- 10 years since the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region was certified free of polio.
- 30 years since the WHO Americas Region was certified as polio-free.
- 50 years since the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, which ensures equitable access to vaccines (including polio vaccines)
- Eric Silverberg shared an inspirational quote from Andrew Carnegie: "As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do."
- Jim Schmidt led the Pledge of Allegiance.
- President Colleen thanked
- Eric Silverberg for serving as greeter
- Ron Thompson for serving as Sgt at Arms
- Ed Koeneman for serving as Chief Technology Officer
- John Pennypacker for handling room setup
- John Benedict introduced his daughter Kelly Benedict, proudly announcing she is a medical doctor.
- Marilyn Klingler said the last time she visited a Mesa West Rotary meeting, the program was Matthew 24 Prison Ministries. She became an active volunteer with them following the meeting.
- Frank Rosenberg introduced his guest, Blake Layton who is a paramedic and teaches at Frank's office.
- Melissa Hollenbeck is someone President Colleen met at a Mesa City Council Meeting. She is a District Coordinator working with our speaker, Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury.
- Harry Short was introduced as a visiting Rotarian who will soon be heading back to Seattle. While in Arizona, Harry is very generous with a property of his in the mountains, allowing Rotaractors to use it for an annual retreat.
- Tom Yuzer, another seasonal visiting Rotarian introduced his wife, Liz.
- Dora Le is a Past President of ASU Rotaract.
- Shawn Buntin was introduced by John Pennypacker as a new member who has not yet been formally inducted. His induction is scheduled to happen at the April 25 meeting.
- Ron Thompson was the first to make an announcement. He pledged $100 toward his Paul Harris account to celebrate the fact that his wife, Toni, had been named President of her university. He said he now calls her "Madam President," He also contributed $2 because he has happy Kelly Benedict was at our meeting.
- John Pennypacker announced that 57 years ago, the Army Aviation Association of America was formed. Ten years later, John got his wings. He said that it is a fraternity that never dies. He will miss our April 25 meeting because he will be with some of those he flew with in Vietnam in 1968 at a reunion event to be held in Denver.
- Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 happy that he and Honorary Member Rod Daniels are in the Ace of Clubs. He contributed an additional $3 thanking our President.
- Jack Rosenberg pledged $100 to Ron Thompson's sponsorship team. Frank Rosenberg's Master's Degree achievement has made him a very proud father.
- John Benedict contributed. He was very proud of his daughter, the medical doctor, Kelly.
- Kelly Benedict thanked everyone for the very warm welcome.
- Liz Paulus contributed. She was very happy to announce that College Bound had helped a student get a $30,000 scholarship to attend law school.
- Polly Cady contributed. She was just happy to be a member of Mesa West Rotary. She feels that what we do is awesome!
- Allan Cady pledged $5 via Zoom to echo Polly's enthusiasm, saying we are a wonderful, giving club.
- Pam Cohen contributed. The final disbursement of our Global Grant partnering with Aqua Africa is being made. The project is in South Sudan. The water project will provide clean water for five villages, serving a total of about 20,000 people.
- Jim Schmidt happily praised Dora Le as an amazing Rotaractor. He pledged $10 to his sponsor program team to celebrate something that happened at the Rotary Week of Service project at the YMCA. While working at the event, he had ear buds in his ears so he could participate in a Zoom meeting while he worked on the painting of the pool deck. As he was multi-tasking, a fresh five-gallon bucket of the thick paint they were using was delivered, and one of his ear buds fell into the bucket. He reached into the bucket and fished around for the ear bud until he found it. President Colleen volunteered to clean the ear bud while Jim got himself cleaned up. Miraculously, the ear bud still works!
- Harry Short was very complimentary of the Past President of ASU Rotaract, saying it has been a very pleasant experience letting them use his place for their annual Rotaract retreat. He said they do a great job of leaving it like they found it and are very comfortable people to be around.
- Connie Buntin was happy that they were going to get the "Rotary District" from Don LaBarge on a new pressure washer. She and John need to replace the washer they had taken to the YMCA to clean the pool deck on Friday before the painting of the deck on Saturday. Their washer broke down while on the job.
- Tom Yuzer contributed $100 to John Pennypacker's sponsorship team to celebrate his and Liz's 60th wedding anniversary.
- Ed Koeneman was happy the club had new toys - some new cordless microphones to use at our meetings. He explained that they need to be held close to the chin, to have optimal results, and hold the microphone closer to the large end rather than the small end of the handle to avoid feedback. He thanked Jim McGown for the good auction find. For an update, Ed said their son is still in Poland, and still sleeping in a closet.
- Warren Williamson contributed $1 to comment on a rumor about a movie to be made about the O.J.Simpson trial when O.J. was being tried for the murder of his wife. He said the rumor was that John Elway was going to be cast as the slow, white Bronco.
- Harry Grossman said he has been trying us on for size for a year while maintaining his membership in his Rotary club in Sedona. We have met his standards, and he will be applying to transfer his membership to Mesa West the end of June.
- Ray Smith was glad to be back at our meetings following tax season and contributed $500 to the sponsor campaign.
- Erwin Reimann contributed $50. He said they would be heading north soon. He was happy to report that their grandson who some members might remember training for the Olympics, would be coming to Arizona for a week's visit.
- President Colleen was very happy the Rotary Week of Service project went so well. Our own member, Greg Bouslog who manages the East Valley YMCA was very happy with the result, saying their pool deck has never looked better. She was thankful for the Bunyard's loan of their equipment. Helping with the scrubbing on Friday were the Bunyards, Pam Cohen, Polly Cady and John Pennypacker. She was thankful that four youth exchange students helped on Saturday along with our Past President and AG Dan Coons. she said Jim Schmidt and Warren Williamson had their heads down working away in full sun. while some of the others found shade or at least partial shade to work in. One of her joys as President has been that when we ask for help - people show up! She also said that DG Kevin Pitts recently called to see if Mesa West could help out in hosing six Kenyans who would be arriving early to travel to the District Conference in Mexico. Colleen made one phone call and Liz Paulus said they would host them all.
- John Pennypacker's team has reclaimed the top spot.
- Close behind are Ed Koeneman and Ray Smith's teams.
- Donations for this year are now over $42,000 and counting...
- President Colleen thanked Steve for the amazing report. The sponsor program which Allan Cady created, continues to make it possible for us to do the charitable things we do. It is surviving with Steve's cheerleading and Jeanie Morgan's help.
- Eric Silverberg said there would soon be a survey to respond to about types of programs members would like to hear in the coming Rotary year.
- Saturday, April 20, the Mesa Rotary Club would be celebrating their 100th anniversary Saturday, April 20 with a breakfast, ribbon cutting and park cleanup event at Guerrero Park.
- Camelback Crossroads Rotary Club is having a pickle ball tournament to raise funds if anyone is interested.
- Colleen reminded members who plan to attend to get registered for the District Conference.
- May 18th Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) will be held at Benedictine University in Mesa. All three sessions will be offered.
- June 8 a new member orientation event will be held at the Coons residence.
- Steve Ross for serving as Greeter.
- Mike Lutcher for offering the invocation
- Warren Williamson for leading the Pledge of Allegiance
- Dick Myren for handling the raffle
- Ron Thompson for serving as Sgt at Arms
- Jeanie Morgan for handling check-in
- Ed Koeneman for serving as Chief Technology Officer
- John Pennypacker for handling room setup
- Gerry Paulus was introduced and it was noted that he would be officially inducted into the club later in the meeting.
- Erwin and Joan Reimann were welcomed. They are members, but spend the warm months in South Dakota. Colleen wants them to feel welcome when they are in Arizona.
- Lizzy Barron was introduced as another to be formally inducted later in the meeting.
- Tom Yuzer, a regular visiting Rotarian from Minnesota was welcomed. He said the snow is gone in his home state.
- Wayne General, a member who is seldom available to attend our lunch meetings was welcomed.
- Jim Dowler, the guest speaker, was welcomed from Phoenix Rotary 100.
- Eric Silverberg contributed. He was happy to have travelled with Jim Schmidt to Hermasillo Mexico to learn about the Microcredit Mesa West Rotary is involved with there.
- Dick Myren was happy to report he had healed quickly from his collision with the floor. He was also happy that the University of Iowa Women's Basketball Team had beat the men's basketball attendance records. Dick was sad to have lost his 83-year-old brother who was a minister on Saturday, April 6.
- Mike Lutcher was happy they would be leaving on a three-week road-trip vacation in Virginia, New York and Kentucky visiting children and grandchildren.
- Shelly Romine announced she would be absent the following week. Her son would be celebrating his 29th birthday. And they would be enjoying a family reunion with her husband's family from St. Louis in San Diego. She said a small crew was needed Friday to do prep work for the Rotary Week of Service Project at the YMCA which was scheduled for Saturday, April 13.
- Wayne General contributed $15. He said he and Lucinda were celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary. He was happy that Lu still finds him sexy. He knows she does, because every time he walks past her, he hears her say, "What an ass!"
- Frank Rosenberg was happy to be in his final week of his Master's program. He will soon be able to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Don Boucher contributed celebrating ten years as a member of Mesa West Rotary and twelve years as a Rotarian. He said he enjoys all the good people, but being a member comes with a sense of guilt - he never feels he is doing enough.
- Lizzy Barron said it has taken five years to find the right Rotary Club in Arizona. She made a pledge to our club's foundation in appreciation of finding the right fit in Mesa West Rotary.
- Chuck Flint was happy that Pam Cohen was his communicator taking care of everything during his recent health challenges. He was also thankful for his niece who has had both of his dogs since December 26. He said he spent 70 days in the hospital. His co-pay was $1500. So far, it appears the total cost of his stay is over $212,000.
- Harry Grossman announced he was at the meeting without his hearing aids adding "I can't hear a damned thing!"
- Polly Cady was glad the club is two members stronger. She was happy to see Joe and Linda Sweeney on Zoom, and happy for the good time she and Allan enjoyed with Olivia and Valeria in San Diego.
- Pam Cohen was happy to remember being at Lu and Wayne's wedding fifteen years ago. She pledged $400 for John Pennypacker's sponsor program team thankful for her grandson Wilder's 4th birthday!
- Jim Schmidt was happy to celebrate 40 years in Rotary, and was also happy about the good time he enjoyed in Mexico. He also announced their youngest daughter just had a baby - his 36th grandchild.
- Gerry Paulus celebrated the many years he's been a Rotarian. He will be sending private DNA into deep space. The Rotary 4-Way Test will also be sent. He hopes to send a laser etched disc with Rotarian names on it.
- Ted Williams was happy he had his hearing aids.
- Warren Williamson said little Johnie got in trouble for asking his mom how old she was. She explained that you should never ask a woman that question. He then got in trouble for asking how much she weighed, and was told both questions were off limits and should not be asked. He then got in trouble for asking he why she and his dad were divorced. Johnie was complaining to a friend about getting into trouble for asking something he though it was reasonable for him to know. When his friend heard what the questions were, he told Johnie to find his mom's driver's license in her purse explaining it was like an adult report card. Johnie followed that advice. In a subsequent conversation with his mom, he said "I know you are 35-years old and weigh 129 pounds. I also know why you and dad divorced. His mom asked how he discovered that information and he confessed to sneaking a peak at her license. She said, "I can see how you now know my age and weight but what did you find on my license that answered the question about my being divorced?" Johnie answered, "I could see you got an 'F' in sex."
- John Pennypacker celebrated his recent birthday commenting about seven being an odd number of decades.
- Ed Koeneman said he is getting acquainted with a new toy in our club's array of technical equipment. He said his son is still in Poland, still sleeping in the closet.
- Colleen Coons said she and Dan went to celebrate her uncle's 100th birthday and seems to be in good health. He was sitting next to Colleen's aunt who was thirteen years younger. They had thirteen children. The aunt has dementia, but is happy. Because Colleen is thirteen years younger than Dan, she told him, "We're looking at our future, here." Colleen shared some McKinney Vento success stories, and it is clear our program is changing lives.
- Harry Grossman said he had been in Sedona last Saturday for the Sedona Village Rotary Club's annual Grocery Grab fundraiser. The club pays wholesale cost of as many groceries that the winner of a drawing can fill their cart with in five minutes. The club made $19,000 on the event.
There are many different nonprofit organizations that AZ recognizes as authorized recipients of these tax funds. Mesa West sponsors the Interact Club at Westwood High School, and they are a qualified recipient of these tax credit funds in the Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) category. Here's how you can donate up to $200 as an individual or $400 as a couple filing jointly and deduct that amount from your state tax burden.
Go to https://westwood.mpsaz.org/pag
If you have children currently enrolled in Mesa Public Schools, you can use your existing login information. Otherwise, it's easy to setup a guest account.
Once you are logged in, select 'Items At All Schools' under the 'Shop/Donate' list on the Home page.
On the next page select 'High Schools', then select 'Westwood High'
Select the link for 'ECA Tax Credit', and then 'Programs G-K' on the following page.
Interact - ECA is under code 8646. Enter a dollar amount in the box, and click the Add button. That dollar amount should then appear in your cart (highlighted in green at the top of the page).
You can then proceed to the Checkout process and pay with a credit card. You will receive a receipt that you can print out and save for when you do your taxes.
Thank you for supporting Westwood Interact and all of our youth programs.
- 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. 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.
- 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
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Meet Visiting members--Rotary Club Naivasha Kenya
Liz and J Paulus' HomeApr. 28, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. -
Frank is done with his Master's - Celebration
8314 S Jentilly LaneMay 17, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. -
Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomMay 21, 2024 5:30 p.m.
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Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting
Via ZoomJun. 18, 2024 5:30 p.m.
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Transforming Communities, Creating Opportunities, Impacting Youth
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210
United States of America