Sunup Time monthly meetings are something new this year, initiated by Marsha Teller, our Community Service Director.  Moderating this first Sunup Time Meeting this year were Marsha Teller (seated, due to her broken foot) and Club Secretary Parshalla Wood.  The intent of these meetiungs is to provide greater input from club members about the fundraisers and projects our club undertakes.  In order for that to be informed participation in the club decision-making, it has to begin with providing our members with more of the previous "behind the scenes" information, which only the club board has known in the past.  Consequently, this first Sunup Time meeting included disclosing more ii-depth information about club finances, including the club's recently re-negotiated contract with the Hassayampa Inn, where our club meets.

 

Time was spent on considering some recommended community service projects, along with consideration of a proposed Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.  Sarah Van Bourgondien, our Club Membership Chair, talked with us about ways we all need to begin working on rebuilding our club's membership, after successfully "birthing" a satellite Rotary club for Prescott Valley this year.  Jane White shared with us the status of our Mile High Middle School Interact Club we also started this year, and there was some discussion about some esential work that needs to be done inside our Snack Shack, before this season's ball games begin.  Pres.-Elect Russ Davis gave us a preview of his priorities for next year, and he noted that he has several board positions he wants to fill.  The fact that we ran out of time for our discussions was a good thing.  We will be looking forward to continuing our conversations on these topics, and others, at our next Sunup Time Meeting on February 25.

 

All things considered, it was apparent that we have a pretty awesome Rotary club, which has been accomplishing some phenomenal things.

 

 

Rotary's International Assembly, which was held in Orlando last week, is the annual event at which all of the incoming District Governors from around the world get their final intensive training for their year of district leadership.  This year's International Assembly brought together 1,300 global leaders from 81 countries.

 

Two particularly significant things happened at this year's Assembly.  RI President-Elect Olayinka "Yinka" Babalona, from Nigeria, inspired his team of District Governors with his address, which included the announcement of his Presidential Message, "Create Lasting Impact."  It was a rallying cry to dream big, to serve deeply, and to lead with heart..

 

A second energizing and inspiring moment during this year's International Assembly came when a Rotarian couple from India, Ravishankar and Paola Dakaju announced that they have decided to give 4.5 billion Rupees (approx US$50 million) to The Rotary Foundation, the enabling arm of Rotary.

 

[Editorial note:  It is interesting that, after the Rotary Board of Directors declared, several years ago, that there would no longer be an RI President's Annual Theme, we now have annual Presidential "Messages."  This year's Message has been "Unite For Good."}