This coming Wednesday, RCFC welcomes CSU professor Michelle A. Glantz, Ph.D., a paleoanthropologist whose work investigates where, when, and how Neandertals interacted with modern humans on the Ice Age landscapes of Central Asia. Following an introduction by Bob Meroney, Dr. Glantz will explain how new genetic data have completely changed the way anthropologists understand the relationship between Neandertals and modern humans and the role the Neandertals played in our evolutionary history. As a result, the question arises “Are the Neandertals really extinct if they are in us?”
February 10, nationally acclaimed author Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, will visit RCFC, via Zoom. In 1957, Beals, then 14 years old, was one of nine high school students chosen to integrate Little Rock (Arkansas) Central High. Her experience is chronicled in her best-selling book, “Warriors Don’t Cry”. For her work, she has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
The nine students quickly became known as “The Little Rock Nine,” for their bravery and perseverance in the face of death threats, personal harassment and the blocking of the school entrance by a mob incited by Governor Orval Faubus. President Dwight Eisenhower sent in troops from the 101st Airborne to escort the students into and around the school.
On January 20, Wayne Shepperd, a retired US Forest Service Research Forester , gave us an overview of the recent Cameron Peak Fire that lasted from August until December. By burning some 326 square miles of forest in western Larimer County, the Cameron Peak fire became the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Review the meeting and presentation recording by Clicking Here.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 coming Wednesday, RCFC welcomes CSU professor Michelle A. Glantz, Ph.D., a paleoanthropologist whose work investigates where, when, and how Neandertals interacted with modern humans on the Ice Age landscapes of Central Asia. Following an introduction by Bob Meroney, Dr. Glantz will explain how new genetic data have completely changed the way anthropologists understand the relationship between Neandertals and modern humans and the role the Neandertals played in our evolutionary history. As a result, the question arises “Are the Neandertals really extinct if they are in us?”
Last Chance - Purple Pins for Polio is this Sunday. Please consider signing up! 
February 10, nationally acclaimed author Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, will visit RCFC, via Zoom. In 1957, Beals, then 14 years old, was one of nine high school students chosen to integrate Little Rock (Arkansas) Central High. Her experience is chronicled in her best-selling book, “Warriors Don’t Cry”. For her work, she has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. 
On January 20, Wayne Shepperd, a retired US Forest Service Research Forester , gave us an overview of the recent Cameron Peak Fire that lasted from August until December. By burning some 326 square miles of forest in western Larimer County, the Cameron Peak fire became the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Review the meeting and presentation recording by 
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: