Longmont Rotary Newsletter: February 13, 2025 (Feb 13, 2026)

Interactive Partnership in Action

The Longmont Rotary Club is proud to sponsor the Silver Creek Leadership Academy (SCLA) Freshman Leadership Retreat. Moving beyond individual scholarships, this sponsorship empowers an entire cohort of incoming ninth-graders to build essential life skills. Led by Program Director Carrie Adams, the retreat focuses on "washing the middle school off" students to prepare them for high school success through SCLA’s "Big Six" values: Teamwork, Communication, Respect, Ethics, Vision, and Critical Thinking.

To showcase the retreat's impact, SCLA Ambassadors recently hosted an interactive "mini-retreat" for Longmont Rotarians. Members participated in hands-on stations that mirror the student experience:

Teamwork & Communication: Collaborative challenges like the "Hula Hoop and Balloon" bounce and silent birthday lineups.
Critical Thinking: Engaging in creative problem-solving with marshmallow tower builds.
Service Above Self: Crafting handmade cards for Meals on Wheels, contributing to the 450 goodie bags the academy provides monthly.

Join the Retreat

This partnership bridges the gap between students and local professionals. Rotarians have a unique opportunity to mentor these emerging leaders by leading a workshop on the Rotary Four-Way Test during the upcoming retreat from August 7–9. Please contact Carrie Adams.

Rotary Orientation: Dr. Jackie Kapushion & Dr. Kerri McDermid

Longmont Rotary officially welcomed SVSD Superintendent Dr. Jackie Kapushion and Chief of Staff Kerri McDermid in an orientation led by Co-President Roger Lange. Their induction highlights a leadership philosophy of civic humilityand authentic integration. Despite the rigors of leading a large school district, both leaders expressed a deep commitment to being "good Rotarians," prioritizing the club’s "Service Above Self" mission. Welcome Jackie and Kerri!

Community Grant to Hover Senior Living

Longmont Rotary recently granted $3,000 to Hover Senior Living for specialized lift-recliner chairs. This vital equipment assists residents in post-hospital rehab, enhancing their independence while reducing physical strain on staff. These funds directly support Hover’s nonprofit mission to provide high-quality, dignified care for Longmont’s seniors throughout their recovery.

Electoral Systems

In his presentation, Dr. Bickers emphasized that election rules act like the rules of a sport—they determine who plays, what strategies they use, and which "fans" (voters) engage. Beyond Ranked Choice Voting, he outlined several other frameworks used in the U.S. and abroad:

The "No Perfect System" Principle

Dr. Bickers concluded that no voting system is "perfect." Each privileges different values—some prioritize stability and efficiency, while others prioritize minority representation or candidate moderation. Using his Texas-rooted analogy, he noted that while football might be the "standard," changing the rules creates entirely different games like baseball or soccer, each with its own merits and flaws.