Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student Avery Aveneti shared her research of Spain, where she will be spending the school year starting in September.
Marana Rotary Club
August 1, 2023 weekly meeting
Our hybrid meeting began with some social time with those of us on-line, Don and Kathy, Richie, Harold and Andy talking about the weather, our journeys and updates on our personal lives. Richie, appearing after a prolonged absence, described the joys of his young one approaching kindergarten and the efforts to adjust to an early rise for the days beginning now at 6:30AM. Richie also relayed the many expanded roles in his job at WaterMark. Don described the previous night’s 15-hour journey back from Seattle, encountering the fierce monsoons at Picacho Peak. Harold was entering a new phase of PT after knee replacement surgery.
The meeting officially kicked off at 7:10 with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mark.
Announcements
Cathy reminds us that last month’s Community Service Project, Operation Gratitude, involving letters of gratitude to first responders, would be closing this Friday. Any letters yet to be delivered should be sent to Mary, or Cathy will be happy to write some for those still wishing to participate.
August Community Service will involve ways in which we can develop stronger relationships with our MCAT colleagues. Mary and Laura will be participating in an MCAT event this Thursday, bringing goodies to share.
YE student, Julia, will be arriving at Tucson International Airport tomorrow night and everyone is encouraged to welcome her to Tucson by meeting at the baggage claim area at 8PM. She will arrive on American flight 1207 from Dallas TX. The topic was raised regarding how we should disburse to Julia the $100 per month from our club. It was suggested that she obtain a debit card to which Harold will have the funds disbursed monthly from our Foundation through our club’s account.
Cathy mentioned that the new accounting software, Money Minder, is being armed with our data by Harold. Once this transfer is completed, Cathy will share the 2023/2024 budget with the club for discussion and ideas for funding projects.
Peter offered the quote for today: “Hope springs eternal.”
Happy Bucks
- Laura was happy to be watching the amazing show of lightening with the late onset of the monsoon.
- Beckie was happily looking forward to hosting her two grandkids while also preparing for their kindergarten schedules.
- Mary was enjoying the recent past with friends sharing music, swimming, and movies, a nice change to her routine.
- Peter reported having a great trip overseas, having bounced between Egypt, Munich and back to Egypt again where he fondly remembered 37 days straight eating chicken with rice. Unfortunately, his mother needed attention in Great Britain after a fall and having to fight the UK health-care system. (Can it be worse than ours, Peter?)
- Andrea was simply happy to be here with us today.
- Avery was looking forward to sharing a house with Julia and heading to Spain the first week in September.
- John happily spent the past weekend at a championship swim meet where Ezra garnished the county championship in backstroke and freestyle. John said that he wanted God to grant him his very last day on earth to be at a swimming meet…..because swim meets last forever!
- Cindy was looking forward to the four inbound YE students and said that there have already been two applicants for next year!
- Mark saw his kids this past weekend for the first time in a while. He is happy because his daughter, in grad school, and son, finishing a construction internship, will have jobs!
- Harold reported being “never better”, heading into his second phase of PT after his knee replacement.
- Andy was happy to see the rains came to Tucson, but reported being a little disappointed that only Don, Harold, and John D. took the challenge of finding mistakes in last week’s minutes. At that very moment, I received an email from Mary pointing out an error; thank you, Mary! Turns out there were many more than the 3 errors I intended.
- Richie was wrangling with his youngest, getting ready for kindergarten, and a brand new, early morning schedule.
- Don happily arrived from Seattle last night at 8:30 and was glad to be home. He has completed a whole month as District Governor! Only 11 more to go, Don!
Guest Speaker
Today, Avery shared her visions for her upcoming YE experience to Murcia Spain. Avery, a 17-year-old graduate from Marana High, has prepared extremely well for the experience, although a little nervous about the Spanish language having only had one Spanish language course in high school. Avery described what she had learned about Spain’s history and culture. She is happy to be going to a warm, dry climate close to the ocean in southern Spain. Peter pointed out that southern Spain was experiencing record highs over 100 degrees, thus dampening her spirits slightly. Avery’s research and understanding of the country’s culture will guarantee a rich experience, and we look forward to future reports!
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:55AM with the Four-Way Test.
Yours,
Andy Swarthout (any errors are mine and mine alone!)