Welcome to District 5495 Club News

Rotary Club of Flagstaff presents 21 Paul Harris Fellows
The Rotary Club of Flagstaff presented Paul Harris Fellow pins to 21 members during its regular weekly meeting on July 21. Club President Tonya Watson is committed to becoming an "All Paul Harris Club."
 
Also during the meeting, District Governor Bret McKeand presented club member Steve Cervantes with a district MVP Award for his work serving as the district's Sergeant At Arms this past year, as well as helping to organize the district's Bayou Bash at the International Convention in Houston in June.
 
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Free Rotary-branded boxes available for service projects
Rotary clubs in need of empty boxes for service projects such as food or clothing drives have access to hundreds of Rotary-branded boxes gifted to the district from a Rotarian in Iowa.
 
The district has approximately a dozen bundles of Rotary-branded cardboard boxes. Each bundle contains approximately 100 unfolded boxes (see photos).
 
The boxes were donated to the district from Teresa Schmidt, a Rotarian living in Iowa. Her daughter, Gina Schmidt is a former member of the Rotary Club of Glendale West (now Valley of the Sun Passport Club), and a volunteer with Peoria North Rotary Club's Prom Closet.
 
The boxes are available at no charge to any club on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The boxes are stored at Family Promise of Greater Phoenix, 7447 E. Earll Drive, Scottsdale, 85251.
 
Contact Ted Taylor, executive director, to arrange for pickup. Call 480-659-5227.
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District 5495 welcomes Queen Creek Satellite Club!
The Rotary Club of Gilbert officially chartered the district's newest satellite club, the Rotary Club of Queen Creek, during ceremonies held May 6.
 
The induction ceremony was held at the Guild Mortgage Conference Room in Gilbert, the office of new Rotarian Ron Valario.
 
There was an excellent attendance and fabulous food prepared by Isabel Amor’s Mexican Restaurant next door. The satellite club now has 20 members! Shirts were distributed by Gilbert Rotary Treasurer George Pettit and new member packets and materials, including membership pins were distributed by Gilbert Rotary membership chair Cori Christenson-Barimo.
 
Remarks were provided by District 5495 Governor Bret McKeand, Gilbert Rotary President Mike Flores, and Assistant Governor Ed Anderson. All helped with the induction of the new members and presented their Red Badges.
 
This event has great significance. The establishment of a Satellite Rotary club in the growing Queen Creek area has been a district priority for years, It took a couple of Gilbert Rotarians to approach the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce about interest in a possible club, a conversation, an appeal, a vision,… and this wonderful, enthusiastic, and committed group was the result.
 
Congratulations to all! Thanks especially to Mike Flores, Diana Tacey and Satellite Club Transition Chair Jason Jantzen. Welcome to all the newest Rotary members in the world!!
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Verde Valley Sanctuary wins Sedona Village Grocery Grab
The Rotary Club of Sedona Village held the 3rd annual Grocery Grab shopping spree on Saturday, April 23 at Clark’s Market.
 
The Rotary Club of Sedona Village members sold tickets to friends, neighbors, and supporters for one month leading up to the shopping spree. The winner was chosen at the annual plant & seed sale held in the community garden on Saturday, April 16. The winner of the shopping spree this year was the Verde Valley Sanctuary.
 
Shoppers representing the Verde Valley Sanctuary were able to choose items to treat the many children they are serving through their program. With 5 minutes to shop, the shoppers filled one cart with goodies including ice cream, cereal, cookies, and other treats they don’t normally have on hand at the Sanctuary.
 
The Grocery Grab is an annual fundraiser by the Rotary Club of Sedona Village. Fundraising total was $10,000 this year and with these proceeds, the club will support many local programs and projects in the next Rotary year. Programs and projects include, among others, the community garden on the grounds of Big Park School; youth leadership programs, summer camp scholarships, Adopt a Family program, Verde Valley Imagination Library, and more.
 
The Rotary Club of Sedona Village is grateful for the 20 plus business sponsors in the Village of Oak Creek for supporting this event. Visit the website for a full list of sponsors.
 
Visit www.sedonavillagerotary.org to find out more about this event, club activities, or membership.
Sun Lakes Rotary names Wayne Johnson its Rotarian of the Month
Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton, RCSL Public Image Director
 
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes named Wayne Johnson its May 2022 Rotarian of the Month. 
 
RCSL was chartered on April 22, 1986. Wayne is still an active Rotarian and the only Charter Member left in the Club. Wayne moved to Sun Lakes from Moline, Illinois to enjoy retirement.  Back in 1986, Wayne and seven Sun Lakes retirees met around a lunch table and decided there was a need for a Rotary Club in the fast-growing Sun Lakes Active Adult Community.
 
Wayne recently celebrated his 94th birthday.  During his RCSL membership, Wayne, a Rotarian for over 64 years, has served as Club President, on RCSL Board of Directors, several RCSL Committee Chairmanships and is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.  Wayne says, "if you want to stay young get involved with your passion and for him that's about contributing to your own community through Rotary.  So, don't let age get in your way to stay young!"
 
According to Club President, Jon Lyons, RCSL members are honored to have Wayne as an outstanding, contributing RCSL member.
 
 
 
Scottsdale fundraiser to give away Rotary-branded Phat Scooter
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale’s newest fundraiser includes a chance to win a special Rotary Phat Scooter valued at $3,500.
 
The scooter is one of three prizes to be awarded in the raffle. Second prize is $500 and third prize is $250.
 
Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100.
 
For information or to purchase tickets, email David Pastor at dpastor1957@gmail.com. Drawing will be June 27th. Shipping included to any of the 48 continental United States.
 
Proceeds go to the Scottsdale Rotary Foundation to fund scholarships to local high school students and community projects, as well as national and international causes.
 
The Phat Scooter is all electric, 3 speed, has LED running lights, headlight, beverage holder, horn, alarm, quick charger and a 2-year warranty.
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Sun Lakes honors Rotarians for exceptional service

Submitted by Dr. Honora Norton.

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) recently honored various Rotarians for their exceptional service to the club and community from July 1, 2021 to present day.  RCSL Club President Jon Lyons presented the following awards:

*  Rotarian of the Year award to Judi Edmonds – Judi leads the Club’s Peace Builder and Local Charity and Giving Committees; is a member of Rotary International (RI) District 5495 Peace Building Committee and for the past two years has been the Club’s designee to the Mexico USA Friendship Exchange. Judi leads by example, doing hands on volunteer work across multiple projects such as, Welcome to America, International Rescue Committee and Amanda Hope. Judi, a Sun Lakes resident, is active with the delivery of Sun Lakes Splash newspaper, Sun Lakes Easter Celebration, Mrs. Santa visits to many East Valley schools and much more.   

* Service Above Self Award to Kristine Schultz who serves as the Club’s Membership Committee Chair. Since July 1, 2021, RCSL has added over 20 new members.  She has organized the Membership Committee to define and implement key strategies to help strengthen membership.  She serves on the Club’s 2021-22 Board and will serve as Club’s 2022-23 Club Secretary. Kristine is a Sun Lakes resident.

* Service Above Self Award to Kandi Skrabala who has served on the Peace Builder Committee and has been very active with the Club’s service projects and socials.  Kandi is committed to hands on service work and has a “can do” attitude that is exemplary as a Rotarian.  Kandi is a Sun Lakes resident.

* Service Above Self Award to Dave Anciaux who serves on the Club’s Membership and Meeting Set Up Team.  Dave has helped to develop and deploy the Fire Side Chat Program and coordinated the Fall Open Houses that contributes to bringing in new club members.  Dave continually improves membership tools, including mentor guidelines.  He prepares the room and tables each meeting with material, setup up of the club banners, badge box and overall ensures RCSL Club Meetings look ‘Rotary Ready’ as attendees arrive. Dave is a Sun Lakes resident.

* John McCain Annual Good Guy/Gal Award to Dr. Honora Norton, who has served as RCSL’s Public Image Chair, has increased the visibility of Club through her photography, social media (Facebook/Instagram) posts, and numerous press releases in Rotary and East Valley news media; served as a member of RCSL Golf Committee; is a member of RI District 5495 Public Image Committee; and on 07/01/2022 will join RCSL 2022-23 Board of Directors. Dr. Norton is a Gilbert resident. John McCain was a member of RCSL before he passed away.  John served in the Air Force during WWII and was a POW in Germany.  To RCSL, John became known as the “Good Guy” who always had a smile, told a good joke, and provided a positive outlook.  As such, the “Good Guy” trophy was born and has been presented each year to a RCSL member who best portrays being a good guy/gal within the club.   

RCSL is a Rotary Club, of over 80 members, within Rotary International’s global network of 15,000 Rotary Clubs with over 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe (over 145 countries) and in their communities.  To learn more about the Club and/or membership see www.sunlakesrotary.com.

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Chandler Mayor proclaims April 16-24, 2022 "Rotary Week of Service"
 
The Mayor of Chandler proclaimed the week of April 16-24, 2002 “Rotary Week of Service.” The mayor presented the proclamation to members of the Chandler Horizon Rotary Club at the April 11 City Council meeting. From left: Council member Rene Lopez, CHRC Treasurer Larry Gardner, CHRC Secretary Soo Stevens-Clarke, CHRC President, Terry Locke and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke.