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Christy Shares Her Sunup Rotary Vision
 
 
President Christy Manning is optimistic about the future of Sunup Rotary, and she is excited about the year ahead.  She believes in "The Magic oF Rotary" — this year's theme chosen by RI President Stephanie Urchick.  She emphasized that Sunup Rotary is not her club — it is OUR club.   This is not her year — it is OUR year — and therein lies the Magic of Rotary.  The Magic happens when everyone in our club is parrticipating and working together to meet needs here in our community, as well as in other parts of the world, through our international service projects, which hav been a part of our club's proud tradition of being a leader in sponsoring Rotary Foundation Global Grant Projects.  She also emphasized that she will be working closely with Pres.-Elect Jane Anne Shimizu, and the President Nominee, when that person has been chosen, to assure that there will be a continuity of purpose and programs each year in the future..
 
Christy confirmed that the Sunup Duck Derby will continue to be our club's primary fundraiser, and she was excited to announce that Tiffany and Emmet Jones have volunteered to Chair the event this year.  She said there may additional fundraisers during the year, but she needs the commitment and help of every club member this year with this main fundraiser, so the essential work does not fall on just a few.  With the help of all, she is confident that the success and the income from the Duck Derby will continue to increase each year, as the word spreads about this unique Sunup Rotary event, and more sponsors are brought onboard.  Christy was also excited to announce that Joe Brown has vounteered to host the 2025 Duck Derby at Touchmark at the Ranch.   
 
After sharing her vision, Christy called on her officers and directors to share their vison and plans for each of their areas of club administration.  Included was a personal video message provided by Marsha Teller, our Community Service Chair, since she and Harlan are in Chicago, and could not be with us in-person.
 
Christy also presented a Community Service Award to Matt Greenlee for the exceptional community service which he and his company, Greenlee Surfaces, have provided.
 
RI President Stephanie A. Urchick promotes peace
 
Stephanie A. Urchick, 2024-25 Rotary International president, is asking district and club leaders to focus on peace this year and build on Rotary’s long history of peacebuilding. Connect with others who are committed to this cause at the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference, Healing in a Divided World. Urchick will lead this special one-time event in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 February. Topics will include peace in a polarized world; making peace last; technology, media, and peacebuilding; and environmental issues in peacebuilding. The conference will also recognize the launch of our newest Rotary Peace Center, in partnership with Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul.
 
 
 
CLUB SERVICE
 
Lisa Doherty pins our newest member, Jennifer Faa, as Club Membership Chair Sarah Van Bourgondien happily watches.
 
We welcome Jennifer Faa to Sunup Rotary.  She is the Executive Director of Suzes Prescott Center for the Arts.  Jenn is sponsored by Lisa Doherty.
 
 
YOUTH SERVICE
 
2024 IDC Retreat is Huge Success
 
Rotary District Governor Michelle Holcomb presented this year's Rotary Theme Banner to Interact District Governor Anise Carroll Covarubbias, before she addressed, on Friday evening, the 27-members of this year's Interact District Council.  Each year the selected Council members participate in a mandatory intensive 3-day training and planning retreat, held at Camp Wamatochick, just south of Prescott on Senator Highway.
 
The Governor Serves
With her chosen 2024 Interact District Theme being "The Power of Service," DG Anise, on the camp's volleyball court, prepares to deliver a power serve during a game between competitive teams on Saturday.
 
 
 
A tour guide was showing a tourist around Washington, D. C. The guide pointed out the place where George Washington supposedly threw a dollar across the Potomac River.

"That's impossible," said the tourist. "No one could throw a coin that far!"

"You have to remember," answered the guide. "A dollar went a lot farther in those days."
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The other day I yelled into a colander and I strained my voice.
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The reason some people want cremation is it’s their last chance to have a smoking hot body.
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I used to run a dating agency for chickens.
 
But I was struggling to make hens meet.
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Everyone in the wedding ceremony was watching the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the aisle to give her away to the groom. They reached the altar and the waiting groom; the bride kissed her father and placed something in his hand.

Everyone in the room was wondering what it was that she handed to her father.  He felt the suspense in the air and all eyes were on him to divulge the secret and say something. Therefore, he announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen today is the luckiest day of my life."

Then he raised his hand with what his daughter had given him and continued, "My daughter finally, finally returned my credit card to me."

The whole audience, including the minister, started laughing.

For some strange reason, the poor groom did not... 
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Announcements
Meeting Wednesday @ 6:30 A.M.
The Granite Mountain Room at Touchmark
 
SPEAKERS: Pres. Russ Davis facilitating
 
SUBJECT: It's Sunup Time!
The Prez Says
Russ Davis, President

You're the people (Rotarians) who are capable of mobilizing others. You are the people who leaders listen and respond to. With your credibility, you are the world's most important advocates for polio eradication." Bill Gates, plenary speech at a Rotary convention

 

Greetings Rotarians!

Wow, what an amazing night last night!  With our volunteers, judges, cooks and participants, there were at least 200 people at our second annual Chili Cook Off fundraiser! The feedback for the event was overwhelmingly positive—thanks to all that were part of the planning and execution of this awesome fundraiser. What impressed me most about the entire process was how well our club came together to make it a fun and successful event. 

DID YOU KNOW - Today, wild polio survives in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Last year, they reported 52 cases between them. This year, so far, it is down to 48. A mere $1.00 donation to Rotary, with the Gates Foundation double match, covers the cost of a single child’s Polio vaccination!

In addition to raising funds for our Foundation’s philanthropic goals this year, we also raised well over $400 for Polio Eradication. That amount, coupled with our Foundation’s commitment of $500, and the Gates Foundation double matching funds will result in at least $2,700 being donated to fight Polio (2,700 immunizations!).  This is the most our club has given in at least 10 years!!  Well done Sunupians😊.

On Sunday morning, Laura V., Sarah V., and I represented Sunup Rotary at the Rise Canyon (formerly known as Bethany’s Gait) Golf Tourney in honor of Major Tyler Braconi (USMC).  We helped by running their registration, helping the 12 teams tee off in honor of Tyler’s service and sacrifice. 

We definitely supported our club’s strategic focus areas (supporting children and veterans) in spades this weekend!

This week’s meeting is Sunup Time. There will be some fun and important information to share as well as a short activity to help the club prepare for the Veteran’s Day Parade. 

Hope to see you there in person or virtually on Wednesday!

DON’T FORGET—Our President-Elect, Sarah Van Bourgondien will be hosting a Sunup Rotary Halloween Party on 31 October!  Be thinking about your costume now, there will be prizes for the best costume and a fine for those that arrive as a “Rotarian😊.”

Warm Regards,

Russ

Russell Davis, Colonel (ret), USAF

President

Sunup Rotary

928-495-9905

Speakers
Nov 04, 2026
US Vets
Nov 11, 2026
Nov 18, 2026
Prescott High School Interact Club
Nov 25, 2026
Dark for Holiday
View entire list
Meeting Assignments
Nov. 4
 
Setup/Takedown
Keys, Bob
 
registration
Jones, Tiffany
 
Greeter
Jones, Emmett
 
Prayer
Stewart, John
 
Song
Brown, Joe
 
Thought for the Day
Shimizu, Jane Anne
 
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Van Bourgondien, Sarah
 
Nov. 18 Sunup Times
 
Setup/Takedown
Sheridan, A.J.
 
registration
Shimizu, Jane Anne
 
Greeter
Mickel, Vicki
 
Prayer
Keys, Bob
 
Song
Jones, Emmett
 
Thought for the Day
Hammond, Glen
 
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Davis, Russ
 
Nov. 25 Dark
 
Turkey
Jones, Emmett
 
Dec. 2, 2026
 
Setup/Takedown
Smith, Robert
 
registration
Garner, Judy
 
Greeter
Savage, Danalyn
 
Prayer
Manning, Christine
 
Song
Mickel, Vicki
 
Thought for the Day
Walker, Clent
 
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Sheridan, A.J.
 
Upcoming Events
Program Committee Meeting
Nov 10, 2026 7:00 AM
Veteran's Day Parade
Nov 11, 2026
Program Committee Meeting
Dec 08, 2026 7:00 AM
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Vice President (RI)
 
President Nominee
 
Immediate Past President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Membership
 
Public Image
 
Rotary Foundation (RI)
 
International Service
 
Community Service
 
Club Service Chair
 
Snack Shack
 
Club Service Projects Chair (RI)
 
Club Young Leaders Contact
 
Club Learning Facilitator (RI)
 
 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>