We were scheduled to have our first Replacement Social Mixer on July 29th but with all that is going on, we have decided to host Virtual Happy Hours instead.  We have a few board members who have stepped up and will host these virtual mixers via Zoom.  We want to thank President Jen Hoffman, Director Bruce Jacobs and our Sergeant At Arms, Gary Olsen for volunteering to have Happy Hours. The login information has been emailed and we will send a reminder email with all the details.  Remember, there is no lunch meeting on 7/29.

 

 

You can join in on the screen any time, stay on for a bit, and if you want to jump in on another Happy Hour, feel free to do so!  This will give you opportunities to chat with many Rotarians who you haven't seen in quite some time.  So, let's have some fellowship, fun and drink on the Screen...

PRESIDENT JENNIFER HOFFMAN promptly convened our Rotary meeting in the Casa Luna Room at Hacienda del Sol.  With masks and appropriate distancing during this challenging time, we were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by new member, JENN DELANEY, Temp Connection executive.  A video of the Navy Band and a Navy vocalist followed with America the Beautiful.

 

An inspirational video detailed the “Newspaper Delivery Man” who brought groceries as well as news to many in need.  Thank you, PAST PRESIDENT BOB LOGAN, for the “inspirational” tradition.

 

Rotarian JEFF RONSTADT, Ronstadt Insurance, introduced our speaker, Carmine DeBonis, Jr., Deputy County Administrator with Pima County Public Works with bachelor and master degrees from UA.   Carmine detailed the 10- year plan, in which we are in year two, for repairing the selected 127 miles of unincorporated roads in Pima County with the yearly allocated $56 million.  Of significance is the improvement in the evaluating PCI grade since 2017.  Our roads are going from poor to good!  CARMINE also reassured us that new technology is being studied which will be adopted for the Southwest dry heat.  Rotarians are much better informed and understanding.

 

New RCoT member, DAN KALM, Insurance & Risk Management, was introduced by PAST PRESIDENT CHUCK SAWYER.  DAN, who is a past Old Pueblo Rotary president, was sponsored by MIKE SCHULTE.  Reading, traveling, cooking, cars and cycles are DAN’s passion.  Let’s welcome DAN to RCoT!

 

Paul Harris Presentations were made by PAST PRESIDENT SCOTT VAUGHAN to PRESIDENT JEN and PAST PRESIDENT CHUCK SAWYER.  There is no better humor than SCOTT’S.

 

JOE DANISZEWSKI, returning Rotarian and board member of the Catalina Council of Boy Scouts of America, gave a most informative and interesting history: “RCoT Role in Birth and Growth of Boy Scouts of America in Tucson.”  Scout Camp Lawton in the Catalinas was conceived by our RCoT founders in the early 1920’s and remains a “work” project for our Club as needed.

 

PRESIDENT JEN will stay fit with her Running for Rotary.  RCoT will, also, be greatly benefitted.  Take note of her email and attached form. 

    

Last week there were over 80 online viewers of Rotary’s meeting.  This coming Wednesday, July 29, will be virtual happy hours with PRESIDENT JEN, DIRECTORS BRUCE JACOBS and GARY OLSEN.  You will receive your invitations and links by email.

  

Thank you, photographer BILL MESCH and Sergeant-at-Arms DIRECTOR KURTIS DAWSON.  The meeting was adjourned with a toast from President JEN.

Pima JTED’s dream to build a high-tech campus to bring its signature Career and Technical Education programs to a greater number of students, particularly those living on the Southwest side, is now a reality thanks in part to the Rotary Club of Tucson’s Dream Big Centennial Grant. Construction crews are putting the final touches on the 50,000 square-foot Pima JTED Innovative Learning Center @ The Bridges campus at South Park Avenue and I-10.

 

JKaiser Workspaces is installing modern furnishings for classrooms and accompanying maker spaces. These will house programs such as; Air Transportation/FAA Drone Operator, Engineering Aerospace and Mining Technology, and 3D Animation/Virtual Reality and Game Design. In addition to Registered Medical Assistant, and the Licensed Nursing Assistant/Personal Assistant Caregiver/Home Health Aide programs, JTED’s new Comprehensive Health Care Technician program enables students to earn certifications to work immediately as a Phlebotomy Technician, EKG Technician, and Electronic Health Records Technician.

 

A spacious laboratory houses the Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence program, which allows students to earn CompTIAA+ certifications for direct employment. Students in the Culinary and Nutritional Arts program will work with a professional chef in an industrial kitchen with amenities including a vertical herb garden.

 

“We are grateful to be selected to receive the Rotary Club of Tucson Centennial Grant and appreciate the support of their members,” said Pima JTED Superintendent Kathy Prather. “We’ve hired a talented group of teachers who have a wealth of teaching and relevant industry experience who are going to make the JTED Innovative Learning Center an exceptional place for students to achieve their career goals.”

 

Denise Newton