Today’s lunch meeting was a buffet—President BRUCE dispatched everyone to the adjoining room for a Chinese buffet—actually was interesting and good.

 

Just prior to the beginning of the meeting, a lovely video of the song “Imagine” was played. The meeting began promptly at 12:15 with Executive Director, DORINNA YORK giving President BRUCE—“The Look”.  TOM MCKINNEY led us in the pledge and song—of course the intrepid Sargent at Arms, KHRIS DODGE played the piano, “Jen”.

 

Our Inspiration was given by NINA TRASOFF who built on the 4 Way Test and pointed out that our group was one of friendship, reaching out and we’re a community of people who care about each other—a theme of today’s meeting.  As NINA pointed out, Pooh Bear always said, “sometimes the smallest things take the most room in our hearts.”

 

Guest Introduction was handled by KHRIS DODGE and there were a number of guests which is always a great thing to see. 

 

Today’s speaker was introduced by CHARLOTTE HARRIS.  CHARLOTTE pointed out the credentials of our speaker, Ginny Clements—a benefactor of the Ginny L Clements Breast Cancer Research Institute at the University of Arizona Cancer Center.  Ginny was previously married to Bill Clements—deceased—and a former member of our club.  Ginny is passionate about cancer research and is an advocate for cancer research and a cure.  Ginny is a breast cancer survivor having been diagnosed at age 15 and going through surgery and recovery.

 

Her story was very compelling, in the 50’s speaking about cancer and recovery was not well received.  Her question to herself then was “why me?”  Which in her presentation she handled very well—it has given her a strong advocacy, support and passion for discussing, funding and caring for people.  She explained that 1 in 7 women will get cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 100 men will as well.  Our cancer center has received huge accolades and is a national center for care meeting stringent requirements.  If a member wants more information or a tour of the cancer center, they can call Elaine Cunningham at 520-626-7130.    A rousing standing ovation was given by the members following her presentation.

 

Our birthdays this week were BILL HARLOW, RICK ROSE, and ROB LAMASTER, who were all funny and pleased to be members of the club.  This writer enjoyed the history of each member and their unique spin on the club and its history.

 

SCOTT VAUGHAN recognized JEANNE ZETAH and TOM ELITHARP for yet more Paul Harris Foundation gifts.  Both are multiple award recipients.  I thought it fun that JEANNE was given a crown for the day and TOM was given a bottle of Welch’s grape juice—where he used to work.

 

Sargent at Arms, KHRIS DODGE, did the raffle and built suspense with a delay in announcing by showing a video of our very own SCOTT VAUGHAN being inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame—SCOTT was given a well-deserved standing ovation by the members.  The raffle was held—the pot is over $1200 maybe approaching $1300 at this point, but JOE DANISZEWSKI won the small pot but the King of Clubs was NOT pulled.

 

President JACOBS produced the blood drive results which will help 33 people live.  JEANNE ZETAH talked about our exchange program and the deadlines to apply and introduced two exchange students that were with us today, Pelayo Novoa Alvarez and Hania Wieczorek.  JON WANG implored members to be kind and wear your Rotary shirt to the car show as a volunteer.  BOBBY LARSON gave a last minute update on the car show.

 

Next week is a dark week for the club. Mystery editor over and out!!

The Ride to End Polio raises funds for Polio Plus of our international foundation, The Rotary Foundation.  Donations in support of our club's riders in both El Tour and the Indoor Ride not only encourage them to ride, adds funds towards the donor's next Paul Harris Fellow, and is matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundation towards Rotary's polio effort to eliminate polio from the face of the earth.  Only two countries continue to be endemic, Pakistan and Afghanistan, though recently a crippling case of polio was reported in an unvaccinated young man in the New York City area.  Our club's El Tour riders include Aimee Graves, Tom Lickliter, Lee Olitzky, and JW Walkup.  Our club's Indoor riders include Jo DeChatelet, Charlotte Harris, Gary Hirsch, Jen Hoffman, Dot Kret, Ann Lancero, Bobby Larson, Jim Lubinski, Ernie Montagne, Steve Pickering, Darrell Stewart, Hugh Thompson, and Bruce Tunze.  If you wish to ride go online to polioride.org.  If you wish to support this effort, make your check out to The Rotary Foundation, put Ride to End Polio in the memo and let us know what rider you wish to support.  Thank you for this consideration.

 

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