The meeting started with a Mexican Buffet. PRESIDENT BRUCE called the meeting to order at 12:15pm. DON RIEGGER led the pledge and a most excellent Jazz infused version of “America the Beautiful” courtesy of KHRIS DODGE on the piano. KHRIS is feeling the jazz as the Tucson Jazz Festival is set to kick off this weekend. PAT and Darleen LENNAN aren’t doing well and cards were passed around for members to sign.
MITCH PISIK offered a great inspiration based on the notion of a “Chip and a Chair” in reference to playing Poker. Give a player a chip and a chair and they have a chance to win. In Rotary, we give kids a fighting chance to succeed. We give them a chip and a chair.
KHRIS DODGE introduced our guests and then PAT PATTON introduced today’s speaker, George Hammond. George is the Director of the UA Economic and Business Research Center. The center offers economic and business insights for current and past conditions for Arizona as well as offers insight into the future. George has a crystal ball on his desk. If you google his name and follow the link, you will have access to many of the online tools that he has developed with his team. George predicts that we’re headed into a minor recession in 2023. The Arizona labor market remains tight and the growth in Tucson will slow. George answered a few questions and signed the book “Johnny’s Decisions – Economics for Kids” that will go into the Make Way for Books library.
We had a new feature of our lunch meeting today and that was a highlight on our longest standing member, BILL HARLOW. BILL has been a member since 1970! Wow!!
PAT PATTON was back at the mic celebrating the biggest birthday party that he’s ever had. He noted that one of the greatest improvements in our club since he has been a member is all of the women who are now members.
GEORGE LARSON introduced JONATHAN WALKUP as our newest member. JONATHAN has a host of lifetime achievements including completing multiple Ironman events. Completing an Ironman includes a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run! Wow, congratulations and welcome JONATHAN!
KHRIS was back on stage to announce the winner of the 25/50/25 Raffle. GARY OLSEN was the winner of more than $100 although he didn’t win the big prize.
PRESIDENT BRUCE offered a series of announcements:
- Club Assembly on February 1st will be at Westward Look. You need to sign up for this one!
- Rillito River Cleanup Project – Saturday, March 4th
- Remember that RCOT Membership Prospects are eligible for a free lunch
- We need more volunteers to help with the A/V Committee. It’s easy and fun!
DIANA CANNON offered a Blue Badge to DEBBIE SHEPPARD. DEBBIE has been in Tucson for less than two years and was previously in Columbus, OH where she was also a Rotarian.PRESIDENT BRUCE ended the meeting with a toast and we were on our way.
