Meeting summary  December 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Quick recap

The meeting began with members sharing various personal updates and experiences, including travel, family visits, and health-related matters. The group discussed their upcoming move to Vista Academy and celebrated several birthdays while planning various initiatives, including a potential collaboration to address human trafficking and preparations for hosting Romanian Rotarians. The club reviewed their progress on fundraising efforts and planned several upcoming activities, including board meetings, community service projects, and participation in various events.

Next steps

• Mark: After next Tuesday's meeting, load and move club items (including cups, blades, napkins, and coffee pots) to the new Vista Academy meeting location using pickup trucks.
• Bob: Send out notice to speakers with specific instructions on parking and meeting room location at Vista Academy.
• Cindy: Send email to board members to schedule a Zoom board meeting this week to discuss district grant and RYLA topics.
• Foundation Board John: Piggyback foundation board meeting immediately following the club board meeting this week.
• Gregg: Flip the switch to make the Tour de Cookie website live today.
• Gregg: Adjust pricing on the Tour de Cookie website and in Swipe Simple for early bird and regular pricing, using information from Cindy.
• John: Send out (or have Cindy send out) the Foundation Toolkit email to club members.
• Club members interested in making cookies: Volunteer to make and deliver 100 cookies for More Than a Bed's foster/adopted kids' party, deliver by Friday.
• Club members interested in Wreaths Across America: Attend Evergreen Cemetery event Saturday morning at 10 AM.
• Club members interested in Romania friendship exchange: Attend next Zoom meeting in January and be prepared for deposits in February if planning to go.
• Club members: Consider volunteering as host families for incoming Romanian visitors in late September (for the friendship exchange).
• John: Consider bringing up the idea of the club becoming a ShelterBox "hero club" with at least $1,000 annual donation.

Summary

Vista Academy Move and Collaboration

The group discussed their upcoming move to Vista Academy, which will be completed at no cost, with the first meeting scheduled for January 6th. They plan to transport their equipment to the new location after next Tuesday's meeting, with Mark and another member coordinating the logistics. The group also celebrated several birthdays and discussed a potential collaboration with Monica Oszust from the Saddlebrook club to address human trafficking issues, building on previous efforts made about three years ago.

Rotary Club Events and Initiatives

Harold shared the progress of the Jim Click raffle ticket sales, noting that they have raised over $4,000. 

Personal Updates and Life Experiences

The meeting began with Bob sharing updates about the snow in his area and his plans to take care of daycare starting the next day. Mike discussed hosting his grandchildren for Thanksgiving, describing their playful behavior. Becky shared her experience dealing with her husband's non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment, including the challenges with insurance and the successful appeal that led to a favorable judgment. Mark and Don shared personal updates, including a reunion with an old friend and an upcoming lunch with a professional colleague. Kathy shared her recent experiences, including a visit to the School for the Deaf, seeing former colleagues and students and spending time with family.

Rotary Foundation Overview and Updates

John presented an in-depth overview of the Rotary Foundation, its history, programs, and various ways members can contribute and be recognized. The conversation ended with a reminder of the Four-Way Test and a brief discussion about a past polio ride event.

   Meeting summary   Nov 25, 2025

Key takeaways

• The Tour de Cookie event planning needs immediate attention as Greg is ready to move forward but needs direction from Laura or the committee.
• In-person meetings will transition to VISTA starting January 6th, with Mark handling the logistics of moving equipment.
• The club will organize a holiday celebration at Lil Abner's in December.
• A Rotary friendship trip to Romania is planned for May 7-17, 2026.

Discussed topics

Holiday Support for Families in Need

Members discussed how to support families in need during the holiday season.

• Details
  • Josh: Explained that Roadrunner Elementary has about 9 families who requested last-minute holiday assistance after the deadline.
  • John: Proposed $500 per family as a reasonable amount.
  • Cindy: Suggested looking at total dollar amount rather than per family, as needs may vary.
  • Becky: Expressed concern about giving only gift cards as some families may not have time to shop.
  • Beverly: Recommended a combination of specific gifts for children and gift cards for food.
  • Harold: Shared a past experience of delivering a turkey to a family living in a tent with no stove.
  • Mark: Noted that food has become the #1 item being purchased during Christmas this year, surpassing electronics.

Tour de Cookie Event Planning

Discussion about the status of the Tour de Cookie event planning.

• Details
  • Greg: Mentioned he has access to the database and website but hasn't heard from Laura regarding next steps.
  • Becky: Noted that the credit card processing function goes into effect in December.
  • Harold: Reminded everyone that the website should be ready for registration by December 1st.
  • Josh: Has prepared a sponsorship letter that Laura requested.
  • John: Suggested contacting Laura to determine if she wants to remain chair of the committee.
• Conclusion
  • Greg will receive the sponsorship letter from Josh.
  • The board will discuss Laura's role and next steps after the meeting.
  • There's consensus that planning needs to move forward quickly.

Romania Friendship Trip

Don provided information about an upcoming Rotary friendship trip to Romania.

• Details
  • Don: The trip will be May 7-17, 2025, visiting multiple cities including Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania.
  • Cindy: Shared that Romanian Rotarians have been very supportive of their exchange student.
  • Don: Explained it will be a Rotary/cultural tour with visits to various Rotary clubs.
• Conclusion
  • Anyone in the district interested is welcome to join.
  • Romanian Rotarians will visit in September 2025 for the district conference.

Holiday Celebration

Brief discussion about the club's holiday celebration.

• Details
  • Cindy: Proposed returning to Lil Abner's for the holiday celebration.
  • Harold: Agreed with the location.
• Conclusion
  • The club will organize a holiday dinner at Lil Abner's.
  • Cindy will send an email to determine potential dates.

Car Raffle Fundraiser

Harold provided an update on the car raffle fundraiser.

• Details
  • Harold: Reported $3,575 deposited so far.
  • Harold: Reminded Craig, Mark, and Greg that next week is the deadline for turning in tickets or money.
  • Bob: Expressed appreciation for Harold's leadership and suggested increased participation next year.
• Conclusion
  • The fundraiser has been successful.
  • Remaining tickets need to be returned by next week.

Four-Way Test Book for Children

Beverly shared a resource she discovered from another Rotary club.

• Details
  • Beverly: Found Oro Valley Rotary members distributing "Goober Guys" books about the four-way test to elementary students. She described the books as teaching children about the four-way test through scenarios and activities.
  • Don: Asked Beverly to bring a book to a future meeting.
• Conclusion
  • Beverly will bring a sample book to the next in-person meeting.

Challenges

• Laura has not organized any Tour de Cookie committee meetings despite volunteering to lead the effort.
• The deadline for website registration (December 1st) is approaching with no clear direction.
• Determining the most appropriate type of gift cards for families with varying needs and access to transportation.

Action items

• Cindy
  • Complete foundation request form for the $2,000 Fry's gift cards.
  • Contact Laura regarding her role as Tour de Cookie committee chair.
  • Send email to determine potential dates for the holiday party at Lil Abner's.
  • Coordinate with Mark regarding gift card logistics.
• John
  • Call for a foundation board vote once he receives the request form.
• Josh
  • Share sponsorship letter with Greg.
  • Coordinate with school staff regarding gift card distribution.
• Greg
  • Prepare to move forward with Tour de Cookie planning pending direction from the board.

Thank you for supporting The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund-SHARE. Your generosity fuels Rotary’s work. There are many ways to give, and we’re thankful that you chose the Annual Fund-SHARE.

The Annual Fund-SHARE isn’t just a fund; it’s a partnership. With SHARE, members, through their clubs and districts, help decide which projects to prioritize. You share resources that empower communities near and far. You share in the pride of knowing that your district’s priorities will be achieved through District Designated Funds (DDF). And you share in the action, rolling up your sleeves to make change happen.

Your contribution helps transform lives through scholarships, vocational training teams, and humanitarian service. It’s the powerhouse behind Rotary’s impact, quietly and consistently fueling the work of clubs and districts near your community and around the globe.

In a world full of urgent needs and worthy causes, thank you for choosing to share with us. Thank you for making it possible for us to continue Doing Good in the World.

Sincerely,
The Rotary Foundation

 Marana Rotary Club Hybrid Meeting – November 4, 2025

**Speaker:** Dr. Joellen Russell, UA Distinguished Professor of Oceanography

On November 4, the Marana Rotary Club hosted a seamless hybrid meeting featuring Dr. Joellen Russell. The renowned oceanographer delivered a powerful, hopeful, and actionable presentation on climate change, ocean science, and real solutions.

Here’s the concise 400-word summary:

Key Takeaways
- U.S. emissions ↓ nearly 25% since 2007 while GDP grew — proof that prosperity and decarbonization can coexist.
- Oceans absorb 93% of excess heat and 25% of CO₂, but acidification and deoxygenation threaten marine life.
- Today’s CO₂ stays in the atmosphere ~600 years — today’s choices affect centuries.
- University of Arizona runs one of the world’s largest climate-modeling supercomputers and teaches more oceanography students than anywhere else.

Game-Changing Tech
- 4,000+ autonomous robot floats (90% U.S.-funded) now monitor temperature, salinity, pH, and oxygen globally for 5–7 years — replacing dangerous ship expeditions.
- Since 2016, coupled ocean-atmosphere models have transformed weather forecasting.

Bright Spots & Challenges
- Clean energy boom: most new U.S. power capacity is solar, wind + storage.
- Global emissions still rising (especially China & India), and AI data centers strain Arizona water/power with little community return.

Science Mom’s Simple Formula
**Swap** → electric vehicles, heat pumps, less meat  
**Share** → practical tips with friends  
**Speak Up** → tell elected officials what you want

Q&A Highlights
- 2020 lockdowns cut emissions 9% globally — biggest drop ever, but rebounded in 2021.
- Kids now see climate as a job sector (renewables, modeling, ocean tech).
- Every ton of CO₂ you avoid is one the ocean doesn’t have to absorb.

Club Notes
- Opened with Pledge, closed with Four-Way Test.
- Sole action item: every member adopts “Swap, Share, Speak Up.”

Bottom Line
The oceans are Earth’s life-support system, buying us time while taking the heat. Thanks to robot fleets, supercomputing, and U.S. leadership, we have the tools and proof that solutions work.

As Dr. Russell said, quoting Carl Sagan:  
**“We’re all crew on spaceship Earth.”**

Time for Marana Rotarians to swap, share, and speak up — one habit, one conversation, one vote at a time. 🚀🌊