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.

 

Official Visit # 27, West El Paso

August 27, 2012

This was my second El Paso club to visit.  This is a club that I have spoken to on several occasions and they still allowed me back in the door.  I enjoy this club.  I have a long history with this club and very much admire the leadership and the members for all they have done and all they will do in the future.

This is a club that, like so many others, does not like to brag on themselves, but they do so much in the community and Internationally.  They are very active and very welcoming.  From the Sargent of Arms to the newest member, all stand ready enjoy Rotary with fellow Rotarians.

To meet with this club is to put on your happy face and go along for the ride.  By the way, if you do not put on your happy face, one will be supplied at the door.  You will not be allowed to leave without feeling the full enjoyment of Rotary fellowship.  El Paso is a great place for Rotary.

The Rotarians gather for more chicken.

 

 

Giving awards for the parade.

 

Official Visit # 26, Albuquerque Del Sol

August 23, 2012

When I heard we were going to meet in the basement of a hospital, I was just a little concerned.  I had been led to believe that not much energy or activity is ever found in the basement of a hospital.  Really?  This club is going to build energy meeting here?

Well, never worry about energy anywhere the Albuquerque Del Sol club meets.  And don't go to this club to take a nap or to have a nice restful calm meeting to prepare your thoughts before your work day.  You come to this meeting to revitalize and rebuild.  This club is strong.  It is full of District Leadership. It is wonderful.

I had an incredible time at this club, saw some wonderful old friends and truly left with a song of joy and wonder in my head.  As I headed home I could not help but reflect on the wonders of Rotary and power of good people doing great things for all they did not know.  Wow!  Rotary is vibrating in Albuquerque.

The meal is always the greatest time to converse.

 

Another view of a reason to meat.

 

Me and President Dave
 

 

Official Visit # 25, Albuquerque Del Norte

August 22, 2010

This was my second visit to this club.  Once as the DGE and today.  If I were to hand a label on this club, it would be the happy club.  I never saw so many smiles in my life.  There was a true feeling of happiness in the room.  

As I listened to the meeting and visited with old friends I found all to be involved and engaged in the efforts of this club to make the world a better place.  It seemed that every member was involved in some way in a program or a project.  There was conversation about the needs of the programs at each table and there was laughter; a lot of laughter.

I left this meeting with a warm glow.  I left with the thought that someone, and no one knows who right  now, is going to have a better life because this club exists.  That is a really great thing to walk away with in you heart as to travel to the next club.  Fun times in 5520.

President Darcy and Me

 

Official Visit # 24, Espanola

August 21, 2012

The Espanola club knows how to treat visitors to their town.  The arranged for a wonderful room as I arrived and then sent my dear friend Ken Beesley to drive me to a board meeting and social at a great little restaurant in town.  There I was welcomed by not only the members of the board, but also some members of the Los Alamos club to share in the pleasures of the evening.

President Thomas and I had a nice long visit that evening centering on the image of the club by the community and also by its members.  During the discussion I began to see a change in the vision of the President of this strong little club.  I saw passion in his eyes and began to see through him, a club that is more active than they even knew.

As we met the next morning for the regular meeting, President Thomas opened the meeting announcing the Obituary of the "Little, Trying not to Die, Espanola Club".  He then excited all of us in his thoughts of this being the "Espanola Club that is growing, exciting, and ready to go to work".  I watched a new found energy fill the room as a true leader refocused the members with energy and excitement.

As I left Espanola, I was proud of the leadership displayed and the response of the club.  This club is well on its way to bigger and greater things because it knows it can.  This was a huge visit and I am proud of all Rotarians in the Espanola Valley.

The club gathers early in the morning.

Speaking to a exciting, growing club.

 

President Thomas and me.

Official Visit # 23, Albuquerque

August 20, 2012

This is one of the larger clubs in our district.  As I entered the room I was greeted by a whole host of friends and relations that I have made over the years.  This was like old home week.  We spent time in visiting about the pasts and laughing about some of the wonderful times we had together.

As I studied for this visit I was taken by the commitment to the community and to the efforts this club makes to give to those in need in Bernalillo County and Albuquerque as well as the balance of those they touch through Rotary International.  The members were kind and willing to hear ideas that come from the heart as theirs appears to always be open to new and different ideas and ventures.

Once the meeting had concluded I met with the board in a very open and thought provoking meeting.  The board is not afraid to tackle the tough issues, but in the discussion I found the members to be willing and open to all sides of the discussion and willing to compromise.  This was a wonderful meeting.  Rotary is alive and well in Albuquerque.



Presenting to a wonderful club.

 



Me and President Joan

A very humbling welcome.