La Mesa Volume 48 Number 05 December 12, Club # Service Anniversaries

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1 La Mesa Volume 48 Number 05 December 12, Club # 1342 December Birthdays & Service Anniversaries Birthdays Kristi Albers - December 7 Beate Burdett - December 8 Joseph Caruso - December 8 Teresa Cavaretta - December 11 Marisa Guererro - December 15 Duane Coleman - December 21 Service Anniversaries John Walker - 28 Years Burt Blacksher - 24 Years Special Thanks to Chet Morgan for motivating us to Sing, Sing, Sing with the help of his kazoo! Our Song Leader - Chet Morgan - Flanked by his Team Kazoo Man - Chet Morgan with Cecil Douglas Kazoo & Trumpet Duet Over hill over dale we will hit the dusty trail As the caissons go rolling along. Up and down, in and out, Countermarch and right about, and our caissons go rolling along. For it's hi! hi! hee! In the field artillery, count out your numbers loud and strong, And where e'er you go, You will always know That the Caissons go rolling along. 1

2 Australian GSE Team to Visit El Paso RI's GSE (Group Study Exchange) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity. The program provides travel grants for teams to study the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. Various Rotary Clubs in El Paso will have the opportunity to host the Australian GSE team for several days upon their arrival in our city on Thursday, April 28, The following team members will be hosted by local Rotarians and their families: 1. Darcy Geale - Banker - Team Leader 2. Mel Hayes - Mechanical Engineer - Team Member 3. Ed Nixon - Agronomist - Team Member 4. Rhianna Foord - Water Licensing Officer - Team Member 5. Mary Ann Crawford - Environmental Manager - Team Member An action-packed agenda is being prepared for them, including presentations to several Rotary Clubs in El Paso, vocational meetings, sightseeing, and other social events. Stay tuned!! Literacy Survey Russell Autry - (Literacy Director) is coordinating our club s literacy projects. He plans to invite schools to participate in the upcoming 4-way test essay contest, and write a self-published children s book. Russell sent survey questionnaires to all club members to gather information for our literacy club and also for the children s book. He is currently receiving completed surveys. If you haven't yet completed your survey, you can do so at: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines literacy as the "ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society." In 1985, Rotary International declared basic literacy to be a pre-condition to the development of peace. Through this organizational emphasis, more than half the world s 33,000 Rotary clubs address the full range of literacy and mathematical challenges for primary, vocational, and adult learners as well as teacher training. The Rotary Club of West El Paso is excited about taking on parts of this challenge. There are plans in place to start the first library for one of the schools in South El Paso, and our school back-pack program will be enhanced and expanded if all goes as planned. Stay tuned!! Thanks Russell - Keep up the good work. 2

3 Joyous Christmas Party Celebration at Gerri Wootten's Home - Wednesday - Dec. 8, 2010 Our Club's most "senior" Past President - James Heard wins the Door Prize, presented by Club Member Francis Reyes The "New Member - Christmas Party Committee" did an outstanding job. Our most grateful thanks and holiday greetings go to them and Gerri Wootten for making this the very special evening it was. 3

4 Carey & Donna Beamesderfer join Canadian Rotary Group on Mission Trip in El Salvador The project was located in the village of San Jose Villanueva which is approximately 50 miles south west of the airport in San Salvador. The goal of the project was to construct two cement slab homes in the two week period. The first home was for Rene Cordero/Roxana Rodriquez and the second for Blanco Enrique. A local tradesman (Chepe) provided on-site leadership for the construction and local students assisted at various times as part of their school community service requirement. "We got to know two of them well - Karla and Alex who spent many work hours with us." The recipients of the houses worked to prepare the sites prior to our arrival and also assisted the team during the construction phase. One of our team members - Paul Tramblay was an experienced mason and provided technical expertise throughout the fabrication process. He even designed and donated a tripod to lift the 42 lb blocks into place. All cement mixing was done by hand as was all the block "pointing" and lifting of all the posts and blocks within the site as construction progressed. Each member of the team walked about 3/4 mile to the job site every morning, then back again at lunch time and the end of the work day. We each carried work gloves, water and our cameras to the job site. Basic tools, such as shovels and wheelbarrows were provided by Epilogos. Construction materials were delivered to the job site by local vendors and roof installation was done by local trades people. Rene Cordero/Roxana Rodriquez Family Blanco Enrique Family The 10 member team was organized by Doug Champ & Bob French (PDG) of the Rotary Club of North Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. At the end Bob remarked: "I marvel at how well 10 individuals became an effective team in achieving our goal of 2 completed homes. Each person brought a different perspective to the work and together the successful outcome was a TEAM effort. In addition, the fellowship we shared, the partnership with Epilogos, the warmth of the people of SJV and the tears of joy and hugs of the families receiving the homes will be cherished for a life-time." Special thanks to everyone in our Rotary Club who contributed clothing, medical/dental supplies & other useful items to the San Jose Villaneuva community. 4

5 Rotary District Governor Tim Parker Visits the Rotary Club of West El Paso On November 15 District Governor Tim Parker stopped in to congratulate our club for its ongoing success and organization. To quote Tim's District 5520 blog: " Organized... this group is... President Lorraine runs a good ship and this is club is one of the top 8 clubs in membership growth for the year. Very active with their flagship event, the RC of West El Paso 4th of July Parade. BIG DEAL... over 10k spectators this past year. Great group with a very active membership. Several key district leaders call RC W. El Paso home. They are also strong with the matching grant program. Kudos to a great club and thanks for the hospitality... I needed the rest!" That says it all - Here are some pictures from that day as well as the follow-up dinner event that took place the next day. WANTED: New Members Who can become a member of Rotary? Current membership requirements as stated on the Rotary International website are as follows: Prospective members must: * Hold (or be retired from) a professional, proprietary, executive, managerial, or community position * Have demonstrated a commitment to service through personal involvement * Be able to meet the club's weekly attendance or community project participation requirements * Live or work within the vicinity of the club or surrounding area It is also recognized that all professions (trades-people, teachers, ranchers, artists, social workers, engineers, architects, accountants, bankers, etc.) are welcomed and encouraged to join Rotary to ensure diversity and to promote the goals and objectives of Rotary throughout the world. 5

6 What are the responsibilities for a new member? Attend weekly club meetings to enjoy fellowship, enrich their professional and personal knowledge, and meet other leaders in the community. If members miss a meeting, they re encouraged to expand their Rotary horizons by attending a meeting of any other Rotary club in the world. Participate in local and international service projects, club members can volunteer their time and talents where they re most needed. The Avenues of Service are Rotary s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based: Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the club s effective functioning. Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards. Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community. International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace. New Generations Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, service projects, and exchange programs. Every Rotarian must share the responsibility of bringing new people into Rotary. Even new members can bring guests to club meetings or invite them to participate in a service project. Club members are required to pay quarterly dues to their club, district, and Rotary International, as well as the subscription fee to the appropriate Rotary magazine, and meals for Rotary meetings. Club members are encouraged to volunteer for leadership roles at the club level and beyond. Have FUN!! Looking Forward in 2010 & 2011 December 2010 *** Family Month ********************************** December 13, 2010 Mon Generational Characteristics Joe Heyman UTEP Prof of Anthropology December 17, 2010 Fri Board Meeting UBS Bldg 7:30am December 20, 2010 Mon Candlelighters Gifts December 21, 2010 Tue 1st Day of Winter December 25, 2010 Sat Christmas Holiday December 27, 2010 Mon No Meeting Holiday Season December 31, 2010 Fri New Years Eve January 2011 *** Rotary Awareness Month ************ ************ January 3, 2011 Mon No Meeting New Years Holiday January 17, 2011 Mon African American Studies Dr. Dailey UTEP Professor January 21, 2011 Fri Board Meeting UBS Bldg 7:30am 6

7 Don't forget to sign up for these upcoming conferences: PETS Conference - March 10-12, El Paso, TX District 5520 Conference - April 14-17, Ruidoso, NM RI International Convention - May 22-25, New Orleans, LA (*Sign up before Dec. 15 to receive the best discounted price.) Check the RI website for details. Websites: Rotary Club of West El Paso - Rotary District Rotary International eclubone ********** The 4- Way Test of the things we think, say or do: 1st - Is it the TRUTH? 2nd - Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3rd - Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4th - Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? ************************************************* and 5th Is it fun? Officers & Directors of the Rotary Club of West El Paso Officers President: Lorraine Huit Vice-President: Dana Vogelmeier President-Elect: David Veloz Executive Secretary: Carey Beamesderfer Treasurer: Joanne Latimer Sergeant-at-Arms: Kristi Albers Directors Director Club Services: Sandy Boswell Director Community Services: Marcos Lizarraga Director International Services: Chava Gonzalez Director Public Relations: Beate Burdett Director Vocational Services: Cliff Walsh Director Youth Services: Gail Gale Literacy Chair - Russell Autry Youth Exchange Officer - Carina Munoz 7