June 3, 2009

Rebecca Brune

Vice President of Alliances

Goodwill Industries

Recipient of the

2009 Outstanding

Young San Antonian

Distinguished Service Award

Congratulations to Rebecca Brune, the recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Young San Antonian Distinguished Service Award.  The award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Antonio, honors outstanding young San Antonians who exemplify the Rotary philosophy of "Service Above Self" by making exceptional contributions to the communities in the San Antonio metropolitan area.

Rebecca was recently hired (February 2009) into a newly created position – Vice President of Alliances at Goodwill Industries of San Antonio – to use her talents and knowledge of the community to build relationships and create opportunities to advance Goodwill’s mission to help change lives through the power of work.

In her previous work experience at United Way, Rebecca was a member of a national United Way of America Strategic Planning Committee which developed a Financial Stability Partnership and Asset Building model that is being implemented across the nation by other local United Ways and non-profit service provides. In addition, during her career at United Way Rebecca represented United Way at the national level as a trainer, featured speaker, and member of several think tank committees to develop strategies and identify solutions that will address the asset building and financial stability needs of the working poor.

During her tenure at the City, Rebecca started the City’s first IDA savings match program which was one of four in the state of Texas at that time. The objective of the IDA program is to assist people build assets by repairing their credit and helping them save money to buy a home, start a small business, and seek post-secondary education.

Rebecca worked as a consultant for the Corporation for Enterprise Development as part of a national train the trainer team to provide training across the nation on how to design and implement IDA and asset building programs. Rebecca trained in Georgia, Washington DC, Texas, Florida, and California.  Through fellowships, Rebecca has spent time in Bangladesh, India and Nicaragua researching micro-lending programs and social enterprise programs.

Throughout her professional career Rebecca has worked deliberately using her skills and talents to create opportunities and improve access to programs and services for working families in our Community.

 Affiliations & Positions    

• United Way of America, Financial Stability Partnership Committee Member

• United Way of America, IBM Global Business Partnership Committee Member

• Leadership of San Antonio, Class Member LSA 30

• Bexar County Dispute Resolution, Advisory Board Member and Volunteer Mediator

• Sunset Rotary Club, Charter member

• Mission Trails Rotary, Board Member/Secretary

• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Volunteer Tax Preparer

• United Way – Institute of Cultural Affairs Training, Community Facilitator

• Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association, Board & Newsletter Distribution Committee,           
   Director

• Douglas Elementary School, Mentor

• Texas Scholars Program, Business Partner

• St. Philip’s College Micro-Business Program, JOLI Program, Business Advisory
  Committee Chair

• Habitat for Humanity, Family Selection Committee, Board Member

• San Antonio Police Department, Family Assistance Crisis Team Volunteer Advocate

• Westside Coalition of Churches, ACTS Youth Retreat Director

• Jump-Start Theatre, Community Connections Committee Member

• Our Lady of Guadalupe, CCD Teacher

• First Friday Forum, Board Member

• Annual International Women’s March, Planning Committee Member

Appointments

• Mayor’s Homeless and Hunger Coalition Taskforce, Member

• City of San Antonio Budget Priorities Work Session, Community Representative

• Master Plan Policy Advisory Committee, Committee Member

Accomplishments & Recognition

• Rotary International Group Study Exchange Program, India 1999, Fellow

• Federal Depository Insurance Corporation, Alliance Partner

• National Women’s Law Center, Progressive Leadership and Advisory Committee  Member

Mark Your Calendar for the Don Strange Ranch Party

Don’t plan anything for Thursday, September 24 except the Don Strange Ranch Party.

This year’s party will be held a little later in the year to take advantage of the cooler weather.  That’s not the only change you’ll see this year.  The DSRP committee has some surprises in store for you. 

Last year they introduced the wine pull and balloon pop.  Both were very popular and will be back.  Stayed tuned to find out is new this year.

Join us Thursday, Sept 24 beginning at 6:00 PM at the Don Strange Ranch in Welfare.  The cost is $35 for Rotarians, $50 for non-Rotarians.  Admission includes food and an open bar.  Music will be provided by the Rick Cavender Band.

When’s the last time you went to the Don Strange Ranch Party?  Remember, proceeds benefit the Sam J. Riklin Rotary Diploma Plus Program.  Help us keep high school students on track for graduation.

For more information on Diploma Plus, visit our website at www.rotarysa.org

How do you want to serve?

Rotary has many opportunities for service.  Have you found your passion yet?

Now is the time to choose your committee for 2009-2010.  If you’re undecided, consider signing up for one of these.

Interact Clubs at Burbank,

Providence or St. Mary’s Hall

Interact Clubs are Rotary Clubs for high school students.  Interactors meet regularly and concentrate on service.  We need your help to guide these young Rotarians in the making.  They need your help arranging meetings, getting speakers, coordinating service projects both with their peers and our club and to learn more about Rotary.

Will it be time-intensive?  It doesn’t have to be.  Can you attend an Interact meeting once or twice a year?  Can you speak or help find a speaker for an Interact Club meeting? Can you host the students at a regular Rotary luncheon meeting?  Whatever time you can spare would be greatly appreciated by our students.

The students focus on service.  It doesn’t need to be service project with our club. Is there a service project at your business, church or neighborhood that needs extra hands?  Contact one of our Interact Clubs.

Would you rather work with older students?  Sign up for the Trinity Rotaract Club.  Rotaract Clubs are the college equivalent of Rotary Clubs.  As with the Interact Clubs, these students are interested in service opportunities.  Quality speakers are also needed as these young adults prepare for their careers.  Can you speak at one of their club meetings?  Can you attend a meeting and show them our club supports their efforts?  Can you spend some time talking with these students?  They could greatly benefit from your experience.

Contact the Rotary office for more information or to sign up for one of the Interact Clubs or Trinity Rotaract.

This Month’s Rotarian Magazine

Read the June edition of the Rotarian and see the winners of the Rotary photo contest.

Also learn how the current economic situation is affecting charitable giving.  How does this affect Rotary Clubs?  Find out why it’s more important than ever to be a part of Rotary.

Did you know that less than 3 percent of the water found on earth is fresh?   Read the last page of the Rotarian for these and other facts on water issues throughout the world.