Guests: Lou Stover, Board Member, Bridges to Prosperity
Alissa covered the mission of Bridges to Prosperity and thanked Aspen Rotary for the continuing support for this mission. Bridges locates communities in impoverished countries that are constrained from participating in commerce, education, health facilities, etc. due to the location of the community across rivers and canyons that require long detours for the population to reach these services. Aspen Rotary has helped pay for a new bridge in Arellanes, Nicaragua that has replaced the need to use a very dangerous and rapidly deteriorating foot bridge across a river that is virtually impassable without a safe and sturdy bridge. The new bridge is the longest that Bridges has yet designed and completed. This project is now complete and Bridges is moving on to two more similar projects in Nicaragua.
Frieda Wallison announced that a letter will be sent this month to past Ducky Derby sponsors suggesting that they take advantage of tax deductions and renew their support for 2018 before the end of this year. If they don't step up before the end of this year they can, at least, budget for 2018.
Justin Barrow awarded a Blue Badge to Keith Elder.
Maurice Emmer asked for a facility to house Foreign Exchange students visiting the XGames this season. The students are from our Rotary District and need a Saturday night residence. John Malloy responded by offering a place in one of the Aspen school facilities.
October 19: Christopher La Riche, MD; "The Science of Self Control"
Happy Bucks: Jim D.--Happy that Navy is 5-0 in football
Susan G.--Happy that we are supporting Christmas Wish
Sean H.--Happy that Aspen Jr. Hockey starts this weekend with a tournament that involves teams from seven states. Invited all to attend the games.
Bob P.--Happy to donate $100 from his Raffle winnings to Christmas Wish.
Dan J.--Happy it is hockey season and recently attended his high school reunion.
Todd S.--Happy that Bitcoin hit $5200.00 this morning.
Peter W.--Happy that Christina King was on the radio and Happy for Christmas Wish.
Dwayne R.--Happy for Kathy Klug and her work with Aspen Schools. Happy that Army is also doing well in football.
Steve W.--Happy for Christmas Wish and for Robin Smith remembering the title of last week's bulletin.
Scott R.--Happy for Christmas Wish and for the Cubs game tonight.
Raffle: Bob Porter won the Raffle and then picked the Queen of Hearts to win the pot that was up to @ $500.00. Bob may well have a shady past as a Card Sharp---just saying, you know.
On Friday, October 13, our Board was guided through a very full agenda by President Scott Russell. Highlights:
- Membership: with the recent resignations of Willis Pember and Curt Sanders, our club now has 91 members. Recent resignations (including these two) triggered a board brainstorming session that resulted in a long list of new tasks and objectives for the Membership Committee.
-World Community Service: ChairsHeidi Hoffmann and Bill Small updated the board on the status of our club's recent contributions to projects all around the globe. Our club has contributed $96,000 to 19 projects over the past two years!
- Rotary service trip opportunity: Aspen Rotarians are invited to travel to Nicaragua December 13-20, 2017. You will be assisting with the now-famous "Children of the Dump" project. Contact Heidi Hoffmann for more information.
- Ducky Derby 2018: head Duck Mike Connolly updated the Board on Ducky Derby 2018 (yes 2018!). Planning is already underway. Who do you know who might want to be a major sponsor of this prestigious event?
- A common theme at this board meeting was that club members would welcome knowing more about the good work of our many subcommittees. Stand by for mini-presentations from subcommittees at our weekly meetings.
Steve Wickes requests volunteers to join the Christmas Wish Committee. Two key members have recently moved away from Aspen and help is needed.
Steve recounted a recent Christmas Wish granted to a local mother with inoperable breast cancer who wanted to take her daughter, four years old, to Disneyland before her condition worsened. By pulling some strings this was arranged for her and her family (seven in all). They received gas money, lodging, park admission and incidentals, all through the efforts of Christmas Wish!
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
