GSE Team Leader Selected

Lisa Witt, Rotary Club of Albuquerque, was selected to lead District 5520’s GSE Team to District 3870 in the Philippines next spring.

Lisa moved to New Mexico in 1995 and started her business, Avista Video Histories, in 1996. Avista Video began by creating family history videos, but has expanded to include documentaries and commercial video productions. Lisa is on the list of New Mexico Women Owned Business and Avista has won 17 National Telly Awards for its video work.

Prior to moving to New Mexico, Lisa earned a BA in International Relations from the University of Michigan, an MS in Foreign Service from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. She worked for the Office of Management and Budget, and was appointed by President Clinton as Chief Economist, Policy Planning Staff, for the U.S. State Department.

Chavi Peter from the Rotary Club of Taos was selected as alternate Team Leader and will play a vital role in developing the District 5520 outbound team.

Now it is a critical that all Club and District leaders concentrate their efforts on identifying potential candidates to participate in the GSE program. Candidates must be 25-40 years old, with three years in their profession and not a directly related to a Rotarian. Additional information is available at http://rotary5520.org/GSE/index.html or by e-mailing GSE Chair Donna Pedace at pedaceabq@aol.com.

Rotary Club of Carrizozo Has Big Impact in Community

A small club in a small town, the Rotary Club of Carrizozo realizes, better than any other club I’ve visited, the impact it has on the community. A club of 18 members in a town of 1036 gives the Rotary Club of Carrizozo one of the highest per capita memberships in the district. It also has a very strong representation from local government. The magistrate is the club president; the sheriff, deputy sheriff, county manager and county treasurer are all members of the club.

Focused on local service it’s hard for the Rotary club to draw clear lines around which projects are its and which projects it’s partnering with an organization. Everyone participates in the projects, they just wear different hats. During my visit we had a round table discussion of the club’s involvement in the community, before we were finished everyone had spoken up to add another project to the list.

I had had the opportunity to visit the club in April for their 50th Anniversary and meet two of the chartering members, but it was wonderful opportunity to be able to visit again. I’m looking forward to the next time I’m able to meet with the Rotary Club of Carrizozo.

Pictured above is the Rotary Club of Carrizozo during their 50th Anniversary Celebration. Two of the original charter members Johnson Sterns and Fred English were presented with special recognition plaques during the ceremony. The Rotary Club of Carrizozo was chartered on March 17 1949 as the 43 club in then District 552.

Flashing Lights Greet Governor in Alamogordo!

Arriving at the Eagles Hall in Alamogordo for my meeting with the Club, I was meeting with flashing lights from several trucks and a large group of men. Recognizing Ed Cole, backbone of the Alamogordo club I got excited that he had planned some special greeting. My excitement was quickly dashed as Ed walked over and explained that earlier in the week the water main had broken swallowing a small car and cutting off service to the Hall. Ed had explained the importance of getting the main fixed as the Governor was arriving shortly for a noon meeting. The city crew worked hard all morning restoring service to the building, only to have their excitement dashed just as quickly as mine when Ed realized they were expecting Bill Richardson and not Dick Jones.

My excitement was not dashed when I meet with the club. It was easy to see why Immediate Past District Governor Tom Lindsay had chosen the Rotary Club of Alamogordo as District 5520’s Club of the Year. The club places a great emphasis membership, having already inducted several new members by the 3rd week of July. The club conducts a new member orientation and their “Rotarian in Need” program sends cards and flowers to members that are ill.

The club is a long time supporter of a Juarez orphanage. Each week Al and Charlene Wood bring bags of rice and beans to the meeting. Club members take the bags home, cook them and bring them back to the next meeting. Al and Charlene load the food into their truck and transport them to Juarez.

The Club also sponsor’s a Rotary Little League, this year they were getting ready to play in the State final tournament.

The club is also a sponsor, along with the Tularosa and White Sands Rotary Clubs, of the annual Wine and Music Fest. This event showcasing New Mexico wines, local artist and featuring live music all day is held in conjunction with the White Sands Balloon Invitational.

Ruidoso's Unique Food Collection Project

In Ruidoso I learned of a unique twist to holiday food collection. The Ruidoso Rotary Clubs holiday food collection is for infants. The club’s member set-up collection points near major grocery and department stores during the holiday season and provide shoppers with a list of what is needed (i.e. pampers, formula and clothing). This project and several other club projects are funded by the club’s enchilada dinner. I’m looking forward to attending this year’s dinner scheduled for October. My meeting with the board was over dinner at the Cattle Baron. In addition to club issues we also discussed the impact of tourism and the racing season on the local economy.

Inspiration, Dedication, and Membership Highlight Roswell Visit

During my visit with the Roswell Sunrise Club, I had the opportunity to hear Frank and Jolene Lilley tell the amazing story of their son Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Lilley’s incredible recovery from a head wound received when a roadside bomb exploded outside Baghdad in April 2007. Told that he probably would not survive the wound, Dennis has fully recovered and returned to active duty. Also during the meeting, the Club presented the Vietnam Veterans of New Mexico with a check for $5000 to support their veterans’ transportation program. Veterans from the Roswell area are provided free transportation to clinics in Lubbock, Amarillo, Big Springs, and Albuquerque.

The Pecos Valley Club had readings on of five new members that will be installed in August. The club is also busy working on the Sun Country Classic Golf Tournament. This tournament is sponsored by the three Roswell Rotary Clubs, and funds equipment purchases for the Boys and Girls Club of Roswell, books to Africa, and Adopt-a-Family Christmas program. It was also a pleasure to have an opportunity to visit with PDG Paul Herring during lunch.

My visit to the Rotary Club of Roswell was highlighted when Club President Betty Long presented me a check for $5000 on behalf of Polio Plus. The Club has supported Polio Plus since the program’s inception. I also had the privilege to induct two new members, Cindy Torrez and Mary Bryant during my visit to the Club and recognize the new member sponsors Bill Liakos and Bob Maples with the presentation of their sponsor pins.