Speakers: Joe Berninger (COED founder) and Chris Bailey (Rotarian).
COED stands for Cooperative Education, the company that sponsors the Guatemalan Literacy Project (GLP). Joe co-founded COED in 1996 and is its executive director. Rotary Club of Aspen started supporting the GLP in 1996, and since then has donated $73,000 for educational scholarships, teacher training and literacy projects. Of the 505 Rotary Clubs supporting the GLP, Aspen is #1 this year in funding. Thanks to matching grants, our seed money grew to $240,000!
How do they do it? A child buys a book for $1 every year and passes it down to siblings. Each book is used by five different students over five years. There are 180 schools who have computer or textbook projects and have turned them over at least one time. "So it's sustainable," says Joe.
Here's how success looks:
162,700 - students benefited
184 - textbook projects
43 - computer centers (teaching the teachers)
62 - literacy projects
264 - scholarship students
A young Guatemalan woman is the first
ever to attend college in three generations.
Guests:
Frank McGwier – visiting Rotarian from Nassau, Bahamas
Garrett Fencher - with COED
1. Maurice Emmer said the application deadline for the 2017-'18 Youth Exchange year is the end of September. Forms are available online; use this link . Our current inbounder, Adriana, is on Experiential Ed, and enjoying it so much she doesn’t want to leave to go to Durango for the youth exchange orientation.
2. Justin Barrow said he only needs six more vehicles for the Sept 24 Annual Senior Jeep Tour. Also, Peter Waanders need six volunteers to help him prep and set up the food. To offer your services, contact justin@sandysofficesupply.com. The Fall Colors Tour is Sat, Sept 24. Meet at 9:30 at the Senior Center if you're driving a vehicle. If you're helping with the food, you can drive on up to the Lindley Hut.
3. Maurice suggested that we call Rotarian John Miller to invite him to come back to Rotary, and offer to pick him up.
4. Retired Head Duck Chris Bendon bestowed Ducky Derby gifts on some big volunteers - a silly duck hat to 2017 Head Duck Mike Kosdrosky and some Donald Trump socks to sponsor chair Frieda Wallison.
5. President Craig announced that a glitch in the bookkeeping system created late invoices, but they have now been sent out. So, "Pay up", is the request!
September 22: This week our speaker will be Jeff Cheney, speaking on "The Meaning of Service".
Jeff Cheney is a 46-year-old husband, father of two and community leader. He grew up on a farm in Arkansas and in 1988 joined the military at age 17. He became an Army Infantry Officer, then a paratrooper and in 2003 and served in Iraq, earning a Bronze Star. Jeff is an experienced prosecutor with over 10 years of experience and has worked his way up to being the first assistant district attorney to the elected district attorney. As a volunteer coach, youth leader in Scouts, public servant and part-time soldier, Jeff has earned the reputation of being a man of “service” to his country and community and contributes in many ways to making our community a great place to live.
Saturday, Sept 24 – Senior Fall Colors Jeep Tour and Lindley Hut Work Day. Meet at 9:30am at the Senior Center. More drivers and food preppers needed! Contact Justin Barrow: 925-1620 (w); 948-0585 (c) or justin@sandysofficesupply.com.
Rotarians Pat Marquis, Steve Wickes and Phil Salet accepted COED's challenge to "adopt"/sponsor a Guatemalan child on a monthly basis to sponsor their educational pursuits. Thanks to these generous Rotarians!
Christina King thanked Rotarians for their support of her Foundation's Eco Hike, which raised $15-16,000 to subsidize mental health services to families. She also extended a discount to Rotarians to attend the "Changing Brains/Changing Lives" seminar this fall, simply because "I love you all!”
Norm Bacheldor is leaving for a fishing trip with his 86-year-old dad in Alaska.
Kurt Adam has been attending Rotary in Wisconsin club where a "Beef-a-rama" is the thing -- all about cheese, beer and beef.
Craig Melville highlighted a book he's reading, "Power Paradox" which highlights the sad fact that people rise to power by giving to others but once they arrive at the top, they stop giving.
Rick Newton gave $5 for Joe Zanin’s Hole-in-One last Tuesday! Go Joe!!
Jim DeFrancia acknowledged Dwayne Romero's alma mater (for a change!) with Army's recent 2-0 victory. "It could be your year, Dwayne," exclaimed Jim.
Bob Porter was happy to attend a beautiful wedding at John Denver Park and Theater Aspen with a reception at the Old Power House.
Guest Frank McGwier said his arms are sore from all the fish he caught while vacationing in our Valley and acknowledged what a lovely community we live in.
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
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Rotarians Pat Marquis, Steve Wickes and Phil Salet accepted COED's challenge to "adopt"/sponsor a Guatemalan child on a monthly basis to sponsor their educational pursuits. Thanks to these generous Rotarians!
