SOCIAL ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE - Doug McLemore, Chair 2008-09

The mission of this committee is to encourage Rotary members to have more social interaction. They are passionate in their belief that the best way to get members to participate in the club is to provide social venues where they can meet and interact with other members. The committee, very specifically, does not raise money for Rotary causes but offers a way for Rotarians to have fun and, in a pleasant way, congratulate the members for a job well done on their other committees and fund-raising events. Money earned from events planned by this committee goes back into planning for other “seriously fun” events like road rallies, dances, etc. This committee makes their meetings social events, meeting at fun places around town. The committee meets as often as necessary to plan and execute any upcoming social activities.

FAMILY PICNIC

Many Denver Rotary members aren't aware that the annual summer picnic has been a Denver Rotary tradition for over 70 years. It's a legacy that provides a time when Rotary members can share with their spouses, kids, grandparents-the whole gang- and get to know other Rotary families. The members and families, in attendance, will assert that this is always a casual, fun, stuff-yourself-event. The picnic also provides a wonderful opportunity to host our Denver Kids, scholarship reciptients and Youth Exchange Kids. These kids are part of the Rotary Foundation's mission to fund and create safe, caring experiences for kids at risk and foreign exchange students who will, hopefully, act as international ambassadors for better world tolerance, understanding and communication. In recent years, this event has taken place at the Denver Zoo and the Rockies baseball game. The committee is encouraged to use their imaginations and come up with a fun venue for this event.

HOLIDAY PARTY

One of the two family events of the year is the family holiday party, which is held in December. Committee members start planning in early fall for this festive occasion. They begin by finding holiday entertainment such as children's singing groups, mimes, clowns or magicians and, of course, someone has to play Santa in December. Another unique aspect of this holiday gathering is that the kids are invited to shadow the officers and actually help to run the meeting. It's a fun way to introduce kids to Rotary and the beginning of a legacy of giving and caring that could be instilled in future generations.

CENTRAL CITY OPERA

The Central City Opera is one of only seven companies that provide summer opera productions in the United States and once a year Rotarians have the opportunity to travel to Central City for a day of opera, fellowship and fine dining. This very special event has been an annual tradition for more than 20 years. The Rotary's Opera Committee plans bus transport for members and their guests from Denver to Central City and then to a gourmet dinner. This is another of the committees devoted to increasing the fellowship aspect of Rotary membership and another way of having fun, with panache.

SANTA FE WEEKEND

If you like opera and can't get enough by attending the Central City Opera, there is a weekend trip just for true opera aficionados and an opportunity to see Rotary fellowship at its finest. The Santa Fe summer opera is a renowned, lavish production and a gratifying indulgence for Denver “Operatarians.” The committee, however, plans much more than a luscious opera performance. The weekend arrangements include visits to artists' homes, tours of studios and art galleries, lunch with local Rotarians, markets, festivals, gourmet dining, a chance to make new friends and, of course, reflect on the extraordinary Santa Fe landscape.

DISCOVER COLORADO TRIP

As a relatively new committee, this group of Rotarian volunteers has organized weekend trips to Palisades, Colorado on the western slope of Colorado. The focus of these trips were to visit Colorado's award winning vineyards and to tour the orchard(s) where the club acquires its peaches for the annual peach sale. In addition, many side outings are typically planned (scenic tours, golf and dinners etc…) aimed at allowing the participants to take in this beautiful part of our state while enjoying quality time with fellow Rotarians. Next year, the committee is going to “Discover Colorado!”

MEMBER MIXERS

The Social Activities Committee, from time to time, also sponsors, plans and stages other social events for the membership. The committee is encouraged to find small or large events that the membership will enjoy that are outside of the regular weekly events. This committee, in the past, has made their meetings social events, meeting at fun places around town. The committee meets as often as necessary to plan and execute any upcoming social activities.