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Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, Impacting Youth
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85900479873
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210
United States of America
Our hybrid meetings are held weekly on the 1st thru 4th Thursdays of each month. The meetings are broadcast via Zoom to include all, whether attending virtually or in person.
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Stories
Highlights of September 28 Meeting
Opening of Meeting - President Colleen Coons
 
 
  • Jim Schmidt offered the invocation.
  • Jack Rosenberg led the Pledge of Allegiance
  • President Colleen thanked the following individuals:
    • Steve Ross for serving as greeter
    • Diane Ware for returning from Oahu to manage the check-in table
    • Chuck Flint for handling the raffle
    • Ron Thompson for serving as Sgt at Arms
    • Ed Koeneman for serving technology needs and serving as Youth Chair
Introduction of Guests
 
Ron Thompson introduced Major Mike Lutcher with the Salvation Army.  Major Mike has attended several meetings and intends to become a member.
 
President Colleen acknowledged those attending via Zoom:  Bob Jensen, Jeanie Morgan, Gina and Mike Schroeder and Erica Williams.
 
Crutches For Africa Presentation
 
 
Kayla Mudge introduced Kassandra Macias and Natalie Pacheco, two of the five Interact students who travelled to Africa in early June.  Kayla explained that she was one of three advisors who had the privilege of traveling with the students.  Kassandra is the President of Westwood High School Interact Club and Natalie is the Vice President.
 
 
This group of eight travelled to Kenya where they spent two weeks in early July.
 
 
 
 
 
The team went to the warehouse where the mobility devices were stored and worked with the local Rotaractors to organize the devices.  The Rotaractors were hard working and they had fun working together to get everythng organized.  When they loaded their bus to take the devices to be distributed, they had to work as a team to get the devices loaded on top of the bus.  One photo showed a group of elderly people who had walked some distance using sticks and makeshift devices to support themselves.  Their faces lit up when they were given their devices.  They were delivered by the bus to their homes following the distribution.
 
 
Two of the women shown in the photos happily sitting in their new chairs will have new freedom of movement within their own homes.  Cassandra and Natalie remembered visiting in one of their homes where they saw her very humble surroundings with a dirt floor and very little in the way of possessions.  They did see two small kittens.  The lady who lived their invited them to stay and have tea with her.  Prior to receiving their chairs, these two ladies would be placed in a chair where they would spend the entire day until their family returned home.  With the wheelchairs, whey would have the ability to move about their homes and fix their own meals and beverages.
 
 
One man, who had been carried by someone to the distribution location, could not move his legs.  After being placed in his wheelchair, they watched him slowly learn how to make the chair move.  As he realized the change this would make in his life, his face shown with joy.  
 
 
 
In addition to delivering mobility devices, the team make presentations at the schools they visited.   They had used some of the money available for the trip to purchase school supplies which they delivered.  They were pleasantly surprised to find the students at the schools spoke English very clearly.  The math they were being successful studying seemed pretty complex for the age of the students.  The Interact Ambassadors were very impressed with the respect and importance the students in the schools showing how much they valued the opportunity to be educated.
 
 
The Interactors had fun sorting the school supplies they had taken so they could be given to appropriate age groups.  They taught the students some games from the US and learned some games played locally.   Everyone had fun with this type of interaction.
 
 
In Kenya, those with disabilities are generally hidden.  The team visited a school for those with disabilities.  There was work at the school for the students' mothers to do making craft items - the sales of which were used to fund the school.
 
In summarizing their presentation, both young ladies expressed appreciation for the life-changing experience.  They were inspired by the changes the people they met had to make to "conquer their environment.  It gave them an appreciation for how much they have compared to those they met on the trip.  
 
A rather profound lesson expressed by Cassandra was that it is better to be part of a community than try to operate as an individual.  Kassandra said that she had seen her limitations before going on the trip.  The trip allowed her to believe she can do anything she sets her mind to.
 
Kayla said it was beautiful watching the team members grow.  The Rotaractors and Rotarians the team met in Kenya were very impressed with the team members.  Kayla thanked the club for their support of the Crutches for Africa missions.
 
 
Before leaving the meeting to head back to school, this photo was taken to document the very special message of this presentation.
 
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
 
 
Chuck explained that the small pot would be $30, and the large pot was up to $1,045.  He asked Major Mike to draw the winning ticket, which was held by the Three Musketeers.  Jack Rosenberg had the responsibility to try to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck.  The card he drew was the Queen of Diamonds.
 
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson
 
 
  • Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 - happy he and Honorary Member Rod Daniels are members of the Ace of Clubs.
  • Jack Rosenberg expressed appreciation for the club support of the project Frank coordinated to help the homeless population in Flagstaff.  He also pointed out that John Benedict would turn 76 on Saturday.  Ray Smith led the club in singing Happy Birthday to John.
  • Major Mike was happy to be back following his surgery.  He is waiting for his oncologist to say he is in remission.
  • Warren Williamson announced that he and Son Hee would be celebrating their 17th Anniversary Saturday.  He went on to say that he was somewhat offended the prior week when surprise was expressed that someone in engineering might have other talents. He said John McMillan, a Silicon Valley Engineer made it to the finals in a comedy competition using statistics:  There are 1.4 billion chimes in a world of about 7 billion people.  One out of five children born are Chinese.  If you have four children, the next will likely be Chinese.  Statistically one in three women think their husband is ugly, creating the odds that there's a one in three chance his wife thinks he's ugly.
  • Ed Koeneman was happy it was only 813 days until the next Star Wars movie will be released.  He was also happy to have driven the Interact float on Friday for the homecoming parade.  He said the Polio trophy was presented at Westwood to congratulate the Interact Club on the funds raised during their purple pinkie campaign.
  • Jim Schmidt explained the difference between an accountant and an engineer.  Unfortunately, your editor did not hear his explanation. 
  • Pam Cohen was happy to have attended the assembly at Westwood High School.  Both the Principal and Vice Principal expressed appreciation of the Interact Club, with one of them saying Interact is the busiest club on campus.  That is very impressive since there are sixty clubs on campus.
  • John Pennypacker contributed.  Again, your editor missed hearing why...
  • Colleen Coons was thankful for the great leaders in Mesa West.  Warren Williamson is one of them.  Son Hee reminds Colleen she is Korean and mentors Colleen.  Son Hee gets Warren's permission before making purchases when she is out shopping.  Colleen saw her take a photo of a Louis Vuitton bag so she could send it to Warren to ask which credit card he wanted her to use.
Announcements
 
 
 
 
  • President Colleen reminded members to sign up to volunteer at our October 21 Service Project.
  • She announced that our Rotarian for the month of September was someone who goes every week to the Interact Club.  He handles our club's technology.  He sits on the Interact District Council Meetings every month.  He is in change of the technology monitoring to ensure youth protection requirements are being met in our district.  He looks for small errors so they can be corrected before they become large issues.  No-one seemed surprised when she announced the winner was Ed Koeneman.  His prize was Star Wars Socks.
  • CLICK HERE  to view and/or download the informative slides presented during the Club Assembly portion of the meeting.
 
Frank Rosenberg Sends Thanks
 
I want to express a big thank you to the club regarding the project. I started the project in July and distributed all of the items the beginning of September. The project consisted of a collection of items to help the homeless population in the Flagstaff area ahead of the cooler winter months. Items collected and distributed included all types of warm clothing and hygiene items such as sweaters, jackets, underwear, socks, hats, toothbrushes, shirts, sweatpants (much needed larger sizes), and even a few wheelchairs. I received some cash donations as well which were used to purchase more items in bulk. I would estimate the value of all items donated to be around $5,000 including my company match.
 
I initiated this project after experiencing a clinical rotation on the North Country Healthcare mobile medical unit at a local shelter over the summer. I enjoyed it so much that I chose to expand my clinical experiences and continue to provide healthcare services at a handful of shelters in Flagstaff as part of my family nurse practitioner program at Northern Arizona University. I saw a definite need but wasn't sure where my time, energy, and money would be best spent. I asked my FNP preceptor which items were most needed and got to work. I honestly did not expect the results we all achieved!
 
I recently worked a shift on the mobile medical unit last week and found that there were so many recipients wearing the clothes and hats that we donated. It made my heart happy knowing that may of the homeless in Flagstaff will at least have some warmth this Winter. I know that we can't solve everyone's problems that contribute to homelessness, but it's comforting to know that we can make a small difference a little bit at a time.
 
Thank you again to everyone that helped make this project come to fruition!
 
Cheers,
Frank
Olivia's Bucket List
Olivia - our Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Sweden has a bucket list of things she hopes to do while here on her exchange.  Review the list and see what you might want to do with her.  CLICK HERE or on the image to email Polly Cady so she can coordinate scheduling an opportunity to make that to happen!.
 
 
 
Olivia's Bucket List

· 

October 21 Service Project
CLICK HERE to go to this registration link:
Superstition Mountain Rotary Dec 16 Golf Tournament
A Bit of Humor
I don't mean to interrupt people.
I just randomly remember things
and get really excited.
Something  to Ponder
"Polio's pretty special because
once you get an eradication,
you no longer have to spend money on it;
it's just there as a gift for the rest of time."
- Bill Gates
The Big Four - Ways to Support Rotary in Mesa West
As Rotarians, we are regularly exposed to opportunities to support various causes with our time, talent and treasure.  Sometimes it is hard to sift through all the information and decide where we are going to use our available financial resources. 
 
It would be wonderful if every Arizona Rotarian would make the following BIG FOUR their Rotary charities of choice and support every one of them every year, we could make a bigger difference than we are making today.
  1. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Annual Fund - The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world."  Giving a small amount each month adds up.  CLICK HERE to download a form you can use to sign up for Rotary Direct, electing "Annual Fund - Share" for your recurring donation.  
  2. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Polio Plus - Rotary's commitment to eradicate polio is so well known and respected that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations $2 for $1.  To take advantage of this opportunity to multiply the effect of your giving, CLICK HERE and download a second Rotary Direct form, this time electing electing "Polio Eradication" for your recurring donations.  Those who donate $100 or more annually to Polio Plus qualify in District 5495 as Polio Plus Society Members.  If you would like to make that commitment, CLICK HERE to download the commitment form.
  3. The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) provides vocational education grants to Arizona Residents who meet specific low-income guidelines.   The grants enable the recipients to lift themselves out of poverty, benefitting themselves, their families and the economy of our state.  TRVFA is a 501(c)(3) charity.  They also are a Qualifying Charitable Organization for Arizona Tax Credit Donations.  Their QCO Code is 20698.  Many Arizona Rotarians say giving to TRVFA is a "no brainer."  If you can help someone lift themselves out of poverty and it won't end up costing you anything why would you not do it?  Mesa West Rotary has the highest number of members who have signed up for automated monthly recurring donations by electing that option on the "Donate Now" button on the TRVFA website.  Click the image to learn more or CLICK HERE to DONATE NOW.  
  4. Mesa West Rotary Foundation, Inc. is the funding and fundraising arm of our own Mesa West Rotary Club.  It is a 501(c)(3) charity.  We have had successful sponsorship campaigns the last few years enabling us to spend our energy on service rather than on holding fundraising events.  Charitable grants that we get involved with are funded through our charitable foundation, Our signature Gift of Hearing Project in Guaymas Mexico is funded through this foundation.  Scholarships are awarded annually to Westwood High School Students (the high school where Mesa West Rotary sponsors an Interact Club).  Funds are used to support a variety of activities in four of the Rotary Avenues of Service:
    1. Community Service
    2. International Service 
    3. Vocational Service
    4. Youth Service
The process isn't quite automated at this point in time, but we hope it soon will be.  For now, you can email our executive secretary who can help you work out a recurring donation plan should you wish to make that arrangement to support our own club's charitable activity.
 
Speakers
Oct 05, 2023
211 Arizona
Oct 12, 2023
Mesa PD
Oct 19, 2023
Reverse Mortgages
Oct 26, 2023
Club Assembly featuring Jim Erickson - Polio Plus
Nov 02, 2023
Service in Mesa Community
Nov 09, 2023
Featuring Jane Foley Graff - McKinney Vento
Nov 16, 2023
Official Visit of District Governor, Rotary District 5495
Nov 23, 2023
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Nov 30, 2023
We do not meet at noon on the 5th Thursday of any Month with 5 Thursdays
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Director '24
 
Director '24
 
Director '25
 
Director '25
 
Director '25
 
Mesa West Foundation President
 
Club Service Chair
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair for Mesa West
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Services Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Oct 17, 2023 5:30 PM
 
Help Feed the Homeless
Desert Chapel
Oct 21, 2023
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Nov 21, 2023 5:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Don LaBarge
October 12
 
Jim Schmidt
October 15
 
Logan Harper
October 15
 
Warren Williamson
October 15
 
Pam Cohen
October 29
 
Spouse Birthdays
Devon Whalen
October 7
 
Sandy Myren
October 20
 
Scott Williams
October 25
 
Vickie Smith
October 29
 
Anniversaries
Dick Myren
Sandy Myren
October 5
 
Jay Stuckey
Melissa Stuckey
October 20
 
Melissa Stuckey
Jay Stuckey
October 20
 
Greg Bouslog
Sheena Bouslog
October 25
 
Join Date
Andrea Murphy
October 1, 2017
6 years
 
Sharon Spane
October 1, 1988
35 years
 
Melodie Jackson
October 4, 2007
16 years
 
Brian Harvey
October 20, 2010
13 years
 
Ed Koeneman
October 28, 2010
13 years
 
Carla Krcmarik
October 29, 2020
3 years
 
Rotary District 5495 Links
District Links
Arizona Rotaract
Rotary District 5495
Rotary Interact District 5495
The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA)
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - RYLA
RYLA Service Project Support
Bulletin Editor
Jeanie Morgan
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