R o t a r y D i s t r i c t 5 4 9 0—H o m e o f t h e G r a n d C a n y o n March, 2014

March 1 Event Celebrated 100 Years of Rotary in Arizona Phoenix Rotary 100 Toasted Their Centennial Anniversary

March is

Literacy

Month Clubs throughout the state submitted photos and information highlighting each club’s

programs and activities. The submitted material was used to create posters which were displayed in the convention center at the Arizona Biltmore.

INSIDE THIS ISSUEINSIDE THIS ISSUEINSIDE THIS ISSUEINSIDE THIS ISSUE

DG Remarks 2 District Conference 3 Phoenix Rotary 100 4 History & Anniversary Photos Sun City Literacy Grant 5 GOL-AZ 6 Kenya Water Project 7 What does the District 7 Conference have to do with me? District Assembly 8 Coming in April Rotary Month by Month 9

The 1,000,000th meal which completed

the centennial project goal Rotary meeting made headline

news, Extra Edition, May 29, 1936

If your

club is not

already

involved

in literacy,

consider

starting a

project!

Page 2

The Monthly Energizer

Wow! What a great year for Rotary in Arizona! I want to express congratulations and appreciation to Rotary Phoenix 100 Club President, Jerry Oliver, Centennial Chair, Joe Prewitt, and the members of the Rotary Club of Phoenix for the amazing dinner party they hosted. The event was in celebration of the Centennial of Rotary in Arizona. The beautiful venue, purposeful inclusion of club histories from all over Arizona, “prohibition of long speeches,” and beautiful keepsake wine glasses created a perfect event!

Two special guests of the District were Kristi Grasser, President of the Kingman Route 66 Trailblazers Rotaract Club, and Andrew Maurer, a leader in the Interact Club at Lake Havasu High School. Andrew is an Assistant Governor for the newly formed D5490 Interact District. It was wonderful to see these young leaders of our Rotary Family in attendance as representatives of the future at this historic event.

It was rewarding to hear the announcement at the dinner that the goal to pack one million meals to feed starving people was reached.

Congratulations to Clay Janson (Rotary Club of Phoenix 100) for the superior job he did as the Chairman of the Million Meals Project! Everyone attending the Centennial Celebration Dinner had the opportunity to see the Millionth Meal. It has been nicely framed for display to memorialize this extraordinary accomplishment.

Another honor I enjoyed this month was to meet the delegation of Russian women leaders visiting our District through the Open World Program. The program is a passion for Rotarian, Andrea Shields (Rotary Club of Kingman Route 66), and she does a stellar job of organizing this important international program to the benefit of our district.

Thanks to Andrea, one of the first stops for the delegation was my home town of Parker. I had the opportunity to invite a number of female leaders from

my community to spend about two hours visiting with the Russian delegates (through an interpreter) about issues they have in common as women leaders in their respective communities.

It is not every day a delegation (of any kind) from Russia visits Parker, Arizona. It was a great event. While the people I invited weren’t quite sure what to expect, they each made it a point following the meeting, to let me know they appreciated the opportunity to take part in the meeting. Many of the women I invited happen to be members of my Rotary Club. One who is not, approached me following the meeting to ask how she could join Rotary. The meeting became a perfect example of “ATTRACTING” new Rotarians versus “recruiting” new Rotarians.

March is Literacy Month for Rotary International. March is also the month for the Miss La Paz County Scholarship Pageant. So (you’re wondering), what’s the connection? It is this: I have been involved with the scholarship program for many years. This year I was asked to judge the contestants’ “Quality of Life” essays. The title of one particular essay really grabbed my attention. Here is the title and an excerpt from the essay:

“Ready, Set, Red! :“Ready, Set, Red! :“Ready, Set, Red! :“Ready, Set, Red! : The Importance ofThe Importance ofThe Importance ofThe Importance of

Early Reading Intervention.Early Reading Intervention.Early Reading Intervention.Early Reading Intervention.”””” “Wait, that’s not quite right,

is it? You may think I have misspelled “read.” You are right, but the truth about that is that there are 32 million adults in the United States that are illiterate and don’t know the difference between ‘red’ and ‘read.’ That means one in seven adults reading skills are so low that they wouldn’t be able to read or comprehend anything more than a child’s picture book. If these people had been screened at an early age and been given the skills they needed when they were a child, they wouldn’t necessarily be struggling with what some might find an easy task.

“Reading is a very crucial skill to have, without it you would have issues with most factors in life. Reading is more

than just reading words your mind recognizes; it is comprehending and understanding what is written before you. Think about it, as a child you were taught many different subjects in school. If you struggled with reading, would you be able to fully comprehend math equations written in sentence form or find out what it was that you needed for your volcano science project when given a list of supplies? No.....”

Fenix Greenwood, Parker, Arizona.

Clearly, this young lady understands the importance of reading/literacy. As Rotarians we too understand the importance of this critical issue. We know for most of us, reading and writing are as natural as breathing. But nearly 800 million adults worldwide lack the literacy skills needed to complete a job application, understand a child’s report card, or read a prescription. As Rotarians, we also believe literacy is an essential ingredient for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace.

Many clubs in our district sponsor dictionary projects, and some Rotarians volunteer to read to students in their local schools. I learned about a Rotary Club project this year where Rotarians hand out books instead of candy to trick or treaters at Halloween. And the Rotary Club Sedona sponsors an Imagination Library. Working with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to promote early childhood reading.

If you or your club are not already involved in a Literacy Project, I encourage you to go out on a limb and start one this year. The good fruit produced by your efforts will have effects far beyond the individuals you help.

Keep up the good work! I hope to see you at our District Conference in Lake Havasu City, May 16-18. It is time to register now!! Thank you!

Duce

Reflections of our District Governor, Duce Minor

Showcase

your club at

District

Conference

House of

Friendship!

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The Monthly Energizer

2014 District Conference House of Friendship Rotary and Rotaract Clubs,

Interact, Youth Exchange, RYLA and Rotary Affiliated Organizations are encouraged to participate and show off your programs, events, projects or anything special about your group. Vendors who sell only Rotary related items may also participate.

All tables will be 6’L x 30”W and reserved on a first-com, first served basis.

There is NO COST for Exhibitor or Vendor Tables. However, all exhibitors and vendors are encouraged to have an eye-catching container available to collect donations to Eradicate Polio and to also provide stickers to donors for each dollar received.

Helpful Hint! Helpful Hint! Helpful Hint! Helpful Hint! The “BEST “BEST “BEST “BEST IN SHOW” IN SHOW” IN SHOW” IN SHOW” selection will have the judges looking for those containers and evaluating both

how “eye-catching” the container is and the amount taken in.

Set up will be available early Friday morning (The conference starts at Noon).

Tear down must begin immediately after the Saturday break, which ends at 5:00 PM.

Although the House of Friendship will be open throughout the convention hours, there will be two long breaks scheduled each day and refreshments and a no-host bar will be available in the House of Friendship. The breaks are from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday and 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Saturday.

Exhibitor/vendor booths will be judged in the following categories:

♦ Most INFORMATIVE

♦ Most CREATIVE

♦ Most COLORFUL

♦ Most FUN

♦ BEST IN SHOW

Bragging Rigts Ribbons (and perhaps prizes) will be awarded on Saturday night.

To register your exhibitor/To register your exhibitor/To register your exhibitor/To register your exhibitor/vendor tablevendor tablevendor tablevendor table, mail or e-mail the following information to Dan Messersmith:

♦ Club or organization name

♦ Contact Person’s Name

♦ Phone

♦ Email address

♦ Type of exhibit

♦ Indicate if you will need an electrical outlet, and if sor, state the purpose.

Mailing Address:Mailing Address:Mailing Address:Mailing Address: Dan Messersmith 2945 E Leroy Ave Kingman, AZ 86409

Email address:Email address:Email address:Email address: dmess@ctaz.com

SPACE IS LIMITEDSPACE IS LIMITEDSPACE IS LIMITEDSPACE IS LIMITED The time to act is NOW!NOW!NOW!NOW!

Register by going toRegister by going toRegister by going toRegister by going to

www.Rotary5490.orgwww.Rotary5490.orgwww.Rotary5490.orgwww.Rotary5490.org then click onthen click onthen click onthen click on

2014 District Conference Info2014 District Conference Info2014 District Conference Info2014 District Conference Info

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The Monthly Energizer

Arizona Rotary History from the Phoenix Rotary 100 Website

With something in the neighborhood of 15,000

residents, the Phoenix of 1914 didn't look much like the Phoenix of 2014. There were

fewer than 500 automobiles in the city, and the city limits stretched only from Yavapai to

McDowell, from 16th St reet to 23rd Avenue. But Phoenix was already the largest city

between El Paso and Los Angeles, and it was the Capitol of the newest state in

the Union. City fathers were convinced it was on its way to becoming the leading city in

the less than two-year-old State of Arizona.

That faith in the future of

Phoenix and Arizona was to play a significant part in bringing Rotary to Phoenix in

1914, but the Rotary story in Arizona actually starts a year earlier, in 1913. Book store

manager Wallace C. Button found himself returning to Phoenix by train from a

convention. He was seated next to L.P. Sullivan of San Antonio, Texas. Su llivan was

a member of the San Antonio Rotary club (club number 52), and he shared with Button the

story of this new civic organization based on a commitment of service to the

community. Rotary itself was less than a decade old. Sullivan's enthusiasm for the

organization was contagious, and Button brought the idea back to Phoenix.

Button gathered other civic-minded business leaders in

Phoenix, and the seed he planted soon began to take

root. By January 1914, a g roup of 30 local businessmen committed to founding Rotary

by each contributing $10 to provide the initial funding. They had to overcome the

suspicions of the newly formed Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, which was

concerned that the two groups would compete for members and have redundant missions.

They also had to overcome the concerns of Rotary's national organization, which had

mandated that no city with fewer than 25,000 residents could have a club.

The Phoenix Rotary organizers had something else in mind as well. They set their

sights on being the 100th club to be chartered. There had been only 16 Rotary clubs in

1910, five years after the organization's founding in Chicago, but the number had

been growing rapidly. They enlisted the Rotary Club of Los Angeles as a sponsor, and

the Phoenix team was able to convince the national committee to go along and

make their charter number 100; and on March 1, 1914, Rotary 100 was officially

born, listed on the charts between #99 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and #101 in Long

Beach, California. Running unopposed, Amos

A. Betts, a member of the

Arizona Corporation Commission, was elected to

serve as the Club's first president. He was jo ined by

Vice President John O'Malley and Secretary/Treasurer Paul Kantz as officers. Other

prominent inaugural members included Arthur Luhrs and Vic Hanny. The club met every

Friday for lunch - first at the Adams Hotel, then the Arizona Club, fo llowed by

Donofrio's and then, as the club grew, they reserved the entire upper floor of the

American Kitchen restaurant. The first monies expended by the new club? The sum of

$8.15 was paid to R.A. Watkins Printing to buy stationary, envelopes and a

receipt book. Much of what happens at

Rotary 100 today was set in

motion in that first year including weekly meetings, a newsletter (in itially called the

Rotary Smile, which became the Rotarizonian in 1918) and, most importantly, a

commitment to community service. And as that commitment and dedication to

service became apparent, the Club's membership grew rapidly.

By September 1914, membership had grown to 70. The new organization had

become so prominent that the Phoenix Gazette dedicated a special ten-page

supplement in its daily newspaper to extol the virtues of the Club and profile its

founding members.

“They set

their sites on

being the

100th (Rotary)

Club to be

founded”

Photo

highlights

from the

March 1

Centennial

Celebration

Donofrio’s Storefront

After learning that third grade students in the State of Arizona would have to pass a literacy test to advance to the next grade this school year, the Sun City Rotary Club applied for (and was awarded) a District 5490 grant to provide books suitable for K-3rd grade for the Thompson Ranch Elementary School Library in El Mirage.

The Club also honors students-of-the-month from sixth, seventh and eighth grades

during the school year and believes that by encouraging students to read, we are helping them have a higher chance of success in school, future careers and the Community.

With the assistance of Librarian and Interact Counselor Darlene Roach, the Club bought 166 books with titles such as "Jet Plane: How it Works", "Why Feet Smell and Other Gross Facts", "Peregrine Falcon: dive, dive, dive!" and "Meteorologist's

Tools". The Sun City Rotary Club

supports an Interact club at the school which affixed book plates in each book recognizing both the Club and the District. The books were presented to the Library during Dr. Seuss week.

Club members, Interact members and fifth graders read aloud books chosen by first graders.

Submitted by Annette Valentine

Sun City Literacy Grant

Sun City

Rotary Club

Presents

166 Library

Books

to

Thompson

Ranch

Elementary

School

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The Monthly Energizer

Photo of “Book Plate”

GOL‐AZ achieved its GOAL of 300 heart surgeries on needy children by end of 2013 and in fact achieved 302. The 300th surgery was performed in Tucson at the University of Arizona Medical Center by Dr. Michael Teodori on October 8th with Rotary Home Hostng for mother and child provided by Tucson Rotary Club President, Dave Gallaher and his wife, Susan.

The patient was Katia Rodriguez, a 14 year old girl from Sedona, AZ who was suffering from a large hole in her heart that was starting to cause some serious issues as she became older and her body was demanding more from her heart. If left much longer, further damage and complications most likely would occur.

Katia is the 3rd child, from a family of four, being raised by a single mother who works doing house cleaning/maid services. Her dream, like other teenagers, includes success in school, as an 8th grader, going on to high school, and then hopefully on to college. She is doing well in her studies and especially likes social studies. She tried to be very active and loves playing

basketball, which she had limited play because of the demands placed on her heart. As this article was being written, a few weeks ago, Katia’s life had already begun to change for the better, as she was just released by her doctor to start playing basketball, and to become involved in other school activities.

So, how did all this get started as a project of the Rotary Clubs of Arizona Districts 5490, 5500 and 5510? The answer is found in meetng PDG John Van Houten of the Rotary Club of Flagstaff, who has served as a Rotarian in all three districts.

PDG John joined the Yuma Rotary Club, D5500 in 1954 and became Club President in 1958‐59. In the early 60’s, his business took him from Yuma to the Phoenix area where he helped charter the Rotary Club of Phoenix Mid‐Town in D5490.

As his Rotary experience and leadership developed, John was elected to be a District Governor in 1984‐85 of what now is D5490. As District Governor Elect under then District Governor, Jack McFalls, John was asked to look into the New York Rotary Gift

of Life project and see if a like humanitarian project could be implemented by the Arizona Rotary Districts.

Along with the assistance of some Arizona Rotarians and the generous Phoenix pediatric medical community, John finalized the GOL‐AZ project as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in April, 1985 during his year as D5490 Governor. A few years later, John then retired to Flagstaff.

On January 21, 2014, some 29 years later, a celebration, was put in place, for the opportunity for Katia and John to meet and celebrate together this milestone along with Rotarians, GOL‐AZ Board Members, family and guests.

Sponsored by the Flagstaff Rotary Club, and its President Richard Lozano, it was a wonderful event, noting the accomplishment that 302 needy children suffering from congenital heart defects from 24 countries. 29 of the children are from Arizona, and now have an opportunity for a more normal and healthy life.

Gary Whiting, PDG GOL‐AZ Board President

Gift of Life-

AZ founder,

PDG John

Van Houten,

meets 300th

GOL-AZ

surgery

recipient

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The Monthly Energizer

Gift of Life-Arizona reaches GOAL of 300 Surgeries

History was made!

Any successful project, local or international, starts with an assessment of need. The knowledge gained through this process was the underpinning of the two prior water and sanitation projects in Kenya. The people that we help, the Maasai, are a communal society and “all that is most vital and precious is shared, including the land…”

Given that cultural understanding it would have been unthinkable to offer our help without Maasai involvement and understanding. An important component of sustainability is local buy-in; for our projects that meant involving the Maasai at every juncture.

The pictures represent just a few of the meetings facilitated by our friend, contact and Maasai leader, Charles Takai, as he mobilizes Maasai support and understanding.

You can be proud of the dedicated effort of Rotarians in Naivasha, Kenya; North Carolina; Colorado; Arizona and Mexico who have collaborated in latest project at Eorr Enkitok, Kenya. The final estimates, bill of

materials and costs are being compiled and soon we will break ground. When this project is completed another 7-10,000 people will have good clean water from the earth. Contributions are still being accepted. Simply send your check to the District 5490 Office, District 5490 Office, District 5490 Office, District 5490 Office, 501 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 501 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 501 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 501 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012.85012.85012.85012. Please make the check payable to PRCC PRCC PRCC PRCC and mark it KENYA. KENYA. KENYA. KENYA. Individuals can get PH

credit for any contribution and clubs will receive credit towards Annual Fund and International Service goals for this Rotary year.

Your support to date for our Kenya projects has made it possible for approximately 35,000 people to have life giving, clean water from the earth. Thanks

PDG, Craig Wilson

Update on

Kenya

Water

Project

CELEBRATE!

Make it to

YOUR

District

Conference!

Page 7

The Monthly Energizer

PROJECTS OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

Kenya Water Project Update

What does the District Conference have to do with me? PDG Jeanie Morgan

It doesn’t seem to matter whether the club is large or small, when the word “DISTRICT” is used—whether spoken or in print—it has a similar effect on the average Rotarian as the word “vegetables” has for most kids these days. If there is a way to avoid the topic, they’ll find it!

I realize I am a Rotary nerd, junkie, or fanatic. There probably should be a support group for people like me. I’d like to share my feelings about all things “DISTRICT.”

My first experience outside my own club, was when I attended PETS as I was preparing to take the responsibility of Treasurer for my club. PETS is training for

incoming officers which is now done on a Tri DISTRICT level. I can assure you, I learned things there that were helpful. I not only learned how to do things right, I also heard about things that can go very wrong!

My next experience was hosting a Youth Exchange student. Without the DISTRICT support, the student and host family experience would have been less than desirable. The DISTRICT Youth Exchange Committee provided an extended family for the student and source of wisdom for us as host parents.

I started attending DISTRICT Conferences. At first, I went so I could learn more

I was asked to be an

Assistant Governor for the DISTRICT. I got better acquainted with members of neighboring clubs and helped them connect with DISTRICT resources.

I was very involved with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) for a number of years. In my mind, this is the best service our DISTRICT does collectively!

I had the privilege of serving as your DISTRICT Governor in 2009-2010.

DISTRICT Conference is now the place where I connect with all my Rotary friends. They are my support group! We celebrate successes and learn from each other. Oh, and did I say we CELEBRATE?CELEBRATE?CELEBRATE?CELEBRATE?

District Conference 2014 London Bridge Resort

May 16-18 Be there!

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The Monthly Energizer

The 2014 District AssemblyThe 2014 District AssemblyThe 2014 District AssemblyThe 2014 District Assembly Saturday, April 26, 2014Saturday, April 26, 2014Saturday, April 26, 2014Saturday, April 26, 2014 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Yavapai Exceptional IndustriesYavapai Exceptional IndustriesYavapai Exceptional IndustriesYavapai Exceptional Industries

8594 E Eastridge Drive8594 E Eastridge Drive8594 E Eastridge Drive8594 E Eastridge Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314Prescott Valley, AZ 86314Prescott Valley, AZ 86314Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

$15.00 at the door$15.00 at the door$15.00 at the door$15.00 at the door (includes continental breakfast and lunch)(includes continental breakfast and lunch)(includes continental breakfast and lunch)(includes continental breakfast and lunch)

Registration at:Registration at:Registration at:Registration at: http://5490.eventbrite.comhttp://5490.eventbrite.comhttp://5490.eventbrite.comhttp://5490.eventbrite.com

About Our Host

Yavapai Exceptional Industries Yavapai Exceptional Industries Yavapai Exceptional Industries Yavapai Exceptional Industries has been providing job training, employment, volunteer placements, and support services for developmentally disabled adult residents of the cities and towns of the Central Highlands since 1974.

Breakout Session Topics Ethics Ethics Ethics Ethics ▪ Financing Your Club Financing Your Club Financing Your Club Financing Your Club ▪ MembershipMembershipMembershipMembership

The Rotary Foundation The Rotary Foundation The Rotary Foundation The Rotary Foundation ▪ Youth ServicesYouth ServicesYouth ServicesYouth Services

WHO should attend?

⇒ Club leaders and Board Members ⇒ Club Membership Committee ⇒ Club Rotary Foundation Committee ⇒ Club Youth Services Committees ⇒ Club Fundraising Committee ⇒ All Club Members

WHY attend? ♦ Keynote address on Ethics by Roy Massey, Chair of

The Ethics Initiative

♦ Zone leader Dick Elixman provides best practices for club Membership planning

♦ Learn how The Rotary Foundation powers club projects and community impact

♦ Learn how Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange shape our future

♦ Participate in a Tree Planting service project

♦ Light Up Rotary with friends and colleagues

Newsle�er Editor:

PDG Jeanie Morgan

P O Box 1926

Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405

Phone: 928 486 4328

Fax: 928 453 9049

E-mail: ryla5490@citlink.net

District Governor—Duce Minor District Governor Elect—Chuck Fitzgerald District Governor Nominee—Paul Pulicken District Governor Nominee Designee—To be named in Spring, 2014 District Secretary—JoAnn Oxsen District Treasurer—Nancy Teff Assistant Governors: Area 1—Armin Iranshahr: Buckeye, Estrella, Goodyear WhiteTanks, and

Litchfield Park Area 2—Stan Mah: Glendale, Glendale Kachina, and Glendale West Area 3—Jon Bauman: North Phoenix, Phoenix Rotary 100, and Phoenix West Area 4—Angel Aguirre: Peoria, Peoria North, Sun City, Sun City Del Sol, and

Sun City West Area 5—Jim Clemens: Chino Valley, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Prescott

Frontier, and Prescott Sunup Area 6—Catherine Moore: Sedona, Sedona Red Rocks, and Verde Valley/

Cottonwood Area 7—Dan Messersmith: Bullhead City, Kingman, Kingman Route 66, and

Needles, CA Area 8—Doug Browning: Lake Havasu City, Lake Havasu City Sunrise, and

London Bridge Area 9—Jim Bultema: Grand Canyon and Williams Area 10—Duane Peck: Parker, Parker-Poston, Poston, and Quartzsite Area 11—Alvin Hancock: Anthem, Surprise, and Wickenburg

April 4, 2014 Anthem Poker Run All Motorcycles Welcome! 200 Miles of Great Riding $30 per Hand / $15 per Wildcard Ride Starts: 10:00 am Roadrunner Restaurant & Saloon 47801 N. Black Canyon Hwy,, New River Arizona 85087 (Ride ends here too) Register: 8:00 to 10:00 am or www.rotaryclubofanthem.com Contact: Keith at (602) 551-9467 Included for Participants 8 Course Breakfast Buffet (8-10am), 1st Annual Event T-shirt, 2 Bands playing great LIVE music April 12, 2014 AZ KIDS COUNT Walk-a-thon April 12, 2014 at the Phoenix Zoo. To register, go

to www.azkidcount.org. April 26, 2014 District Assembly in Prescott—Hold the date. May 16-18, 2014 Rotary District 5490—Conference in Lake Havasu City (Includes Youth

Exchange) June 1-4, 2014 Rotary International Convention—Sydney Australia September 20, 2014 Grant Management Training @ Lake Havasu City October 4, 2014 Grant Management Training @ Sedona October 25, 2014 Grant Management Training @ Peoria November 8, 2014 Arizona Tri-District Rotary Foundation Day/Dinner @ Tempe (Airport Sheraton

Hotel)

The Monthly Energizer

Visit our Website: www.rotary5490.org

R o t a r y D i s t r i c t 5 4 9 0 H o me o f t h e Gr a n d C a n y o n

Rotary Month by Month

If you or your club are not already

involved in a Literacy Project, I encourage you to

go out on a limb and start one this year.