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2024 Sunup Rotary Duck Derby Winner
Congratulations to Dr. Chad Ellis of Chino Valley, who was the Grand Prize Winner of Sunup Rotary's Rubber Duck Derby, which we held at Watson Lake on May 5th.  Dr. Ellis is shown here proudly displaying his golden trophy.
 
The Solutions Business
PDG Ray Sanford
Rotary Club of San Juan Capistrano
 

Being part of Rotary isn't just about writing checks or raising funds (though those are important too), it's about rolling up our sleeves and working together to create innovative solutions. Rotary is so much more than just a fundraising arm for non-profits or NGOs.

Sure, fundraising is a vital aspect of what we do, but it's not the sole purpose. The real joy in Rotary comes from collaborating with diverse minds, pooling our resources, and brainstorming new ideas to tackle pressing issues in our communities and beyond. 

The very first service project in Rotary history was about building "comfort stations" in Chicago? And no, we're not talking about cozy lounges or relaxation spots. These "comfort stations" were actually bathrooms! The idea was to attract more female shoppers to downtown Chicago by providing clean, accessible facilities for them. 

Back in those days, the lack of public restrooms for women could be a real barrier to their participation in public life. By addressing this basic need, Rotary pioneers weren't just improving convenience—they were promoting both gender equality and economic development in their community.

The Rotary spirit is thinking outside the box and tackling problems head-on. Instead of simply accepting the status quo, these early Rotarians identified a problem and came up with a practical solution that benefited everyone. 

Fast forward to today, and that same innovative spirit continues to drive Rotary clubs around the world. Whether it's building schools in underserved communities, providing clean water to remote villages, or promoting health and sanitation initiatives, Rotary remains committed to finding creative ways to make a positive impact. 

Rotary isn't here to simply write checks and move on. We're here to collaborate on innovative solutions, get our hands dirty, and work together to make a real difference in the world.

 
CLUB SERVICE
 
CLUB INDUCTS 5 NEW MEMBERS
 
Our five new members are pictured here with their sponsors, as they they are being inducted by Pres. Laura.
 
We may have set a new club record at our meeting last Wednesday, when President Laura had the privilege of inducting FIVE (5) new members.  They include, left-to-right in the photo above, John Cumiskey, sponsored by SarahVan Bourgondien, Joe Brown, sponsored by Don Schiller, Jane White, sponsored by Lisa Doherty, and Tiffany and Emmett Jones, sponsored by Art Harrington.   
 
Welcome, new members!!
 
ON A SAD NOTE:
 
We have learned that Harold "Rusty" Parker, one of our club's longtime members, passed away on April 29.  Rusty was a committed Rotarian, who took pride in his 30 years of perfect attendance.  He faithfully served as our Prescott Sunup Club Secretary for a number of years.  A Celebration of Life for Rusty will be held at the Mt. Vernon Church of Christ, 120 N. Mt. Vernon Street, here in Prescott on June 1st at 11:00 a.m.
 
COMMUNITY SERVICE
 
ALL-VETS MEMORIAL CLEANUP
 
Mayor Phil Goode observes the industrious work by Sunup Rotary members last Saturday morning, as we sanded, painted and did other work to maintain our All-Vets Memorial, located on the west side of the Courthouse Square in downtown Prescott.  John Stewart  coordinates and supervises this annual project. 
 
TONTO SOUTH PARK CLEANUP
 
Later on Saturday morning, a smaller Sunup Rotary crew was at work in Prescott Valley.  Here is Cassidy Stauffer's report on that project, which she organized and supervised:
 
"A huge thank you to Laura, Todd, and Cassidy from SunUp, and Nix and Ava from the BMHS Interact Club, for joining our Tonto South Park Cleanup! In just about an hour, we transformed the park, making it look better than ever. Moving forward, we’ve decided to start our cleanups a bit earlier—future events will be at 8:30 AM on the 3rd Saturday of each month. We need 2-3 volunteers for each cleanup, so mark your calendars and come help us keep our community beautiful!"
 
Our Tonto South Park adoption sign
 
 
 
A young Arab boy asks his father; “What is that strange head piece you
are wearing?” The father said: “Why, my son, it is a chechia,
In the desert it protects our heads from the intense heat of the sun.”
 
“And what is this clothing you are wearing,” asked the boy.
“This long flowing robe seems so strange.”
 
“Oh, my son,” exclaimed the father, “It is very simple. This is a djbellah.
As I have told you, in the desert it is not only very hot, but the
sand is always blowing. My djbellah protects the entire body.”
 
The son then asked; “But Father, what about those ugly shoes you have
on your feet?”
 
“These are babouches, my son,” the father replied. “You must understand
that although the desert sands are very beautiful, they are also
extremely hot.  These babouches keep us from burning our feet.”
 
“So tell me then,” asked the boy, “Why are you living in Seattle, Washington and still wearing all that stuff?”
__
 
I was working out in the gym when I noticed a man in street clothes watching me and others for about 20 minutes before leaving.
He came back a second day staying about 1/2 hour.
On the third day, I got enough courage to ask him, ”What’s going on here?”
He smiled and said, “I’m just following doctor’s orders. I have to go to the gym.”
__
 
When people check behind shower curtains for murderers, what's the plan if they find one?
__
 
So Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd break into a distillery.
Daffy turns to Elmer and says, “Is this whiskey?
Elmer replies, “Yeth, but not as whiskey as wobbing a bank.
__
 
Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.
__
 

Announcements

 
Meeting Wednesday @ 6:30 am
The Hassayampa Inn
 
Speaker: Clark Tenney
PUSD Superintendent
 
Plus Paul Harris Awards
 
The Prez Says
Laura Vanderberg
member photo
 
What a week to be a SunUpian!!!!
 
We were cleaner-uppers (technical term!)!  We had two opportunities on Saturday to be of service- our annual All Vets Memorial cleanup at the Square and our newly (re-)adopted Tonto Park South cleanup in Prescott Valley.  What a turnout between them! 
 
There was Snack Shack action as the Little League winds up its season- what a pleasure to spend time at the Snack Shack bonding with other club members and interacting with great kids and parents!
 
I also had the privilege of awarding one of our Prescott SunUp Rotary Scholarships at Tri-City Prep and we had our Board meeting with some of our incoming Board members. 
 
It has been an inspiring week for me- and I want to share a favorite quote that came to mind:
 
"We show up, burn brightly in the moment, live passionately, and when the moment is over, when our work is done, we step back and let go. Victory to our spirits, peace to all beings."
 
This quote comes from a book called Meditations from the Mat, by Rolf Gates.  Rolf is a yoga teacher, a former Army Ranger and a recovered alcoholic. It resonates deeply with me- it speaks to the impermanence of everything, of life, of ourselves, and to the importance of sharing our light and living passionately in the moment.
 
Where do you find inspiration? How long has it been since you've felt inspired? If it's been a while, what can you bring into your life to feel inspired?
 
Being around all of you, in service to our communities- that inspires me!
 
What can you do this week to bring some inspiration into your life?
 
Make it an inspired week!
 

Warm Regards,

Laura
 
Laura Vanderberg

President

Prescott Sunup Rotary

Speakers
May 22, 2024
PUSD Superintendent
May 29, 2024
Highlands Center
View entire list
Meeting Assignments
May 1
 
Greeter
Sample, Steven
 
Registration
Hammond, Glen
 
Prayer
Harrington, Art
 
Song
Walker, Clent
 
Thought for the Day
Spires, Isaiah
 
Sgt-At-Arms
Hernandez, Richard
 
Setup/Takedown Crew
Manning, Christine
 
May 8
 
Greeter
Scholl, John
 
Registration
Hernandez, Richard
 
Prayer
Shimizu, Jane Anne
 
Song
Wiederaenders, Timothy
 
Thought for the Day
Stauffer, Cassidy
 
Sgt At Arms
Manning, Christine
 
Setup/Takedown Crew
Sheridan, A.J.
 
May 15
 
Greeter
Sheridan, A.J.
 
Registration
Keys, Bob
 
Prayer
Hernandez, Richard
 
Song
Bergman, Gus
 
Thought for the Day
Van Bourgondien, Sarah
 
Sgt At Arms
Scholl, John
 
Setup/Takedown Crew
Shimizu, Jane Anne
 
May 22
 
Greeter
Shimizu, Jane Anne
 
Registration
Scholl, John
 
Prayer
 
Song
Berry, Jon
 
Thought for the Day
Teller, Harlan
 
Sgt At Arms
Shimizu, Jane Anne
 
May 29
 
Greeter
Davis, Russ
 
Registration
Manning, Christine
 
Prayer
Walker, Clent
 
Song
Beyer, Dan
 
Thought for the Day
Teller, Marsha
 
Sgt At Arms
Walker, Clent
 
Setup/Takedown Crew
Doherty, Lisa
 
Upcoming Events
Program Committee Meeting
Waffles & More
Jun 11, 2024 7:00 AM
 
Installation Dinner
Goldwater Lake
Jun 19, 2024 5:00 PM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Hassayampa Yavapai Room
Jun 20, 2024 4:00 PM
 
Program Committee Meeting
Waffles & More
Jul 09, 2024 7:00 AM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Hassayampa Yavapai Room
Jul 18, 2024 4:00 PM
 
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Community Service
 
Vocational Services
 
Club Service
 
International Service
 
Youth Service
 
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 Help Spread Sunshine:  If you currently know any Rotary members who are going through challenging times or if you'd like to volunteer to make calls and send cards to members and their families during sickness, hospitalization or loss, contact Laura Vanderberg <laura@newtonservicesconsulting.com>