President CHUCK opened the meeting and new member and marketing specialist BROOKE FAWCETT gave the Inspiration. JERRY HALLOWELL led us in the Pledge and song (a stirring rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner”) accompanied by the ever smooth GARY HIRSCH on the piano. BOB HOPKINS introduced our many guests and visiting Rotarians. We continued to have many Birthday Rotarians):
BOBBY LARSON is a former U of A baseball coach, Catalina Foothills athletic director, and extraordinary Sergeant at Arms. True to his calling, he quickly wished us all a great Holiday and made way for the next person.
JIM DAVENPORT built a wine cellar in his house 27 years ago and has spent the last 17 years emptying it. JIM noted that it’s a sign of age when you only get one candle on your birthday cake, but it’s a more telling sign when you can’t blow it out.
GARY SCHEER is a 40 year member of our Rotary, proud father of STACIA DECKER, and a car afficienado. GARY blessed his mom for having him, our country, Rotary, and, you guessed it… Salpointe.
TOM CAMPBELL is the son of several generations of Arizonans, including his great grandfather who was the first native born governor of Arizona (sorry if I got the generations wrong, TOM). TOM thanked his sponsor MARGARET HIGGINS and wished us all a great holiday season.
Past Presidents CHARLOTTE HARRIS and SCOTT VAUGHAN collaborated for a Paul Harris Presentation to Kathy Van Loan. Kathy has a 35 year career in education, including two masters degrees and work at Salpointe and St. Joseph’s Parish School. Kathy also taught English through immersion to immigrant families in Tucson. Congratulations Kathy and a big thanks to PAT RASKOB!.jpg)
Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON recognized ROBYN FREY for receiving the Tucson Advertising Federation Award for Creative Excellence, and then BOBBY invited almost half the club down for announcements:
FONDA INSLEY reminded us to sign up for the Holiday Mixer (12/20 at the Playground) by Monday.
NANCY PURDIN needs just a few more volunteers for Holiday Bell Ringing.
Past President ELLIE PATTERSON invited everyone to go on the District Conference Cruise.
ROBERT O’BRIEN noted that sponsors can still buy blocks of tickets for the Arizona Bowl and the proceeds will go to our Car Show.
ROGER HARWELL thanked all who helped sell $27,000 worth of beer at Fourth Avenue to benefit the Scholarship Fund.
Past President JIM MURPHY presented a Blue Badge to his daughter TAMAH DONALDSON. TAMAH is a Salpointe graduate, worked for American Airlines, and currently works for Madden Media.
BILL MESCH awarded a Blue Badge to GARY FRANKS. GARY runs his family mortgage business (Sunstreet Mortgage)\ when not supporting numerous non-profits and participating in Rotary events.
ASHLEY ELAINE YORK awarded a Blue Badge to SARAH FAJARDO. SARAH is a Vice President at Wells Fargo who works extensively with non-profits. SARAH is already extremely active in our Club.
Past President DAVE GALLAHER reviewed the upcoming work projects, including work in January at Make Way for Books and the annual Ranch project in March. More to come!
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KEN TUCKER introduced former RCOT member Howard Stewart for our presentation. Howard started the “Fly Tucson First” effort, was the 2014 CEO of the Year, and instituted a Four Way Test award in his own company. Howard spoke about the benefits of a college reimbursement program to his business (13% turnover after the program was instituted vs. 22% prior, eight-fold sales increase and a 16 fold stock price increase). The program takes advantage of IRS Section 127 which allows up to $5,250 in tax free grants by employers to reimburse employees for courses. Howard’s own experience has been that employees achieve A and B level work 88% of the time, and the program helps produce a pipeline of qualified employees. Thank you for an excellent presentation, Howard, and we look forward to your application to rejoin!! Howard signed a book for our lending library: “It Came in the Mail”.President CHUCK closed our meeting with a quote from John Dewey: “Education is life itself”.
