Highlights of June 27 Meeting

 

 

Eric Silverberg won the weekly pot, but the card he drew was the Nine of Diamonds, so the large pot will "live on" into the next Rotary year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Gotzinger was congratulated on her graduation as top student.  She was presented with a medal, a graduation gift of $200, a gift bag and the Dr. Seuss book, Oh, The Places You'll Go.  It was pointed out that the story has some very adult life applications.   When asked to comment on being a part of our program, Emma said that it kept her motivated.  Having a support system was very valuable.  She was very thankful for the advice received.   She will be staying in touch with Liz Paulus over the next four years through College Bound.

 

 

 

Foundation Chair, John Pennypacker, explained that our club has a system where any member who has given $500 to The Rotary Foundation will have their donation matched with $500 recognition points from the club so they can receive their first Paul Harris Fellow recognition.  

 

Deb Koeneman was presented with her first Paul Harris Fellow recognition pin and certificate.

 

 

 

Last year when AG Dan Coons swore Colleen in as President, a line Colleen accidentally on purpose omitted was to "honor and respect the AG."  She did, however, appreciate that she was probably the only Club President for whom her AG was available 24/7.  She said that Dan has memorized every word she has said since 2012.  She knows, because he reminds her when it is to his advantage to do so.  She pointed out that Dan is very level-headed She said there are three words which describe Dan - "kind, loving and gentle," and that he has her heart forever.

 

In deciding how she wanted to recognize her team, she decided she wanted to have a theme of "You Rock."  She wanted to paint rocks for everyone.  This created a lot of anxiety for Dan when he could not understand why they were packing fifteen pounds of rocks as they prepared for their vacation in Hawaii earlier this year knowing that Colleen is not a painter.  She felt like if they would handmade it would seem more "from the heart."  She invited the board members, committee chairs and other volunteers to come forward to receive their gifts.  

 

There was a slide showing that during the year, 343 volunteers provided a total of 4,253 service hours and $79,144 was the total amount of money spent on charitable activities during her year.

 

The club was involved in Rotary Youth Exchange from the beginning until the end of her year as Club President.  The club members enjoyed social activities and tours.  We did a great job fundraising.  She has been very proud to be able to describe Mesa West Rotary as international and youth driven, and service oriented.

 

She thanked everyone who had participated in her monthly board meetings which she remembered as being 2-3 hours long (they were actually about and hour to an hour-and-a half).  She thanked those who had provided guiding mentorship.  

 

Colleen had a hand-made gift for incoming President Jay Paulus - for the Red Bull she knew he would need.  She presented him with a new theme flag to hang on the podium with the new international president's theme - The Magic of Rotary.  She had a bunch of stuff to pass on to Jay as our new President.

 

She gave the mic to Warren Williamson who presented Colleen with a gift from Son Hee - a Korean doll from one Korean doll to another.  He congratulated Colleen for joining every civic organization in Maricopa County and even surveying her territory with an SRP helicopter ride.  He said the leadership skills she learned in the Army were apparent as she led the club.  He said that Colleen and Dan remind him of another loving couple - Harvey and Sheila, then sang a long to illustrate the similarity.  Click the Link to hear the song:  Harvey & Sheila You-Tube Video.

 

Colleen was roasted in a Mesa West Rotary version of Jeoparty.  CLICK HERE to see the slides.

 

Jim Schmidt invited Liz and Jay Paulus to come forward so the oath of office could be administered.  Colleen pinned the President's pin on Jay's lapel.  Dan Coons pinned the Past President's pin on Colleen

 

Pam Cohen presented some thank-you items to Colleen.  After briefly sharing the starfish story, A Rotary blue hat box which contained  a Starfish thank-you award and a wine glass with a starfish on it was presented to Colleen.  After which, those present gave Colleen a standing ovation.

 

Jay shared a few words.  He said that Rotarians wear many hats, and hoped that Mesa West would one day be a 100% Paul Harris club with every member proud to wear their Paul Harris Fellow hat.  He spoke about a conversation he had with DG2B Michelle where she mentioned he might have one issue - humility.  Jay said that Ben Franklin had twelve principals.  He tried to add humility as a 13th, but found that when he showed humility he became proud of the fact he had done so, and it was very challenging for that reason.

 

He mentioned several good things that would all go away if Rotary ceased to exist.  The world would again be full of polio and other issues.  We are each part of a team created to create a better future.  We need to go forward to do more good.  Jay said he doesn't anticipate a lot of change.  We will carry on serving youth, continuing the McKinney Vento program, the hearing project, ringing the bell for Salvation Army and having socials.  Michelle said she would be glad to attend those.  One is already being planned in September - "From Soup to Nuts."

 

He said there is one board vacancy that needs to be filled and encouraged anyone interested in serving in that capacity to get in touch with him.  He said he would likely not be our best President, but promised he will give his best.