Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Laguna Woods

Special Announcement
By Bernie Dehlin

At our June 14th meeting, Kiwanian Denise Welch announced that she will be running for the Laguna Woods City Council in November. Saddleback Kiwanis is proud to count Denise as a member and especially proud of her contributions to the club, Leisure World, and our larger community.

Denise is an example of dedication and tireless hard work. She has served her community both within and outside of Leisure World. Her elected offices include the 3rd Mutual Board of Directors (Second Vice President in 2004), and the Laguna Canyon Foundation Board of Directors.

Denise has the special ability to identify problem or trouble areas in our community and then design and coordinate successful and appreciated solutions.. Examples of her previous projects are: AARP (Special Projects Coordinator 2001-2002, Community Presence Team Leader 2003, Coordinator for Prescription Drug Event in Leisure World), City Of Laguna Woods (Exercise Challenge Chair 2001 & 2002, Privacy Protection Committee, Transportation Committee), Leisure World (Chaired annual Transportation Awareness Day and wrote the Transit Options for Seniors in the Laguna Woods Area Booklet, Chaired a Fraud Fest and compiled the Orange County Fraud Fest Tips Top Take Home booklet), Co-organizer of Volunteer Awareness Day and prepared the A Taste of Volunteerism booklet, Co-organizer of a Medicare Event coming up on August 30, co-authored The Quick Guide to the Medicare Discount Drug Card. Her outstanding communication and organizational skills contribute to the positive impact of programs that she coordinates for older adults. The enthusiasm and high energy that she brought to these events inspired other volunteers and agency staff to get involved, adding to each program's success.

Denise states that she could not have done these things without the help and support of Woodley Butler, Jim Burge, Margo and Bob Bouer, and Linda Wilson (examples of Kiwanians helping each other).

Denise is a tireless worker for many committees; through her friendly attitude she encourages and motivates other committee members. Several of her committee responsibilities have been: 3rd Mutual Board of Directors (2003 Chair of Resident Relations Program; Co-Chair in 2002-2003, current chair for Long Range Planning), Golden Rain Foundation (member of Community Activities Committee, past chair of CAC Computer Advisory Committee, chair of CAC AD HOC Equestrian Advisory Group, member of CAC AD HOC Fees committee, member Bus Utilization Committee, compiled Leisure World Bus Book, current chair GRF Clubhouse Advisory Committee). In addition, Denise has been appointed to OCTA Special Needs Board, involved in Transportation surveys for Orange County, Co-Chaired first Leisure World ACCESS Bus Committee, is a Senior Citizens Advisory Council member, the Chair of Senior Citizens Advisory Council Transportation Committee, was secretary of Senior Citizens Advisory Council Legislation Committee, compiled booklet on high costs of Funerals Funeral Guide, and a member of Senior Citizens Advisory Council Health Committee.

In Kiwanis, she has worked the Pancake Breakfast, Abe Lincoln Presentation, Special Olympics, Saddleback Memorial Kids Day, Stroke Club, and made Flyers for various events.

Denise's personal interests include her Reform Temple choir, Mariners Group, jet skiing in her co-owned See-Do boat, and playing Dominos with friends. She went to China in 2003 with Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and traveled to Japan and Hong Kong in 2004. Daughter Teresa E. Welch is a science Teacher in Langley Washington. Teresa won the Love of Learning Award and was selected as the Washington Science Teachers Association middle school Science Teacher of the Year award. Father, Park B. Dowd, had been actively involved in Leisure World Board of Directors and Kiwanis.

Thanks Denise for being a concerned citizen, a compassionate neighbor, and an exemplary Kiwanian.