I don't know how many of you receive the Rotary LGBT+ Fellowship newsletter but someone passed it on to me this week and my heart was warmed by the strides in growth that our organization has made to be accepting of people from all walks of life! This year, Rotary's Diversity and Inclusion statement was strengthened and you can read it here:
"At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
With that said, I am encouraging those in our club that wish to participate to wear purple on Friday, August 27 on Rotary-celebrated Wear It Purple day. Come dressed in your best purples. (I will be dusting off my annual Donny Osmond birthday celebration purple socks.) Rotary's Wear It Purple day celebrates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer or Questioning (LGBTIQ+) diversity and inclusion.
Wear It Purple is about creating safe spaces in schools, universities, workplaces, and public spaces to show LGBT+ young people that they are seen and supported.
The 2021 theme is ‘Start the Conversation… Keep it Going’
This theme is focused on the important and necessary conversations we have in our daily life that center around sexual orientation and gender identity. It reminds us that the issues we consider on Wear it Purple Day should be considered all year round!
On August 27, we will take a group photo of whoever wears purple that day and paste it all over social media to show our club's open arms to people of many orientations!
It's really true. Our job is to love one another and feel so grateful that we can work shoulder to shoulder in service with each other to a greater good so much bigger than me, you, our club, this country.
What is the legacy that you want to leave? Mine is that I hope I made life easier for people who couldn't do that for themselves. This club is so much a part of that! We provide sustainable systems worldwide for people who don't have the ability or resources to do that. Because of Rotary, we have nearly eradicated Polio from the globe and that's made life SO much better for some. We've brought equipment and transportation to other countries. We've read with children in our local area and everyone knows that children who read can experience the world. Thank you - each one of you - for your determination to do good and leave your mark and footsteps to follow!
Now let's go forth, be great stewards of Rotary and Catalysts of Caring in our Community!
Please be well, be safe, and be kind. There are a lot of people out there needing just that.
On August 5, the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs installed our sponsored Gutter Bin, a stormwater filtration system designed by Frog Creek Partners in Downtown Colorado Springs. This bin collects on average up to 200lbs of pollution a year and will help keep Fountain Creek clean.
You are all invited to a Rotary Happy Hour on September 9, 5-7 pm at Lawrence Dryhurst Gallery, 122 E Kiowa. The gallery will provide beer, wine, water, and light appetizers. This social will be an opportunity to see all of the Petite butterflies on display. Thank you to Rotarian Wayne Smisek for hosting this event!
We need an estimated headcount for this event so please respond to this email with your count if you plan to attend!
You can find all things FLIGHT 2021 in this column every week! Also, check out WWW.CSFLIGHT.ORG!
FLIGHT 2021 will be virtual one more time!
We will be working under the direction of Steve Weed Media at the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy!
Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets are available! As in years past, we are asking each Rotarian to take responsibility for selling or buying 10 raffle tickets priced at $10 each. The prize is a stunning butterfly created by local celebrity artist, Al B. Johnson. The raffle squad this year is Jenn Cancellier, Cody Burket, and Caryn Adams. Tickets can also be purchased at the front desk of The Gasper Law Group at 128 South Tejon, Suite 100. All money and stubs need to be returned before the Flight event on September 25. Please let Caryn Adams know ASAP if you need your raffle tickets mailed to you; her email is caryn@gasperlaw.com.
~Sponsorship information:
If you are interested in being a sponsor for FLIGHT 2021 at one of the many sponsorship levels available, please click here for the:
Flight Install (Sept. 1st, 9 am-12 pm): Volunteers are needed to transport the butterflies/dragonflies from Status Symbol Auto Body (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to the Pioneer’s Museum at 9 am and to assist in the install of the butterflies/dragonflies at the Pioneer’s Museum lawn. For transport, we are needing Rotarians with large trucks or trailers to assist in moving the large items and for the install, those who can manage heavy lifting are greatly appreciated!
Flight Reveal (Sept. 3rd, 4-8 pm): Volunteers are needed on Friday, Sept. 3rd from 4-8 pm.
Volunteers will initially meet at Status Symbol (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to transport the petite butterflies to the Pioneers Museum and set them up inside. Three volunteers will monitor the butterflies inside (1 at each butterfly table) and three volunteers will be stationed outside to assist with other needs of the event.
At the end of the event (7:30pm), volunteers will assist with transporting the butterflies from the Pioneers Museum to the Dryhurst Gallery.
Silent Auction information:
Do you have items you would like to donate to this year's FLIGHT? We would love to feature your item in the silent auction. The auction will take place virtually, Saturday, September 25. Please download this form, https://bit.ly/2TnrpBr Complete the form and send it to Amanda Salmons at amanda@greenivybookkeeping.com. The deadline for donations is Saturday, August 28.
2021 Backpack Bash: with Pikes Peak United Way and COSILoveYou! Multiple dates/times are available to participate and a great opportunity to get much-needed school supplies into the hands of children in our greater Colorado Springs area.
Learn more at https://backpackbash.com Sign up to volunteer or provide donated items. Let Samantha Chapman know if you volunteer or donate items.
Care & Share with the Broadmoor Rotary Club on the 2nd Monday each month from 1-3:30pm.
You will be joined by two members from the Broadmoor club, 2 interact members, and 2 of our members are welcome to sign-up.
Flight Install (Sept. 1st 9am-12pm): Volunteers are needed to transport the butterflies/dragonflies from Status Symbol Auto Body (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to the Pioneer’s Museum at 9am and to assist in the install of the butterflies/dragonflies at the Pioneer’s Museum lawn. For transport we are needing Rotarians with large trucks or trailers to assist in moving the large items and for the install those who can manage heavy lifting is greatly appreciated!
Flight Reveal (Sept. 3rd 4-8pm): Volunteers are needed on Friday, Sept. 3rd from 4-8pm.
Volunteers will initially meet at Status Symbol (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to transport the petite butterflies to the Pioneers Museum and set them up inside. Three volunteers will monitor the butterflies inside (1 at each butterfly table) and three volunteers will be stationed outside to assist with other needs of the event.
At the end of the event (7:30pm) volunteers will assist with transporting the butterflies from the Pioneers Museum to the Dryhurst Gallery.
If you are interested in being a part of planning these volunteer opportunities join our next Community Service Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 19th via Zoom:
The next International Committee meeting is August 13 at 1:35 pm, directly after the weekly meeting.
If you are interested in participating in our International Committee, please email Jordan Davis at Jordan@sociallyexceptional.biz to be added to the notification list!
Our in-person meetings will be starting again - the 2nd Friday of every month, (August 13) directly after the weekly meeting at Sportivos and we guarantee it will be less than an hour! Many exciting things happening all around the world! Don't miss an opportunity to be part of this!
COURTESY PHOTODennis Shoemaker, left, past president of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, and Dora Soos with a painted metal butterfly the service organization auctions off annually as a fundraiser.
Editor’s note: This July, as Colorado Springs gears up for its 150th birthday on the 31st, The Gazette has prepared a series of articles on the history of our city. Check back for fascinating glimpses into the people and events that have shaped Colorado Springs into the landmark it is today.
Service organizations have Colorado Springs roots that run deep. The Downtown Lions Club was one of the organization’s first chapters, the Rotary Club was the 218th formed nationwide and Elks Lodge No. 309 celebrates its 128th anniversary on July 31.
Downtown Lions Club
The clubs were established in 1917, and Colorado Springs had a charter. Scott Hente, past club president and former City Council, has some of the Downtown Lions Club history.
America entered World War I in April 1917, and 2.8 million were drafted into the armed forces, including some associated with the Lions Club. The organization was disbanded and reformed in the early 1920s.
In 1925, Helen Keller — a blind American author and disability rights advocate — addressed a Lions International convention in Ohio.
“She challenged the Lions in attendance to be Knights of the Blind,” Hente said. “Ever since then, vision assistance and assistance for sight have been a major focus.”
Lions now sponsor eye exams and eyeglasses for Colorado Springs children who can’t afford them.
While the organization is best known for fighting blindness, members also volunteer for community projects, feed the hungry and help seniors and the disabled.
Several Pikes Peak region Lions Clubs have worked together to sponsor Colorado Lions Camp, north of Woodland Park, since the 1960s.
The camp allows children and adults with disabilities to experience a week of camping and activities.
“You’d like to think you are having an impact on these people’s lives,” Hente said.
The Lions also sponsor a family in need each year to make sure they have a Christmas morning surrounded by gifts.
“It is a small way to give back,” Hente said. “You don’t do it for recognition. You do it because it is the right thing to do.”
Socialization is another important part of the club, which meets for lunch on the third Tuesday of the month at Mackenzie’s Chop House at 12:15 p.m. The club has about 50 members, with about half attending the latest luncheon, Hente said.
The club is slowly coming back after being shut down for much of the past 18 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hente said the club is having a hard time recruiting younger members but is hopeful more will join.
“If you feel a desire to work with your community, to assist those who are less fortunate than you, particularly if you have an interest in sight-related activities … we are a great organization to join,” he said.
Rotary Club of Colorado Springs
The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs was established on May 1, 1916, as the Rotary Club of the Pikes Peak Region. It was the 218th affiliated rotary club in the nation.
Dennis Shoemaker, past club president and current director of their community service fund, shared some of the rotary club’s history.
In late 1915, Francis Bumstead, a downtown heating and plumbing contractor voiced his interest in starting a club after attending a Rotary Club meeting in Denver.
The club of roughly 135 members, whose motto is “Service Above Self,” has a major fundraiser every year at which they auction off colorfully painted metal butterflies. About half of the proceeds go to Colorado Springs School District 11 to help advance art, science, technology, engineering, and math programs.
Some of the funding has gone to purchasing 3D printers and robots, supporting art and drama programs, and providing scholarships to high school seniors. This year, the club provided ten $1,000 scholarships.
Butterflies from the FLIGHT project can be seen at numerous sites throughout town. In January, the club donated $60,000 to the school district. The next butterflies will be unveiled at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 3 outside the Pioneers Museum on Tejon Street. The auction is scheduled for Sept. 25. Find more information at csflight.org.
The other half of the money raised goes to Rotary charitable and service projects.
The club meets for lunch at 12:15 p.m. each Friday at the Antlers Hilton Hotel.
“Come down and meet with us on a Friday and see what we’re all about,” Shoemaker said. “We’ll even buy you your first lunch.”
B.P.O. Elks Lodge #309
The lodge was established on July 31, 1894 — 127 years ago this next week. It was named Elks Lodge #309 in 1896.
Jerry Minson, the previous exalted ruler, shared some of the lodge’s history including its recent substantial growth.
Prior to the pandemic, membership was growing by “leaps and bounds,” and after weathering the pandemic, is making a comeback in much of the country as the coronavirus’ delta variant spreads, membership continues to grow.
“We are starting to get busy again but still have to be mindful and do the right thing for our members and our community,” Minson said. “I think people are done and just need something to do.”
A paid membership is at about $1,200, Minson said.
The lodge has a youth committee, a pool, and other youth activities that are attracting entire families to become members.
“I found the perfect home joining Elks,” Minson said. “There is tremendous satisfaction to be able to see what we do.”
The Elks Lodge has an annual fundraiser planned for late August called Tiki Time Tailgate. Money raised from the event goes to the Red Wagon Campaign at Children’s Hospital Colorado Springs. The organization has raised nearly $50,000 for the program in its first three years.
Red wagons are positioned at the entrance to the hospital and allow children a fun way to move around a space that could feel scary.
Lodge members meet the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on Nevada Avenue except in August when they meet the third Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“Elks care, Elks share,” Minson said. “It is pretty direct and to the point. If you really want to get involved, join.”
If you have bulletin announcements, please email the EXACT WORDING of your announcement to KSaltmarshVoss@yahoo.com by Wednesday at 5 pm. I don't write your announcements but I do make them nice 'n' fancy!
As you're doing your shopping online, did you know that you can support our Rotary Club with every Amazon purchase? Here’s how:
Go to smile.amazon.com (not amazon.com). Amazon Smile is the same company, same account, same password, but the Amazon Smile program gives one half of one percent of every purchase to charity. No, it’s not a lot, but it’s also not nuthin’ (to be exact: about $150 for the Club so far). So again, go to smile.amazon.com
Sign into your Amazon account as you normally would
On the very top left of the page, next to the AmazonSmile logo, are three horizontal bars. Click there for the drop-down menu.
Scroll ALL the way down to “Your AmazonSmile”; it should be the last option right before “Sign Out”; Click on “Your AmazonSmile”
On the right side of the page, click on the “change charity” box under Your current charity (Note: If you are currently supporting another charity, that’s awesome! These instructions are for those who are not doing so. Also, if you have not previously selected a charity, your default option will be St. Judge Children’s Research Hospital.)
Type in Community Service Fund of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs; click Select
That’s it. You’re all set. Just remember to go to Smile.Amazon.com when you shop from now on.
You are all invited to a Rotary Happy Hour on September 9, 5-7 pm at Lawrence Dryhurst Gallery, 122 E Kiowa. The gallery will provide beer, wine, water, and light appetizers. This social will be an opportunity to see all of the Petite butterflies on display. Thank you to Rotarian Wayne Smisek for hosting this event!
