Club Service Projects for November and December
The Club is encouraging and participating in a holiday season toy drive for 'Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA)' .Toys for all ages are appreciated.
*** Items of strong need include toys that provide 'something for a child to DO' ... such as Legos, art supplies, puzzles, craft supplies, and other similar type items.
*** Items for older kids (12+) are needed, in addition to items for younger children.
*** CAAFA has indicated they have already received an abundant donation of COVID-19 approved 'plush/stuffed' items and are not in need at the moment for more 'plush/stuffed'.
Additionally CAAFA is always in need of non-toy items such as laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, baby wipes, disinfecting wipes or spray, household cleaner, hand sanitizer, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, disposable gloves, non-perishable food items.
Please be encouraged to include these types of everyday items along with your donation of toys this holiday season. Donations can be brought to an upcoming Rotary Club meeting, or contact a Rotarian to make other arrangements. Alternatively items can be dropped off at CAAFA, 879 N Plaza Dr - 101D , Apache Junction. Phone 480-982-0205
This link will help provide more donation information - https://www.caafaaz.org/donate/
On December 17 and 18 Club members are volunteering for 'bell ringing/fundraising' at the Cabelas /Bass Pro Shop near 101 and 202.
This community service project is being done in conjunction with Salvation Army (for more about the Salvation Army bell ringing program visit https://www.salvationarmyphoenix.org/be-a-bell-ringer).
Rotary volunteers are needed. For more details about time slots, directions, etc contact Ed Shockley at (602) 616-0145.
Or if you happen to be in the area on December 17 and 18 and want to stop by and say hello the volunteers, here is a link to a map for Bass Pro Shop/Bell ringing - 1133 N Dobson Road.
Highlights of November 18 Meeting
Our speaker was Arthur Harrington E.A., Ph.D. Art is a Past Rotary District Governor and Rotary International Training Leader. His informative presentation to the Club was 'Understanding Your Rotary Club's Fiduciary Responsibilities'.
He covered many important areas, ie, who the Club organization is responsible to, fiduciary responsibilities, checks and balances, budgeting, tax returns, annual reports, responsibilities for Club Treasurers and Board members, etc. His presentation was focused on the needs of Rotary Clubs, however the points, and cautions he covered are important issues and useful tips for any non-profit organization.
Art can be contacted for a copy of his Powerpoint presentation, or to discuss any questions at 928-245-0411 or arthts@msn.com.
Bill Pepple, Club Foundation Chair, was presented with his 'Paul Harris +7' pin. Congratulations, Bill!Highlights of November 11 Meeting
Our speaker was John Patris-Browne, Philanthropy Officer for the Superstition Mountain Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley. John shared his own story of how he was helped by the Boys and Girls Club after the sudden death of his father when he was 16 years old. He stated that he has been paying it forward ever since and talked about his excitement about our club's donation of $1,000 for their Thanksgiving meal, as well as other club needs.
The Boys and Girls Club is a youth development program for youth 5-18 years old, which strives to build a safe environment, establish supportive relationships with the kids through community partners, create fun and offer opportunities. The Organization is built on four pillars:
- Achieving academic success
- Becoming of good character and developing leadership skills
- Learning healthy life style
- Establishing workforce and career pathways
One of their programs is called Arizona Youth Force, which is an eight week program that teach job readiness skills and then puts kids in touch with partnerships in trades offering legitimate job opportunities for 18-20 year olds. Among their partnerships are Bank of America, Talking Stick Resort and Jiffy Lube. They are always looking for more.
To learn more and find out how you can contribute, you can visit their website: https://www.bgcaz.org/superstition-mountain-branch/.
November 7 Barleens Fundraiser
Superstition Mountain Rotary Club held a Rotary Foundation fundraiser on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Barleens Dinner Theater in Apache Junction.All CDC guidelines were carefully followed for the sold-out event, including social distancing, face masks and additional safety precautions. The Barleen family did a fantastic job with the show – new songs, new acts, along with a great dinner – indeed a pleasure, and great fun was had by all. The show was an hour and 45 minutes, with constant entertainment.
The event started with a special performance by the Apache Junction High School Marching Band under the direction of Karl Hermann. The thirty plus band members in full-dress uniforms marched into the theater and performed to a standing ovation from the audience. Director Hermann said “The band members had been practicing for months and looking forward to this event because due to COVID-19 they have not been able to perform for months” Rotary Club President, Harvey Clark presented Director Hermann with a check for $500. to assist the Band with their needs.
Local Rotarians and community guests were in attendance, along with District 5495 Governor Elizabeth Mahoney, District Governor Elect Bret McKeand and District Governor Nominee Larry Horton, as well as several Past District Governors and Assistant District Governors.
The Gilbert Rotary Club was invited to participate with a silent auction fundraiser. COVID-19 had caused their own fundraising event for the year to be cancelled.
Special recognition was made to the Barleen family with a ‘Paul Harris Fellow’ award, in recognition of their extraordinary service to the community. Barleens often provides free entertainment to health care facilities such as East Valley Alzheimer Care Facility.
Highlights of November 4 Meeting
Jon Haass, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ was our speaker today via Zoom. Jon, a security specialist with a degree from MIT, is a professor at Embry-Riddle and is Director of the 'Center for the Future'. He started the Cyber Intelligence and Security degree program in 2013 to promote innovation and job opportunities in Northern Arizona. At present, most of the graduates move out of the area, so the school is working on projects to retain students by creating new job opportunities. The ‘Center for the Future' was created with the purpose of helping create and incubate companies. The Center can simulate companies, government agencies, educational institutions, water resources and electrical grids.With an emphasis on cyber security, one of the center's early tenants will be the 'Cyber Security Warfare Range'. Through safely simulated scenarios, the Warfare Range will help train security specialists. As a 501c3, the center depends on donations and has received seed money from the city of Prescott for a new building.
For more information, you can communicate with Jon through email (jon.haass@erau.edu).
Past District Governor Jim Erickson announced the creation the Polio Plus Society Initiative. You can become a member for $100 per year, which you can give on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. When you join, you will receive an End Polio Now bracelet, a Polio Plus Society pin, and a certificate. If interested, please visit the Foundation portion of the District website (https://rotary5495.org/page/2019-03-01-foundation-homepage) and maneuver to the PolioPlus Society section of the page.
