Club Information

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Marana in Marana, AZ

Marana

Service Above Self

We meet Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
Nana's Kitchen
8225 N. Courtney Page Way
Marana, AZ  85741
United States of America
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Current Events
Rotary Meeting Oct 29, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
The best and the brightest the The Rotary club of Marana has to offer gathered for a Trivia contest last Tuesday at Native Grill and Wings two doors down from Nana's Kitchen. Randy and John D were also able to attend.
 
We knew it was going to be a fun evening right from the start when, after a half hour, we still could not figure out how to operate the gizmos. Eventually we divided into two groups, Peter Mack (a surprise attendee because riots in Chile have shut down the country) vs the rest of us. Just kidding. Actually, Richie dominated the entire evening. Even when he quit playing out of boredom I lost to him the next three games. Maybe he had the "master" gizmo? You know, like the teachers workbook with ll the answers? 
 
The 10 dozen wings were great of course and, although thoroughly stuffed, we managed to wolf down two magnificent pizzas. Did not know they had such tasty pizza. It was a good thing we had a private room as Harold, Deb Hume and Cindy Dooling tended to be quite boisterous. Not to mention the Benner family. Yes,  Einstein, er, Richie brought his whole family!   New member applicant and Rotary raffle aficionado, Vince, joined us as well.
 
The Jorgensen's bowed out at the last minute in order to listen to a play by play call of the birth of a grandchild. Deb and Geary Conover reported they would attend, but alas were no shows.
 
Next time I get Hindman or Clymer on my team because I think I could have challenged the machine's answers given the right attorney.
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 22, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
                                                                            
 
With all members in attendance*, our guest District Governor Ellie Patterson delivered a message worth remembering: Never lose sight of Rotary’s local and worldwide reach, and our ability to change our community and therefore, change the world because “Rotary connects the world.”
Joining Ellie was assistant governor Marc Snow. Also in attendance was Vince Reilly, who recently moved to Tucson from Texas. Vince is a Realtor with Tierra Antigua Realty. He’s also a lucky fellow because he won the raffle and then pulled a “Joker” for half the pot!
“Happy Bucks” were doled out for “being in the club”, for Ellie and Marc attending, for “installing a telescope in Connecticut (Peter, of course), for good fall breaks, and for “what dreams may come.” We settled on a new date for Tour de Cookie, which will be March 14, 2020. Mark your calendar.
 
District Governor Ellie then spoke to the club about Rotary, our district, and our club, and the ways we can continue to make an impact and how we can grow our membership. At the district level, Ellie said she sees “1-50-1” – 1 district, 50 clubs, 1 team. A collective leadership team at the district level combined with individual team members will continue to propel Rotary forward. Folks join Rotary because they are people of action who enjoy connecting through fellowship and purpose, she said.
 
The question becomes: How can we grow more and thus accomplish more? While visiting every club in the district, Ellie said each club is unique, especially with its acts of kindness. It’s important, though, to ask ourselves, how do we attract and retain members? What would we stop doing? What would we change? What is the one thing I would do?
 
One way to attract and retain members is to remind folks of what we do to change our community and the world. For example, Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio globally have been largely successful but the costs have risen because vaccines have to be delivered to remote and politically sensitive locations. Local, district, and global grants allow us to target specific needs within the local community and across the globe.
 
In closing, Ellie reminded us that Rotarians like to “break things” – from breaking the seal of a polio vaccine, to breaking the cycle of poverty with local grants and community service, to breaking the record for consecutive years providing an aid station for El Tour de Tucson, to the MCAT student who breaks into a smile for being named “student of the month” by our club. With that inspirational closing from Ellie, we adjourned full of pep and purpose!
 
* David, John, Beckie, Carl, Peter, Mary, Rachel, Randy, Dan, Don, Denise, Lynne, Harold, John, Javier, Laura, and Bob (virtually)!
Rotary Meeting Oct 15, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana Meeting Minutes
10/15/19
 
Guests: Candace Greenberg, artist and educator, was introduced to us by Randy.  We all enjoyed her kindness and enthusiasm.
 
Announcements:
  • Last day to file taxes.
  • November 9th Foundation Training Day ($5) and Foundation Country and Western Dinner
    • Two RI, Zone Reps will be joining our District for this event
    • Should be fun, educational, and inspiring!
  • Tour de Cookie Date Changed to March 14th
    •  Time to Seek Sponsorships
  • Tour de Tucson; November 23
    • All hands on deck from 8:00am to 3:00pm
    • Richie coordinating with Perimeter, Denise organizing food, Laura coordinating volunteers
  • Emerge Center Against Domestic Violence service project Saturday, October 26th from 8am to noon.  We will help to beautify and restore their patio and play area.  Hope to see many of you there.
 
 
Happy Bucks:
  • Many happinesses, but this writer forgot she was responsible for notes during the time period and remembers only one:  Dan has taken and run with the club’s call to membership recruitment and engagement.  Many thanks to him from all of us.   
  • Also, Lynn’s joke was hilarious today, but to avoid offence, it won’t be repeated.     
 
 Today’s Program was presented by Yanick Hicks who spoke with us about Leadership Development
 
    Yanick  Hicks is a delightful young man and pharmacist who spoke with us about the development of leadership and its importance.  He began with a quote from his mentor and friend John Maxwell:  To be influential, smile, share, give, and turn the other cheek.
    Following this opening, Yanick shared his story of emigrating from Cameroon with family to the United States at age 16.  His transition to high school was difficult; he wanted very much to fit in but was picked on because of his accent and difference.  This period changed when  he was introduced to alcohol, night clubs, and marijuana.  He quickly became socially engaged and had a group of friends.  While he felt happy, his grades plummeted.  This young man, who had sites on becoming a pharmacist and who had been taught to work hard and to care for his community by his grandfather, no longer cared about his goals, his future, or service to his community. 
    Having little hope of being accepted to any university pharmacy program after high school, Yannick nonetheless applied to 5 schools.  While waiting for responses, a friend recommended and sent him a link to a video.  It was a life changing experience for him.  A talk by John Maxwell on leadership, growth, and development.
    Yannick immediately started reinvesting in himself.  He stopped drinking and smoking, and committed himself to making a difference in his own and others’ lives.  Yannick was accepted by one pharmacy school.  While completing his program, he found his true passion was in leadership.  In addition to being a pharmacist, Yannick sought out John Maxwell and eventually joined his organization training on leadership, personal and organizational growth, and development.   
           
Yannick shared with us gems of his trainings:
 
  1. The Law of the Lid
The Lid refers to the maximum capacity or robustness of one’s leadership skills.This Lid limits the degree to which an organization under your leadership can be creative, effective, and grow.
  1. To further develop leadership skills
    1. Observe the experiences you have and take time to reflect
    2. Write:  What went right, what went wrong, what can we/I do differently.
  2. Experience new things.  99% of our thoughts are the same as yesterdays.  We tend to fill our days with the familiar and routines, which results in automatic thinking.  To interrupt this, we must dare to experience new things where we can’t rely on our triggered automatic thinking.  In these new spaces is where new development can occur.
   
Yannick closed his talk by emphasizing the importance of striving to make a difference in the lives of others.  Without this perspective, one’s leadership will be very limited and self-serving. 
 
The Rotary Club of Marana expresses our appreciation to Yanick Hicks for an inspiring presentation. 
 
 
Submitted by Rotarian Mary Straus, 10/15/19
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Oct 8, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
We received good news from the El Tour de Tucson folks – our aid station remains on the route and in the same location. Folks should plan on helping the entire day, Saturday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Our service project coming up at the end of month will be Saturday, October 26 at Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse. Save the date, and plan on helping from 8 a.m. to noon.
 
The Poker Tournament to benefit the Foundation and GAP Ministries drew about 30 players, including a half-dozen or so from GAP. We’re still crunching the numbers but bottom line is: Everyone had fun.
 
We had “happy bucks” for finding a forever home (Beckie) to feeling young because it only takes 10 minutes to get ready for Rotary (John) to our “crisp” mornings and lovely fall-feeling weather.
 
Our MCAT Student of the Month was Jayden, who unfortunately was unable to attend. MCAT Principal Denise Coronado and social studies/history teacher Mr. Bowen joined us on Jayden’s behalf. Ms. Coronado explained that Jayden attended six different elementary schools growing up and four different high schools before settling in at MCAT. Jayden works 30 hours a week as well. Congratulations, Jayden!
 
Randy Brooks led our “Growing Membership”, Part 2 discussion. Membership depends on recruitment and then retention. The consensus is that our club has a strong and active core, however we’ve lost numbers because members have typically moved away for job promotions (ie, Tony Hunter).
 
On the survey, everyone said they are willing to invite a friend or colleague. Many of us are attracted to Rotary's emphasis on giving back to our community. Randy suggested it is important to tell people what Rotary means to you, such as listing our local service projects and emphasizing that we are professionals who develop friendships and connections.
 
“Why we join may be different than why we stay,” Randy noted.
 
Various members then responded to what persuaded them to join Rotary and stay in Rotary:
  • The ability to touch people’s lives both locally across the world
  • Opportunity to meet other professionals
  • Networking with other professionals
  • Service projects
  • Creating friendships and community
  • “This club welcomed me”
Randy then handed out some “homework”, the “Identifying Prospective Members Worksheet” that we are to complete. The worksheet prompts us to think about our professional and service contacts. Please complete the worksheet.
 
Our next “Growing Membership” discussion will be November 12, when Mary Strauss leads the workshop.
 
Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
 
 
Rotary Meeting Oct 1, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
   With a turn of the calendar, our first October meeting began with a series of important announcements:
  • Tour de Cookie 2020 date conflicts with another ride. Dan reported that he heard from folks who have already promoted to the Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA) a ride on the same day (March 7, 2020) we were planning for the Tour de Cookie. They’ve asked us to move Tour de Cookie and will let us promote our ride at their ride. Given that it’s already on the GABA calendar, members discussed that we need move the date to either Feb. 29, 2020 or March 14, 2020. The group is leaning toward March 14.
  • Carl Maes volunteered to chair the committee for the Tour de Cookie booth. Thank you, Carl!
  • Our service project for October will be Saturday, October 26 at Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse. Mark your calendar, and plan on helping from 8 a.m. to noon.
   "Happy bucks" ranged from coaching a youth soccer team (David) to servicing a telescope on top of a volcano (Peter, of course), from selling a “good” Jeep (Randy) to morning temperatures in the low 60s (Harold), and all points in between.
   Lynne made a “funny” joke* about lawyers, and because the Club secretary is a lawyer, it shall not be repeated here … in the law, we call that exercising “judicial discretion”.
   Our guest speaker was Trevor Edwards, the Community Recruitment Program Coordinator for Pima County’s Community Justice Boards. “Restorative justice” is the philosophical underpinning of the program. The purpose is to focus on at-risk youth who have been arrested for non-violent infractions and divert them a 90-day, non-punitive program that focuses on the impact of their actions and creates individualized plans to help them gain strategies and skills to make better decisions for their future.
   About a 100 community volunteers serve on Community Justice Boards. A total of 19 boards operate with their neighborhoods across Pima County, Trevor said. In fact, Trevor noted that Vail, located east of Tucson, was starting its new Community Justice Board on October 24. Each board uses a team approach to develop a set of consequences for each youth. Consequence plans may include letters of apology, community service, empowerment groups, educational programs, or creative- and career-based projects. Volunteer projects include working with Ben’s Bells, mural artists, and the Tucson Youth Poetry Slam. Victims are heard from as well through Victim Impact Statements.
   Children, aged 8 to 17, who are first or second non-violent offenders are eligible. The top offenses are possession of marijuana and property damage. The program boasts a 94% completion rate, with only a 5% recidivism rate. Parent report a 98% satisfaction rate with the program.
   Trevor’s informative talk gave no time for questions, but he left us with lots of literature and an understanding of how restorative justice works in the real world. Thanks, Trevor!
 
Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
* Question: What do you call 25 lawyers skydiving? Answer: Skeet.
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 24, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
   Our Global Grant was funded (!) -- after nearly two years, from inception to final approval – thanks to visionary efforts of our local members Randy, Mary, Don, Bob, Phil, and Bouba.
   Mary, who did much of the grant writing’s heavy-lifting, reminded us that the grant will fund six, economic-based development projects for the village through three different industries: tailoring, milling, and ranching. Sewing machines will be used tailoring and embroidering work. A nut and wheat grinding will mill food products for the grain “bank”. A cattle ranch will produce milk to supplement the diets of schoolchildren, with the excess milk sold at market. A vegetable garden will be located next to the school. Separate from the Global Grant, our club has raised another $3,000 for a much-needed latrine project as well. Well done, everyone. Well done!
   Joining us at our meeting was guest Gwen Henderson, who is a business development professional, and Gordon Wainwright, a Rotarian from the Saddlebrooke Club. We approved a $500 donation to the Marana High School “S.O.S.” Fund, as well as a Shelter Box donation for $500. Both passed unanimously.
   Guest speaker Gordon Wainwright told us about his club’s 22nd annual “Fore for Kids” golf tournament, which tees off April 13, 2020, at the Oro Valley Country Club. Last year’s tournament raised $30,000, bringing the event’s grand total to $500,000 raised over the last 21 years. Proceeds help fund several exceptional programs, including: Teens Sew Cool; Math Plus; Little Hooves, Big Hearts; First Tee Tucson; Connections Learning; and a Make A Wish Foundation wish.
   Entry cost is $150 per individual or $140 per person for a team of four. Sponsorships cost $1,000. Gordon issued a special challenge for all golf-playing Rotarians to compete for the “Best Rotary Team” honors. Grab your clubs and sign up for the 2020 "Fore the Kids" beFore it is too late!
 
Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
Rotary Meeting Sept 17, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
   Our mid-September meeting kicked off with a bevy of announcements and happy bucks, and concluded with informative presentation about the critical role the Arizona Corporation Commission’s Securities Division plays in educating and protecting consumers from “too-good-to-be-true” investments and scam artists.
Randy Brooks reminded us to mark our calendars for the following upcoming events: “Denim and Diamonds” event on 11/9 and a special screening of “Breathe” at The Loft on 11/26. President Richie Benner said the Catalina Rotary member Anita McDonald was selected a District Governor Designee for 2022-23.
     Happy Bucks ranged from “a nice trip to Illinois” to new puppies, from UA Football finding its defense to a “good” Jeep for sale, and lots of other tidbits to be happy about in between.Investor Education Coordinator Terri Alexon with President Richie Benner
     Investor Education Coordinator Terri Alexon drove down from the Arizona Corporation Commission in Phoenix to describe crucial work performed by this state agency. Ms. Alexon has worked for A.C.C. since 2002. The Securities Division registers and regulates “securities” which are investments, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, mutual funds, and any other number of ways of entrusting money to another person.
     The Securities Division employs about 45 folks who work either in Registration and Compliance, or Enforcement. The Enforcement staff employs police officers and attorneys to investigate and prosecute securities violations. One local scam investigated by the Enforcement staff was based right here in Marana. Terri said the Enforcement Division relies on tips from engaged citizens who can leave confidential information on a tip line. The division typically has about 100 open cases at a time.
     Ms. Alexon then shared three “red flags” consumers should be on the lookout for when evaluating an investment product: 1) If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is; 2) If seller is pressuring you to buy, then be wary; and 3) If the product targets the elderly. The #1 victims are “Baby-Boomer” men. You should “ask and check before you invest” or “verify before you buy”, Ms. Alexon suggested.
     To verify registrations, file a complaint or ask about statutes and rules, folks can call the Duty Officer at 602-542-0662, or email to securitiesdiv@azcc.gov .
     After Ms. Alexon’s informative presentation, we adjourned.
 
-- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 10, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
Was it the presence of our first MCAT Student of the Month of the new school year? Or, the inspiring reminder of Rotary’s foundational connection to peace building across the globe? Conceivably, it was because 9-10-19 is a “palindrome” day. The confluence of all three buoyed our spirits and made for an uplifting breakfast meeting.
 
After announcements, fellowship, and “happy bucks”, Principal Denise Coronado from MCAT introduced us to Student of the Month Alexas Rowe, who was joined by her Grandpa Bob and Grandma Linda. Ms. Coronado explained that Alexas had fallen into the wrong crowd at MHS, but found her path at MCAT where she is on course to graduate next May. Support from her grandparents and her stepmom Sharie has made a big difference in Alexas’s turnaround as well.
 
Mr. Oliver Bowen, a social studies/government/history teacher at MCAT, said Alexas positively exemplifies three “As” – attendance, academics, and attitude. “She was frustrated with the pace of classes, but empowered herself to learn,” he said. Mr. Rowe added that Alexas has matured into an independent learner and is individually driven. “She’s learned how to ask.”
 
Alexas, after thanking the club for the award and opportunity, said she’s interested in nursing or forensic science as possible careers after graduation.
 
Rotarian Chris Johnson then spoke to us about Rotary’s peace building history and in action. He reminded us about Rotary’s long-standing commitment to peace building, which dates back to 1921, and the 1940s when 49 Rotarians participated in the drafting of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 
The Rotary Foundation awards up to 100 fully funded Rotary Peace fellowships for either the Master’s Degree program or the Professional development certificate program at Rotary Peace Centers. The purpose? Peace building. Conflict resolution. Mediation. Bridging cultures. Chris said there are not enough applicants from the U.S. The Master’s Degree program is offered at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill in North Carolina. The Certificate program, which takes three to six months to complete, requires 10 years of professional experience. Chris then encouraged us to nominate candidates.
 
“We make peace happen,” Chris concluded. Want to learn more? Here’s the link to Rotary’s Peace Fellowships: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships .
After these inspiring stories, we adjourned.
 
-- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
 
 
Rotary Meeting Sept 3, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
Tony Hunter opened the meeting one last time before he moves to Phoenix with a song and a club favorite – “Yellow Submarine”. We sang along as we best as we could remember the lyrics, and all reports are that it was much improved from the first time the club sang it.
President Benner reminded us that November 9 is an important day because it features the Foundation Day Workshop (free of charge) from 10 a.m. to Noon at Habitat for Humanity, 3501 N. Mountain Ave., followed by the “Denim & Diamonds” fundraiser beginning at 6 p.m. at The Playground, 278 E. Congress, in downtown Tucson. Cost is $60 for Rotarians; $50 for non-Rotarians. To register for either event, go to our district’s home page: https://rotaryd5500.org/
 
We then shared “happy bucks”, and a laugh for Lynne’s “riddle”: 30 cows 28 chickens, how many didn’t? (Answer: 10).
 
Our club’s membership has slipped a bit, due in large part to changes in life circumstances for several members. Randy, Mary and Laura attended the district’s membership training a month ago, and the trio came back with some ideas to gauge membership satisfaction, to assess club effectiveness not only recruiting new members but also “re-recruiting” or keeping current members engaged, and to think of new ways to grow.
 
So, instead of a guest speaker, we spent the remainder of the meeting reviewing a membership satisfaction survey that Randy asked us to complete. Some of the recommendations from the survey included: requiring committee reports once a month, sending out a reminder about our guest speakers, offer different levels of membership, and consider a change in meeting venue.
 
Reviewing the results of the survey led to really good discussion, and a desire expressed by members to work on finding ways to strengthen our club. Mary then distributed a two-page “assessment” of the club for members to complete. This self-assessment was a tool provided at the district-wide membership training. Mary will compile the results and report back later. Once the “membership trio” has the results tallied, it will be put on the regular meeting rotation for discussion.
 
On that note, the meeting adjourned.
 
 
Rotary Meeting Aug 27, 2019
 
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
A bittersweet meeting it was as we heard the news from past-President Tony Hunter that he has accepted a job with the State of Arizona in Phoenix and will be moving to the state capital in September. Tony will work as a government transformation officer, a similar position that he held with the town of Marana, only a larger scale. Tony’s last meeting with us will be next Tuesday, September 3.
Tony Hunter
Tony, a Marana Rotary member for five years, told us that it has been “amazing” to work and serve with our club. Tony will hand over the reins as Project Lead for our aid station at the El Tour de Tucson, as well a bunch of club supplies stored in his garage! Tony plans to stay involved in Rotary, but added, “This club is special.”
 
Well, this club thinks Tony is special. Our happy bucks reflected that sentiment as members expressed how happy they were for Tony and his wife and their new beginning in Phoenix. John Dooling, on the other hand wink turned his happy bucks to “sad” bucks because he won’t be able to have breakfast with Tony anymore and steal the bacon off Tony’s plate. In all seriousness, John said he was happy for Tony and wished him the best. Other gratitude bucks for the recovery of a friend from a heart attack (Harold) and an 8-foot by 12-foot by 5-foot moving “pod” filled with $70,000 worth (wow!) of in-kind donations of children’s clothing for needy families (Rachel).
 
Our guest speaker Jason Ayers from GAP Ministries explained about the start, growth, and extent of the faith-based, non-profit that serves the greater Tucson area. GAP began 20 years ago when Jason’s parents moved to Tucson and converted their garage into a food pantry and opened their home to foster a child.
 
Today, GAP is the largest foster care provider in southeastern Arizona with 10 group homes for about 100 foster children and teens. GAP also runs a 55,000 square-foot food warehouse that supplies food to 15-20 non-profits for distribution, and a “stuffs” warehouse that 30 non-profits “shop” to help support their individual missions.
 
“We do what we do because of our faith,” Jason said.
 
Additionally, GAP has a “second chance” program that offers full-time, 10-week training programs in auto mechanics and culinary arts. Both tracks provide skills-based training and certifications that help program graduates land jobs in their chosen trade. GAP’s commercial kitchen partners with Flowing Wells School District’s Title One schools to provide hot meals for the after school programs. The Gap Garage is a for-profit auto repair shop that funnels its profits back to GAP Ministries.
 
Several weeks ago, our fellow Rotarian John Dooling brought the club’s attention to GAP’s need to raise $500,000. Jason Ayers explained why there was a shortfall, and noted that since that appeal for funds, donations totaling $250,000 have cut GAP’s gap in half.
 
And on that positive note, the meeting was adjourned.
 
-- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
 
 
Rotary Meeting Aug 20, 2019
 
Marana Rotary Round-Up for August 20
 
After being called to order and the Pledge, President Benner got right down to the business of announcements, which included: 1) Sept. 21 is the District Leadership Retreat (no registration fee) at the Habitat for Humanity offices on Mountain Avenue; 2) November 9 is the Foundation Training event (also free), followed by a Country Western “Extravaganza!” that evening at The Playground in downtown Tucson; and 3) April 25, 2020 is service project work day.
Top “happy bucks” for:
  • Harold’s wife, who has been home for three weeks. She mentioned to him the other day that she’s finally got cleaned up everything that Harold messed up while she was convalescing.
  • Peter’s fluency in “Fortran 66”.
  • Everyone who expressed ranges of happiness from “just happy” to “thrilled to be here” to “really happy.”
Denise won the raffle – no joke. Really, there was no joke off because Lynne was absent.
 
Our guest speaker Jonathan Mosher, chief criminal deputy prosecutor for the Pima County Attorney’s Office, returned to present, “How Not To Get Away With Murder.” Mr. Mosher’s presentation centered on a relatively recent case, State v. James Lapan, which was also featured on “Dateline.” The case was particularly interesting to members because it happened in Marana. Mr. Mosher explained the theory the county attorney’s office pursued, including Lapan’s likely motive, and used multiple slides showing where detectives had collected forensic evidence, including lots of DNA evidence from blood on Lapan’s jeans and matched shell casings, from both the victim’s house and Lapan’s residence.
 
Mr. Mosher explained that it has become important tool for the County Attorney’s Office to use visual presentations at the trial for the jury because of the complexity of prosecuting murders. For example, it is easier to show a visual representation of the probability (or improbability) of a DNA match because folks generally have difficulty grasping really big numbers, such as a trillion (1,000,000,000,000) versus a septillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000). [Peter will you verify, please?]
The sheer amount of DNA and forensic evidence and a strong theory about Lapan’s motive made this case a pretty clear example of how not to get away with murder, Mosher concluded.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.
-- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
 
 
Rotary Meeting Aug 13, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
                                                                          
 
President Benner called us to order, and we were led in the Pledge by visiting Spokane (WA) Rotarian Stephen Joswick, who is a longtime member, bicyclist enthusiast, and recently retired mortgage broker. Stephen is visiting Tucson-area Rotary clubs because he’s considering moving down to Arizona. Our club members seized upon Stephen’s biking interest and immediately regaled him with stories about our wonderful and successful Tour de Cookie.
 
But our regular meetRichie Benner welcomes new member Carl Maes, while John Dooling looks oning was really about inducting Carl Maes into the Marana Rotary. After his induction ceremony, Carl mentioned that Rotary reminds him “how to be a better person, how to help people.” Carl, who has his PhD. in optical sciences, is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. He and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 27 years, and they have three children. Carl is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Carl said that through Rotary he is looking forward to advocating for folks who don’t have a voice.
Before Carl’s induction, President Benner ran down some important announcements, including:
  • The club’s board discussed purchasing more our club’s mini-banners which are used as gifts to visitors, promotion, and friendship. We have the money; just need to review the design and order.
  • The Oro Valley Rotary has asked if we want to join with them on a community service project to benefit the food bank.
  • On August 29 at 11:15 a.m., the Rotary of Saddlebrook is hosting a lunch (free) at 1 Clubhouse Drive in Saddlebrook.
  • Sept. 15 is the District Awards application deadline.
  • Nov. 23 is the El Tour de Tucson, and we’ve been confirmed for our booth.
On a more somber note, John Dooling mentioned that GAP Ministries, which provides care for foster teens and other vulnerable communities, desperately needs to raise $500,000 this month.
 
After fellowship and breakfast, we had happy bucks, including a few tepid happy bucks, for the following:
  • “Our visitor and newest member” (Dan, John, and Tony)
  • “Former employee capped off successful career and was inducted into the National Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame” (Harold)
  • For “family, being alive, health, and friendship” (Carl)
  • For fellow “Spokanite” Stephen, new member Carl (Randy, but he’s also worried about attendance so a tepid happy buck)
  • “Happy” (Becky)
  • “Carl joining us because he’s a financial advisor with ethics” (Mary)
  • “Taking minutes, start of academic year across the city” (Laura)
  • ‘Happy’? about Broadway construction  & membership month (Richie)
Lynne’s joke aimed at our visitor from Washington. “What is a Seattle Seahawk’s fan’s favorite wine?” Answer: “We can’t beat the Arizona Cardinals.”
 
Our Tour de Cookie date has been set for March 7, 2020! Dan thought the start from the Rillito Race Track worked well. General discussion was to have the route focus a bit more along the Loop which runs into Marana. We hope to cross-promote Tour de Cookie at the Tour de Tucson in November.
 
-- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
Rotary Meeting Aug 6, 2019
Meeting was called to order by our President
 
Announcements:
Randy, Mary and Laura attending the membership seminar this last weekend. They will be doing a special presentation on membership soon
 
 
Happy bucks
John- happy to spend time fishing with the grandkids event if 0 fish were caught
 
Dan- happy that all the kids who made the trek to the first day of school made it back home 
 
Bob happy to be back temporarily 
 
Peter- happy to be here. Will be headed to San Diego soon
 
Carl- happy to be back from moving his daughter and excited she will be starting work soon
 
Becky- happy for the person who invented AC.
 
Mary- her daughter will be starting high school at CDO. 
 
JoAnn our guest from the Primavera Foundation where they help anywhere from a simple roof over their head for the night to being the first person in their family to own their own home. 
 
The Primavera Foundation was started by members of our community in 1983 by people who were really concerned about the most vulnerable members of our community. Here we are so many years later, Primavera continues to provide not just vital services, but economic investment back into the community so that everyone has a safe place to call home. When the most marginalized have equity, we are all enriched, and our community can thrive.
 
GOALS
  • Economic empowerment and long-term financial security
  • Neighborhood revitalization
  • Community and civic engagement
  • Empowering the most marginalized in our community to affect long-term positive change for themselves and their families
 
Meeting ended with the 4 way test
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting July 30, 2019
Rotary Club of Marana
 
                                                                            
 
 
Our fifth Tuesday “social” meeting was at the Hampton Inn where club members dined on the hotel’s breakfast bar and met Megan Gilfillan, a Vocational Fund of Arizona scholarship nominee. Megan has applied for the need-based, $2,000 scholarship, which if granted, would help her as she begins a nine-month, dental assistant training program at Pima Medical Institute.
 
Previously, Megan was caregiver for five years and then earned a medical assistant certification. She grew up in Tucson, and will continue to work full time while going to dental assistant school in the evening. Megan has a great smile, and she hopes one day to help others find their smiles while at their dentist’s office.
 
-- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
Rotary Meeting July 23, 2019
Marana Rotary Weekly Meeting Round-Up
An enthusiastic ring of the bell jolted us into order by former club president John Dooling, who subbed for a vacationing President Benner. John wryly noted that the last time he was at the podium, “Randy was a teenager.”
Since no one was “dying to break out in song,” John reminded members that the Membership Seminar will take place on August 3 in Green Valley. As of now, Randy, Mary, Laura, and maybe Rachel are planning to attend. Randy suggested that the club reimburse members who attend the seminar. The board will take up the recommendation at its next meeting.
Mary reported that she’s continuing to work with Bouba on the next phase of the grant writing. Harold reminded folks that next week we’re meeting at the Hampton Inn at 7 a.m. for a “fifth Tuesday” social breakfast.
After fellowship and breakfast, “Happy Bucks” for the following:
  • “All the rain” (John)
  • “Just happy” (Dan)
  • House sold (Becky)
  • “Nice cool weather” and wife has graduated from wheelchair to a walker! (Harold)
  • Going to Seattle for four days on a business trip (Denise)
  • “I’m just happy” (Randy)
  • “Very happy to hear our guest and presentation” and attended “Retro Game Show Night” at the Hotel Congress on Saturday which was lots of fun (Mary)
  • Grateful to hear the guest speaker. Grateful for moving into a new place (and the power of Facebook marketplace). Grateful to be attending a best friend’s wedding this weekend (Rachel)
Lynne tickled our funny bones with “you might be a crisis manager if …” riffs. Randy “won” the raffle.
 
 Guest Vanessa Helms of the Pima County Victim Services Division spoke about the groundbreaking history of victims rights and advocacy, which got much of its start right here in southeastern Arizona. Victim Services started in 1975 and has grown from an initial staff of four to 30. Ms. Helms noted that Arizona has one of the most comprehensive Victim Services programs in country. Pima County Victim Services has collaborated across the state with other similar agencies to create renowned advocacy network for victims of crime and victims of crisis events.
Programs include RAMP protocol for victims of domestic violence, a “Kids in Court” program that helps when children have to testify, and courthouse dogs Baja and Blake who offer support to victims.
The mission of Pima County Victim Services Division is to support, educate, and empower victims of crime to seek justice and strengthen and rebuild their lives. Victim Services advocates accomplish this by:
  • Serving as court advocates for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault;
  • Working with prosecutors;
  • Translating the judicial process, i.e. what to expect;
  • Providing trial support, addressing concerns;
  • Informing victims of their rights;
  • Crisis advocacy by being on call, present at the scene of the crime, providing support and referral information, and available 24/7/365.
  • Victim Compensation Fund, a fund of last resort, for counseling and medical expenses, loss of wages, crime scene clean-up, and transportation costs.
Ms. Helms noted that Victim Services relies its strong volunteer program that has more than 100 volunteers who have contributed 24,000 hours, saving the county more than $460,000. Volunteers undergo extensive training comprised of 36 hours of basic crisis intervention plus another 30 hours of advanced training. More information can be found at: vsvolunteers@pcao.pima.gov .
 
Victim Services also works with national organizations for victim assistance in mass casualty incidents, whether those incidents are human-caused or not. For example, Pima County Victim Services has sent teams in the past to respond to the following: Bosnian Civil War, Oklahoma City domestic terrorist bombing, Arkansas tornado disaster, and September 11 attacks.
Much closer to home, Pima County Victim Services volunteers responded immediately to the 2011 Tucson Tragedy at the Ina and Oracle Safeway where Gabby Giffords and others were shot. In its initial callout, Victim Services deployed 36 advocates to six different sites. Ms. Helms said that with so many law enforcement agencies responding that day, victims can get marginalized.
More recently, Pima County Victim Services sent a team of 14 to respond to the Las Vegas “Harvest Festival” mass shooting where 58 people were killed and more than 850 were wounded.
Ms. Helms said the strength of Victim Services is its unified team purpose, shared training, shared deployment, and existing deployment services which have been developed since the organization’s inception in 1975.
After yet another informative talk – hats off to Denise who lines up our speaker series – we signed off with recitation of the Four Way Test.
 -- Submitted by Laura Clymer, secretary
 
 
 
Site Pages
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Richie Benner
President Elect
John Dooling
Treasurer
Lynne Himmer
Secretary
Laura Clymer
Member-at-Large
Robert Bishop
Program Director
Denise West
Member-at-Large
Harold Burtzloff
Membership
Randy Brooks
Service Projects
Rachel Cheeseman
The Rotary Foundation
Mary Straus
Marana Rotary Foundation
John Dooling
Sergeant at Arms
Javier Teran
Newsletter Editor
Harold Burtzloff
Youth Service
Laura Clymer
 

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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

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