Over the last few weeks, Trail Ridge Quilters, Estes Valley Quilt Guild, and other Estes Valley residents have stepped up to help our local first responders. The shortage of vitally important supplies for doctors, nurses, police, and more has been well documented in the media. To avoid a shortfall situation here in our Town, Estes Park Health leadership knew to whom they could turn for help. From these groups, over 27 amazing women answered the call for assistance, and in just a matter of days delivered over 300 cotton surgical masks and 75 gowns to the staff of Estes Park Health!
Knowing there was more to do, Trail Ridge Quilters kept on sewing and made additional masks for the Town of Estes Park, the Aurora Medical Center, and for individual residents and friends who requested them. We are all truly blessed to live in a community that takes care of our own.
This fall, on October 15th, Trail Ridge Quilters will be hosting the Newcomers Sale and Tea at Rod and Sherry Unruh’s home. We hope everyone can attend and support this amazing group!
About Trail Ridge Quilters:
Trail Ridge Quilters, an Interest Group sponsored by Newcomers, has been sewing and serving our community for over 30 years. Central to the group is their mission to support the Estes Park Health Foundation. TRQ conducts 3-4 sales each year, with the proceeds going to support the Foundation. Over the years, these quilt sales have raised over $260,000 for the EPH Foundation. These gifts have been used to upgrade services and much needed equipment to serve the health needs of those in our community.
In normal times, TRQ meets each Tuesday, 1:00-4:00pm, in the Longs Room at Estes Park Health. If you would like to learn more or join this vibrant group of amazingly talented artists, please reach out to Quilters@estesparknewcomers.org.
Last month you were notified that the five-member Nominating Committee was tasked with identifying individuals to fill the nine Elected Officer positions for the upcoming year beginning June 1st. The plan was for the Committee to present their slate of Elected Officer candidates to the General Membership at the March 19 General Meeting, and to vote and elect the new slate of nine officers at the April 16 General Meeting.
As these two events have been cancelled, we are conducting this process via email and posting this same information on the website.
We are pleased to announce the recommended individuals for the 2020/2021 Board:
- President: Debbi Stalder
- Treasurer: Donna Chapel
- Assistant Treasurer: TBD
- Secretary: Sue Yowell
- VP Activities: Caity Leeds
- VP Events: Jean Rissmiller
- VP Membership: Melissa Wood
- VP Communications: Matt Comstock
- VP Technology: Jeff Lindberg
Please be on the lookout for future communication regarding the April 16 elections. The Technology and Communications Committees are working together to create an online voting interface that will be sent to all members. You will have the opportunity at that time to vote and approve the list of candidates as submitted, or nominate alternate members for consideration.
Finally, please note, the position of Assistant Treasurer remains open. If you or someone you know has accounting or simple bookkeeping experience and is interested in serving the membership in this capacity, please reply to this email, and a member of the Nominating Committee will reach out.
We hope you are keeping safe and healthy, and we look forward to getting back to our regular activities at the appropriate time.
Our community and country are facing extraordinary and uncommon times of historical magnitude. Turmoil and events like the COVID-19 crisis can unite us as a nation, as we put aside our bias, personal and political opinions, and realize what is best for common humanity – kindness, compassion, consideration and love.
Events in the world move so quickly, and as we go about our day-to-day lives, sometimes it’s a global challenge that snaps us out of apathy to come together for the greater good of our community and those in need.
In the most recent Newcomers bulletin, we stressed our concern about the health and well-being of our members and the community, and finding creative ways to stay connected. This is especially important for the less fortunate, elderly and those considered most vulnerable. Our objective is to keep this beautiful mountain town strong and healthy.
Consider the personal pressures everyone is feeling, and be patient with your family members, friends, neighbors and especially those with the greatest need. Practice consideration for others. Encourage everyone to do what they can to support the community and particularly vulnerable and isolated people during the COVID-19 crisis.
Let’s Rise to the Occasion
We are asking everyone to take steps that will help our community and families cope during these unprecedented times…
Community Action Response - Five Things You Can Do
Think of others, consider your actions, and be kind: every person in our community is facing the challenges of COVID-19 in some way – from needing basic provisions, to help while they are sick and suffering.
- Connect and reach out to your neighbors: as self and family-isolation increases, let’s find new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for physical and mental well-being. Share phone numbers and stay in touch.
- Make the most of local online groups: stay up to date, share information with your friends and neighbors, and be a positive part of community conversations using platforms such as Nextdoor. Make sure everyone has access to critical news bulletins, including from the town of Estes Park. .
- Safely support vulnerable or isolated people: different groups in our community are at increased risk, and social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages. There are things you can do, such as volunteering for local support services or grocery shopping for an isolated family, friend or neighbor in need. Make sure our elderly and most vulnerable have access to care, food and peace of mind.
- Take the time to talk to young people – explain the significance of what we are facing and encourage consideration of older people by practicing social distancing
Everyone needs to take a break from the updates and the media overload. NATURE IS NOT SHUT DOWN……Get outside and take a walk but keep your distance.
Looking for ways to help neighbors during the Coronavirus crisis? Checkout the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center website. EPNRC is the focal point for local organizations seeking volunteers and for people who would like to help. https://www.epnonprofit.org/
In light of the increasing recommendations from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and many healthcare organizations that are directing citizens to minimize involvement in group gatherings, Newcomers is suspending all Newcomers sponsored events for March and April.
Specifically, we are cancelling the following:
- March and April Wine & Cheese
- March and April General Meetings
- April Homecoming Party
- All Interest Group activities
For those individuals who have registered for the March General Meeting, your payment will be refunded.
The Board carefully considered this action. Ultimately, our strong conviction is that the health of our active and prospective members plus our community at large must be the top priority. Since Newcomers is one of the largest social clubs in the Estes Valley, it is important that we are responsible in practicing social distancing to avoid the chance to spread the Coronavirus.
Our Newcomers’ mission is to help our members make new friends and learn more about our community. We will be finding creative ways to stay connected with each other virtually and will provide you with information about how we may work together to help keep our lovely mountain community strong and healthy. We have much to offer to each other and to our community in this challenging time.
The Tech Committee is exploring online solutions like video conferencing and virtual meeting software services that can keep our members engaged in some Interest Groups like our various book clubs. If you have ideas for how we might work, play, laugh and support each other virtually over the next 60 days, we’d love to hear from you.
Please email our membership team at membership@estesparknewcomers.org if you have any questions, concerns or ideas. This is a rapidly changing situation, so please watch your email, Facebook and website for updates
For now, be strong, be well, breathe deep and enjoy nature. We look forward to working with you to be a force for good for our members and for our community.
Volunteering is key to many of us in Newcomers. If you look at the key leaders in the Estes Park non-profit organizations, you are sure to find a present Newcomer or an alumnus of our organization. We, as Newcomers, continue to give our time and talent to improve Estes Park. With our various skills, which have been developed throughout our careers, we can help our town. Sometimes we just need a little push to get started.
Our March General Meeting is dedicated to helping you meet various non-profit organizations that could use your help. Over a dozen non-profits that provide valuable assistance to various type of groups in our town will be on hand. With over 150 nonprofits in Estes Park, we cannot not have them all present, but you will have lots of opportunities. The non-profit expo will offer you the chance to meet one-on-one with various philanthropic organizations to see if they fit you, your skill set and your passion.
Because of our great track record of giving back to our community, Newcomers never needs to ask twice if the groups would like to participate in this annual event. I highly encourage you to attend on March 19, 2020 and visit with all the non-profit organizations. You will not be disappointed. We have and will continue to make a difference in Estes Park. See you March 19, 2020 at the Estes Park Brewery.
To learn more about the General Meeting, click here. All the information and the link to register are on this page.
Thank you
Danny Gigax
As Newcomers, we have the opportunity each year to nominate, elect and, in some cases, serve as a member of the governing body of our organization. The Elected Officers of the Club are as follow:
- President
- Vice-President - Membership,
- Vice-President - Activities
- Vice-President - Events
- Vice-President - Communications,
- Vice-President – Technology
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Assistant Treasurer
A description of each position detailing individual responsibilities can be found in section 6 of the bylaws.
Also, included in the bylaws is the process for nominating and voting on next year’s Officers. The Nominating Committee is comprised of two board members and three Newcomers who do not hold a board seat. This year’s committee members include: Drew Webb, Jeff Lindberg, Caity Leeds, Jennifer Comstock and Sherry Unruh.
Currently, the Nominating Committee is in the process of identifying members for each of the elected positions. In March, the Nominating Committee will present their slate of candidates to the President at the March General Meeting. At April’s General Meeting, members will vote to accept the next year’s leadership (section 9 of bylaws).
If you would like to include your name for consideration or if you know of another member who would enjoy the opportunity to contribute their skills as an elected officer, please contact the Nominating Committee members. Names for consideration need to be forwarded to the Nominating Committee by Feb. 29th.
We truly have a unique group with Newcomers and serving on the Board for the benefit of our members is fun and rewarding. We hope you will consider submitting your name or the name of a fellow member for next year’s Board.
Welcome to Tech Tips! In this monthly series, our Tech Ops team will share simple tips and techniques, to help you get the most out of the Club's technology resources.
Check the History Tab To See If You're Already Registered For an Event
If you're not sure whether you registered for a general meeting or some other event, there is an easy way to check:
- Sign in to the website
- Click ABOUT YOU in the top menu
- Click the History tab
- Check the list of registrations and payments
The most recent items are at the bottom of the list, so you may need to scroll down to find the event you're looking for. If you don't see "Event Registered" for the event you're wondering about, then you haven't yet registered. If you paid online for the event when you registered, then on the same date (the day you registered) you will see "Event payment" and the amount paid.
If you need any help with the website please contact tech@estesparknewcomers.org with your questions.
At a ceremony held Thursday, January 29, the Trail Ridge Quilters presented a check for $11,000 to the Estes Park Health Foundation. As an Interest Group sponsored by the Estes Park Newcomers Club, this tireless group of quilters creates and sells items each year to raise funds in support of the hospital Foundation. The Trail Ridge Quilters and Estes Park Newcomers are pleased to help our friends and neighbors in the community.
Pictured (left to right): Donna Pierce; Kathy Bryson; Kevin Mullin (EPH Foundation CEO); Donna Bryson, Jeanne Allen and Lisa Spring. Donna Pierce and Donna Bryson are currently the co-leaders of Trail Ridge Quilters.