Highlights of August 13 Zoom Meeting

Pam Cohen called the meeting to order at Noon and asked Jim LeCheminant to offer the invocation.
 
It quickly became apparent that Jim Schmidt had some surprise visitors at his house.
 
Immediate Past District Governor David Simmer and others had arrived at the Schmidt home so he could perform his final official act from his year of service.  After taking a large trophy from the trunk of his Rotary emblazoned vehicle, he and several other Rotarians who were in on the surprise were at the front door when Jim opened it.  Jim didn’t let anyone enter until he donned the Rotary mask he was given.
 
PDG David recognized Mesa West Rotary Club for their incredible support of The Rotary Foundation:
  • More Paul Harris Society members than any other club in the district – members who give $1,000 a year or more to The Rotary Foundation.
  • Winner of a $2,000 grant in recognition of their strong support of TRF through Rotary Direct – where members set up automated repetitive donations through their “My Rotary” accounts.
  • The trifecta – Mesa West Rotary is the first recipient of the travelling trophy as the End Polio Now Champions for 2019-20.
PDG David recognized District Governor Elizabeth, a great supporter of The Rotary Foundation; PDG Jim Erickson – the architect of the End Polio Now Champions award and passionate advocate for ending polio.  He also acknowledged the Mesa Rotary Club for having donated the incredible trophy to the District.  The trophy is Rotary founder Paul Harris holding a small boy with the boy’s polio braces on the ground at their feet.  Praising Jim Schmidt for his leadership, PDG David turned the trophy over to him.
 
In accepting the award, PP Jim Schmidt  acknowledged his Foundation Chair Chuck Flint, Assistant Governor Lee Holmes for always being available for support, and reminded everyone that Mesa West Rotary will defend the travelling trophy because we are, and will remain, the Ace of Clubs.
 
Happy Bucks
  • Jack Rosenberg - $66 for his 66th birthday.  He also reported he had been in the hospital the prior week due to another abdominal infection.
  • Polly Cady pledged $10 because she was very happy to report that 48 were registered to attend RLI Saturday August 15.  The first RLI under her leadership only had twelve attendees.
  • Jin LeCheminant pledged $10 to celebrate Ray Smith' s birthday after Greg Okonowski noted that Ray was not available to contribute birthday bucks.
  • Lola McClane, "$10 for having Mesa West Rotary Club in my life, especially now, because it gives me things to do and places to be and structure in my life.  t’s just nice to do things with people you like to do things with."
  • Bob Zarling pledged $25.  He was enjoying being on the lakefront in Michigan.
  • Greg Okonowski pledged $5 congratulating Greg Bouslog's nice dark beard.  Greg O fondly remembered when he was a young Rotarian sporting an all-dark beard of his own.
  • Shelly Romine pledged $10 to celebrate her hubby's 60th birthday.
Happy Bucks/Comments Shared After the Meeting
  • Sharon Spane reported she was glad to be on line for about 80% of the meeting and appreciated the informative program.
  • Polly Cady provided an update to her August 13 report.  On Friday, August 14, RLI registration was up to 56.
Announcements
  • Food Packing Project - Thursday August 27 from 5:45 - 8:00 PM - see sign-up information in separate article in this newsletter.
  • Vello Virtual Tutoring Project - Colleen Coons reminded everyone about the Vello project which was introduced last month.  It is hoped that we can get more Rotary volunteers so we can add a second second classroom if 1st through 3rd graders to assist.  The partnership with UPS is not only to share volunteer hours but the company is also providing a grant to cover the $3,500 fee per classroom that is required.  Partnering with UPS on this project also allows additional opportunities to apply for grant money UPS offers for future projects.   See more information in another article in this newsletter.
Program
Sally Schindel shared a story about her son's experience with marijuana.  His life tragically ended with him taking his own life.  His suicide note indicated that marijuana had killed his soul and ruined his brain.  Sally is with Arizonans for Health and Public Safety is passionate about what she believes to be the dangers of expanding availability of marijuana beyond the medical usage allowed in Arizona today.  She provided a list of resources for more information.  CLICK HERE to download her list.  She showed a video which is available to VIEW HERE  The website for Arizonans for Health and Public Safety is https://azhealthysafe.com/
 
Also at the meeting was Joanna Duka with The Resolute Group.  CLICK HERE to download an article containing most of the data in her presentation.