It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on our 2026–27 Service Projects!At our Wednesday, September 2 lunch meeting, our Service Project Leads will be hosting a table for their projects and inviting you to get involved. Stop by the projects that interest you, learn more about how you can help, and sign up right at the table.
And there’s a little friendly competition! Our Project Leads will be decorating their tables to reflect the theme of their service project, so be sure to check them all out and see which one catches your eye.
But that’s not all! Every member attending the meeting will be entered into a drawing for a $400 gift certificate to Fleming’s Steakhouse.How cool is that?
We’ll also be drawing raffle prizes for Rotarians who earned five or more service points last year—another great reason to join us!
So, mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 2, and come ready for some fun, fellowship, and service. You won’t want to miss it!
Let’s make the 2026–27 Rotary year one to remember as we come together to make a difference in our community.
PRESIDENT BOBBY LARSON rang the bell to welcome another full house of Rotarians, guests, and virtual viewers!
JOSE GUERRA did a fabulous job leading us in the Pledge, followed by a beautiful piano flourish from KHRIS DODGE that led us into a room-wide rendition of “My Country ’Tis of Thee.”
CAMI EVANS kicked off our Inspiration with a nod to the one and only Dolly Parton, sharing some Dolly-inspired wisdom and reminders for living a good life. DRE WILLIAMS then welcomed our guests and virtual viewers.
This week’s COOKIE MONSTER was MICHELLE SPETNAGLE, sponsored by AWARD ELECTRIC. Thank you for keeping our Rotarians well supplied with sweets!
The program spotlight went to SUSAN GRAY, CEO of Tucson Electric Power, who shared how TEP works to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our community. Susan knows TEP from the ground up — she joined the company 30 years ago as an intern and today leads approximately 1,800 employees!
Susan shared that TEP has achieved top-tier reliability and talked about some of the big energy issues facing our community, including Proposition 421, Project Blue, and data centers.
Apparently, our Rotarians had been saving up their toughest questions for Susan! During Q&A, she joked that she was getting a little “hot” up there and had expected some easy questions. She thought the noise-maker table in the back was a sign she would be getting softballs. Nope! Our Rotarians came prepared, and the room got a good laugh.
Birthday cheers rang out for JEANNE ZETAH, PHIL GUTT, and JENN DELANEY! Jeanne used her birthday minute to encourage us to support and bring joy to young people visiting the United States — a fitting wish from someone who has spent so much time welcoming international youth into our community.
Representatives from JOBPATH also shared their appreciation for Rotary’s support and for helping people build better futures for themselves and our community.
Then came one of the sweetest moments of the afternoon as MIKE ANDERSON introduced our newest member — his daughter, MIKA COLE!
Rotary has been part of Mika’s family since the 1980s, and both father and daughter became emotional as Mike welcomed her into the club. Mike choked up first…and then it was
Mika’s turn! She managed a few words before the happy tears arrived, admitting, “I’m much better speaking in front of 9-year-olds than I am in front of adults.” There may have been a few misty eyes around the room by the time those two were finished. Welcome to Rotary, Mika!
SAA DRE held the raffle. The King of Clubs was not drawn, which brings the pot to $2700. Come buy those tickets as the card deck gets smaller!
Announcements kept things moving with updates on Membership, Marketing, Happy Jackson, the Car Show, Family Fun Club, and upcoming service opportunities. PRESIDENT BOBBY also reminded everyone to keep supporting our UA and Pima Community College Scholars.
Next week is our SERVICE PROJECTS MEETING with Chair JOE DANISZEWSKI. Come meet our service project chairs, find a project that speaks to you, and get involved!
CAMI EVANS led the toast, and PRESIDENT BOBBY sent us on our way until next week!
The Rotary Office will be closed on Friday and Monday, September 4th & September 7th for the Labor Day weekend. Wishing you all a safe and fun holiday.
Thanks to Rotary leaders, members, donors, and supporters worldwide, The Rotary Foundation continues to advance Rotary’s mission and create lasting change in communities both locally and globally. We are pleased to share that together; we raised more than US$477 million (unaudited) in gifts and commitments during 2025-26.
These gifts empower Rotary members to carry out sustainable projects that improve people’s health, expand access to education, protect the environment, alleviate poverty, and promote peace around the globe.
Thanks to the collective efforts of Rotary members, leaders, and supporters, our Foundation was able to:
Award 1,804 global grants, 463 district grants, and 61 disaster response grants in 2025-26
Work with our partners to vaccinate more than 350 million children in 28 countries during 2025
Open our newest Rotary Peace Center at Symbiosis International University in India
These achievements are possible because of people like you who champion Rotary’s mission through leadership, service, advocacy, and generosity. Together, we are Doing Good in the World.
Events Around Town (EAT) — Wednesday, September 9th 🍽️(No Lunch Meeting)
Trade the usual routine for something a little more flavorful—Events Around Town (EAT) is back on Wednesday, September 9th! Instead of our regular lunch meeting, Rotarians will head out across town from 12:00–1:30 p.m. to gather in smaller groups for lunch, conversation, and connection.
EAT is your chance to mix it up—meet someone new, catch up with familiar faces, and enjoy a relaxed midday break in a more personal setting. Whether you’re there for the food, the fellowship, or a bit of both, there’s always something special about these around-town gatherings.
Keep an eye out for location details and sign-up information coming soon. Be sure to reserve your spot early—these tables tend to fill up fast!
If you would like to host an event, contact the Rotary office.
No podium, no program—just good company and great conversation. See you around town on September 9th!
You have the opportunity to join one of our upcoming service projects in a partnership with Youth On Their Own (YOTO), one of this year’s Tucson Classics Car Show’s beneficiaries. On 9/11 we will join others in the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Please see the flyer for details and an email that was sent last week.
YOTO has made it easy for us to volunteer by providing a special sign-up online process as noted in the flyer or Click Here to sign up. If you are willing to work either indoors or outdoors, you need not put anything in the My Comments section. If you prefer to work inside only, please note that in the My Comments section.
You don’t want to be one of the few who miss this. Accurate rumors are already flying that this will be our most fun, impressive extravaganza/lallapaloosa/production yet…..
Details, Details, Details:
Date: October 2, 2026
Day: Friday
Start time: 5:30 PM
End time: That's up to you.
Who's invited: All the cool Rotarians (hence your invitation).
Who else is invited: Anyone/everyone who is philanthropic, fun, and who YOU believe would be a great new Rotarian; and/or your significant other.
Cost of entry: $20 plus an interesting bottle of whisky, tequila, or mescal.
Can the bottle go back home with you?: Absolutely. (if it’s open, transport it in your trunk).
Bonus Points for: A bourbon that impresses Brett Stein, a tequila that impresses Luis, a mescal that impresses Gordy, or a Rye that impresses me (FYI - I'm way easier to impress than these other connoisseurs).
Food:But of course... ample amounts of your favorite munches.
Where: At the charming home of our very own award-winning Luis Hernandez and his amazingly gracious, impressive, and wonderful wife Fernanda.
Where (more specific): 10127 N Black Dalea Drive, Marana. (Luis is personally guaranteeing that it will absolutely be worth the drive).
It's Time to Pick Up Speed and Get to the Finish Line Strong.
Club members have sold 6386 tickets as of 8/30 which is 21.3% of our 30,000 goal.
Sept. 2 is the last meeting to get a ticket packet, so please get one if not selling other ways.
Start bringing in ticket money because there are only 6 meetings left before the Car Show.
Oct. 7 is the deadline to turn in donated tickets for Davis Monthan AFB personnel
Oct. 15 is the last day to buy raffle and Classic Club tickets online to be mailed.
Oct. 21 is the last day to buy raffle tickets online for auto-entered ticket stubs
Oct. 21 is the last meeting to bring in money and unsold tickets.
Oct. 24 is the Car Show where we'll accept the last of the money and unsold tickets at the Command Center. The number of tickets sold to qualify for seller prizes is set this day.
Our October 24th Car Show is fast approaching, and we're stepping up our electronic marketing efforts to build excitement, increase attendance, and boost ticket sales.
Over the coming weeks, you'll receive emails from the Car Show Committee fromalanrogers.rotary@214663694.mailchimpapp.com with updates about the event, promotional materials, and information to help you sell tickets. We encourage you to forward these emails to friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else who might enjoy the show and support our cause.
.
Thank you for your continued support of the Car Show and the charitable missions of the Rotary Club of Tucson. Your help makes a real difference, and we appreciate everything you do to help make this event a success.
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!
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.com to your safe sender list or address book.
To unsubscribe from future e-mails, click here.
To forward this email to your friends, click here.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
ClubRunner
905.829.5299
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
.jpg)
Hello, Rotarians!
This week’s COOKIE MONSTER was MICHELLE SPETNAGLE, sponsored by AWARD ELECTRIC. Thank you for keeping our Rotarians well supplied with sweets!
mmunity. Susan knows TEP from the ground up — she joined the company 30 years ago as an intern and today leads approximately 1,800 employees!
Representatives from JOBPATH also shared their appreciation for Rotary’s support and for helping people build better futures for themselves and our community.
Events Around Town (EAT) — Wednesday, September 9th 🍽️(No Lunch Meeting)
9/20 Cycling to Serve Fellowship Ride
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!
