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The Rotary year is off to a good start. I am hearing about many great initiatives and new ideas that the clubs are developing. In the west valley steps are being taken to begin a new club. It is expected that this club will charter fairly soon. As Rotarians return from their summer travels and later in the fall as winter visiting Rotarians return, more and more energy in our clubs will be evident.September is Basic Education and Literacy month. Many of our clubs are involved in this area. There is, of course, the Dictionary project where dictionaries are distributed to third graders in various school systems around our area of service. In the past, some have questioned why we should bother with dictionaries. They are available electronically. Yes, they are, but not all school systems can afford to make this resource available to their students. Additionally, over and over I hear how the dictionary is the first book that these kids have ever had. So kudos to all the clubs participating in this project.
Sponsoring food drives, volunteering at senior care homes and raising money for local charities are just a few examples of what students at Peoria high schools are doing to help their community.
Sedona Red Rocks sponsored a donation collection drive at its meeting on August 1 to support the Verde Valley Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is the Verde Valley’s twenty-eight bed domestic violence shelter for women and children. The club’s members contributed much-needed personal hygiene items including shampoo, soap, deodorant—and, always an important item—diapers. Red Rocks Rotarian Donna Hawk, also a weekly volunteer at Sedona’s Twice Nice thrift store that directly supports the shelter, loaded up her car and delivered the cartons of items on August 7. This year marks the Verde Valley Sanctuary’s 25th Anniversary of operation. Red Rocks Rotary plans to hold a monthly collection drive for tangible items needed by the many valuable non-profit organizations that serve the Sedona area.
Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary had another great opportunity to continue to partner with Vista del Camino, which is the City of Scottsdale’s social services network. 
Chad Johnson, senior vice president and executive director of Phoenix Children's Care Network, was the luncheon speaker at recent Rotary Club of Scottsdale meeting held at Scottsdale's McCormick Ranch Golf Club's Pavilion. When introducing Johnson, Rotarian John Abbs said that Johnson joined Phoenix Children's in January 2015. Since 1983, Phoenix Children's Hospital provides hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families. 
It’s easy! If a club exceeds or equals the minimum threshold giving of $70 per capita to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund every year, that club will meet one of three major qualification requirements for grants. All three major requirements are listed below.
experience and increased member retention.
The International Day of Peace is celebrated around the world on September 21. Each year more Rotary clubs have started including a peace-related club project, program, speaker or youth activity during the month of September. Will your club be engaged this year? 
Dr. Harry Tamm, MD, affiliated with Honor Health, was luncheon speaker at a recent Rotary Club of Scottsdale meeting held at Scottsdale's McCormick Ranch Golf Club's Pavilion. When introducing Tamm, Rotarian Gary Baker said that Tamm is a neurologist in Phoenix and is affiliated with other hospitals in the area, including Banner University Medical Center Phoenix and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.
The Rotary Club of Tempe Downtown inducted a new member this week. Kavisha Saraswat found Rotary through our online membership lead system. Rotary Membership Leads are inquiries that come through the Rotary.org website. Each lead is distributed to a District based on location and ultimately down to the clubs for a personal invitation. You might be wondering how exactly our District handles these leads. Past District Governor Jeanie Morgan, from the Mesa West Rotary Club, supports our membership leads and helps introduce prospective members to local clubs. This communication includes reaching out directly to prospective members as well as forwarding the lead to local clubs.
Congressman David Schweikert, United States House of Representatives Arizona CD6, was luncheon speaker at a recent Rotary Club of Scottsdale meeting held at Scottsdale's McCormick Ranch Golf Club's Pavilion. When introducing Congressman Schweikert, Rotarian Jim Bruner said that Schweikert is serving his fourth term in the United States Congress. Congressman Schweikert holds a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, having previously served on the Financial Services Committee. Congressman Schweikert sits on the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, co-chairs the Valley Fever Task Force, and is Republican co-chair of the Blockchain Caucus, the Tunisia Caucus and the Caucus on Access to Capital and Credit.