Rotary Meeting 7-23-26

• Club Meeting Opening & Activities
  • Morning Pledge of Allegiance led by John G.
  • Invocation led by Ron H.
  • Four-Way Test led by Kit T.
• Guest Introduction & Announcements
  • Guests
    • Cornelius Smith – Friend of John Garcia and member of NM Veterans Chamber of Commerce.
    • Mike Nuanec – Edward Jones.
  • Announcements
    • Kit T. – Need volunteer to be club Treasurer to collect and deposit money, write checks and check the PO Box.
    • David C. – RYLA in full swing this week.  The 2^nd camper had to bow out.  Shirley A. will be camp volunteer.
    • Tony P. – There will be a joint committee Zoom meeting (club and school) on Wednesday at 5:30.
    • Bob M. – Silver Horizons needs volunteers.
    • Tony P. – my cousin was killed by drunk driver in Santa Fe.  She leaves behind three kids.  Keep them in your prayers.
• John Garcia and Cornelius Smith – NM Veteran Chamber of Commerce
  • Retired from SBA in January 2026.
  • Went to Vietnam at 18.
  • Married 56 years.
  • 175,000 veterans in NM.
  • 175,000 small businesses in NM which is 99% of NM businesses.
  • NM small businesses have 341,000 employees, which is 53% of NM employees.
  • 16,000 veterans own NM businesses.
  • SBA support has mostly gone away – local office went from 43 employees to 2.
  • Cornelius Smith
    • NM Veterans Chamber of Commerce fills the gap left by SBA decline.
    • Would like to cover entire state eventually.
    • 80 current members; $250 to join.
    • Provide wellness, education advancement, career and employment advancement and business development support.