Thank you to those who were able to attend last week's meeting! I hope you enjoyed learning about this year's club theme focused on Friendship, Fellowship, Fun(ship), and mental health as we Create Hope in the World. If you were unable to attend or wish to watch back the video clip of our Rotary International President, Gordan McInally, you can do so HERE.
This week we will be hearing from Rotarian, Dan Hillman, our Scholarship Committee Chair, and this year's award winners from District 11. I hope you will join us to recognize their accomplishments and hear how they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to "Service Above Self" within the community.
On Saturday, July 15th at 4:30 pm, Immediate Past President Kay Rendleman will host our first Social of the Rotary year, a Blind Wine and Tea Tasting. If you missed the July 10th deadline to register we are happy to accommodate last-minute guests and ask that you pay at the door. The cost is $25/person.
Next week we will welcome Nhi Aronheim, Author of Soles of Survivor. Nhi will share her harrowing journey as a child refugee from Vietnam and how she went on to live the American Dream. You can already RSVP HERE!
Be sure to save the date and register for these upcoming events:
August Social: Donkey Derby Days, Aug 11 - 13th: Learn MORE (For our Aug. social join us in Cripple Creek on Friday, Aug. 11th for the Street Dance kicking off at 7:00 pm
Craig and Kyle Whitney Memorial Golf Tournament: Monday, Aug, 28th (8:00 am Shotgun Start, or join us for lunch at 12:30) *Please note, there will be no lunch meeting on Friday, Aug. 25th as we hope you will consider joining us for the event.
Please take some time to read the bulletin each week and check out our website which has more information about all our events, activities, and upcoming speakers.
The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs is delighted to announce the recipients of our High School Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to exceptional high school seniors from Palmer High School, Roy J. Wasson Academic Campus, Mitchell High School, and Coronado High School who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to "Service Above Self" within their communities.
These remarkable individuals have showcased exemplary leadership qualities, outstanding academic achievements, and a profound dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Through their active involvement in school clubs, volunteer work at local agencies, and various community engagement initiatives, they have proven themselves to be true agents of change.
In recognition of their accomplishments, each scholarship recipient will receive a valued award of $1000. This financial support aims to assist them in their pursuit of higher education, empowering them to continue their journey of service and inspire positive change in the world.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of these deserving students as we honor their dedication to service and academic excellence. The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs commends these extraordinary individuals and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.
Want to get to know your fellow Rotarians? Want to meet some prospective members? Think you can tell the difference in wine varietals? Enjoy tasting wine or iced tea? Then you'll enjoy our club's July social. It is Saturday, July 15th at Immediate Past President Kay's house from 4:30 pm to 7 pm.
This event features a blind wine tasting of different varietals. We will also have a blind iced tea tasting for those who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, where tasters guess the brand of iced tea. The event includes plenty of delicious finger-foods and appetizers. The cost is $25 per person to cover the expenses.
Date: Saturday, July 15th
Time: 4:30 pm
Location: 975 War Eagle Dr. N, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
RSVP by Monday, July 10th so we can ensure enough food and beverages for all the guests. Please RSVP HERE
These monthly socials are an opportunity for fellowship among Rotarians and also a great way to introduce potential members to Rotary, so bring a friend!
Come Celebrate Donkey Derby Days in Cripple Creek!
Our social will be Friday evening, August 11th in Cripple Creek to enjoy the festivities - including Wild Blue Country playing at the event. This will be a fun and unique social. Bring your family and maybe even consider staying overnight and enjoying the donkey races on Saturday! More information to come.
Now in its fourth year, the Craig and Kyle Whitney Memorial Golf Tournament was established to provide community service. To-date, this very fun event has been sponsored by a wide range of local businesses and individuals and has raised more than $50,000 to benefit our community through the programs of the Salvation Army and the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs. Beginning last year and now going forward, the Whitney Tournament also provides “scholarships” for First Tee youth.
“Being able to participate in the Whitney Memorial Golf Tournament gave our participants an experience that they will never forget because it gave them a chance to grow and provided them a safe place to fail. They were pushed outside of their comfort zones and were able to rely on all the active learning experiences that we have been teaching them through our life skills and leadership curriculum.”
Emily Ortmeier, LPGA, Director of Golf and Education First Tee – Southern Colorado
If you are interested in promoting your business, we are offering banner advertising on our website for $250 for the Rotary year. This is a great way to help underwrite the costs of our club website and promote your business at the same time! See Mike McGrath or Misty Stuart for more details.
PEN (Practical Education Network) in Accra, Ghana (installation of online training facility) $5,000
Science Lab at Masai Mara High School in Kenya, Africa. $2,500 (with $2,500 from the Los Altos, California Rotary Club)
Social Work Scholarships at Hubert Kairuki Memorial University (HKMU) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (Two individual scholarships) $3,000
Flight 2023 – $7,635 metal materials purchase ($7,635) and downpayment on blank art pieces fabrication contract ($6,000) $13,635
School bus purchase for Rotary Volcanes School of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico $2,000 (Tri Lakes Rotary Club project; total goal from area clubs and District grants $16,000)
Ukrainian Letter Project (supplies, printing, and shipping) $2,600
Ankara Turkey disaster response $4,000
New as of March 28,2023:
Our Community Salutes (recognition of high school military enlistees) Vendor Booth $500
Fakir Aesthetics Creative Construction (Flight) $2,400.00
New as of April 12, 2023
Memorial Tree Planting ($780.00)
Supplemental Funding for Rotary Reading at Audubon Elementary School ($790.00)
New as of May 8, 2023*
High School Scholarships (7) $7,360.00 plus $420.00 for parent meals
Palmer High School Interact Club (Shelter Box matching funds) $1,000.00.
*Note: a check to School District 11 in the amount of $40,000, which represents its share of the Fight 2022 proceeds, has been prepared. Arrangements for the presentation are pending.
New as of June 26, 2023
Sponsorship of a charitable gaming fundraising event to benefit the Pikes Peak Library District conducted by Colorado Community Esports: $1,000.
Sponsorship of the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs Medal of Valor Event that recognizes police officer performance above and beyond the call of duty: $2,500.00.
Total Funding to date: $57,481.30
Yours in service,
Tom Nelson
Director and Chairman of the Community Service Fund
Greetings District 5470 Rotarians with banking/accounting backgrounds!
As you may have read in the District newsletter that just went out this week, I assume duties as District Chair for Mountain & Plains D5470 Rotary Youth Exchange, effective July 1, and one of those immediate duties is to fill some of the vacancies within our organization.
One of these very important roles involves being the volunteer Secretary/Treasurer for our organization, which operates under the umbrella of District 5470, but as its own entity per Rotary International and U.S. Department of State rules.
Kristi Redlinger (Grand Junction Horizon Club) has been handling the treasurer duties in recent months (in addition to being District Chair, Inbound Coordinator, Area Responsible Officer and Country Coordinator!) since our former treasurer moved out of state. She would be happy to fill you in on details, but here's a very basic job description if any of you may have an interest:
Secretary/Treasurer: Oversees program finances and ensures that the bills are paid; and keeps the minutes and other records of the Mountain & Plains D5470 RYE Committee's monthly meetings, which are held via Zoom. Quickbooks and basic accounting knowledge required.
In addition, we have several other open positions in case you know of anyone in your club who has a particular skill set that matches.
District Vice Chair for 2023-26: Serves as the second-in-command handling duties delegated by the District Chair including gathering Host Club Agreements each year, with a commitment to become District Chair for 2026-29.
Compliance Officer: Responsible for overseeing the online applications, vetting, youth protection training and renewals for all club- and district-level volunteer and host family applicants.
Club Group Coordinators: Work with a limited number of club Youth Exchange Officers within a sub-area of our District on host family recruiting and vetting, inbound student travel approvals and other compliance matters in conjunction with the District Compliance Officer; helps coordinate regional activities for inbound students.
Country Coordinators: Work as the go-between with our exchange partner counterparts around the world to facilitate the exchange process for our outbound and inbound students, and participate as an interviewer at the Outbound Applicant Interview and Selection weekend.
Communications Coordinator: Handles internal and external communications, program marketing and various social media accounts.
STEP Coordinator: This person oversees our District’s Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP), including fielding and reviewing applications, working with the country coordinators to find a family match with one of our exchange partners, and setting the process in motion for them to arrange a family-to-family student exchange of up to 3-to-5 weeks at a time.
Please let me know if any of you would have an interest in volunteering to be part of this amazing program!
John Stroud District Chair, 2023-26 Mountain and Plains District 5470 Rotary Youth Exchange
