• Meet the Beatles — a fun, high-energy tribute to launch the conference
• Club Grammy-Style Awards celebrating outstanding clubs and members
• A perfect blend of celebration, recognition, and nostalgia to start the weekend

• Enjoy a RYLA experience or attend Council on Legislation
• 3:00 – 5:00 PM Roll up your sleeves for hands-on service projects with fellow Rotarians, community partners, and local nonprofits,  proof that when we serve together, our impact grows

• Recognizing Rotary’s community impact and the future we are creating together
• Featured keynote: Elizabeth Mahoney, PDG, a crowd favorite and highly sought-after speaker at district conferences and PETS across the zones, delivering inspiring insights on leadership, purpose, and Rotary’s impact

• A powerful spotlight on our amazing youth and the future of Rotary
• Inspiring stories from Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, RYLA, and scholarship leaders
• A look at how Rotary is shaping the next generation as we approach America’s 250^th

• Featured speaker: Eric Swann, former Arizona Cardinals All-Pro Tackle, 1st-round NFL draft pick, and an extraordinary human being. Eric shares a compelling story of perseverance, leadership, and personal growth you won’t forget

• A cast of characters from Back to the Future entertaining and engaging attendees
• Photo ops, surprises, and plenty of smiles along the way

• Elegant evening of dinner, music, celebration, and recognition as we honor our achievements and look ahead
• Featured keynote: Wyn Spiller, Rotary International Director, Zones 26-27

• Conference Sessions: Business Casual
• Saturday Evening: Prom or Formal Wear (tuxedo not required)

Club Secretary, Bernadette Hirsch, provided a rundown of upcoming events including:  a joint meeting of the Scottsdale and Phoenix 100 Rotary Clubs at the Biltmore Embassy Suites on February 20 when Colonel Todd Riddle of the 94^th Fighter Wing from Luke AFB will be the speaker; an unveiling of the “Take Flight “ butterflies on March 7 at the Esplanade between 5 PM and 7 PM; the Scottdale Art Walk featuring the butterflies on March 12; the 3^rd annual “Take Flight” reception at the Shemer Art Center on March 29^th; the annual Speech contest at the House of Representatives on April 11^th; the upper level speech finals on April 24^th at the Salvation Army Kroc Center; and the Outstanding Youth Leaders at the Phoenix Country Club on May 1^st (your meals are free this day). At the District level, she said that there is leadership training on March 7^th; Rotary Day at spring training (Cubs vs, Reds) on March 20; and the district conference on May 1^st and 2^nd in Mesa (the club will pay your registration, see Selina).

Acting Sgt-at -Arms, Board member, Amber Guida, found today’s birthday boy, Fred Goldman, who was fined $50. Happy Hamiltons came from Bear Patterson who announced that local politicos will be meeting in Sunnyslope and all are invited; Brooks Hilliard spoke about a “red and blue” meeting for Congressman Greg Standon’s CD4 on March 14^th to develop common goals, values and a consensus around immigration followed by a discussion with Congressman Stanton on March 28^th; and Randy Pullen donated $50 when he announced that funding for new movie studios in Buckeye has been received. Additional contributions came from Kathy Mitchell who proudly said she and her husband have purchased a NYC condo where she will be spending the hot AZ summers, and Dave Howell reminded everyone to make their PRCC pledges asap.

Representatives from the Hermosillo Mexico Rotary Club and the Arizona College of Optometry reported on the 26^th year of our joint vision project and invited members to join them on March 2-March 6 to help the professionals provide  eye exams and even surgical procedures. The hotel costs and meals will be free for participants. President Kathy announced that the Phoenix Rotary 100 Club will donate an additional $1K from her president’s fund to the project. Dr. Robert Finkelmann said that they are dedicated to global eye care by teaching people how to care for themselves. We also learned that giving old eyeglasses to the Lions Club is still a good idea, but this project does not take them due to a greater cost than buying new ones specifically for their patients.

Before turning the meeting over to Phil Geiger to introduce today’s speaker, President Kathy awarded PP Randy Long the December Rotarian of the Month. Iryna Sukholovets gave a heartfelt and poignant speech on “Living the American Dream: From the Ukraine to the USA.” Arriving in the US at 23 years old, not knowing anyone, Iryna came to the US because she dreamed of something more; greater opportunities, freedom to build without limits and a future where hard work truly shapes your destiny.

Attending college in Ukraine at 16 years old and receiving both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Iryna attended NYU and admitted she had moments of doubt as she tried to adjust to the American culture and assimilate herself into the American society. At the time, she never even had a credit card, but she said that she was welcomed into this country with open arms. She married, had a daughter Abigail, who she homeschooled until 9^th grade and moved to Arizona where she started her own luxury retail businesses as well as becoming a real estate landlord and property manager.

Her final message was that the American Dream isn’t dead, it is alive in every person who dares to work hard, learn continuously, innovate and care for their community. It’s alive for the immigrant who starts from scratch, the entrepreneur who risks it all, and the family that chooses kindness over convenience. She concluded saying “I can definitely say that although I have Slavic DNA, my heart is American.”  With that the Club gave Iryna a hearty and prolonged standing ovation and we truly left the meeting with the warm glow about what we just heard and felt blessed to be an American ourselves.

President Kathy adjourned the 5,440^th meeting in the 112^th year of Phoenix Rotary 100.

To see photos click here
Rotarizonian Report By: Dr. Philip Geiger

Board member, Amber Guida, gave the secretary’s report for Bernadette Hirsch noting numerous upcoming events: February 20^th joint meeting with the Scottsdale Rotary Club at the Biltmore Embassy Suites; March 7^th District 5496 officer and leadership training; March 20 Rotary Day at Spring Training Cubs vs. Reds; March 28^th Butterfly Reception at Shemer Art Center; April 11^th Speech Contest at the Arizona House of Representatives;   and May 1-2 District 5495 Conference in Mesa.

PP Jay Murphy acting Sgt at Arms celebrated Stan Evans whose granddaughter was named to the Board of Visitors contributing $100 to Rotary. PP Jay said May 12^th is grandparents’ day but since he could not locate great grandparents’ day he declared January 30^th as the day and planned to fine everyone with great grandchildren, but he could only locate one Rotarian who fit the bill, Bear Patterson, who’s fine was forgiven. However, we learned  our district governor, Jim Schmidt, the father of 8 children has 38 grandchildren (there must be a great in there someplace) so Jay agreed to pay his fine himself. Jay finished by saying there are only 8.3 billion people on the earth so there is still room for more.

Other “Happy Hamiltons” were from ADG Don Bierman for encouraging Phil Geiger to get his presidential goals in place while at church, Evalyne Cambron for her daughter competing in the fitness competition today at Stare Farm Stadium, PP Angela Lopez who flaunted her new Rotary scarf she got at the Rotary International Assembly and for her husband passing his nursing boards, and to honor Lionel McCray’s son who had Down’s Syndrome and Alzheimer’s who sadly has passed away but no longer suffering or in pain.

PP Dan Capote and PP (NJ) Lisa Henning spoke about “Take Flight.” Lisa said that the artists’ works are coming in and that on March 7^th from 5 PM to 7 PM at the
Esplanade the butterflies will be exhibited and there will be entertainment and a raffle and that on March 12th there will be an Art walk in Old Town Scottsdale where many of the butterflies will also be displayed. Again, the bidder’s reception will be March 28^th at the Shemer Art Center’s “Art in the Garden Exhibition” March 27^th-March 28^th.

PP Angela Lopez discussed the Rotary Foundation and the Peace Fellows program and also awarded Frank Woods his 6^th Paul Harris Fellow and  PP Josh Anshell his 8^th. Tony Cerato expanded the discussion of the Rotary Peace Fellows program started 23 years ago by the late Dave Wasatch which enables numerous non Rotarians to earn a master’s degree at one of the Rotary Peace Centers around the work or certification without any costs whatsoever. Applications are due between February 1^st and March 15^th.

Before Tony Cerato introduced today’s speaker, DG Jim Schmidt, she awarded PP Jay Murphy the October 2025 Rotarian of the Month for his book drive vs candy grab at Halloween which was again a huge success. Tony emphasized Jim’s experience with Rotary where he started at 28 years old, became treasurer of his club almost immediately (he is a CPA) and later became president of two clubs. DG Jim spoke eloquently about his vision for Rotary. He told the members that they matter more than they know by contributing their time, talents, treasures, and service to others. He said he initially joined Rotary for more business contacts but stayed in Rotary for the service he and others can provide. He gave a poignant example of the impact we can have on someone; s life as he described his experience with a young man he mentored who later in life told Jim that he had changed his life simply by being there when the young man needed someone to talk to. He said that Rotary is a place where people can discuss issues without the fear of criticism or backlash, a place where people unite for good.

One of his main points was that Rotary International has a goal of 2.5 million members by 2030 but he said for that to happen people have to feel they belong. They need to have the desire to “give back.”  He said that Rotary is a calling, a belonging. He reminded us that there is joy in growth in leadership, there is joy in fellowship and lifetime friends, and there is joy in the meaning of service.


To view more pictures, please click here
Rotarizonian Report By: Dr. Philip Geiger