PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS started off the meeting by introducing new member MICHAEL STEGEMAN who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and “God Bless America” along with a special little guest: Marie.
Today our inspiration was from DAN KALM. He reminded us of all the rain we have had lately and of all the muddy puddles and leaky ceilings it left behind. Muddy puddles don’t do too much harm but those leaky ceilings…. Just like any problems in life need to be taken care of when the leaks are small.
SAA DAN KALM reminded everyone that we are the BEST Rotary club.. He then introduced us to all our wonderful guests.
DIANA MADARAS announced our service project participant winner DARRELL BIRKHIMER who participated in 7 days of service in March! Also, we have 15 service projects that our members can get involved in, check out our website for a listing of how you can participate. She then introduced our keynote speaker.
Today’s program featured Carol Stewart, Vice President UA Tech Parks Arizona who talked about “ University Based Economic Development.'' The Tech Park is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Arizona Tech Park boasts 1300 acres, two million square feet of research, office, and lab space, 223 acres of a solar zone, eight companies with 10 different technologies and 6,000 employees. This campus is truly an economic hub. They have expanded their impact with the development of UA Tech Park at the Bridges, The Refinery Building and AZ Public Media among others. There is also the UA Center for Innovation which is a startup incubator. Over the last two years between 60 and 80 startup companies have been in this program!We celebrated two birthdays today; JON WANG who’s first language was Hindi. CHRIS EDWARDS who recorded us doing the wave. Happy birthday!!
JON WANG introduced new member JOHN DOERR. JOHN DOERR immediately received his Blue Badge from BRUCE TUNZE. Welcome to the Club!
VIC JACOBS then introduced new member MARK STEGEMAN, Welcome to the club!CHARLOTTE HARRIS presented a Paul Harris to PAM ALEXANDER and a Paul Harris plus one to DIANA MADARAS. Congratulations Ladies and thank you for all your giving to Rotary!
SAA DAN KALM announced the winner of the raffle, (not the 50/50) and the winner was…. One of our wonderful guests, YAY!!
Now onto announcements:
PRESIDENT MARGARET mentioned that next week there is a tour at the Ignite Museum instead of our lunch meeting.
We are still looking for hosts for Home Hospitality, let Dorinna know if you are interested.
VIC JACOBS announced the winners for March Madness: DIANA MADARAS brought in the most new members, The team that brought in the most new members- JONATHON WALKUP and Seal Team Six, and finally the Champion was THE JAZZ CATS- BRANDI HAGA-BLACKMAN’S TEAM. Thank you Mitch and Dorinna for all your hard work to make this happen!
 |  |  |
A Happy Jackson for DON REIGGER. The 25th annual Good Scouts Awards Luncheon takes place on Friday April 12th at the TCC, sign up at their website.
PRESIDENT MARGARET shared some really bad dad jokes with us and DAN KALM sent us off with a toast.
