Exchange student returns

Gian Widmer, 2019-20 Roswell Rotary Club exchange student from Switzerland, visits the club on Jan. 26 with his father, Andy Widmer. Since returning home, Gian has served in the Swiss Army and now will attend university in Zurich.

Honoring Student of the Month

Rubi Ruiz is honored by the club as Student of the Month. Rubi, who attends Goddard High School, is introduced by club president Bianca Cheney.

Shawler describes court cases

Donald Shawler, career law clerk to Judge Bobby R. Baldock of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, discusses cases the U.S. Supreme Court will hear this year. Baldock is a longtime member of the Roswell Rotary Club.

Roswell Rotarians attend RLI

Roswell Rotary Club members (from left) Betty Young, Nicole Wieser, Marcos Nava, and club President Bianca Cheney attended the recent District 5520 Rotary Leadership Institute training session held in Roswell. Marcos and Betty received graduation certificates; Nicole has one additional session to attend to receive her certificate.

Congresswoman addresses Rotary

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who represents New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, addresses the Roswell Rotary Club at its Jan. 19 meeting. The congresswoman then answered questions.

Congresswoman to speak at Rotary

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, who represents New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, will be guest speaker at this week’s Roswell Rotary meeting.

Fernández

Marcos Nava, club president-elect, said: “She is excited to be in Roswell to meet people, to hear their ideas and concerns, and is looking forward to questions from Rotary members.”

Teresa is a 17th-generation Northern New Mexican. Born in Las Vegas, N.M., she attended Head Start before graduating from Yale University and Stanford Law School.

After law school, Teresa worked as an attorney and advocate, winning legal battles to advance voting rights, promote tribal sovereignty, and protect the environment and acequia waters. She also served as an acequia commissioner.

As a public interest lawyer, she has helped secure nearly $1 billion for and then helped build, schools, rural health clinics, broadband, businesses, affordable housing, and critical infrastructure for New Mexico.

“She has worked to protect voting rights and create a more inclusive democracy,” her official biography reports.

She also was a Clinton and Obama presidential appointee and worked as a White House Fellow on housing issues and as vice chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

In Congress, Teresa serves on the House Natural Resources, House Education and Labor, and House Administration Committees.

She also was elected by her colleagues to serve as chair of the Committee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States, working on various issues for Native American communities, including economic development, health, cultural preservation, and education.

Teresa also serves as vice chair of Communications for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Her biography says, “as a breast cancer survivor who lost two brothers to addiction, Teresa is dedicated to improving quality, affordable health care and making sure no family goes through what hers did.”

In Congress, she introduced the Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act to address alcohol and substance use on college campuses. 

Weekend target shooting

This past Sunday, Japanese Rotary Exchange student Sakurako “Sakura” Kamitani went target shooting with Pancho Maples, Barry Prichard, and Elizabeth Michael. Pancho first showed Sakura how to safely handle firearms.

She then put on ear protectors and fired away. Sakura enjoyed firing a .22 rifle and a .22 pistol. She had a wonderful time, reported Rotarian Elizabeth Michael, who snapped these photographs.

Paul Harris Fellowship couple

Rotarian Carolyn Mitchell (center) introduces Paul Harris Fellows couple Bianca and J.P. Cheney at Thursday’s club meeting. Club President Bianca and husband J.P. recently became Paul Harris Fellows together. It’s the third Harris fellowship for Bianca and the fourth for J.P.

Roswell legislator gives outlook

State Rep. Greg Nibert of Roswell discusses the dynamics of the 60-day legislative session which begins Tuesday in Santa Fe. Nibert addressed the club on Thursday.

District RLI begins in Roswell

The District 5520 Rotary Leadership Institute got underway in Roswell with sessions Friday afternoon and all day Saturday at the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico Archives.

In-person sessions began at 1 p.m. on Friday and at 8 a.m. Saturday at the archives building adjacent to the Museum at 200 N. Lea Ave.

There will be an online session over Zoom from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 28. Rotarians planning to attend the online session should register on the District 5520 website: https://www.rotary5520.org/

Past District Gov. Dan Garrison said the Rotary Leadership Institute “is designed to help you learn more about Rotary, become a better Rotarian, and develop Rotary leaders! There is a 100 percent guarantee you will make new friends and have a more in-depth understanding of this international organization so dear to our hearts.”

He said Leadership Institute consists of three separate sessions. “They might be held on three separate weekends, or all three sessions over one weekend — depending on the time and ability to participate. Most of the training is facilitated conversation with some directed activities.”

Garrison said, “Rotary Leadership Institute Zoom sessions are offered regularly online and can be available anywhere in District 5520. Sessions offered via Zoom have been successful, and are a convenience and time-saver for all, especially with the geographical size of our district.”

The sessions are beneficial for incoming club presidents, presidents-elect, and new Rotarians, though they are open to any Rotarian or Retractor.

Garrison can be contacted at dgarrison5520@gmail.com

District 5520 Rotarians attend in-person sessions of the District Rotary Leadership Institute in Roswell

Stretching after holiday break

Roswell Rotary Club members, following yoga instructor Amber Swete’s directions, stretch their arms during the Jan. 5 club meeting.