Highlights of April 15 Mesa West Rotary Meeting

President Dan Coons opened the meeting by introducing himself and reciting the 2020-21 Rotary International theme - Rotary Opens Opportunities.  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
 
Chris Krueger was called on to lead the invocation, as was Warren Williamson to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Ray Smith led Rotarians and members in singing God Bless America.  President Dan thanked each of them as well as Shelly Romine who served as official greeter for the meeting.
 
Introduction of Guests
  • Wendell Jones introduced his cousin, Spencer Jones.
  • Ray Smith introduced Jeane Crouse, former member of Mesa Baseline Rotary Club.  
  • Penny May and Tom Yuzer were introduced as visiting Rotarians.
  • Assistant Governor Lee Holmes was introduced.
  • Lynsey Wright who would later be presenting the program was welcomed to the Zoom portion of our hybrid meeting.
Rotary Minute - John Pennypacker - What's In It for Me?
 
"Do you ever wonder why you joined Rotary?  Or why you stay?
 
"Do you ever question what's in it for me?  Are you looking for the what's in it for me?   These are very natural thoughts.
 
"I had an interesting discussion with a dear friend recently, and he said sometimes you have to be in Rotary for a while before you understand the 'What's in it for me?'  That day will come and that is all good.
 
"However, I took a different slant and said one must be in Rotary long enough to understand what it is that really needs to be done, try to figure out how to do it, and at the same time never even once think about 'What's in it for me.'
 
"That is when you become a Rotarian!"
 
Raffle - Chuck Flint
 
Chuck briefly explained the raffle.  The growing "big winnings" were up to $1337.  The weekly winner would win $35 and a chance to draw the Ace of Clubs.  Spencer Jones was asked to draw the winning ticket which was held by Jeanie Morgan.  Her luck stopped there, after the cards were reshuffled for her by John Pennypacker, she drew the three of spades.  
 
Announcements
  • Members were reminded to support Polio Plus in an effort to retain the district Polio Plus Champions travelling trophy.
  • Shelly Romine said volunteers acheduled to work at the Paz de Cristo shower-kit stuffing event Saturday April 17 might be recipients of Rotary Week of Service t-shirts.  A limited supply was being made available to clubs with service projects and an effort was underway to get some of them.
  • Jeanie Morgan announced that Lauren Lucas from American Furniture Warehouse, a sponsor shown on the back of the week of service t-shirts, is working on getting funds donated from her company to support vocational education grants through The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA).
  • Don LaBarge announced that he and Tim Troy would be working on getting an e-mail out to members asking for ideas for a project in the $4,000 price range for which they could apply for a District Grant for the 2021-22 Rotary Year.  The grant would provide roughly half of the funding with our Mesa West Rotary Foundation to cover the balance.  The grant application deadline is June 30, 2021.
  • Dan Coons announced that memorial bricks would be placed in Scottsdale's Rotary Park in memory of Rotarians who passed away this Rotary year.  He will be sending the information to have a brick placed in memory of Carolyn Jones.
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
  • Ron Thompson contributed a small amount for arriving late, and a larger amount because he was proud to boast that his wife, Antoinette Farmer-Thompson had been recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of the 2021 Outstanding Women in Business.  Toni has created a community development fund which has received a grant of $300,000.
  • Don LaBarge said that his business has been so busy that everybody has been stressed.  His parts man had a heart attack at work.  Not realizing the symptoms were as serious as they were, he first went to see his doctor, who sent him to the ER, and was then sent to St. Joseph's hospital.   He will be out at least three weeks.  He as some other employees who are also missing work because of the stress.
  • Penny May announced that she would be flying home to Alaska on April 21 and planned to be back in Mesa in September.  She might live to regret announcing that if any Mesa West Rotarians decided to fly to Alaska (the only way to get there these days) she would be glad to let them stay at her home, saying she has plenty of room for overnight guests.
  • Spencer Jones contributed. He was happy that his brother who had COVID is now recovered sufficiently to move from accute rehab to assisted living.
  • Jeane Crouse contributed happy dollars having prevailed in an 18-month battle with the IRS.
  • Chris Krueger was happy to be at the meeting
  • Shelly Romine was also happy to be at the meeting
  • Juli Kelly pledged $20 - she was happy to have had fun watching her son scrimmage last weekend at University of Arizona.
  • Ed Koeneman pledged $10, saying it's been a long semester.
  • Geoff White pledged $10, saying he was happy to see everyone.
  • Jim Schmidt contributed saying it was the best April 15 he could remember.
 
Program - Lynsey Wright - FBI Community Outreach
 
Lola McClane introduced Lynsey Wright who has served as the Community Outreach Specialist of the Phoenix Field Office since December 2020.
Ms. Wright started her career with the FBI in July 2019. She was first assigned to the Criminal Justice Information Services Division, of the Clarksburg Headquarters Office, in West Virginia. Ms. Wright worked as a Threat Intake Examiner in the National Threat Operations Center (NTOC), and additionally worked in the Operations Command Center for NTOC. 
Prior to joining the FBI, Ms. Wright led group counseling and managed case work, for at-risk youth, at a drug/behavioral treatment facility. She has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement and a bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, from Fairmont State University, as well as a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, from University of Cincinnati.
For questions about community outreach, or to request speakers, please email px_outreach@fbi.gov.
 
During her presentation, Ms. Wright shared slides containing very interesting maps and details about the FBI.  A few of the things she mentioned are detailed in this wrap-up of her presentation.
 
The Mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.  Their priorities are to protect the US from 
  • Terrorist attack
  • Foreign intelligence, espionage, and cyber operations
  • Combat significant cyber criminal activity
  • Combat public corruption at all levels
  • Protect civil rights
  • Combat transnational criminal enterprise
  • Combat significant white-collar crime
  • Combat significant violent crime
As a result of their vast technical resources, they are able to provide many resources for local law enforcement.
 
When Lynsey worked at the threat intake office, they would receive thousands of tips daily via phone and internet.  The office was staffed and busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  You can report a perceived threat by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or reaching out to the local field office at  https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/phoenix.  
 
Among their many lab services are fingerprint, DNA, and investigation of bomb fragments.
 
A less well-known service is their Victim Service resource.  They have crisis response dogs, giving FBI labs an entire new look.  They are able to provide appropriate assistance for victims of crimes.
 
They have many critical incident response resources including SWAT, Hostage Rescue Teams, etc.
 
The Community Outreach office exists to build relationships.  Through multicultural engagement, they hope to learn how to better serve and protect our many diverse communities.
 
Lynsey spoke about the FBI Citizens Academy - a 6-8-week program that gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI.  They meet in the evening at the local field office.  Candidates are nominated by FBI employees, former academy graduates and community leaders.  The special agent in charge of the local FBI field office makes the final class selections from those nominated.  All nominees must be 21 or older, with no felonies and live or work in the jurisdiction.  Participants must also pass a background check.
 
Each year since 1990, individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to education and crime and violence-prevention in their communities have been nominated by local field offices and invited to a ceremony and reception at FBI headquarters.
 
In addition to the FBI Citizens Academy, there is an FBI Teen Academy.  This year, it will operate virtually with some in-person experience from June 17 to July 8.  The local field office is currently accepting applications.  The application says there is an April 14 deadline, but applications will be accepted until May 14.
They have an adopt-a-school program targeting at-risk students.   Lynsey spoke about an FBI program targeting 3rd - 8th graders where they teach safe online surfing among many other things.  CLICK HERE to visit that site.
 
Lynsey suggested parents be urged to download the FBI Child ID app for iPhones and Androids.