Rotary Foundation Club Chair, Dave Anderson, and Del Norte Foundation President, Steve Becker, joined forces in January to highlight the amazing things that Rotarian donations do around the world and in our community.
Dave and his committee discussed not only the creation and history of the Rotary Foundation, but its structure and the role that becoming a Paul Harris Fellow plays in funding the organization. Every $1,000 contributed to the Rotary Foundation results in corresponding Recognition Points that may be used by the contributor to recognize others with Paul Harris Fellowships. In this way this honor can be bestowed on family members and friends.
Del Norte Rotarians support the Rotary Foundation through the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) Program giving $100.00 per member every year. Each Rotarian is also asked to make additional contributions whenever possible. The Del Norte Club has contributed over one million dollars to the Rotary Foundation in the 35 years since our chartering.
In a unique reimbursement strategy, Rotary international also impacts our community by returning a portion of our contributions after 3 years in the way of District Grants available for local Rotary Clubs to use by applying for a grant for specific community projects.
The Del Norte Foundation was established by our club in 1989, one year after the founding of our club. Both Rotary International and our club’s Foundation provide life-changing humanitarian grants. Our Del Norte Foundation does so locally and on a smaller scale. Del Norte Rotarians are automatically members of our Foundation. The Del Norte Foundation has its own Board of Directors. Those Board Members have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of legal, investment, business management, and non-profit experience. They are responsible for reviewing all yearly requests for funding from over 50 organizations.
Our Del Norte Foundation has raised over 2 1/2 million dollars since its inception and provided grants of over 1 1/2 million dollars to local charities. These local grants have made and continue to make a tremendous impact in our community. We have fed tens of thousands of our hungry neighbors, provided shelter for the homeless, purchased playground equipment, computers for training, helped to provide Day Care Services for the elderly, and provided multiple services for homeless and disabled veterans.
Last year a total of $48,000 in grants were given to our local non-profit organizations. Typically 10-15 grants are given out each year, ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 each. Funds from our Foundation Grants come from two main sources — net proceeds from Club Fundraising activities, and earnings on our Endowment Fund Investments.
Dave and Steve both agreed that one Foundation is not better than the other—just different. One is not more deserving of our charitable dollars than the other. Both represent ways that we, as Rotarians, can continue to provide Service above Self.
Del Norte Rotarians Receive
Paul Harris Awards
January 25, Meeting
2nd Annual Rotary Club Trade Fair a Success
A crowd was on hand January 18 at the Sheraton when we celebrated our Business Members by offering tables and exhibit areas where they shared information with club members and guests. Louise Romero introduced her new Insurance Services, Noel Valencia had information about WaFd Bank, Jayne Figueroa had info about Bee Hive Homes, Mike Skolnick had information about Excalibur Holdings, Matt Hudson had displays of products offered by his R & R Heating and Cooling Company, and Hussam Amer had information about Northwest Mutual Financial Planning Services.
French Funerals had information about End of Life Planning Programs and John Jain’s High Desert Doppler booth was busy offering free health care scans. They are a resource for getting diagnostic tests done without a wait. Cheryl Strotz shared her All World Travel booth with Julius Ntende, a Rotactor from Ugunda. She reminded us that she could send us to the “moon” or to “Machu Picu” if it was still open.
We offered an opportunity for some of our non-profit members to hand out information. Ron Epps from the Alzheimers Association, Jerry Becker and members from the Veterans Integration Center (V.I.C.) were there to discuss the educational programs they offer. Fred Bryant represented Vitalant and was signing up club members for upcoming Blood Drives. Hass Aslami had his staff available to explain his FunDaxi program so people will understand how they can make contributions to non-profits by visiting specific business locations.
Many businesses brought gift baskets and gifts as door prizes for members attending. Vocational Chair, Noel Valencia and Club President, Mary Tieman gave every business a chance to highlight their business services. Norm Liss won a gift basket and announced that it was the first time in 35 years that he had ever won anything! Kim Helm won a Beehive restaurant gift card and Kathie Williams received FunDaxi gift certificates to Chello and Pizza 9. Ruth Ronan was the winner of free screenings from High Desert Doppler.
See pictures below
Rotary Del Norte Satellite News
At our last meeting Julius Ntende and Joe Schwartzman joined us. Julius is a Rotarian from Uganda, Africa - he has been a part of Rotaract in his community and came and shared information about himself and his country.
Our next meeting is March 1st - same time/same place. Susan Leung will be speaking - she is the ED from NM Friends of Foster Care.
Sondra Carpenter, Satellite Chair
35th Del Norte Club Anniversary Honors
Del Norte Rotary Foundation
On Friday, February 24, 2023, we will have another opportunity to contribute to own community by attending the 35th Club Anniversary Dinner and Dance, where all proceeds will benefit our own Del Norte Foundation. A portion of your ticket price and all proceeds from a small Silent Auction and Raffle will benefit our Club's Foundation.
The theme for the evening will be “Celebrate the 80s'”and all club members are encouraged to come in typical 80s attire. Prizes will be given for the best costumes. As the traditional 35th Anniversary stone is Emerald, you can expect to see some “real emeralds” along with a lot of emerald colored items in the Auction. The Raffle will highlight “things either invented and/or popular in the 80s”.
You can purchase Raffle Tickets for $20 each or 6 for $100. 6 creative Prize Grab Bags will be Raffled off, each with a value of over $100.
RSVP to Club Executive Secretary, Donette Wagner
2023 RYLA Camps
Boys: Sunday, July 9, thru Saturday, July 15.
(Counselor Orientation 4 PM, Saturday, July 8.)
Girls: Saturday, July 15, thru Friday, July 21.
(Counselor Orientation 4 PM, Friday, July 14.)
RYLA Committee Kicks Off With a Bang!
RYLA, is an acronym for Rotary Youth Leadership Award. It is Rotary’s leadership training for young leaders. Every year high school students between their Junior and Senior year are chosen from all over our District to attend the week-long camp that emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth. RYLA aims to demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth, provide effective training experiences for the selected youth and potential leaders, encourage leadership of youth by youth and recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.
This year, Rotarian Maureen Anderson, was chosen to lead the RYLA Committee for our club. 12 dedicated club members attended the first planning meeting for identifying and choosing our awardees for our District's RYLA leadership camps.
Our club is very active in the overall RYLA District Administration of RYLA. Alice Mehlberg serves as District RYLA Chair and she and Joan Lewis serve as co-chairs of the girls RYLA camp.
The primary goal for this committee is to identify qualified participants for the program. This year Del Norte has money set aside for 6 Juniors to attend, and more scholarships maybe available as is necessary.
Club members who have contacts at public or private schools, churches, etc should notify Maureen Anderson right away. Maureen is also requesting that we ask friends and family if they have any referrals. “Our Committee will be concentrating primarily on Hope Christian School, Albuquerque Academy, La Cueva High School and the Albuquerque School of Excellence". Please contact Maureen with your contacts, ideas and/or candidates who you think may benefit from this unique leadership experience.
On April 12 the club meeting presentation will be “A Day at RYLA Camp”, where our members will have an opportunity to experience a typical RYLA camp day. Until then please continue to refer any good candidates to Maureen and her committee.
2023 Trade Fair
President Tieman
I’m so proud to be a Rotarian and to be connected to such a positive force for good in our community. I am always seeking ways to help others and connecting with Rotary has enabled me to do just that. Think about it for a moment: we are a network of 1.2 million friends, neighbors, business associates and civic leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities, to serve humanity through Rotary – locally, regionally. and internationally.
Like many Rotary Clubs around the world Del Norte has seen a slight decline in membership over the past year. Some of our members have moved away, some have taken new jobs, and some are just busy with the details of life. Del Norte Rotary is your club and I know that increasing our membership is very important to everyone. We have had great speakers and fun socials, so I encourage you to bring a guest or future Rotarian to our events and luncheons.
February will be a very special month for the Del Norte Rotary Club, as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary. I hope you will join our “Founders Day” event on February 24th and celebrate in 80’s style. The event will also be an opportunity to support the Del Norte Rotary Foundation’s grant program for 2023.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President. I look forward to seeing you soon.
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