The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona was officially incorporated January 9, 1991.  This followed work by the original founders during 1990 to organize so they could incorporate as a non-profit charitable foundation.  

 

In April of 1992, TRVFA was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation.  

 

The founders worked with leaders in all three Arizona Rotary Districts at the time to go through a process to have TRVFA be authorized as an ongoing joint district project in the State of Arizona.  To qualify for this status, the District Governors of all three districts as well as the District Governor Nominees signed documentation certifying that at least two-thirds of all Rotary Clubs in each of the three districts  had elected to support their districts' participation in the multidistrict activity.   On October 7, 1993, Spencer Robinson, Jr., who was the General Secretary of Rotary International at that time, signed a document certifying that the Rotary International Board of Directors had authorized Districts 5490, 5500, and 5510 to continue to be organized and conduct  this multidistrict service activity.  For readers who enjoy Rotary history and would like to see a copy of this historic document, CLICK HERE.

 

The current Board of Directors of TRVFA has established an ambitious fundraising goal for this anniversary year of $300,000, with the hope of growing beyond each successive year going forward.

 

Donations to TRVFA qualify for the Arizona income tax credit for donations to a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO code is 20698).  For most donors, their donation may not cost them anything in the long run.  Since they receive a dollar for dollar credit on their state income tax - they will either pay an equally smaller amount when they file their tax return or receive a larger refund.

For TRVFA to qualify as a Qualifying Charitable Organization, grant recipients must meet specific low income guidelines and reside in the State of Arizona.
 

The vocational education grants provided by TRVFA are currently limited to $2,000 per scholar in order to be able to serve more students.  The majority of vocational education programs cost considerably more than that amount.   The board has set the ambitious fundraising goal with the hope of increasing that maximum grant amount.  

 

TRVFA is the only Qualifying Charitable Organization in Arizona which was formed by Rotarians to work together on a multi-district on-going Vocational Service project.  Still managed by Rotary Volunteers, it is hoped that recognition of this 30-year anniversary will be a point of pride, and Rotarians will advocate for support within their clubs and in each Rotarian's circle of influence.  

 

TRVFA grants literally enable the recipients to lift themselves out of poverty,   Help someone help themself.  Go to trvfa.org and click DONATE NOW.

The Rotary Club of Scottsdale (RCS) welcomed Craig Moringiello, Assistant Special Agent in Charge – Phoenix Division of the Federal Bureau to Investigation to the Club’s hybrid meeting.  The meeting was held via Virtual Zoom Meeting, as well as, on site luncheon at the Scottsdale McCormick with specific temperature check, limited seating, masks required and social distancing practices.  

Since 2002, Special Agent Moringiello has participated in various FBI counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and espionage investigations throughout the U.S.  When introducing Special Agent Moringiello, RCS Club President Richard Signeski noted that Special Agent Moringiello spent ten years as a Naval Flight Officer and that he had earned a bachelor degree from United States Naval Academy and a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  

Per a quote from U. S. Department of Defense, Special Agent Moringiello stated: “inter-state strategic competition, not terrorism, is now the primary concern in U. S. national Security.”  The FBI’s Counterintelligence Strategy’s mission is to defeat hostile activities targeting the United States. 

Susan introduced our speaker of the day, Samuel Moore-Sobel, author, speaker and col- umnist, who recently completed his debut memoir “Can You See My Scars” in which he describes the trauma of being a burn victim. His book is available on Amazon.

Samuel was 15 in 2009, just ready to start his sophomore year in high school, when disaster struck. He was hired for the day to move boxes and furniture to make a little extra spending money for school when one of the boxes containing sulfuric acid exploded badly burning Samuel’s face and arms. Treatment included multiple surgeries. Although Samuel didn’t feel lucky, doctor’s told him how lucky he was that he didn’t lose his eyesight and the acid did not burn his esophagus.

Samuel, now a hand-some  twenty-six year old with little or no apparent visible scars, at  least  via  Zoom, talks about the impact the accident had on him both physically and emotionally, both as a young high-schooler but also over the years. He said he not only had physical scars, but also emotional scars as evidenced by insomnia, flash backs and thoughts of suicide. Through counseling that gave him a Tool Box to help the healing process - medications, counseling, journaling and talking about the accident with others, he was able to finish HS and college on time and obviously go on to become a successful young adult!

Now on the 11th anniversary of the accident he has completed his first book, “Can You See My Scars.” He indicated that scars are now a reminder of what he’s been able to overcome and to turn a negative situation into something positive that will also help others. A percentage of the proceeds from his book will go to burn survivors.

Our thanks to Samuel for his inspirational message and for sharing with us from his home in Virginia—he says this was his first time to address a west coast audience! A book will be donated in Samuel’s honor to and Osborn District School.