Rotogear for February 20, 2008

RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson's Website

The Rotogear
of the Rotary Club of Fort Collins

February 20, 2008

Doug Hutchinson

Doug Hutchinson will moderate a panel on "Economic Frontiers in Fort Collins." The panel will discuss how three emerging, interrelated community efforts will have positive impacts on the economic health of our city.

The major focus will be the Mason Corridor as a collaborative partnership and a project that reflects the City's shift towards infill, redevelopment, and transit-oriented development.

A video will illustrate how the concept of the Mason Corridor has evolved to encompass economic health, housing (including student housing), a quality community, and transit. Two other visionary efforts, UniverCity Connections and Beet Street, are intertwined with the Mason Corridor. The panel will explore the synergy of all three, especially the long term economic and community benefits to Fort Collins.

The panelists represent some of the key players in these collaborative efforts for the future, and include Darin Atteberry, Fort Collins City Manager, Doug Johnson, Executive Director of UniverCity Connections, Eric Nichols of RealTec Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc., Carol Bennis, Executive Director of Beet Street/Downtown Development Authority.

Presiding at Last Weeks Meeting

Jan Bertholf

Lloyd Thomas

Neil Carson

Presiding: Jan Bertholf

Invocation & Pledge: Lloyd Thomas

Music: Steve Busch

Song Leader: Neil Carson

Greeter & Introductions: Marge Norskog

Sergeant at Arms & Microphone: Ron Rutz

Guests Last Week

Elizabeth Hohweiler, Lloyd Scott, Wendy Williams, Luke Angerhofer, Lois Cawrse, Tom Dodd, guests of the club

Mary Zenzen, guest of Bob Powell

Colleen Meyer, guest of Dawn Davis

Rob McElroy, guest of Sankaram Mantripragada

Mark Grant, guest of Bob Powell

Stephen West, guest of Donna Chapel

Visiting Rotarians

Nigel Dower of Aberdeen, Scotland

Lloyd Scott of Estes Park Noon Club

Announcements

Henry Weisser	Melanie Chamberlain
Omnia Hakim	Max Getts

Henry Weisser announced the History Fellowship would meet at Joe’s Coffee House this afternoon to discuss German history and the “horrible events of their society”. He invited more Rotarians to join them.

****************

Melanie Chamberlain asked members to bring books next week to be donated to Matthews House.

****************

Omnia Hakim urged members to solicit applicants for the Ambassadorial Scholarship. The deadline for applications is February 29th.

****************

Max Getts showed us three clocks: (1) a reproduction of a water clock, initially developed by Greeks and Romans. It was the most accurate time piece until the pendulum clock was created in the 17th C; (2) a sheep clock, “doesn’t do much but tell time”; and (3) a German clock from the 1600’s. No details because “my time’s up”.

****************

Marj Walsh would like members to inform non-profits with whom you work or know of the availability of the Club’s grants. They and you can download info and application forms at: http://www.rotarycluboffortcollins.org/communitygrants.html

The Committee Spotlight for this week is about the Community Grants Committee. See below for the information.

****************

Classification Talk

Jim Harper

Jim Harper grew up in Yuma, Colorado, on a dairy in his family since 1933. The dairy was supplemented by both dryland and irrigated farming to raise livestock food. He graduated from CSU in 1960. His in-laws are the Herveys, well-known at CSU, and known to us as Art Wilcox’s second wife. Jim was a Lion until John Roberts persuaded to become a Rotarian. He and his wife have 3 daughters. The eldest contracted leukemia at age 11. The middle daughter is an ophthalmologist in Cheyenne and the youngest is involved in the film industry. They also have 5 foster kids and 2 foster grandchildren. They are enjoying their life in Fort Collins.

The full text of Jim Harper's classification talk can be found in the Members section of the club web site.

Foundation Report

Ron Stoops

Ron Stoops urged everyone to consider becoming a member of the Bequest Society by including Rotary in their estate plans and/or wills. A codicil is easily accomplished. The minimum amount for Society Membership is $10,000. Ron hinted that the attorneys in the Club had said they would process the paperwork for nothing. Ron had an informational sheet about the Bequest Society on each table

"Precision of communication is important, more important than ever, in our era of hair-trigger balances, when a false, or misunderstood word may create as much disaster as a sudden thoughtless act" -- James Thurber

Teacher of the Month

Garth McCann

Elizabeth Hohweiler

Garth McCann introduced Elizabeth Hohweiler, vocal music educator from Lesher Jr. High. Elizabeth comes from a music education family—including in-laws! She graduated high school in Estes Park, then earned a music education degree from CSU. She has worked in three school districts and has finally found her “home” at Lesher. Her philosophy of education fits junior high students’ needs: put priority on relationships. If you value them, you will earn respect. Her keywords are Relationships, Communication, and Collaboration. She concluded with 10 reasons why she likes her job and how each reason fit with her keywords.

A complete list of her 10 reasons can be found on the our club web site under About Us/Whats New/Teacher of the Month.

New Blue Badges

Anne Alexander and Doug Hutchinson were given their blue badges by president elect Jan Bertholf. Congratulations to both Anne and Doug.

Committee Spotlight

Community Grants Committee

Chair: Marj Walsh

Meeting time: Call of the Chair

Purpose:

To recommend to the Board recipients of financial grants and arrange appropriate event for awards to be presented.

Marj Walsh

Guidelines:

1. It is expected that all grants be made upon written request only.

2. Requests for applications shall be made publicly.

3. Board approval must be made on all grants prior to announcement or award.

Members can find information about all committees by visiting the online list of all of the club's committees on the web at: FC Rotary Club Committees

Last Week's Program

Bob Powell

Wendy Williams

Doug Hutchinson

Mark Grant

Bob Powell and Wendy Williams, both board members of Character Fort Collins, were introduced by Doug Hutchinson. The program was organized into three parts; a general review of the start and the why of Character Fort Collins, a short video of activities and a description of the future focus of the organization.

Bob started his part of the program by thanking the club for including Character Fort Collins as a part of the programs that focus on Fort Collins. He also thanked former mayor and club member Ray Martinez for the vision to start Character Fort Collins, plus he thanked club members Bonnie Titley, Lloyd Thomas and Garth McCann for their service on the Board of Directors of the organization.

Bob continued his part of the program by describing why the organization continues to promote character. He described three reasons in detail and gave us examples of each. The first was the organization is a catalyst for character development. This is done in many ways, including training, workshops and newspaper articles. Secondly the organization reinforces examples of good character. Examples of character promotion and demonstration are sought and recognized through various means, such as the video that was part of this program. The last reason is that of intentions. It is the intention of Character Fort Collins to not only continue the current program but with a new vision to enhance its activities.

Bob then introduced Mark Grant of Channel 14 who developed a short video by following the activities of the organization over a ten month period. The video focused on the character development and promotion activities of the Miramont Sports Center, Trout Elementary School, the Larimer County Detention Center and on the CHAMP program.

The last part of the program was presented by Wendy Williams, the current president of Character Fort Collins and assistant manager of the city of Fort Collins. Wendy described the results of a recent board retreat that developed the future vision and focus of the organization. Some of that focus will be on awareness building in parts of the community not yet reached, opportunities to engage more people and the sustainability of the organization. The sustainability part will probably include a paid staff and speaker’s bureau.

All of this and more can be found at the web site: http://www.characterfortcollins.org/.

Calendar

Feb. 19 - Rotaract Meeting at Manos Grill, 7:30 pm

Mar. 04 - Rotaract Meeting at Manos Grill, 7:30 pm

Mar. 08 - Black Tie Bingo at the Rio Grande, sponsored by the After Work Rotary Club

May 15 - RYLA, deadline for clubs to submit signed applications to the registrar

Jun. 5-7 - District Confernce in Cody, Wyoming, see Don Johnson if interested

Jun. 15-18 - Rotary International Convention in LA

Future Meetings

Feb. 27 - Rural / Urban Day, Glenn Schmidt and Milan Rewerts

Mar. 05 - Chuck Rutenberg Special Program

Mar. 12 - Membership Committee Program

Warren and Genny Garst Wildlife Collection at CSU Click here or on the "tiger."

Rotary District 5440 Home Page - We recommend browsing this page particularly the links to other Clubs in District 5440 as your time permits.

Return to top of this Rotogear page

Return/Go to Rotary Club of Fort Collins page