Inspiration:  Joe McCarthy shared an inspirational quote about Restorative Justice. 

IDEA:  “It were not best that we should all think alike; it is the difference of opinion that makes horse races.”~ Mark Twain

Upcoming Programs:  Please see the side panel for upcoming speakers and be sure to invite your friends!

Rotary Cares:  If you are aware of a fellow Rotarian who is going through a challenging time (i.e. personal or family health, family death, etc.) please let Sara Murphy know so we can let them know we are thinking of them and provide whatever support we can.  Sara.jane.murphy1@gmail.com

• New member Ria Kulenski broke her foot
• Update:  Tom Welsh joined us by Zoom.   After several heart procedures over the past several weeks, he continues to impress with his resilience!   
• Update:   Terry Podmore is on the mend after a hospital stay

Guests:

• Johnny Fimple, guest of Curt Bear

Program:  Leighanne Alford (Board Chair) and Andy Chaffin (Board Treasurer) - The Club Foundation (TCF) 

• Purpose - to give scholarships and support charitable purposes of the Club
• Board has two “at large” members; one will be available at the end of the Rotary year (July 2026); if interested, contact Leighanne
• Founded in 1989:  Rotarian Irv Wilson seeds the Club Foundation with $10,000; Past President Mildred Johnson leaves a legacy of $25,000 upon her death in 2017
• 2022 - Past President Andy Groeger challenges the club to grow the Foundation from $325K to $1M in 10 years - Kicked off Campaign October 2024
• 2024 - Foundation Balance was $500,000
• Foundation is funded by bequests, our fundraisers (10% of fundraisers go to TCF Endowment Fund) and individual donations
• Results?   Campaign Goal
  • The campaign goal was to raise $250K over first three years; we raised $350,000 (140% off the goal!)
  • Have grown the Club Foundation from $330,000 to $840,000!  
  • Should reach the $1 million goal in five years, not ten!
  • When we get to $1M, we'll use 4% of the principle for our club grants to worthy organizations/projects
• These results were accomplished through the leadership of Andy Groeger, Andy Chaffin, Bob Melrose, Wilton Lyles, Jay Feavel and the generosity of 50+ members of our Club!
• 2025-2026 budget from our Club Foundation is $118,000 - we will give grants to Community and International Service committees, RYLA, Youth Exchange, Scholarships, Veterans, Shelter Box and Literacy
• Multiplier Effect - $22,938 spent by the Community Service Committee, through the power of matches by our District and the Rotary Foundation (TRF) turned into $858,553 of impact - helped 116K people
• Contributions will be matched between now and the end of the year - campaign ends Dec. 31, 2025
• Recognition Levels (a gift of any amount is appreciated and will help us meet the overall goal)
  • $1,000- Mike Trinen (Past President)
  • $6,000 -Ed Gillette (Past President)
  • $10, 000 - Mildred Johnson (Past President)
  • $25, 000 - Charlie Peterson (Past District Governor)
• Here's how to donate:  Write a check to the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Charitable Foundation; send to PO Box 272728, FoCo, 80527.

Announcements:

• Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) -   Jan. 23-24 in Cheyenne; an angel donor will pay for four members to go.  See email from Kellie Kegerreis on December 4.
• Leadership Academy - offered by Fort Collins Rotary; one spot available for someone interested in developing their leadership skills; for more information, talk to President Joe
• Tom Strause reported on the new member project to bring five libraries to underserved areas
• December Birthdays and Anniversaries were celebrated
• Important Dates:  
  • Dec. 11 - bring your gifts (wrapped) and labeled by family; bring in black garbage bag.   Stay to help deliver the bags if you can
  • Dec. 18 is our Holiday Party!   Children and grandchildren are invited! RSVP by Dec. 11
  • Jan. 14 is the Progressive Dinner - Bistro Nautile; Little Bird for dessert; more info to come from Ann Griffith

Good News:

• Governor Polis appointed our own Dan St. John to serve as a judge in the 8th Judicial District Court!
• Krishna reported that our scholarships for Centennial HS Students have reached the cumulative 100K milestone!
• Connie and John Sheltren heading to Cheyenne for a big Youth Exchange Weekend.  Looking for host families.
• Bob Melrose announced that Lauren Brainard completed all the items on her new member induction checklist in six months!
• To get in the holiday spirit, come hear Diane Knight sing a holiday concert with the Silvertones on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at Griffin Hall.   Colorado State University | Arts Ticketing - Silvertones Presents: Singing for the Season
• Bob Waltermire - kept looking for deer but kept seeing mountain lion kittens instead!
• Carrie Levy - she and Ilan had an amazing trip to Israel; walked on a trail that people have walked on in 3000 years; her nephew finished mandatory military service
• Andy Chaffin - received a check from a Family Foundation for $16K in honor of Tom Welsh to be used for International Service