President Kayla Mudge opened the meeting, Polly Cady led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Harry Grossman gave the thought of the day, which was the Preamble to the United States Constitution. To continue, click on the blue "Read More" to the right & below the line!!
Several guests were introduced, including Erwin and Joan Reimann, Joe Andres from College Bound, Rotary Youth Exchange students Seongiun An, Augustine Tessier, and Faith Johnson, Rory Gilbert, Captain John Birks from Salvation Army, Jackie Waskic, Penny Mae, and Vivian Neiter (a friend of Augustine’s parents from France).
John Burse announced that Mesa West helped to raise over $22,543.02 for the Salvation Army at the Bass Pro location.
Chuck Flint had Warren Williamson draw the raffle ticket, and Alan Cady won the small pot of $50. He did not draw the Ace of clubs, so the big pot carries over.
Kayla Mudge also presented the remaining award from December - The North Pole Excellence Paper Plate award was given to Don LaBarge.
Deb Koeneman announced the December Rotarian of the Month, who is Jim McGowen. John Pennypacker told the story of how Jim McGowen procured an electric wheelchair for a local 10-year old girl in December, and also awarded Jim McGowen with his Paul Harris plus 4 pin. The picture below shows Connie Bunyard and John Pennypacker delivering the chair.
Next, Andy Bradford collected Happy Bucks:
- Dick Myren was happy to donate for him and Rod Daniels, and announced that his 8th great-great-granddaughter was born on Christmas day
- Harry Grossman was happy to donate for the mere 3 victories that the Cardinals football team had this season!
- Penny Mae was happy to be here for a soccer conference and to be going on a cruise
- John Pennypacker was happy to share encouragement from a PDG Yinka Babolola, who said:
We are all familiar with the Rotary Action Plan/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.”
- How has your membership in MWRC enabled you to make a lasting change in your community and yourself?
- We are all familiar with the success of the Polio Eradication Initiative: 1000 kids per day in 1985; since then, 20 million kids have NOT contracted polio!
- The hearing project in Guaymas, Mexico
- Water projects in Africa
- Creation of 8 peace centers
But I ask you to forget about the successes of these projects and reflect on how your membership in Rotary has made a lasting change in YOU!
What is the emotion that you feel when you do a project? How has this impacted the way you conduct your business and personal life?
- Jackie Wasik was happy to remind the club that the Arizona 250 (250 service projects in this Rotary year) will be celebrated at the District conference
- Pam was happy to thank everyone who helped with the Salvation Army bell ringing
- John Birks was happy to be here and that he would soon be joining the Mesa West Rotary club
- Polly Cady was happy that the exchange students are here and announced that the exchange students are raising money for their train trip this summer. Seongiun An announced that the fundraiser will be a dinner on January 31st, where there will be a Korean dinner, French dessert, and piano entertainment
- Rory Gilbert was happy to have hosted Seongiun for this past semester
- Jim McGowen was happy to auction off a Lava calendar from Hawaii. Angelia Mudge Long won with the highest bid
- Erwin Reimann was happy that he and Joan were here today
- Deb Koeneman was happy to let everyone know that she will be in Georgia for the next two meetings, awaiting the birth of her granddaughter
- Connie Bunyard was happy that all of her family stayed with them over the holidays
- Ed Koeneman was happy that the students were here and announced that the Gala at the Astor Senior Center is on Wednesday Feb 11, from 1-3pm
- Don LaBarge was happy to have visited his family over the holidays, and he is feeling much better lately
- Warren Williams was happy to tell his weekly joke
President Kayla announced that the Post-Holiday Party will be held next week, on Saturday, January 17th at Bobby Q in Mesa.
Today’s speaker was Peter Wink, a personal development and business leadership professional and author. He talked to the club about mental toughness and discussed signal versus noise. These techniques can help us to improve productivity and to reduce wasted time.
