Club Information

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Marana in Marana, AZ

Marana

Service Above Self      
A Peacebuilder Club

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
We are now meeting by ZOOM
see below for instructions
PO Box 91502
Tucson, AZ 85752
United States of America
District Site
Venue Map
Current Events
Marana Rotary Club Vrtual Meeting Information
 
Marana Rotary Club has gone to virtual meeting to be safe from the Virus
Visitors are always welcome to the Marana Rotary Club
Please text to 520-909-9162  with  your name by 5:00 PM Monday
A text will be returned explaining How to join our virtual meeting
Marana Rotary Club is using ZOOM and it very easy
Rotary Meeting Nov 24, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
Meeting Minutes, 11-24-2020, 7:00 AM
Submitted by Randy Brooks
Attending: President John, Harold, Randy, Andy, Bob B., Mary, Suelee, Dan, David, Don G., Peter, Laura, and Joyce Zwick
Pledge was led by John. 
Discussion of handbags and it appears we donated over 115 bags to Gospel Rescue Mission and Sister Jose Center for Women.  Both agencies appreciated our efforts.  Thank you to all the Rotarians, family members and friends that donated purses, those that packed them, Carl for letting us use his office and those that delivered the purses. 
Dan Contorno, not to be out done, went shopping with Heather (his spouse) and shopped for Thanksgiving dinner for a family of 10 people.  It was wonderful to see the photos of the food, as we all prepare to overdose on food, dessert and drinks ourselves in a few days.  Thank you Dan and Heather.  Christmas is around the corner and the Club (Dan, Mary and others) will shop for this same family for Christmas dinner and gifts for the family. 
John announces four members are not on “My Rotary” at the Rotary International site.  Please update your records and visit our Rotary Club of Marana website as well.
Next Monday, Nov 30, the Board of the RC of Marana will have a meeting with Governor Diane Ventura-Goodrich. The following day she will visit our club meeting so please attend.
RYLA program: It will be virtual this year and the cost is only 50.00.  Please encourage your friends and family to send their high school kids.
There will be an In Door Ride to End Polio soon ….. Did not catch the date and planning is underway for the high school 4-Way Speech Contest as well.
Happy Bucks:
Harold had breakfast with John Zwick and John is hoping we get back to face to face meeting you he can join us and actually hear the conversation.  Has no one shown him to hit the volume button on his computer? Harold also discussed distribution of 600 turkeys a year in Kansas and that it is hard to find a freezer that large.
Randy: Happy about club projects and proud of our efforts.
Andy: Happy to be back in Tucson – sad about accident on Interstate 10 and looking forward to a simple Thanksgiving.
Bob B., is in Oklahoma staying with his mother in law … happy holidays Bob.
Mary: congratulated Richie on the project of special air filters for disadvantaged children in the MUSD for students. 
Laura gave a website for a podcast that would give those of us that are challenged instructions on how to split a turkey in two, pound on it and then cook it.  Ask Laura if you need help finding the website. She is also happy her brother Sister is visiting as well.  They all were evaluated and practicing safe distancing.
Suelee, application for membership has been sent to John D., welcome Suelee it is wonderful to have you back.
Don J., Happy about the uplifting meeting and projects.  Sad about the loss of a friend’s spouse.
Peter: Discussed that he is happy about the holiday, will have a quiet day, glad the political season is coming to a close and glad a vaccine will soon become available for Covid.
Joyce: Wishes us in the US a happy Thanksgiving (hers was in October, of course).
Dan: Loved helping with the needy family and the club 300 budget was perfect.
David: is happy with his family.  His daughter joined the Marana High School Cross Country Team.  But became ill …. However after running with his daughter he’s now in good enough shape to run in a race (Turkey Trot) himself.  Go David.
Richie: has a brand new puppy and reminded us to remind those that surround us. Nice
John was driving to the airport with his granddaughter early in the morning and she saw her first sunrise. She was astonished and John was as well.  Great story.
Speaker Today: Club Foundation Chair Mary Straus
Mary provided a great presentation on The Rotary Foundation and The Rotary Club of Marana:
President John established a goal of $10,000 giving for club members this year. Whew, that is up from $7,000.00 last year.  Let’s all help him reach that goal.
She discussed how our club has participated in numerous District Grants, Global Grants and have been generous to the Rotary Foundation and our own Club Foundation.
Brief discussion on the Areas of Focus: Disease Prevention, Peace and Conflict, Maternal and Child Health, Water sanitation, Basic Literacy and Community Development, Environment
Our donations to the Annual Program Funds are sent to the Rotary Foundation where they sit for 3 year and the interest helps pay the overhead of the foundation.  50% of the money is returned to the district and allocated for District grants (under 8,000) or allocated to Global Grants (minimum of 30,000).  The remainder of the fund donated are allocated to assist in the global grands requested by clubs.  We are rated at the highest level …. 5 by Charity Navigator. 
A few of the things our club has done are;
Coyote Trail School by building a park for handicapped children …. You should have seen the expression of sheer joy when a little girl was able to swing for the first time.  Her mother and Mary beamed.
We purchased a bus in India for blind children to be able to go to and from school and not be marginalized any more.
We provided a school and a playground for a Primary school near Victoria Fall, Zimbabwe.  Several club members traveled to Zimbabwe to assist on this project.  Interestingly $16,000, was stolen via computer fraud.  Randy told the club and many stepped forward to insure the project continued.  $19,000 was raised in a week.  And you ask why you are in Rotary?
Also outside of Zimbabwe, we helped build a huge garden, watering system in a village where Randy had met a man starving …. Don J., Randy and our spouses started a program with the Rotary Club of Marana that is credited with saving 8,000 lives. 
We purchased thousands of dollars for books to be distributed by the Marana Healthcare system to low income pregnant women.
This is just a few of the things we have done …. I think you’re getting the picture at this point.  We are a generous and kind club...
Nearly all of the members of our club are Paul Harris Fellows (one who has donated 1000 to the Foundation), 7 club members are Paul Harris Society Members (donate 1000 per year to the Foundation.)
This month (Ending 30 November) we are matching up to 500 points for a 500 or less cash contribution.  Several club members have taken advantage of this (this is off the top of my head so I apologize for any one I missed – John D., Randy, Don, Andy, Bob, Mary and Peter. Thank you and remember you have a few days to contribute before the 30th.
Thank you Mary, for a wonderful presentation. 
 
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving
 
 
 
Thanksgiving Family Nov 2020
Posted on Nov 20, 2020
Marana Rotary Club adopted a Marana Family with 8 kids as our Thanksgiving Family
Dan Cortorna, long time member of Marana Rotary Club and his wife Heather went shopping
and delivered Thanksgiving to the family.  They were so appreciative. 
Nice family with 8 kids, Have a great Thanksgiving.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Nov 10,2020
 
                                                                           
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting, November 10, 2020
 
On this day before Veteran’s Day, our meeting began as meaningfully as it ended.  Peter Mack honored us with a video he recently took of the Raising of the Flag over the U.S. Naval Observatory, accompanying it with National Anthem.  A quick detour to announcements and then we returned to honoring our veterans. 
 
In John’s absence, President Elect Randy facilitated our meeting today. 
 
Club Business
  • Discussed adopting a family for the Thanksgiving and Winter holidays.  Dan will speak with the MCAT principal for a referral.  Dan and Mary will help the parent(s) develop food and gift lists.  They’ll encourage the family to reach for the stars.
  • Handbag assembly today.  To purchase stuffing items meet at 1:00.  To assemble meet at Carl’s at 1:30.
  • Time for IRS 990 to be submitted – Harold following up with Lynne.
           
Laura led us in a wonderful exercise today.  Each of us remembered a service member in our family.
  • Mary’s brother served as a Naval Lieutenant where he was an air traffic controller on an aircraft carrier during the Bay of Pigs.
  • Randy recognized two uncles who each shipped out to Europe in WWII.  Both were wounded, both were POWs, and both returned home.   Randy saluted his grandparents’ era when Americans were whole-hearted in defending our country. 
  • Both of Dan’s Grandfathers served in WWII, and both able to experience V-Day while abroad.
  • Andy has a nephew who currently serves in the National Guard.  He is based in Anchorage and Spain, but flies refuelers for aircraft in Afghanistan, one time having the opportunity to refuel his own brother’s plane.  Not only does Andy have huge respect for his nephew, but also for FedEx, his nephew’s employer, which has supported his military missions whenever he is deployed.
  • Carl’s Great Grandfather, Juan Batiste, served in WWI from 1917-19.  He was injured there by mustard gas, which affected him for the remainder of his life.  Despite this he was and Carl is proud of his contribution to the success of the war effort.  Carl himself served in the Air Force.
  • Richie heralds from an extensive military family, most currently including his brother and father.  Richie has traced his family’s military service back to the Civil War and to The Revolution.  Richie feels grateful to be able to honor his family.
  • Don’s son was in the Army, a black hawk pilot and paratrooper.  Don’s father was trained at Pendleton and became a career corpsman in the coast guard.  Don Sr. founded the first alcohol treatment program to serve the military nation-wide.
  • Beckie’s parents are a WWII love-story.  Her mother had joined the effort as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) and her father as a merchant marine.  Both met at a bowling alley while stationed back East.  Beckie’s father was sent over-seas and served as cook on a ship that was blown up.  He was adrift in the ocean for 4 days, holding onto a floating fragment of the ship, before he was rescued.  After his returned, he was sent to Seattle where he fatefully re-met Beckie’s mother.  They were married and on to Salt Lake to raise a family of 7 children.  Beckie’s father never spoke of his war experience. 
  • Peter’s Uncle George on his mother’s side was a submariner in the Royal Navy in WWII.  While off the coast of France, Uncle George was 1 0f 20 that survived when their boat was torpedoed by the French.  He was sent back out and became the sole survivor of another torpedoed submarine.  Peter also recognized his son who served in Afghanistan in the British Armed Forces until he was discharged after being met by an IUD. 
  • Bob passionately recognized his father who was a B-29 commander at age 21, the oldest in his crew.  With only 250 flight hours under his belt, he was ordered to locate the Island of Guam.  With no GPS to guide them, he and his 17 year old copilot where able to complete the mission.  Bob credits his father for his own illustrious career in aviation and defense, to put it simply.
  • Harold’s father volunteered in the Navy in WWI.  Because of his expertise, his orders mainly involved building airways and other structures to support the armed forces.  Harold also recognized his 101 year old  friend who flew 34 missions in a B-17 in WWII.
  • Laura’s grandfather was stationed in occupied Germany in WWII.  Having owned stores in his home-town of Des Moines and being a semi-professional baseball pitcher, he was charged with the running of a commissary and with developing baseball leagues for the troops.
 
 
Our Program today was provided to us by our very dear Randy Brooks, who served in the Navy and Marines in the Vietnam War.
 
Randy joined the military immediately after graduating high school.  He arrived to sign up with the Navy and was asked if he wanted to be a Naval corpsman.  After it was explained to him that he could be treating wounded soldiers in a hospital in Japan or Spain, surrounded by nurses, Randy eagerly signed up.  I believe the words were, “Heck, yah.”  After Randy completed boot camp, he was transferred from the Navy to Camp Pendleton to serve with the Marines.  Randy experienced his first, short-lived, singing career while at Pendleton.  His commanding officer recognized his voice from his many times passing Randy singing Motown outside of the barracks.  Randy was “invited” (commanded) to sing in the Marine Corp choir, where he performed a solo in the Christmas program.  As quickly as it came, his career ended, until decades later.
 
Randy was sent from Camp Pendleton back to the Navy for hospital corpsman training where he received additional specialized training in neuropsychiatry.  Following he was sent back to the Marines for Field Medical School.  After serving  3 of his 4 year commitment without deployment, Randy received his orders to Vietnam and departed with the 1st Marine Division in November of 1967. 
 
Once in country, Randy stood in a line for his assignment.  Randy had proven to be a soldier who tended to follow his own set of rules.  Young men/boys, 19 years and younger, were sent to the front because of their eagerness and recklessness.  To his commanding officer’s disappointment, Randy, at 21, fell outside the age cutoff, and was instead assigned to the 1st Medical Battalion in Danang. 
 
Danang was a bustling military city.  Randy was sent to serve outside of Danang in a full service hospital where he worked in Trauma.  This was Randy’s first experience with the sheer overwhelm of the endless quantity of wounded, types of wounds, severity of wounds, and the body parts and fluids involved.
 
From Danang the 1st Medical Battalion was sent to Phu Bai to work in a smaller, satellite unit.  From Phu Bai, Randy was sent with an infantry unit to Hue City. 
 
800 American soldiers were sent to ‘clear out’ 800 North Vietnamese soldiers (NVAs) at Hue City.  As the soldiers engaged in battle outside the city gates, the NVAs eased up their fire, allowing our soldiers to enter the citadel.  Immediately our soldiers were surrounded not by 800 but by 8000 VMAs.  The Battle for Hue City was a horrific battle that lasted 28 days.  70% to 80% of American soldiers were wounded or killed.  The USS New Jersey wouldn’t initially intervene because of cultural treasures housed in the citadel.  However, at length, it had to intervene as there was no other hope of our troops survival much less success.  Randy reported, “We won (the battle) but no one wins.”  As Randy shared this story, he revealed that he’s not done so before.  
 
After Hue, Randy spent 8 more months in the bush, finally returning home in November 1968.
 
Randy’s War Heroes were the helicopter pilots who came to evacuate and transport the injured and dead.  Easy targets, a pilot would come, get shot down, and another would replace him again and again, until the task was completed. One of Randy’s biggest thrills was, when being transported by helicopter, jumping out of the hovering craft and running into bush.
 
Randy “came home a mess.”  He drank a lot and was violent when provoked.  Randy was a middle weight boxing champ and engaged those skills.  He was spit on, called a ‘baby killer’ and ‘scum’, and was beaten up in a bar for being military.  He, and other Vietnam soldiers, suffered two traumas: “the war itself and coming home to hatred.”  Randy treated his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder unorthodoxly but successfully.  He has a love for veterans, knowing they have pledged a commitment to pay any price, including their lives, to protect us and our country. 
 
We are grateful to Randy for allowing us to even slightly comprehend his war experience.  We also thank Laura for such a thoughtful exercise.  Both brought us closer to comprehending the sacrifices demanded by democracy and freedom. We are indebted to all who have served and to the families of those who have and are serving.
 
Submitted by Mary Straus,
 
 
Rotary Meeting Nov 3, 2020
Posted on Nov 03, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting Minutes
11/3/2020
7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
Submitted by Randy Brooks
Attending: Harold, Randy, President John, Joyce (Guest), Peter, Bob, Lynne, Beckie and Richie
Pledge by John D.
Mark Snow our Assistant Governor for our region and the District Governor Nominee Designate reported to John that the Governors Visit with the Board will be November 30 and the club visit will be December 1. Please plan to attend these events.
John invited all members to attend the Virtual Zone Institute for the Big West Region of Rotary that includes Zones 26 and 27 (one third of the geographic US). It will be held November 26 and 27 online.
John briefly discussed various Rotary Fellowships. A few include, BREW (guess what they do) of which Peter is a member, Caravanning (former member Debbie Conover has been active with this group), Flying (Harold has been a member but dropped out cause he was not interested in some of the locations the members were flying to), Computer, PDGs (Randy is a member), Photography, Quilting, Wine (Lynne is interested in this group) Yachting (John asked if we thought his canoe would qualify) and Slavery and Trafficking is another (Mary and Randy) are members of this Fellowship).
Committed to attend the Morning of Peace include Mary and Randy this coming weekend.
Applications for membership:  We have two people interested in joining our ranks but neither, Andy nor Sulee have completed the applications.  John is following up with them.
Handbags of Hope, it turns out that any local nonprofit group could be given out to those in need. Mainly abused women’s shelters but others as well.  Randy is going to call: Emerge, Interfaith services, and other shelters in town.  John and Bob have agreed to meet Randy to go shopping sometime next week (John may be out of town so Bob and Randy will go it alone if necessary). Beckie has 4 bags that are stuffed, Sulee has over 20 bags, and others said they have several.  Please deliver to Carl Maes at Edward Jones, 3005 W Ina Rd, #101 during business work hours.
Happy bucks:
John entertained us with a story of having to use a feminine hygiene product when in college after a football incident during a kick off. 
Harold has been flying and enjoying the weather.
Randy is working on a deck at home where termites have been discovered. Ugh.
Peter Mack …  this is good …. Brushed his teeth with hydrocortisone yesterday. He wanted to make sure we all voted and that we use the 4 Way Test when doing so.  He did mention that it is unlikely that any candidate would pass all 4 items on the test.
Bob … Celebrating that a company he was a consultant for just sold for $1.5 Billion dollars.  Bob, will you be my consultant to?
Joyce: likes the weather, has met her sales for the month, and had a terrific time with her granddaughter on Halloween.
Joyce is going through a warm spell in Canada, no one asked how warm it is knowing that her warm spell would be very cool for us in Arizona.
Lynne, Tax season is over “what’s an alligator wearing a vest? … An Alligator” We have missed you Lynne.
John discussed his termites at him home and it sounds like an annual struggle. 
Randy has been asked to facilitate the meeting next week.  Richie, if you would prefer to provide this service you are welcome to. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Oct 27, 2020
ROTARY CLUB OF MARANA MINUTES
10/27/2020
Submitted by Randy Brooks
Attending: President John, Harold, Bob, Peter, Carl, Mary, Sulee (potential new member), Joyce (guest), Randy, Don, and Richie.
Pledge by Randy, who I might add did a brilliant job.
John informed us he will be unavailable to lead our meeting November 7-14th.
Randy and John attended the Polio Seminar and both learned more about the disease.
Zone Institute: John states that any Rotarian is invited to the Big West Rotary Institute November 12, 13, and 14 of November.
The student that requested to be an exchange student aged out and is not eligible.
Handbags for Hope is a project we decided to support this year.  It is a project that will benefit women that have been abused and have abandoned their homes for safety.  They leave quickly, often with no resources.  This project is to assist them by giving them hand bags that, with your help, will be stuffed with toiletries (refer to the e-mail sent by John regarding needed supplies).  DGE Hank Huisking is the contact for the efforts.  Handbags can be dropped off at Carl’s office during work hours.  Please complete this delivery by mid-November.
We are seeking a new meeting place …. John states we have a few leads and is following up.
The club has opted to sell the screen and projector to Xavier at Nana’s Kitchen rather than to remove the items.
Happy Bucks
Harold is very happy that his daughter gave him the opportunity to have the status of being a Grandfather.
Bob B. has been here in Tucson, sleeping in front of the fireplace waiting for his ballot to arrive so he can vote and get back to his spouse.
Peter M, is happy to be back home from Oklahoma and Texas where few took COVID 19 precautions. 
Mary S is grumpy today. Discussed an app she has on her cell that is teaching her phrases she never knew.
Joyce discussed Provincial Elections in Canada. 
Sulee: our former member is willing to help with Handbags of Hope project. Thank you Sulee.
Carl: Is going to New Mexico this weekend, I think Albuquerque …. Have a safe and fun trip, Carl.
Don: States he is in NY with has daughter and grandchild.  Returning in time to be a poll observer. Laura is not here today (deposition) but is a poll watcher as well.  Randy was going to be one but they moved him out to the airport (from Marana).
We learned that Andy was busy today and unable to attend.  He will be with us next week.
Richie is a poll observer next Tuesday and was encouraging Sulee. He either liked or disliked the cold weather … I can’t remember which.
It is very impressive to me that Don, Laura, Richie all from our club, are engaged in poll observation. Not to mention Cindy Dooling and Deb Hume whom are working the polls as well.
Meeting adjourned with the 4 way test.
Because of the election we are like to have a small group next week.  Please attend if you can.
 
Rotary Meeting Oct 13,2020
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting; October 13, 2020
 
After morning greetings and pledging our allegiance, President John began with Announcements:
  • Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page.  Like it and share it! 
  • From Deb Haddock;  a 4-Way-Test Speech Contest is scheduled to be held in person April 10, 2021 at Christ Church United Methodist, subject to change secondary to Covid restrictions.  A $25 non-refundable fee for entry.  John will get more specifics.
  • Board Meeting approved doing a peace forum, aimed for April, but dependent on covid status.
  • International peace day Sept 1st worldwide 
  • The Board is offering a Matching Program.  Members who donate to either Polio Plus or the Annual fund will receive matching Paul Harris points up to 500.  This is a generous and wonderful opportunity for those working toward their first or any Paul Harris.
  • Board Meeting this evening at 5:00 at John’s office.  Welcome to all.
 
Happy Bucks
  • Harold breakfasted with John Zwick
  • Randy had another wonderful weekend with son and buddy Bert.  He played on a boat in Lake Mead and attending a socially responsible wedding of Bert’s daughter.  He’s putting petal to the medal  directly following our meeting, in his Prius Muscle Car Wearing his pedal, to make it home in time for the board meeting this evening. 
  • Joyce was wishing for 100 weather as she begins the long winter in Canada.
  • Mary’s been busy getting out the vote.
  • Andy made us jealous with tails of a long hike along a stream amongst fall colors in Utah.  While strolling he identified multiple trout species which are awaiting his return following this meeting. 
  • Laura is thankful for her church book club.  It’s heartening and critical to  her mental health to be responsibly distanced with people sharing thoughtful conversation.  She highly recommended her current read; The Disaster of Chernobyl.  Bob recommended The Great Influenza. 
  • Don has been getting back in shape.  He will be running a ½ marathon on Sunday to raise money for Shelter Box. 
  • Peter is delighted he filled out a ballot for first time!  He’s also excited he’ll be returning to Oklahoma next week for the 1st time in 31 years.  Peter originally came to the states to attend University in Oklahoma.   
  • Becky’s granddaughter June is healthy and her husband tired.  Becky spoke with Denise who is working excessively and eager to get back to the club, hopefully after the new year. Her family members are healthy and happy. 
  • Bob remains in Tucson while his Virginia home has collected 48 inches of rain. 
  • Carl is having fun playing with the market right now.  He’s also grateful his family is all healthy
 
Program:
Randy introduced us Amy Graves, who he knows from Rotary related travels to Yuma.   He describes Amy as a Rotarian who is intelligent, thoughtful, and committed.  Amy is currently the Chair of Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE), which is a 3 year commitment.  She provided us with an overview of the administration of RYE. 
 
After the departure of Cindy Harrison who almost single-handedly ran the program for over a decade, PDG Kirk put a pause on RYE for the District be able to thoughtfully re-organize.  The District has developed a sustainable Committee model for continued success with RYE.  Under Amy are a Systems Administrator, Youth Protection Officer, Outbound Placement Officer, Compliance Officer, and a ROTEX Coordinator.
 
A new website, with all information and forms, and a new data-base system are making participation in RYE much easier for clubs.  All RYE related youth activities are centralized through the district.  Clubs are responsible for finding, vetting, and training host families, providing a counselor for the youth, engaging youth in Rotary activities, and reporting as required.  If a club would like to participate but isn’t able to host a student, it can support another club who is able to host.  The cost is $3000 per student. 
 
Inbound and outbound Rotary Youth spend 10 to 11 months with 3 different families in their host towns.  They attend the local high school for one academic year.  The RYE Committee has a 3-year framework for each student.  Year 1 is the application process.  Year 2 is the exchange experience.  Year 3 is a re-entry process.  In years 1 and 3, the RYE committee engages the youth in meaningful activities, preparing them for being ambassadors and, following, for being leaders in peace and service.
 
We are grateful to Amy for her commitment to the RYE program, a fundamental means through which Rotary promotes peace worldwide. 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus, October 25, 2020
 
 
Rotary Meeting Oct 6, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
Meeting Minutes 0700-0800 10/06/2020
Submitted by Randy Brooks
Attending:  John Dooling, Randy B., Harold, Richie, Mary, Dan, Peter, Bob B., Beckie, Dave H, Don, Laura, Carl and our guest Andy Swarthout.
Meeting Opened by John Dooling asking Richie Benner to lead us in the Pledge. 
The club, especially Harold and John thanked Mary in her efforts of taking and submitting minutes for the club.
We have not found the young person requesting to be an exchange student and so that will be on hold for a while.
Air purifiers discussed by Richie. He has purchased the machines and is in the process of creating stickers to place on the machines.  Not really any opportunity for the club to attend a ceremony for the giving of the gift.  These air purifiers are for the disabled class rooms at MUSD and we are all proud of the decision to make them a reality in order to assist these young people.
A general discussion ensued regarding the need for us, as a club, to do better with advertising ourselves and letting our community know the good works we provide.
Peace Poles: Dove Mountain has also decided to provide Peace Poles for the Marana Area.  They will have one or more at a park near Dove Mountain area and ours will be at the library on Silverbell and Cortaro and hopefully at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Marana.  Mary suggested we have a half day seminar when the pole are erected.  Peter will be checking with the VA regarding the pole at the cemetery.
Happy Bucks: Beckie, hoping to cool off this week, Dan Contorno was happy he found cool weather and a serene environment at Reservation Lake.  Observed Elk, brown trout (he missed catching them), cows and bulls.  Richie has been golfing and had a good front 9 and refused to discuss the back 9. Laura, has been bingeing on ”Schitt’s Creek” episodes.  David H. had a family weekend, Andrew is loving his home Utah, Don said his grandson registered to vote yesterday he also mentioned he is going to New York for his grandson’s first birthday. Don’t worry Don, none of us will rat you out. Peter was traveling for three weeks in Washington, DC, missed the heat and had difficulty obtaining food.  He has not been feeling well and is sleeping 13 hours a day.  Get better soon, Peter. Not sure what my notes are saying for Bob. I had written “annual checkup.  Battery dead.” Go back and get it charged, Bob, Geez. Harold had a medical review as well.  Mary had a little break from her daughter while Lilly visited her father.  Mary also enjoyed a robust game of “Cards against Humanity.” Randy is heading up to Las Vegas to visit with his son and friend Bert.   Carl is hoping the weather improves.  Our fearless leader, John, “went up north” for Turkey hunting and was skunked. He slept on the ground, and it felt great, that is until he realized it took several hours to stand in the morning.
PRESENTATION – Mary Straus
She gave us an update on the global grant we are providing to Malam Petel, Cameroon, Africa. Mary and Randy traveled to Cameroon to provide a community assessment for the project.  Our project, again, located in Malam Petel is in the extreme north of the country.   The project is to provide Economic Development, Women’s empowerment as well as food, latrines, school supplies, millet bank (like a food bank), tailoring and embroidering, and cattle for nutrition (milk and eventually meat). Also a large portion of this project is a grinding mill, water well and a garden.  We hope these efforts will provide income for several of the villagers’, food for children, better hygiene. Those engaged in the project include the Women ’s council, village government of the village, Bouba (Chief), The Rotary Club of Malam Petel and the Rotary Club of Marana. Don’t forget clubs in Tucson that signed on to help.
In spite of Covid in the village, the cattle have been purchased, two latrines completed, nut and millet grinders purchased, solar well and irrigation completed for the garden, fruit trees planted and gardening tools purchased. Fencing has been put in place. 
Mary wanted to thank the Rotary Club of Marana for the support, and Randy for his help. We  want to thank Mary, Randy, Don, Bob and the club for all the assistance of money and time.  Phil Silvers, PRID helped with measuring success monitors and we all discussed pride in the club and made a few jokes about the assessment trip and Boko Haram. 
Thank you, Mary.  Great presentation.
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 29, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting; September 29th
 
Guests
We welcomed two guests to our meeting today.  Andy Swarthout, a Rotarian with the Presidio Rotary Club, was Randy’s guest.  Andy is checking out different club cultures, and we hope to see him again.  Mary invited Dr. Daniel Twelker to join us.  Dan is an Optometrist and has a PhD in Vision Science.  He has come to talk with us about his work with Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity International.
 
Announcements
  • PDG Ellie is facilitating a district focus on Peace.  We have accepted the invitation to participate.  Randy will chair the Peace Committee and Mary will serve with him.
  • John thanks Richie for his excellent work maintaining our Facebook page.  He will be  investing some money to upgrade our presence in the community.
  • John also expressed gratitude to Harold from himself and from the district.  Harold has painstakingly managed our ClubRunner for years and has been volunteering his services to other clubs and the district.  Thanks for your service, Harold!
  • World Polio Day October 28th.
  • A youth has contacted our club with interest in Rotary Youth Exchange.  John will follow up.
  • The board has voted to become a Shelter Box Bronze Sponsor.  We have earmarked $1000 donation to Shelter Box for each of the next 3 years.
  • Reminder to members to follow-up with guests regarding Membership.
  • Richie has been partnering with the Special Education Program at Marana High School to assess needs.  As the school is nearing in-class reintegration, safety risk poses unique challenges for kids with special needs.  Because some of these kids can’t and/or can’t reliably wear masks, additional safety methods have been considered.  Air purifiers are known to decrease risk, and the Special Education Program raised enough money to buy two.  Our club will purchase 2 more machines and 4 replacement filters that will be needed for each of the machines in 6 months’ time.  Thanks to Richie for keeping a pulse on our educators’ and kids’ needs in this time of COVID.
 
Program:
Dr. Daniel Twelker is a practitioner, a professor, and a researcher in Optometry and Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona.  In addition to his career he is an avid bicyclist, traveler, and advocate for local musicians.  Dan also is a humanitarian and devotes significant time ensuring that underserved people worldwide are afforded the same optical care others receive.  In this capacity, he is currently the President of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity International (VOSH International). 
 
1 billion persons world-wide develop unnecessary blindness due to lack of eye care.  Things that lead to blindness include unaddressed glasses correction, cataracts, corneal opacities, diabetic retinopathy, and trachoma.  VOSH began in 1972 as a group of volunteers who believed that all people deserve the level of eye care normally afforded only to people of means.  VOSH members traveled for a week at a time to various communities to provide cost-free clinics and eye-glasses, serving approximately 500 people each day.  Over time and with VOSH membership growth, the places and numbers of people served expanded.  Dan’s first clinic participation was in the Philippines in 1989.  Other places VOSH has served include; Oakland and Alameda Counties in Ca, Honduras, Mexico, South Africa, Vietnam, Kenya, Haiti, Nicaragua. 
 
VOSH consists of local VOSH Chapters and VOSH International.  The Rotary Club of Saddlebrook and Rotario Pitic, for example, coordinate with our local chapter of VOSH to provide clinics in Hermosillo.  Aside from being Optometrists and Ophthalmologists  with a shared vision of volunteering their time and skills to serve, however, local chapters and international are separate entities.   
 
VOSH International has divested energy from running to clinics.  Instead, it has invested itself in the development of self-sustaining eye care in underserved communities worldwide and in instilling the value of service in young optometrist and Ophthalmologists   Toward this end, VOSH have developed unique programs.   
 
One is dedicated to Student Involvement.  VOSH encourages students to join or start VOSH Chapters in their schools.  VI offers mentorships and internships and have a Chapter of the Month program.
 
The VOSH Fellowship Program develops leaders.  Graduates of the fellowship will be able to  advise on the global challenge of preventable blindness.  This includes the ability to foster the development of future leaders to meet the challenges of vision needs worldwide and to be able to consult with governmental agencies, educational, private, or public institutions, and the media on issues related to the mission and vision of VOSH/International.
 
VOSH Corp, Ambassador and Mentorship programs provide short and long-term teaching and training of educators in vision care programs around the world.  They also provide mentorship to VOSH groups abroad.
 
VOSH International also has a disaster relief program.  It sends volunteers to sites of devastation from natural disasters to meet immediate vision needs.
 
We thank Dan for providing us a thoughtful and inspiring presentation on VOSH.  As fellow pursuers in service-above-self, VOSH lightens our hearts. 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus, October 5, 2020
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 22, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting Minutes
9.22.2020
President John Dooling
Scribe: Randy Brooks
Attending: Joyce Zwick (Canada), Harold, Randy Beckie, John, Don, Peter, Mary, Laura, Dave, Richie, Carl and special guest Melanie Larson.
We were informed the Xavier has resigned from the club.  President John is speaking with Xavier about whether we will return to Nana’s Kitchen or find a new place to meet after the virus allows us to congregate.
Joyce reports she has been in quarantine since returning to Canada and let us know the fines and sanctions are very still for those not complying with COVID 19 mandates from the government.
Happy Bucks: Beckie is sad, missing her granddaughter. Don J., happy that an old friend Melanie is visiting and that his book about his trip to Antarctica is nearly complete. Mary is happy about how the project is going in Cameroon and very sad about the loss to America Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Peter is in Washington, DC working on a telescope, he is happy that the Chinese government finally paid his invoice, attend a vigil for RBG in Washington, and purchased a hungry man a dinner.  You are awesome, Peter. Laura is happy that Jennifer Tersigni, Fundraising Executive and member of the board for Mobile Meals is attending and very sad about RBG. “You can disagree without being disagreeable.” RBG.  David claims he saw a drop of rain at his house this morning, the group seems to think it was a neighbor’s sprinkler.  He has been going out early in the day riding bikes.  Go David. Our guest Melanie said she appreciates all that Rotary does and thank Peter for his efforts at the Supreme Court and for feeding a hungry man.  She encourages to remain optimistic in this time of upheaval. Richie “my toe is healing up” and feels Christmas in the air.  He thanked Laura for her work on obtaining quality speakers. Carl says the stock market is a roll coaster at this time and is excited he is going to Albuquerque to visit his mother.
Mary gave a very brief review of Malam Patel, project and will provide a more through update next week.
Randy reports he will be gone much of June next year, as well as all of July, August and half of September. He wanted to let the club know he discussed this with the board and reported to them that several club presidents have offered to step up and facilitate the meetings in his absence.  The board approved of the plan.
At this weekly meeting Randy brought up the issue to the general membership, telling them if any were uncomfortable with his trip (he will be joining the meetings via of Zoom if possible) he would resign as President elect. He will attend meeting on Zoom as well as board meetings.  The club voted and approved and his leading the club from a distance next summer and support past presidents’ in assisting next summer.
Laura introduce Jennifer Tersigni, Board member of Mobile Meals of S. Arizona and a Fundraising Consultant. Off the bat she thanked Rotary for a scholarship to college and the fact she was on a Group Study Exchange (GSE) to Thailand (arranged by Randy and the District).  As a result of her GSE experience she became a lover of travel.  She sees beauty in life and she lives to serve others. Encourages us all to remain positive.
Mobile Meals was started in 1970.  It was started to be an assist to “shut ins” and has grown and grown. She states that COVID has strained operations with older vulnerable volunteers leaving for safety reasons and yet she has recruited replacements for those leaving. The cost of meals is $1.00 to $10.00 per meal.  They are prepared mostly at local health facilities and taken, still warm to the beneficiaries.  They do not provide meals in NW Tucson, but all of the rest of Tucson is covered, as well as Sahurita and Green Valley.  Parts of Marana are now being served. The Mobile Meals are looking for a CEO. Their budget is about $850,000 per year. 5 FTE staff and one part time dietician. They have 280 Volunteers and 33 routes in Tucson and need 35 volunteers each day.
They provide services to elderly, infirmed, and anyone that need their services they are always seeking volunteers in interested call 520.622.1600 or visit mobilemealssoaz.org.  You can reach Jennifer at jennifer@mobilemealssoaz.org.
Thank you Jennifer for a very interesting presentation
Respectfully submitted: Randy
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 15, 2020
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting; September 15, 2020
 
Guests 
We were very happy Joyce Zwick joined us from her home in Canada.  Joyce traveled back home after spending significant time here supporting her parents.  We miss her father, John, and look forward to his rejoining us. We were also pleased that Carol Buuck joined us again.  We’ve enjoyed her thoughtful contributions to our meetings and hope to continue to see her.  We also welcomed Mike Lange, a retired Tucson native, U of A Law School grad, former Pima County prosecutor, and Laura’s bleacher-mate at the U of A basketball games.  For 6 years Mike has Chaired the Board of Interfaith Community Services.
 
Announcements
  • The Bylaws have been accepted and changes made.  Thanks again to Don and Harold.
  • World polio day October 24th.
  • The continent of Africa was declared polio free in the last 1 ½ weeks.  A remarkable achievement.  Countries have to have three consecutive years with no new polio cases to be declared Polio Free.
  • John urged membership to take advantage of the Rotary Magazine we all receive.  It offers a wide range of relevant topics that are integral in Rotary.
 
Happy Bucks
  • Harold  is marveling at his new computer
  • Randy’s leg is healing, though slllowwwly , from an epic fall.  He will be welcoming his wife home soon and is pleased that the quality of meals in his home will increase.
  • Carol says she is happy to be with us again, and we’re happy for that. 
  • Don and his wife made the trek back to Tucson from Seattle.  They drove through smoke and haze and didn’t see sun until they reached Quartzite.   Our hearts are with those in Washington, Oregon, and California devasted by fires. 
  • Laura was pleased as punch that she is now a great aunt.  Her niece and husband welcome Brigit Eloise, named in part after Eloise, Laura’s mother. 
  • Richie is scratching his head that he was somehow able to break his toe simply getting into his fridge.  He muses that old-age onset is to blame.  Richie is by far the youngest member of our club. 
  • Lynne was gleeful the  Patriots won and Tom Brady lost.  Lynne also sees the light at the end of the tunnel, as the last tax deadline approaches.
  • Joyce is back home in Canada, quarantining for 2 weeks.  While the fires seem to dutifully halt at the border, smoke has been responsible for the closure of schools on the Vancouver Islands due to poor air quality and lack of ventilation. 
  • Bob was self-congratulatory that he has met his weight goal having lost 20 lbs.  I can’t imagine where Bob had 20 lbs. to lose, but congratulations!  He and his wife a starting a new garage project.  Always busy. 
  • Becky was counting her lucky starts that she sold her home in Utah.  The home is in an area that is preparing for evacuation.  Becky was also happy to watch football again; cheering for the Packers, Saints, and Arizona
  • Carl has been busy with a trip to Texas to fetch his daughter’s belongings for her move home to Tucson.   He has the sense that things are zooming by at the speed of light time but is taking solace in the fact of everyone’s health and in his life stabilizing. 
  • John beamed proudly that he took two of his grandsons out dove hunting for the first time, passing on this generational tradition.
 
Program
Mike Lange was invited by Laura to provide a program for us today on Interfaith Community Services (ICS), their services, and how things have or have not changed in the pandemic. 
 
Interfaith Community Services is a multi-faith agency.  Temples, Mosques, and Christian Churches form an extensive network dedicated to serving their own members in need and the Tucson area community at large.  Additionally, ICS partners with other agencies, such as Catholic Charities and Mobile Meals, so the needs of the individual or family are met holistically.  The general mission of ICS is to help individuals and families stabilize and improve their lives.
 
ICS has a staff of 22 and over 1000 volunteers serving 30,000 to 40,000 people a year.  From its humble beginnings with a $3000 budget, 40 years later ICS runs approximately an $8,000,000 dollar budget.  As its budget increases ICS is afforded the ability to provide more and more robust services in the areas that it addresses.  It has chosen this strategic ‘deepening of services’ over expanding the types of programs it provides.
 
The pandemic has created unique conditions to ICS, some of them assets and some requiring creative problem solving.  A majority of the 1000 volunteers who were serving people in the community were traditionally elderly.  With the elderly being particularly vulnerable to Covid, much of this work force was forced to relinquish their service.  As the needs of the community have increased in the Covid and economic environments, ICS initially had concerns about being able to provide services uninterrupted to all who needed them.  As happens in communities, however, the need was filled.  Young people came out of the woodwork to step in and services didn’t skip a beat.  The ICS Food Bank is a service that required reworking with the pandemic.  For the safety of the volunteers and those they serve and to increase its ability to serve more, ICS shifted to a drive in and pick up service.  Previously folks were able to shop for their grocery selections, which may be more ideal, but will have to wait till safer times.  Other evidence of a community stepping up in times of need is in that ICS has received an increase in donations and grant monies.  Federal, state and city governments have contributed more monies to community serving agencies during the pandemic; grants and foundations have been generous; and private donations have increased.  Our club donated money to ICS in July, knowing it to be a good steward of the community and the monies it receives. 
 
The Core Services ICS provides are:
  • Financial assistance for housing and utilities to bridge during crisis periods
  • Food Bank
  • Workforce Development
    • Resume Development
    • Interview Coaching
  • Women/mother economic development
    • Self-sufficiency program for women with children who had to leave college because for financial reasons
    • Single mom scholarships 
  • Senior Care
    • compassionate calling
    • transportation
    • mobile meals facilitation
 
 
We are grateful that ICS is creating such meaningful opportunity and change in our community and thank Mike Lange for coming to talk with us. 
 
 
Submitted by Mary Straus,
 
 
 
 
 
Site Pages
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
John Dooling
President Elect
Randy Brooks
Treasurer
Lynne Himmer
Secretary
Harold Burtzloff
Immediate Past President
Richie Benner
Public Relations
Richie Benner
Member-at-Large
Don Jorgensen
Member-at-Large
Robert Bishop
Membership
John Dooling
Marana Rotary Foundation
Richie Benner
The Rotary Foundation
Mary Straus
Newsletter Editor
Harold Burtzloff

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MCAT Student Of The Month 

MCAT - Marana Career & Technical High School is an optional opportunity for Marana High School and Mountain View High School students to learn and earn academic credit in a non-traditional educational setting. 

The Marana Rotary Club has been honoring students from MCAT for over 21 years. 

Below are Students for Rotary Year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020

Alexas Rowe              Sept
 
Jayden Dempsey       Oct
 
Alexis Falcon              Nov
 
Matthew Fedrick       Dec
 
Matt G                        March
 
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