Oct 15th Vocational Talks & Member Spotlights by DM Rotary's Newest Members

Club members Prudy Abeln & David Eisenberg provided vocational talks & member spotlights to help the club get to know our newest club members better.
 
Vocational Talk: Prudy Abeln
Prudy was raised in the Minneapolis area and attended Colorado College where she attained degrees in Political Science & Education. She also later received an MBA from the University of Utah’s executive program. Much of her professional career was in Banking-mortgage origination with her last industry position at Wells Fargo. Prudy and her husband later purchased and operated a Bed & Breakfast (Dreamcatcher B&B) in Taos, NM for 9 years. She has contributed greatly to Rotary and has performed other significant volunteering activities, throughout her life. Prudy and her family have also lived in Colorado, New Mexico, and Europe where her children attended International School. Prudy and her husband John have been married 43 years, have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
 
Member Spotlight: Prudy Abeln
Can you provide a brief summary of your Rotary experiences: I joined Rotary in 1999 in Parker, CO.  I was immediately recruited for the International Committee which led me to getting very involved in Youth Exchange.  We have hosted 14 exchange students for 3-5 months of their year as well as I served as the District Youth Exchange Chair for 3 years and on the District Committee for 8 years.  In 2009 we moved to Taos, NM where I became a member of the Taos-Milagro Rotary Club.  I have also served as Club President (2008-2009 in Parker, CO), as Asst. Governor in District 5520 New Mexico, Lieutenant Governor in D5520, and D5520 Awards Chair.  I’ve been Club Rotarian of the Year 3 times, and received one District Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service in D5450 Colorado when I served as Youth Exchange Chair.
 
Why did you become a Rotarian?  My father was a Rotarian, and the bank branch manager at Wells Fargo invited me to attend when we lived in Colorado.  I have been a lifelong volunteer for many different organizations, and the idea of a service organization appealed to me.
 
Tell us about a dream for the future that is important to you. I pray for greater peace in the world.
 
Who is the person you admire most, and why? Ruth Bader Ginsberg, for all she did through her persistence and intelligence, to improve women’s rights and equality for all.
 
Tell us of a moment in your life that taught you a valuable lesson. When my mother was dying of cancer, I attended a religious retreat.  During that experience, we went through the stations-of-the-cross.  At one of the stations, there was a reading that said, “Lord, if I could say something to change your plan, I would not speak.”  It strengthened my personal faith in a power greater than myself.
 
What is your favorite quote? “Everything in moderation”…one of those things my father often said.
 
What is a latest book you read that you would recommend to others? Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
 
Share one positive aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic that you can think of.  I’ve sorted through lots of things that I have carried with me for most of my life – old photos, letters from old boyfriends, school notebooks with important information that I was SURE I’d use later in life!, etc. Also, I’ve learned how to stay in touch with friends and family through Zoom and other Internet applications.
 
What message would you have for other Rotarians? Find something you are passionate about, and find a way to make an impact either in your community or throughout the world.  You will get so much more out of the experience than what you put in.  The greatest gift you can give yourself is serving others.
 
Vocational Talk: David Eisenberg
David is a 3rd generation Philadelphian, and was also educated in the Philadelphia area. He highlighted his HS Rotary Interact Club experience and especially his live-in volunteer work at a summer camp for impaired/handicapped children as amazing life experiences. David developed an interest in Human Services as he grew up. He spent his junior year in college at a UK university and has an uncle he visited often that is an expatriate in Paris. These strong connections to the UK and France helped him to develop strong interests in language & culture. This also brought him to have hosted 3 international students. He has had diverse professional careers, having completed the police academy in CA and becoming a police officer near the US/Mexico border. In addition, he attained his PhD degree & studied to receive a clinical social work license, to run a mental health facility in CA. He then evolved to perform clinical social work for those with high-pressure jobs and addressing police social work emergencies. David feels a strong commitment to public service. 
Member Spotlight: David Eisenberg
Can you provide a brief summary of your Rotary experiences:  I was in an Interact Club while in high school.  This is my first time in Rotary.
 
Why did you become a Rotarian?  I just retired and wanted to form friendships locally and make a contribution to my community.
 
Tell us about a dream for the future that is important to you.  I really want to be able to travel extensively both in the US and Western Europe. I am continuing my studies in French and want to spend some serious time in France before I leave this mortal orb.
 
Who is the person you admire most, and why?  Without hesitation my father Warren. He directly imbued me with a moral compass, taught me how to correctly treat people, and served as a model for doing ethical business and serving others.
 
Tell us of a moment in your life that taught you a valuable lesson.  When I was 29 I tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate a 4 year old who had just drowned. It taught me about death and the importance of protecting others and preserving life.
 
What is your favorite quote?  “Cultivate humility.  I never know when I am going to need it.” John Lithgow.
 
What is a latest book you read that you would recommend to others? Maiden Voyage by Tim Notier.  Tim is a global adventurer; this book describes his start.  A good read for anyone who wants to venture out from their own world.
 
Share one positive aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic that you can think of.  Getting to spend more uninterrupted time alone.
 
What message would you have for other Rotarians?  I am so appreciative of others who are willing to share who they are and what they have.