Join us in spreading joy all year long by collecting new, unwrapped toys and comfort items for children at UNM Children’s Hospital and El Paso Children’s Hospital.
Maureen Anderson and Marilyn Strube will be heading up this effort for our club—more information forthcoming!
Changing of the Guard!
The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte Swears In Its New President and His Board.
Our "change of leadership" meeting on June 11th was meaningful and fun, with extra acknowledgements of generosity and Rotary spirit included.
Nancy Pressley-Naimark received her first (of many we hope!) Paul Harris Award, JJ Jain was honored with his fifth Paul Harris Award, and Monica Meyers has been named as a Major Donor. Thank you to RI Foundation Chair Kim Helm for making these presentations.
While still serving as President, Sandy Rausch announced the winners of our Rotarian of the Quarter awards, given to Berdel Boulanger and Alice Mehlberg for their outstanding work in conceiving of The Year of Cheer and for all their work in bringing this project to life.
We were also THRILLED to see Maureen Anderson named Del Norte’s ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR! Maureen is an energetic, determined, and cheerful person, so it is understandable that her work is often focused on projects for young people in our community. She serves as the RYLA Chair for our club, is a Year of Cheer project ambassador, and adds support to innumerable projects within our club. You will often find her at the head table at our regular meetings, introducing and welcoming our guests or leading the group in our opening songs. And her selfless nature was shown in her complete (and JOYFUL!) surprise at hearing her name announced by our Club President! We love and admire you, Maureen. Congratulations!
President Sandy spoke heartfelt words of gratitude and thanks to her friends and family for supporting her during this past Presidential year, which were echoed by spouse Bob during his “brag.” We celebrated goals met, friendships cultivated, projects started & completed, donations received, and so much more.
With a hopeful eye on the future, we welcome new leadership for the 2025-2026 cycle. Each board member has an abundance of passion, talent, community connections, and Rotary pride to share with our club and committees. We wish New President JJ Jain and his Board a successful and productive year ahead. And remember to take a moment to choose how YOU will serve in our club and in our community this year – we hope you will say “YES!” to all the wonderful opportunities Rotary will bring your way!
The Rotary Foundation Presents This Year's Grantees
Some of the Recipients
Everyone knows Rotarians place Service Above Self and are People of Action, which is why the June 4th Luncheon meeting was so highly anticipated by our members. Carol Rickert Asbury acknowledged the work and dedication of our club’s Foundation board, and emphasized the areas of service the award recipients focus on. Each representative from these well-deserving organizations shared how this financial gift would benefit their work or their clients directly, and it was meaningful to hear about the diverse projects being supported because of Rotary. Food, financial literacy, support for new mothers, social-emotional health & medical services, summer camp experiences, physical fitness, creating community & belonging…. all important aspects in the work we all do to heal our community and foster care and love for our fellow citizens in this city. Thank you, ROTARIANS, for your support in all these vital and valuable efforts.
Organizations:
ABQ-ALC, Inc
The Grief Center
Christina Kent
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Girl Scouts NM Trails
Del Norte Rotary Backpack Program
Locker #505
Meals on Wheels
NDI of New Mexico
NM Dental Association
Rio Grande Food Project
Rotary District 5520 RYLA
Satellite Doings
Monica Padilla, Contributing
Tourism Highlights with Satellite Club
At our recent Satellite meeting, we welcomed Brooke Jung from Visit Albuquerque (VisitABQ.org) for an engaging presentation on the exciting growth and opportunities in Albuquerque’s tourism industry.
🚧 Route 66 Centennial
Big things are in store for the 100th birthday of Route 66! Events and community initiatives are already underway. Stay in the loop at Route66ABQ.org.
🍷 Craft Beer & Wine Trails
Visit Albuquerque has launched digital passports for local craft beer and wine trails. Scan QR codes, earn points, and win prizes — a fun way to support local businesses.
💃 Flamenco Capital of North America
That’s right — Albuquerque holds the title! Brooke shared this and other fun facts that highlight the city’s vibrant cultural identity.
🤝 Rotary & VisitABQ: A Perfect Match
Brooke encouraged Rotary to team up with Visit Albuquerque when hosting out-of-town guests or planning community events. They offer:
• Welcome packets for visitors
• Convention support services
• Access to the ACE (Albuquerque Community Experience) training — a free program designed to equip locals with tools to promote the city and offer great service.
🗓️ Stay Connected
VisitABQ.org also features a community calendar filled with local events and opportunities. It’s a great resource for staying informed and involved.
🎯 Brooke’s Challenge to Us:
“Become an ambassador for Albuquerque.”
Let’s keep building connections, welcoming guests, and celebrating everything that makes our city — and our Rotary Club — great.
Around the Club
The Andersons With Friend at the Rotary International Convention
We tried to send the Rausch's off to Nevada, but they refused to go. We're glad they are still with us.
Many thanks to the Andersons for hosting and to Berdel Boulanger for some excellent food!
Introducing Next Month's Speaker
Incoming District Governor
Tom Simon
Tom Simon was born and raised in central Connecticut. He went to college at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT, graduating with a BS degree in Business Administration in 1987.
Tom has started and sold several businesses in Connecticut and Santa Fe NM. After a 34-year career in property management in Santa Fe, Tom sold WestGate Properties LLC in April 2024, to a national HOA management company, Sentry Management Inc. He then sold WestGate Commercial Properties LLC to a Santa Fe based property management company.
Tom and Deborah were married in 1991. Together they raised three kids who have provided six grandchildren. Deborah joined Rotary in 1993, and Tom joined Rotary Club of Santa Fe in 2011.
Tom has served in numerous positions in the Rotary Club of Santa Fe, including President in 2015-16. Tom was honored that year by District 5520 as Very Large Club President of the Year. Tom has served as District Global Grants Chair, District Membership Committee and Assistant Governor. Tom serves as District Governor beginning July 1, 2025.
Tom believes that Rotary provides a unique platform for individuals to join with people who believe in the 4-Way-Test and Service Above Self, to pool their resources, and apply their collective skills towards addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, enabling them to achieve a greater positive impact together than they could ever accomplish alone. Tom believes that when Rotarians around the world and of diverse backgrounds, cultures, political and religious beliefs come together to serve the greater good, they move our world a little closer to peaceful coexistence and reconciliation.
The President's Corner
It is with great pleasure that I tell The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte what an honor and privilege it is to serve as President of one of the largest and most vibrant Rotary clubs in District 5520. As we prepare for the upcoming year the RI theme “Unite for Good” should be our own club “call to action.” It is my hope that we will continue to be united in what we do as a club, with each of our committees working together, recruiting new members to serve on these committees, and attracting new Rotarians to our beautiful club. It is you, the individual members, all wonderful people, who continue to make this “the greatest Rotary club in the world.”
A big thank you to our Past President (twice), Sandy Rausch. It was her leadership during Covid and again during this past year that enabled us to complete most of our goals. We are thrilled that Sandy and her husband, PDG, Bob Rausch, are both staying in Albuquerque and continuing to be an integral part of our club.
A huge thank you to all who participate in our various committees and to those directors and chairs of these committees. Your hard work and dedication make The Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte a superb team of highly skilled, super enthusiastic, happy, and optimistic Rotarians.
I look forward to great things this year from our “Year of Cheer” to Albuquerque hosting the Zone Institute to work on our many service projects and to our fundraisers that will make this year’s gala event bigger and better than ever.
I look forward, with your help, to making this the best Rotary year in the history of our club.
