After a break for the buffet, President CHUCK opened the meeting, and RON BUSH delivered the inspiration.  DARRELL STEWART led us in the Pledge and song “The Star-Spangled Banner”, accompanied by GARY HIRSCH as always.  DARRELL noted that the Pledge and song were both written by persons with the first name Francis (Francis Bellamy and Francis Scott Key.)

 

PAUL HOOKER introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians. We had two Birthday Rotarians:

 

CHRIS EDWARDS graduated from Sabino High School and, in addition to participating in innumerable charitable organization, was voted Man of the Year in 2007.CHRIS noted that his favorite part of coming to Rotary is when MARK IRVIN messes up his hair.

 

JOHN LEWIS Is a Tucson High Grad who set the record for the 50-yard freestyle in 1954 and was voted Top Short Order Cook in 1963.For his 80^th birthday, JOHN noted that he is registered at Ace Hardware in case you’d like to send a gift.

 

GARY OLSEN introduced our newest New Member, ANDY KIEL.  GARY described ANDY as “a visionary who gets sh*t done” (can he say that???) ANDY has already had an impact by bringing his wife into Rotary as well.

 

And the always dynamic duo of Past President CHARLOTTE HARRIS and President Elect BOB LOGAN made a Paul Harris presentation to TOM ELITHARP.  TOM received his Paul Harris plus two, enjoys golf and woodworking, and claims that he worked 18 years with Welches because his size 14 feet were useful for smashing the grapes.  TOM appreciates Rotary as the ultimate service run organization.

 

Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON started his portion of the meeting by offering recognition to RALPH PHILLIPS.  Congrats RALPH!

 

We had the following announcements:

 

President CHUCK reminded us of two upcoming events.  The deadline for signing up for Home Hospitality has been extended to Thursday, and UA Head Football Coach Kevin Sumlin will be here on 4/24 (please let Dorinna know if you will have extra guests.)

Past President JIM MURPHY presented a Blue Badge to DAVE EAGLETON.

BRETT STEIN raised a mug to the first meeting of the Beer Fellowship and asked members to bring suggestions of new beers to try.

And finally, Ted Medcoff spoke briefly about the impact being an Ambassadorial Scholar had on his life and professional development as a lawyer.

 

JO DeCHATELET introduced our program (as well as introducing her extremely accomplished daughter.)  Amy Brandhuber is the Program Supervisor for Pima County’s Court Appointed Specialist Advocate Program. Amy spoke about the 14,000 foster children in Arizona (including 2,500 in Pima County alone), and the trauma of being taken from one’s parents, placed with well-meaning strangers, and losing everything that is familiar to a child. CASA provides volunteers who advocate for the best interests of the child.  They function as the eyes and ears of the Judge, and in many cases, they are the one consistent adult relationship that communicates to the child that they are worthy.  That consistency helps children in the foster system build resilience, leading to better outcomes for the child.  Amy signed a book for our lending library: “The Classic Tale of Peter Rabbit”.

 

President CHUCK closed our meeting with a quote from Lady Bird Johnson: “Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.”

Aiselyn Anaya competed at the state level for the Four Way Speech for Rotary. Students from all over the state- Buena, Nogales, Sahuarita,  Sahuara, Miami and Amphitheater all gave great speeches about someone who inspires them. Aiselyn Anaya took 3rd place and received a nice plaque and $250.