Welcome to Our Club, Proud Member of District 5450
Service Above Self
Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m.
Senior Center
83 Nancy's Place, CR 1014
Frisco, CO 80443 United States of America
Our meetings are in person and also have a Zoom option:
Join through this website:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/559621585
Meeting ID: 559 621 585
Password is 8675309
Call in 301-715-8592
It takes intention — courage, and often work — to say, “Let’s think this through.”
One reason Rotary has thrived for more than a century isn’t that we all agree. (We don’t.) It’s because, at our best, we challenge ideas thoughtfully, test assumptions, and work toward solutions together. That’s critical thinking. And it’s very different from simply being critical.
We recently saw this play out in real time. An innovation was introduced, and at first, all anyone could see were the reasons it wouldn’t work. The volume of doubt was loud and strong. But the innovator stayed steady. A few thoughtful minds finally leaned in. Questions replaced reactions. Biases were examined. The process was improved. And after months of patience and persistence, that very idea is now moving forward. You’ll see it roll out at our meeting on Tuesday.
That’s Rotary at its finest.
Of course, not every good idea makes it through. Sometimes the naysayers outnumber the idea-generators, and like any pack, criticism piles on fast. The group gets stuck being criticalinstead of practicing critical thinking. When that happens, it may not be failure — it may be timing. And sometimes the smartest move isn’t to push harder, but to pause, regroup, and release the idea… for now.
Because here’s what I know:
Rotary has never been powered by perfection. It’s powered by people willing to think, listen, adapt, and try again.
Progress begins the moment we stop asking, “Why won’t this work?”
And start asking, “How could it?”
Let’s see how many good ideas might work just by thinking differently.
With that in mind, you have an opportunity to test out this new thinking by volunteering at the Summit Middle School for the 4-Way Test project! Click here to volunteer.
With warm Rotary hugs,
Judi
P.S.
Sunday is VALENTINE's Day -- so give your loved ones a big hug -- especially your four-legged furry ones! :-)
If you’re bringing guests, please let me know by Friday so our caterer can prepare extra food.
In the heart of Summit County, a quiet revolution is underway—one plastic wrapper at a time. The Plastics Action Team at Summit Rotary, in partnership with NexTrex, is leading a grassroots effort to divert plastic film from our landfill and transform it into durable trailside benches. What began small has grown into a vibrant collaboration with Rotary, Sierra Club, MeetUp groups, HOAs, churches, and a dedicated network of community volunteers.
The program targets commercial soft plastics—think shrink wrap and pallet wrap—which curbside systems can’t recycle. Instead of ending up in the landfill, these materials are collected, weighed, and shipped to NexTrex, where they’re repurposed into long-lasting composite lumber. For every thousand pounds Rotary collects, NexTrex sends a composite bench, ten of which are now in public spaces around the county.
Local businesses have stepped up in a big way. Murdoch’s, iFurnish, Mountain Comfort, and Sherwin-Williams Frisco have been diligently collecting their shrink wrap, contributing 20 to 60 pounds of plastic wrap each week. Thanks to their managers and staff, and the volunteers who sort and transport the material, the program has diverted an estimated 45 dump truck loads of plastic—from the Summit landfill over the past four years.
The impact is tangible. By reducing landfill volume and giving plastic a second life, the program supports cleaner waterways, healthier wildlife habitats, and a more sustainable future for our mountain community, proving that environmental stewardship can be both practical and inspiring.
And the momentum is building. St. Anthony Hospital has joined the effort, and several construction sites are now collecting plastic wrap from pallets and packaging. But with growth comes need. The team is actively seeking more volunteers to help an hour a week with removal of labels and tape. Businesses that generate 20+ pounds of plastic film per week are encouraged to contact Rotary Plastic for a quick waste audit and onboarding. We’ll help you setup a collection system that works for your team
Getting involved is easy. Whether you’re a business owner, a student, a retiree, or part of a community group, there’s a role for you. Volunteers can sign up for weekly shifts at Rotary Plastic Action Team SignUp.
Together, we’re proving that small actions—when multiplied—can lead to big change. Join us in turning waste into worth and building a clean earth legacy, one bag at a time.
My career is defined by my commitment to the Rocky Mountain region's youth. Before taking the helm at Team Summit Colorado in early 2017, I served as the Director of Operations at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV). In that role, I was the logistical engine of one of the world's premier ski clubs, managing everything from safety and transportation to elite-level venue coordination. Prior to my time in Vail, I spent nearly a decade (2002–2011) as the Program Director for the Loveland Racing Club. During my tenure there, I was credited with transforming the program by significantly increasing athlete enrollment and fundraising revenue while simultaneously lowering the cost of participation for athletes. I am also a veteran of the international racing circuit, having played key roles in the race operations for the Alpine World Cup and the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.
I'm from Mansfield, Ohio (Realator Magazine's 6th most affordable ski town in the US) and moved to Summit County in 2009. I'm married to Colleen Bechtel and have 4 grown children (oldest to youngest): Cecilia, Julia, Stace and Jackson.
By attending Rotary meetings or events you give consent for yourself and your minor child(ren) to be photographed, videotaped or filmed at the meeting or event and for The Rotary Club of Summit County and its affiliates and agents to use your likenesses, voices, actions and statements for promotional purposes in any media now known or later developed without compensation.
With warm Rotary hugs,