Club 31 Welcomes New Member

Lucy Van Dusen
Senior Project Architect
Rocky Mountain Group Engineers

Date Joined: 8/25/2021
Rotary Sponsor: Chad Tyler

When I was studying architecture at the University of Colorado, I won the Temple Hoyne Buell Architecture Scholarship offered by the Rotary Club International.  It allowed me to study architecture at the University of Rome La Sapienza in Italy, and travel around Europe experiencing centuries of buildings and monuments for one academic year.  It was a life changing experience and one that I continue to draw from to this day.  I am a thirty year veteran of the profession of architecture, having been a student, a sole practitioner, and an employee in an architecture firm.  I am a mother of two awesome children: Matt, 19 and Ella, 15 – and a wife to a very special husband for twenty years.  I enjoy golf, reading, biking, hiking, tennis, pickle ball and walking my dog, Rocky.  I am basically a Colorado native, but lived on the East Coast in New York City and Connecticut for a while after graduate school.

For additional information about new members, please log into our membership database at www.dacdb.com.

Club 31 Welcomes New Member

Shannon Stone
Senior Relationship Manager
AMG National Trust Bank

Date Joined: 5/18/2021
Rotary Sponsor: Past President Jim Goddard

Shannon Stone is a native of Denver and joined AMG National Trust in 2013 as Senior Relationship Manager. Before that, Shannon served as Senior Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo. Over her 18 years of experience, Shannon has managed the depository and treasury management needs of large and small businesses, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and associations. Shannon serves as Board Member for GlobalMindED, a Colorado nonprofit organization that is passionate about closing the inequity gap in education for underprivileged communities.  She also serves on the Foundation and Funders Equity Team and is a Co-Lead for the GlobalMindED Mentorship Program where she organizes a team of mentors to offer guidance on key career stepping-stones, to diverse, young first-generation college students. Shannon is a mentor within the program as well. Shannon enjoys spending time with her husband Michael and two kids, Alexander who is currently 11 and Connor who is 21. She is currently crafting an influencer blog on healthy REIKI living and writing a book about authentic leadership. If she lived near the ocean, she would watch the waves at sunset, every night.

For additional information about new members, please log into our membership database at www.dacdb.com.

Foundation Presidents Report – “A Year in Review”

Prepared by:  Carter Sales, Foundation President 2020-2021
June 24, 2021

 

When the Denver Rotary Club Foundation was founded in 1969 we had an annual operating budget of just $100 per year.  In the past 52 years we have come a long way. Today our operating budget is now almost $300,000.

One of the most important functions of the DRCF is the granting process and how we positively impact our local and worldwide communities.  Since our inception, we have granted over $8 Million to our local and international communities including partnerships with Rotary District 5450, Rotary International and local Rotary clubs here and throughout the world.  75 years ago our club founded what is now known as Denver Kids, Inc.  I am pleased that we continue to support DKI which is our longest standing Grantee and partner organization. During that time our grants to DKI have totaled more than $4.5 Million.

 

We measure the success of our mission in terms of the impact that our Grants provide, primarily supporting youth and Education.  For example during the year:

  • The High School Scholars Grant supported 13 students who were awarded $1 Million in Scholarships and Grants over their 4 year College Careers.
  • The Scholastic Art Awards Grant led to 2,200 Art Entries and $34,000 in Scholarships for those students.
  • The World Community Service Committee Grant funded 18 Humanitarian projects totaling $52,000
  • The Community Resources, Inc. Grant enables 10 DPS students to be matched with 10 career mentors.
  • The Denver Kids, Inc. Grant helps to support 1,100 kids with a HS graduation rate of 82%.
  • The Junior Achievement Grant supports 100 students in the JA Finance Park program.

This year The Grants Committee was chaired by Jack Green and awarded $149,000 in grant awards. Committee member Jim Johnston suggested innovative ways to revise the application format and granting guidelines to attract more Grant Applications, and the committee agreed.  The net result is that we added   four new grantees. They are EarthLinks, Music Through Education, Colorado Center for Civic Learning & Engagement and the St. Francis Center.  These new grantees will broaden our reach in our community while enabling Club 31 members to expand our active participation in these deserving organizations. These grants will be funded beginning in July when we begin the new fiscal year.  Special thanks to the Grants Committee!

During the year the COVID-19 virus continued to challenge everyone. We, as Rotarians, stepped up to meet the challenges and I am pleased to report that the DRCF had another successful fundraising year.

  • Our first club fundraiser, the peach sale, was on the verge of being cancelled due to a spring freeze devastating the peach crop. The resourceful peach committee co-chaired by Bryan Guice and Kevin Shelledy found a grower in Paonia, CO and our peach sale was saved.
  • Harriet Downer organized our annual drive to support Colorado Gives Day. 37 members donated over $7,500 making it the highest level of support in 5 years.
  • We approved a disaster relief fund of $5,000 that went 50% to COVID Disaster Relief and 50% to the District 5450 Colorado Wild Fire Relief fund.
  • Our first spring fundraiser, The April Fools unTalent show was a huge success thanks to our energetic and spirited un-organizers Jill Santuccio, President Debbie and Lauren.  We raised an impressive $38,000 along with two donors who provided matching funds of $5,000 and $10,000.
  • The First Annual Rotary Woohoomanity Bike Challenge was also successful as we were the second highest fundraising club in the district and raised a total of $4,562. The DRCF sent 1/3 of the funds in the amount of $1,519 to Polio Plus. Thanks to Jim Goddard, Brian Sweet, Colleen Cozad and her husband, Brad, for joining the Club 31 Woohoo team. Thanks also to the donors who supported the Club 31 Team!
  • I also want to give a special shout out to Todd Bacon who publishes our Celebrate our Service series that highlights many of the works and positive impact that the DRCF achieves throughout the year.
  • Our members continue to step up and support the DRCF. This year seven Gold Fellows, three Silver Fellows and two Fellows were recognized for their contributions.  Thank you to those members and the other members for your continued support of the foundation.
  • Finally I am pleased to report that our investment portfolio reached $4 million in value for the first time since 2007.

Before I hand the leadership baton to Sid Brooks, I want to sincerely thank Lauren Mast who not only is the Executive Director of the club but she is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation.  This was her first year taking over for Darlene and going solo.  Her untiring work and knowledge of the club and the foundation made my term as president easy and I could not have done it without her.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Foundation president. I have also been fortunate to have the support of our board of Trustees, Debbie and the DRC Board of Directors, Jill and of course Lauren. Thank you Club 31 members and friends who have supported the DRCF to make this a rewarding and productive year!

Club Presidents Report – “A Year in Review”

Prepared by:  Debbie Beasley, Club President 2020-2021
June 24, 2021

It has been a year for the record books!  There are phrases used throughout the year that feel overused but are also accurate in their description of our experience.  Words such as pandemic, resilience, social distancing, pivoting, and more.  Here is a quote that sums it up from Brian Tracy: “Flexibility in a time of great change is a vital quality of leadership.”

When I attended President Elect Training in February of 2020, we were asked to write ourselves a letter which would be mailed to us at the halfway point of our presidency to provide reflection on how the year has gone.  At that time, there were murmurs of a virus going around and soon COVID-19 would be a familiar term.  Who knew then what challenges we would face and how resilience would come into play?   At the president training, my goals were threefold:  1) Promote “the power of One” to further our engagement with each other and the district; 2) Identify who we want to be as a club through strategic planning; and 3) Pursue communications and transparency around dues structure among other potential improvements.

We have been successful in all three areas – even in the midst of coronavirus. We grew our district (and Rotary International) involvement through record participation in a virtual lunch with RI President Holger Knaack.  Jim Johnston was nominated for and selected as upcoming District Governor for District 5450.  I accepted the role of Assistant Governor to lend support to the FIVE downtown Denver clubs.  Our club participated in the District Day of Service on May 8 including Project Cure, 9News COVID Vaccination Clinic, Cherry Creek Trail Clean up and Project Worthmore. And multiple club members participated in the Virtual Rotary International convention.

In the strategic planning arena, we made progress through important and incremental changes based on club member feedback and strategic planning goals.  There were town halls, Board of Director reviews and strategic planning working sessions with the action teams and our Executive team.  We approved a new mission statement which is:  To create a dynamic network of diverse leaders who serve ethically and take action to impact Denver and the world.  

That mission statement is part of one-page, eye-catching recap of our club.  We have more work to do and the desire, commitment, and energy to make it happen.

The last goal I had jotted down was to have transparency and communication around our budget and other potential improvements.  Like the year itself, our budget was also like no others we had seen before.  We moved to a Zoom meeting setting that was delivered in a professional and quality manner.  Yet that also allowed for reduced expense in terms of our venue costs.  During my monthly presidential updates, there was (in my opinion) full sharing of our financial position and also other accomplishments and changes.  A full recap of all those accomplishments will be included in my final monthly update which will share a recap of this year.

I now want to recognize those who made it possible.  And it starts with a thank you to Lauren Mast, our Executive Director.  Among navigating a pandemic year, this year marked the first time our club moved to one Executive Director.  Lauren made it look flawless – as if she had done this role alone for a hundred years.  I consider her to be my friend, my partner, my confidante.  Lauren makes this club look good.  Wait, let me rephrase that.  She makes this club look professional and downright outstanding.  Her desire for deadlines and checklists were a perfect match to my style.  I could not have done this without her.  I could usually tell when I was getting a “nudge” to get something done!

Next, I want to thank my husband, Chris.  He has been my studio engineer, my advisor and my coach through all this.  He was always willing to read a draft of this or hear an idea and discuss options.   He never commented on the number of Zoom calls I attended or the amount of time reading emails.  He also made sure I found balance through many camping trips and ski outings.

The Executive Committee this year has been a second family to me.  Each person delivered in a year that presented challenges and threw us curve balls.  The accomplishments we can boast of this year are a result of the team effort from this group.  It is a team that has laughed together and cried together.  OK, so truth be told it is just me that has done the crying.  So, a big shoutout to Ian, Jim, Troy, Chris, Rick, Lisza, Mark, Jill and Chad.

  • Ian Campbell, Communications AND incoming president
  • Jim Johnston, Immediate Past President and Strategic Planning leader
  • Troy Szymanski, Secretary
  • Chris Peters, Treasurer
  • Rick Leuthold, Meetings & Events
  • Lisza Gulyas and Mark Wipper, Service Team
  • Jill Santuccio, Fundraising
  • Chad Tyler, Membership

In addition, thank you to the Board of Directors.  They have helped guide our club through this year and have served in an important leadership role for our club.  Thank you to Lucius Ashby, Nancy Austin, Colleen Cozad, Harry Ellison, Matt Isola, Bob Kapelke, Hassan Latif, Alison Oyler-Mitsch, Brian Sweet, Andrew Walker and Louise Westfall.  An always-welcome guest to our Board Meetings was Carter Sales who served alongside me as the President of the Denver Rotary Club Foundation.  Carter has been a trusted partner throughout the year, and we have both put priority on that partnership and in moving the club forward.

Last, and certainly not least, thank you to each and every one of you.  During my very first meeting of my presidency, I said that I “stand on the shoulder of giants”.  That is so true and a tribute to the club presidents that have come before me.  It is also true for the special club and club members that we have here.  As you have heard me say many times in the past, I LOVE ROTARY.  Thanks again to all of you.  I am excited for our journey ahead and am confident in the leadership that Ian Campbell will provide.  Let’s make this next year another one for the record books….minus a pandemic, of course.

 

Rotary Club of Denver 2020-2021 Detailed Year-in-Review:

District and Rotary International (RI) Involvement:

  • In October 2020, a record number 60 club members signed up for the virtual lunch with RI President Holger Knaack.
  • Jim Johnston was nominated for and selected as upcoming District Governor for District 5450.
  • Debbie Beasley was selected as Assistant Governor for Area 1 clubs in District 5450.
  • Our club participated in the District Day of Service on May 8th including Project Cure, 9News COVID Vaccination Clinic, Cherry Creek Trail Clean up and Project Worthmore. (See Service Projects section for details.)
  • Multiple club members participated in the Virtual RI convention.

Strategic Planning:

  • During 2020-2021 fiscal year, this effort was led by Immediate Past President Jim Johnston with additional leadership support provided by Incoming President Ian Campbell. Multiple core teams were established to lead the key areas identified through our planning process.
  • Jim Johnston hosted two Town Halls on Quest 31 and a report to the Board of Directors was also shared in November 2020. Important and incremental changes made to the club in response to member feedback and strategic planning goals.
  • A strategic planning session was held in January with coordination between the Quest 31 team and our executive committee.
  • Two written updates were provided to the club found in Appendix 1 of this update.
  • A one-pager for our club was created based on the foundational work provided at the initiation of our strategic planning also found in Appendix 1.

Diversity & Inclusion:

  • An important communication was also shared with the club in September 2020.  The core message was around the importance of building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive culture for our Club members and guests – one where each person feels valued and respected for who they are as well as for the skills and experience they bring to our Club.  Every member and guest should feel comfortable and welcomed.  Our goal is for the diversity of our Club to reflect the diversity of the communities and, in fact, the world we serve.
  • In February, I had the opportunity to attend “Exploring the Black Experience in Rotary”.  Current Rotary International President Holger Knaack was quoted within this webinar saying: “There is no place within Rotary for racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, classism, or ageism.  We do not believe that this is a political stance and we do believe we should openly discuss these issues within our organization.”  We are on a journey here and in the spirit of the “Power of One” I invite you to spend One hour watching the recording from this session.  It was phenomenal.  The recording is still available and may be found here:  https://vimeo.com/channels/rotarymembership/517196637m

Fundraising:

  • The Vice President for Fundraising for 2020-2021 was Jill Santuccio who was in her 3rd year in this role.
  • Rotary International (RI) Annual Fund Goal of $50,000 and Polio Plus Goal of $10,000 exceeded with big thanks to Peg Johnston as The Rotary Foundation chairperson for this year. In addition, there is a pending $35,000 estate gift to the Endowed SHARE fund of Rotary International.
  • Other Club 31 Contribution Statistics related to Rotary International:
    • Paul Harris Society Members: 24
    • Annual Fund Per Capita Giving for our club $293 compared to the District at $155 and also compared to our 2019-2020 club per capita giving at $256.
    • Every Rotarian Every Year at 94 this year compared to 90 last year
    • Major donors / Arch Klumph Society: 34
    • Bequest Society / Legacy Society: 16
  • Our club held a successful Peach Sale on September 12th after the peach crop was impacted by an early frost. Net proceeds were $19,331 with 50% going to the Denver Rotary Club Foundation, 25% to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund and 25% going to Rotary International Polio Plus.
  • unTalent Show on April 1st raised over $37,714 for our Denver Rotary Club Foundation (DRCF)
  • Highlighting of award-winning Bosnia project shared with the club including a review of how projects benefit from “the multiplying impact” when DRCF provides a grant to World Community Services which is joined with funds from other clubs and District Designated Funds (from RI Foundation) and matching RI funding resulting in 10-20 times impact. See Celebrate our Service recap that was shared with the club in June 2021.

Meetings & Events:

  • The Vice President for Meetings & Events for 2020-2021 was Rick Leuthold who was in his 1st year in this role.
  • Rick lined up Mike Dineen and Thomas Longino to lead our newly formed Audio Visual (AV) team.  This will allow us to build on our technology usage for our meetings and improve the overall experience.
  • We held our first hybrid meeting in 2020 on April 15th at the Warwick Hotel.  We were at our maximum participants allowed in a safe room set-up. The planning, technology and logistics helped make that meeting a success as well.

Service Projects:

  • The Co-Vice Presidents for Service for 2020-2021 were Lisza Gulyas and Mark Wipper who were in their 2nd year in this role.
  • Cherry Creek Trail Clean-up was organized three times during this fiscal year beginning in August 2020 and continuing through 2021. The May 8th District Day of Service included this as one of the options and our partners at the Denver Five Points RiNo club joined our RCD club members in this event.
  • 9News COVID Vaccination Clinic was established due to the pandemic and multiple RCD club members have participated throughout the year including the District Day of Service.
  • Project Cure where our Rotarians help sort and pack medical supplies that were distributed locally during the COVID-19 pandemic (such as Personal Protective Equipment for front-line workers) as well as internationally to communities in need.  This was another offering in the May 8th District Day of Service where new volunteers from our club and from the Peace Corp Satellite club joined in.
  • The Denver Cherry Creek club has partnered with Metro Caring to deliver food to those in need. Demand grew from 20,000 pounds of food per week, to 80,000 pounds during the pandemic. Volunteers repackaged bulk dry goods, considered nutritionally dense, into 1-2 lb. packages to be distributed. Our club participated in this effort multiple times as well.
  • Project Worthmore in partnership with Denver Mile High and Denver LoDo clubs was another offering for the May 8th District Day of Service and RCD had club members in attendance there.

Membership:

  • The Vice President for Fundraising for 2020-2021 was Chad Tyler who was in his second year in this role.
  • Our membership number at the beginning of the year was 176 and we concluded the year at 166. There was an overall loss of 16 and 6 new members joined the club for a net attrition of 10. Membership loss was due to multiple factors.
  • The strategic planning effort included a focus area around membership which is highlighted in the Strategic Planning section.

Communications / Social Media Presence / Media Stories:

  • Thanks to the strong Communications team, led by Ian Campbell during 2020-2021 with Kristen Brooks assuming leadership in 2021-2022, our social media presence has matured and been recognized as outstanding. Ian served in this role for 4 years.
  • The Rotary Club of Denver was awarded the Ed Bemis Award for Communications by the Rotary Club of Littleton and District 5450. The award is named for Ed Bemis, the late publisher of the Littleton Independent newspaper, Past President of the Littleton Club, and Past District Governor (way back in 1943-44). This award is a great tribute to Ian Campbell, our Communications Team Vice-President and President-Elect, and to Lauren Mast, our Executive Director, who has served the Communications Committee so ably over the past couple of years. It is largely due to the collaboration of these two that our Club has been recognized for the “Best Club Communications” in the District this year. The award consideration is equally weighted between newsletters, social media, and other blogs and projected-related outreach. The criteria for the award include the handling of Club news, education about Rotary activities, originality in content, and format and appearance
  • Our RCD has presence on Facebook and through our club website in addition to having a YouTube channel where meeting recordings and other key videos are held. Updates to our Facebook page and our website are performed as needed and responses to inquiries are monitored daily.
  • The October 2020 Rotary Magazine in the article “Fast Track to the Future” featured our RCD broadband project which continues to be recognized today.
  • “Ground Game” was an article in the April 2019 Rotary Magazine regarding our club Bosnia human trafficking and Roma girl’s education project. While that article was prior to this fiscal year, the project continues to receive accolades.  On February 24, 2021, a press release showcased this effort while announcing it as one of the winners of the prestigious Child 10 Award by Sweden.  In addition, a 4-minute video of the effort was created by Matt Isola and presented to our club on June 3, 2021 to demonstrate the power of one project.

Social and Networking Opportunities:

  • In August, our club celebrated the retirement of Darlene Mast’s after serving as our Executive Director for 16 years. AND it was our very first foray into an in-person gathering.
  • Our club sponsored a weekly informal Happy Hour throughout the year which proved to be a fun way to socialize via Zoom.

Financial Update / Club Budget:

  • As our club treasurer for 2020-2021, Chris Peters was key to navigating a very challenging and often unpredictable budget landscape. This year was like no other with Zoom meetings being the norm which created a unique, one-time (we hope!) situation where the club was not able to meet in person and therefore realized savings as a result of not meeting (and eating at) the Warwick Hotel.
  • This was also a year when we realized expense reduction as we moved to a one-person Executive Director staff.
  • The club budget came in with a surplus based on this unique scenario. The May 2021 financial results reported a surplus of $17,300.

 

Appendix 1:  Strategic Planning Update #1 to the Rotary Club of Denver

June 2, 2021

Background:   In mid-2020, the Rotary Club of Denver (RCD) with support from the Board of Directors (BOD) agreed to initiate a strategic planning effort.  The following highlight accomplishments include: 1) Observation and review of meetings, surveys of club members and select interviews were performed, 2) An Action Group was formed of 17 club members plus consultant Kate Kalstein and work groups were identified, 3) Findings and recommendations were drafted, presented to the Action Group and then to the Executive Committee and Club Board with periodic review of updates and recommendations provided.  Most importantly, club leadership adopted an attitude that meaningful change to club activities and operations was urgently needed.

The key areas of review included:  Mission, Vision & Strategic Priorities, Meetings & Events / Programs, Service Team, Membership, Fundraising and Refinement of Roles & Responsibilities.  Actions and accomplishments will be shared for the items in bold.  The same will be shared on the other items in another update later in June.

Meetings & Events Summary: 

  • Reviewed primary program offerings and analyzed feedback on programs was completed January 2021.
  • Program feedback received included continuation of our strong speaker program and complement those with service opportunities, social events, and professional networking. Our incoming Club President, Ian Campbell, will share exciting news on this front in July!
  • As a result of the pandemic, an additional area of innovation was implemented to our weekly programs by utilizing Zoom throughout the majority of 2020-2021. Hybrid meetings, featuring both Zoom and in-person capabilities have been held three times.   Ongoing review of hybrid offerings is underway.

Service Team Summary:

  • Discussions held with each Service Project Chair and Co-Chair began in late 2020 and was reviewed in a team meeting in February 2021. Service Projects categories have been identified as follows.
    • Club 31 Sustaining Projects: World Community Services, High School Mentors / College Counseling, and DCIS: Interact & Adopt a School.
    • Volunteer Opportunities (chair needed): Cherry Creek Trail Cleanup, Denver Kids, Community Resources, Scholastic Arts Awards, Project Cure, Metro Caring, Junior Achievement and 9Health Fair.
    • Additional Review/Consideration: Rotarians for Mental Health, Rotary Youth Exchange (on hiatus), and RYLA. Shining Stars and Launch Denver will be removed.
    • Club Financial Support is currently provided to Denver Kids and other grantees identified through Denver Rotary Club Foundation which align to DRCF rather than the Service Team.

Fundraising Summary: 

  • Spring fundraising was piloted (unTalent Show) for improved fundraising calendar.
  • Ian will also be sharing an update on Fundraising as he kicks off the year and shares his vision based on these findings and innovative ideas.

Appendix 1:  Strategic Planning Update #2 to the Rotary Club of Denver

June 21, 2021

Earlier this month, an update was provided on our strategic planning process and included: Meetings & Events / Programs, Service Team, and Fundraising.  This update will cover the other key areas as promised including

Mission, Vision & Strategic Priorities, Membership, and Refinement of Roles & Responsibilities.

Mission, Vision & Strategic Priorities Summary:  The focus of the team working on this area was twofold:

  • Hone our club message around vision and values, and repeat the messaging at every chance
  • Align with Rotary International messaging
  • Accomplishments in 2020-2021:
    • A one-page document has been prepared based on the work done by this core team and is available in this appendix.
    • The new Mission Statement for our Club has been voted on and approved. It is:
      • Mission of the Rotary Club of Denver: To create a dynamic network of diverse leaders who serve ethically and take action to impact Denver and the world.

Membership Summary: 

  • The goals in reviewing our membership strategy included:
    • Enhance membership application including prospective member transmittal letter
    • Simplify membership categories
    • Focus on Membership Recruitment
  • Accomplishments in 2020-2021:
    • The core team aligned to this effort has met extensively in 2020-2021. Recommendations for changes to membership types, dues structure and other membership processes will be introduced in detail to the Club Board of Directors in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Refinement of Roles & Responsibilities Summary:

  • The objective of this area was to streamline and refine roles and responsibilities as our club moved to one full-time Executive Director.
  • Accomplishments in 2020-2021:
    • Executive Director Lauren Mast provided leadership and collaboration by meeting with the six team Vice presidents, the current Club President Debbie Beasley and others as needed to restructure team organization, reinforce, and streamline communications between leadership and to implement a leadership succession plan
    • Vice Presidents included:
      • Ian Campbell – Communications and Incoming President
      • Jill Santuccio – Fundraising
      • Chad Tyler – Membership
      • Rick Leuthold – Meetings & Events
      • Lisza Gulyas and Mark Wipper – Service Team
    • Full details were provided in the Executive Director Report to ExCom & Board report presented to the Board on November 17, 2020.

Additional review was provided to the Board of Directors with approval vote received on April 20, 2021.

2020-2021 Rotarians of the Year!

At our Thursday Rotary Club Celebration at the Warwick Hotel on June 24, 2021, Club Rotarians came together for our annual Continuation of Leadership celebration with President Debbie Beasley and to ring in the new year with incoming President Campbell!  As has been our tradition, we honored our Rotarians of the Year.  Congratulations and Thank YOU Denver Rotarian’s for your many accomplishments and hard work this past Rotary year! 

Harriet Downer ~ ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2020-2021

Harriet Downer is this year’s very deserving recipient of the Club 31’s Rotarian of the Year Award!  Here is just a sampling of her strong and impressive contributions to  Denver Rotary.  Her participation covers all aspects of Rotary’s five avenues of service…

  • Member for more than 14 years
  • DRCF Silver Fellow
  • DRCF Legacy Society Member
  • TRF Paul Harris Fellow +4
  • Club 2nd VP, 2008-10
  • Club Board Director, 2008-11
  • Club 1st VP, 2010-11
  • DRCF Board Service:
    • DRCF Trustee, 2015-21
    • DRCF Secretary, 2015-17
    • Grant Committee Member (2017 – 20)
    • Chair, Colorado Gives Day
    • Chair, Red Bucket
  • Committee Involvement: Heavily involved with WCS Committee & Peach Sale for many years, Cherry Creek Trail Clean Up & various volunteer projects
  • Served on the Club’s broadband project as one of our centennial projects
  • Rotary Awards: New Rotarian of the Year (2006-07), WCS Continuing Service Award (2014 & 2015)
  • District Visioning Chair, Past & Present
    • Instructs work-out sessions at the District Conferences
  • And, attends every District Conference

 According to several of her nominators,

“This is my go-to Rotarian for historical knowledge with the Club since they have had their hands in pretty much everything since they joined!”

“She is involved in Rotary on every level: locally and internationally.”

“She has been heavily involved in the World Community Service committee, the District, and our Foundation…what hasn’t she done?”

“She was instrumental in working on the broadband project for our Club’s Centennial that was recently recognized in the Rotary magazine and has lead a strategic/vision for the club and foundation in the past.”

“Whenever I talk to anyone in the District, they immediately bring up this Rotarian.  She is so involved with Rotary, beyond only our Club.”

Rotary’s mission is to do good in the world…a group of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Our Club is filled with some pretty special people…we are all honored and privileged to know such a Rotarian.  Congratulations Harriet!  You make us proud and we are blessed to have you as a member of Denver Rotary!

Kris Hemenway~ NEW ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2020-2021

This year Club 31 is pleased to honor Kris Hemenway as our New Rotarian of the Year for 2020-21!

 According to several of his nominators,

“Very knowledgeable and has a lot to offer to Club 31!”

“It was a challenging year to join the Club in the middle of COVID, and even more challenging to meet people virtually, but she/he started volunteering right out of the gates!”

“Very excited to start engaging with this member more at in-person meetings!”

“They are always engaged in committee meetings, and you can tell they are already thinking of solutions.”

“Made a point to reach out to me, to see what their new leadership position entailed, which showed real initiative!”

In just the past year, Kris…

  • Became a sustaining contributor of TRF and the Denver Rotary Club Foundation!
  • Was a volunteer at our 2020 Peach Sale
  • Routinely attended online Zoom meetings and until recently, was finally able to attend their first in-person meeting!
  • Serves on the District’s Communication and PR committee
  • Worked on a project to rebrand the Erie Rotary Club and prevent them from closing their charter.
  • And get this…will be our Membership Recruitment Team Vice President in 2021 – 2022! “Taking on membership is a huge undertaking, and we are fortunate to have this Rotarian as our VP.”

After joining Rotary in June of 2020, Kris has already shown a major commitment to our Club and to Rotary’s mission.  We are so fortunate to have such a committed and dedicated new Rotarian as a member of Club 31!  Congratulations Kris!  Thank you for making Club 31 your new Rotary home!  We look forward to serving alongside you for many years to come!

Memorial Resolution

James M. Woodward, m.d.
July 26, 1929—February 18, 2021
Denver Rotary Club 31 Member – 38 years
“Physicians & Surgeons – Ophthalmic Surgery”

Compiled and read by Jim Mack, June 17, 2021

Fellow Rotarians and guests, we pause today in memory of our friend and fellow Rotarian, Dr. James “Jim” Woodward, Jr.

Jim was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 26, 1929 to James M. Woodward and Marguerite Louise Woodward.  He passed away on February 18, 2021, at Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial.  He attended the University of Nebraska where he was affiliated with the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, then continued his medical training at the University of Iowa, where he specialized in Ophthalmology.  He met his wife, Marion Fetzer, at the University of Iowa.  After graduation, he joined the Air Force as a physician and was stationed at Andrew’s Air Force Base.  In 1962 Jim and Marion with his children, Steven and Carolyn, moved to Denver.  He joined Arthur G. Starr, also a Denver Rotarian, in forming the practice of Starr & Woodward which eventually became the Denver Eye Clinic.

He was known for his gregarious and friendly personality, his love of knowledge, music, and laughing with good friends.  He adored music and dancing, and if the right song came on, any woman could be fair game to be spun around the room.  He was an avid traveler and fancied himself fluent in several languages, well at least enough to order a drink.  He was a president of the Colorado Ophthalmological Association and, after retirement, volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  He was afflicted the last few years with dementia, but a smile was often found, especially when discussing his childhood, his career, or his beautiful wife.

Jim was a Club 31 member for 38 years.  During this time, he was especially proud of the perfect attendance he held for 29 years until the onset of his dementia prevented him from attending meetings as frequently.  I remember Jim with a unique sense of humor and always eager to chat with his Rotarian friends.  Jim was an avid skier.  I was fortunate to ski with Jim on several Rotary Ski days.  Jim was quite the conversationalist.  I can vouch for this since he would talk all the way down a ski run.  However, when his dementia worsened and he was no longer able to attend meetings, the Board made Jim an honorary Rotarian.

During his earlier years with the Club, Jim would write some of our “Observer’s Reports” for the Keyway, summarizing the key highlights of many worthy programs.  He was a Denver Rotary Club Foundation Silver Fellow and The Rotary International Foundation Paul Harris Fellow +7.  Jim is missed at our meetings, particularly his questions of our speakers or more likely his long comments.

He is survived by his wife, Marion, his children, son Steven (fiancée Claudine Brandt), daughter Carolyn Pope (husband Steve), and former daughter-in-law Deborah Woodward, grandchildren Brandie Dallmann, Susie Bortz, Michael Woodward, Jessica Woodward, Mara Pope and Mitchell Woodward, along with great grandchildren Elizabeth Bortz and Allie Dallmann.  We express deepest sympathy to the Woodward family.

This Resolution was accepted by a standing vote of the members of The Rotary Club of Denver and others via Zoom on June 17, 2021.

Jim Warner’s 50 Years of Service Above Self

Compiled and read by Jim White, June 17, 2021

Jim is here today with his daughter, Ann, from Fredericksburg, VA, and his daughter, Susan, and her husband, Henry, from Gypsum, Colorado. Jim’s wife Bev is at home watching on the zoom link.

His Rotary classification is Waterworks Equipment Distribution. Jim is President, Retired, of Waterworks Sales Company.

Jim was born in Denver on April 16, 1934 and was Colorado educated, attending Steele Elementary, Byers Junior High School, and South High School. Well, there he was a Highlander Boy obtaining the top rank of Colonel and the Order of Demolay as Past Master Councilor.

He earned a BS in Business at the University of Colorado Boulder in 1956. While at CU, Jim was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he was a roommate of Robert Redford. They have remained close friends to this day. Jim, that and $5.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Jim was active in many sports. He wrestled in both high school and college and earned varsity letters in wrestling at CU. He even returned to the Buffs Alumni Wrestling Team in 1973-1975 where he was team president.

Following graduation from CU, Jim immediately joined the United States Marine Corps, serving two years active duty and four years inactive reserves. Jim told me that when he enlisted, he was too short to qualify so the recruiting officer asked him to stand on his tiptoes, and as soon as he reached the bar, he was pushed on through.

Because of his education, the Marines wanted Jim to go to OCS and become an officer, but Jim wanted to remain an enlisted man, so he did, and he later retired at the rank of Corporal. Assigned to the 37th Headquarters Squadron of the 3rd Marine Air Wing in El Toro California, Jim was in charge of dispersing the payroll all up and down the West Coast.

Jim and I go way back to long before we even knew each other. Our fathers were Rotarians and business owners in Denver. They were friends and did work for each other for years. Waterworks Sales Company and Denver Machine Shop needed each other so when Jim and I took over our fathers businesses, we naturally became close friends as well. Our careers were similar and we both had brothers in our businesses which always complicates the issue. We always had a lot to talk about and our wives Bev and Lee were naturally close friends, dealing with husbands in a family business. We were both active and participated in our respective trade organizations and civic organizations, serving as directors, presidents, and so forth. Jim, when I read our resumes, I wonder how we ever had time to run our businesses. Jim has also kept himself busy and active in the Republican Party, his Church, and is a 32° Mason Scottish/Rite and El Jabel Shriner.

But we are here today to honor you, Jim, for your 50 years of service to our Denver Rotary Club 31, and Rotary International. Believe me, there are only a few who can match your record.

Jim joined Rotary in February, 1971, about four months after I did. His two daughters flank our twin sons in age so our families grew up together in Rotary while Jim and I were climbing the Rotary Totem Pole (a club for new members).

Jim started his service to the Rotary Club right away by joining two committees and has served on one or more committees every year since joining our club. He was our Distinguished Service Club member in 1975 and was elected Club Secretary for

1976-77 during Bill Hornby’s presidency. With only five years in Rotary, Jim had Chaired our Scholarship and Achievement Committee for two years; served as the Rotary Liaison and Officer of Denver Girls for three years; and served twice as Vice Chairman of the Community Service Committee.

In 1977-78, Jim was the first male President of Denver Girls and in 1979-80 served as president of the Rotary Club of Denver following President Grant Wilkins. And while all this was going on, Jim was active in the Denver Chamber of Commerce. What a ride!

In 1983, the economy in Colorado was in the pits, and many of our Rotarians had lost their jobs or were about to, and some of us used to meet after Rotary to try and figure out what to do. Some Rotarians resigned but Jim was able to transfer his membership to a well-deserved Honorary member and has been active in our club ever since.

So from joining Rotary in 1971, Jim has served as:

  • Club Member for 50 years
  • Club President in 1979-80; Club secretary 1976-77;
  • DRCF Legacy Charter Member 2015;
  • DRCF Major Donor; Paul Harris Fellow +7;
  • Member or Chairman for numerous committees.

We celebrate our newest 50 Year Service Rotarian, Jim Warner!

Join Your Fellow Rotarians for the 2021 District Conference!

May 6, 2021, 6:30 – 8:00 PM  |  May 7, 2021, 4:30 – 8:00 PM
Registration by April 23 is highly recommended

REGISTER NOW!

Thursday, May 6 | 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Virtual
Learning Session Presentation and District Business Meeting for all Attendees
Program includes RI President Nominee, Jennifer Jones by video, facilitated by Curt Harris, Past District Governor and followed by the District 5450 Business Meeting
*** Thursday program included with either Friday option ***

Friday, May 7 | 4:30 – 8:00 PM | In-Person | Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Reception, Dinner & District Conference Program | $85 per person (payment must be made in advance)
Seating is limited to 150 per state guidelines. Social distancing & masks will be required. 
Program includes a Reception and Dinner, and guest speakers that include District Governor Bob Kemp, District Governor Elect Ray Anderson, Rotary Foundation Vice Chair Brenda Cressey, Rotary Scholar Brian Adams, & District Governor Awards Presentation

Friday, May 7 | 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Virtual Only
District Conference Program | $25 per person
Program includes guest speakers that include District Governor Bob Kemp, District Governor Elect Ray Anderson, Rotary Foundation Vice Chair Brenda Cressey, Rotary Scholar Brian Adams, & District Governor Awards Presentation

Denver Rotary Wins Ed Bemis Communication Award!

The #Rotary Club of Denver has been awarded the Ed Bemis Award for Communications by the Rotary Club of Littleton and District 5450.  The award is named for Ed Bemis, the late publisher of the Littleton Independent newspaper, Past President of the #Littleton Club, and Past District Governor (way back in 1943-44).  This award is a great tribute to Ian Campbell, our Communications Team Vice-President and President-Elect, who has served the Communications Committee so ably over the past few of years.  Thanks to Ian, our Club has been recognized for the “Best Club Communications” in the District for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.  The award consideration is equally weighted between newsletters, social media, and other blogs and projected-related outreach.  The criteria for the award include the handling of Club news, education about Rotary activities, originality in content, and format and appearance. A huge “thank you” and congratulations to Ian!

 

 

Edwin Bemis Award for Best Newsletter
Presented by the Rotary Club of Littleton
EDITARIAN’S CREED
by Edwin A. Bemis, District 113 Governor 1943-44

WE BELIEVE that our club bulletins are valuable and effective instruments in the development and maintenance of good Rotary clubs; THEREFORE, as bulletin editors, we shall gladly contribute our time and energy to the production of the best bulletins we can offer to our members.

WE BELIEVE that our club bulletins should be informative, interesting, dignified, constructive and entertaining; THEREFORE, we shall lend every effort toward making these attributes the controlling influence in gathering material for our bulletins.

WE BELIEVE that one of the purposes in having Rotary club bulletin editors is so that the week after week history of our clubs will be written; THEREFORE, we shall endeavor to give as complete coverage as is possible of the club and its officers, committees and members.

WE BELIEVE that directed and humiliating jests, derogatory statements, or any similar items which might make a member the object of ridicule, are not in good taste and do not belong in a club bulletin; THEREFORE, we shall be very alert to see that all material in our bulletins are acceptable to all members.

WE BELIEVE that questionable jokes are foreign to the ideals of, and thinking by, members of Rotary clubs; THEREFORE, we shall be circumspect in the choice of what is to be included in our bulletins.

WE BELIEVE that an interchange of information between clubs, within and outside of our respective districts, is most desirable and profitable; THEREFORE, we shall endeavor to exchange bulletins with as many clubs as our ability permits.

WE BELIEVE that there are unlimited opportunities for club bulletin editors to spread and to help perpetuate Rotary throughout the world; THEREFORE, we will dedicate ourselves, our abilities, and our energies to the furtherance of Rotary, and shall so discharge our responsibilities that our activities will be a stimulus to our fellow members and a credit to the communities in which we live.

WE BELIEVE that in being selected to edit our club bulletins we have been deeply honored, and inherent in this honor is recognition of leadership as well as a great challenge; THEREFORE, we will exercise that leadership as effectively, acceptably, and unassumingly as is compatible with our relationship to our club members. We will dedicate our utmost ability and loyalty to that challenge, knowing that in it lies the real meaning of the great pronouncement of Rotary.

Jim White’s 50 Years of Service

Compiled and read by Debbie Beasley, April 15, 2021

Jim has been with Rotary for 50 years – 50 YEARS!  With perfect attendance – PERFECT ATTENDANCE.  Not only that, but Jim is also a third generation Rotarian following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Lauren shared with me some of the historical documents, pictures, accolades, and cards that we have regarding Jim.  There is much to say about Jim’s Rotary life, but it would not be right or appropriate to dive into that without first talking about Jim as a husband and father.  Jim’s family is at the heart of who he is and what means the most to him.  It is an honor to have Eric, Scott, and Tanya with us here today.  Eric and Scott continue the legacy of Rotary making them 4th generation Rotarians.  As you just heard with the Lee White Memorial Resolution, Jim and Lee had a special love and bond.  It is the foundation of family that defines Jim.

Jim joined Rotary on November 19, 1970.  Dues at that time were $58.50 quarterly.  His membership application included some things we all know about Jim.  Colorado School of Mines graduate.  Twins Scott and Eric were also listed although Tanya was not born quite yet. His hobbies were listed as golf, bowling, and skiing.  And 50 years later he still hits the ski slopes and will be embarking on a Grand Canyon Raft trip in a few weeks.

When Jim was accepted in the club 50 years ago, the Rotary Club of Denver met at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  His welcome letter, penned by George Smith Jr. said: “I have known Jim for over fifteen years and have watched him grow from boy to man and know him to be honest, forthright and a gentleman – requisites for a good Rotarian.”

Through the years, Jim has assumed a number of roles on a variety of committees.  He remains an extremely active and engaged member.  Currently Jim is serving on the Denver Rotary Club Foundation Board of Trustees, the Membership Committee and Jim is also active in the weekly happy hour hosted these days by Zoom.

Further, Jim has been an extremely generous Rotarian in terms of both time and money.  Jim serves on the Denver Rotary Club Foundation Board of Trustees, is a DRCF Gold Fellow and Paul Harris Fellow +3, embracing and supporting our two foundations.  He also gives of his time and talents. Just two weeks ago, Jim was one of 8 performers in our club April Fool’s talent show.  His storytelling skills intertwined with his yo-yo and napkin tricks were a fun addition to the evening.

As you look at the pictures of Jim 50 years ago and today, you can easily say that he has not changed much.  The mustache of yesterday is gone but that smile is the same.  So is the generosity, kindness and uniqueness that makes Jim such a special Rotarian to each of us.