Before the meeting was called to order, Polly Schumacher was complimented on her patriotic red, white, and blue apparel.  She said she knew she was a few days late but was still celebrating the Memorial Day holiday.  Our inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student, Marcella Sousa was welcomed.  It was a pleasant surprise to have Erwin and Joan Reimann in attendance.  Erwin explained that there had been an upsurge in COVID-19 cases in South Dakota, and - on advice of their doctor - they decided to wait at least a couple of weeks before heading to the Black Hills for the summer.

 

President Jim called the meeting to order, and asked John Pennypacker to offer the invocation.  John chose to share the following Scottish Blessing titled "If There is Righteousness in the Heart:"

 

If there is righteousness in the heart,

there will be beauty in the character.

If there is beauty in the character,

there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home, 

there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

there will be peace in the world.

So let it be.

 

Allan Cady was asked to share a patriotic moment.  In light of the recent Memorial Day holiday, Allan challenged Rotarians to teach their children and grandchildren ten things:

Allan also shared they had enjoyed a Zoom meeting with their family the evening before, and it helped them feel close though they are far apart.  He said he would commit to work on teaching the ten things he listed to his grandchildren.  He feels very fortunate to be in our country - even during adverse times.

 

Allan and Polly Cady were on a lake.  Allan wanted to fish, so had all the gear on the boat, but decided he should attend a Rotary meeting.  Polly chose to stay on the lake.  After Allen left, Polly rowed out into the lake and put the anchor down, got out her book and started reading.  Before long a fish and game officer came along and told her he would have to cite her for fishing in a restricted area.  Polly explained she wasn't fishing, and that she was just enjoying her book.  The officer said that there was evidence to the contrary and he would have to take her in and charge her.  She had all the necessary equipment and for all he knew she could obviously start fishing at any moment.  Polly said she would go along with the officer, but only if he arranged to have law enforcement at the station to meet them.  He asked why, and she said she was going to request that he be charged with attempted rape.  He said, you know nothing like that happened.  Polly said, "You have all the necessary equipment, and for all I know..."  The officer left without citing Polly.

 

Thanks to Pam Cohen who facilitated and hosted our first Mesa West Rotary virtual happy hour Thursday evening, May 28.  At least sixteen members and Rotary family members attended Our District Governor, David Simmer, even dropped by for a bit. 

 

Pam was prepared with a conversation-starter.  She asked everyone to share their favorite burger and burger establishment.  It was very pleasant to have relaxed, informal conversation with each other - a privilege we've been deprived of for much too long.  

This coming November would have marked the 28th year for Bob Jensen to organize and participate in the Gift of Hearing Mission in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.  A special meeting was held on Zoom today to discuss the 2020 mission.  In attendance were Bob Jensen, Erica Williams, Wendell Jones, Ray Smith, Allan and Polly Cady, Jim Schmidt, Chuck Flint and Jeanie Morgan from Mesa West Rotary.  Also in attendance were Rodolfo Fernandez and Dr. Glattke, local Rotary partners in Mexico.  

 

Bob started the meeting explaining that typically by this point in time, all the major plans for the November mission are in place.  This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has done nothing.  There are too many uncertainties about safety for the school, for the volunteers, and the patients to be seen.

Our Mexican partners are currently quarantined in Alamo where they have had one reported case.  The border area is where the highest rates of infection are occurring..  The 2019-20 school year is being completed from home in Mexico.  Next September the school may reopen, but conditions may not be known until mid to late September as to how, whether or even if we could conduct the clinic there.  At best, we would be on stand-by as to whether we could have the event in November.  

 

Border crossings are currently restricted.  Americans can go down.  Zero Mexicans are going north through the checkpoints.  In Alamos, Americans are carrying proof of residence in Mexico, a water bill, etc., which makes crossing the border pretty automatic.  

 

Bob commented that if there is no vaccine available, he cannot envision taking a team down there.  For him, the safety of the volunteers and patients is paramount.  Another question is - would the volunteers be welcome to stay at the condos.

 

Jim Schmidt's opinion is that there are too many complications making November insurmountable.  Spring of 2021 would be a better option.

 

Bob said that if we don't go down, there are likely enough batteries on hand to serve the needs of existing patients, and the local team could likely have enough volunteers to make that happen.

 

Bob said there was only one other time in 28 years when the mission had to be abandoned for one year.

 

Wendell suggested we skip November 2020 and target November 2021.  Erica suggested that if things improve a small team could try a different model, going for more days and changing to an appointment-based service model with some triage to determine needs in advance, but if that is not possible, she agreed we should wait until November 2021.

 

Bob shared that Adam Prawzinsky felt like they had a horrendous number of patients last year, and he thought limits should be imposed.  He also thought pre-screening should occur.  There were several patients seen that did not truly have ENT needs.  He does not want to see non-ENT patients.

 

Bob was pleased he had spent extra money last year, so that there is an inventory of hearing aids on hand.

 

There is a nursing school in the area that has indicated a desire to help.  If we do choose to involve them, the identification of specific tasks for them to do needs to take place.

 

Bob wrapped up the meeting with the following areas where he felt there was consensus:

 

In support of the Feeding Mesa campaign, the City of Mesa is hosting a series of canned food drives each week through the month of July.  The canned food drives will directly benefit the Mesa food banks who are providing food to Mesa residents directly and through a variety of food relief programs.

 

 

Volunteer Work:  Those dropping off donations are asked to pull up to the drop off area and open their trunk or back seat where the food is located.  Volunteers will then retrieve the food and place it in nearby collection bins.

 

 

 Thanks to Dan Coons, we have submitted the Grant request and beat the deadline of May 31st with a few hours to spare. This is a Grant to replace the floor at the 7th Street Pantry Food bank. This is not a sure thing. Good news is the District is offering more money on the match. We are committing to $1500.00 and asking for a $2500.00 match which is the maximum allowed.

 

Here is what we have to accomplish.

"He's handsome, sincere, generous, intelligent, supportive, patient, successful, romantic, strong, funny, energetic, thoughtful, sensitive and kind - but sometimes he leaves the cap off the toothpaste!!!"

Good judgement comes from experience.  

Experience, well, that comes from poor judgment.
 

Rotarians worldwide who have similar passions and interests can connect through Rotary Fellowships.  The photo at right is one that was downloaded from the International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians and was taken at a 2019 gathering in Telluride, Colorado.  To see the variety of fellowships currently available, CLICK HERE.  

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.

Donations to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona made through April 15, can be used to qualify for the

Arizona's Credit for Contribution to a Qualifying Charitable Organization for the 2019 or 2020 tax year, but not both!  Their QCO Code is 20698.

 

When everything starts to settle after our current pandemic-related business slow-down is history, some things may never to back to the way they were.  There may well be a shortage of workers that require vocational certifications available to those in low-income groups through TRVFA grants.  Your gift today may help someone have a better tomorrow!  CLICK HERE to donate on-line or CLICK HERE to download a mail-in form.