Welcome - Dan Coons
As members and guests were arriving for the meeting, they were greeted by Penny May.
President Dan opened the meeting by introducing himself then reciting the Rotary International theme - Serve to Change Lives. He then reminded everyone of 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
The invocation was offered by Robin Harris. Chris Krueger led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Induction of New Member - Lucinda General
Before actually inducting Sean, Lucinda introduced the Rotarians visiting the meeting via Zoom.
Scott Rippey, who lives in North Carolina is the person responsible for connecting Sean Green with Rotary. Scott had not been a Rotarian long himself. He joined the Greenboro Crescent club joined in the Spring of 2021. Sean was visiting Scott business/personal trip. They both do video production. Sean was shadowing Scott and while there sight-seeing in the area Scott had joined the Crescent Club for the service opportunities and thought Sean might enjoy getting involved in Rotary as well. Sean said he and Scott had a very full schedule that week. Because Sean new little or nothing about Rotary, he would have been in favor of skipping the meeting. Afterware, he was glad they made time to fit in the Rotary Club visit. He was surprised he enjoyed it as much as he did. There were banners everywhere much like at Mesa West. At the meeting, they had flyers for annual "Boil and Bru" get together for fundraising. At the meeting, he saw some members wearing Blue while a few others had Red badges. That intrigued him. He was interested. 
Patrick Eakes was at the Crescent Rotary Club meeting Sean visited. Patrick has been a Rotarian since 1998, and has held a number of leadership positions in Rotary. He served as District Governor in District 7690 in 2014-15. Patrick came into the picture because he was hosting a virtual Meeting with their Regional Membership Chair that day. Sean spoke to Patrick afterward professed his interest, but explained he was from Arizona. Patrick said that would not be a problem, and offered to help Sean make Arizona Rotary connections. Sean was anxious enough that he reached out to Patrick before Patrick had taken time to search Google - the source of all knowledge - to make Arizona Rotary connections. Patrick was able to connect Sean with District Governor Bret McKeand and District 5495 Membership Chair, Chris Krueger. Lucinda asked about the Goldilocks reference he had used with regard to membership. Patrick explained - it's not about growing your own club as much as it is about helping a potential Rotarian find the club that is "just right" for them.When Sean was first contacted by local Rotarians, the email was from Chris Krueger with Bret and Lucinda copied. The first club Sean visited was Mesa West last November. Sean connected with five different Rotary Clubs. He avoided meetings - served volunteer hours with four other clubs, and attended Alan Havir's annual Cowboy Event - a fundraiser - where saw Rotary in action, meeting individuals from about 20 Rotary Clubs at a social fundraising event. We're glad Sean decided Mesa West was "just right" for him.
Lucinda encouraged Sean to tell a little bit about himself. Sean began by saying he is a father of 2. He has a 4-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter. Sean's first exposure to any kind of community service was as a boy between the ages of 6 to about 11 or 12, he was involved with Royal Rangers, the church version of Boy Scouts. From there he moved into an apprenticeship into mentorship role in Masters Commission, where individuals came for nine months and learned scripture and how to do testimony. Sean grew into a position where became a representative in their different religious communities.. It gave him a lot of exposure to spiritual, religious aspects of community service opportunities. From age 16 to 23, in 2006-2013, he was in the music industry very heavily doing 3-7 concerts a month, and was on tour for 6 weeks in 26 cities in 2013. He was involved in management of a large local tour. Some bad experience and bad blood caused him to move away from the music industry and into construction which he'd been involved in sporadically since about age 14. He took it by the horns and between age 23 and 27 rapidly went from sweeping floors to hiring multiple crews and managing several job sites. Fast forward to now, a few different joint ventures in real estate, marketing, and eventually found himself in film. The camera has long been his way to be creative. That's what he does now. He does video production and marketing creating advertisements, product videos, automation, animation. He tries to create videos that will take the headache of frequently asked questions away from businesses. It's been a blessing every since he got started.
Patrick asked if Sean had made some good connections. He said he's made several good connection. He's become good friends with Logan Harper. He's attended Session I of Rotary Leadership Institute thanks to Polly Cady who is heavily involved as chair of RLI. He has been getting some experience and exposure at the District level trying to put together festivals and events much like the Boil and Bru in North Carolina.
Polly Cady, our Mesa West Membership Chair and President Dan were both invited to come forward for the formal induction. Dan asked everyone to rise while Barbara DesMoulins placed Sean's Rotary pin on his collar. Dan thanked Scott and Patrick for their participation.
Introduction of Guests
- Sean Green again introduced Scott Rippey as Sean's video production mentor who not only runs a very successful business, he is also probably one of the best people Sean has met in his entire life. If it wasn't for him, he wouldn't be here and wouldn't be in the track as a human being that he is in now. He also re-introduced Patrick Eakes, the Coordinator in the Carolinas. He finished by introducing "my beautiful wife, Barbara." They are going on seven years. She helps him raise their children and tolerates him. He thanked her for that.
- Dave Brauchler and his furry pal were welcomed to the meeting.
- Jim Crutcher introduced James Koeneman who is going to help Jim after the meeting with something related to one of his personal hobbies. James explained that he had attended Sonora Desert Institute school of Gunsmithing Firearms Technology and found his passion.
- Lola McClane introduced her friend of over twenty years, Liz Dillman. Liz is from Fort Worth. They both lost their husbands, but their friendship with each other has endured.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flindt
Chuck explained the raffle briefly. The holder of the other half of the ticket drawn would automatically win the small pot and the opportunity to draw the Ace of Clubs form the cards remaining in the deck. If the Ace of Clubs should be drawn, they would be the lucky winner of the big pot of $1,335. Chuck asked James Koeneman to draw the winning ticket, which wa held by Polly Cady. After shuffling the cards face-down, Polly drew the three of spades.
Happy Bucks - Greg Okonowski
- Sean Green contributed - he was happy Scott and Patrick connected him with Rotary and very pleased with the impact Rotary is having on his life.
- Jim Erickson contributed. He was happy to have the opportunity to talk about a Polio call he had been on. A case of the Wild Polio Virus has been diagnosed in Malawi. It is the first case in Milawi since 1992. Using genetic testing, they know the virus was imported from Pakistan, so may will not negatively impact the certification of the continent of Africa being polio-free. It does clearly communicate how transmission is only a plane-ride away and emphasizes the need for diligent continuation of all immunization efforts everywhere.
- Pai Bethea contributed - he very much appreciates President Dan for making the hybrid meetings available.
- Darl Andersen contributed, saying Pai Bethea was the person who sponsored him into Mesa West, but Pai hasn't been seen in-person at a meeting for over a year. He also noted that Ron Thompson was shivering he was so cold, and Darl wanted Ron to know Mesa West was a club with warm hearts and took his jacket off so he could loan it to Ron.
- Chuck Flint announced that on the meeting was being held on his 35th anniversary of being a Rotarian. He said he made a significant donation to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund in December to celebrate 35 years in Rotary.
- Robin Harris donated $3 he found in the glove box of his wife's car. They had switched cars for the day leading him to make the discovery.
- John Pennypacker pledged $100 to the sponsor campaign. He was glad to have his taxe filings about 95% squared away. He pledged $50 for Aqua Africa and $50 for Guaymas. February 22 would have been his and Betsy's 53rd wedding anniversary.
- Ed Koeneman contributed - he was happy to have his son James at the meeting and that they were going to spend the afternoon together.
- Chris Krueger contributed $20 happy/sad bucks. She was recently informed that her position with First Citizens would be terminated next year. Her sentiment was that 36 years in banking might be enough. In thinking about, "What next?" she and Mike have decided they will move to Omaha to be nearer their kids and grandkids. In reinventing herself, she plans to open a Pilates studio in Papillon, Nebraska. They plan to spend summers there and winters in Arizona.
- Polly Cady donated $20 since she had won the pot and was single for the day, she was feeling a little flush and very happy to be at the meeting to see and participate in Sean's induction into Mesa West.
- Dick Myren contributed his traditional $2 for himself and honorary member Rod Daniels. He added that he was really happy that Mike Whalen has rejoined the club.
- Colleen Coons contributed. She was glad she and Diane Ware went with Chris Krueger to Pilates, but said it was hard to walk afterward. She was also happy to have all the guests including the speakers at the meeting.
- Penny May contributed saying she was NOT responsible for the current cold weather in Arizona.
- Polly Cady added one more comment. She was glad to be sitting at a lucky table and maybe at a table with a future Rotarian - James Koeneman.
Announcements
- John Pennypacker must have consulted "the source of all information." He announced that the case of Wild Polio Virus in Malawi would not impact the certification of the continent of Africa being polio free since the dna evidence verifies it was imported from Pakistan.
- Ed Koeneman announced that the Interact Club at Westwood is seeking career mentoring. He is going to try to set up a zoom meeting with interested Interactors and mentoring Rotarians and friends of Rotary where they could meet as a large group and break up into smaller specialized groups.
- Polly Cady announced that the next time Rotary Leadership Institute is offered it will be on-line at the Thunderbird School of International Management. It will go from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on March 19. It was her understanding the club would be willing to pay the $60 registration fee for members who wish to attend. She said she feels like it is even more educational in person because the interaction between those in attendance is much better in person.
- Shelly Romine reminded members there are two service projects in March. On March 11, we will be painting the exterior of a house at the House of Refuge. CLICK HERE for the House of Refuge project signup link. On March 19, we will be volunteering at Street Light USA - a facility for girls who are victims of sex trafficking. Volunteers at this facility are required to be background checked. CLICK HERE to download the form. EMAIL THE COMPLETED FORM TO SHELLY ROMINE. CLICK HERE to volunteer for the Street Light USA project.
Program - Kary Sinkule - Yoga's Arc
Colleen Coons briefly introduced the program, turning it over to the group of speakers from Yoga's Arc.
Yoga's Arc is a 501(c)(3) which was formed to make Yoga accessible to those who need it most. Kary Sinkule is the Founder and CEO and Stephanie and Jen are interns in the process of becoming Yoga teachers.
Breathing exercises are a good way to relieve stress. Slowly breathing "life" in to a count of three, then slowly breathing "stress" out through pursed lips to a count of five was something they encouraged those in attendance to practice with them while seated in their chairs. They shared some startling statistics about stress:
- 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress.
- US businesses lose up to $300 billin yearly as a result of workplace stress.
- Stress causes around one million workers to miss work every day.
- Only 43% of US employees think their employers care about their work-life balance.
- Depression leads to $51 billion in costs due to absenteeism and $26 billion in treatment costs.
- Work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths and results in $290 billion in healthcare costs yearly.
- Women are more stressed out than men.
- In 2018, a third of US-based respondents visited a doctor for something stress-related.
- 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress.
Yoga's Arc is yoga on the go. They will take it to the workplace, a park, a family event. One place they have taken it is to Perryvale Women's Prison. They are not doing this to gain a following. They are doing it to change people's lives for the better.
One of the things that they spent a lot of time talking about is the way technology has changed the way we use our bodies.
Sitting hunched over a computer for hours on end causes the weight of our heads to create problems in the neck and spine. We were shown how to move back from our desk, spread our knees, stretch our backs as we leaned forward, allowing our heads to dangle between our knees to take the stress off the back. neck and back. Our spines should be flexible in six directions. We were shown how to take some time to straighten our spines and twist.
Yoga has been around for 100's of years, but it has gone through many evolutions. There are many styles and techniques available today.
Each of the speakers were walking testaments as to how Yoga improved their health and quality of life.
Jim Schmidt asked if they had feedback about the prisoners' reaction. Kary said she is still receiving comments from employees at the prison. One prisoner reported, "I felt human for the first time in a long time."
Two books were mentioned and suggested:
- Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
- The Body Keeps the Score - Trauma Healing with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
They have
To answer any unasked questions about whether science recognizes the value of yoga, Bob Zarling commented that he is currently undergoing some physical therapy and was taught very similar breathing techniques there.
CLICK HERE to visit the Yoga's Arc website.
CLICK HERE to visit their Facebook page where you can connect to a variety of videos.