2010 GSE to/from the Philippines From: Donna Pedace, District GSE Committee Chair. July 3, 2009

25 PH - A Rotarian’s Dedication and A Club’s Determination. Rotary Club of Las Cruces Mesilla Valley

Uspantan report 01-2009 by Deborah Simon

Birmingham "Paths to Peace" by Jon Morrison

Rotary Friendship Exchange D-5520. West Texas/New Mexico and 5370 Alberta Canada, July 12-26, 2008

District 5520 update on health issues by Ken Campbell, District Immunization and Health concerns chair

Taos, New Mexico Interact Club Serves in South America by Yale Jones

Rotary Fellowship. By PDG Johnny Lane, District Fellowship Chair

Christmas at the Beach by D.5520, Del Norte club student exchange, Sommer

5520 outbound Ambassadorial Scholar by DGN Dick Jones

Crystal Darkness Campaign in New Mexico by District Foundation Chair Robert Bovery

D. 5520 very own moderating RI 2009 Assembly

Family of Rotary by Elaine McKinney, Rotary Club of Las Cruces Mesilla Valley

Job well done! - PDG Dan Schulte report on the Canadian Friendship exchange tour of District 5520

District CS Chair mis-adventure in RotaryLand

Foreign Exchange Program Apprehension. Uncertainty. Anticipation. By Stephanie VonAncken

District 5520, Club Service Chair Bob Rosenak communication, 8-2007

District 5520, Literacy Projects by Lonnie Leslie, 5520 Literacy Coordinator

The Four-Way Test: A Rotary Tradition by Ross M. Burkhardt Rotary Club of Las Cruces Rio Grande

Essay from Aletha Scally, District Ambassador finalist

Letter from Zelie Pollon, District Peace and Conflict Studies Program

Literacy Day, District Rotarians reading

Letter from the RC of Grant-Milan President

Although the 2009 Colombian GSE was completed just a short time ago, the District GSE Committee must now begin the selection process for the GSE team members who will be going to the Philippines in the Spring of 2010. To do that successfully, we need your help to get the word out to your Club members, and to your community. Please announce the following details to your Club and, if possible, print the info in your newsletter. Also attached is a press release that we ask you to submit to your local newspaper announcing the opportunity for the general public to apply to become a member of the team.

We need host Clubs for the GSE Team coming from Colombia next year. If your Club might be interested in hosting , please contact me via return email at (pedaceabq@aol.com <mailto:pedaceabq@aol.com> ) or by phone at (505) 685-4115 and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Either myself, or another member of the District Committee, would also be happy to visit your Club and speak about the GSE program and answer questions in person.

Potential GSE Team Leaders: We are looking for Rotarians with good health and a sense of adventure to apply to be the leader the 2010 GSE Team to the Philippines. The one-month professional exchange will be from April 16th to May 16th, 2010. All past participants agree that the GSE program changed their lives for the better. If you believe in the international mission of Rotary, please consider applying for this special opportunity. Team Leader applications are due by September 2nd and all the requirements and information are available on the District web site (rotary5520.org, then click on GSE at the top of the home page). Please consider participating in this rare opportunity to see the Philippines from the inside, hosted and guided by local Rotarians.

Potential GSE Team Members: We also need Rotary member assistance to identify and encouraging young professionals (between 25-40 years of age) to apply for a team member position. Four lucky people will travel with the Rotarian Leader to the Philippines to meet with peer professionals to share information and ideas about how each handles their responsibilities in their respective home countries. Both Team Members and the Team Leader will live with Rotarian host families for a month, attend social and cultural activities, and share in exciting - but exhausting - experiences. Team Member applications are due by September 16th. If you know of a potential candidate, please have them visit the District web site (rotary5520.org, then click on GSE at the top of the home page) for additional information and an application form. Donna Pedace Group Study Exchange Chair

In March of 2008 we lost our president. Leslie Fletcher was the president of the Rotary Club of Las Cruces Mesilla Valley, in Las Cruces, NM. Leslie fought a battle with Breast Cancer for two years and succumbed to this terrible disease while still in office. As Rotarians we were reminded that not only are we members of a club, but, we are also family. As family our pain was real and long lasting. Leslie was so loved by every member of her club. Leslie left behind her husband, James (Jamie) and daughters Rachel and Jennifer. Being Rotarian’s, we have to continue to look forward and as Leslie would insist, we continue to find areas of service within our community, nation and world. After all, Service Above Self is what we are all about.

Some two weeks after the celebration of Leslie’s life, Jamie presented a check to the club in the amount of $10,000.00. This was one of Leslie’s dying wishes that this money go to the Rotary Foundation through our club. After the presentation of the check, the decision was made to apply the entire amount to Polio Plus. Once the foundation received the check, as is standard, 10,000 points were assigned to Leslie’s account. These points combined with her existing points to give her account an excess of 12,000 points.

During November of 2008, Rotarian Elaine McKinney, focused each of the weekly programs on the programs of the Foundation and also challenged the club to commit to becoming a Paul Harris Club in honor of Leslie. To that end, the club committed to support any Rotarian in an effort for their initial Paul Harris Fellowship, with 500 points to be matched by $500.00 of new monies to the Foundation made by the individual member.

At District 5520 Assistant Governor/Lieutenant Governor training in February, it was learned that the Foundation would no longer allow points transfers from former or deceased members after June 30, 2009. Once the current Paul Harris Fellows of the Rotary Club of Las Cruces Mesilla Valley learned of this ruling, they went into action transferring points to existing members and deserving individuals. The club’s first action was to make Leslie’s two daughters, Rachel and Jennifer, both Paul Harris Fellows. The club then transferred points to fifteen individual members’ accounts making them Paul Harris Fellows. In addition, three club members made a total of five family members Paul Harris Fellows from their individual points. On top of all of this, three additions club members received Paul Harris Fellow plus one pins. This means that on May 14, 2009, twenty-five Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded at the regular meeting.

Joining us in this exciting day in the life of the Rotary Club of Las Cruces Mesilla Valley were, District Governor Tom Lindsay, Past District Governor Jackie Morgan and District Governor Elect Dick Jones. These district leaders assisted in the ceremony and celebration. Immediately after the celebration, the club was told that it is now the first and only Paul Harris Club in District 5520.

Prior to the celebration of Paul Harris Fellows, the club initiated three new members into the club. In the past three weeks the Rotary Club of Las Cruces Mesilla Valley has welcomed five new and excited members to the club. The club is anxious for the further commitment of these new members and will continue to make available 500 points to each new member, encouraging each new member to become a Paul Harris Fellow by donating $500.00 to the Rotary Foundation. It is the goal of the club to assist each new member in a Paul Harris Fellowship no later than six months after the individuals’ initiation.

This club now stands as a leader in the district and in Rotary International. The members’ dedication and continued commitment to Service Above Self was only strengthened by the efforts of each of its members and the selfless life of its president Leslie Fletcher. Rotary lives in her memory. Our members are committed to the legacy of a beautiful woman, a true Rotarian and a loving wife, mother and friend.

Dear Uspantan Volunteers,
I am writing you from Uspantan where I arrived last night to work on a project for a waste water treatment plant on behalf of an engineering company from Colorado. I had hoped to write you all about the great things that are taking place here, and believe me, there are many. For example, the communities have a better supply of potable water and the inn we stay at now has internet and hot showers. I had an unexpected lunch today in Uspantan with Rigoberta Menchu, the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner and the Norweigen ambassador who were touring that area. But more about that at another time

I want you to know instead about a horrific landslide near San Cristobal yesterday, located about 2 hours east of Uspantan. This has been a difficult day for the people of this region. Over 100 people are believed to be buried under the dirt. So far 32 bodies have been recovered and there were many injuries. A car with a loud speaker has been parked in front of the city hall, keeping people notified of the events. So far, 4 of the bodies recovered are from Uspantan. Small aircraft have been flying in and out of Uspantan with the wounded all day. I am writing to you to let you know that the ambulances that Rotary provided to Uspantan have also been kept very busy. It saddens me to know that reason they are so busy but I am proud of what Rotary has done to help the people in this region and what you did to promote the funding of the matching grant for the ambulances. A special thanks to our 3 amigos, Robert, Greg and Jon who drove down one of the ambulaces that is now based that the Uspantan hospital. Uspantan currently has two Rotary ambulances here because the Guatemala City rotary was able to purchase a new ambulance with the matching grant money in 2008. My heart swells with emotion as I see the ambulances with the Rotary emblems racing around helping the injured.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of Uspantan. It is late and I am exhausted so will say good night.

Mil Gracias to each of you,
Deborah

Paths to Peace go through Birmingham
The Rotary Foundation has announced that Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of South Africa will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Rotary World Peace Symposium on 18 June in Birmingham, England. Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, will address Rotarians and Rotary peace programs alumni on the challenges of peace-building.

Desmond Mpilo Tutu (born 7 October 1931) is a South African cleric and activist who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. In 1984, Tutu became the second South African to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Tutu was elected and ordained the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of Southern Africa). Tutu chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is currently the chairman of The Elders. Tutu is vocal in his and her defence of human rights and uses his and her and her high profile to campaign for the oppressed. Tutu also campaigns to fight AIDS, poverty and racism. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism, and the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005.

The Rotary World Peace Symposium, titled Challenges to Peace-Building is scheduled for 18-19 June, and  will focus on issues related to migration and refugees, recovery and development, and the role of religion and ethnicity.  

The agenda includes plenary sessions by academics and practitioners, as well as breakout sessions focusing on peace and conflict issues related to religion and ethnicity, development, and migration. The symposium will also include alumni-led workshops concentrating on enhancing skills as peacemakers.

Current fellows and alumni will need to register using the symposium-specific registration forms distributed by The Rotary Foundation staff. Rotarians and guests can register through the regular Birmingham RI Convention registration process. E-mail peacesymposium@rotary.org with any questions you may have about registering for the symposium.

What is the responsibility of the Individual Rotarian toward peace through International Service?:
Each Rotarian is expected to make his or her individual contribution to the achievement of the ideal inherent in the fourth avenue of service.
Each Rotarian is expected to so order his or her daily personal life and business and professional activities that he will be a loyal and serving citizen of his and her and her own country.
Each Rotarian, wherever located, working as an individual, should help to create a well-informed public opinion.  Such opinion will inevitably affect government policies concerned with the advancement of international understanding and good will toward all peoples.

As a world-minded Rotarian:
(a) He or she will look beyond national patriotism and consider sharing responsibility for the advancement of international understanding, good will, and peace.
(b) He or she will resist any tendency to act in terms of national or racial superiority.
(c) He or she will seek and develop common grounds for agreement with peoples of other lands.
(d) He or she will defend the rule of law and order to preserve the liberty of the individuals so that they may enjoy freedom of thought, speech and assembly, freedom from persecution and aggression and freedom from want and fear.
(e) He or she will support action directed towards improving standards of living for all peoples, realizing that poverty anywhere endangers prosperity everywhere.
(f) He or she will uphold the principles of justice for mankind, recognizing that these are fundamental and must be world-wide.
(g) He or she will strive always to promote peace between nations and will be prepared to make personal sacrifices for that ideal.
(h) He or she will urge and practice a spirit of understanding of every other man’s beliefs, as a step towards international good will recognizing that there are certain basic moral and spiritual standards which, if practiced, will insure a richer, fuller life.
Come to the Peace Symposium learn more about what we can do as Rotarians to bring peace and understanding to our world.  We as Rotarians must lead the way by sowing the seeds of love.  We must learn to live together in peace and understanding or we will all perish.  . Make a difference in the world through love and understanding.  What better way to start, than by attending the Peace Symposium in Birmingham

As the United AL flight slowed and descended from 33000 feet on its final into Edmonton Airport, lush greenery and many fields of bright yellow flowers could be seen. On board were one third of the RFE Team from D-5520, another third would arrive on another flight and yet another third were driving in, all scheduled to arrive on the same date, Saturday – July 12th.  The sun was shining, the weather was clear and the vista was breathtaking. The touchdown was uneventful and I couldn’t help but compliment the pilot on his flying skills.

Those flying in were met at the Airport by our Canadian Coordinator, Ed Korbyl and his wife Vicki, and Ted Griffith from the RC of Camrose greeted us with a huge welcome sign. (1) Immediately, we knew we had arrived in a welcoming atmosphere and were convinced this would be a great visit. Meeting us also and  driving a van for the luggage, was PDG David Taylor and his wife Elaine. We three, Gerri Wootten, spouse of PDG Bob (D), Kathleen and I loaded up and were off to the Southeast  for an hours drive to Camrose and home for the next four days. The remainder of the team, PDG John and Hilda Lane, Rtn Gary and Donna Beamesderfer and Jim Maxon arrived later.

Our drive to Camrose was through agricultural country. We stopped to take pictures along side the road so that the fields of yellow flowers were in the background. (2) It turned out the yellow flowers were fields of Canola and we learned there were some 23000 of those fields being cultivated as cash crops. Other fields were sorghum and wheat.
Our 6 couples had arrived and we enjoyed our first evening with our hosts getting acquainted and discussing the history of the area.

Over the next few days we were on a busy schedule. On Sunday, we visited destinations suggested by our hosts. Kathleen and I went with David and Elaine Taylor, our hosts, to the Ukrainian Heritage Site (3) while others were off to the Dinosaur Fields to examine fossils. That evening, our team together with Rotarians from the Camrose Rotary Clubs gathered together for a welcoming barbecue in a very picturesque setting along a lake known as “Driedmeat Lake” hosted by Ted Gillespie and his wife Louise. This was a very memorable occasion as we got to meet so many wonderful and caring Rotarians.(4)  The following day we  all assembled with the director of the newly constructed Edgeworth ice skating rink, Paul Nielson  briefed us on the national sports of ice hockey and curling. Some of us tried ice skating while others watched John McAllister practice a few positions important to the game. Lunch this day was with the Camrose RC and we were welcomed by Pres Ray Hook and exchanged Club Banners. Our afternoon brought us to the Four Seasons Park where Dan Olefson met us and steered us on a walking tour around the habitat of their migrating birds, the Martins, for forty-five minutes which brought us to the Rotary Park Sign where we had a group photo taken. Rain was threatening, so we hustled across the busy main road to the chamber of Commerce where we viewed a one third size replica of a Viking Long Boat. As we were close to an ice cream shop Dulce was an overpowering call to enjoy. The threat of rain subsided so we hurried to the Camrose Airport where Ron Grue and Neil Hansen were waiting to take us on flights over the city. The flights were spectacular and provided a real appreciation for the extent of the Canola fields in that area and how beautiful the surrounding countryside was.(5) Dinner that night was with our hosts. The Rotary Club of Camrose, Daybreak was our host for breakfast the next day and even at 7 am, all were jovial and animated. After a short drive, to the downtown historical district of Camrose we went on a walking tour of the Historical buildings to get a glimpse of the renovations and improvements being made.(6) Following  a short visit with the Mayor, Clarence Mastel,  we ambled (via the numerous shops) our way around the shops and through town to a quaint ethnic Norwegian Restaurant called Lefse where we were treated to a lunch of sandwiches, of our choice,  compliments of  Rtn.  Norm Mayor. As we left the restaurant, the rain began to drizzle and continued for the remainder of the afternoon. However, our spirits were not dampened and we arrived at the EVRAZ Pipe Manufacturing Plant where we were met by Mike Howard, Dan Strilchuk and Desmond Erickson with whom we enjoyed a two hour  educationally enriching tour of the plant. The process was quite unique in that a single sheet of steel is bent and welded in such a way as to produce steel pipe in sizes varying from 16 to 42 inches inside diameter and in standard lengths. (6a) Part of our team was offered the opportunity to join a crafts group to make useful items under the guidance of Louise Gillespie and Jan Nielsen. The rain stopped and we headed for the Camrose Fire Station where volunteer firefighters were assembling for a training night. The equipment and facilities were in immaculate condition and we were able to examine everything close up. The experience reminded one of those early days as a child when becoming a fire fighter was all the rage. One piece of equipment caught everyones fancy – snorkel boom with basket. Fire Captain Peter Krich and Asst Chief Joe Mah demonstrated the versatility of the equipment and a few of us could not pass joining in. The view of the surrounding area from 100 feet above the fire station while standing in the basket of the snorkel boom  was too spectacular to pass up. (7)  Dinner that night was Pizza at the fire house compliments of Ken Drever of the Camrose RC. The first leg of our journey had ended but the next few days would prove to be full of equally interesting and well sprinkled with worthwhile venues, events and sights.

Phase two started on a happy note with great weather and anticipation for a long but comfortable bus ride to Ft McMurray. The team was scheduled to meet at the Red Arrow Bus Terminal in downtown Edmonton to meet up and  board the bus. As is the Rotarian way, everyone arrived within ten minutes of each other and the bus pulled in on time. Goodbyes were like family members going away for a summer camping trip – lots of hugs and kisses, snacks for the road and books to keep us occupied during the long bus ride. The Red Arrow bus left on time and we all settled back for a five hour ride heading North. The weather clouded in and we were struck by a thunder storm as we left the City and at times, visibility was obscured by rain and the driver slowed to a crawl. Fortunately, the down pour dissipated and we were again blessed with sunshine and clear weather. On the way, we passed a few small settlements and eventually stopped in the small town of Grasslands for a rest and lunch. It was a short stop and within twenty minutes we were back on the road passing through stands of scrubby Birch trees, open areas of bog, stunted pine trees and lots of open space. This was a well travelled road for passenger cars and lots of large trucks. By early afternoon, we arrived in Ft McMurray at the downtown terminal and met our new hosts for the next three days. Florence Weber,  our coordinator, lead us to a Gazebo overlooking the town, erected by the local RC, to wait for the remainder of the hosts. Ft McMurray reminds one of a boom town for gold prospectors but in this town, Oil Sands were the driving force for the economy. Although tucked away at the confluence of two waterways, the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers, it would seem  that this was indeed a sleepy village enjoying its isolation. Nothing could be further from the truth, Ft McMurray is a vibrant, growing community fueled by revenues from the processing of Oil Sands to the North of town where some 2 trillion barrels of oil wait to be extracted from the oil sand deposits. From the air, and as far as one hundred miles, one could see oil sands  being mined by several companies. Our Rotarian hosts kept us busy and treated us like family. Florence had made arrangements for us to visit the Oil Sands Visitor Center to develop a sense of the enormity of the area, the equipment used to mine the oil sands and the extraction process to retrieve the oil. After a lovely box lunch in the center’s cafeteria, we all posed for a group photo with the centers name in the background (8) and then proceeded to the Ft McMurray Heritage Site “A Little Village Locked In Time”. The historical preservation was unique in that it captured the way things were when the pioneers began to settle in the area – very quaint. (9) Later that evening, we all went to the Ft McMurray Airport for flights around the environs, and especially to see the enormity of the Oil Sands deposits. The following day, we picked up box lunches for our  private tour of the Syncrude site which was located an hours drive north of Ft Mc Murray where we were issued hard hats and ID Badges. The tour took us on an old school bus down into the Oil Sands deposits where we were  within 100 feet of the huge machinery used to move the sands to the processing stations. We all came away with a greater appreciation of the efforts used to retrieve oil from these formations and received a small gift of  Oil Sands (10) in a small container. Our last hurrah was provided by the McMurray RC with a barbecue at the home of Carmelo Daprocide. (11) Russell Maxwell and Joyce, RC President and Host, gave us a great sendoff talk and the hosts posed for a group photo. This was definitely one of several highlights we would experience during our visit to Alberta. This was a visit which fit nicely into our itinerary. We all came away greatly impressed by the dedication of the Rotarians and the pride they showed in this part of the world. Although, we did not see the Aurora Borealis, we did enjoy the long days and nights till 10-11 pm.

To keep this narrative in perspective, we boarded the Red Arrow bus on July 20th for our return trip to Edmonton, and to meet our new Hosts for an overnight stay before heading off to Edson and Hinton in West Alberta. This short stay gave us the opportunity to learn more about Edmonton which was celebrating an annual street festival and to get a feel for the various sections of town where the action takes place. After a restful night, we repacked our clothes with changes we would need on our next trip and avoided carrying  more luggage than we needed. After a lovely breakfast, prepared by our hosts, Johann and Russell Mann, we headed for the Edmonton Country Club Parking lot to board our bus to Edson/Hinton. We were surprised to discover the bus was owned and operated by a well known funeral parlor which provided the bus for large funeral entourages.(12) Our journey was relatively short as the trip brought us through lovely country on a two to four lane road with light traffic. Two hours later, we arrived in Edson at the Chamber of commerce. Waiting to greet us were members of the Edson/Hinton RCs, a member of the Royal Mounted Police (in uniform), (13) and a banquet of delicious buffet foods. The Edson RC President, Rob Pelkey greeted us and introduced our hosts for the next few days.We were all made to feel as part of a larger family which eased our introductions clearing the way for a pleasant stay. Our Coordinator for this part of the journey was Vick and Thelma Maris who had, some months earlier, visited our District as part of the RFE from D-5370. The Canadian atmosphere was greatly enhanced by the presence of Mike, a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman in uniform.

At this point, our team was split into two groups. Four went with hosts to Hinton and the remainder to hosts in Edson. Our hosts were George and Jaye Mah. George owned a retail clothier store in Edson and we visited to meet the staff. We learned that George and Jaye requested to host us as Jaye’s maiden name and mine were the same-Schulte. Consequently, Jaye and I spent a few hours tracing family history. George and Jaye made our stay with them a family affair. Dinner this night was a the home of Richard and Maureen Kroll who were hosting the Beamesderfers. A few miles to the West, in Hinton,  Bruce Deal, Janet and Lyle Russell hosted the remainder of the team where they visited the Hinton RC project in support of the Humane Society, viewed a fishery project of the RC providing access to spawning grounds for the indigenous fish and a Wetlands Project for visitors to walk on a boardwalk to view Beavers at work . Gerri Wootten, John and Hilda Lane together with  Mike and Stevie Wieland  were treated to Bruce Deal’s phenomenal culinary mastery. The scenery in Alberta is fabulous. Stands of Pine, birch and pinon are seen everywhere contributing to the clean air and wonderful vistas. During our stay, the team spent a day in Jasper National Park hoping to discover any wildlife trying to avoid us. Deer, Elk and goats were plentiful and we were able to get up close and personal.(14) On our way through the Park, we stopped at the Lodge, where Queen Elizabeth had stayed some months before and enjoyed the absolute pristine beauty of the place. While touring the shops in the basement of the Lodge, we met Will Rushton of the Jasper RC whose generosity, provided our sack lunches for the day. Continuing on, we passed a prominent rock formation which in the shape of a head – chin, lips, nose, eyebrows. The majority speculated that the head resembled either George Washington or Abe Lincoln or perhaps, even a prominent Canadian figure. It wasn’t long before we got up close and personal with Elk and Mountain Goats. (14) Unfortunately, our hosts had failed to tell the Bears we were coming as they were conspicuous by their absence.    The Athabasca Falls and Maligne Lake were on the agenda and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting both. We stopped along the Athabasca River to enjoy our box lunches thanks to Will Rushton of the Jasper RC. Our boat tour on Maligne lake provided an up close and personal contact with nature and the Rocky Mountain glacier scoured area. Hanging and valley glaciers were in abundance but we could not ignore the loss of glaciers that had receded to nothing leaving only a scarred and desolate but yet majestic landscape. (15) We disembarked for an excellent photo op overlooking Spirit Island. Additionally, the flower and fauna of this region are spectacular and demand one visits again. Dinner was at the Fiddle River Restaurant on main street in Jasper which was a fitting end for a glorious day. Our final day in Edson was rainy but it did not dampen our tour of the lumber mill which helped to clear the forests of dead and damaged trees supported by a manageable reforestation program. (16) We understood that the finished product was sent to Japan. The Lelies went Canoeing with Vick and Thelma Maris but, as it turned our, Lonnie spent more time in the water than in the Canoe. Kathleen and I, went on a short tour of Edson and crossed the only ferry left in Alberta which is operated by cable.
As with the first three phases of our visit, the final phase was about to begin. The day started with a fabulous champagne breakfast at the home of George and Jaye Mah where the Edson team gathered to do justice to a wonderful spread. Vic Maris brought over a potent mixture of pancake batter – his secret recipe.

There was no mistaking that this was a breakfast for champions.  In Hinton, Bruce prepared a breakfast not soon to be forgotten. Our last luncheon in Edson was at a Chinese Restaurant where friends of George and Jaye offer the best Jim Som in that part of Canada.  After saying our final goodbyes to our hosts and exchange of gifts we boarded another bus taking us back to Edmonton. (17) The weather had been kind to us most of the time and this day was no exception. By early afternoon, we were back in Edmonton where our Hosts met us and off we went in as many different directions until we were to meet again the following day.  These last few days gave us an opportunity to explore Edmonton sights, entertainment areas, the huge Shopping Mall of West Edmonton, (18) the Alberta Legislature and a final banquet sendoff. Two local tours  stick out for special mention – the Ft Edmonton Heritage Park and the Alberta Legislature. Like most Heritage Parks, this was an opportunity to look back in time from the Edmonton beginnings with fur trading and contact with the Indian Tribes to industrialization and finally modern times. It was a parade of history providing an in depth appreciation for the march of progress in Alberta. Lunch that day was with the Edmonton RC where we learned of their many accomplishments and meaningful programs with financial help from the Alberta Legislature.  (19) At the State Legislature, our guide, Ben, led us throughout the building touching all four floors and gaining, for us, an appreciation of the history of Alberta and its connection to the British Crown. Lastly, we met the Minister of Education, Mike Hancock, talked to us and gave us souvenir books on Alberta and then sponsored us for lunch in the legislature cafeteria. (20)
The final activity of the day was at Ted Griffins Shop where we were given a block of soapstone and rough files and told to shape a whale. Can you imagine ten people filing away on blocks of soapstone, getting covered in stone dust, finishing the piece with various grits of sand paper and hoping that our creation would resemble a whale. Surprisingly, most did look like whales of various shapes and sizes. (21) Dinner that night was at the home of Helga and Dave Kinnaird – who amazed everyone with his model train layout in the basement. Dave forgot to don his engineer’s cap.

Our tour was coming rapidly to a close and the best way to wrap it all up was at a final banquet. This was held at the home of Henk Henderson who was a past owner of a nursery. His back yard and all throughout the house were festooned with plants of all varieties. (22) The team and their hosts, along with other hosts who had come in from Camrose and Edson,  were all assembled and with some fan fare, made speech making a part of the agenda. We were  honored by DG Ross and Brenda Tyson with whom we traded District Banners.

On the final day we were off to the airport for flights back home. Those who had driven to Canada, returned to Camrose to retrieve their cars. 

This RFE was outstanding in every way. Our Canadian Hosts were there for us, welcomed us into their homes, saw to it that we had a memorable time and went out of their way to make this visit eventful and fulfilling. Several promised to return in the near future. .

There is a lot of activity in our district this year by various clubs who are helping to improve the health of their communities. If your club is doing projects not mentioned here, please let me know so we can keep the district informed!

1. The San Juan Rotary Club and Paul McQueary are dong an outstanding job getting district clubs involved in a very effective program to combat methamphetamine use by children and young people.

2. Andrew Garrison and the coaltion on obesity are very active finding ways to educate and promote the use of best practices to battle obesity which is a marker for unhealthy lifestyles and other health problems.

3. Several new and improved vaccines for preventable childhood diseases have been released in the last year and more are coming. Several clubs are helping improve New Mexico's inadequate immunization rates. The Rotary Club of Albuquerque is providing a $4000.00 matching grant, half for books and half for promotional activities to support immunization events in the Albuquerque area. Because of this effort, Bill WAlsh a Rotarian and an employee of The NM Primary Care Assoc. secured additional donation of books from Scholastic Books making the total effort worth about $25000.00.

4.The Santa Fe Immunization Coalition, made up of Santa Fe Rotary, The NM Dept of Health and other healthcare providers has helped support a major back to school immunization effort, a Wal-Mart tax free weekend clinic, and we have received a grant from the NM Immunization Coaltion to do a pilot project involving the day care centers and daycare homes in Santa Fe County to help them improve their efforts to make sure their pre-school children are properly immunized.

5. The new Health Officer for the State of New Mexico is Dr. Karen Armitage. She was formerly the District two health officer and the co-chairperson of the Santa Fe Immunization Coalition. She is a great friend of Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow. She thinks Rotarians walk on water. She is well aware of all Rotary does to support better health and is anxious help clubs all over the state to do more. The new NM immunization information system is working well and growing rapidly and helping to stop duplicate immunizations because of poor records.

6. Please send healthcare project information to Ken Campbell, district immunization and health concerns chairman at RotaryKen@msn.com 505-438-0525 2679 Via Caballero del Norte, Santa Fe, NM 78505-6528

Sixteen members of the Taos High School Interact Club of Taos, New Mexico, USA went to Peru and Bolivia on a service trip during the Christmas holidays last year. Taos Rotarian Maria Isabelle “Chavi” Petersen, a native of Bolivia, and Peruvian Rotarian Enrique Farfan organized the trip, which was supported by four additional adult chaperones from Taos. In 2006 many of these same students visited the impoverished Andean village of Maras, Peru as sophomores. They were deeply touched by the poverty there and the contrast with their own, more fortunate circumstances, so they promised to return to help the village school again.

In order to raise the money necessary for the 2007 trip, they worked hard for over a year, holding car washes, bake sales, a rummage sale, a silent auction, yard work, cleaning windows and giving tours of historic Taos. On the day before Christmas the Interact Club arrived at the Maras School. They had raised enough money to provide playground equipment, as well as food, cooking supplies and toys, which they gave to the village school. One of the Taos youth described “instant bonding” with these children. They were all touched by Sr. Farfan’s comment that “Every kid has the right to play, no matter how rich or poor, or their social condition.” Next they went to a nearby village, Mullakas, where a school had been built since their previous visit to the area. There, too they donated playground equipment, toys, food and supplies. Sr. Farfan told the Taos youth that they deserved some of the credit for the building of this school because their attention to the region in 2006 drew the government’s attention.

In Peru the students also visited Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and finally Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca, where they also gave toys to children. Then they crossed the border into Bolivia and traveled by bus to the capital, La Paz. There they visited a boys orphanage and gave them soccer balls, volleyballs, a blanket for each boy and clothing. Then they had quite an experience playing soccer with them at 3600 meters above sea level. Three of the students were able to visit a second orphanage in La Paz and provide supplies. Kahlil Oysler, a senior on his second trip to Peru offered this comment, which expressed the feelings of many in the Interact Club: “The experience was life changing. When we saw the children’s smiles, we knew that the playground equipment would be not just for them but for the next generation as well. Sam Rychener, a chaperone, summed up the life-changing experience of everyone on the trip: “The most memorable moments of all occurred shortly after we parked at the Maras school and walked around to the playground. We began to weep as the children who had followed our bus ran to the swings, slides and monkey bars that the Taos Interact Club had donated.

This was what the Interact Club had spent two years washing windows, throwing bake sales and soliciting donations for. We wept as a group and traced our fingers on the plaque that Cusco Rotary had installed at the edge of the playground. And the weeping continued as we inspected the classroom with the new treadle-operated sewing machines and saw the aprons the Maras children had made with them. That first fifteen minutes at the Maras school were moments I will always treasure even though I could hardly see them because of the tears in my eyes.” These young Taosenos had a powerful experience of “Service above self.”

PDG Bob Wootten felt that the 4 Way Test should be expanded to the 5 Way Test, the 5th being “is it FUN”.

Rotary realized that all work and no play (FUN) makes Rotary and Rotarians dull. One of the “funest” things in life is fellowship and, after all, that is what brought the 4 Founders of Rotary together.

Fellowship is still a big part of Rotary whether it is fellowship within the club or International Fellowship, which is fellowship between clubs and Rotarians, sometimes half way around the World. Fellowship programs take several forms, we will discuss the first one in this article. Global Networking Groups allow individual Rotarians from several countries to join together to focus on common interests. Through these groups, you can Share fellowship and friendship with thousands of Rotarians Meet other Rotarians with a similar hobby or vocational background Collaborate with Rotarians from around the world who are dedicated to a particular area of service.

There are two types of Global Networking Groups: Rotary Fellowship and Rotarian Action Groups.

Rotary Fellowships: Rotary was founded on fellowship, a concept that has been expanded internationally through the Rotary Fellowships, groups that bring together members from different countries and cultures to enjoy a shared interest. In addition to fostering lifelong friendships, Rotary Fellowship keep members active in Rotary sustaining their interest and further inspiring commitment. The nearly one hundred Rotary Fellowships encompass a variety of vocations and avocations, ranging from sports and hobbies to professional interests – all of which serve as a way to extend international fellowship, friendship, and service. In addition to offering members an opportunity to share their passion for a particular interest with like-minded Rotarians, many individual fellowship groups enable members to use their hobbies or skills to serve others. For example, the Fellowship of Canoeing Rotarians has organized cleanups of polluted rivers, and members of the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians conduct training sessions for Rotarians and other people in their community on how to use electronic media. Members of the International Fellowship of Rotarians with Repaired Hearts-or the “Zipper Club”, as they call themselves – have provided life-saving surgeries to disadvantaged children with severe heart defects.

Rotary Fellowships began informally in 1928 when Rotarians with a shared interest in Esperanto joined together. In 1947, a group of Rotarian boating enthusiasts began flying the Rotary flag from their rafts, calling themselves the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians; this fellowship now boasts the longest continuous existence. The scope of Rotary Fellowships has changed much over the years, but today their common purpose is still to unite Rotarians in friendship and provide venues for enjoying their favorite recreational or professional activities.

Some examples of Rotary fellowships: Antique Classic & Historic Automobiles, Canoeing, Editors & Publishers, Motorcycling, Magic, Scuba Diving, Yachting, Amateur Radio, Bridge, Petanque, Cycling, Yoga, Rotary on Stamps, Internet, Marathon Running, Curling, Running & Fitness, Horseback Riding, Football, Fishing, Handicrafts, Nurses, Quilters & Fiber Artist, Mountain Climbing and Hiking, Heart Surgery Survivors, Convention Goers.

Rotarian Action Groups: Rotarian Action Groups conduct international service projects that further the Object of Rotary. If you’re interested in supporting a particular type of service activity, there may be a Rotarian Action Group for you. Examples: Humanitarian Service, Blood Donation, Hearing Regeneration, Blindness Prevention, Water and Sanitation, Health Fairs, Population & Development, AIDS, Microcredit, Polio Survivors (PSA), Interest, Dental Volunteers, Multiple Sclerosis, Mine Action. In following articles we will discuss: Group Study Exchange Rotary Friendship Exchange Intercountry committees (ICCs) Open World PDG

Happy New Year Rotary! Hello Rotary Del Norte! I hope that your new years has kicked off to a great start! It has been far too long since I wrote last, and a lot has happened. Now I'm in my second host family, and it is going really great. Moving was very hard. I really loved my first family, I got along great with them, had a lot of really good times, but I know it's a good experience to change. It's good to meet more people, learn to adapt (haven't I had enough of that already?), and learn more about the different lifestyles there are in your host country. Now I'm on summer vacation from my school. So far I've spent some time on the family farm, riding horses, eating strange fruits right off the tree, learning to make cheeses from the morning milking, and just relaxing in the company of my new family. Along with going to various concerts with friends and playing a lot of guitar.

This Saturday, I'm off with my host mom to Mato Grosso Do Sul, a state close to the border of Paraguay, to visit my host uncle, learn about the indigenous people of the region, and just see a bit more of Brazil. We may be going to Pantanal, which is like the Amazon but smaller, to see what that's like as well. We will be driving the whole way, about 18 hours, so I should be able to see a lot of the countryside on the way. The moment I get back from this trip, I'm off on another with my first host family to the beach. And then school starts again. Time passes fast. Already I am half way through my exchange year. And I hate to think about leaving Brazil. I honestly am loving it here. I've adapted so well to the culture, the people, and even the language, that some people believe I am Brazilian (that is if I don’t talk much). The Portuguese is still a little difficult, but no longer is it a constant restraint. I am understanding almost everything, and I can converse pretty smoothly. I have yet to dream in Portuguese, at least that I am aware of, but when I am speaking English, it is stranger for me then Portuguese. There have been times when I'm speaking with someone from home and I start speaking in Portuguese without even knowing it. I suppose that is a sign that I'm learning.

My homesickness has pretty much passed...probably because I'm just having too much fun here to remember what I'm missing, but the holidays were are little difficult away from home. I didn't feel so much in the Christmas spirit this year... It was about 95 degrees on Christmas day. The only way I knew it was Christmas was the lights that were up around the city. The customs here in Brazil are so different. The holiday is more a time for a party then a time for peace. No one stays in the house Christmas Eve. Everyone is with the entire family, opening gifts in a torrented mess and dancing until the sun comes up. Food is less of a concern. There is only one real Christmas food, which is a special bread with chocolate chips called panatone. They don't really make special cakes or cookies. Just a big lunch of turkey, rice and beans (it's a given), salad, and a chicken pot pie-like tort. The week before Christmas I went with my host club to deliver presents to sick children in the hospitals of the city. It was a good thing for me to see, although it was difficult. We went around the city on top of a firetruck, with the signal blaring (Brazilians..) and left gifts in each hospital. Each person had a Santa hat, and 3 were totally dressed as Santa. It was nice to see the faces of these kids light up when they saw us come in...but difficult to see children in this condition. I have a blog up about my realizations and such: https://sommerinbrazil.blogspot.com/ along with a photo website: https://picasaweb.google.com/sommerbrazil Well, I should be getting back to my immersion.

Thank you for this opportunity. I could not have asked for a better year, or a better opportunity. 2007 has been the year that brought the most changes in my life, but also, it has been the best year of my life. I can say that with certainty. And I'm so glad to be kicking of 2008 here in Brazil. This year will be just as good as the past, it will bring changes, growth, and many good experiences as well. I'm excited for what is to come, and glad to remember what has passed. This time I will never ever forget. This exchange year is in my memory forever. Best wishes for all of you in the coming year.

As they say here in Brazil, lots of health, peace, prosperity, love, happiness, and everything good for you. Tchau!

Your adoring exchange student, Sommer

Alethea Scally, District 5520’s outbound Ambassadorial Scholar, spoke recently to the Rotary Club of Santa Fe.

She will be leaving in February for Buenos Aires, Argentina to pursue a master’s degree in International Political Economics at the Universidad Torauato di Tella. In Alethea’s speech to the Rotary Club of Santa Fe, she stressed the importance of a proactive approach to reach out to educating area youth to Rotary’s youth programs.

Alethea said that in high school she was aware of Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program, but couldn’t find information on how to become involved. Prior to contacting the Rotary Club of Santa Fe, she learned of the Ambassadorial Scholarship Program through searching the internet. A 1998 graduate of Santa Fe High School and a 2003 graduate of St. Mary’s College in California,

Alethea first learned about Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholarship in high school. But it wasn’t until March 2006, when she took it upon herself to learn about opportunities abroad for advanced degrees, that Alethea contacted the Rotary Club of Santa Fe’s Ambassadorial Scholarship Chair Joe Skubi. With the recommendation of the Club, Alethea’s application was forwarded to the District committee.

In August 2006, Alethea was chosen from a field of five highly qualified scholars. Ten years of education and numerous professional and volunteer experiences are included in Alethea’s lengthy resume. She is currently working as Arizona’s Congressman Raul Grijalva’s Senior Education Policy Advisor.

Her work is concentrated on re-writing sections of the No Child Left Behind Act. Prior to working for Congressman Grijalva, Alethea served as an intern for New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall. While living in Washington, DC Alethea was a member of the Rotaract club where she served as the Professional Development Chair. While serving in this position, she worked with members of the Washington, DC Rotary Club. Alethea also volunteered as an English as a Second Language teacher and as co-chair of a young professional networking group interested in International Relations.

During her year in Argentina Alethea plans to keep in touch with District 5520 by linking her blog and webpage to District 5520’s website. Additionally, Alethea can be contacted at alethea.scally@gmail.com

Crystal Darkness is a multi-media grassroots campaign to educate young people and parents about the dangers of crystal methamphetamine.

The purpose of the campaign is to prevent young people from trying this drug and to provide help to those people who are addicted. This drug is destroying lives. Law enforcement officials estimate that over 70% of all property and auto burglary crimes are committed by meth addicts. Over 75% of all identity theft crimes are committed by meth addicts. It costs over $100,000 to arrest, prosecute and rehabilitate just one meth addict.

Crystal Darkness Documentary Will Be Broadcast On April 10, 2008 in a Roadblock The station managers from KOB TV, KOAT TV, KRQE TV, WB19 and KASA Fox TV, are donating airtime to broadcast the Crystal Darkness documentary at 6:30 PM on Thursday, April 10, 2008.

The documentary will air in a roadblock, which means that Crystal Darkness will be the only program that they can watch at this time on those stations. In Portland and Las Vegas, Crystal Darkness received a 50 share, which means that over 50% of the homes with televisions in those markets watched the program. These ratings are comparable to Super Bowl viewership. Goal of the Campaign Because of the havoc that this drug is wreaking on our state, it is our goal to have the entire state of New Mexico watching Crystal Darkness on April 10th.

Because drug dealers are primarily targeting our youth, it is especially imperative that every young person watch this program. To accomplish this, we need to develop a delivery organization to reach every teacher, principal and school superintendent with the purpose of delivering the Crystal Darkness message to every child between the ages of 10 and 18. The initial task would be to distribute a one page flyer that promotes the program to every student. We would also need to distribute lesson plans to teachers so that they can assign watching the program as homework. The follow-up task would be to provide training to teachers, youth pastors, parents and students so that they can provide follow-up training. A Training the Trainer program was developed in Las Vegas, NV. Thus far they have trained over 23,000 trainers and Crystal Meth awareness and prevention sessions have been conducted throughout the city. A critical component to this training is a multi-page color booklet that explains the top 10 reasons why a person should never experiment with this drug.

How Rotary District 5520 Can Help - Involve clubs in a statewide organizational effort to bring all NM Rotary clubs into the effort. - Request every NM Club to donate money to the effort and ask each of them to request matching funds from the Rotary Region and Rotary International - Enlist all NM Rotary clubs to deliver the materials and lesson plans to the schools and directly to the teachers who will be assigning homework and leading the classroom discussion. The Cost Printing costs are estimated to be $50,000. However, if Rotary Club has some members who own printing companies, these costs can be lessened by in kind donations of paper, printing, etc. In Las Vegas and Reno, Rotary was responsible for getting all of the materials printed.

John Kenny, Rotary International President 2009 has named El Paso real estate executive, Sonny Brown, as Moderator for Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California in January 2009.

As moderator, he and his wife, Ann, will organize the training for 530 District Governors and their spouses representing over 200 countries.

Founder of Sonny Brown Associates, a commercial and industrial real estate consulting firm he is member of the Paso del Norte Group and serves on its Membership Committee and its Bi-National Committee. He has served as director, El Paso Industrial Development Corporation, Commissioner on the Housing Authority of El Paso, and Vice-President of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves Rotary as Chairman of Rotary’s Leadership Development and Training Committee. He is Past President of the Rotary Club of El Paso, Past District Governor for New Mexico and West Texas and Past Vice President and Director of Rotary International, and Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. He is a co-founder of Rotary’s Institute for Leadership in the El Paso/Juarez area. For his service in El Paso and the Texas/NM Rotary District, he was awarded El Paso Rotary Club’s Distinguished Service Award. The District’s annual best business award is named the Sonny Brown Business of the Year Award. He is the recipient of Rotary’s “Service Above Self” award.

Think back to when you were first introduced to Rotary. Although there are many service organizations in each of our communities, what was it that attracted you to Rotary? Was it the friendliness of the group, how they made you feel welcome or perhaps it was seeing a group of individuals who were working together to help others. Whatever your initial reason, I know that once you became involved in Rotary you found a group of sincere, caring, and involved people. These folks soon became your “extended family.”

In addition to the friends and “family” that we see weekly at our meetings, there are other members of this “extended family” that we see less often. They are the spouses/partners and the children and grandchildren of fellow Rotarians or they are our retired Rotarians. Gradually, we extend this family of Rotary outward to include our student Rotarians, the Interactors, Rotaractors, RYLA campers, and all of the Exchange participants. If we are truly fortunate, we become involved in District Rotary, and beyond. The world is truly our playground and we, through Rotary, have “family” around the world! What an awesome thought! Yes, we are a family!

As a family we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, births, and successes. And, we share the sadness of illnesses and deaths. As family, it is our job to offer encouragement and support, to ask for and receive help, and to just “be there” when we are needed. To what degree do we do this with our “extended family?” President Wilfred Wilkinson asked that each of our clubs develop a plan to strengthen the support and involvement of the whole Family of Rotary. What is your club doing to promote the Family of Rotary? I would like to encourage you to develop a plan to strengthen participation, recognition, and involvement of all Rotarians and their families. Through this, our clubs will find a renewed commitment to Rotary, membership will grow, and we will retain existing members.

How can your club improve/expand the things you are already doing? Here are a few ideas:

• Establish a tracking system to maintain communication and involvement

• Contact “retired” and honorary Rotarians and issue a special invitations to join your club for a meeting, recognition event, or a social event

• Invite Interact and Rotaract members to special events

• Send birthday cards, congratulation cards and sympathy cards to members

• Share their grief and offer support during an illness and after a death in the family

• Issue a special invitation to spouses/partners to join in Rotary activities and fundraisers

• Invite spouses/partners to the Induction Ceremony or for special recognition

• Recognize Rotarians for their accomplishments and contributions (monetary and time)

Let’s push our recognition and involvement with our “extended family” to a new level this year! Please share your ideas by emailing me at elaine.mckinney@zianet.com. Let’s take time to nurture and grow our Family of Rotary.

Dear All:

Last night was the going away party for the Canadians held at the Brian and Audrey Haggerty's. The food, camaraderie and genuine fellowship was enjoyed by all and the parting was sweet sorrow. I suspect the Alb group felt the same sweet sorrow when the Canadians left there. In Las Cruces, it was apparent, when we picked them up for transport to El Paso, that the feelings of close friendship was overflowing. It was evident that parting , again, was sweet sorrow. Hopefully, and although the visit was very short, the Socorro group felt a strong kinship for this small group of Canadian Rotarians who showed a keen interest in everything they saw and in everyone they met.

While they were in El Paso, the group was very vocal in their praise of all the effort and coordination which culminated in their final five days. The visit to Alamogordo was definitely a highlight of their visit and the efforts of the Alamo WS RC, arranged by Nancy Words was beyond expectations. Vicki and her husband opened their lovely SW Style home rescuing us from the ravages of high winds and blowing dust. The group could not have been more pleased.

Other highlights of the trip were equally praised. The Balloon Ascension in Alb was apparently beyond description, and the trips to Acoma Pueblo and Santa Fe provided a real taste of our Southwest paradise. The wetlands near Socorro caught their interest and they were convinced that this was the proper place for Canadian Geese to visit. We were lucky to have great weather and warm days . Even the Sand Storm on Sunday was viewed as a great and natural event that strikes newcomers as a gift from the Gods.

Finally, we all agreed that the RFE group from Canada was impressed with us and our surroundings. Ed Korbyl, the coordinator for the group suggested we reciprocate with a visit of D-5520 Rotarians to his part of the world, Alberta, Canada the last two weeks of Jul 2008. He promised relative mild temps and sunshine. Toward that end, I am sure that a min of two couples and at least one single are committed to going - a great start.

Please convey this info to your hosts etc., and let's see if we can get a small group of ten couples to sign up. I would like to recognize everyone who had a hand in making this visit for our Canadian friends such a huge success. I plan to recognize everyone involved with a District Certificate of Thanks.

Please send your list to me as soon as possible and I'll ask our DG to sign them. Thanks again for your commitment and friendship. Dan

How I missed a Rotary meeting

I talked to our DG Jackie Morgan yesterday. She asked me to do her a favor. Well when the DG asks for a favor you have only two answers. Yes and Yes. All others are somewhat weak. She said that we had lost our district Public Relations person because he was moving out of the area. So would I please look around my part of the district and see if there was anyone who might be interested in filling this position. "No problem." I'll go to the meeting tomorrow of one of our clubs and see if I can talk to a few people who might be interested in the position. I have several ideas about the right person for the job.

So this morning I get dressed up in my finest district leadership team shirt and Rotary pin and off I go to the meeting. I arrive at the designated location about 10 minutes prior to the stated starting time for the meeting. I look around, hmmm, no Rotarians anywhere. Am I in the wrong place? No, I had checked on line and this was the right place, day and time. So I go to the front desk to ask about the Rotary meeting. This may not have been the brightest idea I ever had. I wait about five minutes while the only desk clerk registers two guests. Finally he gets to me. "Does the Rotary club meet here today?" I ask. "Let me see, I think so," is his reply. Let me ask and see. Off he goes, swallowed by the demons of the back room. He finally returns and says, "I think there is a meeting somewhere, we're not sure what hotel it's at but they aren't here today." Wow great observation. "What hotel," I ask. We're not sure, it's either, here he mentions a hotel or at another hotel. By now the time is 12 Noon, the meeting, wherever it is, has started and either hotel mentioned is at least a fifteen minute drive. I go home. No Rotary meeting for me today. So Jackie that is the reason I have no report on my idea. Beats the story of the dog eating my homework, you teachers never believed that either.

Did this have to happen? The answer is a simple no.

Here is where your club service director needs to be in action. Ask one of your members if they would be willing to sit at the regular meeting site and greet visiting Rotarians. They can direct them to the proper location for the meeting. I could have made it if someone had been on the spot to tell me where to go. For me it was not a disaster, and for most people missing a meeting is not the end of the world. However it is frustrating to get dressed, drive a half hour to attend a meeting and find there isn't one.So that's my thought for this month. Let's share Rotary with everyone but then let's be there so that when they visit we can welcome them.

“So what will you do if you are living in a household that eats mushrooms while saunaing in the nude?” I hesitated, sensing a note of sarcasm and laughed out loud with Sloan as she realized I understood her joke. On my Rotary application under the question, what are your dislikes, I had written one word: mushrooms. They have been the one and only food I have never acquired a taste for, and of course that came up at my first interview for foreign exchange.

At first I was filled with excitement; a year in a foreign country, learning a new language and customs, the idea is overwhelming. I was given a website where I downloaded the whole nineteen-page application.

Then uncertainty set in, the first interview in the tower of the interviewing process is with Sloan, Brad, and Dawn, youth exchange volunteers. They ask you the basic questions: Why would you like to be a foreign exchange student? Do you think you could handle the pressure of being without your parents for a year? What would you do in “this” situation? Would I make it in? After the first interview I felt as if I had finally finished one hurtle in the long race of applying to be a foreign exchange student. Now I had to move on to the next hurtle and meet the district interviewers. Applying and becoming accepted into the rotary foreign exchange program is intense. As a young girl I was quoted as regularly telling my parents how much I loved them and would never leave them, as any young child would. Our family friend, Michelle Frechette would come over after lunch with Rotary on her mind, she would ask if I wanted to be a foreign exchange student and visit another country for a year. My answer was always the same: “Never, I never want to leave my family and Corrales.” This idea amused my parents. She would always ask the same question and my answer never changed. She soon realized that I was “never” going to say yes so she stopped asking, until last September. We were sitting on the floor near the fireplace counting scrabble tiles when she asked her usual question, and I simply said “sure.” My Mom and Michelle couldn’t believe their ears, and to tell you the truth, neither could I. In my mind it sounded like a great plan. Why not go on an adventure, travel, and explore new things? But the idea that this was really going to happen still astounded me. I mean it’s one thing to think about leaving your home for a year, and a whole other thing to actually get up and take action towards that goal. I had apprehension about the idea of leaving home and now that’s what I was doing.

I made it through the interview and acceptance process, my application was bound for Finland and I was filled with more excitement; a year in a foreign country experiencing new things. I talked to everyone I knew that had any information about student exchange; parents whose children had gone on exchange, seniors who had been in another country their senior year, and inbound students from other countries. I couldn’t get enough. Every person I talked to gave me a different outlook on the idea. Many even knew a little information about Finland, which they graciously shared with me!

Freezing. Icicle hair. Winter. Mile after mile of vast, uninhabited, snowy land. The trees bend from the immense weight of the snow. The 95,000 lakes are frozen, dotted with hundreds of bundled ice fisherman sitting over their holes eating their noonday meal. Furnaces burning, people look forward to their daily time in the warmth of the sauna. Summer. People retreat to their summer cottages on the lakes. Boating, waterskiing, swimming. Fish, fish, and more fishing. People bustle through the once empty streets. Merchants are seen in the markets showing off their yield. Bright colors fill the towns as people emerge. Finland.

Though this application and interviewing process has been strenuous these last eight months, the reward is so much greater and I am filled with anticipation about the great big world of Finland, which is yet to come.

An open letter to all the Club Service directors.

Greetings to all of you club service directors.

Let’s fasten our seat belts and get going on a great new year in Rotary! Out of curiosity I looked up the club service information on the R.I. web site. Here is what I found: Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club. So what does this mean to you as Rotarians and especially to the Club Service directors? Just this, anything you want it to. Years ago I asked an attorney friend of mine what time it was, his reply, “What time do you want it to be?” So what do you want to accomplish as the Club Service director? I feel that it is still most important that you work with the program committee to bring good programs to each meeting. We have also found that an open meeting every other month is a good idea. We can take care of the presentation of Paul Harris Fellowships at this meeting, along with our local foundation awards. We can handle other club business and take care of “house keeping,” things that keep getting pushed aside during a regular meeting. Another part of your job is to see to the training of new Rotarians. Too many clubs induct a new member and they are on their own. A “SPUR” or Red Badge program is vital to the health of your club and its members. Don’t assume that they will, “get it.” A good way to involve a new member quickly is have them be a greeter. I like to come into a meeting and have someone I don’t know yet greet me and welcome me to the meeting. Furthermore a greeter is essential when you have visiting Rotarians. There is nothing worse than to walk into a strange club meeting and after you pay for your meal be totally ignored! Many years ago I was working our of town in a strange city for about four weeks, each week I attended the only Rotary Club meeting in town. Each week I paid my money and sat at a table. For three weeks no one sat with me. The members would come in and look at me and go to another table. Finally the fourth meeting I spoke up. I told them that they made me ashamed to be a Rotarian! I said no one should be treated as I had been. They were rude and unpleasant. My little tirade was a waste of my time and only showed my inability to contain my temper. Guess what? The next year I was back working in the same town. No Rotary Club! They had failed. I wonder why? This is just one way a Club Service director can do the job. Help make new members into Rotarians by training and getting them involved.

Bob Rosenak, District Club Service director

As with the previous three Rotary years, Literacy will be a priority this year for Rotary Clubs around the world.   District and International Goals include: every Rotary club participating in International Literacy Day on September 8th 2007 and Rotary Literacy Month in March 2008.  Every Rotary Club will be asked to participate in a Rotary Literacy project either at home or abroad.  Clubs are also encouraged to seek opportunities to work with other organizations and educational institutions in promoting literacy in their local community and throughout the world.

Some of the most popular literacy projects conducted by Rotary Clubs are:

Dictionary Projects:  Local clubs donate dictionaries to third grade children.  Members of the clubs present the dictionaries to the children in their classrooms.  A great dictionary is available from The Dictionary Project (www.dictionaryproject.org).  I recommend “A Student’s Dictionary.”  These are small paperbacks that would be easy for students to carry and are available for $1.45 each.  

Adopt-a-school or school partnerships usually involve a club partnering with a local school to provide reading buddies or mentors for students at risk.  Some programs serve older children or even adults.  These partnerships can evolve into other projects to help needy students.  See the article written by Mike Chittom on the Literacy page (www.rizones29-30.net) for an excellent example.

Four-Way Test projects come in many forms.  The most popular is a local or district Four-Way Test Essay Contest.  For an example see the Fort Collins, Colorado model (www.rotary5440.org/fortcollinsco-4waybrochure/)

Books as gifts for schools or babies come in many forms.  School districts are always in need for library books.  An increasingly popular idea is to present a book to a new born child and its mother before they leave the hospital.  Materials are given to the mother impressing on her the value of reading to her child from birth.   A good resource would be the Director of Instruction for your local school district. 

Books donated to Jails and Prisons meet many needs.  My own Rotary Club in Clovis donates used paperbacks to the local jail.  This meets the needs of prisoners and will make you popular with your spouse when all those paperbacks find a new home.  Our jail will not accept hard backs because they can be used as weapons.

I will be contacting club presidents and asking that a survey be completed listing literacy projects in your local club.  As you can see, there are many ways your club can meet literacy needs in your community.  For more information please take a look at (www.RotaryLiteracy.com) or contact Lonnie Leslie (lleslie@literacy5520.com).

The Four-Way Test: A Rotary Tradition

Rotary has a simple Four-Way Test

Known throughout the land from east to west,

North to south – all corners of the globe:

Four simple questions, engineered to probe

Our actions and promote morality

In dealings with the world. Essentially,

This quartet asks, “Is what you’re doing right?

Or should it be consigned to dark of night?

If the latter, why do it at all?

Should not your actions match a higher call?”

“Is it the truth?” These four words challenge me

To speak with honor and integrity,

Respectful of the facts, be what they may,

So that my words ring true throughout the day.

It isn’t always easy, but I know

That if I tell the truth where e’er I go,

I spend no time remembering what I’ve said;

Where truth prevails, no person is misled.

“Is it fair to all concerned?” Each deed

Should resonate and echo Rotary’s creed

As ripples, rolling outward from the start,

Touch all others fairly in the heart.

Do no harm, you might say, and it’s true

That doing good to others honors you.

If what you do is seen by all as fair,

The deeds you do require no repair.

Question three asks, “Will it build good will

And better friendships?” Is there greater thrill

Than working in the service of another,

A friend, a customer, indeed a brother?

Life is people; they’re the source of joy.

In their behalf, consistently employ

Your talents so that those who follow next

Will emulate your model as their text.

“To all concerned, will it be beneficial?”

Use your intuition – be judicial.

Recognize that you are but a part

Of something greater than yourself. At heart,

You are here on earth the briefest while,

So greet each one you meet with sun and smile.

They should know that what you do serves all

In ways both celebrated and quite small.

“Is it fun?” Rio Grande Rotary

Asserts that this fifth question is a key

To living life in joy and harmony.

If what you do brings gloom, I guarantee

That others will not follow in your stead;

Your cheerless message will remain unread.

So while remembering the other four,

Summon up some “fun” – it’s not a chore.

Rotary’s Four Way Test is, yes, a code

For travel anywhere upon life’s road.

If to these challenges we do adhere,

We’ll benefit all people who appear

Before us. So, as you proceed each day,

Remember to have fun, to laugh and play,

Guided by four questions – Rotary’s test

Of how you might live life and be your best.

© Poems For All Occasions 2007

Alethea Scally
Santa Fe Rotary Club
Essay # 1 / Ambassadorial/ Autobio

I have a hereditary wanderlust. My maternal grandparents immigrated to this country from Latin America, and my paternal grandparents from Scotland. Afflicted with a similar condition, my parents earned their college degrees in California and Boston and, as a young couple searching for work, immigrated to Quebec. The three years they intended to stay grew into fourteen.

I was that peculiar hybrid known as an "American-born-abroad." My childhood was populated with a lively array of Quebecois babysitters, playmates, neighbors and teachers; my home life, filled with Scottish lullabies and Spanish endearments, played against a background of American English, music, children's literature and Canadian'ehs." Short trips to the U.S. Northwest and California required that I adjust my ear to thick Scottish brogues and fine -tune my childhood French to my grandmother's lilting Spanish.

At the very least, this melange of four cultures has always provided good conversation. But more importantly, it has keenly shaped my interest in learning about a diversity of cultures, languages, and governments. A childhood in Quebec exposed me to a much different way of life from that experienced in Santa Fe as a young teenager. An exploration of my immigrant roots on both sides of the family sparked my interest in learning Spanish well, so that I could communicate with my maternal grandmother and savor the characters and stories of her generation. It also led to travel around Scotland and the United Kingdom in search of more family contacts and tales.

This inborn curiosity and love of learning carried over to my academic endeavors. At first I was focused on biology, then economics. At one point it was Chinese. But finally I decided upon Spanish and French because they are two of the most widely spoken languages in global business and politics. Moreover, I had always enjoyed a
love of reading and writing in a language other than English; so why not pursue three? Completing the Spanish Honors degree at St. Mary's College in Cuernavaca, Mexico proved invaluable. I not only learned a foreign language, but also unearthed different aspects of my ethnic background. Bridging the cultural divide through the native language allowed me to see Mexican culture with new eyes, not as a hyphenated-Americana, but as a rapidly developing native-speaker . This facility in language admits one to an exclusive group in which citizenship and ethnic background do not apply, only the fact that one can communicate and understand.

Throughout my life I have used these languages to share experiences with and help others. While at Dickmson College in Pennsylvania, I volunteered at a food bank called Project Share. I would often use my Spanish to translate a family's needs to the food bank supervisor. This task required little effort on my part, and at the time I did not fully realize the impact it had on others. I now realize how grateful the families were that their
basic needs could be understood and met. Their "gracias" radiated relief.
The same exploratory spirit that triggered my interest in various languages also influenced my academic career. I attended three colleges, each as different from one another as the cultures in which I was raised. In a manner of speaking, I moved through three distinct academic cultures. I began at Dickmson with a scholarship and
an opportunity to live on the East Coast, a far cry from the maverick mentality and landscape of New Mexico. I went to St. John's in Annapolis because I wanted to explore an alternative curriculum focused on the Great Books.

And I ended at St. Mary's College after discovering that a liberal arts education at a small college was best suited to my interests and academic focus.
At every college, I fostered strong ties with my professors in order to succeed as a new transfer student. The one-on-one learning through student-teacher independent study sessions has proved indispensable. By choosing to transfer, I forged my own social and academic path at every new school; and this ability to travel forth and meet the unknown head-on became a valuable trait both in studying abroad and in confronting various challenges in life. In a sense I welcomed and thrived on the role of outsider, whether to another culture, another language, or another college. Like Henry Thoreau, I sensed that in order to understand a place well I should eye it, at a slight distance, as a newcomer.
This inquisitive quality brought me to the nation's capital. After writing an article for my local newspaper on child care in New Mexico, I wondered why there wasn't enough money for those in need. How were federal dollars appropriated, and how were priorities set? Although at times disillusioned with the law-making process, working for the Congressman has proven a treasured experience. In my three years on the Hill, I've seen first-hand the positive impact of civic engagement and advocacy; I've also puzzled over how many of my peers outside the Beltway know so little of the complex organization of their government. These observations correlate directly to a career in the international arena, as I see a study abroad experience as a kind of civic engagement, one that all of us should undertake. It is our duty in this era of globalization to reach out and explore the cultures with which we seek common ground in trade and politics. I hope to gain that insight through living and learning abroad and by honing at an international level the skills I developed by working with so many disparate homegrown constituencies.
To this end, I plan to pursue a career that will allow me to draw on not only my various languages, but also my talents in negotiating and listening. I intend to pursue an MAMBA joint degree program through the University of Pennsylvania and the Johns Hopldns University School of Advanced International Studies-- the MA in whatever language I do not perfect through this scholarship, and the MBA with an international focus. An Ambassadorial Scholarship would certainly enhance my application to this program because it would provide me with a strong international experience from which to make my case. But more importantly, it would offer me the opportunity to experience as an adult a different culture, to master a language, and to create lifetime professional and personal relationships.
Throughout my life I have worked to enrich myself personally, academically and professionally. It is this desire to learn from first-hand, tangible experiences that drives my motivation to explore other cultures and live abroad. I possess the skill, adventurous curiosity, and perseverance to be an Ambassador of Goodwill in a foreign land. I imagine returning not just as an American citizen but as a global citizen, one who can share my experiences abroad with my peers and professional colleagues at home and who might just inspire wanderlust in someone else.

Dear Rotarians de Santa Fe and surrounding areas ­

Sawadika (hello) from Thailand! I¹m sorry it¹s taken me so long to send update on the Peace and Conflict Studies Program here in Bangkok. Any of my extra time and attention has been focused on my health, and trying to recover from a variety of lingering ailments, which have been plaguing me since the moment I arrived. Unfortunately, my status quo health state is just that: no better or worse than when I¹ve arrived. Perhaps I¹m just managing my energy better. So I¹ll fill you in a bit on how it¹s going so far.

Our group of fifteen met at the University of Chulalongkorn International House where we¹ve been lodged in lovely rooms equipped with CNN and BBC. A business center with internet is nearby. Just down the street is the most monstrous mall complex I think I¹ve ever seen: MBK, a seven-floor metropolis, packed with meandering mobs and stuff you never imagined you might need.

The participants are varied and of the 15 we run the gamut of conflict-prone areas from India, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Philippines, Korea, and Nepal. We come from every level of government and civil society: an Army general and a teacher, scientists and activists, and, of course, one journalist. The connections and friendships we make are a large part of the experience.

Divided into four modules, the program began with a conceptual overview of the study of Peace and conflict then moved onto structures of conflict. We¹ll get to methods of resolution by the final weeks. It also includes three separate field trips, each to cover a different kind of conflict. We traveled to the northeast of Thailand to look at dam building, then next month we¹ll go to the Burma-Thai border to look at the oil pipeline and the factors of resource-based conflict. Our third trip is to Southern Thailand, where people are being killed every day, to look at the ingredients of ethnic-based conflict.

I¹ll admit the first module seemed painfully basic and slow for me, having already studied concepts of peace. But by module two the information was new ­ and thrilling. Our lecturer was Erik Melander a professor from Uppsala University in Sweden, one of the preeminent research institutes for conflict tracking. Erik led us through conflict mapping and tracking exercises, showing us which components to consider when looking for options of redress and how to find common ground for all parties involved. He is one among many talented presenters, but I¹ll admit his clarity was welcome following Thai presenters whose accents, sadly, I could not yet understand. Those early days were a bit of a haul but the intonations and expressions are much easier now.

When asked to present to a dinner of Rotarians some of the lessons we learned during our first month, my observations were quite simple. That conflict, in almost every case, begins with inequality and a sense of injustice. Whether the injustice is perceived or real is irrelevant; the conflict will not go away until the root cause is dealt with. Now, finding a way to deal with the injustice can take any number of paths and negotiations ­ and it is never easy, though resource-based (eg. Land, except, of course, if you¹re dealing with the Middle East) conflicts are usually easier to negotiate than ethnic-based ones. The second most common factor is a lack of law (or UN resolution) enforcement, for example illegal salt farming in the Thai countryside, or forceful and illegal acquisition of land by warring countries.

A few other notable details: Historically, conflicts have lessened overall and have moved from inter to intrastate conflicts. At the same time the proportion of civilians killed to warring members has skyrocketed; today the safest place to be in the event of any conflict is in the military! One of the most important factors for me was acknowledging and looking at the benefit of conflict, that it can be a ­ if not the ­ most important factor in social change and should not be considered inherently bad. Armed conflict is what we¹re hoping to avoid, but after reviewing too many conflicts, it¹s clear to see how desperate and frustrated people can feel pushed to do desperate and violent things. When a child is hungry a mother will take up arms. She is capable of anything.

The organization of the program is excellent, down to the last detail. And as the initiators of Rotary¹s newest program we also realize that our recommendations, likes and dislikes, will help shape and sharpen the program for those who follow. It is an amazing project that can have profound impact on those of us already working with and interested in issues of conflict and negotiation. My kudos go to the inspired creators of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program, and my great thanks go to my Rotary sponsors in Santa Fe, N.M. I hope many more Americans will show interest and sign on -- they¹re taking applications now! In the meantime, you can email with any questions.

All best,

Zelie

Dear Readers,

“Service above Self” reflects the theme of Rotarians around the globe.  So what is Rotary Club in this community?  Members of the Grants-Milan Rotary Club took that theme to the extreme the weekend of July 14 like none I have ever seen…and I didn’t see this  either.  I was at a family funeral and then on vacation out-of-state. 

When the president of a group goes on vacation as I did, there is often a concern for things going smoothly.  Not for one minute did I worry because our vice president, Mac Juarez, was in charge during my absence.  As events unfolded, I was right.  He would take care of things far beyond what anyone anticipated.

With our Fire and Ice booth duties looming, we had wonderful cooperation with Sylvia Anzures-Gonzales and husband Pat gathering the items for sale and other Rotarians joining in the days of selling from our booth.  Everyone in Rotary who was available pitched in to serve the event and the community.  Walmart’s Sal Avalo and Sky City Enterprises’ Charlene Selbee, both Rotary Club members, donated all the items we sold. 

With the earnings, we would have money for service projects in the community and world, not anticipating some would be allocated very quickly in memory of a member from the last shift.  How strange that the booth became the least of our concerns before the rally concluded.

The last day of the rally, our Club Secretary, Ed Smith, Sr., showed up at his appointed time to work, but our vice president bid him go be with his family.  You see, Ed’s grandson Shay Smith, age 2, of Lovington, Colorado, had drowned in a Colorado lake the prior day.  To date little Shay’s body has not been found.

For the last hurrah of the rally, David Ogle and Danny Maldonado of Mesa Flooring here, worked with Mac and closed the booth about 3pm.  To relax after a successful service project in the community, David and Danny headed over to Route 66 Casino in David’s car to continue the camaraderie with some fun playing poker.  They took different tables.  When David collapsed to the floor with a heart attack, Danny heard the thump. 

Then Danny, a fellow Rotarian, did what members do.  He stayed with David in the ambulance ride to Albuquerque, he stayed with David as family arrived, he stayed with David as hospital officials said they could do no more for David.  Danny finally called one of his own family members to come and get him as he had ridden with David after their service to community   He then retrieved David’s car from the casino parking lot where they parked to have a fun afternoon together. 

What a turn of events and what a blessing it was that David was with a Rotarian brother.  I stopped to see Danny at his store when I returned as we knew he needed our support for what having walked the final hours with David.  He had attended the Tuesday meeting immediately following that Sunday and was surrounded by caring and concerned members, he said.

When Rotary met on July 25, members prayed for both Ed and his family and for David’s family.  Nestor Griego proposed that $100 of the Fire and Ice earnings go to the local Walk for Life in David’s name.  It was done along with a plant to the Smith family in Colorado.  Twelve of the 20 Rotarians attended David’s funeral.

What is Rotary Club, you ask?  It is “Service above Self.” 

Why are we members?  If it isn’t already obvious, it is to help humankind wherever we are needed.

In solidarity with Rotarians Internationally,

Sandee D. Kosmo, Grants-Milan Rotary Club President