Mark called the meeting to order at 7:05 am;
Cindy led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Updates:
- Debrief of Mr. Beck’s math activity from last week… math looks different from how we learned it! Positive feedback from all!
- Interact - youth Rotary group - hoping to implement at Vista Academy, would love to be involved with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA); there is a club at Mountain View HS; we used to have an 8th grade club at Tortolita MS
- Grant was approved for book vending machine at Roadrunner Elementary - $500 with matching funds - $1000 total donation to get the year started! Club would like to decorate/sticker vending machine and be involved in its implementation; would also like to put Marana Rotary stickers inside the books - “donated by…”
- John discussed the Zone Institute shoe donation program and the Marana Rotary Foundation will be the pass-through allowing donors to still receive tax benefits
- Donation approved for new flags to be given to Vista Academy
- Mark attended the Presidents’ Meeting last week (5 clubs) - discussed donation and hospitality room to District Conference - September 18 & 19 - Tubac Convention Center - this year’s theme, “How Has Rotary Impacted You” - Cindy will be presenting on Rotary Youth Exchange
October - Tour de Cookie II - Mark spoke with Wayne Bennett from Marana; can make this happen! Perhaps a better starting point/hub will be Coyote Trail Elementary - large parking lot, right on the LOOP, less congested than Crossroads Park at this time of year
Special Guest Speaker:
Gary Saiki - Commander of Marana/Avra Valley VFW 5990
- 20-year Marine Veteran, then continued service
- Veterans of Foreign Wars - VFW - members must have served during wartime; other veterans with DD214 (honorable discharge) can join as American Legion members; also an Auxiliary Group for other relatives of veterans
- Focus on Americanism, Veterans support
- Scholarships provided to youth: “Patriot’s Pen” for grades 6-8 and “Voice of Democracy” for high school students - winners are awarded, recognized, and advance to district and state level competitions
- Respectful disposal of American Flags, maybe an Eagle Scout project & partner with Rotary and Vista Academy to collect flags…
- VFW to support the installation of new flags at Vista Academy; possible coordination with Scouts for a flag retirement ceremony
- Partnering with “baby shower” fundraiser
Next Steps
- Contact cookie vendors to gauge interest in October event
- Post survey on Facebook to gauge rider interest in 2nd ride
- Flag sizes and quantities verified and order placed
Send donation to military families’ “baby shower” fundraiser
Mark concluded the meeting at 8 am, thanking our guest, Gary Saiki, and gifting him the coveted blue Rotary Cowbell. Our meeting ended with the 4 Way Test led by Beverly.
