The meeting was called to order at 12:00 and members were invited to engage with the buffet and the meeting would commence at 12:15—President MARGARET HIGGINS presiding.
President HIGGINS started the meeting with two awful jokes—in which the group groaned. ALEC BERENS was introduced and did the pledge and song. The song was "America the Beautiful" played fabulously by KHRIS DODGE.
TOM STRASBURG was introduced to lead the eulogy of PAT LENNAN—Pat was born in Mesa City Iowa. He passed in the last few months. He came to Tucson to play football in 1959. He was in the fraternity with TOM. PAT LENNAN was a educator. He was famous in giving out rubber chickens as a prank. PAT joined rotary in 2004. There will be a celebration October 26, 2023 for PAT at Vivace at 1:30.
ALLAN SHROPE was welcomed back after a serious health scare.
JASON FLAX was introduced to do the inspiration—what does it mean to lead with inspiration? Embodying qualities like kindness, sharing failures, triumphs—embracing yourself.
BRITTANY BATTLE was introduced as acting SERGEANT AT ARMS—She introduced the guests. BRITTANY brings incredible warmth and energy to the introduction. There was quite a list of guests.
MARGARET introduced LEE OLITZKY, the chairman of this year’s Car Show. MARGARET gave a run-down of the car show planning that takes an entire year—the various committees and work that goes into our marvelous car show. LEE came to the podium—it’s exciting and we’re ready for the show. Planning and preparation started last year. This Saturday upcoming will be a work day for field maintenance and tree trimming. The car show was sold out in July for people to sign up to display their car. Vendors are all in place. We’ve turned down vendors. The Classics Club is sold out. We have 154k in cash sponsorships. Ticket sales are slightly down—we need to get more sold. 98% of sponsorships are paid. BRUCE JACOBS was introduced to explain Friday Night’s Dinner, TCC Staff was invited to the podium where LEE handed them tickets for the show.
KANDIE VACTOR was introduced to talk about car registration and website. Over 150 Rotarians have been involved this year—and we need more!! The field is a double field. My Classic Car show creator—Dennis age will do his show from our event. We have more cars than ever before—she had to use a shoe horn to get all the cars onto the field. KANDIE gave us the run down on the numbers 25k plus has been donated by registrants. KANDIE wanted us to thank all the folks showing cars for being there—or we’d have no show. The website has a ton of information on it. KANDIE thanked everyone for an epic car show this year!! Go see the cars and volunteer.
MARCY EULER was introduced to help volunteers register. There is a QR code that will take you to the rotary volunteer signup. This is just for our club. The general public has a different link. The slotter is the best job for the car show. We need Rotarians to take money. She needs parking lot people to take money. Please sign up for shifts—even if you work Friday night—consider working Saturday. If your shift ends Saturday—the clean-up crew starts 3PM Saturday. If you have questions, please let her know. Please ask folks that you know to volunteer. She needs a lot people to sign up.
JEANNE ZETAH was introduced to discuss tickets—money and unsold tickets need to be in by October 18th. There was good progress—11,149 tickets—we are 35% of our goal. We want to sell 2k more tickets than last year. Online orders are picking up. October 12th is the last day for Classic Club tickets. JEANNE gave a list of ROTARIANS who have increased their volume over last year. We’re 2k ticket sales behind. Over half of our members have yet to sell tickets—please sell tickets. CINDY BARBEE has done a number of Facebook ads.
PRESIDENT HIGGINS showed volunteer shirts—Dr. JON WANG is selling shirts. PRESIDENT HIGGINS presented the book “Cars & Trucks” for today’s presenters. The car show will be fabulous!! There will be two and a half rows of British cars—you’ll find MARGARET there.
There was one birthday—JIM MURPHY—member since 1997. JIM has been the co-owner of three small businesses. JIM spoke—said he celebrated 22 years since he became Medicare eligible. He’s been married 55 years—and his wife’s birthday is tomorrow. JIM presented a check to PRESIDENT MARGARET. PRESIDENT MARGARET bid out Jim’s birthday treat!!
A blue badge presentation was done from the floor—STEVE OCHOA received his badge from TOM STRASBURG CONGRATULATIONS!.
BRITTANY BATTLE-Sergeant at Arms—the Rotary Raffle was held—LEE OLITZKY drew the ticket—BRITTANY shuffled—1408.00 is the big pot. LEE pulled the card—4 of clubs was pulled—no big winner.Announcements:
Thank all for children’s books donations—over 300 given!!
The Conference of Clubs is this upcoming weekend.
There are past Rotary Theme pins available.
- BRUCE JACOBS—next Thursday—a walking tour will start at 4PM with Fletcher McCusker will meet at the Leo Kent hotel.
- ALAN ROGERS—announced the new cycling fellowship.
- KURTIS DAWSON did a Happy Jackson—new and first grandchild—Gabriel.
- JIM MURPHY stated the beneficiaries of the car show—PIMA Community College Foundation, Old Pueblo Community Services, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
MARGARET thanked all guests for attending. The scholarship cups are on the table. Happy birthday to JIM—congrats to STEVE—good luck to the car show committee and members.
No meeting next week—2nd Wednesday. 
On OCTOBER 18th—Dr. Gabe Trujillo will be speaking.
Toast and adjourned—by JASON FLAX!!
