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Welcome to our Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West
THE ACE OF CLUBS
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mesa, AZ
United States of America
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Stories
Highlights of February 25 Meeting
During the social time prior to the meeting being called to order, members learned that Ray Smith played a tenor sax in a dance band at one time.  He shared that - during tax season - Rotary is his mental health break.  He mentioned he had run into Aubrey Luma (former Executive Secretary for Mesa West Rotary) and she said she is missing Rotary and said to tell everyone "Hi!"
 
There was some discussion about which member of Mesa West had the longest history of being a Rotarian.  It appeared that Daryl "Pai" Bethea is a likely contender for that distinction.  He originally joined the Tempe East Rotary Club in 1972 and has been a Rotarian continuously since that time.  He transferred his membership to Mesa Baseline in the late 70's.  Warren Williamson has been a Rotarian for thirty-one years.  
 
Welcome
 
President Dan officially opened the meeting shortly after Noon by reciting the 2020-21 Rotary International theme, "Rotary Opens Opportunities, followed by 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
 
President Dan called on Wendell Jones to offer the invocation.
 
Introduction of Guests
  • Andrea Murphy - retired faculty advisor for Westwood High School Interact Club
  • Robin Harris - former Mesa Baseline Rotary Club Member 
  • Tom Yuzer - visiting Rotarian
  • Dan Lamborn - regular recent visitor 
It was noted that Robin and Dan are both in the membership application process.
 
Happy Bucks - Bert Millett
  • Andrea Murphy was happy to announce that she has the position of Community and Club Relations with Sleep in Heavenly Peace.  She said they are back to doing bed builds again, and very glad to be back at it.
  • John Pennypacker pledged $10 - happy to have received his second COVID shot on Tuesday, February 23.
  • Chuck Flint pledged $10 - happy to have a working hot water heater again, a fact that is also a benefit for the people around him.  He also shared an illustration of words that are complicated in the English language.  Most people cannot distinguish the meanings between complete and finished.  An individual named Ralph Henry was able to explain it this way.  When you marry the right woman, you are complete.  When you marry the wrong woman, you are finished.  When the right woman catches you with the wrong woman, you are completely finished.
  • Lucinda General pledged $25 bringing fellow members up to date on the roller coaster she has been experiencing with her father who had a horrific automobile accident several weeks ago.  Colleen Coons and Pam Cohen helped her clean out her father's empty apartment, so that is done and dad is safe at Sunrise in Chandler.  He is about to begin radiation therapy.  Lucinda ran into Kurt Klingenberg st the center.  He was wearing his Rotary pin.  Kurt's mom has been in the memory care unit at the center for a while.  Don LaBarge bought a whole bunch of her dad's tools.
  • Dan Coons pledged $10 for the great support he receives as President.
  • Polly Cady pledged $5 for missing out on the service project at the Food Bank February 24.  She went on to pledge $50 on behalf of Allan Cady.  Allan's son, Jonathan Cady is now the service director for two dealerships - Infinity and Nissan.
  • Jeanie Morgan pledged $10 regretting her technical challenges when she first tried to present her Rotary Minute.
Announcements
  • John Pennypacker had attended a Zoom meeting featuring RI Director Johrita Solari and TRF Trustee Brenda Cressey.  Donations to Polio Plus and the TRF Annual Fund are falling short.  More donations to both are needed.  John suggested members who have not already done so might want to set up a "My Rotary" account and authorize automated monthly donations to one or both.  Donations to Polio Plus will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation $2 to $1.  John offered to help anyone having trouble setting up their "My Rotary" account.  For those who prefer to fill out forms and mail them, CLICK HERE to download a Rotary Direct Signup form.
  • Chuck Flint offered to transfer $200 recognition points to any member contributing $100 for the foreseeable future noting transfer points have to be in increments of $100.
  • Dan Coons reported on the President's call he had attended a week prior led by District Governor Elizabeth Mahoney.  Plans are progressing for the Rotary Week of Service April 17-24.  This activity will replace the District Conference, and member participation in service that week will count as District Conference attendance   Dan and Shelly could use ideas on identifying a great project all club members can get behind.
Rotary Minute - Jeanie Morgan
 
Jeanie had hoped to give those attending a tour of the club website:  mesawestrotary.org.  The website is a good resource for members.  What you see when you go to the home page is just a portion of the many resources available.  In the header, there are "menu" links to additional information including the ability to see past issues of the Messenger.  Any member can e-mail Jeanie for a request to have a link sent to them so they can update their own profile information and see other "members only" information, etc.  ClubRunner is the system that operates our website, and their systems make it relatively easy for Jeanie to do a lot of the things that members seem to value.  When social distancing starts to relax, she would like to get together with anyone wanting to learn how to do some of the tasks she does.  Another resource Jeanie mentioned is a ClubRunner app that can be downloaded to smart phones enabling members to have contact information for fellow Mesa West Rotarians readily available.
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Program
 
Pam Cohen played a video to introduce our speaker David George Brooks and his message The Power of Gratitude.   Brooks, also known as That Gratitude Guy, has been a speaker, coach and bestselling author for over 25 years.  He is a former Nordstrom store manager and has managed in the corporate world for over thirty years.  His published works include "The Brooker's Daily Gratitude Journal," "Six Word Lessons to Embrace Gratitude," and a number of other books on gratitude.  As a result of his passion for gratitude, he has presented over 575 speeches and workshops in the past six years.  With over 975 gratitude videos posted on YouTube, thousands have seen his message, and he is now considered a leading authority on how living a life of gratitude can enhance and improve your life.  CLICK HERE to visit his website.
 
One of the keys to living a life of gratitude has to do with what you say to yourself about yourself.  He recalled being in a race, and whle running across a bridge, there were lots of people ahead of him, but many more behind him.  H remembers thinking to himself, "If those people in front of my had stayed home, I'd be in first place!"
 
He said the words we use to describe ourselves are important.  He asked all in attendance to list six to eight words describing ourselves.  Most tend to call themselves derogatory names.  He encouraged us to advocate for ourselves.  A key statement that he made more than once was, "Gratitude turns what you have into enough."  
 
When you make a list of positive qualities to describe yourself, you need to keep it visual.  Gratitude can influence medical outcomes.  Positive vs. negative attitudes very often are reflected in positive vs. negative outcomes.
 
At one point in his life, Brooke said he took flying lessons.  He remembered his instructor telling him "One day you will be grateful you paid attention and learned to read and trust the instruments."  Later, when he was flying in clouds, he felt he was flying straight and level.  The instruments told him he was wrong.  He trusted the instruments, did a course correction, and truly was grateful for the outcome.
 
We know exercise is important, and walking is one of the best forms of exercise.  It is also a good time to work on our attitude of gratitude with the things we talk to ourselves about while we are walking.
 
Brooke says there is science relating to gratitude.
  • Improved relationships
  • better sleep
  • better physical health
  • lower blood pressure
  • less anxiety
Gratitude helps us realign our priorities, and appreciate what we have.  He gave everyone homework asking us to list the top 25-50-100 things we are thankful for and to then put the list in priorty order.  Look at it, review it, update it regularly, and keep it up.  It is good to remind ourselves of the wonderful things that have happened.
 
He encouraged everyone to keep a Gratitude Journal.  He has one for sale on his website, but a notebook would work. 
 
Editorial note:  For some, paying for the journal, would ensure a greater likelihood of actually valuing and using it.
 
 
Read more...
February 24 United Food Bank Service Project
March Service Event - 7th Street Food Pantry
We have a very special community service project for March.  This project is part of a district grant we have received and benefits the 7th Street Food Pantry.  We will be providing labor to remove old flooring tile in preparation for new flooring.  The new flooring will be professionally installed but we need a few very hardy people to break up and remove the existing tile.  This will be a very labor intensive job and requires those with good stamina and strong backs.  For this part of project we are looking for 5 people Friday March 19th beginning at 9 am.  I will set up a sign up sheet but please also contact Don LaBarge by email or phone if you can help that day 480.213.1617 dlabarge47@gmail.com.
 
As a bonus (and for those of us not meeting criteria for the 19th) we will also be repainting the pantry.  It is not a huge space so we will be limiting paint crews to 5 as well.  Painting will take place Saturday and Sunday 3/20 & 3/21 beginning at 9 am.  I will also create a sign up sheet for these days but ask that you also let Don LaBarge know when you can be there.
 
The 7th Street Food Pantry is a nondenominational ministry that works to meet the needs of the homeless, veterans, seniors and low income individuals and families in the community to help ease the struggle with hunger and hopelessness.  Our very own Greg Okonowski is on their board of directors. 
 
CLICK HERE to view available slots and book yourself directly online - then use the above information to let Don LaBarge know when you will be there.
Family Caregiver Day at the Capitol - March 11
Shelly Romine asked that we publish this event in our newsletter.  Many we know and some of our Mesa West Rotary members are family caregivers.  Please share this information with them.  Registration for the event is open.  CLICK HERE to register.
 
Nominations are still being accepted for the David Besst award for contributions to caregiving in Arizona.  The David Besst award is presented to an individual and/or organization that has made a significant contribution in family caregiving.  The award honors the awardees but also David Besst, who untiringly worked to establish resources and respite for family caregivers.  Nominations are due on January 31, 2021 and a selection will be made in February.  Honorees will be recognized with a plaque at the Family Caregiver Day at the Arizona Capitol on March 11, 2021.  To nominate an individual or organization, CLICK HERE to complete the form providing details on your nominee. 
Today's Chuckle
Something to Ponder
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Support the Mesa West Sponsorship Drive
If you or a friend, family member or associate would like the convenience of electronically contributing to the Sponsorship Campaign, EMAIL JEANIE
 
Please provide the dollar amount to be donated, the name and email address of the donor if it is not yourself, and tell Jeanie whether the funds should go to:
 
  • Community Service
  • International Service
  • Youth Service 
or
  • UNDESIGNATED - TO BE USED WHERE MOST NEEDED
Jeanie will e-mail an invoice from Mesa West Rotary Foundation which can be paid electronically using debit or credit card or bank-to-bank transfer.
The Most Efficient Way to Support The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary that enables the amazing work we, as Rotarians, are all proud to be a part of.  Every Rotarian is strongly encouraged to support TRF every year by donating to the General Fund of TRF.  The target gift is $100 per year per member.  That has been the target for a very long time and in the US the average family income has multiplied a few times since that target was set.  Many Rotarians who have the means to do so have set their personal target at the $1,000 per year mark making them eligible for the Paul Harris Society level of donor recognition. 
 
The End Polio Now campaign is a separate fund to which gifts are matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Many Rotarians choose to support both the general fund and the fight to end polio.
 
No matter what level you decide to donate, please support the Foundation by giving through Rotary Direct.  CLICK HERE to get answers to commonly asked questions about this program.  DOWNLOAD A FORM to authorize your Rotary Direct donations.  By giving through Rotary direct, the opportunity for human error is eliminated and recognition credit for the Rotarian and their club is much more accurate and timelier.
You CAN make a difference!
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Foundation Director
 
Public Image Director
 
Club Service Director
 
Service Projects Director
 
Director
 
Membership
 
Executive Secretary
 
Speakers
Mar 04, 2021 12:00 PM
Law Enforcement - SWAT Team, Mesa Police
Mar 11, 2021 12:00 PM
Tiniest Victims of the Opiod Crisis
Mar 18, 2021 12:00 PM
Tribal History and Future
Mar 25, 2021 12:00 PM
Reducing Number of People with Mental Illness Who are Incarcerated
Apr 01, 2021
Stop Recruiting, Start Attracting (New Rotary Members)
Apr 15, 2021 12:00 PM
FBI Community Outreach Role, Objective and Programs
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mar 04, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mar 11, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Monthly Board Meeting
Mar 16, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mar 18, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
7th Street Pantry Project
7th Street Food Pantry
Mar 19, 2021 9:00 AM –
Mar 22, 2021 5:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Mar 25, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 01, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 08, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Weekly Club Meeting via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091
Apr 15, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Monthly Board Meeting
Apr 20, 2021
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jim LeCheminant
March 3
 
Dick Myren
March 12
 
Erica Williams
March 31
 
Spouse Birthdays
Angie Troy
March 6
 
John Yost
March 25
 
Anniversaries
Erika Yost
John Yost
March 3
 
Terry Diedrick
Patty Diedrick
March 16
 
Join Date
Wendell Jones
March 1, 1989
32 years
 
Rotary District 5495 Links
District Links
Rotary Interact District 5495
Rotary 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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