ROTARY CLUB OF MARANA
MEETING MINUTES 1/17/17
Submitted by Randy Brooks, Secretary
We all participated in the Pledge of Allegiance, had a meditative moment and sang a song, “Working on the Railroad.”
Announcements:  Several members’ computers are unable to access the Club website and/or Club Runner.  Peter states he has authorized Club Runner to take over the hosting of our website.  Some members are not having any problems and can’t fathom that others are stymied by this problem. Hopefully the situation will be resolved soon.
President Mary and Randy visited the Food Bank last Wednesday and helped deliver food to those less fortunate in the Picture Rocks area.  It was really, really fun. We will be providing this service every second Wednesday of the month and NEED club members to step up and help.  We keep hearing that the members want a hands on project and so here you go.  We only need about three people each third Wednesday and the attendees can be rotated.  Please sign up. 
Discussion about the Forum last week with representatives from MUSD, Marana Police Department, The Town of Marana and Marana Health Center. A few of the comments follow:
Maeve “We were building stronger ties to the community.  It was a success.” She added that it was a plus for Rotary’s perception in the community.
Others stated: “The Chief should be asked to join the club.”  Randy is on top of this invite.  Another suggested a School Vocational Day ……. It will be discussed at the board meeting.  Mary mentioned how we can provide expertise and insight into substance abuse. More to follow.
We received a card from the Coyote Trails Grade School thanking us for our participation the in building of the playground for disadvantaged children.
Maeve told us a joke … sadly, once again, Randy did not get it.
Our guest today and presenter is Monica Schmidt, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the U of A.  The topic was “Food – Breeding to Genetic Modification.  The challenge is how we feed more people without damaging the planet.” Genetic engineering increases productivity and is endorsed by most scientists as an important tool. Monica has been researching soy beans, cotton, maize and Canadian canola.  These GMO plants are more resistant to insects and herbicides. The goal is to reduce toxins in food.  10,000 children per year in the USA are affected by Necrotizing Enterocolitis and if breast fed and/or epidermal growth factor is added to the milk it reduces the death rate of this disease by 50%.  Monica also discussed Vitamin A deficiency. The Gates Foundation and the U of A are working to reduce the incidence of blindness in Africa …. This deficiency affects 250,000 to 500, 000 children a year.  Half of whom die within a year of going blind.  Thank goodness we have people like Monica working to save the children and increase food productivity.  Thank you for a great presentation.