Inspiration:
Lauren reminds us 15 billion trees were cut down and 2 billion replaced. She referenced the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax and encourages us to think about the progression of climate change and choosing action over apathy to "speak for the trees who cannot speak for themselves."
DEI Quote:
Each human being, however small or weak, has something to bring to humanity. As we start to really get to know others, as we begin to listen to each other's stories, things begin to change. We begin the movement from exclusion to inclusion, from fear to trust, from closedness to openness, from judgment and prejudice to forgiveness and understanding. It is a movement of the heart.~ Jean Vanier
Upcoming Programs: please see the side panel for upcoming speakers and be sure to invite your friends!
Guests:
James Merkley - speaker from Story Path
Jennifer Whitacre — application in
Saira Hafeez — Rotaract CSU
Louise Sempala — Foothills exchange student
Kira Tangney — application in
Harl Hoper — guest of Steve James
Brad Stubblefield — guest of Curt Bear
Morgan Merriman — application in
PROGRAM: James Merkley, owner and founder of StoryPath Creative
⦁ He made a documentary called Run Wild: A Tale Forged Through Tenacity about the Wild West Relay which is a distance run from Fort Collins to Steamboat. Watch it here-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umn9wNiEeCs
⦁ He has experience in professional film making and has branched into mini-documentary film making.
⦁ He has been married to his wife, Erin, for 10 years and have a three year old son and is from Fort Collins.
⦁ StoryPath creates content for businesses in Northern Colorado for social media and provides fractional marketing services. He believes in the magic of obtaining stories and telling them for Northern Colorado
⦁ Steps to creating a mini documentary: 1. Determine the Scope 2. Determine the story, themes, goals, style/feel 3. Determine the key characters 4. Determine the budget (which is sometimes time and passion as much as money)
⦁ The payoff is making memories. His motto is "your story matters."
⦁ If you want to listen to an interview of James called Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur: Start and Grow Your Own Business: Unlock your secret sauce to stand out with storytelling, listen here: 1083: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1083-unlock-your-secret-sauce-to-stand-out-with/id1155207822?i=1000703124845
Announcements
⦁ Kathy Miner: The Gardens on Spring Creek announces its upcoming Garden a'Fare on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 5:30-8pm to raise funds for the garden. Tickets allow you to stroll the garden with a handcrafted concktail and listen to local music with live art and delicious appetizers. Tickets are available at https://www.friendsgosc.org/garden-afare
⦁ John Sheltren presented a Paul Harris awards to Saira Hafeez for her effort to resurrect the CSU Rotaract Club and to Andy Groeger for his Paul Harris plus 7
⦁ Carrie Levy shared that their son, Aidan published a book, Clouds Doing Clouds Things, that can be purchased on Amazon. Aidan, whose most recent PETscan was negative for cancer, completed a Triathlon in Boulder.
⦁ Lisa Boesch made a plea to Rotarians to deliver Meals on Wheels next week.
⦁ Tracy Mead promoted Project Self Sufficiency's "Bring Their Power" fundraiser at New Belgium Brewery July 12. It is not only a celebration of women artists, women-owned businesses, and women supporting women, but it is also a day of giving back in support of Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado. Visit https://cowbellcollective.com.
⦁ Bob Waltermire invited Rotarians to attend the International Committee Meeting at Horse and Dragon Brewery on Jul 21 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm
⦁ Connie Sheltren announced that exchange student Louise Comfort Sempala is departing for Boston on Saturday to continue her education at a community college. Our exchange student from India, Dhyanam Mehta will be arriving July 29 if there are no visa issues. His first host family is Lara and Brad Abrahamson. He will be attending Fossil Ridge High School and needs 2 more host families.friendsgosc.org/garden-afare.
⦁ Dave and Kira: Peach Festival is in less than a month and will be sending a link to sign up to volunteer for shifts at our booth. Tony Catana is in charge of the peach sales booth and there is also a volunteer list for the festival itself. (There are 2 separate sign up lists). The Peach Festival benefits all four Fort Collins Rotary clubs and the peach sales benefit just our club. Leighanne Alford is coordinating peach sales.
ROTARY CARES: If you are aware of a fellow Rotarian who is going through a challenging time, please let Sara Murphy know so we can let them know we are thinking of them and provide whatever support possible. Sara.jane.murphy1@gmail.com