History of Del Norte Rotary Club

Historical beginning: There were 88 charter members of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte, with 80 on the rolls for Charter Night, March 5, 1988. Nine are still active members: Rob Butler, Bernie Butterfield, Sam Carnes, Geno Casanova, Richard Follingstad, Bettye Rae Francis, Norm Liss, Chet Stewart and Mary Strohacker. The Charter from Rotary International failed to make it in time for the Charter Night ceremony so then Club President Chuck Gara scribbled the "de facto" Charter on the hotel's wine list brochure (see photo), which was then signed by District Governor Neal Johnson to make it official. Of interest: The Charter from RI lists our founding was February 23, 1988. The club set February 27 as its Charter Night at the Marriot Hotel. It was postponed until March 5 due to a UNM Lobo basketball game that was also scheduled for February 27. The club has since tried to work around Lobo basketball games when it comes to important events such as Founders Night and the Gala.