Official Visit # 31, Mountainair

September 13, 2012

Here is a small community, with a small club, having a small budget, helping in a huge way.  This is a club of 16.  This is a country club.  A club that welcomes and impresses.

This was a meeting that I would characterize as a kitchen table conversation.  I thoroughly enjoyed this visit.  I found out about the addressed needs of the community and how this little club shows its heart at every turn.  They are involved in every aspect of the community.  Each is a leader in this little town.  This is actually the Chamber of Commerce.

As we visited and as we began to find out everywhere this club is involved I was warmed by the activity and the caring of the members.  This club impressed me hugely.  The don't have the assets or the resources to make things happen as a club, but they make things happen.  The members never say die attitude is so infectious.  Holy Cow, am I proud to be a Rotarian.

Gathering for service.

 

Time for discussion.

Time for visiting

 

Official Visit # 30, Rio Rancho Sunrise

September 12, 2012

Another morning meeting.  I belong to a morning club, but I still don't understand the energy that is unique to morning clubs.  Is it that we are all up so we may as well be happy about it?  Well, what ever the reason, this is a club that is really happy to meet and really happy to be in Rotary.

No matter the time in the meeting, there is something happening that is unexpected.  Sounds, comments, jokes, laughter, ....!  What a fun bunch.  During our visit I found this to be yet again an incredibly active and vibrant club.  Yes they have fun, but I think this bunch could have fun with an anvil.  They just see the goodness and the excitement in everything.

Rio Rancho is much better off having this club in their community.  The efforts of this club are incredible and the success in this club is over powering.  Keep up the great work.  Keep true to your Rotary values.  You are doing so good.

President Elect Will and Me.

Zone 21B and 27, Overland Park, KS

September 4 - 9, 2012

Zone is a training and informational meeting for the string of Governors and Spouses that are preparing to serve our districts.  This trainings are mandated by Rotary International just as PETS is mandated for the incoming Presidents in our districts.

The DGE Kit Turpen and DGN Lonnie Leslie begin their week with that training by having a bonding dinner with their classes on Tuesday evening.  Then Wednesday and Thursday is all about training for the incoming governors.  The current Governors attend a bonding dinner on Wednesday evening and then on Thursday take part in a problem solving session that looks to others in your class to assist is solving some issues that may arise during your year in office.

Friday and Saturday are informational meetings that are designed to give all of us a look at what is going on in other parts of the Zone.  On Saturday evening, the graduated DGE's are formally presented to those assembled.  At this meeting, DGE 5520, Christopher "Kit" Turpen was formally introduced as our District Governor for 2013-2014.  Yes, he made it this far and we are so proud.  One last step for Kit and that is Governor Elect Training Seminar "GETS" in San Diego in January.  He is preparing well.

On Sunday and memorial service for deceased PDGs, a final report, wrap-up and a plane ride home.  One more thing checked off the list.  Rotary is so fun!

RI Director Andy Smallwood

5520 DGE Kit Turpen being presented.

Our Governor 2013-2014!



Past RI President Wilf

 

Our group in Overland Park.  Not Pictured Marshall Poole
and Norm Arnold.  We were well represented.

Official Visit # 29, Socorro

August 29, 2012

I pulled into Socorro not really knowing what to expect or how to react to this club.  My contact with the Socorro club has been very limited.  There is nothing strange here, just a new environment for me.  As I walked in the door, as always, I was greeted with smiles and hugs.  

As we met and visited, I discovered a club that had very little collective idea of the impact they make on their community.  We talked about projects and fundraisers.  We visited about kid's and children's programs.  We had fun discovering the greatness of the Rotary Club of Socorro together.  It was a great time.

The members of this club are all open to change or modification.  They are willing to step out of the Rotary Wheel to do things just a little differently to reach those in need.  They are true Rotarians in a small town doing huge things.  This is a great club.  I had a wonderful journey home just thinking about this club.  Fantastic!

You duck this way and I will duck that way and the tomatos
will never hit us.

 

 

President Jim and me.

Official Visit # 28, Ruidoso

August 28, 2012

Where else should you go in the dog days of summer to cool and refresh except to the tall pines of Ruidoso and thankfully that is exactly where Jim and Elaine scheduled me.  Great Job!

Ruidoso was devastated by fires this year and I was very curious to see and hear from the club members about what they were doing in the wake of that fire.  Well, I was not disappointed.  This mighty club stepped up in ways that you can't imagine, but that is not what touched my heart.  Yes, the club has done the right things and the Rotary things all just as we all expect, but that is Rotary.

What really touched me is to hear the stories of Rotarians acting as neighbors and friends.  They supported the community as individuals with a calling, not waiting of others to call and organize, but stepping out and doing all the things that needed to be done.  Individually and collectively they shined the Rotary Wheel in Ruidoso and made us all very proud.  I am very humbled by their actions and their efforts.  I feel like a proud parent.  Way to go Ruidoso, lead us all.

Another Rotary Club eating with joy.

Inducting two new members.  A real honor for me.  Thank you.

President Georgia and me.