February 2020 Newsletter
Amidst the extreme heat of Kandahar City in southern Afghanistan, Anis Faizy, a 24 year-old polio outreach worker, moves with confidence between houses. Her aim is to talk to families that refuse to vaccinate their children against polio. Her energy is endless and she tops that with a smile and a warm way of talking with women and men.
For someone her age, Anis has an impressive range of skills. Initially a tailor, now she works as a skilled midwife with passion for her community. She is also a District Communications Officer for the polio programme, leading a team of 56 community outreach workers in her neighbourhood.
“I want to help my people – polio is a danger to every child, and we should eradicate it”, says Anis.
When Anis started her job her father told her “You do what is best for you”, but neighbours in her socially conservative community were not impressed. She was told by others that she “could be killed while working in the community, it is unsafe for women, and women must stay at home.”
Mohave Community College was recently proud to announce that for the third year in a row, 100% of the seven graduates from their Surgical Technology program based in Lake Havasu City passed the national board exam on the first attempt. Three of the seven in that 2019 graduating class were grant recipients from The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona. Amber and Lindsay were both sponsored by the Kingman Route 66 Rotary Club, and Nativa was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Yuma Sunrise for their TRVFA grants. The graduates are now beginning their careers at hospitals and surgery centers.
"This is a great accomplishment and we're very proud of the students, our program director and her team," said MCC President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein. "The national board exams are not easy, so to have every student pass on the first attempt speaks volumes about the quality of education you get at MCC."
A surgical technologist is a key member of the surgery team and ensures the operating room sterile field is prepared, assists with patient positioning and prepares the operation site. Technologists also assist surgeons with medical equipment during surgery.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, students graduating from the MCC program are entering a career field in which they can earn up to $72,810 annually. TRVFA is very proud to be a part of helping these young women help themselves.
CLICK HEREto visit the TRVFA website. TRVFA is a Qualifying Charitable Organization for Arizona Tax Credit. Donations given on or before April 15, 2020 can be used for the 2019 or 2020 tax year, but not both. It is very easy to DONATE NOW.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TAX DEDUCTIONS/CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2019 TAX YEAR UNTIL THE FILING DEADLINE, APRIL 15, 2020!
T’is the season to support Rotary’s great work AT NO COST TO YOU!
I am asking a huge favor in the spirit of Rotary. I am asking that EVERY ROTARIAN in District 5495 take advantage of the Arizona Credit for Contributions to Qualified Organizations by donating to charities that will benefit Rotary programs. If you support one or both of the programs outlined below you will get dollar-for-dollar offset of your Arizona Tax. It is not necessary to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. (See the contribution caps outlined below.)
If you are an Arizona taxpayer you have the incredible privilege of directing tax dollars to causes that benefit those who need a helping hand or a nutritious meal.
Here are the two AZ tax credit programs that benefit Rotary programs.
- The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) provides vocational scholarships to those who just need a bit of help to get an education that can transform their lives. (More information on donating below.)
- Manzanita Outreach provides everything necessary for our RYLA campers to have fun while helping others — packing nutritious meals for those who are food insecure. (More information on donating below.)
- OR SPLIT YOUR TAX CREDIT DONATION. The main thing is to GIVE NOW TO BENEFIT ROTARY PROJECTS!!!
This year's report includes:
- Highlights from the year, including the strategic priorities of our Action Plan, the elevation of Rotaract, and the new programs of scale grants;
- Rotarian-led service projects, like a tree-planting initiative and a recycling program, that are having a positive, long-term impact on communities;
- Donors sharing why they contribute to The Rotary Foundation: To make an impact. To help millions. To be certain their gifts are spent wisely;
- Financial information, such as how we surpassed our fundraising target with your assistance.
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Air fleet Capital, Chandler---Benjamin F Edwards & Co, Chandler
Wow, golf is in the air. At the store last night I ran into Brad and a few weeks earlier I saw Gary at the same store. Joe is flying in from CA, and Rob and Tee are in from Canada.
DP Electric, Tempe---Driggs Title Agency, Tempe---Fast Signs, Chandler
Gust Rosenfeld, PLC, (Law) Phoenix---Henry Brown Buick GMC, Gilbert
The San Marcos Golf Course in Chandler has the greens in good shape for this years event which begins at 10am on Saturday February 15th.Herder & Associates, Court reporters, Scottsdale---Kenneth Gudewich
Hopefully you've been working on your golf game and can save us the $5,000 payment for closest to the pin by making a hole in one and have the insurance company pay you $100,000 instead.Legacy Lending USA, Tempe---Perpetual Development, Gilbert
The runner-up prizes are the same for 2020, $2,500 for second closest and $1,000 for third.San Marcos Golf Resort, Chandler---Sir Speedy, Chandler
Stay up to date on the event website, rotaryhio.org and if you want to check in on Chandler Horizon Rotary Club go to chandlerhorizonrotary.orgState Farm, Roger Morsch, Chandler---T&S Glass, Chandler
The best to all of you, we'll see you in the tent on February 15th!After the usual routine—call to order by Prez Gary, pledge by Rusty, prayer by Mike Tanner and Four-Way Test by Ron, it became clear that this was not going to be a “typical” Phoenix West Rotary meeting. Our first clue was the reappearance Carnac (Prez Gary) and his faithful assistant (John Norris) whom we had not seen since the Installation Dinner. Karnak was in top form with his answers to secret questions—may we have the envelope please!
When Shawn collected his Happy Bucks, the great majority were in honor of Ron’s 90th birthday coming up on January 10! (We note that Mike Harrison celebrated his birthday on Jan 1 and John Angelo coming up on Jan 14—when you guys turn 90 a ways down the road, we’ll celebrate you too!)
Ron’s sister started her remarks with “Four score and seven years ago”—but quickly clarified it was actually 90 years ago that Ron was delivered by his grandfather at home in Southwest Missouri in a town of 1,000 people. The town had two grocery stores and a funeral parlor. His two sisters came along nine and twelve years later. Ron was an industrious Eagle Scout delivering groceries and starting a shoe shining business. He attended Kansas State Teacher’s College majoring in business and serving as President of Student Council.
The Rotary Club of Scottsdale welcomed Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Chairman Bob Burns as key note speaker at the Club's 2020 opening meeting held at Scottsdale's McCormick Ranch Golf Club's Pavilion. When introducing Mr. Burns, Rotarian Jolene Hale, noted that Mr. Burns, a former Rotarian, currently serves as one of five state-wide ACC elected members. Mr. Burns first term began in January 2013 and he was recently re-elected to a second four-year term that started in January 2017.
As a Corporation Commissioner, Mr. Burns oversees the regulation of Arizona’s private water, wastewater, electric, gas and telecommunications companies, as well as, civil enforcement of the Arizona Securities Act, safety inspection of railroads and pipelines and the incorporation of businesses. During his time at the Commission, Bob has been actively engaged in issues pertaining to emerging technologies in energy.
For the past 54 years, Mr. Burns has played an role in making Arizona a better place to live, work and play. In 1989, Mr. Burns began his career in public service as an elected State Representative. In the House of Representatives, Mr. Burns was Chairman of Appropriations and served on many committees, including, Health, Judiciary, Ways and Means, Transportation, and Insurance.