It Happened at Rotary...May 15, 2026
Past President (PP) Jay Murphy welcomed Phoenix Rotary 100 members to our latest meeting location, Christo’s, since Seasons 52 abruptly closed. He introduced PP Randy Long who led the Club in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
PP Jay introduced a bevy of visitors including PP Mike Hosking, Daren Desmond, Sarah Desmond’s dad, Kathy Davidson, and others (whose names I could not catch) Evalyne Cambron filled in for Club secretary, Bernadette Hirsch providing details on the upcoming Camp Big West at the Wigwam from 8/31-9/5 and looking for volunteers, Project Cure on July 18th, and our next Club meeting June 5th featuring Brian Mueller, President of Grand Canyon University at The Old Spaghetti Factory, 1418 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (Parking in the back. Enter through the side entry door)
The Club was pleased to welcome Terry Davidson, a longtime member who has been absent for some time. Terry spoke about his father, Carl Davidson, who recently passed away at the age of 104. He had been a WWII pilot, and had perfect attendance at Rotary for over 40 years. We all hope to see Terry more frequently in the future.
Today’s Sgt-at- Arms, Lionel McCray recognized our birthday celebrants including Amber Guida who donated $50, Jake Adams who donated $100, and in absentia Judge Sam Thumma $50 for his birthday, It was also noted that Sam recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the Arizona Bar Association. Happy Hamiltons of $40 came from Bear Patterson who praised the door monitors at the speech contest; Frank Woods honored his granddaughter who was accepted into the Honors College at the U of A and received a “full ride” scholarship; Terry Davidson proudly contributed $10 for a new baby boy grandchild; Elisabeth Wisthoff proudly gave $50 for her son who has been promoted to Captain at Camp Pendleton and will be our speaker in the near future; PP Jay Murphy announced that one of his amazing daughters graduated from NYU and was moving to London to be with her boyfriend. Again, there were a few others lost in the noise in the room.
Board member, Amber Guida, introduced our newest Club member, sponsored by Mike King, Yusra Bokhari. She is an attorney with Gammage & Burnham and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Desert Mission, the community service arm of Honor Health. Her professional background, combined with her commitment to community service, reflects the spirit and values of Rotary. We are very excited to have Yusra join us at Phoenix Rotary 100.
The second new member, Ian Amberson was introduced by Phil Geiger. Ian is vice president for investments at Moors and Cabot, a 135-year-old investment firm here in Phoenix. Ian holds a bachelor’s degree in music from NAU (graduated summa cum laude) and received an MBA from ASU. He is a licensed certified professional financial planner. Phil also spoke briefly about the importance of new members and the fact that through our sponsorships, we create a Rotary legacy for ourselves. He noted that not only does membership in Phoenix Rotary 100 contribute to the well-being of others but the camaraderie and interaction with other professionals, the opportunity to learn from each other and our speakers is also important for our own health and personal well-being.
Treasurer, Evalyne Cambron, introduced today’s speaker, Kate Brophy McGee, chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, as today’s featured speaker. She spoke about her 27 years in public service from being a school board member to a legislator to one of a handful of women chairs and the first in the past 25 years of the Board of Supervisors. She reflected on the magnitude of Maricopa County, 9,224 square miles in area, the fourth most populated county in the Country, and the 15th in aera. Among her priorities are lower taxes, better health care, transparency, and accountability for all involved in county government.
During the Q&A period, members expressed their gratitude for her work with the Maricopa County health Department and the antismoking campaign, for addressing the issue of evictions and the impact on homelessness. She stated that 80,000 people in the county are dealing with addiction and that the resolution only comes together when compassion meets reality. She praised presiding Judge Pamela Gates who is leading a pilot project to create more beds for the homeless.
PP Jay Murphy thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the 21st meeting in the 112th year of Phoenix Rotary 100, meeting # 5,447.
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To see photos click here
Rotarizonian Report By: Dr. Philip GeigerRead More
It Happened at Rotary...May 1, 2026
Meeting Recap – PHX Rotary 100 | Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader Awards
This week’s PHX 100 gathering was anything but a typical Friday meeting—it was a celebration of purpose, potential, and the incredible young leaders shaping the future of Phoenix.
Held at our former home, the Phoenix Country Club, the room was filled with energy, pride, and inspiration as we hosted the 40th Annual Outstanding Phoenix Youth Leader Awards—one of the most meaningful and anticipated traditions of our club.
Filling in for President Kathy Mitchell, Dave Howell welcomed guests and set the tone for the afternoon,
followed by an inspiring message from Ron Broida, who reflected on Rotary’s roots and its enduring mission of Service Above Self—a theme that would echo throughout the entire program.
The event carried a celebratory and elevated feel from the start, with live music from the Trevor G. Browne High School Jazz Band and a warm welcome extended to the many students, families, educators, and community leaders in attendance. A special video message from City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego added to the significance of the day, recognizing the students’ achievements and encouraging them to continue shaping the future of our city.
Serving as our two MCs were last years impressive award recipients, a full-circle moment that beautifully reflected the long-term impact of this program. They guided us through a powerful lineup of student recognitions, beginning with individual district-level awards.
One by one, Phoenix City Council members and representatives were invited to the stage to present awards to standout students from their respective districts. Each introduction painted a vivid picture of leadership in action—highlighting achievements that ranged from academic excellence and scientific innovation to community service, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.
As each student crossed the stage, it became clear this was no ordinary group. These young leaders are:
- Founding nonprofits and leading statewide organizations
- Conducting advanced research and tackling real-world challenges
- Advocating for equity, mental health, and public policy
- Supporting their communities through service, mentorship, and resilience
The program was thoughtfully paced, allowing each story to shine while building a collective sense of pride in what these students have already accomplished—and what they are destined to do next.
Throughout the event, we also took time to recognize the educators, mentors, and families who have supported these students along the way, a powerful reminder that leadership is nurtured through community.
In another exciting highlight, all award recipients were presented with full scholarships to attend the Anytown Leadership Program, an experience designed to further develop their voices, confidence, and leadership impact.
Treasurer Evalyne Cambron closed the program with a heartfelt reflection, sharing how deeply moved she was by the vulnerability, courage, and authenticity of the students—many of whom are already using their voices in ways that create real change in their communities.
As the meeting concluded—our 5,446th gathering in the club’s 111-year history—it was clear that this event continues to stand as one of PHX 100’s most impactful traditions.
Because if there was ever a room that embodied the future of leadership…this was it.
To see photos click here
Rotarizonian Report By: Amber GuidaRead More