Our Home Hospitality events begin April 16th and go through the 22nd.  These social events will replace our Wednesday, April 19th lunch meeting.  We want to thank all the members who have graciously volunteered to open up their homes and host an event.  This a wonderful way to relax, meet fellow Rotarians outside of the lunch meeting and have some fun!

 

If you have any questions, please call the Rotary office at 623-2281.  Again, these events take the place of our lunch meeting on April 19th.  Our next regular lunch meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 26th at the TCC.

“We have no idea what is going to happen today.” Cautiously optimistic and candid opening words from our cheerful PRESIDENT BRUCE JACOBS.

 

Dog Whisperer ALAN SCHROPE (Camp Bow Wow) knew the start of the Pledge of Allegiance and we all helped him with the rest.  He also led “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, but we drowned him out. 

 

Proud Sun Devil Alum of the greatest State University, the Merrill financial wizard JIM WOOD, inspired us observing the Friendship and Camaraderie we Rotary TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) enjoy.

 

Rincon (Communications not Mountains) leader and Sargent at Arms wannabe ROBERT O’BRIEN welcomed guests Pat Evan, Angelo Lopez, Bruce Monroe, John Weeks, and Jen Weeks, who also wondered what was going to happen.

 

We were randomly placed at tables around the room and now we each took 2.5 minutes for a Cliff Note version of our life to our table folks.  Our sneaky leader then let the conversations continue after the last timer expired and low and behold, there it was, the animated buzz of fellowship throughout the room.  Pretty cool!!!

 

Serial entrepreneur and empire builder DOT KRET celebrated her birthday in Rhyme, managing to plug all her businesses (no small feat), though she should be best known for starting the 4^th Avenue Street Fair.

 

Proud Sun Devil Alum of the greatest State University, commercial real estate magician, closet comedian, and nepotism proponent GEORGE LARSEN introduced his brother-in-law as our newest member.  The young by this club’s demographic (thank you George) concrete guru, tennis star and triplet Dad, WALLY JOHNSON is also Alum of Northern Colorado University, which explains why he is a fan of the local crazy feline themed team.

 

Old folks resort living developer and baseball bat peddler BOBBY LARSON introduced our newest Blue Badge recipient.  Voted the Best in Tucson Real Estate, KRISTEN MAMMANA is a University of Vermont Alum, but most importantly she is a competitive power lifter!

 

Past President JEN HOFFMAN presented Paul Harris Fellows to AIMEE GRAVES and DAVE WHITE.  They were both sporting their Paul Harris pins and were presented their gifts of little or no value.  Congratulations AIMEE and DAVE for your contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

 

Rincon Sargent enlisted our President to draw the raffle ticket and I did not win.

 

Home Hospitality is next week!  Sign up on the website to visit one of our generous member’s homes for more of the cool fellowship we like so much!

 

More time to talk among ourselves with our table folks, good time!

 

Cheery BRUCE wrapped it all up with a good toast and the bell.  Time flew with the laughter and smiles.  Great meeting!

 

We would like to take a few moments to respond to the Club’s Survey results regarding the Paul Harris Fellow presentations.

 

We heard you!  …..Approximately, 50% responded to “no change” and to continue as we have in the past, and 50% responded to shorten and/or less often.  We will do our best to shorten presentations and to do them less often, however, we would like to share with you why we do the presentations the way that we do. 

 

Everyone can agree that we as a country are in difficult times with challenges such as political divisions, distrust, homelessness and violence including school shootings.  There are experts who say it could be a result of the isolation from other people due to the pandemic and/or social media. It’s up to all of us to try and find our way back to one another – back to what matters most. 

 

One solution to the situation is to have better relationships and to learn more about each other and appreciate each other at a deeper level.  Additionally, choosing to show appreciation and gratitude to one another results in better relationships. This is all especially true, here at Rotary, where we have the common commitment to make the world a better place serving those in need. 

 

That is why we traditionally take five minutes or less to recognize two fellow Rotarians and/or those they wish to honor through their support of our parent international organization’s foundation, The Rotary Foundation, which serves our world through the work of other Rotarians and other Rotary Clubs.  We share personal stories so we get to appreciate and know each other better, striving to make us a stronger family. And we believe through sharing the personal stories of our members and those they recognize, provides the opportunity to fulfill #3 of our Rotary Four Way Test which is “To build goodwill and better friendships”.

 

If you wish to visit with one of us, please contact us.

WE NEED YOU to help us with our service projects at the Triangle Y Ranch Camp this Sat., April 22, starting at 8:30 a.m.

 

The 13^th year of Rotary Day of Service project at the Triangle Y YMCA Ranch Camp will be fun as always as we perform numerous maintenance and improvement projects to get the Ranch ready for summer camp season.  Thanks to a district grant our club got, we will be performing finishing touches to the new house constructed for the Ranch Director and their family.  Projects include painting the new porches, erecting a perimeter fence in the backyard, planting the Rotary tree garden and various yard maintenance activities. 

 

This project is a collaboration of several area Rotary Clubs and we welcome friends and families of Rotarians.  There will be jobs for all skill levels and physical ability levels.  Bring sunscreen, hat, gloves, and any special tools that you like.  Tools and painting tools will be provided.  Bring water and a snack.  Water stations will be available at the work area.

 

Lunch will be provided at approximately 1:00PM. We welcome kids over the age of 6. 

PLEASE RSVP by Thursday at https://rotaryd5500.org/event/service-day-at-the-tri-y-ymca-ranch-camp/

 

The Tri Y YMCA Ranch Camp is located at 34434 S Y Camp Rd  (8 miles from Oracle on Mt. Lemmon Rd.) in Oracle, AZ 85623.  People who would like to carpool to the camp are asked to meet at 8:00 am at the Trader Joe’s parking lot at Oracle and Magee at southeast corner. 

 

For more information please call Dave Gallaher (Catalina Rotary) at 520-907-4983 or Kurtis Dawson (Tucson Rotary Club) at 520-622-9622.

For those interested in our BSA Camp Lawton Improvement day on Saturday April 29th here is the link:   https://scoutingevent.com/011-CoatiCleanup

The following members are on Leave of Absence:

 

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