This past Tuesday, our RCFC leadership engaged in a time-honored tradition.  Each year the incoming President gathers past Presidents, seeking their input, suggestions and support for the coming year.  This year 19 Past Presidents and current Board Members gathered for a ‘no host’ dinner at the Rustic Oven...
 
Typically the incoming President shares their vision and priorities for the coming year.  Tuesday we started by reviewing the incredible accomplishments of RCFC, both this past year under Bill’s leadership and in the past years, and I reiterated my intent to stay focused on the same strategic initiatives – To be representative of our local community, to be relevant to the communities we serve, and to enjoy fellowship serving to enable the next generation of leaders. 
The real value of this dinner is the feedback.  Here’s what I heard – hopefully what the Past Presidents intended to convey.
  • We do an amazing job with our international projects, but could use more focus on our local community.  Locally, is Rotary - are we - relevant? 
  • Our Satellite membership is exciting – could we start a Hispanic-focused satellite?  Lot of energy around this idea.  What about a CSU satellite?  Focus on younger female faculty? 
  • We need more follow up with non-profits where we make grants.  Bring them back for reports on how they are doing; organize small groups of Rotarians to visit their site, understand their work, and how we might add Time and Talent value, in addition to Treasure. 
  • Develop a mentorship program.  We have mentors for understanding Rotary, but what about ‘career’ mentors?  With our experience and talent, how can we add value to younger Rotarians?
  • An Internship Program – could an intern engage Rotary, and help us run our club better?  Perhaps one of our scholarship winners?  Perhaps someone from Rotaract who needs an internship?  Count for school credit?  Needs clear project definition. 
  • New Member Recruitment – Could we have a formal program for recruiting both the parents (for Rotary) and the student (for Interact)?
  • Fossil Ridge has no Interact Club.  Can we start one there – perhaps using RYLA graduates?
  • Where do students go for service opportunities?  Can we help?
  • How can we extend our excellent Merit Badge University to young women and girls? 
  • The Board needs to do a better job of communicating its priorities and actions.  Members need regular feedback.  (Stacy committed to make this happen.) 
  • The club has a wide variety of activities.  Is it time to sunset some?  Ask the membership for advice.
  • Can we integrate some committees?  (This is underway, combining all scholarships into one area, and asking for close cooperation between the efforts.) 
  • Membership drives the club’s success – President needs to stay on top of it, and make sure Rotary remains relevant to our own members.   (I see this as an A-level priority.) 
  • Can we partner with the Community Foundation for joint/matching grants, leveraging our treasure, as well as time and talent?
The key to all of these ideas is finding a champion.  As President, some are within my responsibility, and will be implemented.  Others are most appropriate for an existing committee, and I’ll take leadership for passing those on.  Some are new, and require a champion.  For all, I invite all Past Presidents, Directors and Committee Chairs to help decide which ideas can be/should be implemented, and to find a champion. 
Finally, if I’ve missed or misunderstood any feedback, please accept my apology and help me get it right.  Thanks again for your time, your talent, and your support keeping RCFC relevant, and the best service club in Fort Collins.                                 
Stacy Plemmons
President Elect