It's February! I know it's snowy, but we ARE having a meeting today, and it's an important one. Today is our Annual Meeting. We will be voting on our proposed slate of nominees for the 2020-2021 Board of Directors and discussing changes to the bylaws. We will ALSO have a regular program with a fabulous speaker. The meeting will be preceded at 11:00 a.m. by both a Flight Committee meeting in Duca's and a Membership Engagement Committee meeting in the ballroom. The Membership Engagement meeting is for new members and any Rotarian who wants to figure out how better to engage in our club's service. If you haven't quite found your place yet or recently in the life of the club, come to the MEC meeting and explore the many options with Holly Flores.
That it's February also means that our Rotary focus is on Peace Building and Conflict Prevention. It's the month where we get together with our fellow Pikes Peak area Rotarians for the World Peace and Understanding Luncheon. That will take place on February 28, the same day we send our President Elect up to Denver for advance training at PETS, the President Elect Training Seminar. (And if you don't think that training to be a leader in this club or any other large organization has everything to do with peace building and conflict prevention, then you've never tried it yourself. That's a joke... but also true.)
Service Opportunities:
(1) If you have signed up to judge mock trial today or tomorrow, the tournament is going forward as scheduled. Please show up so that the kids have enough volunteers to judge all their rounds. If for some reason the weather keeps you from the courthouse, please find someone else yourself to judge in your place. Your replacement judge does not have to be a Rotarian; they just have to be a Rotarian-at-heart.
(2) The Orientation Committee (ie Welcome Wagon) is looking for two new members to join the committee. If you can be a welcoming presence for people thinking about joining us in our work, please contact me at caryn@gasperlaw.com. Although our usual meetings have been the first Tuesday morning of the month, our NEXT orientation is this coming Wednesday, February 12 at noon. And lunch will be on me. If you know someone thinking of joining our club, please feel free to invite them to the orientation and give them my email.
(3) I've received several questions recently about the Scholarship Committee. I'll admit that I don't know if a Rotarian has already stepped up to serve on that committee or as its lead. One of our newest members, Julia Avellaneda, has volunteered to help reach out to Spanish speaking high-schoolers and their parents to make sure the word gets out about the opportunity to apply for our scholarships. The Scholarship Committee is separate from our equally important Rotary Champions scholarships, which reward the hard work of our best student athletes in the area. Please contact me if you're either already serving on the Scholarship Committee or would like to do so.
(4) Those interested in International Service should come early to the meeting next week and meet at 11:00 a.m. at Il Sportivo/Duca's. We have a number of interesting international service opportunities to consider, including one request from our sister city friends in Nuevo Cases Grandes, Mexico.
Finally, I want to share my thoughts from this morning with you and let you determine for yourself their worth or applicability to your own experience. As of yesterday evening, my son, Dexter, has come down with what appears to be the flu. For me, the two hour snow delay at the courthouse this morning was a welcome gift from the universe that allows me to minimize the time he has to be left alone. This comforts the both of us greatly. however, the snow delay is admittedly an inconvenience to many others across the city who face rearranging their schedules. I wonder how often inconveniences I experience might be part of someone else's "gift from the universe." And knowing how much these little gifts can mean to those who need them, I wonder anew how I can help create these "gift from the universe" moments for others through my Rotary service.
Marv would like to speak to the members about an event that took place a long time ago, at which he was a participant. Our members will enjoy what Marv has to say, especially on Valentines Day and February being the month of Promoting Peace!
Charlie Brown is looking for Rotarians who can sit and listen (no law-related experience needed but Rotarians with speeding tickets accepted) to sign-up to judge our local high schools' mock trial tournament on February 7 (afternoon), February 8 (morning or afternoon) and February 11 (evening). Our high schoolers have put a lot of time and thought into their presentations. All they ask of us is that we listen and give positive feedback and constructive criticism. This is a one-time three-hour service opportunity.
We ask each of our new members to provide us with a photo and a bio so that we can all get to know each other more quickly. When those bios are provided, we run them here, in the newsletter. Please say hello and welcome to one of our newest Rotarians, Donna Nelson:
Donna Nelson is a very dedicated, honest professional. She started her professional career as a Medical NCO in the United States Army. Donna served nine years in the Military and was stationed overseas three times, including a six month tour in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm/Shield. Having served her country has helped with shaping Donna into the well rounded and well adjusted person she is today. Donna received an honorable discharge from the military after her years of service.
Donna is currently very involved in becoming the best community leader that she can be. Donna holds many positions in several organizations including, but not limited to the position of Board Chair of the Colorado Springs Conservatory, Immediate Past Board Chair of Pikes Peak United Way Women’s Leadership Council, At-Large Board member of the Citizen Soldier Connection, Immediate Past Program Chair of the Colorado Springs (CO) Links, Past Board Chair of The Chamber Rising Professionals, Past Board Chair of the Urban League of the Pikes Peak Region, Past Board Member of COPPeR (Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region), and Loaned Executive for the Pikes Peak United Way.
Donna became employed with the City of Colorado Springs in 2011 as the first Economic Vitality Specialist. Her duties include oversight of the Mayor's Spirit of the Springs Initiatives, a program that encourages the cultivation of future City Government Leaders through the Ticket to Success middle school program, special recognitions of citizens and organization, the Annual Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament which gives full tuition scholarships to local minority students studying in the field of public safety at Pikes Peak Community College, and the Mayor's Young Leaders Awards. Donna also serves as the city’s liaison to Colorado Springs Sister Cities International, overseeing complex relationships with seven international sister cities.
Donna, welcome to the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs!
Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced on 22 January that their long-term fundraising partnership, which generates up to $150 million annually for polio eradication, will continue. Under the agreement, Rotary is committed to raising $50 million a year over the next three years, and each dollar will be matched with an additional two dollars by the Gates Foundation.
In a video address at the 2020 Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, Bill Gates told incoming district governors that the partnership with Rotary needs to continue.
“The Gates Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Rotary has been vital to fighting polio,” Gates said. “That’s why we’re extending our funding match, so every dollar that Rotary raises is met with two more.”
He added, “I believe that together, we can make eradication a reality.”
The funding will support polio eradication efforts such as disease surveillance, technical assistance, and operational support for immunization activities.
The partnership between Rotary and the Gates Foundation has yielded $2 billion, and Rotarians have given countless volunteer hours to fight polio since Rotary started its PolioPlus program in 1985.
Be a part of the fight to end polio and have your donation matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Visit endpolio.org to learn more and donate.
Millions of people all over the world are currently displaced by armed conflict or persecution. In fact, 90% of casualties in armed conflicts are civilians, half of which are children. Through service projects and Rotary programs, the Rotary family is committed to pursuing projects that address the structural causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.....
Rotarians train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and aid refugees who have fled dangerous areas. During February, Rotary Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month, we’re celebrating our commitment to build peace and mitigate conflict.
Some people slag off the month of February like there should be a hole in the calender. Yes it’s cold and not-quite-spring-yet, but February has plenty of other good stuff going for it. Here are 15 reasons to love the month of February:
1. Easter is technically not until April, but Creme Eggs have officially hit the shelves and it’s time for our annual chocolate-egg love affair.
2. Hallelujah January is over! We can officially ditch the diet and get back to eating warm soups and slow cooked stews. ‘Girl’s gotta eat to heat’ as they say.
3. In Brazil it’s the Mardi Gras Carnival on 17th February, so there are lots of fun festival themed events going. Meaning you can dress up in tropical fancy dress, drink rum punch, shut your eyes and pretend like it’s summer.
4. That lush new winter coat you got for Christmas/bought in the sales will come into its own now it’s actually properly cold.
5. Going out drinking seems even more fun now after a month of trying to abstain. It’s basically the freshmen week of real life.
6. Being a short month, you won’t be nearly as broke in the last week as you usually might be.
7. Valentine’s Day – an excuse for either getting presents, being romantic, going out drinking with your friends, or all of the above. What’s not to love?
8. The 15th of February: because Valentine’s is over for another year.
9. It’s pancake day on the17th. PANCAKE DAY.
10. The dregs of the January sales are finally gone, and in the weird world of fashion it’s officially spring, which means one thing – time to hit the shops.
11. You will almost definitely finally get that snow day you’ve been yearning for.
12. Chinese New Year starts on the 19th – the perfect opportunity to eat all the dim sum.
13. Awards season is here, aka. time to stalk all the Oscar and Bafta fashions/ become a red carpet critic.
14. World Nutella Day in on the 5th (we know!). This means it’s officially acceptable to snuggle up on the sofa with a jar and spoon. Fact.
15. The days are getting longer, the evenings lighter, and before you know it, it will be spring.
