President KURTIS DAWSON called the meeting to order at 12 noon from the Tucson Convention Center. The opening of the meeting featured the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag led by ANA GREIF from Job Path and the rendition of “My Country Tis of Thee” in beautiful Capello. A heartwarming Inspiration was given by DAN KALM, who inspired all of us to “chase our dreams.”
Our buffet lunch was held in advance of the meeting and the food was delicious as always with fish and chicken specialties. Thanks to President DAWSON, the cookies arrived at our table just in the nick of time to avoid any unexpected financial rewards to the club.
President KURTIS presented immediate Past President MARGARET HIGGINS her Past President’s Badge and her theme banner. Great job MARGARET!
Our program featured the new executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star introduced by MICHAEL GUYMON, President/CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. David McCumber,
the new executive editor of the Arizona Daily Star, shared his thoughts on returning to Tucson as the new boss and how there still is a future in publishing a daily newspaper in Tucson. David shared with us there is a talented team of journalists at the Star, and he is proud to have the team reporting the news every day. Local news is still important to the Tucson community. The future is bright! Before signing off David answered many questions including “What is Tucson.com” and signed a special book for the Make Way for Books library, “I Want to be a Journalist”.
ROBIN STODDARD celebrated his July birthday, Happy Birthday!
CHRIS EDWARDS broke the sound barrier in the room introducing Tucson Rotary’s new member, ADAM ENGLISH, a pest control operator. Welcome to the Club, ADAM!
Additionally, MARIANNE FREITAS presented a Blue Badge to MARI DEVRIES ROSS. Congratulations MARI!
Our newest member of the Sergeant at Arms group, BRITTANY BATTLE, jumped into action with the famous Rotary raffle with no winner for the big pot. Over $1,000 is awaiting some lucky raffle ticket winner in the coming meetings. But you “can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket”.
Before our announcements were made by KURTIS, a special treat from Rotary Car Show Chair, JEN HOFFMAN encouraging all of us to get out and sell tickets and Rotary’s two exchange students: Kaoru Amano from Okazaki, Japan and Amity Claggett, who leaves on 8/19 for Okazaki, Japan said a few words of their experiences.
Our next meeting will be August 7, because there is a mixer on July 31 at the Union located in St. Phillips Plaza. Be sure to register online today.
Meeting was adjourned at 1: 20 pm with a toast wishing us all happiness. You can see the entire meeting on the Tucson Rotary Youtube Channel.
Special Announcements:
NEXT WEEK: Replacement Mixer at Union, sign up on the website. No lunch meeting so don’t show up here. Our Meeting on August 7th will be in these rooms again (in the ballrooms), presentation will be Tina Czerwinski of Caterpillar.
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On Wednesday, July 31st, we are holding a Replacement/Social Mixer at Union Public House, St. Phillips Plaza, 4340 N. Campbell Avenue from 5:30 p.m. ~ 7:30 p.m. Good food and No Host Bar. Remember this will replace our lunch meeting on Wednesday, July 31st. We are looking forward to seeing all our members and guests at Union on Wednesday for this fun evening of fellowship! Please call the Rotary office if you have any questions. 
We have an opportunity to assist Sister Jose Women's Shelter. a 2024 Car Show beneficiary, this year. Sister Jose is dedicated to assisting women experiencing homelessness in a welcoming safe space. Their day center provides unaccompanied women who are unhoused with a stable and safe environment to recuperate from the daily struggle of homelessness and extreme poverty. We'll be doing two donation drives with items their women will need on August 21 and October 2. There will also be two service projects September 21 and October 5. September 21 encompasses weed restoration (picking) and October 5 will be some fence painting. Please take a look at the flyers on your table for the list of items needed for the donation drive. Contact Wally or Jim with questions.
We had an awesome turnout on Saturday for our Community Food Bank work project. Twenty-nine of us packed 39,000 to 40,000 pounds of food to be distributed to benefit people in Southern Arizona.
We are looking for a couple members to join the A/V Committee. If you are interested in working the A/V or Switcher Studio once a month at our weekly meetings, please contact Dan Kalm.
