January 15, 2015
The Santa Claus Rotary Club
The Santa Claus Rotary Club (Tempe Rio Salado) Meeting Minutes January 15, 2015 ATTENDANCE: Members – Larry Horton, Corey Bruggeman, Kent Hendricks, Karen Ingersoll, Patrick de Haan, Ben and Dona Eubank Guests – Holly Brauer Rotaract: Nicole Sayegh – District President Leslie Balderas – President Alice Phan – Vice President John Pennypacker – District 5510 Governor Sherry Mischel – District 5510 Governor Elect Gary Johnson – Tempe South - ADG Nigel Brooks – Tempe Downtown – Incoming ADG
7:00 AM: Meeting called to order by President Larry Horton Invocation: Ben Eubank Pledge of Allegiance: Karen Ingersoll Four-way Test: Gary Johnson (singing version) DISCUSSION: 1. A warm welcome to all of our visitors! 2. Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity project was great… another one coming in March, so stay tuned. 3. Ben presented John Pennypacker with a singing fish in lieu of being blasted with a TP Gun.
Happy $$: A very quick round of happy $$ as there was much to cover and we wanted to leave plenty of time for the District Governor’s presentation. Everyone had much to be thankful for!
A Special Presentation: Pat created a wonderful video… a compilation of all of the 2014 projects for Tempe Rio Salado and Camelback Crossroads. It was great! (And played perfectly on the first try!) You can see it on YouTube at this link: http://youtu.be/X0BWJTrZ2f8
Introduction: Assistant District Governor Gary Johnson introduced District Governor John Pennypacker. The overview is attached!
Guest Speaker: District Governor John Pennypacker spoke to us about Rotary and some of the global programs… especially youth programs. He said there are four things in life you need: 1. Do 2. Believe 3. Love 4. Hope I think we all felt his speech was both motivational, and inspirational.
John E. Pennypacker, Jr. John's Rotary service began as a member of the Blackstone, VA Rotary Club in 1976. He later emerged as the Charter President of the Mesa — Boeing Rotary club in 2001. He is a graduate of the Rotary Tri-District Leadership Academy and Rotary Leadership Institute. He served on the Youth Services Committee and on the District Foundation Committee for 4 years. Entering military service in 1965, John served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam; one as an Infantryman and two as a helicopter test pilot. He served in positions of command and staff over a career of 20 years. He is a Master Army Aviator and his awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters. After 20 years of service John retired as a Major in the US Army in 1985. His civilian career began with Hughes Helicopters, then McDonnell Douglas Helicopters and finally The Boeing Company. With 22 years in the helicopter industry, he amassed a vast background in helicopter logistics and aviation production management. John graduated Summa Cum Laude from Embry — Riddle Aeronautical University with degrees in Aeronautical Studies and Aviation Management. John is a currently member of the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club, a Major Donor, member of the Paul Harris Society, and the Rotary Foundation Bequest Society. He now serves as the District Governor for Rotary Year 2014 - 2015. John resides in Mesa, Arizona, has two children and three grandsons and one granddaughter. His hobbies include golf, travel and grandchildren — not necessarily in that order.