RCFC's virtual meeting March 3rd features Mark Ludy, an author, illustrator and speaker. Following his introduction by Dave Stewart, Mark will share his insights on the creation process, including what he has discovered by “failures that have led to greater successes.” Our speaker says that if we desire to grow as communicators and people, be active in the arts, grow as a business leader, spouse, parent or friend, we must come back to the proven recipe and examine the ingredients we are using.
On Wednesday, March 3rd, at our evening meeting at 5:30, we are excited to welcome Michele Capots, owner of Dragonfly Path LLC. She is a mental wellness speaker, a mindset, along with a motivation and metal wellness coach. She has served as a peer support specialist and mentor for various organizations dedicated to extreme mental illness and addiction. Michele has published articles about her own mental health struggles in the Washington Post magazine, Marie Claire, and the Tribune Review newspapers in an effort to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness. Michele currently lives in Arlington, Virginia and has presented to a number of Rotary groups in the US. Please email info@rotarycluboffortcollins.org for Zoom link.
Twenty-five students in need, identified by their teachers, were awarded quality boots & coats provided at a deeply discounted price by JAX Outdoor Gear. There are several positive impacts to the students: they will stay warm & dry in inclement weather; can participate in outdoor activities; and enjoy increased self-esteem due to the quality of the coats & boots provided. COVID protocols did not allow for Rotarian participation in distribution the gear, but a local Rotarian was able to help select hats & gloves to add for those in need. The Rotary Club of Fort Collins had applied for and received a District Governors Matching Grant of $1,000 to support the Clubs $500 commitment for the local Boots & Coats program in November.
Mary Ontiveros, retired Vice President of Diversity at CSU was the final speaker in our RCFC special series, Peace Month/Black History Month. In her presentation, My Life: Lessons in Change, she shared her personal history and her impact on CSU including development of CSU's “Principles of Community”, during her 45 year tenure.
Fifty years ago she started at CSU as a student and quickly realized that Ft Collins was a very different place than her native Pueblo, Colorado. To review the video of last week's program, Click Here.
Kathy Nicol announced $33,000 in supplemental funds from the RCFC Legacy Fund. Funds were distributed to the following organizations for Covid Relief:
FOCO Cafe - $7500
Food Bank of Larimer County - $7500
Fort Collins Rescue Mission - $7500
Homeward Alliance - $7500
Larimer County Fire and Rescue was also given a $2000 grant to help fund their relief work related to last summer's Cameron Peak and East Troublesome fires. Pictured is the Rescue Mission's temporary shelter, set up inside a former Food Bank warehouse.
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.
The Peace Fellowship will meet immediately following this Wednesday's noon meeting - same Zoom link. Everyone is welcome.
Older Announcements Still Relevant:
The Peace Builder Newsletter featuring writer and blog facilitator, Lindsey Pointer, has just been published. Contact Bill Timpson if you did not get a copy.
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.
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 reminds all to report special occasions/events/illness that the Care and Recognition Committee should acknowledge. Call Marty, Susan Brand, Melanie Chamberlain, or JeanneFangman.
RCFC's virtual meeting March 3rd features Mark Ludy, an author, illustrator and speaker. Following his introduction by Dave Stewart, Mark will share his insights on the creation process, including what he has discovered by “failures that have led to greater successes.” Our speaker says that if we desire to grow as communicators and people, be active in the arts, grow as a business leader, spouse, parent or friend, we must come back to the proven recipe and examine the ingredients we are using. 
Kathy Nicol announced $33,000 in supplemental funds from the RCFC Legacy Fund. Funds were distributed to the following organizations for Covid Relief:
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: