Program:  Dr. Ted Ning, Evergreen Rotary Global Grant
Starfish:  Empowerment, equality and opportunity for all
 
Dr. Ted Ning of the Evergreen Rotary Club talked with us today about his program in Guatemala, Starfish.  He is gathering support from 20 Clubs in our District for this Rotary Global Grant.
 
Starfish is now ten years old, it encourages and supports young girls to continue their education beyond primary school.  In the Mayan culture (which is 50% of the total population), girls rarely go beyond that point in their education.  Starfish encourages families to allow their girls to be educated.  Beginning at age 12 it engages young girls in a social environment.  The program uses mentors who are women who have been educated in the program; college graduates who bring a new perspective to the families in the group.  The mentor helps the families on many levels, including helping the family understand the benefits of educating their daughters.  The focus is helping women become entrepreneurs, which includes support from Rotarians, who provide internships.  So far, 240 girls have graduated from the program and there are 50 girls in University programs.
 
Starfish has Four Goals:
  • Girls do not marry until age 25
  • Commit to 15 years of education
  • Achieve income of $3500/ year---twice the income of her father
  • Giving back—in her own community
Using this grant, Starfish is going to open a new school next to the University.  It will be a model for education in Guatemala and will be the center of a network for the country.
 
The funds that are raised in our District will get a 4.5 to one match.  Ted invited our Club to participate in donating to the Global Grant.  The total grant will be $150,000.
 
 
Guests:  Bob Kemp, Mile-Hi Rotary and District Foundation Committee
 
 
Announcements/Business:
 
  • No morning club meeting next week!  It is the fifth Tuesday of the month and we celebrate with a social event instead.  Join us at the newly reopened Aspen Peak Cellars Winery in Bailey 4:30-7:00 PM Wednesday next week.  Their address is 60750 US Hwy 285, see you there!
  • Janine reports that our giving to the Rotary Foundation has decreased this year.  She reminded us that our donations to Rotary International come back to the District for Global Grants and District grants after three years.  You can give through our Club quarterly dues or directly on-line at Rotary International.
  • There is currently money available at the District for grants if we have needs we could apply for.
  • Finn attended the Presidents’ meeting last week.  He encourages members to attend the Rotary Educational Institute. 
  • The District Conference will be May 19-20 at the Hyatt Denver Tech Center.  Registration is on the District website.
  • Dean McCall attended the Grant’s Seminar, which enables our Club to apply for District grants.
  • Mark Rehm and Hugh Macauley have been working on the Club Visioning process; there are several areas that need assistance and leadership.  Mark will be sending out the review via email.
  • The Conifer High School Interact Club Fundraising Dinner is this Saturday--- Lasagna, raffle and silent auction.  The tickets are $20/2 for $35 and are available on their website, click HERE.  The funds raised will support the Interact trip to Kenya. 
  • Everyone wear your Rotary pin to meetings!  We all voted today for a $1 fine if the pin is not worn.
  • Janine asked for help to support the Nurturing Parent program.  We provide healthy snacks and volunteers are needed to purchase $9 worth of healthy snacks each week.
  • Wendy reported on the reading grant that needs Rotarians to read to kids at West Jefferson Elementary School at 2:45 PM each school day.  The books are in the Rotary 150 book section of the library with Rotary stickers in them. 
  • Bruce Ward, Choose Outdoors video will be on PBS Thursday at 7pm.
  • RYLA applications are available on-line:  RMRYLA.org.
  • Evergreen Rotary is having its Mardi Gras fundraiser on February 10.  Tickets are $60 per person, available on the Evergreen Rotary website.
  • The Evergreen Blue Grass Festival contributed $1500 to the Back Pack Project for our participation in the event.
  • Congratulations to Melony Harris who received a Paul Harris Fellow award for giving $1000 to the RI Foundation.