First person: Rotarian on rise

Lonnie Leslie has been part of Rotary International for 24 years. In two more years, he'll have one of its highest honors.

Courtesy photo

Lonnie Leslie has been selected as a Rotary International District 5520 governor for 2014-15. He and his wife, Ardeth, will take part in numerous functions held by all 71 of the district's clubs across New Mexico and Texas.

Leslie, a retired school administrator, has been selected as 2014-15 district governor for Rotary International District 5520. When he begins his service, he and his wife Ardeth will be part of Rotary functions across New Mexico and the world.

Leslie was nominated for the role by the Clovis Rotary Club, and the couple was interviewed together during the process. He will begin duties as District Governor-nominee July 1.

Getting involved: I was the assistant superintendent of schools and Mack Mitchell was the superintendent. I always tell people Mack gave me the gift of Rotary.

Ardeth says: I was in favor of it. He enjoys being with the Rotarians. They have great programs. I go when I can.

Lonnie says: There's the enjoyment of having lunch with the leaders of Clovis. But it's also an opportunity to help people around the world, like the elimination of polio. One of the most interesting things about Rotary is we've spent the last 15 years or so working to rid the world of polio. Through members of Rotary there has been $1 billion raised. There are only three countries left that still have polio. We're getting very, very close to eradication of polio throughout the world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have partnered with Rotary trying to get these last three countries.

Locally: Certainly, Rotary has given me an opportunity to serve others. The great thing about Rotary is you serve people in your community as well as serving people around the world. Locally, we've maintained some medians in the community. We've sponsored student Rotarians. Our biggest is the annual sponsorship of the soapbox derby. We maintain a section of highway outside of Texico. We've been able to put up greeting signs for Clovis.

This year, internationally, we were able to raise $31,000 with the cooperation of other clubs. We used that to buy 500 wheelchairs that were sent to Belize. We sent 12 Rotarians from our community to Belize to set up those wheelchairs. That was headed up by Tammy Garner, president of the Rotary Club. That was a huge thing for a little Rotary Club to do.

New role: District governor becomes sort of a full-time job. During the year I'm district governor, I will visit the 71 clubs in Rotary District, which is all of New Mexico and a part of west Texas that extends under New Mexico; the El Paso, Fort Stockton region. You put about 60,000 miles on your automobile during that year. It also gives me an opportunity to meet with other district governors around the world. In any other year there are 500 district governors.

The process: My wife and I were interviewed, and we were selected. They select you three years before because it gives you three years to attend trainings. Ardeth and I will attend multiple trainings. Ardeth's role is that she's my support during the year. She will go and visit all the 71 clubs every time I visit. She'll be the first lady of Rotary for District 5520.

Ardeth says: I'm just his support system. I'm sure I'll be driving a lot. That will just be another opportunity to be together, as well as visit a lot of New Mexico. I think the southwest corner of New Mexico is one I'm very unfamiliar with.

— Compiled by CNJ staff writer Kevin Wilson