Speakers: Mike Jahn, Director of Create Mentorship Aspen and Duncan Clauss, owner of Aspen Brewing Company and Aspen Next Gen board member. The Aspen Rotary Club and City of Aspen are sponsoring partners of Create Mentorship Aspen, a professional mentorship program designed to pair young professional mentees with established and successful mentors (executives, nonprofit and government leaders) in the community. The program was initiated by the Aspen Next Generation (Next Gen) Advisory Committee to the Aspen City Council. The goal is to foster mutually beneficial relationships, which promote increased success and a higher level work force, while creating strong generational ties that strengthen the community. Janh encouraged Aspen Rotary Club members to become mentors. The goal of the program in the first year is 50 mentor/mentee partnerships.

 

Announcements: President John Ward thanked Craig Melville for hosting a fantastic Christmas party at Mountain Chalet. Tom Clark encouraged club members to consider visiting Guatemala as part of the Cooperative for Education's Snapshot Tour Feb. 23-28. Interested members should contact Tom for more information or visit: http://www.coeduc.org/. Jim DeFrancia reported that Frieda Wallison has been absent due to a stroke she suffered in New York. Fredia is undergoing therapy in New York, but is doing well and sends her warm wishes to the club. Peter Waanders shared his concern that John Ward's son was seen walking to school in shorts despite the subzero temperatures. President Ward didn't seem to care. Maurice Emmer thanked Emily Burr for her role in communicating with our outbound exchange students. Melanie Doyle will greet the club via Skype next week. Scott Russell reported that new member, Josh Wolman, headmaster at Aspen Country Day School, has been absent due to shattered ribs and some other injuries after a skiing accident in December. Scott says Josh is on the mend and we should see him soon.

 

Guests: Meredith Maaske, Group Sales Manager at The Gant, a guest of Emily Burr. Bill Simon, owner at Symbion Design, a guest of Peter Waanders.

 

Jazz Aspen Snowmass is known for their "Blind Faith" passes to the annual Labor Day music festival. Aspen Rotary Club is also offering "Blind Faith" passes for the January speakers. Good news: it doesn't cost you anything to show up and network with your friends and you'll probably hear a pretty decent speaker for your trouble.

 

1/14. Melanie Doyle, Aspen's Rotary Youth Exchange student living in Nantes, France, will Skype with the club at 8:15 a.m. 

5.14 - 5.15. Aspen Camp Clean-up Weekend. Mark your calendars early so nothing gets in the way of your attendance at this annual event. Our club has recommitted to this camp thanks to the tireless efforts of Steve Wickes and Roger Nicholson to help the camp once again become profitable and sustainable.

 

Although President John Ward once again attempted to bypass Happy bucks, Jon Kelly quickly brought him back into line. Happy Bucks is starting to become a very complicated mathematical business - it's not just $1 or $2 bucks anymore. Blair Flickinger's $11 signified her fantastic news - she's 11 weeks pregnant. Blair is also leaving the Aspen Police Department and will be working as a communication coordinator for the Snowmass Chapel. Mike Taets is sad that Michigan State suffered a humiliating loss to Alabama in the Cottonbowl, but he seems content to continue hating Nick Saban. Jim DeFrancia is, of course, thankful for the Navy win over both Army and Pitt. Dwayne Romero gave kudos to Navy for their best season 25 years (plus a bunch of other Navy accolades to the tune of $13 Happy Bucks). Peter Waanders is just happy about the New Year. Maurice Emmer was happy to be sitting on the side of the room with all of the money. And, although nobody else probably would have made this announcement, John Ward did say "6 and 7 baby" as it relates to his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers.

 

It should be noted that at least a dozen Rotarians were spotted at the Aspen Education Foundation's annual gala, The Flamingo 2016. Photographic evidence does exist, but has been safely secured so as to protect the semi-innocent. Suffice it to say that at least one grocery store owner and one CEO of a private insurance company were seen tearing up the dance floor when the Spazmatics sang Sir Mixalot's "Baby Got Back."

The Board Meeting on Friday, Jan 7, was well attended.

 

Community Grants: Just more than $34k is earmarked for community grants with more possible grants if outstanding Ducky Derby sponsorships are collected. Grants recommended by the committee include: Alpine Legal Services, ACES, Aspen Camp, Aspen Homeless Shelter, Holiday Baskets, Christmas Wish, Aspen Strong Foundation, Carbondale Community Schools, Aspen Hall of Fame, CU Opera, Hospice of the Valley, Independence Pass Foundation, Literacy Outreach, Project Graduation, Raising a Reader, The Red Brick, Response, Science in Schools, Summit 54 and Youth Zone.

 

Membership Committee: The board approved two applicants who will now enter the 10-day waiting period: Meredith Maaske and Bill Simon. In next week's edition of the newsletter, Membership Committee chair, Justin Barrow, will provide a review and reminder about the new member application process.

 

Aspen Camp: Rotarian and Aspen Camp board member, Roger Nicholson, gave an encouraging report about the state of affairs of the camp. Lesa Thomas has returned as the director of the camp and current director, Katie Murch will take on a marketing and strategy role, which will encompass a lot of community outreach. Roger reported that the camp has paid off most of its debt, save for some past-due tax obligations that the board and Lesa are working through. Roger reports that Deb Breen has been instrumental in helping the camp strategize about fundraising and she has helped them to create "Alternative Spring Break," which will allow high-school and college-aged kids to attend "camp" at the Camp while giving back to a very worthwhile cause.

 

 

The next board meeting will be held at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11 in the Sister Cities room in City Hall. Bring your own coffee and muffins. The board will supply the entertainment.

(Watch this space for bio's of our new members)