On June 6 at the Regular Thursday Meeting, Donna Pedace of Rotary Del Norte spoke about the Rotary Friendship Exchange.  She explained the difference between Rotary Fellowships, where a group of Rotarians with similar interests form a fellowship for such things as cycling or birdwatching, and the Rotary Friendship Exchange which is an officially sponsored program of Rotary International.  She said that the fellowships are strictly voluntary. RFE started as a Fellowship but now is officially sponsored.

 

In RFE, a group of Rotarians, typically from another state or nation, visit an area such as Albuquerque for 10  days to two weeks.  They are matched with host Rotarians who host them for two or three days in their home, provide them breakfast and transportation to events and some sightseeing.  For example a group of Russian Doctors and Hospital Administrators will be visiting the area as part of a quest on their part to learn more about Joint Commission International, program to help with International improvements to health care.

 

The Satellite Meting on Monday, June 3, featured Angela Spanbauer as speaker.  She discussed her project to help people in Haiti obtain Dental treatment.

 

At Thursdays Regular Meeting President Dacia Card conducted a vote of the membership on future Governors Charity Balls.  She had done the same thing at the Monday Satellite Meeting.  After all ballots were counted the result was overwhelming in favor of a proposal by Tony Pino to form a Joint Venture with the Albuquerque Downtown Rotary Club to work together and share the proceeds of a larger Governors Charity Ball in 2020.  Details have to be worked out and a new Memorandum of Understanding will be drafteed between the Rotary Del Sol Club and the Rotary Del Sol Foundation to replace the current MOU.

 

Mark Kropp, MD was inducted as the 64th Active Member at the Thursday Meeting. With Mark's induction we have now achieved our membership goal for this Rotary year of 64 Active Members. Mark is an exciting addition to the Club bringing with him experience as a physician in the Rotarian Clinic in Brazil.

 

The Regular Thursday meeting on June 13 at Meals on Wheels will feature Davis Gutzler, Math and Planetary Science Professor at UNM as the guest speaker.

 

Newest Del Sol Member, Dr. Mark Kropp is welcomed by Club Members after being Inducted.

 

Membership Chair Barrie Segall reminds all Del Sol Rotarians of the contest June, July and August to see who can bring the most guests.  Guests are potential members and will help us meet next years Membership Goal. Prizes will be awarded.