Wednesday, February 24th, RCFC welcomes Mary Ontiveros, our speaker for this week's virtual meeting. After a 45-year career at CSU, Ontiveros recently retired as Vice President of Diversity. Following her introduction by Bill Timpson, Ms. Ontiveros will share her personal story, growing up in Pueblo, moving to Fort Collins, graduating from CSU and then working her way up CSU's leadership chain. She will also share the Principles of Community her office developed at CSU, including the structural work necessary to create Inclusive Excellence, and a welcoming, valuing and affirming environment. Rotarians should find her message of change leadership inspiring. Zoom link is in the story below.
Kathy Nicol announced $33,000 in supplemental funds from the RCFC Legacy Fund and Good And Lucky Non-Event. 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.
2,412 pounds of non-perishable food items and close to $3,000 was recently donated to the Food Bank of Larimer County by the Rotary Club of Fort Collins as part of the Club's ongoing efforts to fight hunger in our communities.
RCFC's favorite celebrity and resident Centenarian, Dr. John Matsushima, received another recognition this week. As part of celebrating the 151st anniversary of its founding, CSU bestowed the 2021 Founders Day Medal on Professor Emeritus John Matsushima, "a legendary scientist in beef-cattle nutrition whose innovations have influenced the global food system and exemplify the university’s land-grant mission." Congratulations John!!
Dr. Rickey Frierson (Director of Diversity and Inclusion for CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources), upon being invited to join RCFC, put significant effort into trying to understand Rotary (both in general and in our community) and what might be called its “brand” in our community. For our Zoom meeting on Feb 17, he presented the results of his research, including some insights on possible future paths toward diversification.
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 Science and Engineering Fellowship will meet immediately following this Wednesday's noon meeting - same Zoom link. Everyone is welcome.
The Community Grants Committee is seeking grant applications focused on Arts and Culture. Please contact Kathy Nicol for details.
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.
Older Announcements Still Relevant:
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.
Wednesday, February 24th, RCFC welcomes Mary Ontiveros, our speaker for this week's virtual meeting. After a 45-year career at CSU, Ontiveros recently retired as Vice President of Diversity. Following her introduction by Bill Timpson, Ms. Ontiveros will share her personal story, growing up in Pueblo, moving to Fort Collins, graduating from CSU and then working her way up CSU's leadership chain. She will also share the Principles of Community her office developed at CSU, including the structural work necessary to create Inclusive Excellence, and a welcoming, valuing and affirming environment. Rotarians should find her message of change leadership inspiring. Zoom link is in the story below.
Kathy Nicol announced $33,000 in supplemental funds from the RCFC Legacy Fund and Good And Lucky Non-Event. Funds were distributed to the following organizations for Covid Relief:
RCFC's favorite celebrity and resident Centenarian, Dr. John Matsushima, received another recognition this week. As part of celebrating the 151st anniversary of its founding, CSU bestowed the 2021 Founders Day Medal on Professor Emeritus John Matsushima, "a legendary scientist in beef-cattle nutrition whose innovations have influenced the global food system and exemplify the university’s land-grant mission." Congratulations John!!
Dr. Rickey Frierson (Director of Diversity and Inclusion for CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources), upon being invited to join RCFC, put significant effort into trying to understand Rotary (both in general and in our community) and what might be called its “brand” in our community. For our Zoom meeting on Feb 17, he presented the results of his research, including some insights on possible future paths toward diversification. 
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: