Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to become a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Colorado Springs.  My experience with my fellow Rotarians has just been so terrific and welcoming.  As a new member, here is a little biography to help people get to know me in the club.  I’m sure that I will enjoy getting to know you all in the coming months and years.

I grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and went to college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.  After getting tired of Minnesota winters, I moved to Colorado in 1993.  My plan was to gain residency and then go back to school, however, I moved to the Vail area and found that life in the mountains was just too much fun.  Although I thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle of Vail, after six years there I found that I wanted to do something a little more meaningful with my life.  That is when I moved down to Colorado Springs to become a high school teacher.  I earned my teaching license through UCCS, and subsequently earned a position teaching U.S. History at Doherty High School, where I have been ever since 2001.  Currently, I am serving as President of our District 11 teachers’ association, CSEA.

A little more about me, I have a terrific wife who teaches Art at Doherty, and is a practicing artist herself.  She has done several butterflies for the “Flight” auction over the years.  I also have an amazing daughter who is starting 6th grade at Jenkins Middle School this fall.  In addition, we are big pet lovers, with four dogs, a cat, nine chickens, and a duck.  Again, thank you all for welcoming me into this outstanding club.  I look forward to getting you know each of you better in the times to come.

9th Annual FLIGHT Gala and Auction

Having been part of the Rotarian Family for just over a year has been inspiring and compelling. To be surrounded on a weekly basis with a group of people whose mission it is to impact humanity locally and internationally is profound. That being said, it is an honor to be involved on this year's Flight Committee where our local chapter of Rotary will strive to make a difference in School District 11. With the commitment from fellow Rotarians, local leaders and the community, last year The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, through the Flight Gala, was able to raise over $100k and provide grants to District 11 and our Club Service Fund, including funding a purchase for green screen technology for Palmer High School.

This year at the Gala, in addition to the Butterfly Auction and Silent Auction, we will be offering a Wine Pull. This is a fun opportunity to help us raise additional funds. If you are not familiar with a wine pull, the idea is to donate $20 and draw from a barrel of wine corks to win a fabulous bottle of wine. To make this fundraiser possible, we need your help! The Committee is asking that if possible, each Rotarian contribute a bottle of wine for the Pull; with a value of $20 or more. Any donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated. Please bring all contributions to the Friday club lunch.

In advance, we as a committee want to thank you for making this year's Flight a huge success!

Click on this link to see all of the butterflies and artists for 2016

 

Our butterflies are out around the community.  Follow the link to see where they are.