WELCOME Rotarians announced PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS this Wednesday’s meeting, dressed in wonderful Rodeo wear to celebrate our local rodeo this week. PRESIDENT MARGARET rang the bell at 12p to officially get the meeting started then made the announcement on the buffet, we will have fellowship first then at 12:15p we will start the presentation by KHRIS DODGE on “Why Are Music and the Arts Important to Our Community”.
After lots of great fellowship time and a delicious buffet lunch, PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS started the meeting with the ringing of the bell again. We were led in the pledge and song by our amazing Executive Director DORINNA YORK and Administrative Assistant ERICA CANTUA. We would not be able to function without you! Today’s song was “Star Spangled Banner”.
MARGARET returned to the mic to announce get well wishes for JON WANG (One-Wing WONG now), who recently had surgery on an injured shoulder, he injured it in a skiing accident and for JOE PENNINGTON who cracked his pelvis during the same ski trip! Additionally, WAYNE MEYER had surgery to put a stint in an artery. Let’s wish them well and speedy recoveries.
The Inspirational moment was given by JEFF RONSTADT who shared a joke about a three-legged chicken. Then JEFF shared his thoughts on how we can be the best we can be and live by the four-way test.
Seargeant at Arms DAN KALM stepped up to the podium to introduce our guests for this Wednesday luncheon. Welcome all Rotarians and guests. It’s great to see all of you here. DAN shared that if any guest is looking to join a great group, this IS THE group and now is THE time since we are in a membership drive for March Madness!
PRESIDENT MARGARET introduced the amazingly talented KHRIS DODGE who will share his talents with us and speak about “Why Are Music and The Arts Important to Our Community”. KHRIS started off behind the keyboard by playing a little upbeat ditty as he went through teaching us how music can make us feel specific emotions, even without words. KHRIS even danced a little and wow, he’s got moves! We should all know or be aware that music is inherent in us all. So many emotions can be felt with just a few notes from the keyboard, the beat of a drum or the strum of a guitar. We feel it, it's part of our DNA, it is a universal language, a way for all to speak the same language without speaking words. KHRIS played a few melodies for us and walked us through understanding how it’s a universal language. Music is important to us all; it can express so much, and we can learn so much just by listening. Music can elicit a feeling, a reminiscent emotion of a previous time. It can take you back to last week or 30 years ago; music is so powerful. The local Arts and Music offered also bring in millions of dollars to Pima County. For example, local non-profit Arts organizations contributed $113 million dollars to our economy and audiences contributed $138 million dollars, combined that’s a total of $251 million of total impact to Pima County. Non-profits supported over 4,650 jobs in Pima County, that’s over $45 million in tax revenue! Music is engaging, it drives commerce to all local businesses. The visitor economy, close to 20% of attendees are non-local visitors; we have become a destination not only for our food and culture but for our entertainment and the various local events offered throughout the year. What an amazing impact! KHRIS wrapped up with a few additional moments behind the keyboard.PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS announced the book “I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello” will be added to our Make Way for Books Library, KHRIS DODGE will sign the book before it is added to the library as we continue to support children’s literacy in Tucson.
There were four Rotary Birthdays announced this week. Happy birthday to: BRITTNEY BATTLE (1/29), TIM PUNTENNEY (2/2), ROBERT O’BRIEN (2/11), and DON CLARK (2/22). A very happy birthday to all of you!
A special welcome to our Corporate Designated Member, Brian Heithoff, CEO/General Manager of TRICO. TRICO became a Corporate Member in June 2023. Welcome Brian!
The Raffle and King of Clubs game presented by DAN KALM. King of Clubs card was not drawn. Better luck to all club members next meeting.
Next up…Rotary Announcements:
PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS began today’s announcements by reminding the members to register for the 2/28 meeting where new UA Football Coach Brent Brennan will be here to share the latest and greatest news about the UA Football team. You must register for this as it will be very well attended!
PRESIDENT MARGARET announced the upcoming private tour at San Xavier on March 13th. Also, you must register for this event, please visit the website to sign up.
VICKIE JACOBS was next up on the announcements to go through the March Madness line up, announcing the team leaders and the team names! Let’s get these new members in here!
Then NANCY STOCKTON brought up some of the RYLA Students who stepped up to the mic one by one to share their personal experiences as well as individual growth they experienced while attending the camp. It was great to hear all of them share how much growth was accomplished in a short time. Each thanked our members for helping them get to the RYLA camp. Dave Maughan was next up to announce the Southern AZ Home Show, previously the SABHA Home Show. He announced that there are complimentary tickets on the tables, please take them and come see the great vendors at the Home Show at the TCC on March 15th-17th.
PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS closed by thanking all our members, guests, and virtual attendees for being here today. JEFF RONSTADT gave the final toast before PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS rang the bell to adjourn the meeting. Cheers, see you all next week!
