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.
President Dan Coons opened the meeting reciting the 2021-22 Rotary International theme - SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES. He then recited the Rotary 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
After introducing himself, he asked Darl Andersen to offer the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rotary Minute - Jim Erickson
In reviewing what he might want to talk about during his Rotary Minute presentation, Jim decided that Polio was his passion. In 1988, there were over 355,000 reported cases in the world - nearly 1,000 per day. A lot of progress was made during the early years of Rotary's involvement, a lot of progress was made - so much, it was believed that the erradication of polio might be something Rotary could celebrate during their 2005 centennial year.
In fact, we have been "this close" for several years. In 2017, there were 22 reported cases, but in 2018, that number went up to 33. There was a discouraging uptick in 2019 with 176 reported cases, but the number trended down again in 2020 with 142 reported cases.
So far, in 2021, there have been only two reported cases. On January 1, one case was reported in Afghanistan, and on January 27, the second case was reported in Pakistan. It is possible that there are unreported cases, but there is growing hope that January 27, 2021 will be the last date a case of wild polio virus was ever reported.
Jim encouraged everyone to give something to support the continuing immunization and education that must continue until our world can be declared polio-free after ten years of no reported cases. We have the opportunity to be a part of something good that will be historic and monumental. We need to ask ourselves, "Do I want to participate or spectate?"
To conclude his presentation, Jim asked to have the Iron Will and the Iron Lung Gates Notes video link which was published in the August District Newsletter played. CLICK HERE to view the video.
Introduction of Guests
Chris Krueger introduced her guests - Ralph Marcan, her father, and his caregiver, Cindy Marshall.
Logan Harper introduced Irene Frey. She is the Immediate Past President of the Benson Rotary Club and the reason Logan is a member of Mesa West Rotary. Irene's enthusiasm about Rotary during a work-related phone conversation sparked Logan's interest in getting involved. Irene followed up on his voiced interest, asking her DG, Diane Ventura-Goodyear to help her make a connection. The suggested connection was Jeanie Morgan, who invited Logan to attend a Mesa West Rotary Club meeting.
Jay Stuckey introduced his guest, Kyla Lout with Generations Home Care/ VA Assistance.
Official Suggestion - Signing Ceremony
President Dan called Lucinda General and Lola McClane forward. As a PDG, Lucinda has been very active at the Zone Level of Rotary Leadership. Every two years a call goes out asking for clubs to complete and execute an "Official Suggestion Form," if a member of their club meets the qualifications and would be willing to commit the time to be nominated and serve in the position of Rotary International Director. Lucinda has served on the Zone nominating committee in the past. She understands the process and the expectations. She expressed a sincere interest in having our club put her name forward this year. If selected by the Zone 26 nominating committee in 2021, Lucinda would serve as RI Director for Zone 26 in 2023-25. There will likely be other fine Rotarians in our zone proudly suggested by their clubs. The Mesa West Board authorized Dan as President and Lola, as Secretary, to sign the form suggesting Lucinda so it could be submitted. Mesa West Members will be anxiously waiting with Lucinda to hear if our nominee will be the top contender.
Announcements
Shelly Romine happily announced that all the available slots have been filled to participate in providing food service at Paz de Cristo on August 31. She is also pleased that she now has a committee of club members working with her on the Community Service committee. They are actively percolating ideas but noting specific to announce at this time about future service projects.
September 23 will be the official visit our District Governor Bret McKeand.
October 8-11 RYLA Ponderosa will be held for high school students. RYLA is an acronym for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. It is a four-day camp that many youth who attend describe as "life-changing."
President Dan said both their boys had attended RYLA and it did change their lives
Dave Brauchler said one of his favorite annual meetings in his San Clemente club was the week after RYLA when the kids who had participated attended the meeting with their parents and shared their stories.
Ed Koeneman asked members to save their Rotary magazines so he can distribute them to the Westwood HS Interact members.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Steve Ross
Steve Ross asked Kayla Mudge to draw the winning ticket. John Benedict was the lucky winner of $55, but he did not draw the Ace of Clubs.
Happy Bucks - Logan Harper
Jack Rosenberg pledged $67 for Polio Plus to celebrate his 67th birthday.
Ron Thompson pledged $100 to celebrate Toni's birthday, even though she is only 29.
Allan Cady pledged $50 to Polio Plus to honor his son's 50th birthday on August 3.
John Pennypacker contributedsaying he, his grandson, Ty Pennypacker and Jim Erickson, had a wonderful time on a beautiful course at the Flagstaff Rotary Club golf tournament on August 2. John missed a hole in one for a new car by 3 feet. It was the closest to the pin of all who played in the event, and their team had the winning score for the tourney.
Polly Cady contributed saying it was really good to see everyone. They spent two weeks vacationing with their friend from New Zealand who they met through Rotary Youth Exchange.
Ray Smith made a pledge celebrating his birthday and the arrival of their fourth great grandchild - a little girl.
Juli Kelly made a pledge happily announcing she was no longer the mother of teens. Her sons are now 23 and 20.
Don LaBarge contributed $50 (you read right - he did say $50) and told a tale about a person he met on his recent trip to South Dakota to pick up a machine. On his way home, near the Texas/New Mexico border, Don had stopped for the night. He spotted a place near where he was staying where he could get something to eat and drink some beer. He struck up a conversation with someone who was also from Mesa who made kind of a scary first impression, but had some good stories to share. It sounded like Don was working on getting his new friend to be scheduled as a speaker at one of our upcoming Mesa West Rotary meetings.
Irene Frey contributed saying she loves Rotary and talks about Rotary everywhere she goes.
John Pennypacker contributed again telling about a situation where henoticed LPGA pro Jeongeun Lee6, who was leading the Evian Masters, was sporting a Rotary Logo on the back of her left shoulder. He sent an inquiry to discover more about the "rest of the story." In the response to his inquiry, he learned Koo Kyo-woon, president of Daebang E&C who sponsors famous female professional players will be Governor of Rotary in three years. He wants to do charity work through a pro-am competition where members join professionals with plans to help the needy with the charitable funds raised there. The Rotary logo on the back of the pro's shirt was promoting the planned competition.
Auction Items - Original pieces created by Jack Rosenberg and Ed Koeneman
The piece created by Jack Rosenberg was a beautiful piece of glass art which was displayed on the wooden stand created by Ed which had a light extending over the top of the glasswork. Ed likened his stand to a frame for a classic painting. One may not remember the frame surrounding the Mona Lisa, but the Mona Lisa might have gone unnoticed without the frame. Bidding was lively and highly competitive. Jim Crutcher's bid of $300 made him the proud new owner of both pieces of unique Mesa West Rotarian craftsmanship.
Program - Logan Harper - Global Mining
President Dan introduced Logan as our Greeter, Sgt. with Arms, and speaker - everybody knows Logan - likely to be in line for Club President one day!
Logan chose to talk about his roots in mining sharing information about Freeport McMoRan Molybdenum mining in Colorado at Henderson and Climax. CLICK HERE to go to a site where you can explore in more detail much of what he shared.
In Arizona, we are familiar with open pit mining, but the mine he described in Colorado was vertical going from 8,000 foot elevation to 5,000 feet. At the bottom is a crusher and ore bin. He described a very long conveyor belt system, and an underground network hundreds of miles long. He said it takes two tons of rock to produce four to six pounds of molybdenum.
They have two shifts operating 24/7. The operation is unique. The Freeport McMoRan company has a high emphasis on safety at all times. He said it is the number one priority in all aspects of their operation. He said the biggest safety concern is the risk of human complacancy.
Logan described a conveyor belt that is fifteen miles long, with ten miles being underground. It goes underneath the continental divide, and transports 2200 tons/hour. He said the life of a mine is 20-30 years. The mine is operated from the beginning with a reclamation plan in mind so that when the mine's life is over, the site will be ready to give back in environmentally responsible condition.
He described an interesting chemical process where agitation of chemicals with the pulverized granules makes bubbles. The bubbles are coated with very fine molybdenum granules. The bubbles float to the top and overflow. The goal is to collect more molybdenum on the bubbles without popping them before they overflow into the collection hopper. What they are able to collect is very powdery.
Their recycling process is all contained. Water treatment removes impurities. They only make it (their product) if someone is buying.
Following his presentation, Logan answered questions from those who were present and thanked everyone for their attention.
Your editor apologizes - Logan shared many more details in his very interesting information - but difficult was difficult to accurately record many of those details in this abbreviated summary.
Final Announcement - Pam Cohen
Pam Cohen addressed concerns from many members when she made donations to the Aqua Africa Global Grant project and Envira-Loo project in South Africa with some of her winnings when she drew the Ace of Clubs in our weekly raffle recently. She wanted to make sure all members, especially our newer Rotarians, were aware that was her personal choice of how to use her good fortune. There is no unwritten rule that winnings must be donated back. Future winners should free to do what they wish with their winnings.
Please join us if you can for dinner service at Paz de Cristo on Aug 31st from 4 pm to 7 pm. Paz de Cristo is a homeless outreach in Mesa that provides 50,000 meals a month to homeless and impoverished. Our project this month will be to help them with a nightly meal service. We have room for 14 volunteers and we will all be working there together. Hope to see you there!
Your help is needed! Volunteers are required for the following event. Click on Sign Up to view available slots and book yourself directly online.
Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense.
You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Community Service
International Service
Vocational Service
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.
President Dan Coons opened the meeting reciting the 2021-22 Rotary International theme - SERVE TO CHANGE LIVES. He then recited the Rotary Vision Statement:
In fact, we have been "this close" for several years. In 2017, there were 22 reported cases, but in 2018, that number went up to 33. There was a discouraging uptick in 2019 with 176 reported cases, but the number trended down again in 2020 with 142 reported cases. 
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Steve Ross
The piece created by Jack Rosenberg was a beautiful piece of glass art which was displayed on the wooden stand created by Ed which had a light extending over the top of the glasswork. Ed likened his stand to a frame for a classic painting. One may not remember the frame surrounding the Mona Lisa, but the Mona Lisa might have gone unnoticed without the frame. Bidding was lively and highly competitive. Jim Crutcher's bid of $300 made him the proud new owner of both pieces of unique Mesa West Rotarian craftsmanship.
Program - Logan Harper - Global Mining
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:
