President CHUCK opened our meeting and Rabbi STEPHANIE AARON gave our inspiration. GARY HIRSCH accompanied MELISSA ECKSTEIN who led us in the Pledge and Song (“God Bless America”.) New Member JIM ENGEL introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians.
VICKIE JACOBS introduced our newest member MICHELE HATCH. MICHELE works in marketing for Casino del Sol when she’s not skydiving or more dangerously, managing 7 children. MICHELE was also Rotarian of the Year at her old Rotary Club.Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON led us through the raffle, and we had the following announcements:
President CHUCK reminded us all to attend the 6/29 Change of Administration Event at Hacienda Del Sol.
Past President CHAR HARRIS brought us a Centennial presentation on a true Heritage Family in Rotary – Harold, HAL and LARRY ADAMSON represent a combined 165 years of Rotary participation. Both the Adamson sons are Past Presidents (HAL in 1961-62 and LARRY
in 1985-86) and both served in the military. HAL (despite heckling his own video) spoke strongly about the importance of getting involved, and we owe a debt to LARRY for starting our Foundation, true to his roots as a numbers guy. LARRY also started the tradition of little-known facts about members that President CHUCK has raised to an art form.
in 1985-86) and both served in the military. HAL (despite heckling his own video) spoke strongly about the importance of getting involved, and we owe a debt to LARRY for starting our Foundation, true to his roots as a numbers guy. LARRY also started the tradition of little-known facts about members that President CHUCK has raised to an art form.President CHUCK moved to our program, this year’s Club Assembly. CHUCK repeated our main focuses from early in his term: increase engagement, grow the Club, collaborate with other clubs, and find an international project closer to Tucson. Various Rotarians spoke about the following highlights:
- Past President BOB SCHAFF reported that we met our retention goals and about efforts to improve value for members (a “members club that does service”) by expanding “High Profiles”, member spotlights, and members’ Rotary stories. On a heavier note, BOB also remembered the five great Rotarians from our Club who passed away this year.
- MARGARET HIGGINS spoke about growth including our free lunch initiative to encourage visits by non-members and efforts to attract women to bring our membership from 27% women closer to the District average of 34%.
- STEVE PICKERING spoke about the STAR Program and plans to organize a work project, social event, and Car Show signups specifically for new members.
- Past President JIM LUBINSKI noted that the Foundation disbursed $250,000 this year leading to a total of $1.6M over the past 6 years, and he spoke about our upcoming Centennial Project special event being headed by LEE OLITZKY. JIM also welcomed incoming Foundation President DAVE GALLAHER.
- BRUCE JACOBS spoke about our Terrific Twelfth Car Show that collected $175,500 and thanked our ever-present Main Sponsor MIKE ANDERSON as well as the many members who sold tickets.
- Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON recognized the many committees, donations, and volunteers who made his job busy (and easier). He then visibly demonstrated that TUSD grads, parents, and persons with other connections far outnumber those from a certain school that rhymes with “Salpointe”.
- Finally, President CHUCK thanked ALLYN BULZOMI for his many years working with our youth associates Roteract and Interact clubs, and recognized SID HIRSH both for being the “most fined” member in the history of the Club and a world class hiker who finished multiple 50-mile rim to rim to rim Grand Canyon races.
President CHUCK closed our meeting with a toast and a quote from Paul Harris: "Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves."
