PROGRAM:
Update on Mountain Resource Center, Lorye McLeod, CEO
The Mountain Resource Center (MRC) is a building with special meaning for all Conifer Rotarians because it is our meeting place each week. Our relationship goes well beyond that because we work together in numerous projects to make our mountain community a better place to live. MRC has grown in our community over the past 27 years, to provide “wrap around” services for our citizens who need help. That means that MRC has expanded their services to address multiple needs of all family members.
They have a 3 year old Veterans program that includes employment services, mental health services as well as assistance in directing veterans to VA services.
Many people in need find it difficult to ask for help and the MRC staff are exceptionally good at comforting and assisting in a positive way. Their volunteers provided over 11,000 hours of assistance to MRC last year. As they are growing, so is their mission and they recently published their new mission statement: We strengthen our community with services that empower people. Speaking of new, check out their new website: http://www.mrcco.org/.
A few fabulous facts about MRC:
- Gas cards for transportation assistance.
- Food pantry (increased over 17% in the last year—especially for elderly).
- The Board is working on a succession plan for bringing new members. They are also working on the strategic plan with the staff, some of their improvements:
- Diversifying financial funding.
- Veteran services grants can only go to direct services, not staff time.
- Many grants are tied to specific time frames, which makes budgeting difficult.
- How to deal with the possibility that grantors may change their focus, hence lost funding.
- Employee retention and recruitment, including salary improvement.
- Improve services, including welcoming of clients.
- Improved organization.
- New Parenting program
- Parents as teacher
- Stakeholder committee, to include more community direction
- Healthy schools awards for the State of Colorado
- Received an El Pomar Award for Excellence, a program that recognizes outstanding Colorado nonprofit organizations.
- The staff has grown in four years from 12-35! Only four are full-time.
- MRC served over 1300 people last year.
Events news:
- The Bowls after Dark Fundraiser is September 28 at Mt Vernon Country Club. Painting of bowls will take place at River Canyon Gallery in Bailey and Go Paint in Evergreen.
- Sixty Four families took part in their recent school supplies event.
- The date for the holiday party will be announced soon; Rotary will support them by providing toys from Toys for Tots.
Announcements/Business:
- Thanks for volunteering at the Evergreen Bluegrass Festival last Saturday—Suzanne, Wendy, Cliff, Janine, Susan I, Pat, Melony, Charlotte. Proceeds go to the Mountain and 285 Back Pack Projects, and Camp Comfort. That is a service of Mt Evans Home Care and Hospice, a camp for children who have lost a family member.
- Take a look at the Denver Post Hub which had an article about the funds from the Rotary Mountain Area Home and Garden Show which will go to community grants.
- The Rotary Club Visioning process will be held Wednesday September 13 from 5-9pm at Our Lady of the Pines. All members have received a survey via the internet from President Finn. It is easy to fill out and will help the moderator guide us to set our goals.
- There is no meeting next week!!!! There will be a social event at the Payton’s home Thursday August 31, 2017 at 5-8pm.
- The Treasure Sale is coming: Saturday, September 23 at St. Laurence Episcopal Church. Donations can be dropped off Friday evening 5-7 and 7-9am on Saturday morning. Only the Mountain Rotary Clubs will be asked to donate—a list of suggested items will be coming, as well as donations that will not be accepted.
- The committee for Mountain Area Home and Garden Show planning has already started working. Vendors will be able to sign up starting October 1, 2017.
- Coupon Book update: thank you cards to previous coupon book participants have been sent out. Invitations to participate will be sent soon. Online advertising sales is available on our website homepage, get the word out!
- Evergreen Rotary is doing recycling on September 23. Susan Imming will be sending more information.