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Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”
ROTARY CLUB OF GILBERT ARIZONA OCTOBER 7, 2021 7 AM
Superstition Springs Golf Club 6542 E. Baseline Road Mesa, AZ 85206 HYBRID MEETING -In-Person and Google Meets
The Rotary Club of Gilbert is a Peacebuilder Club
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WELCOME TO GILBERT ROTARY
Attendance:
Mike Flores, Curtis Ward, Chuck Holland, Diana Tacey, and George Pettit
On Google Meet: Bill Nuzbach, Cori Christenson-Barimo, Dave Hutchinson, Donna Backhaus, Toyin Atolagbe
Guest: Steven Le
Guest Speaker (via Google Meet) Kathy Mitchell – Phoenix Rotary 100 Visiting Rotarian: Andrea Shields – Kingman Route 66 Rotary
Happy $$
Cori $30; Andrea -$ 5 (Thanking Jim and Pat for helping with the Kingman event), Jim - $10; Donna -
$15; Curt- $5; Toyin - $10; Mike - $10; Bill - $10
Donations also included $ in the name of deaths in the family of the Jim Schermetzler and Mark Grady
ROTARY MOMENT
In lieu of time, there was no Rotary moment shown at the meeting. Check it out here:
https://youtu.be/TYGyDNwivf4
The Ask – Part II
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There is much emphasis these days on attracting younger members to Rotary. That said, clubs may need to be a little more flexible and adaptable to new ways of doing things. For some members, change is difficult but…in this day and age it is an absolute necessity.
How can we make out club more comfortable for younger member with small children?
allow young mothers to bring infants to the meeting
involve kids in club service activities
Don’t forget about the recently retired…they often have the energy, time, financial resources, and skill set to be great members.
4 A club with a diverse membership is a strong club.
We are a service organization – community and international service is important to us all. But also remember fellowship….surveys show one of the main reasons members stay in Rotary is friendships and contacts.
So….who asked YOU to consider joining Rotary? I am sure you remember and you also are grateful they did! Now… pay it forward to someone else.
Think about what Rotary membership means to you and get out there and change someone’s life for the better by inviting them to know more about the wonderful world of Rotary!
Diana Tacey has just returned from some volunteer work with Afghanistan refugees at an Air Force Base in New Mexico, helping the Department of Homeland Security, the Salvation Army, and other agencies. They provided refugees with shoes, clothing, personal care items, COVID 19 shots and medical care. She was recently introduced to Kathy Mitchell, a member of Phoenix Rotary 100 who is helping to coordinate efforts to aid 700 Afghan refugees currently here in Phoenix and anticipate another 700.
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Kathy says he is drawn to the immigrant experience. Working in Washington DC on Capitol Hill she worked on policy issues that centered on immigration, She worked for a museum in New York City and now is a lobbyist by trade and volunteers here in Phoenix for the Volunteer International Rescue Committee. (IRC)
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to
survive, recover and gain control of their future. In more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, our dedicated teams provide clean water, shelter, health care,
education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.
The IRC will put in place high-impact, cost-effective solutions that help people affected by crisis. We'll also use our learning and experience to shape humanitarian policy and practice in ways that improve the lives of more people worldwide. And in all of our work
we will focus on breaking down each of the barriers faced by women and girls.
Afghanistan crisis response
18 million people in Afghanistan are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. More than 630,000 have been internally displaced this year alone.
Many Afghans have fled the country to build new lives in the United States and other countries around the world.
The International Rescue Committee is working across the arc of crisis by providing food, cash and other aid in Afghanistan itself and helping to resettle Afghans who have arrived in countries such as the U.S., Mexico and Uganda.
Refugees, according to Mitchell, are coming to other places for usually political reasons; they have been forced to leave their country. Most will never return to their country due to political retribution.
20.7 million refugees left their countries every year. The IRC provides housing, employment,
education, health care, English classes, and citizenship classes, among other services. They don’t re-invent the wheel. The organization works with other established resources.
Due to US politics, the number of refugee arrivals in the US has dropped. This year, 1400 refugees have arrived in Phoenix and due to various crises; there is an urgent and immediate need to aid these people, many of whom have fled Afghanistan. They are NOT entering out country illegally; rather, are of legal status, they have appropriate paperwork, and have been vetted by the IRC for services.
Refugees contribute a huge economic impact to our country - $250 million has been paid in federal/state taxes, they bring millions in spending power, are a powerful economic group, and possess high rates of college education.
How can we help?
Phoenix Rotary 100 is sponsoring a clothing drive as well as accepting car seats/booster seats.
Volunteer
Be a family mentor
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Donate gift cards for shopping
Hygiene products
Help teach English and language courses
Adopting a family for the holidays
Set up apartments with furniture, towels, kitchen items, beds, bedding, etc. (or purchase items for apartments)
Clothing drive
Sponsor project
Be a collection site for donations
Refer landlords/rental companies willing to work with IRC. They pay 2-4 years of rest and deposits upfront.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved. These families will be located in the Phoenix Metro area. Afghan men are usually set up in a hotel and the priority for families is to set them up in an apartment as soon as possible. Miller implored members to help and to reach out and see what can be done.
Many Afghan refugees are a mic of former interpreters, and people who worked for the US military overseas. Please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathymitchell99@yahoo.com Mitchell will be in touch with Diana so we can learn more about how to possibly help.
District 5495 is also getting involved sponsoring District Week of Welcome October 23-30, 2021 Thank you, Kathy for joining us via Google Meet from Texas. We appreciate your leadership and your work in this important arena.
https://azpbs.org/horizonte/2021/08/arizonas-international-rescue-helping-afghan-
refugees/?fbclid=IwAR27_8MXb8Z9NBVGhJBeNHPkdQrkBaInhdn1xyEfo6X77ItUtuexA57lwXs
7 Barktoberfest
Barktoberfest is October 16, 2021 at the Gilbert Civic Center Plaza. Cori reports the club has 2 sites.
In one booth, there will be electricity to run a computer video about Gilbert Rotary. Cori has a raffle item of a Bark Box, giveaways, and has ties to a neighbor who does Pet Portraits. In the other booth Colleen will facilitate information on microchipping. Three people are needed to help. Please contact Cori if interested.
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A HUGE THANK-YOU
to Jim and Pat Schermetzler for hosting our October 4th Thursday Pre-Oktoberfest Evening Meeting in their home. The food was fantastic and there was lots of good fellowship that, as we know, is
essential for a successful Rotary Club. Thanks again.
THANK YOU CORI FOR SETTING UP THIS WONDERFUL EVENT
October 4th Thursday Event – October 28, 2021 -The Green Bay Packers play the Arizona Cardinals in Phoenix this evening. We are looking for ideas of what to do?
Dinner and the game at a sports bar?
A Halloween themed dinner? Let us know your ideas…..
The classic stage hit gets the Hollywood treatment in the story of Elwood P. Dowd who makes friends with a spirit taking the form of a human-sized rabbit named Harvey that only he sees (and a few privileged others on occasion also.) After his sister tries to commit him to a mental institution, a comedy of errors ensues. Elwood and Harvey become the catalysts for a family mending its wounds and for romance blossoming in unexpected places
Who would have known a 6 ft. pooka could be so much fun? We had a great time….
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No photo evidenced but George reports the “Fantastic Four” from Gilbert Rotary got the job done.
Thanks to them for picking up the slack of members who could not attend. THANK YOU George, Toyin, her daughter Towin, and Jim. Over 200 meals were served that night.
Kingman Brats and Beer Festival – Kingman Route 66 Rotary
Kingman Rotarian Andrea Shields joined the meeting especially to thank Pat and Jim Schermetzler for their attendance and assistance at the event last weekend. This event nets over $10-15 thousand dollars each year and has been going on 10-15 years. The event was wildly successful this year with reports of pretzels and food and beer running low. Andrea reported the event was so successful on Friday that just that evening’s proceeds covered all of their expenses. Jim reported the event was well-organized, lots of fun, and they met some really great Rotarians.
Jim suggested that maybe this is something the club could look at doing, on a smaller scale, and partnering with another club.
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Fantasy Football is entering Week 5. Here is a look at the current standings.
11 Dictionary Project
George has received 134 cases of Student Dictionaries to be stickered. Most boxes have been spoken for. He would , ideally, like to have them picked up for delivery next week to the schools for distribution, Thanks to all in advance for the hard work.
Upcoming Meetings and Events October 14, 2021 – 7 AM –
Regular Hybrid Meeting
Board Meeting Immediately after Regular Meeting
October 21, 2021 – 7 AM – Hybrid Club Assembly
October 28, 2021 – 4th Thursday
