Volume III, Issue 43, November 3, 2017

In this Issue:
 
- We donated $61,670 to World Community Service Last Year!

 
Comments? Rotary News? Send to:  AspenRotaryNewsletter@gmail.com
Steve Wickes, Editor-of-the-month 

 

Speaker:  World Service Committee Co-Chairs Heidi Hoffmann and Bill Small, also Rotarian Mark Purnell and Griff Smith on behalf of Aspen Sister Cities.

 

Our club participated in ten Rotary Global Grants last year, totaling $61,670! It was a banner year for our club's generosity, according to Heidi, "because we had some catching up to do."  Each year, the World Community Service Committee (WCS) receives 30% of the Ducky Derby surplus. This year, that amount was $37,500.

 

"There are "lots of hurdles to overcome," according to Bill, referring to the process of completing a grant application with The Rotary Foundation. And sometimes after a grant is approved, the project does not end up moving forward. This explains why we end up with excess funds in some years.

 

 

Dr. Mark Purnell has travelled to Bariloche Argentina so many times (15) he is now an honorary member of the local Rotary Club. Their meetings start at 8:00 pm and often go past midnight. 

 

With the help of The Rotary Foundation, Mark has delivered tens of thousands of dollars of medical equipment. More importantly, according to Mark, he has helped build "human capital," setting up rural medical clinics and training  physicians and other medical personnel.

 

What keeps him coming back? "The many people I work with are now friends and colleagues," said Mark.

 

 

Bill Gates: "If things stay stable in the conflicted areas, humanity will see its last case of polio this year." (Unfortunately, Bill was unable to attend Aspen Rotary this morning. His announcement was relayed by Sergeant-At-Arms Jon Kelly.

 

President Scott Russell reported that last week's Rotary meeting - an experiment in evening meetings - was a success. Stand by for more evening meetings once-per-quarter.

 

Susan Gomes: Ducky Derby 2018 is just around the corner. If Head Duck Mike Connolly approaches you to serve as a committee chair, please know you were hand-selected and say "yes!"

 

 

November 9: Mike Serio, ‎Regional Chief Investment Officer/Managing Director, Wells Fargo Bank

November 16: Sheryl Barto: Executive Director, Smiling Goat Ranch

November 23: No meeting. Happy Thanksgiving!

November 30: TBA

 

 

Friday, November 10, 7:30 AM, Mt. Chalet: Rotary Board Meeting. Every Rotarian is invited - especially those wearing a Red Badge!

 

 

 

 

Joseph S. won the Raffle, and drew the Jack of Clubs (groan). 

Shaun H. is happy the the 24th Annual Fall Face Off  Tournament is over - and was a huge success. 199 games resulted in full hotels, restaurants, and high-level hockey for hundreds of kids.

Roger N. is proud to be a repeat election volunteer, and encouraged everyone to vote.

Norm B.  was in Crested Butte and his grandson got bit by a dog on Norm’s watch.  Was happy the ambulance showed up so quickly and everything is fine. 

Dwayne R. happy that Army won against Temple. Please vote; no mention of whom to vote for!?

Charles C. survived Halloween night with twins in the North Forty. A home he designed just won "Home of the Year" from Mountain Living Magazine. Please vote; no mention of whom to vote for!?

Warren K.  loved hearing about the hockey turnout and happy how full his hotel was. No mention of Aspen Square by name!?

Jeanette D. visited her 3 ½ year old granddaughter in California; also has two pieces of phtography at the Aspen Chapel.  Happy for the Astros!

Todd S. beyond happy... ecstatic? that a Bitcoin is now worth $7,000.

Susan G. happy about the good work of Christmas Wish. (Susan is a long-standing and hard-working committee member.)

Joseph S. Happy for a great Halloween evening at Mt. View (or Mt. Valley??) Joseph please submit a correction/clarification to the newsletter editor. Where were you?

Scott R. Happy for the success of the Fall Face Off. Never seen so many tables of 40 at local restaurants.

Don W. our beloved, but rarely-sighted Gold Leaf member has attended two meetings in a row. Don, I have a prize for you if you read this and let me know! -editor

 

 

 

Kudos to our Speaker Committee for their new concept of arranging Rotary Committee reports at the start of our meetings. So much work goes on at the committee level, it's great to hear about it!