Attendees: Bob, Laura, Mike, Mark, John, Don, Kathy, Harold, Beckie, Peter and Cindy
Quick recap
The Marana Rotary Club meeting focused on updates and planning for upcoming events and initiatives. The club discussed their successful Tour de Cookie event, which raised over $21,000, with plans to donate $5,500 to two beneficiaries: The Rotary Vocational Foundation and More Than a Bed. The group addressed a $500 user fee owed to Pima County for using the urban trail during the event, with Laura advocating for payment based on the fee's reasonable percentage of total revenue. The club also discussed plans for upcoming activities including providing lunch for MCAT teachers and tours of the Family Resource Center. Don shared details about the Zone Institute's "Shoes for Souls" project offering clubs the opportunity to sponsor new shoe collections for children.
Happy Bucks
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by John and others.
- Bob shared his happy bucks about the successful Run to Remember event, which had 30,000 runners and 5,000 volunteers, including his sister-in-law Paula who managed finish line activities.
- Laura then shared her happy bucks about winning a case at the Arizona Court of Appeals regarding a peace officer cancer claim against the city of Tucson, with the city not petitioning the Supreme Court for review.
- Mike is planning to hike the Sabino Canyon area after the meeting.
- Mark spent 6 days hiking and camping in the Grand Canyon with his son and long-time friend.
- John reminisced about his trek from Alton to Jacksonville, Illinois when he was in college. Making it in under 24 hours.
- Don has spent the last two Saturdays coaching his grandson’s baseball team and loving the fun with the kids.
- Kathy is planting tomatoes and has an expert helping to build her drip system.
- Harold is pleased he’s through with doctor’s appointments for the week and feeling much better after a recent hospital stay.
- Beckie is packing and has 3 open houses coming up as she and family plan their move to Sherwood, Oregon. She updated the group about her ongoing appeal with United Healthcare regarding a $15,500 medical claim.
- Peter is enjoying the morning breeze and life in general.
- Cindy noted the singers that entertained the audience during grandson Carter’s college graduation have been invited to Washington DC to participate in the 250 year celebration on May 17.
Updates
- Beckie will resign prior to June 1st and her departure to Oregon. We will all miss her and her dedication to helping the community.
Bob
- Email Craig to check if he can produce the big checks and offered to pay for production for TRVFA and More Than a Bed.
Bob mentioned he would be returning to Arizona for the upcoming meeting on the 5th and was still seeking a speaker. Laura suggested Charity Nelson from "Phones Down Just Drive" as a potential speaker for the distracted driving awareness program, providing her contact information. Bob agreed to follow up on both the ALS group, MUSD’s CTE Director and Charity Nelson as potential speakers.
Cindy
- Find a vendor to deliver breakfast/lunch to MCAT teachers by next Monday or Tuesday. Meal and transportation was approved up to $250).
- Bring gift cards and a card to Mark for the MCAT STAR student recognition.
- Coordinate with Mark and Josh about the possibility of a district grant to support the Marana School District backpack program after Josh's tour in May.
- Adrienne (Treasures4Teachers) mailed the final invoice to Cindy for the District Grant. Cindy will finalize the grant reports.
Laura
- Call the county to generate an invoice for the user fee for the event and ensure payment is made.
Club Brochure Recruitment Planning
The group discussed the need to create a trifold brochure about their clubs to help with recruitment and information sharing.
Tour de Cookie Fundraising Results
The board discussed two main items: Tour de Cookie fundraising results and a user fee for using a public loop facility. The event raised over $21,000 after expenses were paid, with the board deciding to allocate $5,500 to beneficiaries, leaving around $11,000 in proceeds. Laura raised concerns about a paying the $500 user fee for the public loop, arguing it was reasonable given the event's success and community impact, while others debated whether the club or county should decide how the money is spent.
Rotary Club Activities and Planning
The club discussed several upcoming activities and financial obligations. Cindy reported on a potential backpack program for Marana School District, which Josh would handle, and Don suggested creating a district grant to fund it. The club also addressed their "Every Rotary Every Year" designation, which requires a $1,500 donation to the Rotary Foundation.