Posted by ED Mystery on Nov 02, 2023
President MARGARET HIGGENS surrendered her President’s post for the November 1st meeting and gave incoming 2024 KURTIS DAWSON, a chance to get his feet wet.  With expectations high, KURTIS kicked off the meeting on-time at 12 noon from the Tucson Convention Center with 82 Rotarians attending the weekly meeting and promptly sent the membership to enjoy the TCC’s excellent buffet. Returning from the buffet line, the official opening of the meeting featured the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag lead by BRUCE TUNZE and the rendition of “God Bless America”.  KHRIS DODGE was on the piano.  A heartwarming, enthusiastic and really very loud Inspiration was given by CHRIS EDWARDS, owner of Tucson Appliance. Thanks to the AV guys for controlling the sound levels.
 
Incoming President KURTIS let everyone know that the business side of the meeting was taking place initially, suspending the typical program agenda to ensure adequate time for the new Community Service Round table sessions run by former RCOT Past President BRUCE JACOBS and committee chair DIANA MADARAS.
 
Before the community sessions began, KURTIS moved forward with the business agenda. CHRIS KIM, filling in for Sargent at Arms regular DAN KALM, introduced the guests followed by Happy Birthday wishes to JOE DANISZEWSKI. President-Elect KURTIS was quick to point out that only he was able to pronounce JOE’S last name properly since CHRIS KIM had some trouble at the podium introducing some of the guests.  Phonetics doesn’t always work in Tucson. 
 
On the serious side, JIM MURPHY honored member WALLY JOHNSON with his Blue Badge. Congrats WALLY!! An encore visit from CHRIS KIM sailed through the 25/50/25 Raffle with no one receiving the big dollars.
 
Continuing to ensure there was time for the Community Service session program, we went straight to the membership announcements. Highlights included John Hewko, Rotary International CEO upcoming to visit on November 15.  Since this will be a well attended meeting, all members and their guests must register on the website. A Car Show video was played and put together by Film Creations.  JEANNE ZETAH’S synopsis of Classics Car Show ticket sales of 22,962. Congratulations to all members and sponsors for contributing the endless hours that led to another successful Car Show event. We saw an upbeat video of our Exchange Student,  Kanon Nakamura. CHARLOTTE HARRIS talked about the Ride to End Polio. It is fast approaching so if you want to sponsor a rider please inform CHARLOTTE. ALAN ROGERS announced the two upcoming cycling events. AND AGAIN, there is no meeting November 8 but be sure to register for the November 15th meeting.
 
PRESIDENT ELECT KURTIS introduced BRUCE JACOBS and DIANA MADARAS to kick off the Community Service. DIANA was off on a convention trip with her husband, however was able to join the group with a heart-warming video on how this session came together. Table session featured 13 tables of Community Service Projects. The goal today was to introduce these projects to the membership and sign-up volunteers. The author of this paper joined the Boys and Girls Club table and signed up to be part of the Thanksgiving Dinner held for the organization’s participants. Thank you, CEO, DENISE.
 
 
BRITTANY BATTLE from the History Committee put together a thoughtful tribute for members who passed away this year. Thank you BRITTANY BATTLE for keeping their memory alive.
 
Meeting was adjourned at 1:20 pm with a toast thanking everyone for sharing their thoughts to help improve the club.  
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