Volunteers of the Month: Dick Richards and Richard Life

The Productivity Enhancement Program is thrilled to announce this month's outstanding volunteers: Dick Richards and Richard Life. Dick and Richard truly are a dynamic duo when it comes to PEP activity in Colorado. As long-time CCI supporters and active volunteers, Dick and Richard will have worked to help five delegations visit the state within the last year alone! We are pleased to recognize their remarkable efforts, dedication to Russia and support for CCI over the years.

"They are living examples that PEP is a magnet for the highest caliber of volunteers. When together, they automatically fall into friendship and service for one another and those they encounter. We are truly honored to work with such men as Dick Richards and Richard Life." -- Sharon Tennison, President, Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dick Richards, Longmont, Colorado: Rotary Club of Longmont

Dick learned of CCI and PEP in 1999 when his Rotary District Governor, Dan Clark, sent him information on the project. Having had a life-long interest in comparative economic systems, Dick was immediately attracted to CCI's mission of economic reform in Russia. After learning more about PEP, Dick's own Rotary Club of Longmont agreed to host a delegation of Russian newspaper professionals in November 1999. Dick enthusiastically took on the roles of lead organizer (Local Coordinator) and home hosting coordinator for his club.

Dick recalls that preparing for their first PEP delegation sparked significant interest in Russia and international service throughout their Rotary district. Building on this, Dick helped form a local "Rotary in Russia Committee" with Rotarians in his district. In the ensuing years, the committee and Dick have been devoted to aiding Russia through numerous CCI and Rotary projects.

That first delegation was incredibly successful and sparked strong bonds with the Russian delegates. Excited by the project and the opportunities PEP offers to Russians and local civic clubs, Dick began promoting the project to fellow Rotarians across Colorado.

"PEP is an excellent way of helping Russia because CCI's model really works! CCI and its staff are so well organized and offer local volunteers an enormous amount of direction and support to ensure success." -- Dick Richards

In June 2003, Dick agreed to become a Volunteer Area Coordinator, directly working with PEP to encourage communities to host delegations. Dick has worked tirelessly in this role, vividly communicating the need and opportunity to aid Russia. He has visited dozens of clubs to present on PEP, advised communities preparing for their own delegations and served as an excellent point person for groups traveling to Colorado.

Last year his Rotary club hosted its second newspapers delegation and, again as Local Coordinator, Dick elevated awareness of Rotary's involvement in the project. The Russian delegates were even welcomed at the state capitol building in Denver with a meeting and reception with Colorado Governor Bill Owens.

Dick's service has promoted hundreds of lifelong friendships, mutual understanding and peace between Russian and American citizens. His commitment to CCI and PEP has been invaluable for our mission in Colorado and elsewhere. He lends credibility and positive influence to all that he does. He is a champion for PEP and Russia in the truest sense! Thank you!!

Richard Life, Fort Collins, Colorado

CCI is proud to introduce retired US Navy Captain and veteran volunteer, Mr. Richard Life. As a career specialist in foreign affairs, Richard served as a naval attache in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during the mid-1970s. In his post, Richard traveled extensively throughout the Soviet Union and was able to speak with hundreds of Soviet citizens, from senior political and military officials to ordinary people of all ages. In Richard's words, this experience helped him realized that, "honest, personal interaction with the Soviet people provided the best means for dispelling the negative stereotypes that abounded."

Richard has been a CCI volunteer since 1995 when he became a recruiter for CCI's Economic Development Program (EDP). EDP placed individual, English-speaking Russian business men and women in one-month internships with American companies, and Richard helped CCI to place 35 Russians throughout the United States.

His valuable work with EDP turned him on to PEP as a way to assist even more, non-English speaking Russians living outside the major metropolitan areas. Since PEP's beginning, Richard has been an active proponent of the program, speaking to over 80 different civic clubs and organizations. He has been interviewed on radio talk shows in Fort Collins and reached out to more than 5,600 people in Colorado communities.

"CCI's PEP program is an incredible vehicle for flinging wide open the doors to mutual understanding. The exposure the Russian delegates gain on PEP not only improves their business skills but more importantly, they return to their hometowns with a great sense of hope for themselves, their family and their country." -- Richard Life

Richard's efforts have led to five delegations traveling to Colorado, including an upcoming construction delegation due to arrive in Fort Collins this August. In each of the groups he has taken a direct role, from acting as the main Local Coordinator, to organizing key aspects, driving vans, home hosting Russian's, and much more. In 2002, Richard encouraged the Colorado Bar Association to provide critical business training for a legal services delegation that was focused on conducting business ethically and transparently.

Richard's connection with CCI in Russia has included more than work on business and economic development programs like EDP and PEP. In 1999, CCI sent Richard to Russia for two weeks as a volunteer consultant to help create a drug and alcohol resistance education program for schools in Ekaterinburg. He also assisted democratically elected city council members (former communist leaders) in Chelyabinsk in establishing community affairs programs.

Richard's life-long commitment to Russia and leadership with CCI's civic development efforts continues to have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of Russians and Americans. CCI and countless others are deeply indebted to him. Thank you Richard for your service!