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Club Information
Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom or in-person
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
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
Chili Cookoff Saturday, October 29
CLICK HERE or on the image to register
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Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
Rotary Leadership Institute offers a leadership development program in three full-day sessions (Parts I, II and III). Each time RLI is scheduled, all three parts are offered.  The courses are designed to provide Rotary knowledge beyond the club level in a sharing environment where those in attendance learn from each other.  The intent is to develop leadership skills for Rotary which are also relevant in other volunteer organizations.
 
Often RLI is scheduled in the Phoenix Metro area, but in some cases, it is scheduled in an outlying area, creating an opportunity for Rotary tourism.
 
The next RLI will be held at the Riverside Resort & Casino in Laughlin, NV on November 19, 2022.  All the information is given in the link(below).  To take advantage of the discounted room rates, registration must be completed by October 31st.
 
Here is the link for the upcoming RLI in November:   https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=5a94dd8b-c021-4368-a55b-42de32d6af2d
Upcoming Service Projects
UPDATE - Midwest Food Bank still needs our help.  They are having a food drive soliciting donations of specific items.  Each week, we will focus on collecting a different item on their list.  
  • October 27- please bring breakfast cereals to our Mesa West Rotary Club meeting.  
October 28 - Trunk or Treat - House of Refuge
  • President Pam will be handing out Halloween Candy from the trunk of her decorated car to youngsters residing in the House of Refuge Community.  She is hoping to have at least one additional decorated Mesa West Rotarian participate with a second decorated vehicle.  Members are asked to bring candy to the October 20 and 27 meetings to be distributed at that event.
 
Hands-on Project Saturday, November 19 at Midwest Food Bank Facility
  • 10 volunteers needed.
  • Saturday November 19th
  • Time: 9am-12pm 
  • What will the task be: TBD. It depends on what product we have to be completed at that time. There's a good possibility it could be repackaging bulk cereal
  • Where is it: Indoors. 725 E Baseline Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233. The warehouse is on Baseline in between Mesa and Stapley 
  • Extras: Please carpool if possible - Midwest has very limited parking.
  • Please wear close-toed shoes to volunteer and wear warehouse appropriate clothing.
  • CLICK HERE to sign up
 
Highlights of October 20 Meeting
Welcome and Opening of Meeting - President Pam Cohen
  • The invocation was offered by Mike Whalen.
  • Jack Rosenberg led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests
  • President Pam introduced Beth and Jim Hoban, visiting Rotarians from the Honolulu Sunset Rotary Club.
  • Fanny Leinard, our inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from France was introduced.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Dick Myren
 
Dick explained the holder of the winning ticket would automatically win $35.00.  They would also win the right to draw a card from the deck.  If they draw the joker, they will win an additional $20.  If they draw the Ace of Clubs, they will win the large pot, which is now up to $297.00.  He asked Fanny Leinard to draw the winning ticket.  She drew her own ticket.  The card she drew from the deck was the Nine of Clubs.
 
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson
  • Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for himself and Honorary Member Rod Daniels happy they were both fortunate in being associated with Mesa West Rotary Club.  He also wanted to celebrate two special occasions.  He and Sandra celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary on October 5, and Sandra's birthday is October 20.  To celebrate the two occasions, Dick asked Jeanie to bill him for a $100 donation to Polio Plus.
  • Jay Stuckey contributed happy to be celebrating his and Melissa's 4-year anniversary on the 20th.  He said his marriage to Melissa has helped him be a better person.
  • Warren Williamson contributed, saying Son Hee took him to a home and garden show to celebrate his birthday October 15, which he "really enjoyed."
  • Bert Millett was happy to be back after missing several meetings, choosing to attend his daughters' swim meets instead.  
  • Jim Schmidt celebrated his birthday on the 15th spending time in an airport.  He thought the home and garden show sounded like more fun.  He said he has recently returned from an amazing vacation where they toured 10 national parks in the western United States.  He said he had an opportunity to hike and see amazing beauty every day.
  • Polly Cady contributed.  She was happy Fanny was at our meeting.  She was also embarrassed about sending a text to Colleen Coons after Colleen and Fanny had been exposed to COVID.  In her text she said she hoped Colleen's test would be positive.  She meant she hoped it would be negative (which would be a positive result).
  • Jim Hoban contributed Aloha bucks, celebrating his 12-year-old grandson's flag football team winning their first game of the season with a score of 33/0.
  • John Pennypacker contributed.  He was happy Fanny drew her own raffle ticket.  He was also happy his daughter had closed her first real estate sale, meaning he recovered some of the help he had provided as she started her new career as a realtor.
Rotary Foundation Giving Recognition
 
Logan Harper was invited to come forward to be recognized.  John Pennypacker explained that Paul Harris Fellow recognition is awarded to members who have donated $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation or someone has transferred recognition points accrued in their own giving account so someone else can be recognized.  Each additional $1,000 in giving will earn another level of Paul Harris Fellow recognition.  Logan, who has only been a Rotarian since May, 2021, has already received his Paul Harris Fellow Plus One recognition, which represents a total of $2,000 having been donated to do good in the world.  
 
 
Announcements
  • Polly Cady announced that Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) would be held in Laughlin on Saturday, November 19.  There will be a social event hosted by the River Clubs Friday evening for those who want to arrive early and get checked into the hotel.  Ineractors in the area will be having their own training at the same resort on the 19th.  The hotel has extended the reduced rate on their rooms for those attending RLI.  The rate will be good through the end of October.
  • Pam Cohen announced that Child Crisis Arizona (the organization our October 13 speaker, Sue Gifford, represents) would be hosting their "Lunch for Love" at the Biltmore Wednesday, October 26.  Mesa West Rotary has a table for ten with a few seats still available.  The cost of the lunch is underwritten, so there is no cost to attend, but it is hoped that those attending the luncheon will be generous with their donations to Child Crisis Arizona made during the event.  Mesa West Rotary member John Benedict is a former CCA board member and was very involved with their organization for many years.
  • Dave Brauchler expressed appreciation for the volunteers who worked at the Mesa Y moving a pile of decorative rocks from a pile in a parking lot to their more attractive spots in the landscaping on Saturday, October 15.  Greg Bouslog, who manages the facility and is a member of Mesa West didn't think the job could or would be completed in one day, but the crew did get the job done!  He also said that our commitment to help the chef on Wednesday mornings at the Salvation Army officially ends October 26.  They are always busy on Wednesdays and help is always welcome.  Just show up at 8:00 AM and they will be glad to put our volunteers to work between 8 and 10.  There will be no hands-on service project planned during the month of December since we will be busy ringing the bell for Salvation Army at the Bass Pro Shop between Black Friday and Christmas Eve.  Dave also mentioned that he has developed a questionaire to try to find the club's passion for service.
  • Don LaBarge said we would again be helping the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club with their commitment to support the Veterans Day parade.  Help is needed between 7:30 AM and Noon on November 11.  The Grand Marshall for the parade this year will be Medal of Honor winner, Bruce Crandall who was instrumental in the rescue of 100's in Vietnam.
  • Pam Cohen reminded members she hoped there would be a second Mesa West vehicle decorated to participate in the Trunk or Treat event at the House of Refuge community October 28 from 5-7 PM.  In addition to decorating the car, participants are encouraged to wear costumes to make the event fun and memorable for the 150 or so children who reside in the House of Refuge community.  She also announced that the full rollout of the Club's Visioning Plan will be presented by Logan Harper on November 3 at our club meeting.
  • Dave Brauchler reminded members that we are still collecting non perishable food for the Midwest Food Bank.  The targeted food on October 27 is boxed cereal, but any of the other items on their list are welcome.
  • In recognition of October 24 being World Polio DayJohn Pennypacker handed out Polio Plus temporary tattoos, encouraging members to wear them to raise awareness of the need, and Rotary's commitment, to eradicate this horrific disease.
  • Jay Stuckey said he has programs mostly booked through the end of 2022, but would welcome any suggestions and connections for great programs any member might want to offer.
 
.
Program - RYLA and Youth Exchange - Pam Cohen and Fanny Leinard
 
President Pam began by explaining that the program originally scheduled for the October 20 meeting had to cancel two days prior to the meeting.  She said she was wearing her own RYLA shirt as a clue for what we were going to hear about.  Pam also said that October 20 was National Youth Confidence Day, and remarked that Fanny, as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student represents youth confidence in its highest form.  She was brave enough to leave home and family to live in another country for a year - and then signed up for cheerleading.
 
Fanny will do a full report on her exchange later in the year, but we did get a preview.  The community she is form is in the north of France.  She has been here since July and is very happy to be here.  When asked how the school day differs in the two countries, Fanny explained that her school day at Campo Verde High School begins at 7:30 AM and is over at 2:30 PM.  She has six classes there.  In France, her school day begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 6:00 PM with a 20-minute lunch break.  After school she spends the rest of the evening studying.  There is no time for extra curricular activities or sports.  Here, after spending a couple of hours at home following school, she goes back for two hours of cheer practice.  That opportunity doesn't exist in France.  She said her favorite food here is fast food, because there is not so many opportunities for that in France.  Her favorite fast-food restaurant here is Chick Fil-A.  She said the other students at Campo Verde have been very nice, and open-minded.  She has been able to make friends with others at school.
 
When asked about RYLA, Fanny said the day was filled with activity from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.  She said is was fun, and she learned about leadership and confidence.
 
Pam was ready with some RYLA-related participatory fun.  Logan Harper and John Pennypacker were selected to choose teams to compete against each other in a challenge.  John's team consisted of himself, Fanny Leinard, Gina Schroeder, Ted Williams and Mike Whalen.  Logan's team members were Ron Thompson, Polly Cady, Sean Green and Polo Santiago. 
 
The two teams each had a hula hoop they had to pass around as they stood in a circle holding hands without letting go of he hands of the individuals next to them after the hoop had been placed between two people who joined hands through the hoop.  The competition was pretty intense and it was so close it was hard to say which team won.  They were far enough apart, it was impossible to watch both teams at once.  
 
The next challenge was not a competition, it was an exercise in cooperation and trust.  The members from both teams lined up across from each other to catch Fanny Leinard in her Trust Fall.  The team members had their arms reaching forward in front of themselves, bent at the elbows.  Fanny stood on top of a ladder facing the opposite direction.  When Pam signaled all was ready, Fanny let herself fall backward into a soft landing on the outstretched arms of the waiting Rotary members.
 
After these fun activities, Fanny was asked to share some of her impressions of RYLA.  She said her favorite activity was Bafa Bafa.  In that activity, two teams each represented very different cultures and had to learn about each other.  They had to work as teams to get acquainted.
 
Pam told about attending a Westwood High School Interact meeting on October 19 after RYLA.  Pam had arrived early in Mr. Becker's classroom.  two girls who had attended RYLA went to a corner and started talking about how friendly Team France was.  Their conversation was "Fanny did this..."  "Fanny did that..."   "Fanny was the best..."  Some that were on the Switzerland team agreed - Fanny was the best.
 
 
Read more...
Save the Date - June 29, 2023
This is a REALLY big year for Mesa West.
 
We will celebrate our 50th Anniversary June 29, 2023 at the Doubletree where we regularly meet.
 
The details for this event are evolving.  Please say "yes" if you are asked to help!
 
SAVE THE DATE!  You won't want to miss this celebration!
Something to Ponder
Global health leaders see a clear path to polio eradication CLICK HERE to read more
 
Today's Chuckle
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 27, 2022
Councils on Resolutions and Legislation
Nov 03, 2022
Club Visioning Project - Big Reveal
Nov 10, 2022
Paws and Peers
Nov 17, 2022
STEP Student Expedition Program
Nov 24, 2022
We will be dark as our nation celebrates Thanksgiving
Dec 01, 2022
Election of officers and Financial Update
Dec 08, 2022
Chicanos Por La Causa
Dec 22, 2022
Seasonal Musical Celebration
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Membership Dir "23
 
Director '23
 
Director '23
 
Director '24
 
Director '24
 
Public Image Co-Chair
 
Public Image Co-Chair
 
TRF Chair
 
Executive Secretary
 
Upcoming Events
Salvation Army chef support
Salvation Army Mesa, AZ
Aug 24, 2022 – Oct 26, 2022
 
Salvation Army chef support (replacement event)
Salvation Army Mesa, AZ
Aug 31, 2022 8:00 AM –
Oct 26, 2022 10:00 AM
 
Child Crisis Arizona Lunch for Love
Arizona Biltmore
Oct 26, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Mexico USA Friendship Conference
Oct 27, 2022 12:00 PM –
Nov 01, 2022 11:00 AM
 
Chili Cook Off and New Member Induction
Pam Cohen's Home
Oct 29, 2022
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Nov 15, 2022 5:30 PM
 
Midwest Food Bank service opportunity
Midwest Food Bank
Nov 19, 2022
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via Zoom
Dec 20, 2022 5:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
James Crutcher
October 10
 
Dan Lamborn
October 11
 
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
5 years
 
Sharon Spane
October 1, 1988
34 years
 
Melodie Jackson
October 4, 2007
15 years
 
Brian Harvey
October 20, 2010
12 years
 
Ed Koeneman
October 28, 2010
12 years
 
Carla Krcmarik
October 29, 2020
2 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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