On March 31st, RCFC welcomes to our virtual meeting James Eklund, former Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, who has also served as the Colorado River Commissioner. Dave Stewart will introduce our speaker, who will discuss the current situation on the Colorado River, and how the circumstances that affect the river will affect the Colorado Front Range.
RCFC Community Grants recently awarded $7,750 to the Fort Collins Rescue Mission. The Mission provides more meals and shelter to people experiencing homelessness than any other agency in northern Colorado. Their goal is to help these individuals become productive, self-sufficient citizens by providing temporary living spaces and access to long-term rehabilitation programs.
The March RCFC Army Cadet of the Month, Freshman Cadet Megan Litchfield, distinguished herself as the scholar, athlete and leader. Litchfield earned a 3.9 GPA in Psychology during her first semester and an A+ grade in ROTC classes, making her a model cadet.
RCFC's Peace Initiative has had an ambitious effort to connect the study of peace literacy with the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. RCFC is thrilled to report that the Rotary Foundation has contributed its share to what was raised locally and in Denver toward the $35,000 needed to continue efforts to promote sustainable peacebuilding in the impoverished nation of Burundi.
In 2016 Ntsika Senior Secondary School Head, Madeleine Schoeman, approached the Rotary Club of Grahamstown, South Africa, for help in upgrading the School’s bathrooms. Half the facilities at the school were no longer usable and those still in use, badly needed attention. Interaction between Rotary, school management and the School Governing Body indicated that additional needs were the connecting of the school to the municipal sewerage system (that was not in existence when the school was built), the construction of a scullery, and the storage of water for the frequent periods when the high-lying parts of Makhanda’s Joza township are without municipal water.
Max Moss, the Colorado president of HF2M, Inc., introduced us, via Zoom, to the concept and plans behind Montava, a “walkable community” currently in the early stages of development in northeast Fort Collins. Starting with the overarching vision that real estate is about people and the vision for developing community (rather than simply housing), Max is the local face of a team that provides vision and expertise in affordable housing, the New Urbanist Movement, walkable communities, small-town commercial, and environmentally efficient homes. View the full presentation by Clicking 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
RCFC's Peace Fellowship meets immediately following this Wednesday's noon meeting (same Zoom link). All are welcome!
The membership application of Mo Salman has been approved by RCFC's Board of Directors. Salman is a returning RCFC member and a CSU Professor of Infectious Animal Diseases, sponsored by Bonnie Titley. Any comments regarding Mo Salman's candidacy should be in writing to club secretary Kathy Nicol or to his sponsor by April 7, one week after this notification appears in the Rotogear.
Bill Timpson will receive the Innovations in Service Learning Award from CSU. Congratulations Bill!
Older Announcements Still Relevant:
The Community Grants committee is now accepting grant applications under the Youth Programs category. Details may be found on our Club website. Application deadline is Friday, May 21st, with grants awarded in June.
President Del Benson announced a $10,000 donation to the RCFC Legacy Fund from David Everitt and the Everitt family, in support of the Good and Lucky Non-Event! This brings the total raised to $70,000, plus a $19,000 matching grant for the United Way Fire Relief fund! Total raised was $89,000!!Thank you Rotarians for your generous support of our community.
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.
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.
Reminder that RCFC has a 'one-stop' Finances email - treasurer@fortcollinsrotary.org. President Del reminds members that 'the buck stops here' and asked that any complaints or concerns also be directed to him.
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.