The incoming president of Rotaract announced a new project: The Human Library. THL is to be made up of persons with different backgrounds who will share their "contents" at a forum scheduled for April 21, 5-7, PM, at the Lory Student Center. If you are one, or know a ‘living book’ who should be heard in this forum, please let Del Benson know.
Ralph Smith announced the Science Fellowship was postponed until next week (3/29) after our regular meeting.
Don Eversoll announced a volunteer opportunity, driving a golf cart to pick up patients and visitors at Colorado Health’s Lemay campus. See Don if you are interested.
Robert Hope, secretary for Rotaract, announced an April 1 event to benefit the American Cancer Society. The event will be held on the intermural fields at CSU from 12 to 6 PM. A series of activities are being offered. The entry fee is $10 per person with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.
Veterans Forum for Seniors, Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Chilson Senior Center 700 E. 4th Street, Loveland. A panel of experts will discuss veteran’s benefits for seniors and answer questions from the audience. Some of the topics will include: eligibility and enrollment, mental health services, aid & attendance, and navigating the VA system. Questions? Call the Office on Aging at 970-498-7750 or the Chilson Senior Center at 970-962-2423.
Martin Limbird urged members to attend the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, June 10-14. Registrants can save $75 per person if registering by March 31.
Phyllis Abt reminded us that the Greeley club will be celebrating their one hundredth anniversary on May 18. The speaker will be the Rotary International president.
Bart Kingman thanked Richard Skaggs for picking him up for Rotary, and requested that anyone willing to pick him up for Rotary, please contact Bart.
Stacy Plemmons noted that Tom Peterson’s glioblastoma had returned, and it is inoperable. He is experiencing balance and short term memory issues, and appreciates phone calls from Rotarians.
Stacy also noted that Max Getts is in the Lemay Avenue Rehab, just south of Harmony, and appreciates visits. In good news, over the last several months Max has been working with The Rotarian Magazine, and has been notified that they will run a feature story in the June Rotarian (available approximately May 25) on RCFC’s 4-Way Test School Program, created by Max and RCFC members in the 90’s. Rotary passion lives on in Max!
It was announced that this years’ Service In Action celebration will occur as an evening event this year, Wednesday April 19, to accommodate spouses and Satellite members. Please save the date.
LEGACY FUND - AUTOMATE YOUR GIVING
A number of Rotarians have their gift to the Legacy Fund made quarterly as a part of their payment of dues and meals. Last year this amounted to nearly $27,000 which helps bring our total closer to the $1million goal by August 2018, for our 100th anniversary. It’s easy and every donation helps in assuring Rotary’s service in action forever.
If you have announcements please email them to erin@ahome4life.com or just reply to the Rotogear email to get listed in the Rotogear.
Requirements: Willingness to volunteer, and some low level of writing ability. English major unnecessary. Humor helps. Listening skills desirable.
Duties (a) Listen to (or record if you have the equipment) each week’s program, and write up a paragraph or two summarizing the presentation and any relevant questions. Presentation critique unnecessary. (b) Submit a write up by Sunday each week to the electronic and print Rotogear Editors.
Salary: Multiples of the previous writer’s salary may be negotiated.
Working Environment: Great staff and opportunity to meet new friends
Fringe Benefits: Learn more about your Rotary Club, and fellow Rotarians
Questions and to submit an application: Contact either Stacy Plemmons or Erin Mounsey
According to a December 2015 NPR article, “In the three short years since the first scientific papers appeared about CRISPR-Cas9, the technique has been "spreading like wildfire," says Ramesh Akkina, a molecular immunologist at Colorado State University.” This week CSU’s Vice President for Research, Dr. Alan S. Rudolph, will join us to share the state of CRISPR technology, and CSU’s involvement in the research.
CRISPR allows scientists to edit genomes with unprecedented precision, efficiency, and flexibility and the potential to transform the field of biology and life in general. More recently it has become available for anyone - An October 2016 Google search returned 4.4M hits, with the first 4 being ads for common/public use, one costing only $119. The past few years have seen a flurry of CRISPR “firsts”, from creating monkeys with targeted mutations to preventing HIV infection in human cells. Also being discussed are the ethical aspects, including the possibility of ‘designer babies’.
Dr. Rudolph is a former member of senior executive service leading the US Biodefense, Biosecurity and Biotechnology programs at Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Rudolph has had an active career in translating interdisciplinary life sciences into useful applications for biotechnology development. His experience spans basic research to advanced development in academia, government laboratories, and most recently in the nonprofit and private sectors. He has published more than 100 papers, 15 patents, and started two biotechnology companies in areas including molecular biophysics, lipid self-assembly, drug delivery, blood substitutes, medical imaging, tissue engineering, neuroscience, and diagnostics
Last week our Teacher of the Month, Rebecca Wren, was drawn from Lincoln Middle School, in the north westernmost part of the city. Rebecca did not bother to dwell upon her accomplishments or her wishes for the Poudre School District. She concentrated on her own special teaching world and her overriding passion and commitment to students. By citing her work with one student who came from a tragic home life that impacted her performance, Rebecca pointed out how she learned to “meet kids where they are and work with them to find success.” Many of her students came with what she regarded as “baggage,” including parents who are ill, substance abuse and problems with the law. She regards thinking out of the box necessary to help students navigate adversity as fundamental to her role as a middle school science teacher. She thanked the Rotary club for making her feel that her work matters. She received an unprecedented standing ovation at the end of her talk.
Last Wednesday, Michele Christensen, Director of Program Development at Housing Catalyst, and Zachary Penland, Program Manager for the Redtail Ponds Permanent Supportive Housing program discussed homelessness data and overviewed permanent supportive housing (PSH), considered a best practice solution to homelessness. Housing Catalyst is the former Fort Collins Housing Authority. Redtail Ponds, developed and managed by Housing Catalyst, is Northern Colorado’s first Permanent Supportive Housing community, offering 60 apartments for people with disabilities who have experienced homelessness.
According to their presentation, Permanent Supportive Housing involves long-term, affordable housing in combination with supportive services. Redtail Ponds has 60 units, with 15 reserved for veterans, and service partnerships with the Veterans Administration, SummitStone Health Partners, and Catholic Charities. They also provide classes and incidental support through the CSU Extension services (Food Nutrition classes), Four Square Pharmacy, Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUP), Spirit Crossing, Front Range CC (Art Classes), Interim Healthcare, Health District of Northern Larimer County, Hospice, Great Clips, InnovAge, Dedicated Navigators, VITA (tax service), Mindfulness Group, Goodwill Career Connections, Blujay Wireless, and Meals on Wheels.
Redtail currently has 83 residents including 30 veterans and 16 women. Over the past two years, 22 residents have enrolled in employment training, and 12 have rejoined the workforce. In response to a question on economics, they noted that similar programs in other communities have documented savings of between $5,000 and $50,000 per resident per year vs. doing nothing, primarily due to reduced emergency room and hospital care, reduced housing-in-jail solutions, reduced police and first responder time and expenses, and various other community costs.
The Board of Directors has approved the membership application of Steve Kane.
Steve has met successfully with a Membership Committee representative.
He is sponsored by Matt Fries. Steve is a small business owner/ manufacturers representative.
If there are any comments about either Steve as a new member they should be directed to the club secretary, Rod Morrison, in writing by April 5th, one week after this notification appears in the March 29, 2017 print Rotogear.
You are invited to the Rotary District 5440 Spring Assembly!
Date: April 29th - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Little America, 2800 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY
Fees: $25 for first timers, $25 for Rotaractors & $50 for returning Rotarians - visit the district website for the appropriate registration links.
Agenda will be posted on the website event links when it is available.
If you are attending this assembly also please consider staying for the District Centennial Celebration for The Rotary Foundation which will also be held at Little America this same evening. Registration for that event can be found at http://rotary5440.org/event/rotary-district-5440-centennial-foundation-dinner/The hotel room block is now open. You can call Little America directly at307-775-8400 and ask for the Rotary Assembly rate of $115 per night. This rate is good for the evenings of April 26-May 1. This room block is good until March 31st.
Join us to celebrate ten Northern Colorado women and an Outstanding Mentor for their achievements in business, philanthropic, and government organizations at BizWest’s 2017 Northern Colorado Women of Distinction breakfast event on April 12, 2017 at Embassy Suites, Loveland.
This year’s Honorees:
Rotarian - Sue Wagner, Banking and Finance Mindy McCloughan, Business and Business Services Sharon Clinebell, Higher Education Michelle Scallon, Education Carolyn Gattis, Exceptional Volunteer Joni Friedman, Government, Energy and Utilities
Audrey Snyder, Health Care Laurie Steele, Leading Lady of a Lifetime Rhonda Welch, Nonprofit – Creative Industry Rotarian - Amy Pezzani, Nonprofit – Human Services Connie Dohn, Real Estate, Construction and Development Gordon Thibedeau, Outstanding Mentor
Early Bird Tickets through 3/31: $39 Online Tickets 4/1-4/10: $49 Door Tickets: $59
Corporate Tables also available -Reserved seating for 8 -Logo advertising on table placard -Company name listed in event presentation
Contact Sandy Powell for more details: spowell@bizwest.com or 970-232-3144
The Satellite meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at 5:30pm. The meeting locations vary, visit fortcollinsrotary.org for upcoming meetings and locations.
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According to a December 2015 NPR article, “In the three short years since the first scientific papers appeared about CRISPR-Cas9, the technique has been "spreading like wildfire," says Ramesh Akkina, a molecular immunologist at Colorado State University.” This week CSU’s Vice President for Research, Dr. Alan S. Rudolph, will join us to share the state of CRISPR technology, and CSU’s involvement in the research. 
Last week our Teacher of the Month, Rebecca Wren, was drawn from Lincoln Middle School, in the north westernmost part of the city. Rebecca did not bother to dwell upon her accomplishments or her wishes for the Poudre School District. She concentrated on her own special teaching world and her overriding passion and commitment to students. By citing her work with one student who came from a tragic home life that impacted her performance, Rebecca pointed out how she learned to “meet kids where they are and work with them to find success.” Many of her students came with what she regarded as “baggage,” including parents who are ill, substance abuse and problems with the law. She regards thinking out of the box necessary to help students navigate adversity as fundamental to her role as a middle school science teacher. She thanked the Rotary club for making her feel that her work matters. She received an unprecedented standing ovation at the end of her talk..jpg)
Last Wednesday, Michele Christensen, Director of Program Development at Housing Catalyst, and Zachary Penland, Program Manager for the Redtail Ponds Permanent Supportive Housing program discussed homelessness data and overviewed permanent supportive housing (PSH), considered a best practice solution to homelessness. Housing Catalyst is the former Fort Collins Housing Authority. Redtail Ponds, developed and managed by Housing Catalyst, is Northern Colorado’s first Permanent Supportive Housing community, offering 60 apartments for people with disabilities who have experienced homelessness. 
Join us to celebrate ten Northern Colorado women and an Outstanding Mentor for their achievements in business, philanthropic, and government organizations at BizWest’s 2017 Northern Colorado Women of Distinction breakfast event on April 12, 2017 at Embassy Suites, Loveland.
