Marana Rotary Meeting, October 3, 2023
The meeting started at 7 a.m. with social time. The meeting officially began at 7:09 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Laura.
Since Andy, our Club Secretary, was not able to attend, Bob Bishop volunteered to record the minutes in his place.
President Laura first played a short video from Rotary International President Gordon McInally introducing Rotary International’s focus on mental well-being, stressing how Rotary should create safe places for people to be able to discuss mental health using the power of personal connection and helping to create access to mental health care around the world.
President Laura then brought up the subject of the District Conference on October 6 and 7.
- Don Jorgensen reported that there were currently 280 registered participants and that the conference was ready to go.
- Laura noted that the club would be manning a table in the House of Friendship, hopefully located by the Youth Exchange Table.
- Laura thanked Mary for creating a poster for the table.
President Laura then reported on a meeting regarding Tour de Cookie with herself, Dan and Beckie:
- Tour date is March 9, 2024
- Registration will begin December 1st
- Looking for 500 participants
President Laura then announced that the club had received 3 funding requests recently:
- A request in the amount of $2,000.00 to help support to help support a mobile health clinic in Kenya. She explained that, due to a critical timing issue, the board had decided to vote to approve this request.
- A request to help support the Cochise County Migrant Shelter. Funds would be used to help supply food and essential supplies. There was also a call for volunteers. Discussion ensued.
- Money for the production of signage regarding the importance of recycling to help educate migrants at the Casa Aletas facility. Discussion ensued.
Due to a lack of time, President Laura made the decision to skip Happy Bucks and to proceed with our program, presented by our own PDG Randy Brooks, chairman of the newly created District 5500 Mental Health Task Force. Randy used a PowerPoint presentation that he and Don Jorgensen had created some time ago while conducting their business together on the topic of drug and alcohol addiction. It used an interesting True of False format to highlight beliefs – fact and myths about addictions. The presentation covered addiction signposts, getting help and the need to get assistance before other mental issues can be addressed.
The meeting concluded with the Rotary 4 Way Test and adjourned at 8:01 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert G. Bishop