Welcome Rotarians announced PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET at Wednesday’s meeting. PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET rang the bell at 12p to officially get the meeting started then made the announcement on the buffet, we will have fellowship then at 12:15p we will start the presentation.
We all visited and greeted great friends during this fellowship time before PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET started the meeting. We were led in the pledge and song by BILL TONG. Today’s song was “My Country Tis of Thee” with KHRIS DODGE on the piano.
There was a moment of silence for member ANA GREIF’S Father-in-law, who passed away, cards are being passed around. Then a moment of thought was given for member TOM WILLIS who has been battling pancreatic cancer for some time now, and he has decided no more treatment. Cards are being passed around for TOM too. The inspirational moment was given by CAMI EVANS.
Seargeant at Arms KHRIS DODGE stepped up to the mic to introduce our guests for this Wednesday luncheon. Welcome all Rotarians and guests. It’s great to see all of you here.
PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET introduced JIM MURPHY, Grants Committee Chair, who then introduced today’s presentation “Charity Presentations”; those presentations will come from Literacy Connects, JobPath, LLC, Amphi Foundation and Ben’s Bells. JIM MURPHY introduced each representative of each charity between the non-profit presentations.
Our first presentation was by Literacy Connects. “Literacy Connects is an organization that connects people of all ages to a world of opportunities through literacy and creative expression. At Literacy Connects we envision a community where every child graduates from high school, crime and poverty rates are low, a skilled workforce is fostering a thriving economy, and the arts and culture environment is second to none. From birth through adulthood, Literacy Connects’ programs offer opportunities for learners of all ages to realize their potential — at school and in the workplace, as parents, as consumers and as participants in the life of our community.”
The second presentation was from JobPath, LLC. “JobPath is a workforce development and advocacy agency that helps adult students succeed in job-training programs and start meaningful and lucrative careers. We are coaches, administrators, business experts, workforce specialists, and alumni who care about helping students build their path to success. JobPath partners with colleges and job-training centers to provide wraparound case management and financial support for students in Southern Arizona. We also connect students to mentors, coaches, and communities to help them succeed. Programs of study include industrial trades, health care, and information technology. JobPath provides individualized financial support, removing barriers to success by helping students with both school and non-school related expenses. As many JobPath students are a $400 emergency away from having to drop out of their programs, JobPath supports them all the way across the finish line.”The third prese
ntation was from Amphi Foundation. “The Amphi Foundation strives to make a meaningful impact on student success by ensuring that kids have the resources and support they need to attend school ready to learn and become the most successful versions of themselves. In recent years, we have experienced exponential growth. Over the last decade, we’ve reinvested more than two million dollars in support of Amphi schools, students, and educators. We offer a variety of programs and services, which fall under three areas of focus. Resources: Basics like clothing, shoes, and hygiene supplies for our students, so they can go to school and be ready to learn. Support: Grants for educators with funding and support for technology, makerspaces, STEM & fine arts programs. Success: Literacy support, summer programs, athletic fee waivers, academic travel stipends, scholarships, and more.”
ntation was from Amphi Foundation. “The Amphi Foundation strives to make a meaningful impact on student success by ensuring that kids have the resources and support they need to attend school ready to learn and become the most successful versions of themselves. In recent years, we have experienced exponential growth. Over the last decade, we’ve reinvested more than two million dollars in support of Amphi schools, students, and educators. We offer a variety of programs and services, which fall under three areas of focus. Resources: Basics like clothing, shoes, and hygiene supplies for our students, so they can go to school and be ready to learn. Support: Grants for educators with funding and support for technology, makerspaces, STEM & fine arts programs. Success: Literacy support, summer programs, athletic fee waivers, academic travel stipends, scholarships, and more.”
Our last presentation was by Ben’s Bells. “Ben's Bells teaches individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and inspires people to practice kindness as a way of life. In 2002 Jeannette suddenly lost Ben, her three-year-old son. She and her friends made four hundred Bells and randomly distributed them in the Tucson community on the first anniversary of Ben’s death. Through these Bells, she had found a way to pay forward the kindnesses that had been shown to her. This started a powerful ripple effect. People who found the Bells shared their own stories of grief and healing and hope. The local newspaper printed the story on the front page. School groups and businesses and individuals started calling to see how they could get involved and soon, thousands of Tucsonans were helping to craft Ben’s Bells. Since 2003, Ben’s Bells has been operating as a nonprofit, growing kindness education programs and continuing to distribute thousands of Bells every year. Today Bells are found all over the world and our free kindness education programming has reached over 1.6 million students. Kindness becomes highly valued and ingrained in each of us, strengthening our communities, our relationships, and ourselves.”The members then took the time to cast their votes for two non-profits for 2025’s Tucson Classics Car Show. The ballots were then collected and taken away by the Grants Committee for counting.
Next up were our Rotary Club Birthdays. Happy birthday to: BOB ERNSTEIN (9/12), DIANA MADARAS (9/15), and AMY MORIN (9/24). A very happy birthday to all of you!
An introduction of a new member was introduced by DAN GUARE. DAN introduced DANA COLE to the club. Welcome DANA!The Raffle and King of Clubs game presented by KHRIS DODGE. King of Clubs card was not drawn. Better luck to all club members next meeting.
Next up…Rotary Announcements:
PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET started today’s announcements by reminding the members the announcements are on each table to view and listed on the website as well as in the Tucsotorian.
PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET moved our attention to the screen for another round of Red Badge Selfie Pictures. Remember to take selfies with our Red Badgers. Next was a slide of Wilbur’s Travels, who unfortunately had a golfing accident.
Next JEANNE ZETAH gave an update on the Car Show Ticket Sales. Lots of members have been selling and now we are up to 22% of our goal of total ticket sales. Remember those who are the top 50 sellers are eligible to have dinner with the HOFFMAN’S at JENNIFER’s parent’s house.
JENNIFER HOFFMAN then gave us an updated announcement on the Car Show. Who reminded us we are not done. Get out there and sell tickets. The Tucson Classics Car Show is listed as #6 in the Tucson Guide as ‘Things To Do In Southern Arizona”. That dinner for the top 50 is at her parents’ house where they plan to cook up some delicious BBQ and Jen along with her Mom will be baking up a storm to make desserts.
NANCY BEVENS took the mic to give a Happy Jackson about the new Rotary Volunteer Shirts. If you need a shirt for any upcoming volunteer days, please be sure to stop by the table.
PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET closed by thanking all our members and guests for being here today.
Next week’s meeting will be presented by Tucson Improv Movement and “Entertainment – Interactive- Improv!”.
We were not able to close the meeting with the announcement of the winning charities for our next year’s beneficiaries for the Tucson Classics Car Show. The committee will make that announcement via email.
CAMI EVANS gave the final toast before PRESIDENT ELECT DOT KRET rang the bell to adjourn the meeting.
