Welcome to another issue of our newsletter! Find out who our upcoming speakers are, what we covered in this week's meeting and any other scheduled events.
We met in person and on zoom. We had 15 members in house plus 2 on Zoom, and 2 visiting Rotarians. Visiting Rotarians included Mary Ann Colf (Steve's wife), and Tony Cerato visiting via zoom from Phoenix 100 club.
Club President Tonya Watson called the 14th meeting of the 2021-2022 Rotary year at 12:06pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steve Colf. Tonya led the club in a moment of silent reflection.
The Rotary Moment was led by Eric Walden discussing RI's February theme of Peace & Conflict Resolution.RI Foundation is supportive of this theme through the funding of worldwide program of Peace Fellowships. Eric noted that we too, personally, could promote peace within our own lives and the lives of our families. The principles of conflict resolution an be used for estranged family members. We can work to bring peace within our own realm of influence to work through hard feelings and conflicts.
Thanks for being Rotarians!
This week's program!
Mike Williams introduced this week's speaker. Trey Williams is the Director of Public Affairs for Coconino Country. He oversees the County's government relations, economic development, and communication efforts. Today's topic was "Federal, state, and county redistricting process following the 2020 census".
Redistricting is always triggered by the national census. Once it is completed, and the results are formally published the Federal and State redistricting can commence. Each state receives notification of the numbers of US Representatives based on the census.
In AZ, this redistricting work is done by the Independent Redistricting Commission. In November 2000, Arizona voters passed Proposition 106, a citizen initiative that amended the Arizona Constitution by removing the power to draw congressional and state legislative districts from the state legislature and reassigning this task to the Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.
The county redistricting process follows the Federal and State process. It is done by the county supervisors. Their staff are required to create precincts that (1) fit into the State Legislative districts and the county boundaries, and (2) preserve communities of interest. Precinct size is based on the number of registered voters, as opposed to the actual population. This years, the precincts will be between 27-33K people each.
The 2020 census completion and results were delayed due to COVID. The census data was released in September 2021. The IRC completed their work in January 2022. Coconino county started their process in July 2021. There is still time for public comment through the tentative finalization date of April 12, 2022.
November 2022 is when the US House elections will reflect the new districts. November 2024 is when the AZ State elections will reflect the new districts.
More information about the IRC and its work can be found at
https://irc.az.gov/
AZ specific maps can be found at https://redistricting-irc-az.hub.arcgis.com/pages/official-maps#officialmaps
As with all speakers, Tonya presented a thank-you book: “The Animal Rescue Agency - Case File: Little Claws" by Eliot Schrefer. It will be donated in Trey's name to the Flagstaff Family Food Center Reading Room.
club service
Rotaract
Mike Case noted the youth services activities are up and running again.
The Youth Exchange for the 2022-2023 school year will occur. There were 12 student applications and 4 were approved!
RYLA will be in person in April.
Rotaract has 4 members currently
There will be an exchange group from Africa here in Flagstaff in December 2022. There will be a need for hosts to support this activity.
2022 coconino spelling bee
Micah Crabdree reported the 2022 spelling bee on February 5 was a success. Contestants were from ages 6 through 14. Nathan Finney correctly spelled "defiant" and will go on to the AZ spelling bee on March 19th in Phoenix.
Vocational Service
Mike Williams gave the two minute talk. He's a Minnesota boy who enjoyed summer camping trips with his family to State and National parks. HIs participation in boy Scouts, including earning his Eagle Scout badge, peaked his interest in conservation. He graduated from the of University of MN College of Forestry.
All of this led to his storied US Forest Service career of 4 decades. Mike was a forest ranger in OR and northern CA. In his eagerness to manage whole forests, he was willing to be a desk jockey in DC for two and a half years. He then managed the Kaibab forest for 14 years and ended his career at a forest in WA.
Community Service
Millie Alexander has been busy and has organized the rest of the Rotary year.
February volunteer event at the Flagstaff Famiily Food Center 'Hot food' program tomorrow (Saturday the 19th).
March 13th: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraiser at Heritage Square
April 30th: Flagstaff Junior Academy yard cleanup
May TBD: Habitat for Humanity fence building
June TBD: working with Arboretum staff on outdoor clean-up projects.
2022 Golf Tournament Fundraiser
The tournament is scheduled for Monday, August 1, 2022 at the Flagstaff Ranch golf course. There will be a breakfast and lunch provided in addition to a round of golf. New for 2022 is will be a Silent Auction. We are looking for 100% club participation in the fundraiser. As one might say, "if you can't be a golfer, be a golf supporter" through volunteer time and talents.
Announcements and Other News
New Member
Welcome to Karan Patel who was approved for membership this past week. It brings the club total up to 34! One of Karan's businesses, Dirty Birdies, was the location of the February social.
2022 club visioning - Feb 26th
Carla Viola noted there are 16 club and 4 district Rotarians planning to meet. There is homework! On Feb 7th, David Simmer emailed a "Vision Exercise" to be completed prior to attending. Contact Carla if you need a copy of the email.
Rotary Call to actioN
Rotarian Tony attended today to promote District 5495 Peace Fellowship submissions.
RI Foundation is supportive of this month's theme through the funding of Peace Fellowships to develop "the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses."
These fellowships are for Non-Rotarians. Peace building activities can be used to support all 7 of the RI areas of focus.
Mike Williams announced that a prior speaker, Lindsey Watson of Threaded Together, a local not-for-profit sewing and creative group, is looking for additional members of their board of directors. Contact Lindsey if you are interested in volunteering at lindsey@threadedtogether.org
Our weekly ‘50-50 split the pot’ card game aka “Hoppy Bucks”... Micha won the chance to win the pot but no joy, he pulled the 7 of Clubs. Better luck next week. The pot is up to $892... so nearly $450 for the winner.
Happy Bucks:
- Mike W $5
- Steve C $78 for his birthday
-Eric Walden $25 covering his birthday, a "superior rating" for his school band, and Interactors.
Thanks everyone for your donations.
Mark your calendars!
The Club Visioning project is scheduled for the morning of February 26th.
Interactors fundraiser going on through February 26th.
Pencil in working on the Mural in April-May timeframe.
Adjornment
President-Elect Meredith led the Four Way test. President Tonya closed the meeting with a Quote for the Day:
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace"
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