First off, I would like to thank Kay Rendleman for her leadership over the past Rotary year. The year was filled with outstanding programs, many service opportunities, and exciting socials that allowed members to connect with one another. During the last meeting, the Director of Programs used ChatGPT to write a Haiku, Limerick, and Sonnet about Rotary. I found the limerick to be my favorite and wanted to share with those who could not be there:
In Rotary, we find our zest,
Serving communities, doing our best.
With hands that aid near and far,
We're a bright, collective star.
In service above self, we're truly blessed.
I am honored to be serving you as our Rotary Club President for the next year, with a wonderful team by my side, ready to continue our impact throughout the local community and internationally through Service Above Self. We already have some great programs scheduled throughout the first half of the year, thanks to Trevor Dierdorf, and our first two socials for July and August are planned and sure to provide an amazing time for all.
I hope you will be able to join us on June 7th to learn more about our club theme for this year: Fellowship, Friendship, and Fun(ship) as well as the Rotary International focus on Mental Health. You will hear from me as well as our Directors on what an exciting year you can expect moving forward.
Be sure to save the date and register for these upcoming events:
July Social: Blind Wine & Tea Tasting, Sat. July 15 at 4:30pm - Register Here
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
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.
I hope you are able to 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.
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
