Your source for upcoming speakers, special events, and timely announcements from the Rotary Club of Fort Collins.
Programs
Moby Geothermal
On Wednesday, 11 December 2024, Carol Dollard, energy engineer in CSU Facilities Management will enlighten us on a remarkable energy installation at Moby Arena that demonstrates the CSU commitment for transitioning to renewable resources. A few years ago, CSU replaced the 60-year-old high pressure steam heat, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC ) system at Moby Arena with a geo-thermal system that is the largest in Colorado. Moby is one of the largest higher education campus buildings in the country to utilize a Geo-Exchange System. Carol, who led the project, is co-chair of the Presidents Sustainability Commission at CSU. READ MORE...
Rocky Mountain Raptor Program (Evening Meeting)
Majestic. Keen of eye and quick of wing. Predators of the sky. Rocky Mountain Raptors. The Evening Group is excited to have Jessica Miller, the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, and one of her avian ambassadors join us as partner presenters this Wednesday. Jessica has worked as a conservation educator for 25 years and is eager to educate us on the mission of the Raptor Program, to tell us the story of one of her ambassador raptors, and to allow us to gain an insight into what it means to be a raptor. If you, like Jessica, are a lover of all things wild and natural, you shouldn’t miss this program (our last of the year)!
History and Current Events Fellowship
From Del Benson: I have walked to edge of a limb and need Rotarians to come with me and perhaps to catch me when I fall during our next History and Current Events Fellowship, 11 December after our regular noon meeting at Lincoln Center. Evening members and guests might all enjoy this proposition. I asked ChatGPT to write a play for us about considering the merits of local versus international service projects. Can artificial intelligence help Rotarians with our communications and decisions? Can we use a theatrical play format to generate discussion and logical outcomes? Can Del Benson possibly pull this off? Come "play" along and give your thoughts about using new technology and where our service money should be spent.
Club News
Our holiday party was an absolute success! Everyone enjoyed a wonderful time filled with festive cheer, laughter, and great company. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, creating the perfect setting to celebrate the season together. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members, share good times, and reflect on our year together. Thank you to the Fellowship Committee and everyone who helped make the event memorable.
Collecting Coats for the Women's Shelter
Marty Bachman will collect women’s coats at the noon and evening meetings on December 11th for the Women’s Shelter of Fort Collins. Thank you for providing our community with thoughtful support.
Volunteer Service Committee Meetings
There will be in-person VSC meetings this Wednesday, December 11, at both 11:00 AM prior to the noon meeting and 4:45 PM prior to the evening meeting.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
As the end of this year and the beginning of next year approaches, if you are planning your IRA withdrawal strategy, you may want to consider making charitable donations through a QCD. A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, if certain rules are met. Our Rotary Club of Fort Collins Charities is a 501(c)3 organization that can accept QCDs (EIN: 84-1027489). This includes our annual Charities budget, the Legacy Endowment and the new International Projects Endowment. We have a special matching opportunity for our new Rotary Club of Fort Collins International Endowment Fund. The next $35,000 donated to the new Endowment will be matched by a Rotarian to help build our new International Projects Endowment quickly. In addition to the benefits of giving to charity, a QCD excludes the amount donated from taxable income, which is unlike regular withdrawals from an IRA. Keeping your taxable income lower may reduce the impact on certain tax credits and deductions, including Social Security and Medicare.
Early Giving for Colorado Gives Day
Colorado Gives Day is on December 10, but Early Giving is open! Colorado Gives Foundation is a community foundation with a mission to make good happen by connecting people, ideas and nonprofits. In Jefferson County (Jeffco), they partner with local nonprofits through various philanthropic tools, including grantmaking to help build resilient, connected and thriving communities. Statewide, they created ColoradoGives.org—a year-round giving platform that makes it easy for individuals and businesses to support nonprofits, and for nonprofits to raise the funds they need to grow their impact. For more information, visit coloradogives.org!
Majestic. Keen of eye and quick of wing. Predators of the sky. Rocky Mountain Raptors. The Evening Group is excited to have Jessica Miller, the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, and one of her avian ambassadors join us as partner presenters this Wednesday. Jessica has worked as a conservation educator for 25 years and is eager to educate us on the mission of the Raptor Program, to tell us the story of one of her ambassador raptors, and to allow us to gain an insight into what it means to be a raptor. If you, like Jessica, are a lover of all things wild and natural, you shouldn’t miss this program (our last of the year)!
