Another great turnout this week! We had 70 people at today's meeting including 46 in person Rotarians, 11 Zooming Rotarians, 11 guests and 2 visiting Rotarians! Thank you to Coleman Cook, Marci Valicenti and Scott Wither for hosting today's lunch and for the idea to have the lunch at Snow Bowl. It was a great venue, the weather cooperated, the food was delicious and it was so great to support the 2020 Navigator Award recipient for "Business of the Year"!
We had a moment of silence for Michael Schlictman which ended with brave and beautiful words written by Lisa Schlictman.
"The sun rises each morning and offers you the gift of one more day on this beautiful Earth. Embrace it, do something hard, do something kind, don’t let fear paralyze you, if you have a big dream go for it, don’t wait for everything to be perfect and don’t let anything stand in your way. And most importantly love those around you deeply and passionately. That’s what Mike would tell you because that’s how he lived his life."
Chief Cory Christiansen provided our Thought for the Day from Nelson Mandela:
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
Karen Wray and Larry Wennogle were inducted into the club today. Welcome!
Ellen Kendall raised $458 through Good News with many memories of Michael Schlictman being shared.
Michelle Garner collected $65 for Lift Up.
Thank you to Joyce Rankin and Mayling Simpson, Colorado Board of Education candidates, for tackling all of Marje Tracy's tough questions! Also thank you to Kathryn Lykken from the League of Women Voters for some entertainment and insight into Amendment B (Gallagher repeal and property tax change).
Announcements and Upcoming:
Applications are open for Rotary Board of Director seats for a 2 year term starting July 1, 2021. The club is also looking for a new secretary and president elect. Applications are available at https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000003667/en-ca/files/homepage/director-officer-application/Rotary-Club-of-Steamboat-Springs-Board-Application-2021-2022.pdf. Please reach out to Randy Rudasics at rrudasics@coloradomtn.edu to submit your application or with questions.
Marje Tracy is asking members to email any questions you might have for the October 20 political forum to be emailed to her ahead of time at marjetracy@gmail.com. The forum will include Bob Rankin and Karl Hanlon, candidates for Colorado Senate District 8.
After careful consideration, Karen Schneider announced that the Youth Exchange Committee has opted out of the 2021/2022 study abroad program. Safety of the youth involved is central to the committees beliefs, and in the current global pandemic, the committee did not feel that they could stand behind an assurance of safety for the young adults that would be participating.
Scott Marr awarded two Paul Harris awards to Ellen Kendall (+2) and myself (+3).
Brad Meeks spoke of the substitute teacher and paraprofessional shortage within the district. On an average year, the district has a pool of about 70 substitute teachers. This year, that pool is less than 10, putting extreme stress on teachers and staff.
Steve Weiss is hosting Pickleball Mixers this Thursday and next Thursday from 4:30-6:00 PM at the Tennis Center. He will be providing beer, water, and courts, and the Tennis Center will be providing the balls and rackets. Just bring yourself (and a mask in case we need to play inside).
Next week's program is Colorado State Senate District 8 candidates Bob Rankin and Karl Hanlon and will be on Zoom.
We will continue to look for comfortable and creative ways to meet in person. Please reach out to me with your ideas!
Gillian