• Inspiration, Pledge and Rotary 4 Way Test – Bob Waltermire
    • Bob recited Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, as it is the anniversary of the original delivery during the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA. Read the address here.
  • Introduction of guests – Sargent at Arms Curt Bear
    • Today’s speaker: Alyssa Stephens
    • Leighanne Alford – Past Rotary president from Little Rock, guest of John Hintzman
  • History and dedication of the new Club flag
    • New flag: from Nan Brown
      • In her father’s honor, he was a long-time member of the Eastside Club of Colorado Springs – his membership taught Nan a lot about community service. Her father was a Marine Veteran – and lived his life with service to country, family and God. Semper Fi to Charlie Brown, the flag is dedicated in his honor.
    • New stand: Joe McCarthy created the flag stand.
      • Joe is a woodworker and was asked to create it to hold the donated flag. As a special reminder: don’t think that you are imposing on someone to do something they are good at – rather include them in the process so they can contribute talent.
  • Announcements
    • Secret Santa. We’ve secured helpers for 50 kids, 23 families. We still need assistance for 40 families/50 kids. Watch for a reminder Friday with link. Gary Turner or Andrew can pick up gifts Dec. 8. If you are able, we also need help gift buying on behalf of Rotarians who can’t go shopping themselves. Please let Andrew or Gary know if you can help with that!
    • Annual Christmas party is Thursday morning Dec. 16 normal meeting time – please RSVP by Dec. 6
    • Save the date: Jan. 18, 2022 for the progressive dinner in Downtown Fort Collins. It will be a full evening of fellowship and visiting three restaurants. Watch or more info soon!
    • Peach pies for sale! $40! Support 3rd grade literacy while eating something delicious. Contact Michele Marquitz for your pie, which she will deliver before Sunday afternoon.
    • Help a family this holiday season, donate a turkey to the Food Bank.  Contact Michele for more info and if they still need them at the time of the newsletter distribution.
    • Volunteer for the Meals on Wheels food delivery program. New volunteers have to participate in an onboarding process two weeks before your volunteer shift starts. Shifts are Wednesdays, 11 am. start, 3 people per week; we always need new volunteers. See Bob Williams for more information.
    • Vocational service committee meets the last Tuesday of the month on zoom at 7:30 a.m. Things they are working on: Teacher of the Month may return in 2022, and hopefully, Student of the Month. More committee members are welcome to help with this import work. Contact Nan Brown for more info.
    • Foundation Month reminder – International committee submitted a grant for a menstrual hygiene grant - $3,000 but is leveraging that with other clubs for a total of $50,000 request. Krishna will keep us posted.
    • From our After Work Rotary friends
      • Do your Holiday shopping online at our virtual, silent auction. Help RAW to improve elementary student's reading in Fort Collins, to rebuild schools in Nepal, and much more. Click here to register and buy and review all our current projects.
  • Today’s Program – Welcome Alyssa Stephens – City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Forum – Intro by Dave Haase
    • Neighborhood Services includes important work such as:
      • CSU/City Liaison
      • Neighborhood Development
      • Mediation/restorative justice
      • Connector department to other City departments/programs/resources
    • Growth in Fort Collins
      • 100,000 + people in LC over the next two decades
      • There are still spaces where building can and will happen
      • City Plan sets the vision/umbrella of how the city will grow
      • Zoning determines what kinds of development can happen in a neighborhood
    • Development review ensures new plans prioritize things such as look, feel, environmental resources, development is paying their own way that helps the city improve transportation infrastructure.
    • The City creates “the what” of what can be built, but not the specifics or mandates.
      • Neighborhood engagement and outreach are almost always needed for new development – so get involved and provide feedback as you know your neighborhood more than anyone.
    • Development review neighborhood meetings – in zoom for now. Provides sneak peeks of potential developments. They are required before development plans are submitted.
    • Master street plan exists, and developers are contributing to the funding bucket that then triggers improvements/enhancements to accommodate the new buildings/residents.
    • Housing needs are driving zoning changes – from commercial/industrial to residential – by the property owner. Many steps are involved, but it does happen. City can also update zoning to preserve certain kinds of residential areas, such as mobile home parks. They work with property owners on this process.
    • Learn more at: https://www.fcgov.com/neighborhoodservices/
 
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE: THERE IS NO MEETING NOVEMBER 25TH (THANKSGIVING), DECEMBER 16TH IS OUR KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY (MORE INFO TO FOLLOW SHORTLY) AND NO MEETING ON DECEMBER 23RD