PRESIDENT MARK IRVIN started the meeting and welcomed TOM MOULTON to the stage for a rousing “You’re A Grand Ole Flag” accompanied on piano by GARY HIRSCH. It was nice to see GARY behind the ivory keys!
JOE DANISZEWSKI offered our inspiration by highlighting the history and achievements of the YMCA. The YMCA is responsible for bringing the first group swim lessons to the US in 1909 as well as introducing basketball to the world!
GARY OLSEN was filling in as Sergeant at Arms and introduced our guests. Then, BOB LOGAN introduced our guest speaker who was our very own KURTIS DAWSON. BOB didn’t roast KURTIS too much and always brings a bit of flavor to the microphone. It turns out that in his former club, KURTIS was President as well as being honored as the Rotarian of the Year. Twice! Wow! It was a very small club.
KURTIS offered a bit of a history lesson on the YMCA in Tucson as well as the current improvements that have been made. The YMCA started in downtown Tucson in 1914. One of the first things that KURTIS did when he became the President/CEO of the YMCA of Southern Arizona was have a study conducted to find where and how they should invest in the YMCA for the future. It was established that updating the downtown location made the most sense. Though the pandemic has been really hard on the YMCA, it did present some unique opportunities. Since the facilities were closed, they were able to start on some capital improvements to include: a new, super, hot Boiler, new Locker Rooms, new single room family locker rooms, Bike parking facilities for commuters and are working on an Airnasium! An Airnasium is also known as an open-air gym. If you haven’t been to the YMCA downtown, it’s time to visit, join, and improve your life. Also, there will be an opportunity to volunteer at the Triangle Y camp in late April. Stay tuned for details. KURTIS signed “Confidence is My Superpower” to go into the Make Way for Books Library.We celebrated two birthdays. DON CLARK, member of our club for 38 years, has finally had to give up river rafting due to his age. Float on DON! KEN LIGHT, member of our club for 31 years, was a State Wrestling Champion in high school and holds the same weight now as he did then. However, he noted that his body composition is different now. Happy Birthday!!
SCOTT VAUGHAN introduced two new Paul Harris Society Members. A Paul Harris Society Member is an individual that gives at least $1,000.00 to the Rotary Foundation every year. BOB LOGAN has been inducted and among other things, BOB was a coach of a professional football team in Italy. TOM ELITHARP was also inducted and enjoys his summers in Idaho with his family. Thanks guys and congratulations!
GARY OLSEN had the ticket drawn for the 25/50/25 Raffle. NANCY BEVINS won for the day but the King of Clubs is still in there and the pot is over $3,100.00 with only ten cards left!
PRESIDENT MARK showed the newest contributor to Irv’s Fly-Fishing Fund. MARGARET HIGGINS was photographed with a huge salmon…that she baked with lemon and seasoning for her guests recently. Nice fish MARGARET! There will be a JTED Open House on Tuesday, March 8th at 4pm. You will need to register online (TucsonRotary.org) to attend. We are looking for members to volunteer and help with the Switcher Studio during lunch meetings. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to help. Switcher Studio is the application we use to broadcast our lunch meetings. There will be a Rotary Day of Service on March 5th, Rillito River Clean Up, 8am to 12noon at the Brandi Fenton Memorial Park.
MIKE SAGARA was in a video thanking the RCOT for their contributions to the blood drive for a couple of weeks ago. We had 14 donations with 7 of them being new donors.
CHUCK SAWYER introduced the upcoming March Madness Competition. This will be through the month of March and first meeting in April. Invite guests to attend our meeting and get points for your team. Invite those who you think would be great Rotarians. If they join, you get even more points. I was particularly struck by Team Thunder. They seem to have a great leadership group of coaches and enthusiasm to win. JOE D offered information on a Peace Pole Ceremony however I was Thunderstruck and didn’t get the details. I’m sorry for my loss of focus during that moment.
PRESIDENT MARK congratulated his fellow birthday Rotarians, our two new Paul Harris Society members, offered a toast and we were on our way.
