As members and guests were being welcomed to the zoom meeting, the protective gear Lucinda was wearing could not be ignored. She explained how she had constructed it, and I am sure she would be glad to share details upon receipt of request.A pleasant surprise for most who were attending was that lunch had been delivered to them compliments of the club prior to the start of the meeting, thanks to an exhaustive effort in coordination by Club Service Chair, Pam Cohen.
After welcoming everyone, President Jim brought the meeting to order.
Invocation
John Pennypacker offered an invocation honoring the one-year anniversary of his grandson's bar mitzvah - a Jewish blessing for a meal.
Patriotic Moment
Colleen Coons shared some interesting facts about how she has seen the shipping and transportation industry coordinate efforts to embrace the necessary changes to accommodate the increased demand for medical supplies - masks, respirators, goggles, etc - from the point of origin to the end users. With one photo she shared, we saw the passenger space of an Asia to US flight filled with packages. The incredible amount of coordination required to get the packages loaded and secured on the plane(s), optimizing the use of available space in and around the seats was impressive. What she shared was clearly more evidence of the new heroes who are emerging during the current pandemic. The coordinated effort of various corporations has created project airbridge with 220+ flights to bring healthcare items to their destinations. We all need to be celebrating truckers. She often thinks of what she hears from Dan on a regular basis - "Share Rotary - we are People of Action - Together we're Stronger."
Happy Bucks
President Jim asked Greg Okonowski to manage Happy Bucks.
- Colleen Coons was happy their little man was coming home from California.
- Allan Cady pledged $10 - happy he and Polly were able to be on the call.
- Tim Troy pledged $43 to celebrate his recent birthday. He also thanked Pam for his lunch.
- Dan Coons also thanked Pam for lunch. Dan was especially pleased to receive two lunches, although he acknowledged some regret that Colleen, who was in a different location than Dan, did not receive a lunch.
- Lola McClane pledged $50 to honor Chuck Long, her brother-in-law, who recently lost his life to the corona virus.
- Bob Zarling pledged $10 after viewing a virtual meeting and learning Blessing International in Africa is on military lockdown.
- John Pennypacker was wearing a U.S.Army shirt thankful that 45 years ago - April 30, 1975 - the Vietnam War ended. He was also celebrating the birth of his daughter 45 years ago. To celebrate both occasions, he pledged $100 to the bed project Andrea Murphy told the club about earlier this year.
- Greg Okonowski had some sad bucks as his wife, Laura, had been let go from her job.
- Donna Goetzenberger pledged $20, thankful that Bryan had surprised her on their 20th anniversary with red roses, dinner, dessert, wine and a video collage celebrating their many wonderful memories which was created by their daughters.
- Bryan Goetzenberger, said that what he did was a good template of what one should do to get out of the doghouse.
- Pam Cohen pledged $5 hopeful dollars, believing that Wilder will be home from the hospital by Mother's Day, but a bit frustrated that she will have to be quarantined two weeks before she can touch her little grandson.
- Dan Coons was happy to introduce a guest he had invited - Ben Yanofsky, President-Elect of Mesa Rotary. They are becoming friends as they both prepare to lead their clubs next year.
- Lucinda General was happy Rotary leaders are embracing change and encouraging many clubs to have virtual meetings on Zoom. Lucinda recommended doing a little homework and doing an international Rotary makeup by attending a virtual meeting being held in another country.
- Assistant Governor, Lee Holmes, reminded everyone that April 24-30 was World Immunization Week. To honor Rotary's work to end Polio, Lee had made a donation of $250 to Polio Plus the night before the meeting.
- President Jim pledged $10. He has a son in New York, who thankfully is COVID-free, and who is trying to get to Phoenix for a job. He has three friends who have tested positive and either have recovered or are recovering.
Rotary Minute
Chuck Flint shared some information about The Rotary Foundation. Many members of the club have supported The Rotary Foundation for quite some time. The most common funds supported are the Annual Fund. Donors to the fund receive Paul Harris credit. The fund is the primary source of funding for projects in the Areas of Focus. Funds donated to the Annual Fund are invested for three years. Earnings from those invested funds are used to pay operating expenses of TRF. Half of the total amount donated by our district comes back at the end of the three years as District Designated Funds (DDF), which is the source of funding for District Grants. The investments are very conservative with an emphasis on liquidity and income. 100% of the investments are in fixed income assets. Last year, they earned 2.8%. They currently total $433,000,000. Historical donations total in billions.
Another fund Rotarians can donate to is the Endowment Fund, which is intended to provide permanent and sustained funding. Donors can have a fund in their own name or in honor of someone and can designate the purpose for which funds can be paid out. 85% of those funds are invested in private equity accounts - much like retirement accounts.
Polio Plus donors also receive Paul Harris credit. This fund is always invested in fixed income securities - primarily bonds. Today, it is fully invested in short-term fixed income securities so that funds raised can be disbursed in shorter timeframes as we get closer to reaching our goal.
Last year, Mesa West invested in TRF grants originated by other clubs and are committed to grants like the one Chris Krueger is working with Aqua Africa to fund where we have more investment of our own members' time and passion in addition to our Mesa West Foundation dollars.
General Discussion
- Members shared feedback about the District Governor's presentation April 23 on the Rotary Vision Statement.
- President Jim said he was out of accounting jokes. He was reminded of Art Linkletter who used to share "Kids Say the Darndest Things," Art had shared that one needs to keep their sense of humor as they grow old. and if you need a laugh just look in the mirror to see what mother nature has done to your body as you prepare to bath. He also reminded everyone of the Phyllis Diller quote - "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."
- Dan Coons shared that Kathleen Duncan from Steps of Love, the organization that is helping local kids in Rocky Point, Mexico get an education and was a speaker at our club in January, has temporary changed her focus to meet the food needs in the community of Rocky Point. She is looking for contributions to help fill that need. President Jim asked Dan to provide details to share in this Messenger: Here is their website with a link for donations: https://stepsoflove.org. Dan has indicated if members prefer, they can give their donation to him and he will make sure the funds get to the Steps of Love office.
- Jim thanked Pam for coordinating lunch.
- Since we did not have a program, Jim asked members to use the fifteen minutes saved to reach out to someone and make a meaningful connection letting them know that they are cared for.
- He also asked members to make a generous contribution to The Rotary Foundation if they are able.