People of Action - Inspiring Community, Country & World
"We Came, We Saw, We Served" 

Jim Schlenvogt President 2025-2026 

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Club Information
Surprise & Sun City West
Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.
The Colonnade
19116 N Colonnade Way
Surprise, AZ 85374
United States of America
Phone:
(480) 869-0548
2nd and 4th Tuesday Each Month from 5:00PM -6:30PM
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Meeting Location 
July 8,2025
 
5:00 PM Social Time
5:30 PM Meeting
The Colonnade
19116 N Colonnade way
Surprise AZ
 
 
 

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Stories
Changing of the Guard June 17,2020
The Rotary Club of Surprise & Sun City West Held its annual "Changing of the Guard Dinner" at Briarwood Country Club on June 17, 2005.
      
Read more...
The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has registered over 518 children in Surprise, El Mirage and surrounding areas. Congratulate Ron Klaphake and his team (Jesus Hernandez, Debbie Thompson, Nancy Collins and John Yaeger) in bringing early childhood literacy to this part of the Valley. Here is a link to the latest Dolly Parton's Imagination Library status report: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1726/Documents/en-ca/36625d17-a309-48d2-bced-1fd225f4d927/1/
 
 
From the President (and Immediate Past President)
From Traci.
 
My heartfelt thanks for the privilege of serving as your Rotary Club President this past year. I needed to share this email with you as we are about to start a new year. It has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Working alongside such passionate, generous, and service-minded individuals has inspired me deeply.

From serving at the Valley View Bank to Feed My Starving Children packing to Fore the Kids Golf Tournament to Women4Women packaging to diligently getting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library up and running to working with our city's youth to joining the Interact Club on activities to collaborating on so many levels with our bi-weekly meetings filled with laughter, ideas, and fellowship—I’ve cherished every moment. I thank EACH and EVERY ONE of you for your trust, your support, and the countless ways you each contribute to making our club and our community stronger. 

As I step into the role of Immediate Past President, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible support and camaraderie I've experienced over the past year. Serving as your Rotary Club President as a newly merged club has been a true honor and a deeply rewarding journey. I am quite certain you will give our new Club President, Jim Schlenvogt the best support possible. He stands ready to serve our club at the highest caliber. The Rotary International theme "Unite for Good" reminds me so much of Jim, because he is definitely a person who knows how to unite, relate, connect and collaborate with heart, mind and spirit. He WILL serve us well.

Together, we’ve made meaningful strides to strengthening our bonds as Rotarians committed to service above self. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more grateful for the friendships and memories we've built along the way. Many of you spent numerous hours in your area and you are to be commended for your diligent hard work. It is not easy and we don't get recognized on a regular basis, but your efforts ARE noticed and appreciated more than you will ever know. There is no "I" in "Team," however it does take a team to cross the finish line.

Thank you for your trust, encouragement, and unwavering dedication. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside you and supporting our incoming leadership as we keep making a difference—together."

And last, but certainly not least, I leave you one last Erma Bombeck quote: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, `I used everything you gave me."
 
You ALL are the best...and you have given so much MORE! THANK YOU!"
________________________________________________
And From Jim
 
HELLO! I hope you are excited to start a new Rotary Year. You are the reason our Rotary Club can exist and grow. I have met with Jack and Glenn and we have outlined the meeting speakers for the rest of 2025. We expect to have many very interesting
meetings. In addition, we have a full calendar of Service Projects and Social Events. 
Now I am requesting everyone’s active participation this Rotary Year. I paraphrased this information found In the Medical Edge from the Mayo Clinic, the author, Angela
Thoreson, with the Mayo Clinic, described the health benefits of volunteering:
1. An individual makes a difference in people’s lives and the acts of volunteering also benefits a person’s health as well.
2. Volunteering improves physical and mental health by keeping people moving and thinking at the same time. In addition, this activity reduces stress and many report
an increased sense of meaning and appreciation.
3. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills. Another reason to get out of the bed in the morning.
4. Volunteering nurtures new and existing relationships. Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests.
Volunteering makes an immeasurable difference in people’s lives. We can all start making a difference today!
Have an Enjoyable & Safe Summer!
 
Jim Schlenvogt
 
Bulletin News for July 2025
ZoomGlobal web icon
Beginning the meeting of July 8, we will have Zoom Connection for our meetings.
The Zoom Link for the July 8 meeting is:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95431340907
 
Meeting ID: 954 3134 0907
Passcode: KZR7R5
The Meeting will focus on the next year and Jim and the board's vision for RY 25-26. 
 
The Zoom Link for the July 22 meeting is:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95431340907
 
Meeting ID: 954 3134 0907
Passcode: KZR7R5
Meeting Speaker Lisa Gill
Alliance of Business And Community
 tentative) 
 
Surprise Meals of Hope 25
The Surprise Meals of Hope is Scheduled for Oct 25, 2026 at the Ottawa University Campus.
More details to follow.
 
Military Appreciation Program
 
 
Fore the Kids 2025
The Golf Tournament is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2025 at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West. All members are asked to look for sponsors for the golf tournament as well as golfers. Sponsorship opportunities exist for the Tournament ($5,000), ACE ($3,000), EAGLE ($2,000) for Golf Ball Sponsors, birdies, golf carts, Pin Flags and many more. 
Contact Jim S., Glenn or Phil Souza for more information. 
 
Taste of Surprise and Arts Festival
 
The Taste of Surprise Has been scheduled!
It will be April 26, 2026 at Surprise Stadium. Contact Brian Laurie for more information. 
 
 
From the Editor:

Poet Ellen Sturgis Hooper reveals a little secret of life:

"I slept, and dreamed that life was joy;

I woke, and found that life was service.

I acted and behold, service was joy."

Source: The Dial (July 1840)

 
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