In 1960 three Colorado State researchers, Maury Albertsons, Pauline Birkey-Kreutzer and Andrew Rice, responded to a request for proposal for the “Point Four Youth Corps”. At the same time, key supporter Hubert Humphrey was pushing Presidential Candidate John F Kennedy to propose the “Peace Corps” as part of his campaign strategy. After a long campaign day, at 2:00AM, October 14, 1960, to a patiently waiting audience on the University of Michigan campus, Kennedy did so. The concept energized America’s youth, and some say provided just the push he needed to win the Presidency. On March 1, 1961, in one of his first Presidential Orders, JFK established the Peace Corps. The CSU proposal and later work by the team would become the basis for much of the Peace Corps early training and work.

Recent statistics show that over 187,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps, providing support and building understanding in 140 countries. The three goals of the Peace Corps are:

1. Speak with tact and reason
2. Remember that Rotary is not a political organization, but emphasizes participation as free peoples in the democratic process
3. My counsel is to raise the discussion to a higher plane with subjects such as:

Political advertising held to the same standards as businesses and professionals

The Four Way Test as our measure. Common “Truth”, “fair to all concerned”, and “better friendships” working together for the common good

I was reminded by Ray Martinez that the first 27 seconds are critical. –Since we live in a culture of the “sound bite.” So be precise and eloquent.

Her exchange partner, Maria Emilia Contreras also attended the meeting

"In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds." -- Aristotle

Secondly, he introduced three key members of the orchestra who each told us about their training and how they got the Fort Collins Symphony. The three were cello player Becky Osterberg, flute player Kristin Sommer and tuba player Charles Ortega. Each played a short piece for us. A bio for each was available on the tables.

The third part of the program was new Executive Director, Terese Kaptur, describing her background, how she got to the Fort Collins Symphony, and her observations about the symphony. She emphasized the symphony’s efforts to perform music outside the concert hall. She suggested a partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins for some kind of event.

Warren and Genny Garst Wildlife Collection at CSU Click here or on the "tiger."

Rotary District 5440 Home Page - We recommend browsing this page particularly the links to other Clubs in District 5440 as your time permits.

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Copyright © by Lannie Boyd and Alan Ashbaugh for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, August 20, 2008