Official Visit # 34, Fort Stockton, TX

September 20, 2012

Let the party begin.  Fort Stockton is a unique and entertaining club.  They do all they can to make you feel welcome and warm.  As I arrived in town the evening prior, I was told that the club was not at full strength.  They had entertained the RFE team from Great Britain the three evenings prior and they were a little tired.

Thank you Great Britain!  Holy Cow, there is no way I could have continued if they were not tired.  This was an incredible visit.  This club has so many projects from the peace garden at the hospital to the bird feeders at the rest home.  One of the main fundraisers is a raffle for an Audad hunt in the Big Bend of Texas.  That’s right, “Audad”.  I won’t tell you, you go look it up.  This club is totally active in the community and leaves no stone unturned to find a place to help.

I was truly at home in Fort Stockton.  This club is warm, open and fun.  This was a great visit.  Hope I get an Audad!  (Don’t you want to know?  Look it up! ;>)

ADG Terry and his spouse Donnie.  Terry is the one with
the beard, Donnie is the pretty one!

One of the plaques at the hospital.  It really pays to
advertise.

Me and President Anna

Official Visit # 32, East El Paso

September 18, 2012

This is a club that has look at adversity and climbed from that adversity to build a wonderful and exciting club on the foundation of that adversity.  I found this club to be very warm and welcoming.  I was received openly and very welcoming.

As I arrived early, I found several new members and had the opportunity to visit with them and spend time finding out exactly what they see in the club and why they felt the urge to join.  I found that they were using Rotary as an avenue to fill their individual need to serve.  This club has members that truly want to serve and truly want to be part of something bigger than them.

This was the first club that had a heckler in the group.  I honestly took delight in the banter that occurred.  The club seemed to enjoy the interaction.  I can’t wait to attend this member’s worship service.  As he is a pastor, I had thoughts of attending and affording the same interaction, but then I put the “4-Way Test” to it and saw that I couldn’t do that.  Sometimes it’s just hard being a Rotarian.  I love it, don’t you?

Preparations for a wonderful meeting.

Fellowship is important to this club, vital!

President Joe and me

Official Visit # 33, Eunice

September 19, 2012

Ok, I am as far Southeast in the state of New Mexico as I can go and visit a Rotary Club.  This is a town that lives or dies with the oil industry and yet this club remains active and vital to the community.

The members of this club are involved in every form of leadership you can imagine in the community of Eunice.  Although the head of the Chamber of Commerce is a member, I really got the feeling that the group assembled truly made up the Chamber.  This club has been so proactive to the community and the individuals of the community.  I was amazed at the stories told by this club.  Their efforts in fundraising in this community were inspiring. 

It was great to listen to the club and members as they told their stories with pride.  There is a sense of pride in the community in the room, and that sense of pride has to spread out of the doors of the meeting.  As I drove away, I was very happy to really understand the extent that this club goes to reach out to their fellow citizens of this community.  I left very proud.

Fellowship begins with food.

Discussion is always healthy.  Sometimes!

Me and President Chris

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.