Boy, have times changed both with regard to the world today and to the way we can communicate with one another. Rotary Club of Tucson stepped it up even more by producing a YouTube video to replace our in-person meeting. Thank you for the creativity and generosity of RICK ROSE (Film Creations Ltd.) and our PRESIDENT BOB who led the way trying to keep us all engaged and together when we can’t be together! I hope many of you “tuned in” to appreciate what our leadership is doing to keep us engaged and followed President BOB’S request to call fellow members.
A moving and adorable video pledge was performed by an almost 3 year old in a video she made for her dad who was serving in Afghanistan. We also enjoyed the golden voice of Johnny Cash (That Ragged Old Flag) and a very moving video about a gymnast overcoming diversity who has far surpassed many others with her tumbling techniques being born without legs! What better to inspire us that we CAN get through this period of unrest and uncertainty. She overcame her challenges because she “never said can’t”!!
Past President SCOTT VAUGHAN introduced our visiting guests and Rotarians who were watching, including Presidents from other Rotary clubs (no doubt wanting to be as creative as we!).
AMANDA POWERS, President of FC Tucson, gave us a very enlightening overview of her aspirations about professional soccer in Tucson. She brings a lot of experience and enthusiasm for making Tucson a center for professional soccer, using the Kino Sports Complex and is ready to get things rolling! Her speaker appreciation book was “Bears Can’t Play Soccer”.Happy birthday to absent GARY FRANKS, BOB MORKEN AND RICHARD WHITE, and to video birthday presenters DOT KRET (with a rap of course and announcing that Pak Mail is open sending important packages), ELLIE PATTERSON, and JON WANG.
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Under the circumstances, we had no work for DARRELL STEWART as Sergeant at Arms, nor did we have a raffle, but our own District 5500 ELLIE PATTERSON gave us an update on how some in our district are coping with the use of Zoom for video meetings and Assistant District Governors keeping in touch with club presidents. She encouraged us all to keep up our “Acts of Kindness” reaching out to help others who might need help right now and recognizing those you appreciate.
DAVID LOVITT shared with us his recent Act of Kindness. He insisted on purchasing the roses the lady behind him in line at Safeway was buying, only to find out that the roses were to thank a teacher. For sure that woman will pay it forward after seeing his example of kindness.BILL GATES addressed Rotarians in a video thanking Rotary for inspiring his foundation to join us in the fight to eradicate Polio around the world, announcing they have extended the 2 for 1 match for all donations made for the fight against Polio.
President BOB announced that we will suspend our March Madness membership drive for now, and Home Hospitality which was scheduled for April is up in the air at the moment.
BOB’S toast was to patience. “Be patient, hope for the best and we will get through this”!
