As a naturalized citizen himself, immigrant integration and local government are Ricardo’s passion. He has a strong executive management experience in public and non-profit sectors. He is a recognized expert at the national and international levels. Ricardo joined the City of Aurora as the head of the Office of International and Immigrant Affairs in April 2015.
Gambetta, previously served as the Immigrant Integration Policy Manager at the National Immigration Forum in Washington D.C. During his time at the National Immigration Forum, Ricardo led a national coalition of more than 60 national immigrant and refugee organizations focused on integration policies, immigration reform, and naturalization efforts. Gambetta is also the former Director of Immigration Services at the U.S Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and the former National Manager of Immigrant Integration at the National League of Cities in Washington D.C. During his time at the National League of Cities, he developed the Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration initiative and the recognized and innovative nationwide effort to address the issue of immigrant integration in American cities.
In continuation, Gambetta previously served as the mayor’s Director of Latino and Immigrant Affairs (1999-2007) in Indianapolis. Alongside, Ricardo was the former Vice-Chair of the Indiana Governor’s Commission on Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs and the senior member of the Mayor’s Elect Transition Team in Indianapolis. He holds a BA degree in political science from Garcilaso College. Ricardo has participated in specialized trainings in the areas of immigrant integration, immigration policy and municipal management in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. During the past few years, Gambetta was a guest presenter and international trainer at the Danish National Police Academy, Council of Europe, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, the Strasbourg Club, Congress of Cities, Metropolis International Conferences, and White House Task Force on New Americans, Woodrow Wilson International Center, Technical University of El Salvador, National Association of County & City Health Officials and the Institute of Mexicans Abroad among others. Finally, Gambetta is the author of more than 20 reports and publications in the area of immigrant integration.
Dr. Eva Kim recently moved to Colorado from California. She's a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, which means she treats diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. She is also a Uveitis Specialist.
Denver Lions your help is needed! Our community outreach event this year is RECYCLE FOR SIGHT on the 16th Street Mall on Tuesday April 11th. Instead of our normal meeting we will be collecting glasses for recycling. We will set up three collection locations on the Mall. We will still have a buffet lunch while you help out.
As important as collecting glasses on April 11th, is telling the public to bring the used eye glasses. We need a lot of Lions on Friday April 7 to pass out flyers. This flyer is a way to tell everyone to bring eyeglass to work the next Tuesday to donate. We will also pass out flyers in the office buildings and to the merchants in the area. The flyer not only tells about the event but also promotes Lions.
We will need a lot of Lions on Friday April 7. We will have a late morning and early afternoon shift for about two hours.
Mark your calendars for April 7 and 11.
We are trying new ideas for our community outreach and this is one of them.
Spring Cleanup at the camp is just around the corner!
Staff will start arriving May 28th and their first group of campers will be there on June 4th!
The camp needs our help! It takes a lot of volunteers to get the camp ready for the 380+ campers that will be attending this summer. There are jobs for everyone!
Bring new members, old members, family and friends!
Contact Jodi Franke and/or Michelle Werner for more information and let them know how many Lions will be coming with you to help.
Melvin Jones, born on January 13, 1879, in Fort Thomas, Arizona, was the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Melvin Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois; he became associated with an insurance firm, and in 1913 formed his own agency. He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen’s luncheon group, and was shortly elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, then a thirty-eightyear-old Chicago business leader, had other plans.
In 1917 the first International Lions Clubs convention was held in Dallas. Delegates from twenty-three clubs (two of them from Colorado--Denver and Colorado Springs) attended. They adopted the Constitution and By-Laws, and they elected the following international officers:
Dr. W.P. Woods, Evansville, Indiana – President
Mr. L.H. Lewis, Dallas, Texas – First Vice President
Mr. E.N. Kaercher, St. Louis, Missouri – Second Vice President
Mr. H.M. Mayers, Denver, Colorado – Third Vice President
Mr. Melvin Jones, Chicago, Illinois – Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. W.P. Woods was the President of the Lions Club of Evansville, Indiana and one of the leaders who attended the meeting in Chicago where it was
agreed to form an international association.
The Mission statement of the Lions Clubs International was developed during that first convention as follows:
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
The Vision statement of Lions International is:
To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.
In addition to the adoption of the Constitution and By-Laws for the International Association, the delegates at the first Convention passed a motion to retain the name Lions, adopted the original Lions emblem, selected the colors purple and gold as the official colors and authorized Melvin Jones to open an office in Chicago. Melvin Jones eventually abandoned his insurance agency to devote himself full time to Lions at International Headquarters in Chicago. It was under his dynamic leadership that Lions Clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract civic-minded members all over the world.
New Members and potential members who want to learn all about the Denver Lions Club. This is an opportunity to learn things about the history, programs and general workings of the club not available in any other way. It is also a chance to meet other new members. You are encouraged to bring your spouse/significant other if you choose.
This Week!!
Date: Wednesday March 22
Time: 5:30 – 6:00 Beverages and food - Presentation starts at 6:00
Location: First Baptist Church, 1373 Grant St, Denver CO 80203
Room: Fireside room in church basement
Parking: Lot on the south side of the church. Plenty of space.
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We will celebrate the 100 year birthday of Denver Lions on Saturday October 14, 2017. Put this date on your calendaer
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