A reminder of why we do this:

I wanted to share one of the sweetest moments from my time with the CPH Bookmobile: introducing the Del Muerto Head Start students to our collection. Each child was able to walk away with two board books to help build their home libraries.

When one little boy stepped inside, he was in complete awe of all the books around him and let out a heartfelt "wow!" It was truly a priceless moment.

Seeing these children surrounded by books reminds me of why we do this work. By providing books to children who may not have them at home, we hope to foster early childhood literacy and support their educational development.  (from the CPH Facebook page.  Posted by Jan Dunn)

Friday's presentation by Dominic Roman showcased the work and effectiveness of the Roaring Fork School District's Family Resource Center. 

The Family Resource Center (FRC) was founded in 1995 to support students whose heath and basic needs challenges adversely affect their learning. The FRC provides a network of 15 Family Liaisons embedded in every RE-1 school and early childhood education program. The family liaisons are a trusted connection to help families address barriers that affect student success. The liaisons: 

• Build relationships
• Address immediate needs
• Make systems easier to navigate
• Support student stability and success

Dominic started as the Director of the FRC in July. Prior to his new role, he spent 2 years teaching and volunteering in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru. He then spent 7 years teaching social studies and English at Basalt High School before becoming the Dean of Culture. He is committed to strengthening connections across the community so students (and their families) can thrive. Dominic and his wife Erin are expecting their first child in December! 

In 2025-26 the FRC provided over $200,000 to support families in need. Family liaisons use school, public and community resources first. Flexible funding fills gaps not covered by other resources. The FRC tracks every dollar and the need it meets. 

Immediate student needs: 

• Housing or utlity assistance
• Transportation
• Clothing, shoes and school supplies
• Medical, dental, vision, or mental health suppport

Educational opportunities:

• Tutoring or academic support
• Activity or participatio fees
• Summer learning opportunities
• College and career experiences

You can help support the work of the Family Resource Center. Contact Dominic at droman@rfschools.com.

This year’s District Governor, Donna Hood, engaged the club with her bright enthusiasm and strong commitment to Rotary and its ideals at Friday’s meeting. Donna is a Rotarian from Westcliffe, Colorado where she and her husband operate a large ranch for the past 22 years. 

You can read more about Donna’s background in her biography. She has a very interesting history and is a committed Westerner through and through, as well as a dedicated Rotarian. I loved her comment about attending the International Convention in Taipei this summer. “You could just feel the presence of all good things” within the 37,000 Rotarians gathered in Taiwan. 

As District Governor, Donna is doing things differently and her vision is to prepare District 5470 for years to come. She came to our club to talk a little bit about her vision which is to prepare the District for years ahead. She is all about contributing her energy for lasting impact. She also came without a prepared speech, but to ask provocative questions and to listen. 

Addressing questions asked by Stig in a pre-visit questionnaire, Donna shared that many clubs in the area are experiencing challenges in membership – keeping existing members, attracting new members, looking toward the future. She had some suggestions based on experiences of other clubs. 

She asked: Who is missing from the club? How does your community see Rotary? How often are we asking others to come to a meeting? “Don’t be afraid to do Rotary differently!” she challenged, and feel free to borrow the good ideas of other clubs. She noted that every club is a little different from every other club. And how lovely that is! 

Engaging new members in meaningful ways is essential for their sense of belonging, said Donna. Membership Chair Debbie Wilde has scheduled a new member coffee this week. Thursday, September 17 1:30 PM at Barnes and Noble Café, Meadows Shopping Center, Glenwood Springs. Everyone is welcome. 

Donna also noted something we have known for a while; Nick Adams is an OUTSTANDING MEMBER and we are fortunate to have his energy, knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to Rotary in our club! This year Nick is the District 5470 Membership Chair and working hard to help us and other clubs. We are so proud of Nick and appreciate his (and his wife Becky’s) Rotary commitment. 

Thank you, Donna, for your visit and your vision and your commitment to Rotary. Together we can create lasting impact. 

President Stig managed Colorado State trivia on Friday. We knew a few of the answers, but others evaded us. Do you know all the Colorado state symbols and emblems? Here a few to share with colleagues and coworkers. See what they know about Colorado. 

• State Flower: Columbine (white and lavender)
• State Rock: Yule marble
• State Bird: Lark Bunting
• State Animal: Big Horn Sheep
• State Songs: Where the Columbine Grows, and Rocky Mountain High
• State Cactus: Claret Cup
• State Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce

Shelter Box & Rotary

ShelterBox Ambassador, David Addor (Rotary Club of Aurora-Fitzsimmons), along with our own Pam Pine, were on hand Friday to share more about the amazing work done by ShelterBox around the world. I didn't know that ShelterBox began in 2000 as a project of the Rotary Club of Cornwall, England, to provide a box of essential supplies for families experiencing climate disasters. In the past 27 years, ShelterBox has grown into its own 501(c)3 organization and is at work in over 15 countries around globe serving over 3 million people. 

Rotary International became an official partner with ShelterBox in 2012. Local Rotary clubs are integral to the success of ShelterBox.  “Serving those who are not getting help any other way,” is a key to ShelterBox's mission and the local connections of Rotary clubs make all the difference in getting aid out there to ensure that aid is locally led. Often rural communities are overlooked or harder to reach due to their isolation and/or smaller numbers. That's where local clubs and members play an huge role. 

ShelterBox partners with local NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) to procure and distribute aid, and to provide the items, shelters, etc. that are needed. The original “green box” has been retired to make way for targeted items that better meet the needs of disaster survivors and adapt to where they are. 

Aid items focus first on shelter, and that ranges from tents, tarps, and repair kits for temporary shelter to transitional and durable shelters that house people for years. Shelter Box also delivers essential household items such as blankets, cooking sets, water filters, solar lights, and mosquito nets. 

Rotary's partnership has been instrumental in ShelterBox's reach and effectiveness, as have the partnerships with other organizations. And the power of both Rotary volunteers and Rotary funding is more necessary than ever. ShelterBox receives no governmental assistance and thus relies on the generosity of donors. That allows ShelterBox the independence to address tough issues and bring necessary relief to anyone anywhere, addressing power imbalances through its purposeful humanitarian efforts. 

ShelterBox's organizational strategy focuses on three major aspects of aid - Do More. Do it Well. Do it Together. Their theory of change is worth reading about. And their mission - No one without shelter after a disaster - is worth supporting. Do that here with a contribution of any size. Become a Rotary ShelterBox Ambassador 

Subscribe to ShelterBox's news links to learn more. The world's population is more vulnerable to natural disasters and less governmental support has increased the need for ShelterBox's response. Thank you.