People of Action Inspiring the World!
We Came, We Saw, We Served!

The Rotary Club of Surprise brings together a network of community volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the most pressing both in our community and abroad. Our work impacts lives at both the local level in Surprise, to regional and international levels. Our projects include everything from raising money for local schools, scholarships for students, food and water drives, support for senior services, community health and advocacy resources, and supporting other area non-profits and their initiatives..
ROTARY CLUB OF SURPRISE
Surprise

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 5:00 PM
The Colonnade
19116 N Colonnade Way
Surprise, AZ 85374
United States of America
Phone:
(623) 734-5438
Email:
rotaryclubofsurpriseaz@gmail.com
2nd and 4th Tuesday Each Month from 5:00PM -6:30PM
District Site
Venue Map
Recent Events
Posted by Jesus R Hernandez
Excitement was in the air as rotary members hosted a Rotary Club of Surprise Booth at last weekend’s Surprise G.A.I.N Night. 
 
 
Members were able to spread smiles on the faces of children who tested their luck and skills while learning about our club.  
 
Rotary club membership offers a wide range of benefits, including personal, professional, and community-oriented advantages. Here are some of the key benefits of being a member of a Rotary club:
  1. Service Opportunities: Rotary provides a platform to engage in meaningful service projects that make a positive impact on local and international communities. It's an opportunity to give back and make a difference in the world.
  2. Networking: Rotary is a vast global network of professionals from various fields. Being a member allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, which can be invaluable for personal and professional growth.
  3. Leadership Development: Rotary clubs offer opportunities for leadership and personal development. You can take on leadership roles within your club and work on projects that enhance your leadership skills.
  4. Community Involvement: By participating in local service projects and fundraisers, you become an active part of your community. Rotary helps you understand and address the specific needs of your local area.
  5. International Understanding: Rotary's commitment to international service and humanitarian projects fosters a greater understanding of global issues and international cooperation.
  6. Professional Growth: Networking within Rotary can lead to career opportunities and partnerships. You can learn from professionals in various fields and gain valuable insights.
  7. Friendship and Fellowship: Rotary is known for its strong sense of camaraderie and fellowship. You'll make lasting friendships with people who share your passion for service.
  8. Personal Fulfillment: Being a Rotarian often brings a deep sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment. Knowing that your efforts are contributing to positive change can be incredibly rewarding.
  9. Philanthropic Opportunities: Rotary Foundation offers opportunities for members to contribute to important causes, such as eradicating polio and supporting global education and healthcare initiatives.
  10. Personal Growth: Rotary meetings and events often feature guest speakers who discuss a wide range of topics, providing opportunities for personal growth and learning.
  11. Public Speaking and Presentation Skills: Many Rotary clubs encourage members to make presentations and speeches, helping them develop effective communication skills.
  12. Global Impact: Rotary is a driving force behind global initiatives, such as the fight against polio. Being a part of Rotary allows you to contribute to these significant efforts.
  13. Legacy of Service: Rotary has a long history of making a difference. Joining Rotary means becoming part of a legacy of service that dates back over a century.
 
Our Club membership offers a unique opportunity to serve the community, connect with other and grow both personally and professionally while contributing to positive change on a local and global scale.
Posted by Jesus R Hernandez
Spreading Joy, One Can at a Time!
 
 
Fellow Rotarians Jon C. and Jim S. rolled up their sleeves and got to work at Valley View Community Foodbank last Saturday, October 21st.  The foodbank received a large donation from Sprouts Grocery Stores, and they were able to assist in sorting through the donation and preparing the products for members of the community.
 
The power of community is truly remarkable. With teamwork, passion, and a shared commitment to alleviating hunger, we're working to ensure no one in our community goes to bed hungry.
 
It's incredible to see how a simple act of kindness can have a ripple effect and make a world of difference. Thank you to all our amazing Rotary members who continue to inspire change and bring hope to those in need.
 
We have a lot more planned in the near future, reach out today to see how you can get involved.
Posted by Jesus R Hernandez
Guest Speaker Cory Stangle, Executive Director of AZ 4 Kids
 
 
Our Club was honored to host Cory Stangle the Executive Director and Founding Member of AZ 4 Kids.  
 
Their mission is to provide educational, social and healing opportunities for Arizona's distressed and at-risk youth through sports and recreational activities that provide discipline, exercise, and self-discovery.  They do this through sponsoring youth and paying for their sports fees to help keep them engaged and give them continuity. Their research found that sports inherently provide many tools to heal the scars that childhood trauma can leave behind. 
 
Sports help at-risk youth in the following ways. 
  1. Well-Being
    1. Mental & Physical exercise have been shown to be one of the best forms of treatment for depression, anxiety and overall wellness. 
  2. Confidence
    1. Confidence is empowering! The process of self-discovery in learning a skill paves the way for confidence when an individual is outside of their comfort zone. 
  3. Reduce Anxiety
    1. Traumatized youth can have an overactive amygdala or be stuck in fight or flight mode.  Reducing anxiety is step 1 in overcoming trauma. 
  4. Mentorship
    1. Sports provide not only coaches as role models but peers as well. These role models can provide a positive example to model after. 
They work with youth across Arizona and are hoping to sponsor 600 youth by the end of the year.  If you're interested in learning more, check out their website at az4kids.org. 
 
Our Club has many great speakers coming up and several opportunities to get involved in our community and help make it better for everyone.  Join us!
The Rotary Club of Surprise was honored to donate items and time to Women4Women.
 
Women4Women, a local non-profit, is on a mission to distribute feminine hygiene products to unhoused and low-income women who might have difficulty affording such items. As Surprise and the West Valley has experienced substantial growth so has the need for these products.  In a quick 45 minutes our club was able to assemble 157 bags of 12 pads or 12 tampons, six pantiliners, feminine wipes and hand wipes.  Many of these will be distributed at Valley View Foodbank and several other locations across the West Valley.  
Club members with our recent scholarship recipient volunteering at Valley View Food Bank. The club volunteers time every month to help the organization.
 
The 2023-2024 Club Officers and Directors. Pictured from left are: President-Elect nominee Jim Schlenvogt, Secretary Pamela Gralton Kohnen, Immediate Past-President Brian Laurie, Director Nancy Collins, President-Elect Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil, President Jesus Hernandez and Adria Poindexter, Asst. District Governor
Glendale Rotary Club. Absent were incoming Treasurer Phillip Souza and Director Jon Cavaletto.
 
 
 
Geri Roberston is pictured with the Rotary Interact Club of the Arizona Charter Academy as they celebrate MLK Day. 
 
Club members get together at Booty's for their monthly social night out. Booty's is a long-time supporter of Rotary.
 
Rotarian Phil Souza and his wife Susan volunteered to help deliver and assemble 2 bunk beds for a family of 5. The 2 boys and 2 girls had been sleeping on the floor and in chairs and the bunk beds materials were donated and prepared by volunteers with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The program provides over 1,000 beds a year in the Middlesex, MA area alone. The club will host a speaker from Sleep in Heavenly Peace, AZ in the fall at the Colonnade in Surprise. 
 
 
Seth Dyson, Human Service, and Community Vitality Director for the City of Surprise spoke at the May 23 Club meeting about the various programs, grants, and volunteer opportunities offered by the City. The city has supported the Rotary Club of Surprise in the past with a grant for the Taste of Surprise which the club is hoping to restart in 2024 after a 3-year hiatus due to Covid. Seth is pictured with club president Brian Laurie. Seth shared plans to build a multi-generational community resource center to serve the Northwest Valley. 
 
Rotarians at work volunteering at Valley View Food Bank in Sun City. Pictured from left to right are Pamela Kohnen, Traci Sinkbiel-Sawyer, Richard Kohnen, Jim Schlenvogt, Brian Laurie, and Nancy Collins. The club volunteers at Valley View once every month. 
 
Phil Souza , 2nd from right (Back) joined Rotarians in Littleton, MA on May 20 for a build-a-bed day of service. Rotarians assembled 25 beds for families without beds for their children. These are often women relocating from shelters with their children. The Surprise club will be working with the AZ chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace in the Fall to participate in an event. 
 
Jim Schlenvogt and his granddaughter joined Phil Souza at the Valley View Community Food Bank to help bag food for area residents struggling with food challenges. The club volunteers on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9:00 am-11:00 a.m. The Food Bank is at 10414 N 107th Ave, Sun City, AZ 85351
 
Joshua Thorell from Habitat for Humanity spoke to the club about Habitat's programs and opportunities. 
 
Middle school Jr. Rylans (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy) spoke to the club about their experience at last year's Jr. RYLA camp. The camp hosts between 30-80 middle school students each year and provides opportunities for leadership development, teamwork, and social interaction. The Rotary Club of Surprise donated $500 to support this year's participants from Arizona Charter Academy (ACA).
 
Linda Furman spoke to the club about Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind. RRRB provides free audio cassettes and devices to area residents with sight disabilities. Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind is a not-for-profit recording studio in Peoria where trained volunteers read and record material for people who can’t read, often because of low vision or physical limitations. For many reasons including aging, when eyesight fails or something happens with hands or arms or shoulders that impedes page-turning, reading print material becomes a challenge
 
The 14th Annual Fore the Kids Golf Scramble was held on Nov. 19th at Coyote Lakes Gold Club in Surprise. Over 100 golfers played to support the Rotary Club of Surprise fundraiser. A lunch and awarding of prizes followed the 8:00 am shotgun start tournament. Thanks to all the sponsors for their contributions and to all the volunteers who helped make the event a success. Plans are already underway for the 15th Annual event in 2023. 
 
Robin Telle, Community Engagement Manager spoke at a recent club meeting about Homeless Youth Connection, a non-profit dedicated to providing support and solutions to homeless youth in the valley. You can read about HYC and their mission at https://hycaz.org/ Pictured are Robin with club president Brian Laurie.
 
The Rotary Club of Surprise held their Inaugural Military Appreciation Event at the Colonnade on Nov. 8. The event was attended by veterans from the Colonnade and Grandview Terrace. Guest speaker Lt. Col. Tyler Smith form Luke AFB is pictured with club president Brian Laurie.
 
Read more...
Speakers
Mike Jacoby and Adria Poindexter
Dec 12, 2023 5:30 PM
TRVFA
Hannah Murray
Jan 09, 2024 5:30 PM
Home Educators of Surprise
Ed Knowles
Feb 27, 2024 5:30 PM
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
View entire list...
Popular Links
RI News
Club Executives & Directors
President
Jesus Hernandez
Immediate Past President
Brian Laurie
Secretary
Pamela Kohnen
Treasurer
Phillip Souza
President Elect
Traci Sawyer-Sinkbeil
President Nominee
Jim Schlenvogt
Membership Chair
Nancy Collins
Youth Service
Jeri Robertson
Director
Jon Cavaletto
Director
Nancy Collins
Speakers
Mike Jacoby and Adria Poindexter
Dec 12, 2023 5:30 PM
TRVFA
Hannah Murray
Jan 09, 2024 5:30 PM
Home Educators of Surprise
Ed Knowles
Feb 27, 2024 5:30 PM
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
View entire list...
Calendar
December 2023
S M T W T F S
26
27
28
29
30
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
01
02
03
04
05
06
Upcoming Events
View More...
15th Annual Golf Scramble is Nov. 19 2023
FORE! the KIDS
link
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Jim Schlenvogt
    December 23
  • August Heiss
    December 24
Join Date:
  • Amanda Sanchez
    December 6, 2012
    11 years
Social Media Bar