Reid Park Zoo is celebrating 60 Wild Years of being a source of pride for the community, and a destination for over 550,000 visitors annually. While celebrating the past, Reid Park Zoo has vision for the future with a Master Plan focused on Bigger Spaces & Smiling Faces.
Nancy Kluge serves as President & CEO of Reid Park Zoological Society which operates the City of Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo. You will learn about this terrific example of the public and private sector working together to benefit our community.
A citizen’s ballot initiative in 2017, The Future of Your Zoo, created a one-tenth of one percent sales tax to support zoo operations and capital projects, allowing for increased staff levels, major maintenance improvements, and to create the master plan to make the zoo a world class destination.
From its humble beginning in 1965, the City of Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo has grown to become a leader in education, conservation, and animal care. You will hear the impact Reid Park Zoo has on education, conservation, and how they create the highest level of animal well-being for the residents in their care.
PRESIDENT DOT rang the bell at 12:00 PM to call the meeting to order.
Fellow Rotarians and guests were warmly welcomed, JON HARNED who is standing in for SAA DAN KALM while he is on the mend. We all said Howdy as he was watching us while our meeting was streaming.
The Pledge and Song were led by our very own District Governor BRUCE MONRO, accompanied by the very talented KHRIS DODGE on Keyboard.
A moment of silence was held in memory of Burt Struthers, who passed away on June 18 at age 95. He was the “longest ago” RCOT President (1945-46), and father of former family member LYNN STRUTHERS PEATE and father-in-law of former member WAYNE PEATE.
MITCH PISIK inspired us today, as he inspires us every day.
Fellow Rotarians and guests were warmly welcomed by JON HARNED who is standing in for SAA DAN KALM while he is on the mend.
This week’s Cookie Sponsor was MATT BLAIR of Cirrus Visual. Thank you, MATT, for the delicious treats. He also received the cookie monster badge of honor.
ASSISTANT DISTRICT GOVERNOR JENNIFER SPRUNG introduced our guest speaker:
BRUCE MONROE DISTRICT 5500 GOVERNOR - His Presentation covered “Rotary & District Goals”; His goals mirror our International President’s goals; Polio, Membership and Peace. BRUCE wants to focus on not only increasing membership but more importantly retaining the members we have. He also shared some upcoming dates for events we can attend: this weekend there is training for Rotary Leaders, The District conference is 9/26-9/27, and the Mexico USA Conference is in Yuma 10/31-11/3; this conference is a platform for Global Grants looking for funding.
Bruce also signed the book, “Legendary Leader with L,” which will be donated to the Make Way for Books library to promote children’s literacy in Tucson.
Happiest of birthdays to DIANA CANNON – July 13 and Past President BRUCE JACOBS – July 19.
Three Blue badges were presented today, Congratulations! MARK IRVIN presented to LIBY LENTZ, BOB LOGAN conducted an impromptu vote to make sure we all agreed RICKY HUNLEY received his (it was unanimous), and LEE OLITZKY presented CHUCK SABALOS his blue. Way to go!
Paul Harris Fellowship Presentations were done by DG BRUCE MONRO to: LEE OLITZKY and MICHAEL DEEHAN, Congratulations you two!
Stand in Sergeant-at-Arms: JON HARNED drew the raffle winner, GARY HIRSCH, Drinks are on you!
Club Announcements:
• Dot Kret: Event/project info on tables and website. Red Badge selfies needed. • All lunch meetings in July and the first on 8/6 will be held at the Turquoise/Crystal Ballrooms. • Senegal Project: Donations count toward Paul Harris/Matching Points. Flyers available at registration. • Brittany Battle: PR updates for the club.
And we had a car show minute(s)- Our next Car Show Chair for 2026 our 20th show was announced, ALAN ROGERS, high fives were given all around. Congratulations! ALAN also said to get out there and sell, sell, sell your tickets and he also thanked a few club members who have already knocked it out of the park with their ticket sales.
PRESIDENT DOT thanked all attendees, including our virtual guests. Reminder to donate to UA and Pima CC scholarship students. Blue donation cups with QR codes were placed on each table.
Next Week’s Program (7/23): Nancy Kluge of the Reid Park Zoo. Meeting will be held in the Turquoise-Crystal Ballrooms.
Support Texas Flood Relief – Donate Through Rotary
If you're looking for a way to help those affected by the recent flooding in Texas, please consider donating to the Rotary District 5840 Disaster Relief Fund. Your support will go directly to helping families recover and rebuild.
Looking to show your Rotary pride? Merchandise will be available for purchase at the meeting on Tuesday, July 23rd! Be sure to stop by the merchandise table to check out shirts, hats, and other Rotary gear.
If you’re unable to attend but would still like to purchase an item, please reach out to Nancy Bevens directly at (530) 343-9920 to make arrangements.
As we are beyond the halfway point of this year's Summer Hiking Series and as the always favorite, hike out of Marshall Gulch ended up being cancelled, next month seems like the perfect time to complete this moderate trek, that appeals to so many. For this trip, we will be reversing directions and beginning on Lower Aspen, taking a break at the Saddle and descending back to the starting point on the Marshall Gulch trail. Total distance is 4.1 miles with less than 900 feet of vertical gain and will take around 2.5 hours to complete.
Meet and departure will be from LeBuzz, located on Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde with a meet time of 6:30AM, departure at 6:45AM and anticipated hike start at 8AM. Upon completion of this beautiful stroll through the forest, conversation and tasty treats will be follow at Beyond Bread, located at the Mount Lemmon Lodge.
You all should have received the email from the Rotary Office with the Parking Protocols at the TCC. In order for us to continue to receive the complimentary parking, you will need to supply your Name and License Plate Number to kate.calhoun@tucsonaz.gov. When sending your information, please reference that you are a member of the Rotary Club of Tucson. After she has recorded your number into the system, you will not be charged for parking at the TCC going forward. If you have a guest attending a lunch meeting, please inform them they will need to validate their license plate number by stopping by the Guest Services Office inside the glass meeting room doors. Also, if you are driving a different car then the one you supplied information for, you too will need to stop by the Guest Services Office. Please remember to bring your License Plate Number with you when you leave your car.
Thank you and please relay all your questions to Kate at the TCC via the email provided.
Starting July 16, we'll be accepting ticket money for Car Show tickets at the TCCS Ticket table as well as giving out packets, additional tickets, posters, and promotional cards.
We'll also have Classics Club tickets available for those of you who would like to buy or sell them.
Please pick up your Car Show Ticket Packet by Aug. 6 which has lots of great info to help you sell your tickets.
If you plan to make a donation or sell online or at events instead of taking a ticket packet, please let Jeanne Zetah know that by Aug. 6.
Let's all help make this the best Car Show ever! Thank you ~~ Jeanne Zetah
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
We’re excited to highlight a new way for you to make your donations directly to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation – all from the comfort of your own home! Simply head to our website, where you’ll find the gold Donation button at the top right of the menu bar. Whether you're contributing to our Scholarships, making a General Donation, or supporting our Local Charities, your generosity will help fund important initiatives that uplift our community.
But wait, there’s more! If you're joining us for lunch at the next meeting, don’t forget to look for the blue scholarship cups on the tables. These cups now feature a QR code that will take you straight to the Donation Page with just a quick scan. No need for cash or checks – donate right from your phone!
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of our Foundation. Your donations directly benefit our community and empower us to continue making a meaningful impact. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rotary office.
Let’s continue to do good in our community – with a click, a scan, and your generous heart!
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