It is hard to believe that 2024 is almost over. This year seems to have passed so quickly. But next year is exciting with a new strategy for our Duck Race, with the Rotary International Convention on this continent in Calgary, Canada and with many other projects our Club is addressing.
We have received Thank You notes from Restoration Ranch - Colorado for the two donations they received from our Club; one from matching grants for a total of $600 and one from the President’‘s Chosen Charity via the Foundation for $1428.
The Estes Park News is helping both our Club and the Sunrise Rotary Club to run ads about Crutches4Africa. So far the ad has brought in 5 pairs of crutches, 3 walkers, and 1 standard cane. We have an offer for a storage area of an empty RV if I can find a space to park it. I need a 16-foot area. Let me know if you have any ideas.
Just recently, the International Committee voted to provide financial support to speaker Wynn Walent from Locally Haiti, a non-profit project that invests in Haitian community leaders doing transformative work in education, girls’ empowerment, agriculture, and community health. Our Foundation contributed $1428 for International causes and $572 from the Club’s Project Funds for a total of $2000.
The work we do as a Club with Friendship Cards, Elk Fest, etc. help to raise these funds so we can serve our neighbors who need financial help.
Remember, no meetings December 26, 2024 or January 2, 2025. We’ll see you again on January 9th, 2025 at our regular noon meeting. In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.
Until next time,
Annie
Notes for Dec. 19, 2024
President Annie Slack rang the bell at 12:00 Jim Whiteneck gave the Invocation. Annie led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests of Rotarians:
Dana Fritz - Honorary member
Many spouses of Rotarians are present today:
Carol Whiteneck
Jan Scott
Leslie and Sam Van der Werf
Linda Williams
Sandy Lasson
Marty Yochum
Linda Gardner
Announcements:
Annie Slack: there is no Foundation meeting today.
Scott Robbins: Coffee Talk will be Jan. 4 at Inkwell and Brew at 8:30 a.m.
Program:
Annie introduced Alan Denney, who directed a music program featuring the Tenor/Bass Choir from the high school.
Geneva Thomas A duet from the
sings two solos TenorBase Choir
The TenorBass ChoirAlan Denney receives a piece
of the rock from Annie
Adjournment:
President Slack let the four-way pledge and rang the bell at 12:33.
Barry Hannigan, Scribe
Meeting Recording December 19, 2024
Alan Denney’s Estes Park High School Tenor/Bass Choir performed and an EPHS sophomore, Geneva Thomas, added a special performance to our holiday meeting recording.
Correction to Dec. 12 Meeting Notes
From Jim Austin:
Whoever was the scribe noted that I had sponsored Ruby's membership. It should have said I sponsored Tim Moore.
Duck Race Leadership Team Meetings
After January 1, 2025, the weekly Wednesday leadership team meetings are being refomatted into “work group” sessions, each focused on a specific topic. In that way, the team can get more accomplished, and outsiders who are interested in a specific topic can attend the meeting of interest.
For the four meetings in January, the workgroup topic for each will be:
Jan 8 – Sponsorships
Jan 15 – Prizes
Jan 22 – Race Day (overview)
Jan 29 - Organizations
As always, meetings will be held at 3:00pm on most Wednesdays, both in-person at Scott’s office (314 E Elkhorn Ave) and via Zoom (www.EPDuckRace.org/Zoom) for all those who are remote.
Thanks from the Fund Development Committee
The Fund Development Committee would like to give grateful thanks to all Rotarians who made this year so successful. All aspects of our fundraising efforts have proven very successful due to the generosity and willingness to work of the members of our Club. Donations to Estes Park 501c3 charities have been outstanding, and the scholarship fund will be able to support Estes Park High School graduates in 2025 with approximately $37,000 for academic scholarships. In addition, due to the excellent management of the memorial funds, the named scholarships will also add to the educational support.
All members of the Club are to be congratulated for these outstanding efforts.
Phil and Tara Moenning
100% Paul Harris
While it is late in the year I still have time to get donations for Paul Harris turned in before the end of 2024 so you can get tax credits. Ron and I have been contacting members to request their donations so, as a club, we become 100% Paul Harris. There are benefits to that designation as we will get money back from District in three years for our different club projects.
The way we are accomplishing 100% is matching your donation with matching points from someone else. This is a great and thrifty method to advance one’s Paul Harris status and give money to Rotary International (RI).
An example of how it works is as follows. Say you have never received a Paul Harris. If you donate $350, we will match that with 700 points from some member like Thor Homme who has many points to give away. You receive a point for every dollar donated but you cannot use your own points. You can only give them away. With that donation to RI, you will receive your first Paul Harris Award plus have extra $50 toward your next one.
If you cannot afford $350 dollars, talk to us so we can help you become a Paul Harris Fellow.
Why should you do this? It is where RI gets the money for Polio Plus, or an International project to fight Disease, help the Environment, address Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, basic Education and Literacy and Community Economic Development. It is through the Annual Fund and World Fund that your choice for donation will come back to us via a District grant. Polio Plus does not return money to our District but helps to prevent that horrible disease from spreading. Thanks to your donations and the Bill Gates Foundation, Rotary has almost eradicated polio world-wide. Without the immunizations against Polio, it is just as devastating as ever.
So please consider donating to 100% Paul Harris. If you want me to try to get your donation in before the New Year, please contact me or Ron no later than December 24th. My contact information is: anneslack@aol.com and 970-231-6697. Ron’s contact information is: rongordon@hungrybear1.com and 970-212-6583.
Thank you!
Annie
Two Committees Approved
by
The Rotary Board of Directors
One committee is for an audit. We have not performed an audit for at least five years.
The second committee is to check our insurance. Are we covered for theft, fire, fraud?
Both committees will be conducted by Rotarians. It will be voluntary participation. So if you enjoy numbers or learning what our insurance is, please contact me at anneslack@aol.com or give me a call at 970-231-6697.
Thank you,
Annie
From The Chaplain
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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