
Five goals for Mesa over 2021
Feb 11, 2021
U.S.Forrestal Experience
Feb 18, 2021
Global Grant in Sonora
Feb 25, 2021
The Power of Gratitude
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Jan 28, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Garden Helpers
Urban Outdoor Garden
Jan 30, 2021
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Feb 04, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Feb 11, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Monthly Board Meeting
Feb 16, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Feb 18, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Feb 25, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mar 04, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mar 11, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Monthly Board Meeting
Mar 16, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Ted L. Williams
January 3
 
Geoff White
January 4
 
Steve Ross
January 10
 
Spouse Birthdays
Laura Okonowski
January 7
 
Colleen Coons
January 25
 
Kevin Fleege
January 25
 
Join Date
Bryan Goetzenberger
January 1, 2017
4 years
 
Dan Coons
January 1, 1993
28 years
 
Donna Goetzenberger
January 1, 2017
4 years
 
Pam Cohen
January 1, 1992
29 years
 
Warren Williamson
January 1, 1990
31 years
 
Greg Okonowski
January 22, 1998
23 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
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?