April 6, 2015 - Dennis Flynn, Executive Director for "Rebuilding Together - Valley of the Sun", gave us an overview of his organization. The national organization has 180 affiliates across the country and the local organization has been in Phoenix since 1991. That first year they built 26 houses in Phoenix. They work with many corporate sponsors to help keep the costs low. Every October they organize the "Rock and roll Paint-a-thon" where upwards of 3000 volunteers participate. Nine years ago they began the Senior Fall Prevention Program (Club member Rob participates in this program). This program builds and installs ramps and grab bars in homes. This is an impressive community service program that our club might work with.

Thursday, April 2nd, the administration of Corona del Sol High School presented the March Teacher of the Month awards. The teachers that were awarded are well-respected and much-loved in the Corona community. They are Greg Hebert, Choir Director since 1994 and Rick Wanta, Math Teacher and Boys' Tennis Coach.

Mr. Hebert has been honored as one of Tempe's most talented teachers, receiving the Tempe Diablos' Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2000 and 2009. 

Mr. Wanta, as the Boys' Tennis Coach, has taken many players to the state championships. He also was the tennis coach when Lucien Taal, our Rotary Youth Exchange Student from The Netherlands, attended Corona del Sol in 2012-2013.

Kyrene Rotary Club was honored to be able to present each of them with gift cards as a thank you for all they do for the future of Tempe! Congratulations on this much-deserved recognition, Mr. Hebert and Mr. Wanta!
 

  March 30, 2015 - Today we listened to presentations by members Jim Durham and Bill Perkins. Jim gave us a brief history of his life and career. Today Jim is a Process Engineering Manager with Compound Photonics. He began his career with a construction company then joined the navy and completed his education after leaving the navy. He graduated with a degree in ceramics engineering and electrical engineering. He worked fro IBM, Motorola, and Fairchild, along with some independent consulting, before his current employer. Jim also shared his career philosophy with us. Jim has two kids and is now keeping in shape by playing hockey.
Bill told us about his home club's (Bloomington Indiana) annual fund raising event - Race for Literacy. This event is a 5 k walk/run and is organized with the support of a professional company that has experience in this arena. He told us they relied on about 30 volunteers to staff the race and they have about 250 people participate.  The also receive donations from local sponsors. They raise over $3,000 per event.  The funds are used to support the Teacher Warehouse that provides supplies to teachers in the local schools. Our club will discuss the viability of such an event here in our area.   Thanks Jim and Bill for great presentations.

 March 23, 2015 - Through academic training, study, and practice, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops leaders who become catalysts for peace and prevention and resolution of conflict in their communities and around the globe.
Graduates of the program are reintegrating refugees in Sudan, creating jobs for disadvantaged women in India, and supporting reconstruction in devastated regions of the world.
Each year, up to 100 Rotary Peace Fellows are chosen to participate in a master's degree or certificate program at one of several partner universities. Fellows study subjects related to the root causes of conflict and explore innovative solutions that address real-world needs. There are several peace centers around the world.  For more information on the program and the peace centers, click here.