Location: NWFD Training Facility. Hybrid meeting.
Speaker-Odette Koffi
Attendees: Mark Goligoski, Dan Contorno, Harald Burtzloff, Don and Kathy Jorgensen, Beckie Penman, Andrea de la Cortez, Bob Bishop, Peter Mack, Christine Leonard, John and Cindy Dooling
With no tech difficulties, President Andrea called the meeting to order at 7:02 am! More startling was the members began and ended the Pledge of Allegiance in unison.
Be sure to remember next Tuesday our meeting is at MCAT with volunteer work at Marana Food Bank to follow.
Don announced the donated tools arrived in California to assist with the fire cleanup and PDG Hank Huisking, who now lives in Pasadena, greeted the semi full of donated tools from District 5500. Don also noted the matching grant from Shelterbox in the amount of $100,000 was close to being met.
Shirt size and rider names for our Tour de Cookie event must be received by this Friday. $22,000 has been received thus far per Treasurer Burtzloff. Decision as to where package stuffing and package pickup to be made soon.
President Andrea is starting a new sop in our weekly meetings called Rotary Minute. Don asked all if we knew the theme of February for Rotary International. John, being both clever (realizing Valentine's Day is near) and old began with "Make Love Not War?". Of course, this popular refrain from the Sixties was not the answer but it was close. This is Peace Month. There are four Peace Training Centers supported by Rotary around the country where students learn how to wage peace! Don reminded the club of our own Peace Pole project from a few years ago.
Happy Bucks
Harold- Lunched with a retired Air Traffic control friend who has agreed to be speaker soon. This is timely considering several recent air collisions.
Peter-Speaking of newsworthy, recently announced steel and aluminum tariffs great impact his business, including existing contracts for large telescopes.
Bob-Enjoyed time in Tempe with old friend who was President of The Student Body during his days at ASU.
Mark-MHS makeover of the school auditorium is complete and well done. Dan suggested dinner and a high school play might make for a good fundraiser.
Dan-Dominated his son in laws at Pickleball!
Kathy- All is good
Don-Says Kathy is very happy to have him back from Seattle where he won his age class in half marathon. While Kathy did not say this, she did not deny it either.
Christine-Enjoyed time with her kids
Cindy- Rotarian friends met years ago while doing a project in Natal, Brazil will be visiting this weekend
John-Setting moon was HUGE this morning as he drove to our meeting. Beautiful!
Beckie- Chilli's with granddaughters on her birthday is a good reason to be happy
Andrea-Happy for Dan who was named MUSD's #1 Administrator.
Speaker
Odette Koffi spoke about her Non-Governmental Organization benefitting young women in her home country of the Ivory Coast. Girls, as they enter puberty, often miss multiple days of school each month. Cost of disposable sanitary napkins is high and coupled with occasional embarrassing stains on school uniforms often lead to less days in school and early drop out when compared to boys. Odette's NGO provides free reuseable/washable pads to these young women. An elegantly simple solution to a time immemoriable concern. Funding is being sought to expand the program that has been in effect for a couple of years. Don Jorgensen will provide information on District 5500 team who can assist with applying for a Global Grant from Rotary International.
The meeting ended with the recitation of the Four Way Test, which began and ended in unison. Miracle of Miracles, Wonder of wonders!
Next week we will meet at MCAT to honor the Star Student of Quarter.