This past week, we had our "Retro" meetings where we met at Rotarians' business locations to learn more about their vocations, just like how Rotary started! Thanks so much to Shirley Anderson with Klinger Constructors and to Steve Reynolds with Jimmy's Cafe for their warm hospitality and for their interesting vocational discussions!
This week, at our Tuesday Twilight Meeting, our special guest presenter will be a good friend of our club and Fellow Rotarian from El Paso, Arturo Barrio, who will speak about his work at the University of Texas at El Paso, the Leading Hispanic-Serving Institution, including its involvement with its Mexican counterparts. We will also continue our planning for the bike ride fund-raiser to support our Nepal Global Grant!
On Thursday at our Regular Club Meeting, our guest presenter will be Steve Alderete who will speak about "How I spent my Summer Vacation...in Afghanistan."
2. Don Chalmers Memorial Grant Recipients!
Congratulations to this year's Don Chalmers Memorial Grant Recipients!
Albuquerque Museum Foundation ($9000)
Beds4Kidz ($19,000)
Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation ($9000)
Global Give-A-Book ($19,000)
New Mexico BioPark Society ($9000)
Talking Talons Youth Leadership ($9000)
Like we did with the first group of grant recipients, we will invite them to speak at future Club meetings about their projects.
3. Our Four-Way Essay Contest winner and essay!
Our Four-Way Essay Contest winner this year is Alex Lucero from Annunciation Catholic School. Alex' essay was submitted to our Rotary District for consideration. If Alex wins the District contest, he would present his essay at the District Conference next month. Alex and the other contest applicants have been invited to come to our Club Meeting on April 13th. Congratulations to Alex and the other participants!
Here is a link to Alex' winning essay for your viewing pleasure!
4. Boy Scout Troop 285's High Adventure Trek in the Superstition Wilderness - pictures!
Our chartered Boy Scout Troop 285 had its spring break high adventure trek this past week in the Superstition Wilderness. Here are pictures from the Trek!
It is that time of year when NM MESA is looking for volunteers for its Annual NM MESA Day Competition on April 5, 2023 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Information and registration/information can be found here:
This school year NM MESA is Celebrating its 40th Anniversary. With that, all of its events have elements to past favorite MESA Competition and pay homage to 40 Years of STEM Excellence. Event descriptions and available times are summarized below. Meals and parking are provided to all volunteers. And, no experience or technical knowledge is required. All are welcome for a day of Celebrating 40 Years of NM MESA!
There are multiple opportunities for volunteering…all with different time commitments as follows:
General Logistics:
Registration, Device Check In, and Event Set Up: 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Prepared Design: Trebuchet Throwback
Teams have designed a trebuchet to launch at (2) targets for accuracy. Judges will inspect the devices, monitor, and record the device launches.
Full and Half Day Roles Available: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM; 12:30 PM-4:30 PM
On Site Team Competition: MESA Mayhem
This full team challenge course will involve a variety of skill sets and cooperation. Teams will open with a speed puzzle challenge. Once completed, they will have a Lego Logistics activity and five STEAM events to complete.
Full and Half Day Roles Available: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM; 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
On Site Mini Competitions:
1-2 students from each team will compete in each of the following challenges:
Water Quality Investigation: Student(s) will work and test the presenting problem about water while using commonly available materials.
Let’s Get Mobile: Student(s) will design, build, and test a device to get mobile. They will have fun while investigating physics, engineering, and motion.
Transportation Relay: Flying, sailing or on the road…student(s) will build it and move to the next station.
Full Day Roles Available: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
For those of us who have participated in NM MESA days previously, it's a wonderful event and a great way to support our youth!
6. Upcoming Birthdays and other dates to celebrate, support each other, etc.
We are mourning the recent passing of our dear friend, Past District Governor and Honorary Member, Andy Anderson. Andy was a member of our club for many years and made significant contributions to our community. His leadership, dedication, and commitment to service will be remembered for many years to come.
We would like to express our condolences to Andy's family and friends during this difficult time. We will miss Andy's passion, his wit, and his ability to inspire us to be better Rotarians.
The memorial service will be later this summer in Indiana where much of Andy's family lives. In the meantime, please join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Andy's family and friends.
You may reach out to his wife, Marleta, also an Honorary member of our club, to express your condolences. Marleta # 505-280-1911 and their address is 310 Camino de Las Huertas, Placitas NM, 87043.
April Birthdates!
April 1 - Jennifer Huffaker
April 1 - David Ring
April 14 - Robert Brown
April 18 - Sara Beltran
April 23 - Cindy Chavez
April Anniversaries of joining our Rotary Club!
Joe Corazzi
Kent Cravens
7. Rotary Foundation Banquet on Wednesday, April 26th with special guest presenter (and good friend of our Rotary Club) Rotary Foundation Trustee Greg Podd!
On Wednesday, April 26th, the Albuquerque Rotary Clubs will be hosting a Rotary Foundation banquet with special guest presenter, Past Rotary International Director and current Rotary Foundation Trustee Greg Podd. We will be recognizing those who have supported the Rotary Foundation, educate those new to Rotary about the work of the Foundation, and celebrate the accomplishments made possible by the Foundation. Tickets are $40 per person. For more information, please contact Rotary 5520 District Secretary Donette Wagner (505-269-4634, secretary5520@gmail.com) or Fred Bryant (505-280-4118, fredbryant300@gmail.com). Greg is a very good friend of our Club, so let's have a strong turnout for this important event!
8. City-Wide Young Professionals Mixer - All Rotarians are invited!
The Young Professionals of Albuquerque are inviting all members of our Club (and other Clubs) to its upcoming City-Wide Young Professionals Mixer! It’s an inclusive event where they bring organizations throughout the city together for an evening of celebration, community building and networking with Albuquerque’s most dedicated young professionals.
April's Rotary Theme is Maternal and Child Health - a perfect alignment with our work in Nepal!
And here's the theme for this upcoming Rotary year!
District Happenings
1. District Grant Training in March and April - required for our District and Global Grants
Starting March 21st and running through early April, Rotary District 5520 will be putting on Foundation Grant Training, which is a requirement for any Club to participate in grants next Rotary year (at least two members of the Club need to attend one of the trainings to be eligible). Here is a link to the District website if you want to register for one of the training sessions:
Our annual District Conference ("Imagine the Possibilities") will be in Roswell from April 20-22.
The Conference kicks off officially with a catered reception inside the UFO Museum (roswellufomuseum.com/) from 6-8 pm. Re-unite with friends from across our District and make some new ones (maybe some Inter-Galactic ones). There’s the option for a round of golf at the Roswell Country Club Thursday afternoon or Disc Golf at Enchanted Lands park that same afternoon (udisc.com/courses/enchanted-lands-5T3w).
Friday events begin with registration at 8 am on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell(roswell.enmu.edu/) in the ITC building and continue through Saturday’s emphases on youth featuring the Youth Exchange Talent Show in the Performing Arts Center following lunch.
A reception for Major Donors and above takes place at 5:30 pm Saturday at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art (rair.org/about-amoca). There will be a Cocktail ½ hour at 6 and Conference Banquet (MIB Themed) following. Come in your best MIB attire or alien costume and we’ll have fun while celebrating the accomplishments of our Clubs and District!
One of the awards that is given out at the District Conference each year is the Sonny Brown Award (Jimmy's Cafe was a recipient this past year). Nominations for this year's Sonny Brown Award need to be submitted by April 7th. Below is a description of the award and eligibility. If you have an organization you would like for us to nominate this year, please send an e-mail to President Jeff (jweinrach5520@nmia.com) with the information.
Established in 2005 the award honors District 5520's Past Governor and Vice President of Rotary International Sonny Brown. Sonny has given many years of service, demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and provided on-going support to District 5520. The award recognizes businesses in the District that exemplify that service and the High Ethical Standards of Rotary.
Each Rotary Club in District 5520 is invited to nominate businesses in their community that demonstrate excellence in employee relations, quality of product and/or representation and community involvement of both management and employees.
Business may be nominated in each of the following categories;
Non-Rotarian Owned Business
Small Business Award from 1 to 10 employees
MediumBusiness Award—from 11 to 50 employees
Large Business Award—more than 50 employees
Rotarian Owned Business
At-Large Business - Rotarian Owned Business of any size
Businesses nominated must be located within District 5520. The participating Rotary Clubs may submit one application in each category. Nominees must receive the Club’s endorsement before submission to the District Selection Committee.
Here is a link with more information and to register for the District Conference:
Central Area (Albuquerque and surrounding area) Happenings
Please check out the link below for up-to-date happenings in the Central Area of our District (e.g., Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Socorro, etc.)! There are a number of projects and activities that we can support.
Please feel free to call, text, or e-mail President Jeff (1-505-400-1403, jweinrach5520@nmia.com) if you have any feedback or suggestions for future Bulletin content or if you have any feedback or questions about any aspect of our Club.
Let's all have a great week in Rotary putting Service above Self!
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