This Wednesday, April 3, Dr. Bryan Willson will speak on how energy innovation impacts our lives. After introduction by Alan Kirkpatrick, Bryan will explain how innovation (the process of getting new concepts into widespread use) involves both creativity (new ideas) and entrepreneurship (business models for getting ideas to scale). Innovation at scale generally requires mobilizing networks of diverse skill sets. This talk explores approaches to innovation in the context of three widely divergent energy applications:
· oil and gas technology
· clean energy solutions in the developing world
· high-risk energy research.
RCFC will hear about 1) the role of traditional dissemination approaches such as licensing for advancements in proven markets; 2) the role of for-profit startups for applications with significant technical or market risk but a conventional customer base; and 3) the role of social enterprise to provide market-based solutions to the world’s poorest citizens – one of the most under-served but fastest growing segments of society.
Dr. Bryan Willson is Executive Director of the Energy Institute at Colorado State University (www.Energy.ColoState.edu) where he also occupies the Bryan Willson Presidential Chair in Energy Innovation and serves as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Willson served as a Program Director at ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, (www.ARPA-E.energy.gov ) from 2012-2016 and continues to serve as a consultant / advisor to the agency. He has worked for over 30 years to develop and deploy large-scale technology solutions related to energy, air quality, and human health. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Willson is co-founder of Envirofit International (www.Envirofit.org), Solix BioSystems (www.SolixBioSystems.com), Factor(e) Ventures (www.FactorE.com), and Xpower. His research laboratory, the Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory, has made important contributions in many areas, including: internal combustion engines, oil & gas production technology, advanced electrical grids, advanced biofuels, energy technology for the developing world, and advanced building technologies. Dr. Willson is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers and has worked in over 40 countries.
Community Grants Chair Kathy Nicol and member Bob Hoel presented a $4000 community grant to Children’s Theater of Fort Collins. The grant will enable FCCT to mentor children in 3 elementary schools and bring them to a school-only show at Lincoln Center this fall. It will also support a summer acting program and a first-generation college scholarship
RCFC Member Marty Bachman first talked about the experience of walking Poudre High's halls with Teacher of the Month Krista Brakhage, and seeing the love and respect extended to Krista and Assistant Principal Kori Hixon by every student. After introductions, Krista gave a brief capsule of her teaching experiences that began in Ovid, Colorado, continued in Japan, to teaching in a drug and alcohol treatment center, and now at Poudre High. Those varied experiences taught her the value of collaboration and relationships with students, and excels at both. She has played many roles, including mentoring new arrivals who often have no home support and must learn to trust teachers. She thanked Rotary for validation of teachers’ efforts.
Committee Chair Jack Vogt introduced Alan Flores, teacher at Poudre High School to introduce Litzy Lastra-Mendoza, RCFC's Student of the Month. But before turning the microphone over to Litzy, Flores thanked her parents (in Spanish) for raising such an amazing young woman. During her remarks, Litzy also thanked her parents for teaching her to take responsibility to help others, and take leadership positions. After listing the several areas she been involved in, she said she wants to become a teacher at Poudre after college.
On February 27th, Dr. Kurt Fausch, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at CSU told of his 35-year journey as a teacher and fisheries ecologist. He stressed the importance of the length of rivers without barriers to their natural inhabitants. He talked about his studies of rivers including the Poudre and other rivers on the High Plains, and in Oregon and Japan. He noted the importance of rivers to people. “We need water to drink, support fish and grow food.” He pointed out that the sound of flowing water is healing and gives us peace. He ended with “We need their sounds and their views, and their sound advice. And, in the end I believe we will need to understand how and why we love rivers if we hope to conserve them.”
Kurt has recently published a prize-winning book “For the Love of Rivers: A Scientist’s Journey.” Watch the two-minute book trailer video, and learn more about the book at: www.fortheloveofrivers.org
Rotary Club of Fort Collins was chartered August 1, 1918, and this year celebrates 100 Years of Rotary In Fort Collins.
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Meetings: Wednesday Noon
Drake Center (Lunch)
802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins,
CO 80526 United States
The Board of Directors has approved the membership application of Kip Turain, who is sponsored by Bill Schaffter. Kip is retired Commander of the US Air Force ROTC program at CSU. Any comments about Kip as a new member should be directed to the club secretary, Rod Morrison, or to his sponsor in writing by April 10, 2019, one week after this notification appears in the April 3, 2019 print Rotogear.
Jeanne Fangman reminded members that the April 17 meeting will be an evening affair - NO NOON MEETING - to celebrate our Service Above Self awards. Guests and satellite members are $20, noon members are free.
The STEM committee meets next Wednesday at 11:15 before our regular meeting.
Mike Stradt announced the Boy Scout breakfast on April 10. Details to follow.
After a one-year break for construction, the Highway 14 Clean-Up will take place Saturday, April 27. Meet at the Sundance Saloon parking lot on Mulberry, 8:00 AM. See Ron Stoops for details.
Larry Salmen gave an update from the Peach Festival Committee. They have identified 70 companies to contact for sponsorship. Ted Cluett said their goal is $100K in sponsors. Mara Johnson encouraged members to step up.
Sally Lee outlined the changes in using the King Soopers card. Members need to sign up online for the new KS loyalty card. Details next week.
Lloyd Thomas announced that the deadline for applications for RYLA and Young RYLA will be April first. Students can apply simply by going online at: www.rmryla.org and clicking on "How to Apply" in the left-hand margin. The interviews for all applicants will take place during the first two weeks of May.
Melanie Chamberlain announced that the District 5440 Spring Assembly and Rotary Foundation Dinner will be held April 6 at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. To register go to https://rotary5440.org/event/spring-district-assembly-1/
Foothills Rotary is planning a Corn Hole tournament April 27 and are looking for players and sponsors. For details see https://www.fcfoothillsrotary.com/
The Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins are sponsoring a Peace Initiative Speaker Series. The first is a special presentation at CSU’s Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom on Tuesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for students. Contact Larry Salmen Larry.salmen@gmail.com (RCFC) or J.J. Shaw (Breakfast Club) for tickets.
Melanie Chamberlain announced the club now had its own storage facility. Members harboring appropriate materials for our archives should contact Melanie or Bonnie.
John Roberts announced the Global Village Museum‘s new exhibit, “Russia in Retrospect”. Six special programs are scheduled during the 3-5 month run.
Michael Stradt announced a planned Fellowship Committee outing to see “Wicked” in Denver sometime before Memorial Day. Interested, see Mike.
All members are encouraged to join the newly established Peace Fellowship. Remember—peace leads to solutions.
Sally Lee urged members to give King Soopers cards as gifts. Talk to her if interested.
Bill Schaffter urges participation in Fort Collins Read Aloud. For information, go to Fortcollinsreadaloud.org.
Marty Bachman reminds all to report special occasions/events/illness that the Care and Recognition Committee should acknowledge. Call Marty, Melanie Chamberlain, or JeanneFangman.
This Wednesday, April 3, Dr. Bryan Willson will speak on how energy innovation impacts our lives. After introduction by Alan Kirkpatrick, Bryan will explain how innovation (the process of getting new concepts into widespread use) involves both creativity (new ideas) and entrepreneurship (business models for getting ideas to scale). Innovation at scale generally requires mobilizing networks of diverse skill sets. This talk explores approaches to innovation in the context of three widely divergent energy applications:
Community Grants Chair Kathy Nicol and member Bob Hoel presented a $4000 community grant to Children’s Theater of Fort Collins. The grant will enable FCCT to mentor children in 3 elementary schools and bring them to a school-only show at Lincoln Center this fall. It will also support a summer acting program and a first-generation college scholarship
RCFC Member Marty Bachman first talked about the experience of walking Poudre High's halls with Teacher of the Month Krista Brakhage, and seeing the love and respect extended to Krista and Assistant Principal Kori Hixon by every student. After introductions, Krista gave a brief capsule of her teaching experiences that began in Ovid, Colorado, continued in Japan, to teaching in a drug and alcohol treatment center, and now at Poudre High. Those varied experiences taught her the value of collaboration and relationships with students, and excels at both. She has played many roles, including mentoring new arrivals who often have no home support and must learn to trust teachers. She thanked Rotary for validation of teachers’ efforts.
Committee Chair Jack Vogt introduced Alan Flores, teacher at Poudre High School to introduce Litzy Lastra-Mendoza, RCFC's Student of the Month. But before turning the microphone over to Litzy, Flores thanked her parents (in Spanish) for raising such an amazing young woman. During her remarks, Litzy also thanked her parents for teaching her to take responsibility to help others, and take leadership positions. After listing the several areas she been involved in, she said she wants to become a teacher at Poudre after college.
On February 27th, Dr. Kurt Fausch, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at CSU told of his 35-year journey as a teacher and fisheries ecologist. He stressed the importance of the length of rivers without barriers to their natural inhabitants. He talked about his studies of rivers including the Poudre and other rivers on the High Plains, and in Oregon and Japan. He noted the importance of rivers to people. “We need water to drink, support fish and grow food.” He pointed out that the sound of flowing water is healing and gives us peace. He ended with “We need their sounds and their views, and their sound advice. And, in the end I believe we will need to understand how and why we love rivers if we hope to conserve them.”
