President CHUCK started the meeting with a moment of silence to mark the passing of Senator John McCain. ANGELA MOORE gave the inspiration urging us to spend time with those we love and to appreciate the people and places that give us peace. Thank you, ANGELA! The ebullient ERNIE MINCHELLA led us in the Pledge and Song, another strong version of “You’re A Grand Ole Flag” accompanied by the excellent piano playing of GARY HIRSCH. 
MARGARET HIGGINS introduced new member NICK JONES. NICK is the CEO of Recovery in Motion and has a long history of serving the Tucson Community through Old Pueblo Community Services. NICK is a Vietnam Veteran who is enjoying his second time in Rotary. NICK was also introduced to the time honored RCOT tradition of the $100 fine for a phone ring which was started by Past President EMERY BARKER during his term.
Newest new member NICK JONES introduced our guests and visiting Rotarians, and we had two Birthday Rotarians:
- Past District President SALLY MONTAGNE remembered being drawn to our club by the actions of Past President BOB SHAFF who took on fundraising efforts to help some of SALLY’s work in Niger. SALLY was the 7th woman to graduate from the Georgetown School of Law and also advised the producers of “Suspect”.
- ART ALLIS is celebrating the 39th anniversary of his 39th birthday (Happy Anniversary Art!) and he has the distinction of having built the very rooms we meet in during an expansion of the Doubletree while he was general manager.
MARGARET HIGGINS introduced new member NICK JONES. NICK is the CEO of Recovery in Motion and has a long history of serving the Tucson Community through Old Pueblo Community Services. NICK is a Vietnam Veteran who is enjoying his second time in Rotary. NICK was also introduced to the time honored RCOT tradition of the $100 fine for a phone ring which was started by Past President EMERY BARKER during his term.Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON thanked all the generous members who donate raffle items, and IRENE DECKER promptly won back her own flower donation (later re-raffled). BOBBY also auctioned two tickets to the UA football game this weekend donated by SCHUY LININGER. We had the following announcements:
- President CHUCK reminded us of the upcoming District 5500 Conference, including the Saturday Reception put on by our Club.
- Past President ELLIE PATTERSON noted that we will be participating in the Russia Peace Exchange Program in October.
- MIKE ORCUTT asked everyone who hasn’t signed up to participate in the Blood Drive on 9/5.
- Car Show Jefe BRUCE JACOBS reminded everyone to get their orders in for Rotary Service Shirts next week.
- STACIA DECKER urged everyone to sign up soon for the Friday Night Car Show Dinner as slots are going fast. Attractions include a Kendra Scott gift table and great vacation travel packages.
- President CHUCK announced the current ticket sales “polling” (no election tampering allowed!)
… and our own political reporter NINA TRASOFF grilled four “candidate” team leaders:
- Sparkling Past President CHARLOTTE HARRIS promises to jump start her team to success (literally, cables and all).
- Past President “no baloney” JONI CONDIT urged her team to lean in to successful ticket sales.
- Past President JON WANG countered that his approach is the right “wan” for the Club.
- And Past President ARNIE JACOBSEN promised two chickens in every pot (at least), denied that Rotary was not already fun, and seemed to threaten to tweet if challenged.
Sell your tickets fast!!!
STEVE STEENSON introduced our speaker Dr. Tim Dosemagen, who in addition to owning a BA, MA, and PhD is a former NSA employee, Eagle Scout and Rotarian. Dr. Dosemagen spoke about the east China peninsula which presents the current region most likely to experience military conflict. Dr. Dosemagen went through the history which influences current politics, including China’s efforts to project power and displace the US, past invasions of Korea by both China and Japan, and sales of military hardware and expertise to the North Koreans. Dr. Dosemagen identified China’s manipulation of North Korea and the risk of nuclear proliferation from North Korea to terrorist groups as two of the biggest current concerns. Dr. Dosemagen signed a book for our lending library: “I Spy Under the Sea.”
President CHUCK closed the meeting with a toast from Albert Einstein: Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
