This Wednesday RCFC's Zoom meeting features Wayne Shepperd, Ph. D., a retired US Forest Service officer. Following his introduction by Dave Stewart, Wayne will report on the Cameron Peak Fire that started August 13th and burned until December. It was the largest recorded wildfire in Colorado history (208,913 acres - 326 sq mi.), covering much of the forested landscape in western Larimer County.
Purple Pins for Polio needs more online bowlers and sponsors. Please consider signing up!
WHEN: Sunday January 31, 2020 2:00 – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Online ZOOM Event
Online Bowling App - Teams will be assigned to ZOOM Rooms of 12 bowlers each and non-bowlers are welcome to join for the fellowship. Room Facilitators will assist bowlers with setting up the bowling app and tracking each bowler's scores. You will need a Smart Phone to run the Bowling App, a Computer/Tablet and Internet Access to participate in the Zoom Room and play with an online Bowling team. To register, lick on this link before January 27:
Community Grants Chair Kathy Nicol announced two recent grants:
The Avery House received $4,000 to provide advocacy and support services on-location to victims of sex trafficking. Services are performed through mobile response services in the Fort Collins area.
The Matthews House received $4,000 to support safe in-person case management, as well as virtual technology. It will help low-income parents navigate the online educational needs of their children during PSD’s current hybrid learning model.
The November Rotarian magazine featured an article, We the People, challenging Rotary to “…move beyond grants and volunteerism, although that work is good, …..into accountable relationships…” Rotarians seek to understand through truth, fairness, goodwill and behavior beneficial to all. Though we may not understand it, this past year the “Black Lives Matter” movement challenged our nation to do better.
Next month, RCFC's Programs Committee has scheduled three Relevant, Informative, Timely and Educational programs focused on our past, our present, and our potential for greater impact and change. The series starts on February 10 when nationally recognized author Dr. Melba Beals joins us via Zoom to discuss her experience as one of "The Little Rock Nine", chronicled in her book, Warriors Don't Cry. The Rotary Readers book fellowship is reading Warriors Don't Cry for February 11, discussion.
January 13, nationally-recognized photographer John Fielder and author Jeri Norgren shared stories from their recent book, “Colorado’s Highest: The History of Naming of the 14,000 Foot Peaks”. The book was first proposed by Ms. Norgren following her research into the naming history of Colorado mountains. After some initial hesitation having to do with availability of appropriate photos, Mr. Fielder became an enthusiastic participant, realizing he could use not only his own photos but also illustrations from the Hayden Surveys of Colorado (which have been digitized and available in the public domain), sketches and oil paintings of some of the mountains by Robert L Wogrin, as well as two more recent photos from Colorado mountain climber Jon Kedrowski. If you missed or want to repeat the presentation, Click Here.
During his first meeting as President, Del Benson outlined his priorities and thoughts for RY 2020-21. He touched on the challenges of declining noon membership and the resultant reduction in income and charitable pledges to support our service mission. Del then outlined his priorities and a "U+2" Time, Talent and Treasure Challenge for every member:
Bring in two new members
Double contributions to Rotary funding needs
Help on two funding initiatives
Give time to two additional service projects
Organize new projects and outcomes
Attend two more meetings every quarter
Combine categories engaging U+2 and have twice the fun and accomplishments
He closed his remarks with preliminary plans for a "Good and Lucky Non-Event Fundraiser" that raised $79,000 for charitable causes so far.
Now we need to work on the U+2 membership growth. Del asks that we focus on membership recruitment, retention, and reactivation with objectives to include young and old, female and male, persons of color and other diversity, and persons of progressive interests to make Rotary better and more inclusive in our community and world.
This week's Investment Fellowship (immediately following the noon meeting) will focus on “How Well Did We Forecast Investment Performance for 2020?” and “What Are Our Forecasts for 2021?” This is always a fun session when we predict stock, oil, gold, interest rates, bitcoin prices, and Tesla stock value. If time permits, we’ll discuss “What Do We Do With Cash and Savings When Interest Rates Are So Low?” Please join us—no expertise required.
Marty Bachman and Sally Lee report that just 35 families shopping at King Soopers earned $524.87 last quarter - just for shopping! That's a $525 donation that goes directly into our charitable budget. If you haven’t signed up yet, see Sally or Marty.
FRCC Vice President (Larimer Campus) Jim Butzek recently passed away from Covid 19. Jim was a former RCFC Member. Phyllis Abt may have more information.
Older Announcements Still Relevant:
In 2020 officials tallied more than 200 cases of wild polio and nearly 600 cases of the vaccine-derived form. Most of the vaccine-derived strains are in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but rogue strains are also turning up across much of sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, Malaysia and the Philippines. RCFC's Purple Pins for Polio Committee has set a goal of $3500 in donations this year, and are deciding how to participate while socially distanced. Contact Sharyn Salmen for details.
The Good and Lucky Non-Event raised $60,000 for the various charitable causes, plus a $19,000 matching grant for the United Way Fire Relief fund! Total raised was $79,000!!
The next Rotary Book Fellowship discussion will be February 11, reviewing the book Warriors Don't Cry, by Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, a memoir of her experience as one of the Little Rock Nine. Dr. Beals will be our noon speaker on February 10. Contact Dave Stewart for details.
Ralph Smith is still offering his annual photo calendar for $15. Rotarian purchases generate a contribution to the Legacy Fund. Contact ralph.smith@colostate.edu or 970-214-2322.
First Pres church has indicated they are not comfortable hosting Rotary any time soon. For now, all meetings will continue to be via Zoom.
General reminder of our Fellowships schedule. First Wednesday: Peace. Second Wednesday: History. Third Wednesday: Investments. Fourth Wednesdays: Science. All meet immediately following the Wednesday noon Zoom meeting, using the same login.
President Del announced a 'one-stop' Finances email - treasurer@fortcollinsrotary.org. Del also reminded members that 'the buck stops here' and asked that any complaints or concerns also be directed to him.
Marty Bachman urged members to shop on Amazon Smile. Rebates would be credited to our club at the rate of 0.5%. Look for the Amazon logo on our website.
Marty Bachman reminds all to report special occasions/events/illness that the Care and Recognition Committee should acknowledge. Call Marty, Susan Brand, Melanie Chamberlain, or JeanneFangman.