Official Visit #7, Las Cruces

 July 18, 2012

This visit was one of those I have looked forward to this year.  I have been an ADG for this club, and a Lt. Governor.  I have many dear friends in this club and look very forward to making more.

This meeting was fun and energizing.  There was laughter and fun everywhere.  This is one of the older in clubs in the district.  This club has been so active in supporting the Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus, Youth programs, dress a child and Don’t Meth With Us.

The leadership is quick to laugh, eager to lead and has a heart for support in the community.  I met with the board.  The board is truly cohesive and willing to open up to new ideas.  They are also very eager to recognize accomplishments and support those that have the ideas and are willing to do the work.

This was a wonderful visit with a room full of old friends.  A great day in Rotary!

Lunch with friends is always a great way to start a meeting.

Rotarians and guests all enjoying each other.

Me and President Eddie.

Official Visit #6, Tularosa

 July 17, 2012

Well what do you know?  This district is batting 1000, six for six.   I have made six visits with six incredible clubs all having outstanding members.  It must be Rotary.

Today I visited the Rotary Club of Tularosa.  We had a brief board meeting prior to the regular meeting.  As I listened to the answers to the questions asked, I was blown away by the responses.  This little club is everywhere doing everything in the community.

Benches at the mass transportation stops, literacy programs, giving dictionaries to the fifth graders in Tularosa and Mescalero, sponsoring a Cub Scout Pack, working the county fair gate, working through the grant process to supply facilities in the community to honor the past,…………and so much more!

The meeting was very lively and spirited.  It is very evident that not only does this club do a lot for the community; they also do a lot for each other.   It was a true pleasure to visit this club and as I drove away I was filled with pride to know that Tularosa has this Rotary Club working to make their community a better place.  Keep up the great work!

Social time prior to the meeting.

Sharing information about Rotary to the club.

President Kerry and me.

Official Visit # 5, Farmington

July 12, 2012

Noon today found us with the Farmington club at Farmington Country Club.  We got there early and truly enjoyed the time spent in private conversation with early arriving members.  Most notable was the woman visiting the club again from Brazil who was the first Rotary Youth Exchange student this club had sponsored.  She was here in the early 1970’s and comes back periodically to visit.  Here comments were very warm and exciting for the program and for the club.  No point now for any words from the Governor.  Her words and her life say it all.  Viva Rotary.

This club is known as the old club, but I did not see that.  This club is made up of both seasoned and young professionals.  President Stacey leads meetings with a realness and sincerity that allows the club to be easy and comfortable in their meetings.  The members show their dedication to Rotary and each other by their actions and emotions.

After the meeting Lynne and I remained for a special board meeting.  The attendance was good and the discussion was very enlightening.  I will be visiting with district leadership about some of the concerns that were brought to the forefront.  Immediate Past President of this club, Laurie Henry, has stepped up to the position of ADG to replace our ADG in the area that stepped down due to personal reasons.  Thank you to the club and President Stacey and ADG Laurie.  This was an amazing visit.  It gave us the strength for the drive home. 

A room full of Rotarians and a time of celebration in Rotary.

A time spent in supporting the work of Rotary in Farmington.

Official Visit # 4, Farmington Tres Rios

July 12, 2012

A 7:00 A. M. meeting with 14 energetic and exciting Rotarians.  We met with President Brenda and her club just after the sun came up.  After a day in traveling to and from Chama, the sun comes up pretty early in San Juan County, NM.

During our meeting we were told about this clubs work to help the children and the under privileged of the community.  This club is a leading club in the support of the program known as “Shelter Boxes”.  The members were very interactive with my presentation and very eager to know more about district support and sharing their achievements with the balance of the district.

At the end of the meeting, President Brenda invited us to sit in on a brief board meeting.  I was very pleased to see the board take on a very sensitive issue.  The professionalism and use of the 4 Way Test in the discussion.  It is very evident that this club is cohesive and works very well together.  The leadership is dynamic and worthy of leading in 2012-13.  A great visit with great Rotarians.

Rotarian Bill Ivey and Me.  Bill is taking notes as we all knowabout my writing ability.

Time spent with the board of directors after the meeting.

President Brenda and Me celebrating Rotary.

Official Visit # 3, Chama

July 11, 2012

Today was a traveling and visiting day.  Lynne and I left Farmington at 8:45 to travel East 104 miles to Chama for a 12:00 noon meeting.  We couldn’t help stopping along the way to take pictures of the area and those special vistages of Northern NM.  About 40 miles from Chama we were detoured into Colorado along a dirt road and back into Chama from the north.  A little thing like an armed individual firing an assault rifle at law enforcement was the cause of the detour.  Ah, Northern New Mexico. 

Our welcome to the Rotary Club of Chama was very warm.  We were very pleased with the turnout and so excited to hear about the activities of this club.  How many community members of this valley would be without if not for this club?  President Terry opened the meeting with announcements.  I was blown away to find out about the Chilly Cross Country Ski race this club sponsors; a three day race.  This club promotes and works this event with six committees working together to make it happen.  My hats off to you Chama.

At the end of the meeting, it was my honor to present Lt. Gov. Paul Edwards with a Paul Harris Fellow.  This is a well-deserved honor for a wonderful Rotarian.  After the meeting, Paul Edwards led Lynne and me on a tour of the area.  Beautiful, beautiful country; amazing people; a wonderful day in Rotary.

Hey guys, I never knew we had our own arroyo.  Who would have thunk it?

My pleasure to present to a wonderful group of Rotarians!

Lt. Gov. Paul Edwards, ADG Skip King, President Terry and Me

President Terry and Me

Lynne feeding black tail deer at the bluffs in Chama