Come and Meet Our District Governor, Julie Johnson Haffner
District Governor Julie Johnson Haffner
The International Rotary theme for the year is The Magic of Rotary! Julie is expected to focus on Rotary International's new initiatives, membership, and the good work that is being done by Rotarians around the world. The theme is meant to put focus on all the projects and activities that our Club accomplishes, both locally and internationally.
Julie, a professional fund raiser and a Colorado native, was one of the first women to join Rotary in northern Colorado. During her nearly 35 years as a Rotary member, she has served as an Assistant Governor in District 5440; President of the Rotary Club of Loveland (CO); an active member of several District committees; a trainer at PETS and a presenter at District assemblies and conferences. Her district includes 52 Rotary clubs in Wyoming, Northern Colorado, Eastern Idaho and Western Nebraska. Julie is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Paul Harris Society and a major donor.
Julie graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Consumer Sciences and a minor in business. After leaving full-time business, Julie created her consulting business, Blue Jewels LLC, to teach nonprofit organizations how to build their boards, grow their fundraising capacity and expand their leadership skills. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado and Sunrise Community Health. Julie is also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and PEO.
Our program on October 24th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
RSVP to Karol: kj.rinehart@aol.com before 12 noon, Tuesday.
Update from President Anne Slack
The Interact Club is getting started again with a hope of a November 1st meeting. Nikki Gassmann from the Sunrise Rotary emailed me this morning that they are looking at a project to collect and recycle old Christmas tree lights. Dean Belka, also from Sunrise, suggested the idea. It is not definite yet. I’ll let you know when it is. What a great idea!
Remember to mark November 7th on your calendar as a “must attend” Thursday Rotary meeting. Jim Austin is presenting the Rotary International Constitution from 2022 for our approval. Our current Constitution is from 1989 and grossly out of date. BUT we need a two-thirds vote from our active members to officially accept it. That is 41 members. That will also be a good time to take a new picture of our club so be sure to come. If you can't possibly attend in person please attend by Zoom or phone between noon and 12:30 for the votes on the club constitution. The Zoom address is in the Spoke. Annie’s cell number is 970-231-6697.
This Friday, October 25th, is our trip to Restoration Ranch - Colorado. We will leave at 9 AM and be back by 4 PM. We still have room for a couple more Noon club members. Anyone want to join me and Gordon for the ride to the Ranch? Let me know: anneslack@aol.com. Beth is going to join us after Pumpkin distribution at the Elementary school. You might be able to ride with her if you want to help at the school first. If you want to ride with Beth, let her know at weisberg.family@verizon.net or else just connect with her at Pumpkin distribution.
Until next time,
Annie
Slate of Nominees for Rotary Fiscal Year 2025-2026 - Third Publication
Per the Club’s Bylaws "the names of the nominees: (1) shall be published in three successive editions of the club newsletter prior to the election; and (2) shall be read by a Nominating Committee member to the membership at three successive regularly scheduled meetings..."
Nominations for the Rotary Club Board for 2025-2026 are: Officers: President: Jack Ford, President-Elect: Guy Van der Werf, Past President: Anne Slack, Secretary: Sarah Walsh, Treasurer: Gregg Jurgens with Assistant Treasurer: Longley Parker, Sergeant-At-Arms: Jim Whiteneck, Directorates: Club Administrator: Karol Rinehart, Community Services: Beth Weisberg, Fund Development: Carl Robicheaux, Membership: Scott Robbins, International Services: Open, Youth Services: Jim Jonell.
Per the Foundation Bylaws “The six trustees elected from the General Membership of the Club shall be nominated by the regular Nominating Committee of the Club, and election shall take place at the time of the election of the regular officers of the Club.
Nominations for the Rotary Club Foundation are: Club Liaison: Anne Slack, and the six Trustees including President: Barry Hannigan, Vice President: Jim Whiteneck, Secretary: Jack Boatman, Treasurer: Madison Casey, Trustee/Scholarships: Mark Lee, and Trustee: Dennis Gelhaus. Gregg Jurgens will continue to serve on Finances as a consultant.
Meeting Notes, Oct 17, 2024
President Annie Slack rang the bell at 12:00.
Chris Davis presented the invocation.
Annie led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Madison Casey accompanied the song “Sidewalks of New York.”
Guests of Rotarians:
Dana Fritz
Neal Standard
David and Courtney Schwarm
Announcements:
Annie Slack asked members to consider the position of President-elect. We still need someone to take that position, and if no one volunteers it will be discussed at next week’s meeting.
Beth Weisberg said the Community Service Committee will meet today when we adjourn. There will be a vote on two issues: a construction project at the high school and Blue Santa.
Beth also announced Pumpkin Day on Oct. 25 at 8:15 a.m. Come and help distribute pumpkins to the students.
Beth is passing around a can for donations for our Bright Christmas family. Please donate.
Scott Robbins said that Coffee Club will meet on Nov. 2 upstairs at Inkwell. Come and tell stories.
Jack Boatman announced that the matching donation program of the Foundation is now open. Forms are available online in the email that he sent or at the table in front. The maximum amount for each member is set at $300.
Tara Moenning has set the Christmas dinner for Dec. 10 at Twin Owls. Please mark your calendars.
Jim Austin said that there is a $100,000 matching program for Shelterbox USA for hurricane relief. He is planning to send a contribution right away, and there is a can coming around for donations.
Rotarian Stories:
Jim Austin shared a summary of his life, education, Rotary experiences, and other interests.
Jim Austin's career and Rotary stories
Neal Standard told a Joke.
Happy Money:
Tom Maher is happy about a memory when a 747 plane he was on was marshaled out by the King of Spain.
Guy van der Werf is happy that EP Health has a contract with UC Health.
Program:
Jack Ford introduced the speakers, Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels. The pair discussed their around-the-world flight in a single piston-engine airplane to raise awareness and funds for Rotary’s End Polio Now program.
Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels
discuss their round the world flight.
Adjournment:
Annie led the four—way pledge and rang the bell at 1:00pm.
Barry Hannigan
Meeting Recording 20241017
It was a very interesting program and if you missed it or would like to watch it again click Flight to End Polio for the recording of our Thursday, October 17, 2024. To donate, please visit FlightToEndPolio.com.
Come Help Set Out Pumpkins
at EP Elementary School!
Friday, October 25, will be Noon Rotary's annual Pumpkin Distribution Day at Estes Park Elementary School. All club members are invited to show up at the school at 8:15 a.m. that day, to help set up 510 pumpkins in the school's parking lot like a pumpkin patch. Then, feel free to stay and watch as the children come out class by class to choose their own free pumpkins to take home.
Safeway is donating the pumpkins, and Rotarian Sue Fereday will deliver them from the Safeway to the school in her flatbed truck. No need to RSVP or register, just show up and help with this fun event.
Hello, all you bloviators! This is just a short notice to mark your calendars for
Coffee Talk, Saturday, November 2, 8:30 a.m.
Upstairs at the Inkwell coffee shop.
Come on down! Invite your friends! Join us for conversation & perhaps some storytelling. At this stage in our lives we all have stories to tell.
I will be there early to stake out a table, so come join me. I hate to drink alone!
See you on November 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Inkwell!
Scott Robbins
Membership Director
Our Bright Christmas Family Collection Continues
Our collection to buy Christmas presents for our "adopted" Bright Christmas family this year will continue through October. How large of a family we can "adopt" will depend on how much money we have collected by October 31.
For anyone still wanting to donate, donations in any amount are appreciated. Cash or checks are welcome. If writing a check, please make it payable to Rotary Club of Estes Park, and be sure to write "Bright Christmas family" in the subject memo line. Please give all donations to Gregg Jurgens.
To all who have already donated so generously, thank you!
On Wednesday Chuck Bonza brought in his all-original 1941 Pontiac Woodie, 1 of 9 left in the United States, to talk about the vehicle and its history. 2 students got to start the car, but first they had to find the starter button which turns out to be a pedal to the right of the gas pedal. All students got to go inside it, hear it run, and look it over from top to bottom. Chuck also let [the author] take it for a spin around Estes Park. Every Wednesday, weather permitting, we will be having a car enthusiast from Estes Park bring in their classic or sports car.
(Note: The second photo in the Auto Shop also shows the tool chest that we helped purchase for the Auto Shop.)
Students seeing the Woodie Chuck and students in the Auto Shop
Double Your Donation to Your Favorite Local Charity!
2024 Matching Charitable Donation Program - Ends Nov. 7
The Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation is conducting a matching charitable donation program this fall to supplement donations to local non-profits.
The maximum matching donation amount is $300 per member and the minimum donation amount is $50. Rotary Club of Estes Park members will be able to apply for matching donations from the Foundation between October 10 and November 7, 2024.
The Foundation will be providing matching donations to any qualified 501(c)(3) organizations serving Estes Valley residents and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State.
The application form which provides detailed instructions is available at the weekly club meetings. You will also be receiving an email with the application form attached.
NOTE: Since this is the last week, if you plan to mail in your donation please email Jack Boatman so we know it is coming in the mail.
If you have any questions, please contact or email Jack Boatman (email: http://jack.boatman7@gmail.com / Telephone: 832-623-5647)
Subject: 'Undivide Us' screening/discussion October 30
In my role as Civic Engagement Librarian, I'm writing to invite you and other Noon Rotary members to a free screening of the documentaryUndivide Us, followed by a community discussion, on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:30-8:30 PM at the Estes Park Museum. We'll provide dinner, and following the film, we'll hold a discussion led by Dr. Martín Carcasson, Director of the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation. As its creators write, Undivide Us challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are not capable of civil conversation, and demonstrates the truth that, even in our differences, the American experiment is still alive and well.
The Library, in collaboration with the Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership, is bringing this program to the Estes Valley as part of our Community Conversations program, which seeks to build capacity for local problem-solving by bringing people together across differences to listen to each other and look for common ground. In the coming months and throughout 2025, we'll be holding workshops and facilitating conversations around challenging community issues, and we thought this screening/discussion would be a great way to kick that process off.
As someone who leads an organization that serves the community and fosters connection, we thought you might be interested in a discussion around holding respectful conversations without giving up our positions on the issues. If that does sound appealing, we'd love it if you could join us for the event and share it with your membership. Folks can learn more and register here, and I'm happy to answer questions or provide additional information (ewhite@estesvalleylibrary.org / 970-586-8116 x832).
Join Us October 25 visiting
Restoration Ranch - Colorado
9 AM - 4 PM
Restoration Ranch Colorado, a 501(c)(3), provides recreation, respite, and vacation opportunities to emergency communication specialists (dispatchers), fire/EMS, law enforcement including Department of Corrections and park rangers, ED/ICU personnel, victims’ advocates, members of the judiciary, and their families.
Let me know if you would like to join us. Right now 9 people are going, 7 from Sunrise Rotary and 2 from our Rotary. There are 15 spots available. Steve and Kaylyn Kruger will host us, providing lunch as well as tours of their hiking trails.
Our purpose is to assess if we want to contribute to their project.
Do you know a Club Member who needs assistance? Maybe a ride to meetings, or just a phone call to keep in touch? Please contact Bill Smith 970-420-1033 or billsmithbronx1956@gmail.com.
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