President BOB opened our meeting with a resounding bell ringing (where’d he get the big hammer?) followed by the Pledge and Song led by JIM ENGEL accompanied by GARY HIRSCH (“The Star Spangled Banner”.) President BOB then introduced a great video inspiration – Steve Hartman’s “Smiles” video featuring a recently orphaned boy in Savannah who gives toys to random strangers to make them smile.
New Member JEANNE FLOWER introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians, and we had three – no, wait, four Birthday Rotarians:
DIANA CANNON is the Fundraising Director for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, and no surprise, she has five dogs! DIANA appreciates the mission driven nature of our Rotary and gave a donation to sponsor STEVE PICKERING in the ride to end polio.
Past President JIM RONSTADT is the owner of Ronstadt Insurance and a former director of the Tucson Parks and Recreation Department. JIM gave a donation to finish his cousin’s Paul Harris and another to start one for his granddaughter.
TOM WILLIS proved once and for all that CPA’s do have a sense of humor by telling a joke (“Life is not a fairy tale… if you lose your shoe at midnight, it’s probably because you are drunk.”) TOM made donations to the Ride to End Polio and the Foundations Scholarship Fund.
And finally, ALAN ROGERS followed TOM’S lead by noting that he has a patient who suffered a terrible accident, losing the left side of his body… but assured us he is “all right now”.
RALPH PHILLIPS, owner of Fair Wheel Bicycles introduced new member JIM ENGEL who was a member of the San Mateo Rotary for 22 years, enjoys Scrabble, fitness, and has fond memories of the one year he spent at the University of Arizona. JIM’S father in law was Swede Johnson and his wife is a 7th generation Tucsonan.Taking over for President BOB as Master of Ceremonies for Paul Harris Presentations, Past President JONI CONDIT joined Past President CHAR HARRIS to award Paul Harris pins to the following members:
Past President BOB SHAFF received his Paul Harris plus 4 and appreciates the awareness of culture and need across the world that Rotary International brings.
PAT ZUMBUSCH received his Paul Harris plus 7(!) PAT likes the fact that Rotary International focuses on basic human needs without bringing polarization to the process of helping.
RALPH PHILLIPS received his Paul Harris plus one. RALPH likes Rotary International’s ability to provide service and improve good will in the world.
JEANNE ZETAH is a Past President of a rotary club in Minnesota who committed to giving at least $1,000 each year. She received her Paul Harris plus 4 and continues to wonder at the impact RI international grants can have.
Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON led us through the following announcements:
President BOB reminded us all the August 7th meeting is at the Sheraton.
President BOB asked each table to provide questions on index cards and noted that everyone needs to sign up for the Mayoral Debate through Eventbrite.com.
VIC JACOBS gave a Happy Jackson in honor of her son’s first job at Pellstar Computers. Pellstar and member MIKE PELLER take on several interns each year and refurbishes older CPU’s to donate to nonprofits – well done Pellstar!
DOT KRET gave an excellent summary of President BOB’s goals for his “Reign of Terror” – entirely in rap form. President BOB’S goals are:
- Have fun.
- Be inspired.
- Make an impact.
- Connect the world through Rotary International.
- Lose 25 pounds (ok that’s a personal goal…)
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President BOB reported some very interesting facts from the large club conference (the Rotary Club of Tucson is tied for 29th in members in the country, 64th in the world… but we are #1 in attendance percentage at 59%!!!) Our dues are lower than average by $200, and our budget is about average for a large club. He then spoke about some minor adjustments to meeting structure with the goal of preserving enough time for the presentation since that is one of the most features most appreciated by members. Another innovation is meetings will now be available on Facebook Live to allow us to make up by watching the meeting electronically if we’re unable to make it.President BOB closed our meeting with a toast and a quote to inspire our negotiations with the Doubletree: "End Pollo Now."
