The new year kicked off with fellowship, purpose, and global impact as Rotarians and guests gathered for an inspiring first meeting of 2026.
We opened with the Pledge and a spirited You’re a Grand Old Flag, led by new member CARY BENJAMIN followed by a thoughtful reflection from President DOT KRET that reminded us why service and gratitude sit at the heart of Rotary.
Before introducing our program, President DOT shared a meaningful poem remembering the people who lost their lives in the tragedy that occurred on January 8, 2011.
The centerpiece of the meeting was a compelling presentation by El NDOYE and HUGH THOMPSON, who shared stories, photos, and firsthand insights from Rotary’s International Project in Senegal. Th
eir presentation brought the project to life—highlighting community partnerships, educational support, and sustainable improvements designed to uplift children and families in the region.Members were especially moved by the emphasis on long-term impact, cultural collaboration, and Rotary’s ability to connect Tucson to communities thousands of miles away. The presentation reinforced how Rotary’s global grants transform generosity into measurable, meaningful change.
A special highlight was the introduction of the children’s book “Senegal: All About Senegal for Kids,” which will be donated to Make Way for Books, further extending the project’s reach by supporting literacy here at home.
Thank you to MATT SINCLAIR, our Cookie Sponsor, for keeping Rotary traditions delicious! We also celebrated birthdays for HOOT aka “HOT” GIBSON (12/24) and CARY BENJAMIN (1/15)—happy birthday!
A warm Rotary welcome to new member CARY BENJAMIN, introduced by GORDY SIEWERT. Congratulations were also shared during Paul Harris recognitions for WOCKY REDSAR-WIERZBINSKI and MARK WIERZBINSKI.
We had a raffle, and guess what? DIANA MADARAS won the $$ along with several other prize winners for a dinner at a Fox restaurant and there was a well-earned “Way to Go” for NINA TRASOFF and LUIS HERNANDEZ.- No lunch meeting on January 14 – join Events Around Town
- Next lunch meeting: January 21 – Car Show Results
- January 28 meeting will be held at the Sheraton on Grant Road (registration required)
- DG Bruce Monro, discussed the District's need for Members to step up for open positions within the District.
We closed with gratitude, a toast, and a reminder that Rotary truly does Unite for Good—locally and globally. 💙💛
