Come and Discuss the Future of The Great Estes Park Rotary Duck Race
DuckHug
Today, we will be discussing our Rotary Duck Race. The focus will be on the 2026 Rotary Duck Race and how to make the duck race a sustainable event for the foreseeable future.
At our May 22nd workshop, we had a discussion about this year’s Duck Race - what worked well and what did not work, what needs to be changed, what needs improvement, what can we do better. To make the 2026 Rotary Duck Race successful, our club will have certain needs:
1. Fun! If it is fun, then it is beneficial to all concerned!
2. A decision by our club to be all in to continue this longstanding club activity and service to our community.
3. A decision on how to simplify the Rotary Duck Race. Make it manageable so that any member of the club can lead this endeavor.
4. Ask that all members of the club help and participate in some capacity to make the Rotary Duck Race successful.
5. Recognition that all members may have more than one role: there will be needs prior to race day and on race day.
6. Delegate to and trust the duck race subcommittees to complete their tasks and run the Rotary Duck Race.
7. Big Duck and Little Duck are here to facilitate, not run and manage, the duck race. They will have access to a duck race manual that outlines all aspects of and roles on how to facilitate the Rotary Duck Race.
8. Fun! If it is fun, then it is worth doing!
Guy Van der Werf will be facilitating today’s discussion.
Our program on August 14th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
Come and Hear Brian Schaffer of Crossroads Luncheon Meeting Changes Dave Boon Change in Membership Application Scholarship Dinner Follow-up Meeting Notes Meeting Recording
Meeting Notes for August 7th, 2025
President Jack Ford called the meeting to order.
Invocation by Paula Edwards.
Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance.
We sang God Bless America accompanied by Madison Casey.
No guests today.
Jack announced many birthdays and anniversaries.
Announcements:
Tara Moenning said to take a poster for the John Denver concert, if you have a place. Shred a thon and Recycle Day is this Saturday August 9. She needs to borrow 2 more extra large ice chests for the John Denver concert.
Carl Robicheaux says he will need help for Elkfest on a weekend in late September for our club to sell beer.
Lee Lasson needs another zoom operator to rotate with the two people we have to stream our meetings. They will train you. There is a sign-up link in The Spoke.
We need Sponsors, Jim Whiteneck says, for the John Denver concert. We are down this year, and he reminds us this is a replacement for the Golf Tournament as The Major funding event of our scholarships. See Tara.
Rotarian Stories
The very interesting Member biography was by Paula Edwards.
Paula describes her Rotary involvement.
Happy Money:
Scott Robbins is happy for his grandchildren’s visit last week, and the many wildlife sightings they had.
Carl Robicheaux is always happy to see Michelle Mann here, and for our club’s support for its members like himself.
Jim Whiteneck is happy for our new piano and Madison’s accompaniment, after a few weeks of A Capella singing.
Tom Maher is happy for his Elder, Wayne Newsom
Program:
Guy Van der Werf introduced Lars Sage, Director of the Art Center of Estes Park. Lars told us about the State of the Arts in Estes Park – the numerous arts programs, activities, and organizations in town.
Lars provides an update President Jack presents a.
on the Art District. “Piece of the Rock” to Lars
Adjournment
We ended with the four-way test.
Submitted by Madison
Meeting Recording August 7, 2025
Lars Sage discussed the State of the Arts in Estes Park covering the Art Center of Estes Park, the Estes Arts District, the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies, and other community arts activities in Estes Park.
We Need Your Help
1) Carl Robicheaux needs help staffing the Beer Garden portion of the Elk Fest: Saturday 9/27, 9am-6pm, and Sunday 9/28, 9am-5pm, plus tear down on Sunday. This is one of our major fundraisers for the club funds for Projects.
2) Youth Services Director. This is a Board Position that engages with the young people in our town and with exchange students. It is a wonderful opportunity to invite our youth into Rotary. Contact Annie if interested: anneslack@aol.com
3) The Zoom Team needs volunteers to set up the sound system and run the Zoom meeting/recording each week. If you have the know-how, please sign up to take a week. If you would like to learn how to do the job, please sign up as a Trainee. We need your help!
4) The Scribes could always use help. Right now Madison and Barry take turns. A third and/or fourth volunteer would allow the task to be completed once a month. Contact Madison if interested: mastodon1953@gmail.com.
August Fundraisers Update
From Tara:
The preliminary earnings for the Shred, $3425—Karol did a fantastic job of collecting the money.
Annie was so pleased with her collection efforts that filled the back of her car—Crutches4Africa—so she has to think about doing this again.
Rotarians at Work Carload for Crutcher4Africa
Also, just a reminder about the concert — still time to be a sponsor/a volunteer/ and/or an attendee. All proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund for this event, too.
Board Approves Ben Van der Werf Transferring Member Application
Ben Van der Werf has applied for membership in our club and has been approved for membership by the Rotary Club of Estes Park Board of Directors. As per our bylaws, if there are no objections from the membership within seven days of the publication of this notice, he shall be considered elected to membership in the club.
Ben is transferring his membership in the Berthoud Rotary Club to our club. The Berthoud club is a satellite of the Loveland Rotary Club. Ben originally joined the Rotary Club of Estes Park in 2019. As a member of the Berthoud Club, Ben served as the Club Treasurer. As a member of the Estes Park Rotary Club, Ben has been an integral part of the Duck Race, serving at the finish line making sure no ducks escape to swim downstream. Moving forward, Ben would like to serve on the Rotary Foundation Scholarship Committee.
Ben grew up in Estes Park and graduated from Estes Park High School in 2011. He is the son of longtime Rotary member Guy Van der Werf. Ben graduated from Rollins College with a B.A. degree majoring in Economics and History. He is currently employed as a Loan Officer with the Bank of Colorado.
He is an elite rower and rowing coach having coached the Seattle University Rowing team and the Lake Union Rowing crew.
Ben is married to Valerie Van der Werf and has two sons, Alexander and Sam, ages 3 and one year old, respectively.
Board Approves Valerie Van der Werf Transferring Member Application
Valerie Van der Werf has applied for membership in our club and has been approved for membership by the Rotary Club of Estes Park Board of Directors. As per our bylaws, if there are no objections from the membership within seven days of the publication of this notice, she shall be considered elected to membership in the club.
Val is transferring her membership in the Berthoud Rotary Club to our club. The Berthoud club is a satellite of the Loveland Rotary Club. As a member of the Berthoud Club Val served on the Fundraising Committee. Val has been chosen to be the Rotary Foundation Scholarship Committee Chairperson for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Val was born in Hartford, CT, grew up here in Estes Park, received a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She is an Instructional Designer employed by Home Depot
Val is married to Ben Van der Werf and has two sons, Alexander and Sam, ages 3 and one year old, respectively. When she is not chasing toddlers, she likes to read, play computer games and spend time outside.
Flight to End Polio - Circle the Atlantic
Note: The first "Flight To End Polio" was presented in our Club's October 24, 2024 meeting. Additional information can be found on their website: http://www.flighttoendpolio.com.
Flight To End Polio is pleased to announce a second, world record-setting flight, scheduled to depart August 30, 2025. This flight titled, “Circle the Atlantic: Flight To End Polio”, will raise awareness and funds for the Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative. 100% of the funds raised are donated to The Rotary Foundation and matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation.
Circle The Atlantic: Flight To End Polio will be piloted by Rotarians Peter Teahen and Ed Galkin, with technical support provided by Rotarian John Ockenfels. The flight will be completed in a 1976 Cessna 210 single-engine airplane, N2160S, and involve a 37-day, 8,800 nautical mile flight and multiple fundraisers.
Pilot Ed Galkin, 89, will set the record for being the oldest pilot in history to fly a single-engine airplane across the Atlantic. He has completed four around-the-world flights, including his most recent in 2022 at the age of 87.
On July 31, 2023, pilots Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels completed the historic Around The World: Flight To End Polio, a 90-day flight that included 37 landings in 19 countries, covering a distance of 30,000 miles. Since their return, John and Peter have made more than 150 presentations worldwide about their flight. Their 2023 flight raised well over $2 million dollars for the Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
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.
