Kurtis Dawson is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Southern Arizona and has served in this role since 2017. Prior to Tucson, Kurtis spent 15 years working at the YMCA of Grays Harbor in Hoquiam, Washington, which is southwest of Seattle. Kurtis’ Y story began when he was a teenager working at the front desk. He never imagined that his part-time job at the Y would lead to his career and passion. Kurtis graduated with a business degree from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. By 2001, Kurtis had been hired to a full-time position working as the Youth and Teen Director. He served as the CEO of the YMCA of Grays Harbor from 2008 to 2016.
Kurtis’ comprehensive experience has provided him with hands-on understanding of what it takes to run a successful YMCA. In 2017, Kurtis arrived in Tucson and was immediately inspired by the potential of the Y and the community that it serves. Ask Kurtis and he will openly share his ambitious plans for the YMCA, which include capital renovations to its facilities and equipment, upgrading technology and implementing performance and service-centered metrics. Additionally, Kurtis wants to expand and enhance programming to best serve Tucson’s needs and strengthen relationships between his staff, volunteers, and community members. His motivation are the people who walk through the doors of the YMCA and helping them reach their greatest potential.
Kurtis is no stranger to Rotary, he is a past President of the Rotary Club in Aberdeen, Washington and was chosen Rotarian of the Year two times. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Tucson since 2018 and has served RCOT in multiple roles.
Kurtis’ favorite thing to do outside of the Y is doing anything that involves his wife Sasha and their four daughters! As a family, they enjoy getting creative in the kitchen; whipping up culinary masterpieces to share with family and friends!
President MARK IRVIN called the meeting to order at 12 noon indoor at our downtown location at the Tucson Convention Center. Seemed to be a good turnout to learn more about the upcoming Tucson Rodeo Parade and the Museum. Many of the attendees were dressed in western attire in honor of the 97th anniversary year of this event.
President MARK kicked off the formal part of the meeting by mentioning the annual Blood Drive was taking place outside in the venue lobby and asked MITCH PISIK to share an inspirational thought. MITCH began by telling a story of a young 17 year-old MARK IRVIN and his grandmother, who asked MARK to write down “how people will most remember you?” This exercise caused MARK to think about his life and has certainly led to MARK leading a life of inspiring and leading our community in so many ways. Thank you MARK IRVIN for leading the Rotary Club of Tucson to a year of positive memories and successes.
A special note that our new streaming video package covered the entire meeting on the Rotary Club of Tucson, YouTube Channel, with a 3-camera shoot including the opening of the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of GOD Bless America led by VICKIE JACOBS. President MARK asked for a “Moment of Silence” for past President, ARNIE JACOBSEN’S daughter, who passed away recently from cancer.
The lunch featured a comfortable portion of beef smothered in gravy atop mash potatoes and vegetables. As always, the TCC banquet staff were attentive to the hungry Rotarians.
After the introduction by KHRIS DODGE of a large contingency of guests attending today’s meeting including a visiting Rotarian from Ohio, Rotarian and Past President JIM RONSTADT, all dressed in western attire, introduced today’s program on the upcoming historical Annual Rodeo Parade and Museum. Herb Wagner and Stan Martin shared the full history of the parade and how the wagons come to life in the Parade Museum. The parade started in 1925 and is still going strong with just a short delay in 2021 due to the COVID Pandemic. Watch the parade in person or live on KOLD-TV, Thursday, February 24. Today’s speakers signed an appropriate book “B is for Buckaroo” for our Make Way For Book’s Library.
Today’s Birthdays featured Tim Puntenney (2/22), and Robert O-Brien (2/11). Happy Birthday!
Past President CHAR HARRIS shared today’s Historical Moment mentioning and showing pictures from the origins of the Tucson Rodeo and how Tucson Rotary with its recent 100th Anniversary also celebrated the Rodeo by also dressing up and having events (parties) together.
Running short of time a very quick Raffle was held and still did not produce the King of Clubs, the winning card. The balance today started at over $3000. A western Bolo tie owned by Past President DON SHROPSHIRE and a set of basketball tickets were auctioned off.
Sergeant of Arms: ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARK IRVIN - #Irv’s Fly-Fishing Fund – HUGH THOMPSON
MARK IRVIN – Rodeo Attire for 2/23 Meeting; River Clean-up March 5
MARK IRVIN – Visit to JTED – Exclusive Open House - Tuesday, March 8 @ 4:00 p.m.
MARGARET HIGGINS – 4 Way Test and Orville McPherson Awards – Submit your nominees
Next meeting February 23 will feature KURTIS DAWSON from the YMCA. The Meeting was adjourned with President MARK mentioning March membership drive coming up and a toast wishing the Rodeo and Rodeo Parade much success.
Our blood drive last Wednesday was a success. Our goal was 17 and we collected 14 units of which 7 were first time donors. Your donations have the potential to impact 42 lives. I want to give a heartfelt thanks to all who donated. Our next blood drive is May 11th here at the TCC from 10 to 3. You can sign up now by going to www.redcrossblood.org and enter in sponsor code Tucsonrotary. Thank you, Mike Sagara
February:PEACEBUILDING AND CONFLICT PREVENTION Month
One of the six areas of focus of Rotary we don’t seem to talk about very much is peacebuilding and conflict prevention (the actual area of focus is named "Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution"), which is the theme for the month of February. It is often, however, the conflicts that occur throughout the world that are the root causes of poverty, despair, economic hardship and poor health. Take for instance the major deterrent to polio eradication: the difficulty in vaccinating children in war torn countries. Rotary International as an organization understands this relationship and therefore is deeply invested in supporting individuals and programs that will develop leaders who are committed to seeking ways toward peace. The path toward peace begins with understanding and respect for the differences that make us unique.
These are the same types of values that are studied in the peace centers supported by Rotary International in association with several major universities across the globe. The mission of these centers is to “empower, educate, and increase the capacity of peace builders through rigorous academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities.
Through this experience, Rotary Peace Fellows build the skills needed to act as leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe. These Fellows develop the skills needed to act as “leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution both in their communities and around the globe.” As Rotarians we should all be similarly committed to understanding the conflicts that exist in our own society, to speak out when necessary, and to seek solutions that reflect the values of Rotary.
Through global grant activities, clubs and districts can participate in strategically focused, high-impact activities that align with Rotary goals that address this area of focus including to train leaders including potential youth leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, support peacebuilding in communities and regions affected by conflict, and support studies related to peace and conflict prevention/resolution for career-minded professionals.
SAVE THE DATE: JTED has invited our entire club to join them for an exclusive open house on Tuesday, March 8th at 4:00 p.m. This is to celebrate and THANK THE CLUB for the amazing work we have done as Rotarians in support of their mission. This will be at their new campus, The Bridges, 3300 S. Park Avenue, Tucson and all are encouraged to attend. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the Home Page of the Club Website under "Upcoming Events".
Rotary Service Project at Triangle Y YMCA Camp is back!!!!! April 30, 2022
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 30, 2022 for this year’s Rotary International Day of Service. After a hiatus the past two years this year’s service project is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th 8:30AM-2:00PM. The Ranch is located 8 miles from the town of Oracle on the Mt Lemmon Road. Most, if not all of the work projects will be outdoors at this beautiful Southern Arizona facility. The work performed is a general cleaning of the outdoor areas, painting, trimming, planting, and general cleanup around the cabins. This is a great opportunity to bring friends and family and introduce them to the spirit of Rotary. According to this year’s Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta, “bring together volunteers from inside and outside Rotary to celebrate and showcase the spirit of Rotary in your community”.
We will have jobs for all ages old and young. Bring your friends and kids. Please bring sunscreen, gloves and snacks. A BBQ lunch will be served around at 1:30pm in the main dining hall at the Ranch.
Please email Dave Gallaher, Tucson Rotary Club, at dave@tucsonindustrialrealty.com and/or call 520-907-4983. A guest count is necessary for planning work and the serving of lunch. Carpooling is recommended and many people meet at the Trader Joes parking lot at SEC of Magee and Oracle.
I was honored to represent the Club and Foundation at the Interfaith Community Services (ICS) ribbon cutting opening of a new office in the Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 122 N Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711, in Midtown Tucson. The site’s opening has been happening gradually in three separate phases that began in Mid-February of 2021. The first phase initial opening brought the ICS Emergency Financial Aid services to the eastside of our community. Individuals and families were able to receive financial assistance with expenses such as rent and mortgage payments, utilities, back-to-work and other employment costs just to name a few. The second phase of the Rincon site opening brought a new Workforce Development Center (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tucson’s Classics Car Show as one of the Centennial secondary beneficiaries). The center helps clients develop the skills and confidence to secure and retain employment. The third phase of the opening is the addition of the ICS Mobile Food Bank. Every Wednesday at Rincon Congregational UCC, registered households can now receive one food allotment per month, filled with basic food staples in addition to meat, produce, bread and other fresh items as they are available. The official ribbon-cutting of the new location took place on January 21st.
The opportunities to showcase your fish during Irv's Centennial year are shrinking. You will not want to miss the chance to showcase your fish, or better yet your Kids and Grandkids with a fish! Don’t let the Wall of Fame escape you. Join these other folks who have made it to the Wall of Fame and donated to Rotary charities. Please reach out to Dorinna or Irv for all the details.
We will no longer be streaming our meetings live via Facebook but we will be streaming live via our YouTube Channel. We are encouraging you all to subscribe to our Channel in order to receive notices of when the meetings are streaming live. After the live meeting, this video will become a recording and immediately posted on our YouTube Channel. To view live CLICK HERE.
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
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Kurtis Dawson ~ Biography 
After the introduction by KHRIS DODGE of a large contingency of guests attending today’s meeting including a visiting Rotarian from Ohio, Rotarian and Past President JIM RONSTADT, all dressed in western attire, introduced today’s program on the upcoming historical Annual Rodeo Parade and Museum. Herb Wagner and Stan Martin shared the full history of the parade and how the wagons come to life in the Parade Museum. The parade started in 1925 and is still going strong with just a short delay in 2021 due to the COVID Pandemic. Watch the parade in person or live on KOLD-TV, Thursday, February 24. Today’s speakers signed an appropriate book “B is for Buckaroo” for our Make Way For Book’s Library.
My Rotary Family,
SAVE THE DATE: JTED has invited our entire club to join them for an exclusive open house on Tuesday, March 8th at 4:00 p.m. This is to celebrate and THANK THE CLUB for the amazing work we have done as Rotarians in support of their mission. This will be at their new campus, The Bridges, 3300 S. Park Avenue, Tucson and all are encouraged to attend. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the Home Page of the Club Website under "Upcoming Events".
I was honored to represent the Club and Foundation at the Interfaith Community Services (ICS) ribbon cutting opening of a new office in the Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 122 N Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711, in Midtown Tucson. The site’s opening has been happening gradually in three separate phases that began in Mid-February of 2021. The first phase initial opening brought the ICS Emergency Financial Aid services to the eastside of our community. Individuals and families were able to receive financial assistance with expenses such as rent and mortgage payments, utilities, back-to-work and other employment costs just to name a few. The second phase of the Rincon site opening brought a new Workforce Development Center (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tucson’s Classics Car Show as one of the Centennial secondary beneficiaries). The center helps clients develop the skills and confidence to secure and retain employment. The third phase of the opening is the addition of the ICS Mobile Food Bank. Every Wednesday at Rincon Congregational UCC, registered households can now receive one food allotment per month, filled with basic food staples in addition to meat, produce, bread and other fresh items as they are available. The official ribbon-cutting of the new location took place on January 21st.
The opportunities to showcase your fish during Irv's Centennial year are shrinking. You will not want to miss the chance to showcase your fish, or better yet your Kids and Grandkids with a fish! Don’t let the Wall of Fame escape you. Join these other folks who have made it to the Wall of Fame and donated to Rotary charities. Please reach out to Dorinna or Irv for all the details. 
