The meeting was opened by Dan Coons, since President Chris Krueger and President-Elect Jim Schmidt both had scheduling conflicts. John Pennypacker provided an inspirational thought for the day when called on to lead the invocation and Warren Williamson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ray Smith assigned tables "rounds" and led everyone in singing "Row Row Row Your Boat."Drawings
Pam Cohen was the $5 attendance drawing winner. Chuck Flint explained that the raffle winner would receive $34, and a chance to win $103 if the ticket holder were to draw the ace of clubs. Polly Cady's ticket was drawn, but instead of the ace of clubs, she drew the three of diamonds.
Guests
Michael Nudo was introduced as a guest who would be glad to stay after the meeting to visit as he is working with Dr. Steve Ferrara's congressional campaign. Brian Ellis with the YMCA was introduced as a likely future member. Frank Rosenberg introduced Caiu, our inbound exchange student from Ecuador. Kurt Klingenberg introduced his wife, Randi. Donna Goetzenberger introduced Clem, who was an exchange student in their home a few years ago and is back for a visit.
Buck Board
Chuck Flint again explained the Buck Board, which our club traditionally uses to enhance club support of The Rotary Foundation.
Happy Bucks
Dick Myren paid $1 for honorary member Rod Daniels. Terry Diedrick contributed, telling some grizzly stories about his camping adventure in Alaska. Allan Cady was unable to attend the Westwood High School Interact meeting on Sept 5, but reported 70 students did attend. At the GCU Rotaract Club's first meeting of the year, 40-45 students were present. Polly Cady contributed for recent vacations she and Allan enjoyed in Colorado and Minneapolis. Pam Cohen had been in Nebraska the prior weekend. Her brother had enough tickets for her to attend the Nebraska football game. They had wonderful seats, and alumni passes to the pre-game celebration. When the game was called because of thunder and lightning, their group retreated back to the alumni celebration facility. Wendell Jones was happy to report that 35 members of his family enjoyed the UofA/BYU football game together. Donna Goetzenberger had spent the prior weekend as part of the interview team for students hoping to go on outbound Rotary Youth Exchange experiences next year. She was impressed with the high quality of the youth they met. Steve Ross will not be at our September 13 meeting. His son will be here visiting before leaving for the Congo for a year.
Paul Harris Recognition
Chuck Flint conducted a recognition ceremony presenting Don Boucher with his pin and certificate recognizing him as a Paul Harris Fellow. Kurt Klingenberg was recognized for achieving Paul Harris Plus One status. Kurt's wife, Randi Klingenberg, was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.
Program
Steve Ross introduced the speaker, Peter Faur with the Phoenix Zoo.
When Peter moved to Arizona, he was with Phelps Dodge. He is now an independent consultant. He has been on the board at the zoo since 2006. He said the zoo is the second most visited sight in Arizona for tourists, second only to the Grand Canyon. He said they have 360 employees and 450 volunteers. They house 1500 animals representing 370 species. He said they operate with an annual budget of $27 million, and receive no government money. They are a 501(c)(3). Their income comes from admissions, special events, memberships, contributing independent foundations, and food and merchandise sold.
The local zoo is a certified member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums - one of 230 zoos in our nation with this certification. To be a certified member, zoos have to meet standards of care, conservation, and an active species survival plan.
The zoo has an animal care center - a mini care center in which some amazing things happen. Occasionally surgical specialists for humans use their unique surgical skills to help zoo animals in the center. The Phoenix zoo is world renowned for their elephant feet care program.
Well known and well attended special events at the zoo include Zoolights, and Zoofari. Another popular activity is Family Nature Day - Nature Play. Lesser known public outreach includes satellite broadcasts of educational programs for school children.
There are many volunteer activities at the zoo. Each year, there is an opportunity for 100 youth to participate in the Zoo Teen program. They hold Camp Zoo, with eight separate one-week sessions for seven different age groups. They have night camps, night hikes, twilight camp, and wilderness camp. The zoo manages an educational center at South Mountain.
Animal Welfare Grants are available for zoo employees to participate in animal welfare projects worldwide.
The full name of our local zoo is Phoenix Zoo/Arizona Center for Nature Conservation. As a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)/United for Conservation, our local staff provide conservation lectures, and the local zoo might send animals to another member zoo or host animals from other zoos as part of their species conservation cooperative network.
Many special events for families and businesses are held at the zoo. A new event center was described. With donated supplies and equipment, it is a cost-effective improvement for the zoo's special event program. The Maytag Legacy Garden provides a place for Arizonans to memorialize their pets.
The Phoenix Zoo is listed as the top 5th or 6th zoo in the nation. It has grown in stature under Burt Castro's leadership.