Welcome to the Rotary Club of Marana in Marana, AZ

Service Above Self
A Peacebuilder Club
PO Box 91502
Tucson, AZ 85752
United States of America

- Richie graduated from Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), a 3-level training. The training was held via zoom for the first time. Richie missed the exchange of information and ideas that happens in-person. However, he enjoyed the sessions and the facilitators and recommends the institute highly.
- A year-end summary of the Rotary Vocational Fund highlights its success. 86 students were served and 86 graduates joined the work force in their chosen fields. The fields included phlebotomy, nursing, respiratory technician, aviation, collision and repair.
- The Annual Joint Meeting between Mexico, D5500, and D4595 will be held the 19th – 21st; Friday and Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm and Sunday 9:00 to 10:00 via zoom. The meeting intention is to identify projects in Mexico on which there can be collaboration. Randy and Andy will represent us. Next year the meeting is scheduled for here in Tucson.
- Jigsaw Puzzle Fundraiser update: Bob is having difficulty getting the Oro Valley-based company, MasterPieces to respond. He will look into other options.
- Don looked into information on a shredding for a fundraiser; Vail club has done it and he is coordinating with them. There was conversation of many aspects; Don will follow up.
- As members are getting vaccinated, it is time to consider in-person and hybrid meetings. Andy is looking into with Tohono Chul, Laura is looking into the YMCA, and Beckie is looking into whether the Marana Chamber of Commerce might have a space for us in their new office in the Town Complex.
- Harold is impressed that, when all said and done, 29 boxes of stuff came out of his RV. 29 boxes are headed to donation at Goodwill.
- Don had a great visit with granddaughter and great granddaughter.
- Lynne is happy in her new digs.
- Bob is hiding in-doors from his 19 degree weather. He’ll be burrowing in further tomorrow which expects a high of 9.
- Andy was peaceful and grateful looking at a beautiful sunrise on the Utah red rocks.
- Randy had a wonderful time with Eleana and Pedro senior, visiting from Peru.
- Laura is delighted that her Policeman PTSD case is being considered by the court of appeals. If successful there will be a change in the Arizona Constitution broadening the scope of qualifications for disability to include PTSD for the Police and First Responders.
- Mary noticed spring arriving; doves building precarious nests in her front yard and mail quail patrolling on her fence in the back.
- Beckie had a wonderful birthday with her family, going to the zoo and picnicking. Her best birthday present was getting appointments for vaccines.
- Peter was in Flagstaff through the weekend at the naval observatory and going back up this weekend. He also described the battle-field his wife has created by feeding the birds; upwards of 500 dove and quail scurrying for their morsels.
- Carl appreciated the beautiful days, his great family, having a beautiful pace to live and great job.
- Joyce rejoiced that her mom got her first vaccine on Sunday.
- Richie’s had a quiet week, got laundry done and relaxed.
- Dave’s 2 boys joined a lacrosse team and had their first game this past weekend. We all enjoyed the presence of one of his sons this meeting, jumping around and making faces in the background.
- John endured many tedious attempts and, at length, was miraculously able to schedule a same day vaccine.

- Board Meeting:
- Tour de Cookie has been canceled for year 2021.
- Dan and John will be meeting with Kevin from Old Pueblo t. Kevin has experience in organizing on line poker tournaments which we will
- RLI on 23rd and 30th of this month; first Saturday next month
- RYLA has been postponed until February 19 and 20. Still openings.
- There’s a push to use Rotary Direct for contributions to Rotary for automatic drafts.
- Brand new D55000Rotary Club; Rotary of Tucson Club, Verde; Environmental Focus
- Peace Conference USA/Mexico, February 13th and 14th, Virtual; Linking Mexico
- Four-Way Speech Contest; $25 Entrance Fee; deadline is February 1st. Event April 10.
- David has recovered from Covid and is looking forward to the warmer temperatures that are joining us in the coming ddays.
- Richie has regained his taste and intermittent smell. He started puppy training, with his puppy.
- Lynne enjoyed and recommended Don’s book. She also entertained us with a clever joke.
- Andy is grateful none his family has contracted Covid. He believes this due to the streak of Meanness that runs through his very being. This writer has a hard time imagining that.
- Peter is having fun knocking out walls in his home. He‘s taken on a remodeling project.
- Randy is tickled pink he’s receiving his 1st vaccine on January 29th. He also delighted in telling us of a video Kathy Jorgensen sent of their grandson walking. He particularly enjoyed that just as the grandson was walking toward Don, he veered and blew by him.
- Laura is happy that she received a negative Covid test, which means she didn’t bring home a nasty souvenier from New Orleans.
- Becky was happy to say Goodbye to all her Christmas decorations and to reintroduce herself to a clean house. She lamented not getting the vaccine yet; Arizona lags behind Utah and Wyoming.
- Carl thankful all in family are healthy.
- Dan was surprised that when he went to his doc for a sinus infection, he tested positive for Covid. Luckily extremely mild symptoms.
- Bob’s been doing all the important things; puzzles and binge watching 24, in 29 degree weather in Oklahoma.
- Don travel to New York, negative tests on both sides of trip.
- Joyce is in Tucson with her parents. From isolation in Canada to isolation in Arizona. Grateful to be with family.
- Harold continues to see select friends while waiting for shot.
- John shared with the club that he has met and really enjoyed Rotarians Kathy and Jay McCaul. Jay published letter in letter to the editor that John recommended.
- Richie had his birthday while battling Covid. We all wish him speedy recovery.
- Our club is dedicated to supporting 2 RYLA students this year. Deadline December 28th
- Christmas Family Update: Mary’s bought gifts, Dan’s buying food tomorrow. Club voted to use full amount of budget, unused money to go directly to the family.
- Arizona Rotary Vocational Fund. Harold spoke with us of the clubs successful relationship with the fund and recipients and encouraged us to contribute. Contributions are deductible dollar for dollar by Arizona Dept of Revenue.
- Peter did a happy dance because he went to Kit Peak to witness the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
- Carl enjoyed the sunset and planets at gates pass. He was also emitting Christmas Cheer.
- Beckie set up kitchen with table and chairs for little June. She continues to be awed and delight in her granddaughter.
- Lynne didn’t disappoint, telling us a clever joke. Lynne was exposed to Covid in her office but gratefully has tested negative. She also informed us of some exciting news; on January 1st her firm is merging with another, Goodman and Goodman.
- Randy was relieved to discover that the stalker peering in his window last night was John. Randy was feeling Christmas Cheer and grateful that his household is Covid-free.
- Laura was delighted by a Holiday visit with her sister on Sunday. Despite living only as far as Phoenix, the two hadn’t spent time together since March. They picnicked and visited in Casa Grande in a Culver’s parking lot. Laura was also thrilled about Jupiter and Saturn and the Moon and pleased that many seemed to be full of wonder about our skies.
- Don was relieved to learn that a close cousin who is a nurse has been vaccinated.
- Mary was full Christmas Cheer and enchanted with the skies.
- Bob’s family is recovering from Covid, with only the tiredness holding on. He also admitted to succumbing to the Netflix fever; he recommended the series 24 with Keifer Sutherland.
- Harold was pleased that his son and his wife are recovering from Covid and beginning to return to work.
- John was, like Don, grateful that a family member, his daughter-in-law, a TMC nurse, received the vaccine. He also posed a question to Carl, our optometric physicist; why do stars dances around while planets appear still? I couldn’t follow the answer, but believe it has something to do with the density and spread of the matter. Planets have a wider spread that averages something out that affects our vision and the apparent stability of the planet. (apologies)
- Andy noticed on his drive to southern Utah that roadside Navajo stores are reopening. He was pleased that their economy might be getting back on track. Before leaving for Utah, Andy had a ton of fun celebrating Christmas with his grandkids.

- Thanks from our president to club members for responding to request to sign on to Rotary.org.
- More thanks and recognition for the many who responded to the board’s Matching Points Programs. John believes 10 members have achieved a Paul Harris in this year with contributions to TRF, Annual and Polio Eradication Funds. Congratulations to our club! These contributions allow us and Rotary Clubs around the world to do good works. We have yet to meet John’s $10000 Rotary Foundation giving goal, but I believe we will get there.
- December 29th we will be dark.
- Slate of Officers for the year 21 – 22 will be presented to club soon. A vote will be called later in the month.
- The District was forced to move more quickly to put various trainings online. This has proven beneficial, as there are more training attendees than ever before.
- Zoom has given us a huge opportunity to expand our reach, even when we return to in-person meetings.
- Zoom has opened us to unlimited Speakers. Diane encouraged us to reach out to RI leadership for programs.
- In the RI Learning Center, Toastmasters has designed 8 classes that are available to us at no cost.
- We can outreach to Roteractors for membership, as they can now be official Rotary members.
- The District is learning how to provide virtual interactive trainings. Both Rotary Learning Institute (RLI) and Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) will be held remotely. Currently 102 students have been awarded RYLA.
- Do not focus on head count. Create different types of clubs; fellowship, e-clubs, satellite club (only need 8 members that become a subset of our club), common interest clubs.
- Select members carefully and Engage your Members.
- Continue to Support Polio Eradication
- Create Visioning and create Strategic Plans. Have a long view. ADG Marc is creating a visioning team that will be available to clubs.
- Public Image. Where Rotary pins and attire at any time, not only meeting times.
- Contribute to the Rotary Foundation. She recommended the use of Rotary Direct, a very easy way to donate online.
- The formation of a Peace Builder Committee, in which our club is a member. Peace and Peace Pole will premiere at the district conference, which will be held June 4th and 5th in Tubac.



- 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.
- 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.