Volume III, Issue 7, February 16, 2017 In this Issue: - Aspen Rotary gives over $100K to local & international projects - AVH - A new focus on the transformation of our health care industry - President Craig uses the Four Way Test on Latino No Work Day   Comments? Rotary News? Send to:  AspenRotaryNewsletter@gmail.com Jeanette Darnauer, Editor-of-the-week

Thursday, February 16, 2017   Thought for the Day: Jon Kelly shared this from Tim Sanders, chief solutions officer at Yahoo"   “The secret to being a high-impact leader and the essence of individual and corporate success: learn as much as you can…quickly…share your knowledge aggressively; expand your network of people who share your values and connect…them with each other...be openly human…and find the courage to express genuine emotion in the harried, pressure-filled world of work.”       Speaker:  Dave Ressler, CEO of Aspen Valley Hospital and former Rotarian   After giving us an update on the Hospital's Master Facilities Project, which has completed three of its four phases, Dave elaborated on his vision for AVH to be a leader in fostering Aspen as the healthiest community in the nation.   The cost of healthcare is approaching 18% of GDP.  “We have to find a way to deliver better care at a lower cost.  Our present system won’t do that,” he said. He shared his concerns about the “Insurance Death Spiral” – when premiums go up, people start dropping their insurance, which drives up the costs.   Dave is the former Executive Director of the newly-formed Community Care Alliance (CCA), and its two Accountable Care Organizations, made up of 70 rural hospitals taking responsibility for managing the health care services of the whole patient. He has brought that knowledge and experience with him to his job in Aspen and formed the San Juan Accountable Care Organization (ACO).   The premise of the model is that 10% of the population incurs 65% of hospital costs. The ACO will incentivize doctors to help those patients take better care of themselves. AVH will build a delivery system that is integrated, that looks at patients holistically, and talks to one another for the best outcomes at the lowest costs. We (AVH) need to be accountable for the cost of what we’re charging.  We’re going from “volume to value,” he said.     Visiting Rotarian: Norton Donner, visiting Rotarian from Palos Verdes, CA Guests of Deborah Breen- Emily Kay, Development Officer at Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.   Bill Gustoff, a planned giving attorney for the Foundation from Des Moines, Iowa

Thursday was Latino No Work Day, so President Craig asked himself how he could “Build good will and better friendships." He gave his staff a choice to work or not to. They choose to work, and they all felt great about their decision!   Incoming president Scott Russell will be attending PETS (President Elect Training) next weekend.

February 23:  Carol Ott, "Why Paper is Eternal?" March 2: Rebecca Mirsky, Wilderness Workshop  March 9: Aspen News Columnist Panel - Semple, Marolt, Carroll, Gallagher

April 21-22 – Rotary Roundup day in Glenwood Springs.  Great chance for anyone to learn about Rotary programs and to meet other Rotarians in our District.

Justin Barrow, membership chair, introduced the newest Rotarian, Lori Smalls, and gave her the Rotary Red Badge; then she shared a bit about her background. Armed with a degree in design, Lori headed to the Big Apple where she spent her first 20 years.  After moving to Aspen several years ago, she began a career as a fitness/nutrition/lifestyle coach, teaching a variety of classes throughout Aspen and Snowmass.  She’s also a fashion consultant.   It was a Pink Rink for the Jr Hockey League games last week.  Rotarian Michael Fox’s Aspen Club was the sponsor of this benefit for breast cancer awareness.   Happy Bucks for Mountain Rescue:   Shaun Hathaway thanked the Aspen Club for sponsoring his Junior Hockey event this past weekend. Lorie Smalls is elated and ecstatic to be part of this new family of Rotary. Mike Taets mentioned a fantastic panel discussion on the history of backcountry skiing sponsored by the Historical Society. Susan Gomes is happy her step daughter is engaged. Craig Melville was happy not to be cleaning rooms Thursday. Christina King said it was rewarding that one of her clients finally reached out and asked for her help.

The board received a lengthy update on the Aspen mentorship program, to which Aspen Rotary originally donated $10,000 as seed money.  The effort had a rough start but has now reorganized as the non-profit Aspen Entrepreneurs under the leadership of Julie Engels, the daughter-in-law of Rotarian John Engels (nicknamed “Jelly” for “JLE” by his grandchildren! Who knew?!) Founder Skippy Mesirow told the board that Rotary can help fuel the group’s momentum through 1) mentorship and knowledge transfer; 2) funding; or 3) collaboration. The Rotary Board will discuss our future involvement at the March board meeting.   Membership Report – Lori Smalls and Keith Elder have completed their three meetings and are scheduled for orientation.   Community Grants – Chair John Moore presented the committee’s recommendations for the Ducky Derby funding.  The board agreed to accept the recommendation to grant 22 deserving, local non-profits a total of $41,950. That leaves $2,450 for other causes that come up throughout the year.   Ducky Derby Idea – John Engels presented the Board with an idea he heard from other Roaring Fork Valley Rotary Clubs -- their desire to get involved with the Ducky Derby. The Board had the following comments and concerns and will continue to discuss the possibility:   1. Assure that we’re doing justice to the Ducky Derby brand 2. Need to determine other clubs’ cut of sponsorships and sales.  3. Other clubs need to understand that it’s a labor intensive event and their members would need to be involved. 4.  Can the ramp and duck loading area accept more ducks?

Community Grants Committee Awards nearly $42K! John Moore led an efficient meeting with committee members Ashton Hewitt, Jim DeFrancia, Maurice Emmer, Justice Barrow and Jeanette Darnauer.  Over two dozen non profits requested $60,350.  The group decided to award 22 groups nearly $42K. (See Board Meeting above for more details.)   WCS Distributes $60K in 2016! The World Community Service (WCS) welcomed new member Bob Porter to the committee, joining current members George Baker, Skip Behrhorst, Tom Bracewell, Tom Clark, John Keleher, Craig Melville, Doug Peckham, Mark Purnell and Derek Torinus. Co-chairs are Heidi Hoffmann and Bill Small.  Though their annual budget for distribution is usually in the $30-35,000 range, they have distributed over $60,000 since July 1, 2016.    Our Club is supporting the following approved global grant projects with most receiving a 1:1 match from our District 5470.  1) providing wheelchairs in Formosa, Argentina; 2) water filtration and hygiene education in Meru, Kenya; 3) wells and latrines in Nicaragua; 4) bridges for prosperity in Nicaragua; 5) efficient cookstoves in Guatemala; 6) book distribution and literacy training in Guatemala; 7) a computer lab in Torreon, Mexico; 8) high school science education in Senegal, Africa.   Pending projects in 2017 will include Bariloche, Argentina (medical supplies to rural hospitals), rural solar electrification in the Himalayan Mountains outside Leh, Laddakh, India and the Guatemala Literacy Project, which we renew each year.  A future grant will be located in Cusco, Peru in partnership with the Boulder New Generations Rotary Club. Its purpose will be to empower women to address sustainable outcomes for immediate development issues regarding pollution control from domestic and industrial waste water in Cusco (despite a water treatment facility).   Membership Committee – Met last week at the Aspen Art Museum Café for an orientation of new member Lori Smalls.