This week, February 17th, RCFC will host a special program centered on the club itself, presented by Dr. Ricky Frierson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for CSU's Warner College of Natural Resources. After being invited to become a member of RCFC, our speaker did his homework, seeking to understand Rotary, and Rotary’s “brand” in our community. What he learned should not be surprising, but it is insightful and lays a roadmap for RCFC to become more relevant within communities of color. His findings are also timely, given the November 2020 Rotarian Magazine article “We The People”.
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!!
For February, RCFC's Programs Committee scheduled four programs focused on our past, our present, and our potential for greater impact and change.
The November Rotarian magazine featured an article, We the People, challenging Rotary to “…move beyond grants and volunteerism, although that work is good, …..into accountable relationships…” Rotarians seek to understand through truth, fairness, goodwill and behavior beneficial to all. This past year the “Black Lives Matter” movement challenged our nation to do better.
This week's program, focused on Rotary's image in Communities of Color will feature Dr. Rickey Frierson. Details and the Zoom link is in the lead story.
Last week, Dr Melba Beals, one of the “Little Rock Nine”, shared her story with RCFC and many others - more than 327 were connected by Zoom for this special presentation. Some of us are old enough to remember the TV images of the USA 101st Airborne escorting black students into Little Rock Central High School. Now we know what it was like to be one of those students. Dr. Beals provided a relaxed, conversational presentation reminding this writer of a family gathering where your most experienced family member was sharing her history.
We are happy to announce the approval of an economic development project in Guatemala. The "Better Corn for Guatemala" grant is a two-pronged project to increase incomes of Guatemala's poorest corn farmers through access to improved seeds and training, especially given the challenges of COVID-19. Our club has contributed $8,000 to the project through member donations.
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 Rotary Investment Fellowship will meet via Zoom immediately after the Wednesday's regular noon meeting. Our general discussion topic: “2021’s Fast Start: New President, GameStop, Short Squeezes, RobinHood, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), Electric Autos, Computer Chip Shortages, Real Estate Trends, and Other Issues.” 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.
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 week, February 17th, RCFC will host a special program centered on the club itself, presented by Dr. Ricky Frierson, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for CSU's Warner College of Natural Resources. After being invited to become a member of RCFC, our speaker did his homework, seeking to understand Rotary, and Rotary’s “brand” in our community. What he learned should not be surprising, but it is insightful and lays a roadmap for RCFC to become more relevant within communities of color. His findings are also timely, given the November 2020 Rotarian Magazine article “We The People”.
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!!
Last week, Dr Melba Beals, one of the “Little Rock Nine”, shared her story with RCFC and many others - more than 327 were connected by Zoom for this special presentation. Some of us are old enough to remember the TV images of the USA 101st Airborne escorting black students into Little Rock Central High School. Now we know what it was like to be one of those students. Dr. Beals provided a relaxed, conversational presentation reminding this writer of a family gathering where your most experienced family member was sharing her history.
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: