Rotary Club of Marana
The rabble were easily brought to order today, compared to a week ago, by President Holt, possibly because we dropped from 90% attendance to only 70% of our members in attendance this morning. John Zwick got us started with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of Happy Birthday to Denise damn near ended the meeting. While I still support a "Singing Club" I am beginning to rethink my stand. I blame Maeve for a weak start, although she did try to pick up tempo by waving her arms like a clipped banty rooster but it was too late. The Titanic had sailed. Her math joke about drinking and deriving was a step up but still this act would not play in Peoria.
Words of wisdom from Denise and Mary but you will have to see them as their comments did not make it past my eardrums. We either need to use the microphone or the club needs to buy me an ear horn.
The Club welcomed Peggy Holt from Parker, AZ who now resides in Tucson. A Rotarian, Peggy is seeking a local club to join. If in need you can visit her at Sabino Canyon Recovery. Hopefully our singing did not scare her off. In spite of comments to the contrary I do not believe she is related to our Club's President. Also vacationing Rotarian Bill Woodard joined us from the northeast and gave an excellent presentation on Shelter Box.
**********************Tree Planting 9 to noon at Veterans Memorial Cemetery 2/24/2018***************************
Tony-Happy for surviving PETS and loves his new flea collar
Dave H-Nice visit with parents
Randy-Successful PETS with 700 people attending
Mary-After several attempts to communicate with this writer tossed her hands skyward in complete frustration. I requested she consider texting her happiness and/or deep thoughts.
Harold won and lost the raffle. We once again gave Harold a round of applause for his Right Brother's Award of 50 years of error free flying. Less than 1% of all aviators have ever qualified for this award.
This writer was quite happy as I won the diamond pendant donated By Denise and Ben Bridge Jewelers. The fund raiser brought in $400. WOW! Thanks, Denise. Also, thanks for the box of chocolates given to all in attendance.
Don-Happy about recent conversation with friend Bryce of Zimbabwe and the peaceful removal of Mugabe. During Mugabe's rule the country went from the breadbasket of Africa to a food importer. Don also sponsored today's speaker.Bill Woodard gave a presentation that made us all proud to be Rotarians. The number of homeless in the world has doubled in the past five years to 85 million. Climate disasters on a scale never seen before and man made turmoil have brought us to the crisis we see today. Shelter Box is making a dent in the need having served 160,000 families in 2017. Rotary provides 40% of their funding and a very large percentage of their staff. Shelter Box, Red Cross and the UN are the only three organizations that can take the lead in countries in need of humanitarian aid. With Rotary membership being made up of local leaders and business owners it is a natural to organize relief efforts plus it has instant credibility. Shelter Box has been allowed in North Korea and in to Myanmar where government or religious affiliated organizations were not allowed.
Bill shared with us photos of places he has been as Shelter Box/Rotarian volunteer and told us the final two miles are often the most difficult in getting aid to those in need.
If I was too harsh on Maeve let me know and I will pay a fine next week.