Ray Smith, has been the organizer coordinating planning meetings for the Gift of Hearing team which departed Wednesday, November 7 for Guaymas. Traveling with Ray, will be Drs. Erica Williams and Bob Jenson. They are our Mesa West Rotary audiology professionals who will be doing true vocational service for the next few days. Accompanying the team providing volunteer support are the following Mesa West Rotarians and family of Rotary members: Allan and Polly Cady, Christy Citterman and Ray Schmal, and Chuck Flint. Additional volunteers infused with the spirit of volunteerism in the audiology profession will be doctoral candidates from Arizona State University and A.T.Still University
At our May 17 meeting, Bob Jensen reported that since 1992, over 5,000 patients have been seen, and more than 4,000 hearing aids dispensed. In 2017, 333 patients were seen, 165 hearing aids fitted and 185 earmolds made. Bob felt he would be able to reduce the cost of the mission this year. He believes they can accomplish similar results with a smaller team and consequently much lower costs.
The team will test preschool-age children as well as adults. Over the four days of the time away for the mission, two days will be spent traveling to and from Guaymas, and two days will be spent seeing patients. They will see from 300-350 patients who will be given a medical examination and medicine if needed by the team doctors, a hearing test by the audiologists and if needed, will be fitted with custom-made earmolds and hearing aids. Those patients who already have hearing aids will have the aids inspected, cleaned and fixed or adjusted as needed. Batteries will be dispensed to those needing them. Patients will be counseled on the use and care of the hearing aids. All services will be provided at no charge.
Last year, then President-Elect Chris Krueger went on the mission. She wrote an article for the messenger detailing her impressions. The final two paragraphs of her article give an impression of the mission that are worth reading again:
"The most amazing thing was the people, both the ones that served and the ones that we served. Some of them waited all day to see someone for their hearing issues. Children waited in cramped areas for hours and were still so well behaved. (sometimes better than the adults). One child and his mother were there all day on Thursday and then had to come back on Friday morning to complete the process. Many came from many miles away in order to seek treatment. Due to the large demand, we can only give one hearing aid per person. There was no complaining.
"The volunteer staff was absolutely amazing. They worked tirelessly for two twelve hour days. Some didn't even eat lunch and barely had time to take restroom breaks. They gave not only the gift of hearing, but they gave of themselves. They were compassionate and loving to a group of strangers simply because they knew they had the skills that these people needed. It was a true example of service above self."
We look forward to the photos and stories from the 2018 team, and thank them for their gift of time and their passion for service.
John Pennypacker opened the meeting asking Daryl Bethea to offer the invocation and Warren Williamson to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray Smith led those present in singing Vive La Compagnie, which sounded wonderful as it was amplified by the reverberating harmonious sounds in the room where the meeting was held.
Guests
We had several visiting Rotarians: Joan and Erwin Reimman from Rapid City, South Dakota; Tom Draggoo from Springfield, Oregon; Heidi Begeot from Hood River Oregon and Penny May from Alaska.
Rotary News
John Pennypacker reported on two things he had heard when attending a Zone webinar with RI Director, John Matthews.
In 2019-20, the zones are being restructured. We will be in zone 26 with districts from West Texas, Southern Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California and Hawaii.
The Bill and Melinda Gates approached The Rotary Foundation about extending their matching pledge to support polio eradication. It will be needed. We are very close, but there have been more cases year to date this year than at the same time last year.
Drawings
The attendance drawing prize of $5 was won by Melodie Jackson. Frank Rosenberg won $25 as the holder of the raffle ticket that was drawn, but he drew the two of hearts, so the accumulating pot, which is now up to $201, will continue to grow. Chuck Flint explained the Buck Board for the benefit of our guests, then circulated to sell some of the open squares to those present.
Auction
Penny May had a bag of goodies to auction from her recent 10 day cruise that included Havana, Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Bob Zarling's high bid of $35 made him the lucky winner.
Guaymas Trip Drawing
The names of all Rotarians who committed to donations supporting the annual gift of hearing mission were entered into a drawing. There were three prizes - all handmade by Son Hee Williamson. Pam Cohen won a beautiful black and white crocheted afghan, and Wendell Jones and Steve Ross each won very nice colorful bags which will likely make each of their wives very happy.
Happy Bucks
Pam Cohen had a very enjoyable time celebrating her 63rd birthday with friends and family.
Melodie Jackson contributed for an enjoyable vacation on a Mexican Riviera cruise.
Dick Myren contributed $1 continuing the tradition of Rod Daniels of being happy to be a member of Mesa West Rotary.
Pam Cohen was happy to have learned that our server, Liz, is going to have a baby boy in January.
John Pennypacker was happy to have attended the Interact Fall Leadership Conference where he participated with Jeanie Morgan in honoring Colton Cagle as a Paul Harris fellow.
Bob Zarling was happy to announce that Westwood High School Interact Club's Purple Pinkie project netted over $1,400. He thanked Mesa West Rotarians who contributed the day Colton and Shakima Fagan visited our club.
Chris Krueger was happy that John Pennypacker covered for her being late to the meeting due to an appointment with her eye doctor. She was also happy her vision was starting to return to normal from the distortion caused by dilation drops.
Announcements
Our club will be dark (no meeting) on November 15
The Chile Cook-off and Fireside Fun will be held at Pam Cohen's house on November 16
The club will again be dark on November 22 as we all celebrate Thanksgiving with friends, family, and extended family.
One final announcement turned into all present singing Happy Birthday to Pam Cohen.
Dick Myren suggested Rotarians look around the room and call someone who was absent from the meeting. There were too many empty places at this meeting.
Program
Jeanie Morgan shared information about The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA). She began by reminding Rotarians and guests about the Object of Rotary - particularly the second point made in that core statement of Rotary values: "High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society."
She also reminded everyone of a couple of points made in Rotary's description of the concept of vocational service:
Help young people achieve their career goals.
Guide and encourage others in the professional development.
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona gives Arizona Rotarians a unique opportunity to bring vocational service to life. TRVFA had its beginnings in the late 1980's when an idea was born and fostered by a few forward-thinking Arizona Rotary leaders including Dave Wastchak and Roger Bonngard.
In 1991, The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona was incorporated.
In 1992, TRVFA was approved as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
In 1993, Rotary International approved TRVFA as a multi-district project endorsed by RI. To accomplish this distinction, two thirds of the clubs in each of the three Arizona districts had to approve applying for that status.
For the last twenty-five years, TRVFA has been the only Rotary-founded, RI blessed and Rotarian managed Qualifying Charitable Organization in the State of Arizona which can accept tax-credit donations.
Arizona is unique in allowing individuals and couples to direct a portion of their state income tax obligation by giving directly to a QCO. $400 for an individual an d$800 for a married couple filing jointly.
Effective this tax year, it will be necessary when claiming that donation on Arizona income tax returns to show the QCO number. The codes were assigned by the State earlier this year. The QCO code for TRVFA is 20698.
TRVFA provides vocational education grants for eligible programs to individuals who meet certain low-income guidelines and residential requirements of their programs.
Once the financial, residential and program requirements have been met, students have one more hurdle. They must be sponsored by a Rotary Club. The sponsoring club does not have to put up any money, but they do need to interview the candidate to be sure they are committed to and likely to be successful in their chosen occupation. The club is asked to develop and maintain a mentoring and supportive relationship with each student they sponsor.
TRVFA has a Chairman, Dennis Haberer. He is a District 5495 Rotarian with multi-year history in TRVFA leadership. Current President is District 5490 PDG Dan Messersmith. After Districts 5510 and 5490 merged into District 5495, the TRVFA bylaws were revised. They now require that the board be made up of 10 board members with six from District 5495 and four from District 5500. The proportion of board members reflects the number of clubs and Rotarians in the two districts.
Jeanie joined the board of directors in early 2018, replacing Pam Cohen who had to resign due to being spread too thin with her Rotary-related commitments. In interviewing for the position, she suggested several changes to be made to make the electronic presence of TRVFA more user-friendly. Since her first meeting in April, she has updated their website, moving it to a ClubRunner platform which will allow newsletters to be distributed to donors and TRVFA alumni.
Jeanie was not the only new member this year. The board is evolving into a working board. Several members are making presentations at Rotary Clubs. One member is the editor for the Alumni newsletter and Jeanie is editing the Donor newsletters.
Challenges
In 2017-18, grant demand exceeded donations. Because of this shortfall, the maximum grant has temporarily been reduced from $3,000 to $2,000. In June it was announced that we would not process any more new grant applications for programs with a start date prior to October 1. We have continued to process applications for programs starting after that date. We have also restricted grants to a preferred list of vocational fields including trades, maintenance and construction, health and wellness, and emerging technologies.
Mesa West was the top giving club in individual Rotarian support of TRVFA. There was one club - the largest club in Tucson, topped Mesa West with overall giving, as their club donated in addition to the donations of individual members. Unfortunately, far too many clubs had very few members who supported TRVFA. It is essential that a more effective job of communicating with Rotarians throughout Arizona this year to inspire higher levels of participation in making these "NO BRAINER" donations that really don't cost donors anything unless they have maxed out their tax credit donations.
If this "season of giving" goes well, we hope to restore the $3,000 maximum for grants. We also hope to be able to again fund grants in vocational fields outside their "preferred" list.
Jeanie thanked Mesa West for their historically strong support and reminded them to share the opportunity with their friends, family and associates. It is a Rotary born, Rotarian managed charity, but donations are welcomed from non-Rotarians as well as Rotary club members. To view the revised website, go to www.trvfa.org. To make a donation on-line, go to www.donate.trvfa.org. To make a donation by mail, CLICK HERE to download a donation form.
Following the USA Mexico Friendship Conference and Project Fair, Polly and Past President Allan Cady remained in Mexico a few more days traveling from Acapulco to Orizaba, sight seeing along the way.
On November 1, Allan was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of the Valley of Orizaba. Using a translator, he told the club about Mesa West Rotary, discussing The Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus and the Mesa West Hearing Project in Guaymas, Mexico. As there is no audiologist in Orizaba, the members were very interested in our project for hearing.
While in the area, their hosts invited them to participate in the annual Dia de Muertos activities, causing Polly to write, "This is such an important part of the Mexican culture. Actually, it is beautiful and respectful."
When attending a recent Mesa West Rotary Club meeting with Immanuel, Holly Beeson announced a new enhancement to the annual Red Kettle fundraising drive, in which members and friends of Mesa West Rotary have led the way in successful fundraising. On Thursday, November 8, at The Salvation Army Mesa Citadel Corps Community Center, the first annual Red Kettle Kickoff Dinner will be held.
Holly would like for our club and/or businesses represented by Mesa West members to consider participating in the kickoff dinner, which will boost the revenue of their Red Kettle Drive. The additional funds raised will enable our local Salvation Army Corps to better serve vital social service programs in the Mesa community. CLICK HERE to download a letter from Holly with details about the event.
The District 5495 Foundation Dinner will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel, 1600 South 52nd St., Tempe, AZ 85281. A reception will begin at 5:00 PM with dinner and show at 6:00 PM. Seating will be limited CLICK HERE to make your reservation.
The competition is fierce and not for the faint of heart! Please sign up to bring a chili to share, another side dish of your choosing, dessert, an appetizer, or just condiments for the chilis. For those who don't have time to cook - we will also need paper/plastic bowls and tableware, napkins and the like - non-alcoholic beverages - so feel free to BYOB or your favorite adult beverage.
This event is a fun way to meet our newest members and help to engage them in our club. There will be short presentations by several Rotarians on various aspects of Rotary and how it relates to the club, its members, our community, and the world.
Don't miss this opportunity to mingle with club members and crown the newest Chili King or Queen! CLICK HERE to RSVP to Pam Cohen.
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Ray Smith, has been the organizer coordinating planning meetings for the Gift of Hearing team which departed Wednesday, November 7 for Guaymas. Traveling with Ray, will be Drs. Erica Williams and Bob Jenson. They are our Mesa West Rotary audiology professionals who will be doing true vocational service for the next few days. Accompanying the team providing volunteer support are the following Mesa West Rotarians and family of Rotary members: Allan and Polly Cady, Christy Citterman and Ray Schmal, and Chuck Flint. Additional volunteers infused with the spirit of volunteerism in the audiology profession will be doctoral candidates from Arizona State University and A.T.Still University
John Pennypacker opened the meeting asking Daryl Bethea to offer the invocation and Warren Williamson to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray Smith led those present in singing Vive La Compagnie, which sounded wonderful as it was amplified by the reverberating harmonious sounds in the room where the meeting was held..jpg)
Following the USA Mexico Friendship Conference and Project Fair, Polly and Past President Allan Cady remained in Mexico a few more days traveling from Acapulco to Orizaba, sight seeing along the way.
When attending a recent Mesa West Rotary Club meeting with Immanuel, Holly Beeson announced a new enhancement to the annual Red Kettle fundraising drive, in which members and friends of Mesa West Rotary have led the way in successful fundraising. On Thursday, November 8, at The Salvation Army Mesa Citadel Corps Community Center, the first annual Red Kettle Kickoff Dinner will be held.
Friday, November 16th.jpg)
