ROTARY CLUB OF MARANA
MEETING MINUTES
03/21/17
Submitted by Randy Brooks, Secretary
We had an amazing 90% attendance today.  Only two members were not in attendance.  Great job Rotary Club of Marana.
Introduction of guests: Carol McGorray, Town of Marana Council Member and proud mother of the speaker today …. Maureen Dykinga. More on Maureen later.
The pledge was completed, a song was sung and a great meditation completed by David Hindman.
We had a guest from the Rincon Club …. I did not catch his name.  He was asking for support of his club annual Taste of Chocolate.  I have been to this event.  The chocolate is amazing.  It will be held, April 23, 2-4 PM, at the Double Tree Hotel.  Only $15.00 per ticket... 
Report on the Peru Trip:  Well, we are back.  The trip was meaningful in several different ways.  Don Jorgensen Discussed the trip, Machu Picchu, and our Amazon adventures.  Did he mention the heat! Whew.  John Dooling discussed a marathon Rotary meeting he and I attended (5 hours) during which possible support via of the foundation may makes lives better for others.  He also discussed a beautiful school we visited that is supported by the Club Rotario “Las Vinas de Surco in Lima.  There is one project John and Randy are interested in moving on sooner rather than later but that will be discussed at the board meeting later this week. It has to do with a woman living in a shack about the size of your walk in closet.  Randy discussed our former Rotary Exchange Student Eleana Acosta wedding the pageantry and happiness shared by her family, friends and host families.  She graduated from medical school, married in her church with families and friends attending all in two weeks.  Jeff Brownson her husband is a US citizen and IT guy.  They have a home in Marana.  Eleana promises to join our club as soon as she has adequate salary.
Harold brought up the Jim Click raffle and the club voted to not participate this year.  Harold will be gone much of the time for ticket sales and we had a pronounced lack of interest last year.  There are so many ways that we give to Rotary …… Club decided to focus fundraising energy in other areas.
President Mary mentioned that the Rotary International Foundation gives us the “The chance to excel in the world community.” She is right.  Remember ….. Our club is a 100% Every Rotarian Every Year Club and at this point not all members have contributed.  Please consider making your donation now to support the work of the RI Foundation.
At a previous board meeting PDG Randy (you have to be a PDG to be eligible) was voted by our club to put his hat in the ring for the Rotary International Council on Legislation. This is a three year term with annual telephone calls about Rotary procedures and policy ending with an in person meeting for the full council (all districts in the world) in 2019.  Randy thanked the club and the board for support of his various ways to work almost full time for Rotary.
 
Maeve said a funny joke during Happy Bucks ….. Xavier seemed pleased at the level of participation and smiled brightly as donations were made.
Saturday, March 25th Mark, Randy and Deb Hume will be at a bike swap in Oro Valley distributing information about the Tour de Cookie.  As you know this is the largest fundraising event for our club and appreciate the support you all give.  Dan Contorno and his team has done a great job of marketing this important and fun event.  While we were gone I heard that Mary, Eric, Dan, Tony, Joseph and I’m sure others worked the bike path.  Thanks to everyone that is working to keep our club one of the best in the district.
We had issues with the projector and PowerPoint today.  The speaker was unable to use the machine.  Seems it is becoming an antique.
 
Speaker:
 
 Maureen Dykinga of the Spoon Foundation gave a presentation regarding the feeding of severely handicapped and challenged children with disabilities.  Many are orphans and in foster care.  The Spoon Foundation facilitates training, education of workers and volunteers caring for these children. A few tips are to use larger than normal spoons, “spoon scraping” (this is scraping the food on the roof of the mouth so the child does not gag). Positioning of the child is important.  Some have never actually sat up to eat because of the inability to have necessary motor coordination.  Another focus of this organization is to increase buy- in regarding the needs of these children and increase awareness in the community.  They have completed before and after studies regarding the general health and anemic levels of these children and see significant improvement after families are trained.  Thank you Maureen for the work you and your colleagues do to improve the lives of these unfortunate children. President Mary is planning to follow up with Maureen.