Thursday, August 05, 2010

O.V. #18 RC of Roswell 8-5-10

Home Turf Tour finale

The one club visit I have been waiting on and it didn't disappoint.  This club has a ton of potential and they just need to act on it!  Down from a high in membership of 165 a few years ago, this 130 member club is really looking for one of those break through moments.  I know they can do it. 

Typical of many clubs in our District, this one has at least 3 if not 4 generations of Rotarians trying to find their way in Rotary and how it relates to them.  President Phelps and many of the club Rotarians have been by my side for quite a while now as we have prepared for this year and this group is moving forward with many of our TARGET objectives.  I am excited to see what comes from this club over the next months.

 Many of these Rotarians have watched me grow up, they believed in me by allowing me to help develop the Roswell Sunrise Rotary (www.roswellsunriserotary.org) along with 24 other charter members, and so many of those I spoke to today have been behind me for years..... It is really overwhelming to have that level of support. 

"A lot of people have gone farther than they thought they could because someone else thought they could".  Roswell Rotary, Pecos Valley Rotary, and Roswell Sunrise, your friendship and support is greatly appreciated!





TP w/ President Elect Colt Gipson (it was his first time to sub for President Phelps, he did a great job)
Ed Kruse, 48 years perfect attendance and the first person in the District to sign a District commitment card back in February
U.S. Congressional Candidate Steve Pearce was my opener!  Nice!

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

O.V. #17 RC of Roswell Pecos Valley 8-4-10

Home Turf Tour cont.

Second of my home club visits.  These folks have been encouraging to me and very supportive of my personal and professional efforts for years.  Several have literally watched me 'grow up' as a speaker and businessman.  Very grateful to have this group standing beside me on many fronts, including the 2011 District Convention.  Very active on the District level for years and very aggressive from a membership and project perspective, RC Pecos Valley is one of a handful of clubs in our District that is growing very strategically.  Very strong with our youth exchange program.  Hundreds of volunteer hours for our youth.  Thanks for your friendship and support!
President Wendell (top notch guy), and TP

O.V. #16 RC of Melrose 8-3-10

Very nice drive from ROS to Melrose.  The power generating windmills were a site (especially when driving home at night to see all of the blinking lights).  This town is like a little oasis on the plains.  They meet in the high school board room, very comfortable venue.  The catering, home made steak strips and fixings, terrific.  President Alan is a very friendly and sincere person as well as his whole club very welcoming.  I felt at home here in that my first club in Australia was a night club similar to this one.  Really quality membership and room to grow.  I think they had one of the highest per capita attendance percentages for a club attending the District Convention this past year.  I also got to meet a Hall of Fame Cowboy (see pic below).

President Alan, TP and Sec/Treas Jim

Hall of Fame Rodeo Cowboy Bob Nordtome and TP

O.V. #15 RC of Artesia 8-3-10

President Ben & TP
Chris Simons, 3rd Generation Rotarian receiving his 3rd Generation Paul Harris Fellow
RC Artesia was another club I served as both Assistant Governor and Lieutenant Governor.  President Ben and his club have got a great opportunity to grow.  During the Q&A time it was discovered once again that older generation Rotarians are keenly interested in a positive change.  Artesia is a good club to make up at and have a ton of potential.  It was great to see so many familiar faces.  I am looking forward to see what happens over the next several months with this group!  Thank you all for being so welcoming!

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

O.V. #14 RC of Roswell Sunrise 8-3-10

Home Turf Tour

This morning I spoke to the RC of Roswell Sunrise, my home club.  Jared our President handed out the 'Be My Guest' cards and then it was time to speak.  Obviously as a growing speaker, there is a little 'something' about speaking on one's home turf.  Like family yes, but also they have watched me 'grow up' in many ways.  To look out and see several of the Past Presidents who followed after me and know I have their support and to see my fellow club members and knowing they care is a very special talk indeed.  

I thank them for their continued belief in me and my personal and professional endeavors.  I thank Jared for serving and being so supportive.  They are one of the handful of clubs in the District that is growing and I am proud to be part of this group.   The hardest question during Q&A was from Jared "Being that you always ask two or three questions of our guest speakers, would you now ask a couple questions of yourself"!  Classic!