Rotary Meeting Sept 20, 2016

Called to order by Mary Straus, pledge let by Don Jorgensen, Moment of Reflection by Maeve Johnson.

Introduction of Guests: David Mandel, Marana High School Principal considering joining our club. Johnathan Grove, MHS Junior interested in RYLA.  District executives: Governor Sheryl Christiansen, DGE Joe Hentges, AG Stacy Cox, and District Secretary Liz Cohn. Also joining us was David Hindman’ s spouse, Becky and two of their children Lea and Nathan …… welcome to the family of Rotary.

Announcements: Dan Contorno stated we have only 27 people signed up for the poker tournament this Friday.  Please ask your friends to join us for fun and excitement. On Sunday at 7 AM members are invited to ride with Dan to check out the course for the Tour de Cookie. How about it, a little exercise and fun!

A special presentation was made to Randy Brooks from Lynne Himmer.  After watching Randy tip over water glasses (and break one) last night at the board meeting she kindly brought him a non-spill child’s cup.  You know the cups made for infants.  Later, when Randy came out from under the table where he was hiding from embarrassment he indicated appreciation for this thoughtful gift.

Tom Mangold announced he attended the funeral of Ed McCauley. Ed was a member of our club and later an honorary member. He last attended a meeting about 13 years ago and lost touch with many of us.  He will be missed.

Clint stated his family has a new child in his home…… his grin was huge and filled with happiness. We are all very proud and happy for his family.

 David Hindman – Inducted with his family present by President Mary Straus as our newest member. So he is the newest Rotarian in the world …..  At least when inducted this morning. Welcome aboard David.  Mary, to not waste a moment, asked him to chair the Youth Exchange Program for our club and Randy volunteered to assist him.

Assistant Governor Stacey introduced Governor Sheryl Christianson.  DG Sheryl is a charter member of the Yuma Sunrise Rotary Club.  She began her inspirational speech by discussing personal reflections of polio in her community and in the Philippines where she and her family visited when she was a child.  She is proud that we are very close to eradicating the disease from the earth. She states she loves Rotary for the fellowship, leadership development, the Rotary Leadership Academy and wants our emphasis to be on membership. Our district experienced the largest drop in membership in our history last year.

DG Sheryl gave Randy pins to give to each of our Paul Harris Society members: John Dooling, Jane Howell, Don Jorgensen, Peter Mack, Mary Straus and Randy Brooks.

Governor Sheryl encouraged participation in the Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (Tax deduction and Credit), asked that we attend the Atlanta Convention, June 10-12, attend the district conference in Yuma April 28-30.  She also went on to discuss the consolidation of the two northern districts (5510 and 5490) next July 1 …. That district will be called 5495. PETS in 2018 will be in Los Angeles as we join six other districts to have one of the largest and best PETS in the world.

DG Sheryl encouraged club members to not engage in political discussions or jokes at this time.  Expressed concern that the race is so divisive that it could cause harm to our membership.  Interestingly she then went on to say that her son was backing the wrong candidate, but did not say which one. A big sigh of relief from the attendees that she followed her own edict.

In closing she asked that we have a good showing at the November 5^th, Rotary Foundation seminar and dinner.

Meeting adjourned with the 4-Way Test.  Fun meeting.