Bill Emslie, our DG for 2017-2018, brings us a situation report for the District, covering a number of topics, and some background on the People of Action citation for which nominations are encouraged. The citation calls for sharing one’s Rotary story or experience, and Bill plans to relate one of his own that has been an inspiration to him.
Bill’s interests in international Rotary activities includes work on 40 projects in Nepal as well as projects in Haiti, Africa and India. Tracey Emslie, Bill’s wife, will share with us developments in the Polio Eradication Program. Since 1979, Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries.
Bill, a retired US Navy captain, and former CEO of Platte River Power Authority, has been a Rotarian since 1986. He has been a strong supporter of the Youth Services programs, and has served as chair for RYLA, Young RYLA, and Summer Youth Exchange. His outside community service now includes serving on the Big T (Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District) Board, and the Longs Peak Council of Boy Scouts.
This past week Claire Gilliland gave us her perspective, as a retired nurse and professor of nursing, on three new issues in health care: Sugar, Stem Cells, and Cell Phones. Claire started off by calling sugar the “new tobacco”, because of its addictive nature, its negative effects on personal health, and because of disinformation campaigns by the sugar industry. She cited soft drinks as perhaps the most dangerous and common source, but did note recent trends away from consumption due to sugar taxes, and efforts to limit advertising and sporting events sponsorships.
Next Gilliland gave us good news around stem cells, noting a new ‘skin-gun’ that used stem cells to spray new skin onto burned areas, creating new skin within a few weeks. Apparently the skin-gun uses stem cells from the foreskin, and may be capable of creating new kidneys, hearts, etc..
Third, Gilliland noted the huge growth in cell phone apps related to health and health care, from exercise apps to the ability to measure plasma levels, PH and blood sugar levels, HIV virus, sperm fertility, melanoma, malaria, and perhaps even mental health and cravings. Perhaps cell phones will even be able to help with our epidemics of obesity and opioid usage.
Our September Teacher of the Month is Alisa Hicks of Cache La Poudre Middle School. She teaches 8th grade science and 7th grade social studies, a rare combination these days. She spoke to us just 30 minutes after leaving the riverbank, where she supervised science projects conducted by her students.
Her undergraduate degree is in Physical Anthropology and her Master’s degree is in Biological anthropology. That helps to explain the spread of her teaching expertise. Her career choice was influenced by two factors: She enjoyed her role as a Teaching Assistant in college and she was inspired by memories of public school teachers who made an impact on her life. That, she discovered, was what she wanted to do – to become one of those people remembered for making a lifelong impact on students’ lives.
Every student is important to her. Her goal is to have every child succeed, those who are struggling mentally and emotionally as well as those who sail through her classes. That she strives to achieve this central goal is attested to by her colleagues. In addition to teaching, Alisa plays an instrumental leadership role in maintaining the quality and friendly atmosphere of her school. She is science departmenthead, and brought the Science Olympiad team that she coaches to qualify for the state competition. She is the mother of four children, ranging in age from ten to fourteen. Once again Rotarians had an opportunity to see and hear a gifted teacher who is working hard to help members of the next generation achieve their goals.
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Meetings: Wednesday Noon
Drake Center (Lunch)
802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins,
CO 80526 United States
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FORMS ARE OVERDUE! If you have not already done so, please pick up (or retrieve online) this year's financial commitment form and turn it in ASAP.
Marty Bach brought spray hand sanitizer, compliments of Front Range, to put in our cars for use after fueling. Thanks, Marty.
Donna Chapel said the Fellowship Committee is considering having small dinners and asked who would be interested in hosting one. Contact any member of that committee if you are interested.
Bill Moellenhoff, on behalf of those who are "hearing challenged", instructed all of us on the correct way to position a microphone when speaking into one.
Susan Stewart invited all to Harvest Farm for its Fall Festival. The Farm employs 30 men with various issues, who work the farm. A large percentage of them graduate to permanent work. Pumpkins, hay rides, horseback rides, honey, and a petting zoo are among the activities of the festival which is held every weekend in October. She offered four four-pack passes for auction to benefit our community grants program. Bill West acted as auctioneer. Amount raised approximately $625 for RCFC Charities.
The District Fall Assembly is October 7 at Little America in Cheyenne. Coat is $50, $25 for new Rotarians and first- timers.
Don Eversoll told us that Ron Rutz had undergone gall bladder surgery. He is recovering nicely. Call Don for an address.
A gift to the Legacy Fund is a great way to memorialize a birthday, anniversary, the birth of a child or grandchild, etc. Each gift gets the Club closer to our goal of $1 Million by our centennial in August 2018. The Legacy Fund supports local Rotary projects such as Community grants, scholarships, and civic projects. Cash, appreciated property such as stock or planned gifts such as those in a will are all great ways to support the Legacy Fund.
PREVIOUSLY:
Ross Lane reminded us that Four-Way Test season is coming up. Expect Ross to be calling on you soon.
Judy Boggs asked that anyone who has not completed AND RETURNED the RCFC Financial Commitment form for 2017-18, to do it ASAP. We need your Financial Commitment form to finalize this year’s budget and bill you.
Marty Bachman asked that the Care and Recognition Committee needs everyone's help so as not to miss any special event or occasions that should be acknowledged. Contact Marty, Melanie, or Jeanne with your information.
If you want to contribute to the Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund established by District 5930, contact Jeanne for the online link.
Del Benson is looking for other fishermen to establish a fishing Fellowship (before the snow flies).
Lynne Baker, one of three co-chairs of the Centennial Committee, reported that much was being planned for our Centennial Year. Culmination will be a dinner on August 1, 2018, at in the Stadium Club in the new CSU stadium. Profits from sales of wreaths and flower baskets are helping to fund the activities. She then announced that each member will be assessed $5 per quarter until our anniversary on the quarterly statement, as approved by our Board.
Bill Emslie, our DG for 2017-2018, brings us a situation report for the District, covering a number of topics, and some background on the People of Action citation for which nominations are encouraged. The citation calls for sharing one’s Rotary story or experience, and Bill plans to relate one of his own that has been an inspiration to him.
