This Wednesday, RCFC will be joined via Zoom by Fort Collins mayor Wade Troxell. The Honorable Mayor will speak for about 25 minutes including a video segment on the “State of the City”, followed by a 5 - 10 minute question and answer period.
RCFC Members Tanis Roeder and Annette Geiselman have teamed to bring family connections into local ICUs. After hearing from an ICU nurse friend how difficult it is for patients not allowed to have visitors, Tanis wanted to find a way to make sure all patients in ICU could stay in touch with family and friends while in isolation. So, she started raising money and worked with fellow Rotarian Annette Geiselman to deliver Amazon tablets to Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies and the Greeley Hospital.
Via Zoom, Past President Steve Laine inducted RCFC's newest member, Min Fan. Min is part of Heartland China, an organization dedicated to improving relations between China and the US, and is sponsored by Bill Timpson and Jean Lamm.
Min has already delivered her new member 'intro' talk, but did announce and thank RCFC for the $500/$1500 District Matching Grant for masks for the homeless at the Fort Collins Rescue mission. Details are in the Community Grants story.
Chair Kathy Nicol announced that the RCFC Community Grants committee has awarded grants to 3 local charities during this COVID-19 pandemic. Using $3,500 available from noon venue and meal costs, the Board of Directors approved a $1,500 grant to the Food Bank of Larimer County, $1,500 to Homeward Alliance, and $500 towards a District Matching Grant to purchase 3,000 non-FDA approved disposable masks to be delivered to the Fort Collins Rescue mission for use by the homeless population there. Masks were obtained via newly inducted Rotarian Min Fan's organization, Heartland China.
Retired AF Colonel Kip Turain announced this month’s Cadet of the Month, C/Shawntasia Bishop from the University of Northern Colorado (part of the CSU wing). According to Colonel Tim Childress, her sponsor and Professor of Aerospace Studies / Commander, AFROTC Detachment 90, "she is majoring in Mathematics and minoring in psychology. Her father recently retired from active military service and her mother just completed Air Force basic military training March 2020! She has lived in a number of places due to her father's military service but now calls Northern Colorado home. She hopes to commission in to the Air Force and is a standout leader among her peers!"
ADOPT A NEIGHBOR: The city of Fort Collins has announced an expanded Adopt A Neighbor program to help take care of a neighbors in need during the COVID crisis. Rotarians can sign up to help get groceries, prescriptions, or walk dogs on-line at https://www.fcgov.com/volunteer/ or call the volunteer help line at 970-416-8000 (970-416-8001 for Spanish).
FOOD BANK: Volunteers are needed to fill food bags at Food Bank Warehouse, two shifts per day of 3 hours each: 9-12; 1-4. Sign up (or cancel a shift previously accepted) via the Volunteer Portal: https://www.volgistics.com/ex2/vicnet.dll/?from=30791 Read details by clicking below.
HOMEWARD ALLIANCE/MURPHY CENTER needs the following donations:
Cleaning supplies: disposable protective gloves; surgical masks, bleach; any wipes w/bleach or alcohol; large black trash bags; Lysol spray, hand sanitizer (all sizes); trowels of any size
Dr Gregg Dean, Department Head of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine gave the first (flawless) RCFC presentation in the new “Zoom Era”. He was introduced by RCFC member and former Microbiology Chairman, Dr Ralph Smith. Dr. Dean gave us a look at the current focus and research (as well as future promise) CSU is providing in the war against COVID19.
As reported, a Quad Clubs Presidents/Peach Festival Committee decision has been made to canceled the 8/22/20 Peach Festival. The cancellation will generate a loss of about $22,400.00 that has been/will be paid to vendors including $22,000.00 to the Jolly Event Planning Company. RCFC's participation in a 2021 Peach Festival has not yet been decided, and our RCFC Board of Directors will seek member input regarding any proposed 2021 Peach Festival. Thanks Mara Johnson, Annette Geiselman and Rob Marschke for their work to date, and for their leadership in making the difficult decision.
From the March 26 Board of Directors meeting, President Rob reports the following.
1. Dues/Meals billing for the 4th quarter of this Rotary year will be delayed until mid-May when more information regarding costs/expenses will be available.
2. The move to the First Presbyterian venue is progressing. Two remaining issues are: 1) can we serve alcohol at some special event evening meetings, and 2) the cost of projector and lens upgrades needed and how expenses will shared.
3. Indications are the Drake Centre costs will increase to $650.00 per week effective 7/1/20 and will probably increase to $900.00 effective 7/1/21. This increases pressure to move from the Drake Centre.
Mara Johnson announced that the Rotary exchange program has been cancelled for the 2020-21 school year. RCFC outbound student Natalie may still be able to spend the 2021-22 school year in Germany.
Annette Geiselman announced that the Blood Bank is looking for anyone who has experienced and recovered from the Covid19 virus. Contact the Blood Center.
The next Board of Directors Meeting is Thursday April 23, 3:30 via Zoom, where the 2020/21 Operational Budget will be reviewed. The Charities Budget will be reviewed in late May/early June. All are invited; to get the meeting invite/login, please contact President Rob. The next Finance Committee meeting is Thursday May 14, 3:30 via Zoom. Same attendance logistics as the BOD meeting.
New Member Min Fan announced a seminar on The Way Forward: Exploring the Heartland's future after Covid-19. Details at
The Rotary Read Book Group's next meeting is June 11, discussing Grant by Ron Chernow. If you are interested in attending please contact Dave Stewart.
Older Announcements Still Relevant:
John Roberts has been discharged from the hospital, and he is recovering from pneumonia still in isolation at a rehabilitation center. He would appreciate any cards to his home address, 224 Canyon Avenue #628, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Betty Brown is recovering at home from knee surgery and is in rehab.
Kip Turain volunteered that Warren Wilson is recovering from knee replacement (his third). (Yes, he only has two knees...)
The RYLA Board has decided to postpone the 2020 RYLA, Young RYLA, and RYLA Plus conferences until 2021.
Kathy Hawkins announced we now have a credit card charge device. Member charges and contributions can now be handled at our weekly meetings.
Bob Lawrence reported that Lucy Castro, our recent Ambassadorial Scholar, has established a Global Rotary Club in D.C. made up mostly of women under 45.
Martin Limbird announced the new theme for RI: Rotary Opens Opportunity (chosen by the new president because it “sounds good in German”!).
Sally Lee reported King Soopers rebate of $532.00 that goes directly into our charitable budget. If you haven’t signed up yet, see Sally.
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 requests fun fundraising ideas. She also needs volunteers for her committee.
SPECIAL NOTE: Kathy Hawkins cautioned members not to pay dues AND charities with a single checks. For charities contributions to be tax-deductible, you must write a separate check.
President Rob announced that for those wishing to apply for the new "Noon Membership Without Meals" category, a form needs to be completed and submitted to the Membership Committee.
PDG Mike Forney invited retired professionals to join SCORE (Senior Corps Of Retired Executives). Volunteers work with small business personnel to enhance their business. Counselors are needed in Ft. Collins. If interested, contact Mike Forney.
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.
This Wednesday, RCFC will be joined via Zoom by Fort Collins mayor Wade Troxell. The Honorable Mayor will speak for about 25 minutes including a video segment on the “State of the City”, followed by a 5 - 10 minute question and answer period. 
RCFC Members Tanis Roeder and Annette Geiselman have teamed to bring family connections into local ICUs. After hearing from an ICU nurse friend how difficult it is for patients not allowed to have visitors, Tanis wanted to find a way to make sure all patients in ICU could stay in touch with family and friends while in isolation. So, she started raising money and worked with fellow Rotarian Annette Geiselman to deliver Amazon tablets to Poudre Valley Hospital, Medical Center of the Rockies and the Greeley Hospital. 
Via Zoom, Past President Steve Laine inducted RCFC's newest member, Min Fan. Min is part of Heartland China, an organization dedicated to improving relations between China and the US, and is sponsored by Bill Timpson and Jean Lamm. 
Chair Kathy Nicol announced that the RCFC Community Grants committee has awarded grants to 3 local charities during this COVID-19 pandemic. Using $3,500 available from noon venue and meal costs, the Board of Directors approved a $1,500 grant to the Food Bank of Larimer County, $1,500 to Homeward Alliance, and $500 towards a District Matching Grant to purchase 3,000 non-FDA approved disposable masks to be delivered to the Fort Collins Rescue mission for use by the homeless population there. Masks were obtained via newly inducted Rotarian Min Fan's organization, Heartland China. 
Retired AF Colonel Kip Turain announced this month’s Cadet of the Month, C/Shawntasia Bishop from the University of Northern Colorado (part of the CSU wing). According to Colonel Tim Childress, her sponsor and Professor of Aerospace Studies / Commander, AFROTC Detachment 90, "she is majoring in Mathematics and minoring in psychology. Her father recently retired from active military service and her mother just completed Air Force basic military training March 2020! She has lived in a number of places due to her father's military service but now calls Northern Colorado home. She hopes to commission in to the Air Force and is a standout leader among her peers!"
Dr Gregg Dean, Department Head of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology at CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine gave the first (flawless) RCFC presentation in the new “Zoom Era”. He was introduced by RCFC member and former Microbiology Chairman, Dr Ralph Smith. Dr. Dean gave us a look at the current focus and research (as well as future promise) CSU is providing in the war against COVID19.
As reported, a Quad Clubs Presidents/Peach Festival Committee decision has been made to canceled the 8/22/20 Peach Festival. The cancellation will generate a loss of about $22,400.00 that has been/will be paid to vendors including $22,000.00 to the Jolly Event Planning Company. RCFC's participation in a 2021 Peach Festival has not yet been decided, and our RCFC Board of Directors will seek member input regarding any proposed 2021 Peach Festival. Thanks Mara Johnson, Annette Geiselman and Rob Marschke for their work to date, and for their leadership in making the difficult decision.