WELCOME Rotarians announced PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS this at Wednesday’s meeting. PRESIDENT MARGARET rang the bell at 12p to officially get the meeting started then made the announcement on the buffet, we will have fellowship then at 12:15p we will start the presentations from the four chosen non-profits. Today’s program of “Charity Presentations”.
After some fellowship time and lunch, PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS started the meeting. We were led in the pledge and song by KURTIS DAWSON. Today’s song was “Start Spangled Banner’ with KHRIS DODGE on the keyboard.
After the pledge and song, PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS then asked the members for a moment of thought for our member JAN GREEN who has been ill and needs some well wishes. Cards are being passed around for all to sign.
The inspirational moment was given by DAN KALM who shared his experience attending Sturgis for the first time. It all started with a chance meeting. He had a great time and DAN highly recommends the trip and experience if you ever get a chance to go.
SERGEANT AT ARMS DAN KALM stayed at the mic to introduce our guests for this Wednesday luncheon. Welcome all Rotarians and guests. It’s great to see all of you here.
PRESIDENT MARGARET introduced JIM MURPHY, Grant Committee Chair to begin the charity presentations. There are four non-profits presenting today: Wright Flight, Interfaith Community Services, Amphi Foundation and Sister Jose Women’s Center. JIM introduced each presenter from these four non-profits.
Wright Flight, named after the Wright brothers, inspires youngsters to ‘reach new heights” in their academic and behavioral development. Founded by Davis-Monthan Air Force officers in 1986, they have motivated over 30,000 youngsters to raise their grades in school in order to earn the right to fly a plane. Over the years, this program has changed youngsters’ lives, given them purpose and offered them a glimpse of what they can accomplish with hard work and determination. Interfaith Community Services, the mission of ICS is to provide pathways leading to more stable and self-sufficient lives. Founded upon the idea that diverse community and faith partners would better respond to community needs by working together, 
it has grown from serving hundreds of people in 1985 to over 60,000 people annually. ICS seeks funding to build and open an ICS Southside Office Workforce Development Center to help address unemployment, underemployment, and poverty specifically in the Southside.
it has grown from serving hundreds of people in 1985 to over 60,000 people annually. ICS seeks funding to build and open an ICS Southside Office Workforce Development Center to help address unemployment, underemployment, and poverty specifically in the Southside.
Amphi Foundation seeks funding for their ECHO (Educational Community Home Outreach) Program at Keeling Elementary will provide a community school-based approach to achieve student and community transformation by tackling academic and non-academic barriers through before and after school programs, new learning opportunities for students and their families, and health and wellness support. Keeling is in one of the most in-need zip codes in Arizona (85705), resulting in low attendance and student success. Exciting after school programs will entice students to attend classes, and nearly 900 children, plus caregivers, will benefit from the program. Keeling will see increased attendance, test scores, and overall well-being; and increased financial literacy, better job prospects, and greater community connection for caregivers.Sister Jose Women’s Center seeks to expand their program to accommodate more women who need housing. Turning away a woman who has no safe place to sleep is one of the heartbreaks 
we experience at Sister José Women’s Center. Our overnight shelter can only accommodate 42 women, which is not enough to meet the increasing demand in our community. We hope to expand our overnight shelter by 15 beds for women and their pets with nowhere to turn. Here, they will enjoy a hot meal, a safe space to sleep, and supportive services that help women overcome barriers so that they may secure permanent housing. This will add 5460 safe overnights annually. We have received partial funding for this project. Sister José’s has been providing compassionate care to unhoused women fleeing poverty, lack of affordable housing, and domestic violence since 2009. Please join us in leaving no woman out in the cold.
we experience at Sister José Women’s Center. Our overnight shelter can only accommodate 42 women, which is not enough to meet the increasing demand in our community. We hope to expand our overnight shelter by 15 beds for women and their pets with nowhere to turn. Here, they will enjoy a hot meal, a safe space to sleep, and supportive services that help women overcome barriers so that they may secure permanent housing. This will add 5460 safe overnights annually. We have received partial funding for this project. Sister José’s has been providing compassionate care to unhoused women fleeing poverty, lack of affordable housing, and domestic violence since 2009. Please join us in leaving no woman out in the cold.After the presentations were complete, the ballots were completed, collected then taken to a ‘super-secret’ room (next door) to be counted. The awardees will be announced at the end of today’s meeting.
PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS announced the book “The Giving Tree” will be added to our Make Way for Books Library as we continue to support children’s literacy in Tucson.
There were three Rotary Birthdays this week. Happy birthday to: ART ALLIS (8/29), BOB ERNSTEIN (9/12), and DIANA MADARAS (9/15). A very happy birthday to all of you!
This week’s History Moment was given by JON WANG on his Rotary International in Antarctica trip. This trip took over 15 hours by plane and two days by boat to arrive at the destination. They traveled through the Drake Passage which is said to be the roughest ocean on the planet. JON shared several pictures from the trip, detailing his experiences and the benefits of wearing your Rotary pin or shirt while travelling. He met two fellow Rotarians and new friends simply because he was wearing his Rotary pin. It was certainly a fabulous trip as well as a great reminder that Rotary is doing good deeds locally and globally. There are a total of 33,000 Rotary Clubs and 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide!
The Raffle and King of Clubs game presented by SERGEANT AT ARMS DAN KALM. While DAN was shuffling the cards, KHRIS DODGE grabbed the mic to make a special announcement and for a recognition moment. KRHIS announced that this Sunday he will be orchestrating the Tucson Pops Orchestra. The 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 with sharing we can help Morocco and Libya via Shelterbox in direct response to the devastating earthquakes they’ve recently had. Next don’t forget to bring a children’s book for the gift baskets that will be presented at the Conference of Clubs on Oct. 6-7, 2023, at the Casino Del Sol.
PRESIDENT MARGARET announced a Happy Jackson on behalf of NINA TRASOFF. There will be an opportunity to hear NINA MC an upcoming event. See NINA for details.
Next Dr. JON WANG was back on stage and at the microphone to remind everyone to purchase your service shirts for the upcoming Tucson Classics Car Show. Be sure to wear your shirt, they will be available to purchase at the next three meetings.
JEANNE ZETAH and LEE OLITZKY gave a car show update on the current fundraising and ticket selling efforts, gave thanks to all the members who have been selling Car Show Tickets at events and to all members who are keeping up the great work of getting out there and selling tickets. We only have three more weeks before the car show, so please get out there and sell those tickets.
MARCY EULER walked us through how to sign up to be a volunteer for the Car Show. It’s easy and simple. If you have not signed up already, please be sure to sign up for a money taking role as those slots are of utmost importance.
PAST PRESENT JEN HOFFMAN thanked the Grants Committee for their work on bringing us amazing beneficiaries to choose from. She then let the Club know we are ready to announce the beneficiaries, Sister Jose Women’s Shelter and Wright Flight! Congratulations !
PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS closed by thanking all our members, guests, and virtual attendees for being here today. The scholarship cups are on the table if you’d like to donate and, remember to return your badge in your numbered slot on your way out. DAN KALM gave the final toast before PRESIDENT MARGARET HIGGINS rang the bell to adjourn the meeting.
