CALLING ALL MEMBERS. We are having our first Club Assembly in several years. “What is a Club Assembly”? A Club Assembly is the chance to share with all members information about the Club and with the help of YOU to help chart our future.

 

Clubs nationwide deal with the issues of retaining and growing membership along with dealing with the rising costs of food and labor. Our Club is no different. We are looking at our future and need to hear from ALL members on what their thoughts and ideas are for how we move forward over this next year and beyond.

 

How do we balance some of the old (traditions) with the new? How can we increase the engagement of all our members through service projects, social activities and changes that might be necessary for our meetings?

 

I mentioned at the start of my term that this is not “my” year this is “our” year. What I need from you is what do you want “your” club to look like, feel like and act like?

 

I hope you will plan to attend this very important meeting which will be at the Westward Look this week and please remember to RSVP. If it is past the cut off and you had not RSVP'd just send Dorinna an email and we know we can get you in. I would love to have 150+ members show up and participate.

 

Once we summarize all the data we collect from membership it will all be reported back to you. Please help to shape our Club’s future.

 

YIR

 

Bruce

RCOT President, 2022-2023

As our members shuffled into the great hall there was a universal gasp of perplexity as BRUCE JACOBS was not in attendance. No explanation for his absence was offered, and none of the members exhibited the bravery to inquire (though a well-earned vacation is the expected culprit). Whatever concern that initially existed rapidly dissipated as all of our attention was re-focused upon MARGARET HIGGINS. BRUCE temporarily did not show-up, yet MARGARET temporarily stepped-in to lead from the Dais of Authority. Would she lead with warmth and wisdom, or harshness and authoritativeness? To our relief it was the former.

 

At exactly high noon (plus 2 minutes) MARGARET exclaimed in no uncertain terms that the meeting was to commence. We all appreciated the unambiguousness of her pronouncements.

 

Dorinna and Kari, as is their Standard Operating Procedure, assured that our lunch was both tasty and healthy. How do they excel every week? It’s a mystery of which we are exceedingly grateful.

 

The Pledge & "God Bless America" was performed with gusto and patriotism by LEROY GODFREY.  KHRIS DODGE refused to play any music (suspiciously and evasively blaming a lack of any musical instruments in the room as an excuse).

 

We extended a respectful and sad moment of silence in memory of the passing of Wendy Green, JAN GREEN’s wife.  We also extend well wishes for IRENE DECKER, who is battling some health issues.  Cards were distributed to sign.

 

The famous weekly INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE was delivered by JOE DANISZEWSKI, who regaled us with a dozen of his favorite clever, humorous, and insightful quotes.

 

KHRIS warmly welcomed our guests.

 

The indomitable and unflusterable JONI CONDIT comprehensively and compassionately introduced BOBBY LARSON who graciously shared the excessively impressive results of the 2022 Classics Car Show.  He first presented a check for $10,000 to Honorary Member, JULIE SHERRILL, Principal of the Gregory School.  BOBBY then presented a check to JTED (the main beneficiary of the 2022 Car Show proceeds) for $251,988.  “Best Tucson Classics Car Show Ever…Even With rain!”  Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Tucson for all their hard work all year to make the Car Show such a huge success!

 

The philanthropic recipients of this windfall justifiably expressed their appreciation of our generosity, providing details on the beneficial investments to which these funds will be deployed.

 

LEE OLITZKY presented BOBBY with a beautiful glass sculpture as a token of our appreciation for his leadership on the 2022 car show.  The book “C is for Car” will go into the ***'Make Way for Books' *** library as we continue to support children's literacy in Tucson.

 

We recognized and celebrated the birthdays of STU GOLDMAN, EMERY BARKER, and JIM ENGEL.  Happy birthday gentlemen!

 

JEFF HOTCHKISS introduced our newest member, DON RIEGGER – who is a terrific addition to our chapter.  Welcome to the Club DON!!

 

JOE D won the weekly raffle.  KHRIS refused to allow anyone to win the $2000 big prize, yet again.

 

Announcements:

 

MARGARET HIGGINS  – Club Assembly on 2/1 at Westward Look – sign -up on website.

MARGARET HIGGINS – Replacement/Social Mixer @Noble Hops 2/8 – signup on website.

 

BRUCE TUNZE  – Blue Badge Presentation for MICHAEL GUYMON, Congratulations!

 

VICKIE JACOBS  – Blue Badge Presentation for LYNETTE WELLS.  Congratulations!

 

MARGARET HIGGINS adjourns at exactly 1:20 (plus 6 minutes) with congratulations, a toast, and proof that our confidence in her leadership of the Club (in 152 days) is very well placed.

 

NEXT WEEK: Club Assembly at Westward Look – please sign up on the website.

Our next Replacement/Social Mixer is WEDNESDAY, February 8, 2023 at Noble Hops (DoubleTree), 445 S. Alvernon Way from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  This Mixer replaces our Wednesday lunch meeting.  All members must register on the club website www.tucsonrotary.org scroll down the left side to Upcoming Events.  Be sure to register your guest as well.  Guest fee is $30 and will be billed to your account.  Let's all have some fun and fellowship at Noble Hops!

 

Hello Tucson Rotarians,

 

We will be hosting a night of cultural exchange with 15 Rotaractors from Armenia on February 4th, 2023, from 6-8 PM at the University of Arizona Education Building, Room 211. It will be a night of performance, and music. We will also be providing some light refreshments. Please RSVP using this link if you'd like to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-with-rotaractors-from-armenia-tickets-522233814397

 

If you'd like to support us by also bringing refreshments such as snacks or drinks (non-alcoholic) to the event, you are more than welcome to, and we will also very much appreciate that. We look forward to you joining us! Please invite other Rotarians as well! We are limiting the event to 55 attendees total, which will consist of UA Rotaractors, Rotarians, and host families. 

 

Julianne Chania Setiadi

Rotaract Club of the University of Arizona

 

 

I shared with those in attendance on the 13^th that this next year I want us to share “Miles of Memories” together. I referenced the memories we have created together over the years and the impact we have had in so many others lives as well as our own.

 

The children and the parents receiving the grass ball field in San Carlos transformed from a dirt lot. The recipients and their families that obtained their mobility by receiving a wheelchair in Nogales. The memories of our member that participated along with the memories of working together on various local workday projects. Our hiking, golf, home hospitality fellowships and the list goes on.

 

I ask for you to help me on “our journey” over this next year by sponsoring me in the “Miles of Memories.” My goal is to walk a minimum of 35 miles a week, 1,825 for the year and honestly want to surpass 2000+. I would like for you to consider donating by the mile and we will share the outcome at the first meeting of each month on my progress.

 

Donations can go to the Foundation toward a Paul Harris, the President’s Discretionary Fund, or others of your choosing. I want us to have fun on our journey over this next year and to INSPIRE each other and our benefactors through the world of Rotary.

 

Thank you for your support in making our 102^nd year one where we create memories together.

 

YIR

Bruce

To view videos on the RCOT YouTube channel go to our Home Page of the Club website and click on the YouTube link on the right hand side of the page.  Or, go to YouTube and type in Rotary Club Of Tucson.  You will be able to click on the video you wish to watch once they are posted.  Here is the link to do this: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rotary+club+of+tucson