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Posted by President Brad Beasley
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President Brad's comments about the start of the new year and representing the club at the Bi-District Conference in El Paso.
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Well the new Rotary year is in full swing and we are off to a great start. I was fortunate enough to be one of our club's representatives at the Bi-District Conference in El Paso. For those that may be new to the club, Bi-District is a meeting between our District (5520) and the Mexico district 4110. The clubs in the district bring projects ranging from clean water, to farming activities, and look for support from other clubs in the district. Our club sponsored several projects. Your Rotary Foundation chair, Brian Parks, and club representative Pam Lillibridge helped decide between the 30+ projects. The fundamental issue we came up with is; who do we leave out? The cleft palate project, hydroponic growing techniques for small Mexican communities, heart surgeries in Mexico, ramps in El Paso, or clean water? So needless to say, these were hard decisions to make. Ultimately the guidelines for the projects we picked were based on "reach". Where did we feel our money would do the most good for the most people. We feel we accomplished this goal.
Another exciting develpment will occur in the coming month. We will start having our high school students join us for lunch again. This year we are going to offer 3 scholarships to the students. We are going to call them, our "Future Rotarians of the Year". I invite you to join us in welcoming them. Remember, we hope they will become Rotarians in the future!
Lastly, I wanted to thank the club for its suppoprt. When I speak with other presidents in the area and district, they always talk about how it is hard to get people to help out with projects. I normally have no comment on this (which is odd) since we get such great participation from the entire club. It makes my job, and that of the board, much easier. So, thank you!!
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Posted by Richard Haas, Membership Chair
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Rotary membership is something very special. Just the name of Rotary evokes images of service to others, ethics beyond reproach and enduring friendships stretching around the world. I can think of no other service organization that does so much for others while enriching the lives of its own members. What a truly unique organization - but you already know that because you are a Rotary member.
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In September our club will focus on Membership as an underlying theme for the month. Membership certainly has its praivileges but it also has responsibilities. At each meeting we will focus on different aspects of our membership and of course, have some fun along the way. We want you to explore your membership, understand it, benefit from it and yes, share it with someone special in your life. Think back to that special friend that first invited you to a Rotary meeting. What did they see in you that they thought would make a great Rotarian?
We are asking you in September (really anytime) to invite a friend, colleague, business associate, or relative to a meeting so they can experience the "Fun Club" in Las Cruces and share what it means to be a Rotarian. So, start thinking of that special person you want to invite and we look forward to seeing you and your guests at Rotary in September.
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Posted by Mike Beckett
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THE UNEXPECTED GIFT OF ROTARY
More than 10 years ago a dear friend of mine, Federal District Judge Karen Molzen suggested I join the Rotary Club. Being younger and impressionable, I was honored to be asked. After going through the usual protocol, I was inducted with Karen as my sponsor.
As the years have passed, I have recited countless 4-way tests and been witness to the worldwide community of individuals putting Service Above Self. These acts of goodwill carried out using the 4-way test as a basis, give one a sense of belonging to a greater humanity that is not governed by politics or religion. Participation in the projects your club chooses brings not only purpose, but the knowledge that you are making your corner of the world better than you found it.
Someone deciding to bring me into the Rotary family gave me a very precious gift, one that has certainly enriched my life and the life of others through the projects we do together. I encourage you to find someone to give this gift. Sponsor someone, with the intention of enriching their life.
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Membership and Rotary and Pizza
by Ross M. Burkhardt
September 1, 2013
Why join our Rotary club?
A fair question. Please remember
That along with Tuesday fellowship
Membership’s our focus in September.
Why belong to Rotary?
There are so many reasons.
We believe in service above self
Each and every season.
Why should you ask others
To join this Rotary game?
Well, ending world-wide polio
Is one important aim.
Why enroll in Rotary?
To enjoy the patio sun,
Because summer pizza party
At Joni’s is major fun.
Vic and Ken and Lowell and Kieran
Baked some twenty pies;
They were the pizza powerhouses,
The chorizo and pepperoni guys.
Watermelon popsicles,
Swimming, salmon and salads,
And cakes for all occasions
(But we don’t belt out ballads).
So if you’re already a Rotarian,
Ask a friend to enroll.
Making a difference in the world
Is a continuing Rotary goal.
And if you don’t yet belong
To Rotary, now’s the time.
Be part of something larger than self.
And that’s the end of this rhyme.
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Incoming Youth Exchange Student Arrived on August 10, 2013
Pictured with Paul Villain are (left to right) host mom #2, Marci Beyer, host brother #1, Peter Martin, Paul, host brother #2, Eli, and host father #2 Michael Stout.
Las Cruces (Rio Grande) Rotary Club members greet Paul Villain who is from France. Left to right are; Larry Binkley, Ronnie Wright, first host family members Ken Martin, Peter Martin, Paul, and Mary Martin
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The 2013 - 2014 incoming exchange student arrived at the El Paso International Airport on August 10, 2013 at 8:15 p.m. Paul Villain is from Tourlaville, France, a town of approximately 100,000 residents "and lots of fields" and near the D-Day beaches. He will reside in Las Cruces for the academic year and will be attending Mayfield High School. His father is a long time Rotarian and wine merchant and his mother is a dentist. He came as an exchange student because he wants, "to discover a new and unknown country for me, learn its culture and meet lots of people. I just want to know something different of what I'm living in my country".
His first host family will be Rio Grande Rotarian Ken Martin, Mary and son Peter. Paul attended his first Rotary meeting on August 13th and will be making his opening presentation around the end of September or first of October. Let's give him a big welcome at the reception Sunday, August 18th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the home of Ken and Mary Martin, 535 N. Park Dr. Everyone is invited to attend.
Anytime you have a trip or activity that can involve Paul, let Ronnie Wright or Ken Martin know.
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President Brad pictured with Sally Goenaga after presenting her year in Taiwan as the Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club's exchange student 2012 - 2013. Sally left on August 25th, 2012 and returned on June 23rd 2013. She stayed with 4 host families in Taichung City, Taiwan
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Sally wrote the following about her year:
"From my year abroad I experienced the life of an independent young adult. I also made new friends from all around the world that I will keep for life. I learned many things such as managing money and making difficult decisions on my own.
Taichung is the opposite of Las Cruces. The weather is very humid. The city is very green too. I had to take buses to move around the city. The food is very different. They eat almost every part of the animals. The food and life in Taichung is also cheaper than in Las Cruces, NM. I mostly made foreign friends, as my classmates were too busy to hang out with me after school. But I cherish the time I spent with my classmates, such as staying almost everyday after school for two months to practice for the dance competition. Also when my classmates took me out to try food at the night market, where I tried for the first time pig's ear.
Now (back in Las Cruces, NM) I am attending university at NMSU. I am in the Government Department. There is not much to say about what I am doing now, as I came back and immediately began studying for university. I took a CLEP exam for English, so I could skip the Freshman level English (I passed)."
Sincerely,
Sally Goenaga
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Posted by Laura Smart
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Laura Smart pictured with RI Conference attendee Mugisha Albert Babihuga from the Kolo Rotary Club in Kampala,Uganda.
Laura Smart attended the Rotary International Conference in Lisbon, Portugal and shared the following:
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"25,000 International Rotarians converged on Lisbon, Portugal for the conference June 23 - 26, 2013. Banners lined the streets leading to the convention enter. Everywhere I travelled I'd search out the Rotary emblem as a pin, on a shirt, a hat, or a bag with the 'End Polio Now' phrase. We'd exchange cards and/or banners. The Rotarians from Africa seemed to be the most 'in awe' that they were even participating in such an 'impartial humanitarian' organization. The Bequest Society Reception was at the Myriad Hotel Junet 24th. There are 9,200 Rotarian bequest members in the world. I met an American, Clara, at the reception and this was her 17th international conference! It was truly inspiring to realize that Rotarians participate in humanitarian projects all over the world. Paul Harris would be proud of what he started!"
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Posted by Ronnie Wright
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This year’s camp was from July 20 through July 26, 2013. Ninety-six high school juniors from all over District 5520 attended camp; eighteen of whom were sponsored by the Las Cruces clubs. On July 19, 2013, RYLA Girl’s Camp Director, Claudia Jeffrey, nine counselors and nine junior counselors arrived at the Manzano Retreat to prepare for the arrival of the campers the following day.
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GIRLS RYLA CAMP 2013
Counselors bring fans, a card table and chair, an ice chest, craft supplies their bedding and suitcases, extension cords, surge protectors, outdoor chairs, duct tape, alarm clocks and lamps. Each of the nine cabins housed between ten and thirteen campers and two counselors.
The counselors and junior counselors volunteer their time for the week-long camp. It is a rewarding experience for all. Junior counselors are former RYLA campers, who assist the counselors with the daily activities.
The grounds at Manzano Retreat provide cabins, guest houses, a cafeteria, activity room, meeting rooms, a swimming pool and a gymnasium, a lake and lots of open areas. It is truly a beautiful location. Thunder storms are frequent in July. Three outdoor activities had to be moved inside at the last minute because of lightning warnings.
You may be wondering what happens at RYLA camp, and even more surprised at the answers. Each day begins the same. Counselors rise between 5:00 and 5:30 for a 6:30 meeting. Junior counselors wake up the campers at 6:00. The flag ceremony is at 7:00. (After the flag is raised and the Pledge of Allegiance is said, the girls from each cabin perform a yell.) Exercise begins at 7:15, and breakfast is at 7:30.
During the hours of 8:30 until 6:00, activities kept everyone busy. Classes for Public Speaking, Interviews and Resumes, Leadership Skills and Social Media were conducted by various Counselors. Craft projects were also taught by a counselor. High Ropes, Zip Line and Low Ropes were provided by Manzano Retreat trained personnel. Lunch was served at 12:00 every day.
There were also eight speaker presentations; Mark Glenn, Sonny Brown, Dick Jones, Debra Simon, Maria Dominguez, Carl Brown, Sunny Yates and Kit Turpin, District 5520 Governor. Each speaker donated their time to present topics of various subjects.
Several other projects took place throughout the week. Each day ends the same at camp. Each camper is assigned to a committee, which meets at 7:00 each evening. Lights out at 10:00. (On the first night, at least!)
From my experiences as a Counselor in 2010, 2011 and 2013, I can say that I would not have missed this opportunity. Working with people committed to this program provides unity in purpose. Watching the girls begin the week as strangers and finishing the week as true friends is a wonder to behold. Seeing each girl’s confidence, teamwork and leadership skills grow a bit each day; knowing each one will take what they have learned about Rotary and the 4-Way Test back to their home and community; and helping them to always go forward and never give up makes RYLA week every July one of my favorite times of the year.
Ronnie Wright
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Vic, Ken & Lowell hard at work cooking up special recipes for the pizza at the August 3rd, Pizza & Pool Party at Joni & Lowell's home.
Ken, Vic and Lowell in front of the oven ready to cook.
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The annual summer pool and pizza party was held on August 3rd at Joni & Lowell's home in Old Mesilla. About 45 Rotarians and guests attended the party as well as 12 children. Everyone had a good time, the food was great and the weather even cooperated.
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Posted by Christine May
on Jun 25, 2013
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David Hicks, seen here with President Wendy Beserra,
was named Rotarian of the Year.
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David served as Club Membership director, and is known for his innovative ideas that help make the Rio Grande Rotary Club known as the "fun club". For example, he and Sergeant of Arms Larry Binkley put together a special steak dinner for club members who contributed over $100 in Happy Dollars. But what really impressed President Wendy was David's "can do" attitude that translated into organizing the Four-Way Essay Contest when it appeared that the event was not going to happen. Congratulations David!
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Anniversaries:
Karthy Olson - 53 years
Sharon DeBraal - 52 years
Chub Foreman - 55 years
Eddie Binns - 38 year
charter member
Tom Mackin - "Chubby Checkers"
Elated with concert but
hurting from "The Twist"
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Posted by Chris May
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Service Above Self.... On October 5, 2013 Las Cruces Rio Grande Rotary Club members will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. on the east side of Mesilla Valley Hospice to go out for three pick-ups to collect items for the annual spring yard sale. The proceeds will benefit Mesilla Valley Hospice and members will get a meeting make-up for this service. With a sufficient number of members participating, the pick-up should be completed by 11:30 a.m. The success of the yard sale depends partly on the "stuff" or "treasures" the club picks up during the year.
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