Opening and Welcome - Past President Polly Cady
Polly thanked Mike Lutcher for serving as greeter, welcoming members and guests as they arrived for the meeting. Connie Bunyard led the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Myren offered the invocation.
District Conference Highlight
Colleen Coons wanted the members to know that Jeanie Morgan had been named Rotarian of the Year at the final dinner of the Conference of Clubs Saturday, May 3. The bell, which is a traveling trophy will be in Jeanie's possession until next year when someone else will receive this recognition. The signatures which are on the base of the bell are those of the Rotary International Board of Directors during the 100-year anniversary of Rotary in 2004-05. There are brass plates with lists of names of Leaders of the 2nd Century for both Districts 5490 and 5510. Since those districts merged into District 5495, names have been added to a newer brass plate. It is interesting to note that engraved on the brass plates are the names of other Mesa West Rotary Club Members: Chuck Flint, Rod Daniels, Lucinda General, Donna Goetzenberger, and Colleen Coons. Also listed is our Assistant Governor, Dan Coons.
Introduction of Guests
Frank Rosenberg introduced his daughter and former Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Sammy Rosenberg. He said Sammy had been released from school early and begged, "please, please, take me to Rotary with you."
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
Chuck explained that there were only 26 cards remaining in the deck, and that the small, weekly pot was $40 and the large, accumulating pot was up to $1,125. He asked District Governor Elect Jim Schmidt to draw the winning ticket, which was held by Mike Lutcher. After shuffling the cards, Mike drew the five of diamonds. He was glad to know he hadn't alienated his Mesa West friends by drawing the Ace of Clubs and winning the large pot. On May 15 there will be only 25 cards and a larger big pot.
Happy Bucks - Sgt at Arms Andy Bradford
- Jack Rosenberg pledged $100 to the sponsor program to celebrate Sammy Rosenberg's graduation from high school.
- Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for he and Rod Daniels being in the Ace of Clubs. He also contributed an additional $3. His son had undergone cancer surgery. and was on the mend.
- Harry Grossman was happy to learn RLI is scheduled to be held in Anthem on May 31, which will be a much shorter drive for him than where it was originally scheduled.
- John Pennypacker was happy to report he had attended two excellent breakout sessions at the Conference of Clubs. One was an exceptional Toastmasters presentation led by Chad Reid. The other was a very professional CPR Training Session led by Frank Rosenberg.
- Deb Koeneman contributed. She was happy about her recent trip to meet her new grandson and daughter-in-law, and her weekend at the District Conference.
- Pam Cohen was sorry to have missed the May 1 meeting. She had a painful time getting a tooth extracted and a bone graft. She did get to babysit her grandson which lifted her spirits.
- Ron Thompson was happy to be back at our meeting. He's been enjoying the freedom of retirement.
- Frank Rosenberg was proud that Sammy would be graduating from high school in thirteen days. He and Amanda will be hosting a party celebrating her graduation on Friday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. He invited their Mesa West Family to join in the celebration.
- Colleen Coons was happy to have received a check from the Mesa West Rotary Foundation to reimburse her for the stipends due to our McKinney Vento students for their outstanding effort during the prior month. The program is working, and all the mentors are very much appreciated.
- Chuck Flint contributed celebrating that 80 years ago, Victory in Europe was achieved.
- John Bunyard contributed advising members to avoid food poisoning at all costs. He also announced that he is working with Sean, a high-functioning autistic young man.
- Connie Bunyard pledged $100 toward her fundraising team.
- Colleen Coons also pledged $100 toward her fundraising team.
- Speaker Ben contributed saying he grew up hearing about Rotary at the American Legion.
- Speaker Michael contributed. He said he is thankful and appreciates what Rotary does for young people. He heard about Crutches 4 Africa when he was at Hamilton. He has seen lives changed through Rotary Malaria Prevention.
- Ed Koeneman contributed. He had met the speakers in the parking lot and got their help getting Jeanie's heavy bell into the building. At the conference, when he learned that Danny White was a former Westwood High School Interact Club President, since Ed was working with the tech support at the conference, Ed was able to project that information on one of the slides. Amyla will be Westwood HS Interact Club President for a second term. Anise Carroll Covarubias will be Vice President. She served as Interact District Governor this past year. Ed was very appreciative of the wonderfully informative, nearly 2-hour tour Mike Lutcher provided for the Interact Club at the Mesa Salvation Army facility. Ed announced it was only 379 days until the scheduled release of the next Star Wars movie.
- Kayla Mudge pledged $100 for her sponsorship team saying she enjoyed the awesome conference. She said the Interact kids she was working with who will be Ambassadors to Kenya and Mexico were great and they got a lot of support from Rotarians. She was very complimentary of Frank Rosenberg's CPR breakout, saying it was humorous.
- Warren Williamson told a dad joke. A moth went to a pediatrist's office. The moth was depressed because his buddy had flown into a flame and died. The pediatrist asked why the moth had come to their office. The moth answered, "Your light was on."
Announcement
Polly announced that the Orientation scheduled for May 17 at Pam Cohen's home has been renamed The Mesa West Experience. While it would serve as a good orientation for new members, it is also a place where long-time members can brainstorm and expand their knowledge of the club and how it operates as well as share ideas about what they might like to see going forward.
Program - Michael Li and Ben Voller Brown - Business Startup - Mesa West Igniting Innovation Project
Pam Cohen introduced the speakers, Michael and Ben. Their idea was the winning idea at the Ignite Innovation event held March 27. Toni Thompson, and Mesa West Rotary Club members Kayla Mudge, Jim Schmidt and Neil Theobald were on the team of judges evaluating the ideas for start-up businesses presented that evening.
The Ethreal Corp was formed because of how impossible it is for those who work night shifts to get quality sleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Their invention simulates sunset and sunrise using a blackout curtain combined with led light strips that are timed. It simulates all different stages of sunrise. They found that those using their "test" system had improved sleep by 25% and improved ability to fall asleep by 50%. Our bodies are conditioned to react to the cycles of sunrise and sunset which trigger our circadian rhythm. The blackout curtain and timed light strip can simulate that stimulation at times that are more in sync with the hours the person needs to be awake and alert as well as when they need to be getting quality sleep.
Their initial target was night shift nurses. They believe there are about 4,000,000 currently struggling for sleep. They are in the process of launching a preorder campaign. They hope to be able to fully launch by the 4th quarter By 2030, they hope to have 5% of the soft market. Some current ways Rotary might be able to involved.
- Have information table at Rotary and other civic events
- Connect with hospital workers through local media
- Provide "Rotary discounts" for members and family members
Following the Mesa West Ignite Innovation event, Michael and Ben had an opportunity to participate in another similar competition where they were awarded an additional $5,000.
The members at the meeting showed genuine interest and asked good questions.
CLICK HERE or on the image to see the slide deck that was used during this discussion.