Welcome to District 5495 Club News

 
“The Rotary Club of Scottsdale North presented a check for $5,000 to the non-profit New Pathways for Youth.  Accepting the grant were, Karen Johnson and John Patris-Browne. New Pathways for Youth’s mission is to transform the lives of youth in Phoenix who are experiencing poverty and three times the adversity of their peers by providing the support, stability, and skills they need to flourish in the community and in their families.
(Photo L-R, Rotary President Tom, John, & Karen)
 
Rotary Club of Sun Lakes recently presented its August 2024 Teacher of the Month Award to Sophie Steadman, CUSD Hamilton High School French Teacher.  And, its September 2024 Teacher of the Month to Kim Meyer, CUSD Arizona College Prep Middle School Science Teacher.
 
According to Gary Kay, RCSL's Education Chair, the award selection is based on a teacher's total years of service in the field of education; examples of how the teacher goes above the normal requirements and enhances student education; the respect shown for the teacher by his/her peers, students and parents; and, the teacher''s involvement in extracurricular activities and service in the community. 
 
A $700 check is awarded to the honored teacher - $200 from RCS, $400 from Earnhardt Automorie Center and $100 from Trust Bank. 
 
The Rotary Club of Peoria North will hold its annual Fashion Show and Luncheon Nov. 22 at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West.
 
The event is a fundraiser for high school scholarships sponsored by the club, as well as local and international service projects. The George and Willi Wheeler Scholarship is presented each year to graduating students in the Peoria Unified School District.
 
The event takes place 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the country club, 20800 N. 135th Ave., Sun City West. Lunch is served at noon.
 
Club members and friends will serve as models for the event. Models will be showcasing clothing from Calle Rose Fashions and all items will be available for purchase at the event.
 
Tickets are $50 and may be purchased by contacting Sharon Jarnagin at 602-309-3910 or Margaret Fried at 732-552-7631.
 
All proceeds benefit the club’s charitable foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization supporting education, literacy, health and wellness, polio eradication and more.
 
For more information about the club, visit www.peorianorthrotary.net.
 
Neil Logan, the creator of the sculpture which is the centerpiece of our Sunup Rotary Club's All Vets Memorial, situated on the west side of the Yavapai County Courthouse, recently shared with the club the background behind it. 
 
The dramatic and realistic sculpture depicts a medic, holding an injured soldier, as he beckons in the MediVac helicoptor to pick them up and to fly them to the nearest medical treatment center.  Neil, a combat veteran himself, told us his brother had been a highly decorated pilot flying these dangerous missions during the Vietnam War, and had been shot down four times.  To the surprise of many of us, Neil related the enormous political difficulties our local veterans faced in gaining the necessary permission to place the sculpture on the Courthouse Square. 
 
On behalf of those veterans, he profusely thanked our Rotary club for having made this memorial such an attractive and respectful centerpiece in its current location, and for our work each year in continuing to maintain this memorial.  It was noted that special credit goes to our member John Stewart for his committed leadership of this high priority annual club project.
 
Prescott Mayor Phil Goode related to us the background of the bronze memorial plaque part of the memorial, which bears the names of all of Prescott's military heroes whose lives have been lost over the years, defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy as the result of their sacrifice.  The plaque has been updated once; and he said it will need to be updated again, at some point, to add the names of others who have since lost their lives serving our country.  Phil also told us of the time when he personally shielded the memorial placque with his body when it was about to be defaced by demonstrators who invaded Prescott.  
Submitted by: Dr. Honora Norton RCSL Public Image Chair
 
The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes (RCSL) and Club President Victoria Flatley honored Rotarians for their exceptional Club and community service from July 1, 2023, to present day – i.e.:
  •          Rotarian of the Year Award to Leo Schlueter – Leo has served on RCSL Education and Membership Committees; has led new member fireside chat gatherings; assisted with the CUSD/RCSL Teachers of the Month and Year Awards.
  •          Service Above Self Award to Ann Diamond – Ann has led and participated in RCSL community service projects; is a consistent and supportive assistant to Club President and Sergeant of Arms for meeting setups, raffle awards and more.
  •          John McCain Annual Good Guy/Gal Cup Award to Bob Phillips – Bob along with David Ouradnik has led the Club Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser and serves as RCSL’s Board representative on the Sun Lakes Foundation 2000 Board. 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 is presented each year to a RCSL member.
 
In addition to the above award presentations Victoria:
  •         Presented 2024-25 RCSL Club President Peter Meade with her husband Bob Flatley’s Rotary Club President pin.
  •         Presented 2023-24 RCSL Past President Stephen Phair with her husband’s past Rotary Club Past President pin.
  •         Thanked and acknowledged the 2023-24 RCSL Board Members and Committee Leads: Peter Meade (President-Elect); Ed Anderson (VP); Stan Kaufman (Treasurer/Veteran Services); Kristine Schultz (Secretary/Social Events); Stephen Phair (Past President); Debbie Bailey (Membership Director/Electronic Recycle Project); Dr. Honora Norton (Public Image Director); Rowin Floth (Grants Administrator); Chuck Snyder (Rotary Foundation); Bob Phillps (Foundation 2000/Golf Committee); Bill McCoach (Sgt. At Arms/4-Way Test Competition), David Ouradnik (Golf Committee); Roger Edmonds (Dictionary Project/Youth Protection Officer); Janet Hartkopf (Website); Jon Lyons (Splash deliveries/Rotaract); Gary Kay (Education/AWIM/Interact); Don Robins (AWIM); Bill and Val Crump (Dolly Parton Imagination Library); Judi Edmonds (Peace and Charities); Kandi Skrabala, Sharon Flood, Becky Kerr, and Ann Diamond (Community Service); Neil Cutler (Photography); Gary Whiting (Past Presidents);  and all those not listed for his/her support of RCSL projects, fundraisers, Sun Lakes Splash newspaper deliveries, and events.   
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.  Come visit learn more about the Club and/or membership see  www.sunlakesrotary.com.
 
Joe Sweeney, Assistant Governor and the District Governor Nominee, installed Christy Manning as Prescott Sunup's incoming Club President. Dr. Laura Vanderberg, who has served as President the past two years, witnesses Christy taking the oath of her office.  The installation of club officers for the 2024-25 Rotary Year took place during the barbecue held at the Lakeside Ramada at Goldwater Lake earlier this month.
 
President Christy Manning, in introducing her incoming Club Board, presented each board member with a pair of funky glasses, customized for their individual positions on the board.  In the back row (l-r): Youth Service Chair Jon Berry and Treasurer John Scholl. 2nd Row: Vocational Service Chair Bob Keys, Community Service Chair Marsha Teller, Pres.-Elect & Club Service Chair Jane Anne Shimizu, President Christy Manning, and Club Secretary Melanie Berry.  Front Row: International Service Chair Todd Clancy and Past-Pres. Laura Vanderberg.  Not pictured, since she had to leave before the photo: Communications Chair Cassidy Stauffer.