Rotary Community Corps Runs Food Pantry

During a recent visit to the El Paso area, I had the opportunity to see Rotary working at the Fabens Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is run by the newly- formed Rotary Community Corps of Fabens. The Community Corp (pictured above) is responsible for ordering and receiving the food shipments. On distribution day, they process the eligibility papers and distribute 250 boxes of food. In addition to providing food for those in need the program offers on the job training for members of the Community Corp. Because the only formalized governmental agency in the area is the Fabens Independent School District, Rotary works with Superintendent Poncho Garcia and Federal Programs Director Neal Baker. This program originated with the East El Paso Rotary Club with the West El Paso Rotary partnering on District Simplified Grants to provide funding for the Food Pantry. Rotarian Bill Sparks has been the driving force for this very successful project.

Open Letter from District 5520's Ambassadorial Scholar

Last summer the District 5520 Ambassadorial Scholarship Selection Committee chose Andres Martinez sponsored by the Rotary Club of West El Paso as our 2009-2010 scholarship recipient.

Recently Andres sent a letter and some photographs that I would like to share with the District.

Bonjour from Neuchâtel, Switzerland!

It's been two months since I arrived, and I can already tell that this is going to be the most memorable year of my life. When I arrived the Rotarians graciously picked me up at the train station and took me to my dorm. After a day of sleeping, and overcoming jetlag, I started a week and a half long orientation program at the university; I've been busy ever since.

Neuchâtel is a charming city of about 30,000 people on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. On a clear day, I can see the snow capped Alps in the distance. Every day I take the bus to the train station to catch an underground tram that drops me off just under campus. Campus sits on the beach of the lake. In September, when it was still about 75 degrees, my friends and I would sit on the beach after class. I'm taking classes in French, English, and Spanish, and am really enjoying them. Every Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Neuchâtel invites me to the Hôtel du Peyrou, the beautiful building where they meet, to have a three course lunch complete with wine and coffee. I really couldn't ask for more. My hosts are gracious and the food is amazing

I've had the opportunity to travel all over Switzerland. I've been to Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Schaffhausen, Lucerne, and Zürich. I hope that some of you can come visit! The Rotarians here would be more than glad to have y'all!

Thanks again,

Andres

Each year District 5520 participates in the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program, by awarding a $25,000 scholarship to a student from our District. Since its founding in 1947 Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholarship programs has become the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program. Nearly 800 scholarships were awarded for study in 2005-06 with grants totaling $500 million dollars from students from about 70 countries to studied in other countries around the world.

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.

To learn more about Rotary District 5520’s Ambassadorial program visit http://rotary5520.org/scholarships/index.html Dates for 2010 will be posted very soon.

Zone Institute Reception for DGN

During the recent Zone Institute in Oklahoma City, Lorraine and I hosted a reception to welcome Bobby and Michele Wallace as District 5520’s District Governor Nominee. We were joined that evening by PDGs Bonnie Fairall, Rick Akins and Roz, DGE Tim Parker.

The Zone Institute and District Governor Nominee Training are the first of several required trainings to prepare Bobby to serve as District 5520’s Governor in 2011-2012. During the Institute, Tim attended his District Governor-elect’s Training. Both Tim and Bobby will attend the International Assembly in San Diego the January prior to taking office in July.

The successes that our District has accomplished are built on the work and accomplishments of all our Past District Governors and the 3000 dedicated Rotarians in District 5520. I look forward to working with Tim and Bobby during their years of leadership as our District Governors.

GSE Team to Philippines Chosen

Last Saturday District 5520’s GSE Team to the Philippines was chosen. The team members, pictured above, are Kristin Drexler, Las Cruces; Anita Bringas, Taos; Chavi Peterson, Rotary Club of Taos, Alternate Team Leader, Kim Robinson, Alamagordo; Andrew Herrera, Espanola; Team Leader Lisa Witt, Rotary Club of Albuquerque and Leigh Ann Caswell, Albuquerque.


The Team will be leaving April 12th for their month long tour of District 3870, but in the meantime they will spend many hours together learning the culture of the Philippines and preparing their presentation about themselves and District 5520 for the Clubs’ they visit.

Thanks to Donna Pedace and the selection committee for their efforts selecting our wonderful team.

We have received word on the composition of the inbound team from the Philippines and will soon be receiving their complete bios. The Team representing District 3870 will be composed of a public health doctor, human resource officer, an entrepreneur and a Catholic priest. The team will be lead by a corporate attorney.


I’m looking forward to learning more about the team, meeting them on their arrival and presenting them to the District Conference.

Belen Discusses New Ideas for Membership

The Rotary Club of Belen is struggling with membership as are many clubs in District 5520. Club President Pete Armstrong has several ideas for building the club’s membership. Addressing the membership issue and discussing Pete’s ideas were the topics of discussion during the board meeting. They understand that membership is the responsibility of the club and are working to reverse the trend. I’ve pledge to make district resources available to them in their effort to grow the club. We also discussed the possibility of the club partnering with UNM Valencia for a community food project. I think the ideas that come out of the Belen club and their work to reverse declining membership trends will be a great example for the District.

I should have stopped at Starbucks!

I’m not a morning person, so one of the more challenging tasks I’ve faced as District Governor is getting going for the 7:00 am meetings. As I drove into Rio Rancho for my visit to their breakfast club I passed several Starbuck’s and kept thinking that I should stop for my usual Americano - 3 shots of espresso with a little water. But I didn’t. As soon as I drove up to the Chamisa Hills Country Club at 6:30am, I realized that I had made a mistake by not stopping. Before I got out of the car PDG Rick Akins popped out of the club house to greet me! He had already set-up the room for the meeting and immediately started telling me everything about the club and the plans that are being made for the 2010 Zone meeting in Albuquerque. This was just the start of an exhilarating and energy filled meeting.

The Rio Rancho Sunrise is one of the newer clubs in the District, but they have already become an stimulating club. President Mac rang the club to order and introduced the Rotarian of the Day, Karen Delle Site . The Rotarian of the Day offers the invocation, leads the pledge and introduces the speaker. The club was excited that their first Rotary Youth Exchange Student would be arriving in a few days. Membership chair Michael Smith inducted a new member that morning and announced 3 more would be inducted the following week. I had a great visit to the Rio Rancho Rotary Club. My visit was made even more special by a large group from the District Leadership Team that offered their support by attended the meeting…PDG Rick and Roz Akins, DGN Bobby Wallace, LG Bill Lowen and AG Bill Rothweiler.

Note to self…Next visit to Rio Rancho Sunrise STOP at Starbucks first!

Richard Slaton Jones 1921 - 2009

I want to Thank everyone in District 5520 for your thoughts, prayers and support offered to me and my family during the passing of my Dad, Richard Slaton Jones. Sometimes it takes the passing of a loved one to realize how much more love there is our life and Rotary.

Dad had been living in an assisted care facility for the past two years, which improved his health and quality of life. I had been able to visit him frequently. Although he didn’t remember a lot of things, each time I visited he would ask me about getting his driver’s license renewed and “How’s that Rotary job of yours’ going?”

The weekend before he entered the hospital he was able to attend a family reunion in Lubbock, something he always enjoyed. I was able to be with him during his last days in the hospital, for which I am very grateful!

Dad was a Veteran of WWII, a quite and gentle man, and a man who taught me how much service to ones fellow man enriches our own lives.

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.

Tri-Club Reception Welcomes Governor

I was welcomed to Farmington with a tri-club reception at the San Juan Country Club. It was an evening of great fellowship and chance to visit with old friends. I was able to visit with Jess Beard, a Rotarian with 50 years of perfect attendance who keeps busy rebuilding airplanes.

Thursday morning I meet with the Tres Rios Club. chartered in February 2008, they are starting their year of service under the leadership of Dennis Ivie. During the meeting, Dennis presented Immediate Past President John Tata a plaque for his year of service as chartering president. The club's goals for the year are building membership, increasing fellowship opportunities, and building visibility in the community.

At noon, I visited the Rotary Club of Farmington. Mark Biel has established a challenging membership goal for his club - increasing the membership by 10 to 62. Mark also stated that he wants to work with the other presidents to have "One Rotary Club in Farmington with three meeting times."

Tri-District Conference - August 7th & 8th

The Tri-District Conference is coming soon - August 7^th and 8^th in El Paso, TX. This year we will celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the international partnership established to provide Rotary fellowship and service opportunities across the US – Mexican border. Once again, Rotarians from Districts 4110, 5470, and 5520 will come together with their service projects searching for international partners to support their efforts.

This year the conference will address the importance of preserving our 20-year old international partnership and how this partnership can flourish for at least the next 20 years. PDG Sonny Brown has agreed to speak at our kick-off meeting Saturday morning and I’ve just received notice that Mireya Morales from the Rotary Foundation will be joining us.

Because The Rotary Foundation has severely reduced its portion of the matching funds available, the three District Governors agreed that moving the conference to August was needed to increase our chances to receive a portion of these funds. To offset a portion of this reduction in available funds, District 5520 has increased the budgeted amount from District funds.

Please participate because we can’t get it done without you! Register now at

http://rotary5520.org/tridistrict2009/index.html

Gallup Awards Scholarships Totaling $18,000

Rotary is doing great in Gallup! Jason Sanchez and his board announced their intention to host this spring’s GSE team in Gallup. This will be a first for the club. I had a great time during my brief tour of Gallup and a local business, so I know the team will have a wonderful visit, too. The Gallup club selects a local high school student to be their “Student of the Month”. This student makes a presentation to the club and at the end of the school year the students are awarded scholarships ranging between $500 and $5,000 totaling $18,000. The club raises this money each year during their Speakers Banquet featuring famous sports personalities. Plans for this year’s banquet have not been completed, but it is expected that Franco Harris will be the keynote speaker. The club hopes to raise $50,000. The club meets at Sammy C’s, a local sports bar that features walls covered with photos of sport giants, legends of the music industry, famous actors and world-class leaders.

First Club Visit to Grants

Last week I started my official club visits with a trip west to Grants. Club President Ron Williams and his board recounted their efforts for the Grants Independence Day Parade. We also discussed the club's major fund raiser, running the parking lot, during the Grants Bike Rally. When meeting with the board topics of discussion were the club's interest in the RYLA program and building membership. I was later treated to a wonderful evening of fellowship with the club at a picnic hosted by Jamie Holton in her beautifully landscaped backyard.

District Governor's Installation

I was honored last Saturday evening when PDG Henry Pick served as the Installing Officer at my installation as Governor of District 5520. Henry entertained us with that exceptional blend of humor and ceremony that is uniquely Henry. PDG Henry also inducted the presidents of the three Santa Fe Rotary Clubs; Tim Butler, Joe Player & Carl Luff.

District Governor Tom Lindsey offered his words of encouragement and presented Tim Butler with the “Governor’s Home Club” banner. Tom then presented me with the DG pin. DGE Tim Parker and DGN Bobby Wallace where also presented pins representing their offices.

Welcome to the District 5520 Governor's Blog

Welcome to the District 5520 Governor’s Blog and News Bulletin!

As we kickoff the new Rotary year, we’re also kicking off a new forum for communication - the Governor’s Blog. I’ll be making regular postings to this site as I’m out and about in District 5520. I’ll be reporting on club visits and events, District activities and items that call for action from the clubs. The blog will contain the same type of information that the District newsletter contained, just in a different format. I want to give a special “Thank You” to Jean Constant for all the time and effort he has dedicated to District 5520 as District Newsletter editor and for all the work he has devoted to designing this site and teaching me how to blog. Thank you, Jean!
In addition to the regular Governor’s posting, the blog site will contain direct links to many pages on the web sites for the District and Rotary International. District chairs will be posting timely information on these direct links, so be sure to check them first.
If you have any comments, please share them.
It is the vision of the 2009-2010 Leadership Team to “Provide support and resources for every member to understand, achieve, sustain and share Service Above Self.” District 5520 exists to support the clubs within New Mexico and West Texas and serve as a conduit between the clubs and RI.
As the new Rotary year begins, there are many announcements affecting programs and services. The first blog postings will contain these announcements, district schedules, application deadlines, and reports and photos as I start my club visits. Bookmark this site and check back for the latest from District 5520. Next report - the Governor’s Installation in Santa Fe.