Weekly Meeting:
WEDNESDAYS, 12:00 NOON - 1:20 PM
Meetings are held at Tucson Convention Center
260 S. Church Avenue
Tucson, AZ  85701 (USA)
520-623-2281
 
 

THE FOUR-WAY TEST

Of the things we think, say or do

1.  Is it the TRUTH?

2.  Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3.  Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4.  Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

With the Four-Way Test as our guide, the Rotary Club of Tucson is an indispensable resource for our community, and provides our members a remarkable return on their investment of skills, time, and resources.

Home Page Stories
Angel Charity for Children - 40 Years of Miracles!
Angel Charity for Children is celebrating 40 years this year.  Karen Farrell and Adrianna Rincon will be presenting a summary of Angel Charity, its mission, its members, how the organization works and why they are considered Tucson’s “Halo for Hire”.   Our 2022 large Beneficiaries are Youth on Their Own (YOTO) and National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).  Our 2022 small Beneficiaries are Boys to Men Tucson, El Rio Health Center Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, Nourish, TMC Foundation, Tucson Girls Chorus and YWCA Southern Arizona. 
 
Karen Farrell ~ Biography
 
Karen grew up as a military kid and has lived in Tucson since 1975.  She attended the University of Arizona with a degree in Accounting and started her career at Coopers & Lybrand as a CPA.  She then moved over to Venture West, served as the CFO and then moved into the commercial Real Estate segment of Venture West.  Karen has served on several Boards and committees including CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), Salpointe Catholic HS,  SS Peter & Paul Church, FC Tucson Youth Soccer Club, Brewster Center, Father’s Day Council and several other non-profits over the years some of which she still serves on.  She has been a member of Angel Charity for Children for 12 years and is currently serving as the General Chair for 2022.
What Banner University Medical Center Trauma Center Means for the Tucson Community
Dr. Andrew Tang will discuss trauma as the silent modern epidemic and its impact on our Tucson community and society at large. He will discuss what trauma care entails, the various components of a trauma system and the process for a hospital to become a verified trauma center. By the end, his hope is for the audience to understand the invaluable resource that is our Trauma Center, and its rigorous dedication to ensure health and safety to our community.
 
Biography:
 
Andrew L. Tang, MD, FACS
Professor of Surgery
Trauma Medical Director, Banner University Medical Center
Vice Chair, Clinical Operations
 
Andrew Tang, MD, FACS, is a professor with the University of Arizona Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care, Burn, and Emergency Surgery. He is also the trauma medical director of Banner University Medical Center - Tucson's Level I Trauma Center, which serves a population of over 1 million and is the only trauma center of its kind in southern Arizona. 
 
Dr. Tang is a board member of the Arizona Department of Health Services State Trauma Advisory Board and a site reviewer for the Department of Health Services on state trauma center verifications. 
 
Dr. Tang received his medical degree from the University of Arizona and completed his general surgery internship and residency at the University of Southern California (USC). He then completed two fellowships at USC in thoracic-foregut and surgical critical care. Dr. Tang joined the University of Arizona in 2010 and has established a successful trauma/surgical critical care and elective general surgery practice with a focus on complex hernia repairs and abdominal wall reconstruction. He has been named in Tucson Lifestyle's Top Doctors listing for multiple years, in addition to being a recipient of the College of Medicine Professionalism Award, Clinical Excellence Award, Asian American Faculty Staff and Alumni Outstanding Faculty Award, and several teaching awards.
 
Dr. Tang is heavily involved in trauma education and community outreach. He is the chair of the Southwest Regional Trauma Conference, the largest prehospital-focused trauma conference in the Southwest, with more than 500 annual attendees. His other activities include serving as course director for the Advanced Trauma Life Support and Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma courses and co-chair of the SAEMS Regional Trauma Committee. He also served as the associate general surgery residency program director.
 
Dr. Tang has collaborated and published extensively on various subjects in trauma, with 7 published textbook chapters, more than 100 publications, and a medical device patent. In addition to his clinical and educational duties, Dr. Tang is also heavily involved in the patient care advocacy and quality improvement initiatives of the hospital. He serves on various hospital committees with a focus on both system-based and individual physician-based care delivery improvement measures. 
 
Downtown Tucson
Scott Stiteler is the principal owner of Tucson Urban LLC and several related entities.  He received a BS in Economics from Santa Clara University in 1989 and a MBA from Santa Clara University in 1992.  In 1990 Mr. Stiteler formed Stellar Homes, Inc. to build urban, infill, residential projects in the San Francisco Bay Area.  In 1994 Mr. Stiteler expanded development activities to Tucson, Arizona.  He has developed approximately twenty-five projects in the Tucson area and continues with those endeavors.  While in Tucson, Mr. Stiteler diversified his development focus, expanding into income producing properties and redevelopment of vintage buildings in downtown Tucson.
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How Our Club Gives Back
Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation President, Joni Condit, will share how our Club Foundation allows us to advance the Rotary mission at a local level to make our community better.  Did you know that our club did not always have a Foundation?  Find out how the range of areas that our Club has provided support and service over the years.  Bobby Larson, 2022 Tucson Classics Car Show Chair, will provide an update on this year’s Car Show.  Grants Committee Chair, Jim Murphy, will provide an overview of the proposed changes in the selection of beneficiaries for 2023 and beyond and members will have the opportunity to vote to approve these changes.  
Home Hospitality Week is Here for 2022!
Our Home Hospitality events begin April 24th and go through the 30th.  These social events will replace our Wednesday, April 27th lunch meeting.  We want to thank all the members who have graciously volunteered to open up their homes and host an event.  This a wonderful way to relax, meet fellow Rotarians outside of the lunch meeting and have some fun!  If you have any questions, please call the Rotary office at 623-2281.  Again, these events take the place of our lunch meeting on April 27th.  Our next regular lunch meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 4th at TCC.
The University of Arizona: Leading Through COVID
Dr. Robert C. Robbins will discuss the University of Arizona's mission as a land-grant university, including its leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is now well-positioned to create positive impact in Arizona and globally in the years to come.
 
Dr. Robert C. Robbins is the 22nd president of the University of Arizona. From 2012 - 2016, he served as CEO of the Texas Medical Center, after enjoying a 20-year faculty career at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he was chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and founding director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute.
 
 
 
This Meeting is Sponsored by:
 
Heather Hardy
Posted by Khris Dodge on Apr 08, 2022
Heather Hardy is known for her captivating smooth ambient violin playing as well as her appealing soulful “wah-wah” blues solos.
 
She recently spoke with us about growing up, her musical background, and how she came to be one of the most sought-after violinists across several genres. “My musical education began at the Westport School of Music at age 6 on piano. I began violin at 9 and by the time I was 11 I was studying privately on both instruments. I knew then that I wanted to play music forever. In high school I continued on piano and violin.”
 
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Our Vision as the Voice of Business
As the new President and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber, my presentation to the Rotary Club of Tucson will be to share my vision for the Chamber as the Voice of Business. The Chamber leads efforts on local policy and one of the proactive areas I will focus on is our Coalition Against Retail Theft and our efforts to develop solutions that reduce theft and property damage so many of our businesses are experiencing. I will also speak to our initiatives that work to create workforce development programs and encourage businesses and companies to engage in the education system to build the skills they need. We launched a Workforce Blueprint last summer that identifies the areas the Chamber will lead to improve our labor and talent strategies.
 
 
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Replacement/Social Mixer ~ 3/30/22 at Proof
Our Replacement/Social Mixer is March 30th.  Back by popular demand, this mixer will be held at Proof on the patio (St. Philip's Plaza), 4340 N. Campbell Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.   Guests are invited, the fee is $25 and will be billed to your account.  And yes, the March Madness continues with this mixer, no charge for MM guests.  Please register at the website www.tucsonrotary.org scroll down the left hand side to Upcoming Events and click on the mixer.  Don't forget to register your guest(s).  If you have any questions, please call the Rotary office.
 
Let's have some fun!  Please remember, there is NO LUNCH MEETING on March 30th.
Pima JTED - Continuing to Impact the Lives of Youth and Our Community
Kathy Prather ~ Biography
 
Kathy Prather has served as the Superintendent/CEO of the Pima JTED since 2018.  Prior to joining Pima JTED, she served as Director of Career and Technical Education for the Sunnyside Unified and Tucson Unified School Districts.  Kathy's career in secondary and post-secondary education has spanned 32 years in multiple locations across Arizona.  She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration-Management, a Master of Arts Degree in Vocational Technical Education, and multiple certifications from the Arizona Department of Education including Superintendent, Principal and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher. Kathy Prather was recognized for her accomplishments in Career and Technical Education as the Association for Career and Technical Education of Arizona (ACTEAZ) 2011 Administrator of the Year and was awarded the 2016 ACTEAZ Lifetime Achievement Award.  Kathy served on the Board of the National Council of Local Administrators (NCLA) from 2008-2015 as well as the Executive Board of the Arizona Council of Occupational and Vocational Administrators (ACOVA) from 2006-2014. 
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162nd Mission Brief
Col Sandra Wilson ~ Biography
 
Col. Sandra L. Wilson is the Vice Commander, 162nd Wing with operations at Morris Air National Guard Base, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Libby Army Airfield, Arizona. She is responsible for assisting wing leadership in the management of more than 1,800 members of the Air National Guard’s largest F-16 and Remote Piloted Aircraft wing. The wing maintains 72 F-16 Fighting Falcons to train U.S. and partner nation F-16 pilots and provide 24/7 immediate response operations in support of the North American Aerospace Defense Command. In addition the wing executes remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper missions in support of Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and combat operations worldwide. The 162nd also provides support to the Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve Test Center missions.
 
Wilson began her career as an enlisted Airman in 1982 and commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in 1996. She has served in several assignments at the 162nd including service in multiple group leadership roles. Prior to her current position, the colonel was the Mission Support Commander and retired as a detective with the Tucson Police Department.
 
 
Col Jason D. Dickson ~ Biography
 
Colonel Jason D. Dickinson is the Commander, 162d Maintenance Group, 162d Wing, Tucson, AZ.  He is responsible for the leadership and direction of a group of over 850 Airmen.  Colonel Dickinson is responsible for properly training and equipping assigned forces as well as maintaining mission-capable weapons systems including the F-16 and MQ-1 and all support equipment.
    
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YWCA is on a Mission, Making an Economic Impact
Magdalena Verdugo ~ Biography
 
Magdalena Verdugo was named Chief Executive Officer for YWCA Southern Arizona in December 2019. As the first Latina leader in the illustrious 104-year history of the organization, she is proud to continue carrying out YWCA Southern Arizona’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
 
As the daughter of migrant farmworkers, the ideals of hard work and resilience were instilled in Magdalena from a young age. Her parents worked tirelessly in the California fields to ensure that her future would be brighter, that she would be prepared to overcome any of life’s challenges, and that she would have access to all the opportunities they did not - or could not - receive. Through their sacrifices, Verdugo became the first in her family to graduate college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Arizona, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and Certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
 
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Jovert Steel Band - Music Program
Posted by Khris Dodge on Feb 24, 2022
The Jovert Steel Band is comprised of students from Tucson Magnet High School.  This elite group of performers have been dazzling audiences around Tucson and the greater Southwest for more than 20 years under the direction of Khris Dodge.  From Theme Parks to live television shows, to schools, to past and future Presidents, to PAC’s, to the 4th Avenue Street Fair, the band normally plays to tens of thousands of eager ears every year.  The band feels strongly that they will reach their apex with their performance for the Rotary Club of Tucson. 
YMCA - Creating Lasting Impact in Downtown Tucson
Kurtis Dawson ~ Biography
 
Kurtis Dawson is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Southern Arizona and has served in this role since 2017. Prior to Tucson, Kurtis spent 15 years working at the YMCA of Grays Harbor in Hoquiam, Washington, which is southwest of Seattle. Kurtis’ Y story began when he was a teenager working at the front desk. He never imagined that his part-time job at the Y would lead to his career and passion. Kurtis graduated with a business degree from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. By 2001, Kurtis had been hired to a full-time position working as the Youth and Teen Director. He served as the CEO of the YMCA of Grays Harbor from 2008 to 2016.
 
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Tucson Rodeo Parade & Museum
Posted by Jim Ronstadt on Feb 10, 2022
One hundred-fifty thousand spectators line the streets in Southern Tucson in anticipation of the nation's longest non-motorized, horse-drawn parade.  One hundred and twenty-five entries consisting of over 2,500 people, 90 wagons and buggies, and about 650 horses will form this colorful spectacle of our Western heritage.  Included in the procession will be local dignitaries, Native American royalty and performers, historical wagons and colorful floats, marching bands and mariachis, costumed rodeo royalty from around the state and working cowboys. 
 
While working on the production of this magnificent parade, the Parade Committee's efforts also turn to their other love, the Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum.  The museum complex includes the old hanger of Tucson's first airport.  The exterior of the museum is a prominent landmark on the Rodeo Grounds.  Once inside the museum, you take a giant step back to Tucson and the Old West as it once was.  It includes three buildings that proudly display over 120 pieces of "rolling stock": horse-drawn buggies, buckboards, stagecoaches and farm wagons. The Museum and the Parade are host to Tucson's first police wagon, a horse-drawn "fire truck," a horse drawn milk wagon, a horse-drawn school bus and much more.  
 
 

 
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Replacement/Social Mixer at Hotel Congress ~ 2/9/22
The Sweetheart/Social Mixer is on WEDNESDAY, February 9, 2022 at Hotel Congress (The Century Room), 311 E. Congress Street from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  This Mixer will replace our lunch meeting on Wednesday, 2/9/22.  We are limited to 75 seats, so it will be on a first come basis.  ALL must register on the Club Website at www.tucsonrotary.org  under "Upcoming Events".  Parking is available at AC Marriott, Depot Plaza Garage, and at Maynards.  Bring your Guest/Sweetheart, the fee is $35 and will be billed to your account. There will be LIVE MUSIC and a cash bar.
 
So remember, if you plan to attend, don't wait to sign up.  Again, only 75 spots are available!
 
Let's all have some fun and fellowship at the Sweetheart/Social Mixer. 
 
If you have any questions, contact the Rotary office.
 
(Please be aware of the Covid protocols through Pima County)
Dude Ranching in Arizona
A brief summary of Arizona Dude Ranch history with an emphasis on Tucson’s often forgotten position as the “Dude Ranch Capitol of the World”.
 
Russell True ~ Biography
 
Born in Denver, Colorado, Russell was brought to Tucson at 5 years old when his parents bought White Stallion Ranch.  He has worked there for his entire 40 year working career and owns and manages the ranch with his brother.
 
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Centennial Auction & 15th Annual TCCS Wrap-up!
THE BIG GIVE-AWAY DAY!
(This Meeting is being held @ The Westward Look)
 
Jim Lubinski (Centennial Chair), Joni Condit (2021 TCCS Chair), and Bobby Larson (2022 TCCS Chair), will share the amazing outcomes from our Centennial and the 15th Annual Tucson Classics Car Show.  Our Club’s 100th year was celebrated in style with a wonderful online and live auction at the Centennial Celebration Event at the Tucson Convention Center.  Jim will share the highlights of the Centennial Project selection.  Joni will recap the fabulous 15th Tucson Classics Car Show held at The Gregory School on October 16, 2021 and present the check for the combined activities to our beneficiary, JTED!  Finally, Bobby will wrap up with exciting plans for the 2022 Car Show!  Please join us to celebrate the wonderful work of our Club!
42 Years of Community Impact
For more than four decades, Greater Tucson Leadership (GTL) has inspired local professionals to step up more confidently into community leadership roles. In its 42-year history, GTL has graduated more than 1,000 local leaders from its flagship program LEAD Tucson, and in 2021 the organization completed a community impact study to find out how alumni are serving the Southern Arizona Region. This presentation shares the results of that impact study and highlights the important role community leadership programs play in building thriving communities.
 
Kasey Hill ~ Biography
 
Kasey Hill became the Chief Executive Officer of Greater Tucson Leadership in July 2016. Prior to that, she served as communications director for Develop Danville — a public-private economic development organization in central Kentucky.

 
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El Charro Cafe

Ray & Carlotta Flores

 

Established in 1922, El Charro Café has become one of America's dining icons…

 

It’s the Nation's Oldest Mexican Restaurant that has been continually run by the same family.

 

Featuring traditional -Sonoran style food, along with uniquely Tucson creations, El Charro Café has been described by Gourmet Magazine as: "A Taste Explosion".

 

In fact, El Charro’s legendary Monica Flin, is world famous as “The Inventor of The Chimichanga.”

 

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Mission Garden: Our Past, Present and Future
Posted by David Lovitt on Dec 30, 2021
Short Biography of a Long and Exciting Life - Roger Pfeuffer
 
Roger was born in Saginaw Michigan.  He attended the same high school as his parents and actually had some of the same teachers.
 
He grew up reading, collecting rocks and minerals and spent inordinate amounts of time “looking for arrowheads” along the many prehistoric sites in the Saginaw River basin.
 
Roger graduated high school in 1960 and began as a freshman at the University of Michigan that Fall.  He started in anthropology, then switched to geology, then to forestry as a major.
 
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DARK DAY ~ 12/29/21
Reminder:  There will be no lunch meeting on Wednesday, December 29th as this is a scheduled Dark Day.  The Rotary office will be closed on Friday, December 31st.  Hoping you are enjoying the holiday season and President Mark along with the Rotary office, would like to wish each of you and your families a very happy and healthy New Year.  See you in 2022!
DARK DAY ~ 12/22/2021
Reminder:  There will be no lunch meeting on Wednesday, December 22nd as this is a scheduled Dark Day.  President Mark and the Rotary office would like to wish each of you and your families a very special holiday season!
Holiday Mixer ~ Culinary Dropout (The Coop) 12/14/21
Our Holiday Mixer will take place on Tuesday, December 14th in the Coop at Culinary Dropout,  2543 E. Grant Road, start time is 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Please join us for an evening of holiday cheer and fellowship. 
 
This event is a Replacement for our Lunch Meeting on Wednesday, December 15th. 
 
We want to wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday Season!
Jazz Studies
Angelo Versace ~ Biography
 
Jazz pianist Angelo Versace, a native of Indiana, Pennsylvania, has been the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Arizona since 2014. He attended William Paterson University from 2004-2008, studying with Mulgrew Miller, a seminal figure in jazz and a man whom Versace cites as being a main musical influence. He subsequently earned his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Miami, studying jazz piano, jazz pedagogy, composition and arranging. During his time in Miami, Versace was on faculty at the Superior Academy of Music – an award-winning institution backed by the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program. He also was on faculty at the CGCC Community Arts Program and Dillard High School – high school jazz band programs that found success at the prestigious Essentially Ellington competition. He began to work for the Tucson Jazz Institute (the two-time winner of the Essentially Ellington competition) after his move to Arizona in July of 2014.
 
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Upcoming Events
Rotary Links
 
Board of Directors
President
Mark "Irv" Irvin
President Elect
Bruce Jacobs
Immediate Past President
Jennifer Hoffman
Treasurer
Glenn Ewing
Secretary
Marcy Euler
Director - Community Service
Rob LaMaster
Director - Public Relations
Chris Mooney
Director - Social
Cindy Barbee
Director - Membership
Steve Pickering
Director - Service Projects
Kurtis Dawson
Director - Youth Services
Joe Daniszewski
Sergeant-at-Arms
Khris Dodge
Executive Director
Dorinna York

Rotary Club of Tucson
the 16th Annual
Tucson Classics Car Show
Saturday, October 15, 2022
on the grounds of
The Gregory School!
Speakers
Replacement/Social Mixer
Jun 01, 2022
Jack Clements
Jun 08, 2022
Conquistadors
Jim Storey
Jun 15, 2022
A Musical Program
Jun 22, 2022
DARK DAY - No Lunch Meeting
Jun 29, 2022
View entire list...
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Six Rotary members were honored in March as People of Action: Champions of Girls’ Empowerment during Rotary Day with UNICEF in New York City. This distinction recognizes the honorees’ commitment to improving girls’ access to education, health, and sanitation and hygiene resources, as well as their work to create environments where girls can flourish.