Club History

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Club History
1959
     In 1959, the San Juan County East Rotary Club was first chartered as the Aztec Rotary Club and had 20 charter members.
     Aztec Rotary Club's first officers : President Charles L. Craven; V. President Lee Atchinson; Secretary Louis E. Hubbard
     The Farmington Rotary Club was Aztec Rotary's sponsoring club under President William A. Vincent, Sr.

1982-1992
     On July 15, 1982, the Aztec Rotary Club was renamed and re-chartered under the name of the San Juan County East Rotary Club and was put on probation due to the lack of growth of membership...which was at eight members at the time.
     In 1982, the club's first President under the new charter was Charles "Chuck" Jordan; Secretary was John Hopkins; Treasurer was David Nichols.
     In 1982, the club began holding its weekly luncheon meeting at the San Jun Country Club once it was rechartered.
1982-1990
     In 1986, the club reached its goal of 30 members by the end of the fiscal year (from 7 members) and was presented a Rotary Club brass bell by the Farmington Rotary Club for its achievement..and was taken off probation.  The Farmington Club membership challenge was made formaly by the Club President Manual C. Hastings.  San Juan Club President Phil Morin.
     On January 1, 1987, Joyce Donald, President of the Four Corners Better Business Bureau, was inducted as the first woman in the club and the second in District 5520...by just a couple of hours.  Joyce's sponsor was 86-87 District Governor's Representative Phil Morin.
     In 1987, the club recognized Farmington Club member and District Governor's Rep Ken Campbell for his support in revitalizing the club out from under probation by presenting him with the club's first Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
     In 1988, the club first began its annual commitment of sponsoring a Connie Mack Association World Series baseball team...from South Plains.  President Ron Dial, Chairman Jack Fortner.
     In 1988, the club's first inbound foreign exchange student was Bridget Janssen from Belgium. 
     Under both Aztec and San Juan Club banners, the club met at the San Juan Country Club up until 1988 when it moved its weekly meetings to the Best Western Inn and Suites as the manager, Fred Flamm was a Rotary member.  There was also a reported issue related to the Country Club only willing to provide Jell-O as a dessert at no extra charge.
     In 1989, Club member and Director of the Farmington Boys Club, John Oliphant designed the San Juan Rotary Club banner that is still in use.  President Ron Dial honored fellow club members with a Paul Harris Fellowship to Franklin Roberts and Phil Morin for their membership drive efforts.  President Ron Dial.
     In 1989, the San Juan Club honored Manuel Hastings with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his support.  President Tom James.
     In 1989, the Club held its first annual Rotary Golf Tournament with proceeds going for San Juan College scholarships.  President Tom James; Chairman Daryl Leeper. 
     In  August 1990, the Club provided $2500 to co-sponsor the median with US West at the intersection of Pinon Hills and East Main Street in the city's "Adopt a Median" program. President Ton James; Chairman Phil Morin.
1991-2000
     In 1991, the Club began a 4 year joint program with the Farmington Club holding an annual Duck Race, $25,000 was raised.  President Jeff Boddy; Joyce Donald Chair
     1992, the Club was the major sponsor of the annual San Juan College Knowledge Bowl for Project Read. Joyce Donald President.

1993-2003
     May 1993, the Club members contructed the azebo at Bishop Park in Bloomfield designed by Kerney Taylor and with donated materials ($1400 value) from Construction Supply. President Joyce Donald; Chairman Phil Morin.
     July 4, 1993, the San Juan Club held a ceremony with 3000 attending the formal dedication of the Four Corners Viet Nam War Memorial .  Under the Presidency of Joyce Donald, co-chairmen Bill Brown and Phil Morin, the Club raised $125,000 in fund and in-kind contributions to complete the project.  The Memorial is believed to have been the first Viet Nam Memorial in the country that listed those who had served and survived as well as those who died.  Assistant Defense Secretary Colin McMillan was the honored guest speaker.Joyce was presented the coveted Significant Achievement Award at the District 5520 Convention in Las Cruces.
     1994, member of the Club, Pete Rahn, Bill Standley, Jack Smelser, Pat Gross, James Gipson, Bill Manchester) delivered computers donated by local corporations to Mexico communities of Chihauhau and Neuva Grande, President Pete Rahn.
    1994, the club sponsored its first outbound exchange student Julie Morin who was assigned to Holzminden Germany.  Bill Standley, President.
    1994, the Club's first Endowment Benefactor for the Rotary International Foundation was Tom James.
    1995, The Club raised $6500 for graffiti removal equipment. President Bill Standley.
    1996, the Club constructed a pavilion (eight table picnic shelter) at the Nizhoni Friendship Park in Shiprock at a cost of $15,000. President Pat Gross.
    1996, the Club began the 7 year "Round Ball Ruckus: fund-raiser, $10,000 went to install the Nancy Sandel Park for the Farmington Boys and Girls Club. President Jack Smelser; Chairman Dave Turnbull.
    1997, the Club sponsored David Morin, as an outbound exchange student and was assigned to Castalldefels, Spain.  President Jack Smelser
    1997, the Club began a four year program to promote "Gang Prevention" in local elementary schools by having a t-shirt design contest and gave out 12,000 free shirts (with the winning design) to the school children.  President Dave Cezark, Chairman, Paul McQueary.
    1997, the Club helped establish the "Juvenile Court" with the San Juan County Court system that recruits juveniles to judge offenses of other juveniles.  Rotary volunteers assisted probation officers to monitor the sentenced juveniles.  President Dave Cezark. Chairman Paul McQueary.
    Fall of 1998, The Club began Adopt a Highway and members where pick up trash twice a year. President: Rick Tully, Chairman: Bill Birdsall.
    1998, the two Rotary Clubs presented two "Welcome to Farmington" sign for the Four Corners Airport Terminal.  President David Cezark, Chairman Phil Morin.
    1998, The Club committed $1000 per year to Project Read, a literacy program at San Juan College.  President Rick Tully
    1998, the Club received the "Spirit of Rotary Award" President Dave Cezark.
    1999, the Club purchased ($1700, solid mahogany) a Presidential Rotary display cabinet for the lobby of the Best Western Inn. President Rick Tully, Chairs Joyce Donald and Phil Morin.
    2000, $15,000 was contributed for playground equipment for the Farmington Intertribal Center.  President Marcia Phillips; Chairman Sandy Williams.
    Spring of 2000, The Club collected and shipped 2465 lbs of classroom text books and encyclopedias to the remote Amerindian village of Lethem, Guyana where neither students or teachers had text or resource books.  Former Rotary exchange student Julie Morin served as the local project coordinator in her capacity as a Peace Corp volunteer in Lethem. President Dave Turnbull.
    Spring 2000, the Club donated $1500 for the Los Alamos Fire Victims. President Dave Turnbull.
    2000, the Club members largely made up the Casa Amigos Board of Directors that oversaw the reintegration of juveniles be release from Springer.  President Dave Turnbull. Chairman Paul McQueary
    Fall, 200, the Club donated $300 to Cystic Fibrosis.  President Dave Turnbull.
    Fall, 2000, the Club sponsored the 4-Way Test Essay Contest, winner receiving $100. President Andy Sandoval.
    Winter of 2000, the Club began its annual Mittens and Hats Project providing warmth for 100's of elementary school children in San Juan County ($750 annually.  President Dave Turnbull; Chairmen Don Cowman, Jennifer Grossheim.
     2000, the Club's first year of our annual commitment to raise funds for Project Merry Christmas.Annual giving estimated at $500.  President Sandy Williams, Chairman Joyce Donald.
    2001, the Club donated $100 to plant trees at McGee Park in preparation of the National Teen Association Rodeo.  President Sandy Williams.

2001-2004
    July, 2001, the Club's entry ('56 Mercedes) won First Place in the Freedom Days Parade.  President Sandy Williams, Chairman Phil Morin.
    2001, the Club provided $5000 for the World Trade Center survivors.  President Sandy Williams.
    2001, Phil Morin was the club's first recipient of the Four Avenues of Service Citation for Individual Rotarians.  President Andy Sandoval.
    2001, the Club began its annual $500 student scholarship at Navajo Preparatory School.  President Sandy Williams, Chairman, Jennifer Grossheim.
   2001, Dave Turnbull was the Club's first receipient of the Vocational Award.  His $100 award to help Cystic Fibrosis.  President Sandy Williams
    2001, the Club donated $257 to the Joslin Family Scholarship Fund in memory of member Randy Joslin's daughter.  President Sandy Williams.
    2002, the Club sponsored construction of a course hole for the Lion's Wilderness Frisbee Golf Course.  President Andy Sandoval
    2002, the Club funded ($5000) to construct a gazebo for Navajo Missions.  President Sandy Williams.
    2002, the Club raised $900 over two years for the Four Corners Shelter for Women's play equipment.  Presidents Andy Sandoval and Pam Lee.
    2002, The Club donated $900 to help the daughter of Della (Club's faithful meeting meal server), who was dying of cancer.  President Sandy Williams.
    Summer 2002, the Club donated $75 to support firefighters of the Missionary Ridge fire as well as donate personal supplies needed by the fire crews.
    Winter 2003,the club teamed with the Chingola African Rotary Club, matching our $1000 contribution to buy clothes for the Chingola Childrens' Center.  President Pam Lee.
     2003, the Club organized its first Salvation Army Kettle drive in a friendly competition with the Farmington Club. President Pam Lee.

2003-2007
    Spring 2004, the Club organized its first Hole-in-One Golf Tournament and raised $1600.  President Pam Lee, Chairman Chuck Saunders
    Spring 2004, the Club provided $200 to help fund three students to attend a national speech and debate workshop.  President Pam Lee.
    Spring 2004, the Club donated $10,000 to plant 100 trees at the new Farmington Library.  President Pam Lee
    2004, the Club was awarded the "R.I. Presidential Citation" at the 5520 District Conference.  President Pm Lee
    2004, after having years of neglect, the Club members restored the historic 6 Graves Hill Cemeter.  The Cemetery includes Dr. Brown's family that was one of the first families who settled in the Farmington area.  President Matt Lamoreux; Chairman Paul McQueary
    2004, the club wired $500 to keep the doors open for an illegal Burmese women and children refugee safe home in Mae Sot Thailand.  President Matt Lamoreux.
    2004, the Navajo Missions were given one goat "Mr. Billy Goat" auctioned at the SJ County Fair and is now part of the mission's farm program.  President Matt Lmoreux
    Fall 2004, the Club joined with the Farmington Club in co-sponsoring the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Tournament and the 68th golfer Eric Duncan (total 73) got the hole-in-one!  Eric won $500K, his sponsor KWYK Radio won $200K. each of the two Rotary Clubs won $150K.  The Clubs also raised another $14,000 to be used for helping special needs of the community.  President Matt Lamoreux, Chairman Chuck Saunders
    Fall 2004, the Club participated in the Tri-District Conference and sponsored a project in Mexico.  President Matt Lamoreux
    Oct 28, 2004, Interact Clubs at the Farmington High and Piedra Vista High Schools were co-sponsored by the San Juan and Farmington Rotary Clubs.  President Matt Lamoreaux; Chairman Peggy Marie; Farmington Club President Chris Hunter; Farmington Club Chairman Bill Kottke

2005
     Summer 2005, the Club partnered with the Farmington Club to help with the Special Olympics Village. A special banner was designed and a private plane flew over Farmington displaying it "Special Olympics Rock". President Ron Price 

 Fall 2005, the Club presented a $1,000 check for a student at Navajo Prep. President Ron Price
    2005, the Club helped Project Read by purchasing a Literacy software program to help people learn online. President Ron Price
     Spring 2006, the Club selected Merrion Oil and Gas as their choice for large Business of the Year and submitted it to District. At the District Convention in Ruidoso, T Gregg Merrion was awarded the Sonny Brown Business of the Year award in the large company category. (over 100 employees). Ron Price President; Joyce Donald, Chairman
    Spring 2006, the Club was awarded the RI Presidential Citation. Ron Price, President
    Spring 2006, the Club was able to purchase, though a special offering at District, enough club points to award 10 Paul Harris Fellows.  Ron Price, President; Joyce Donald Chairman

2006-07
    Fall 2006, the Club purchase signs "Drive Carefully, Protect Our Children" for all the elementary schools in Farmington and Aztec.  Jill McQueary, President; Tina Mitchell, Chairman
     Fall 2006, a sign was purchased and hung at the Best Western Inn, Rotary Meets Here Tuesdays, noon.  Jill McQueary, President; Bill Brown, Chairman
     Fall 2006, the Don't Meth With Us program was formed and is presented to approximately 2200 5th grade students each year in San Juan County.  Jill McQueary, President; Paul McQueary & Barb Chambers, Chairmen
      Fall 2006, the Clothes for Kids program began with only enough money to help 44 children with $100 each in school clothes, shoes, and coats. Jill McQueary, Chairman, Anthony Fleming, Chairman
     Fall 2006, the first club budget was drafted and put into effect. Jill McQueary, Phil Morin, Chairman
     Winter, 2006, Vickki Shirley, the First Lady of the Navajo Nation, flew in to receive 1300 pairs of socks the Club collected for elementary age children on the Reservation. Jill McQueary, President; Mindy Smith, Chairman
     Spring 2007, the Club received the "Bob Wooten award as the Most Fun Club" at the District Convention. Paul McQueary was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow award at Convention.  Jill McQueary, President; Joyce Donald, Chairman
     Spring 2007 the Club was awarded the "Impact Club of the Year" in the large club category(over 100 members), at the District Convention.  Jill McQueary, President
     Spring 2007, the Club was awarded the RI Presidential Citation at the District Convention.  Jill McQueary, President

2011-2012

June 28, 2011 Board Members: President Dorothy Saltzman, Vice President Barbara Tedrow, Secretary Melissa Meechan, Treasurer Tina Mitchell, Sergeant at Arms Peter Saltzman, Fountation Chair Kent Wilson, Public Relations DeeAnn Durbin, Administration Chair Bob Brooks, Club Service Projects Rick Quevedo, Historian Drew Degner, Chaplain Pam Lee, and Social Services Jessica Saxon