{"id":396,"date":"2023-02-23T14:20:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T14:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esustage.wpengine.com\/kansas-city\/?page_id=396"},"modified":"2026-01-19T01:17:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T01:17:07","slug":"our-community","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.esuus.org\/denver\/who-we-are\/our-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Welcome to the Denver Branch of the ESU! We are a community of people who celebrate literature, language, arts, theatre, and global understanding. For over 100 years, the English-Speaking Union (ESU) has enriched the lives of students, teachers, English language learners and members worldwide. Our Denver Branch, founded in1930, is proud to be a part of Denver\u2019s past while shaping Denver\u2019s future. If you are looking for a place to belong, a place that values what you value, a place for constructive and positive action, you are here. ESU is for you.<\/p>\n

Who is the ESU for?
\n<\/strong>If you love the arts, value education, and believe in the power of cultural exchange, you belong here. Our members enjoy theatre, literature, lectures, travel, and meaningful community connections.<\/p>\n

Our outreach programs
\n<\/strong>We support teachers, students, and English language learners. Apply for a program or join to support one!<\/p>\n

Teachers \u2013<\/strong> Do you know a teacher or you are one? Apply for our popular Teachers Learning Abroad scholarship<\/strong> (TLAB). Every year we send two teachers from Colorado to study in the location of their choice: Oxford University, Edinburgh University, or the Globe Theatre. Meet with other ESU members from around the world and international scholars for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. These are summer programs that can change your life.  <\/p>\n

High School Students \u2013 <\/strong>Writers and performers wanted here!<\/p>\n

Beckley Writing Competition:<\/strong> Every year we hold a writing competition in the fall with a celebration and awards ceremony in December. Guests are invited to listen, and the essays will renew your faith in the next generation.<\/p>\n

Shakespeare Competition:<\/strong> Start local, and end up at Nationals in NYC! In February we host a competition where each contestant performs a monologue and a sonnet downtown on a stage at the DCPA educational building. We send the winner to Nationals in NYC to compete with students from around the country in front of celebrity judges.<\/p>\n

English Language Learners \u2013 <\/strong>Volunteer to be a tutor! The English in Action <\/strong>program meets weekly online to support students learning English in the United States. This enriching small-group program connects ESU members across the country in a casual conversation structured to build language skills for newcomers to the U.S. Participants love the global community in this program.<\/p>\n

The ESU is for you\u2014whether you want to participate in programs, volunteer your talents, or simply enjoy rich cultural experiences with like-minded people.<\/p>\n

As president of the Denver Branch, I\u2019m delighted to welcome you. I look forward to meeting you at an upcoming event and exploring ways you can get involved.<\/p>\n

Come be part of our next chapter!<\/p>\n

Millicent Ambroggio<\/em>
\nPresident, ESU Denver Branch<\/p>\n

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2025-2026 ESU Denver Branch Board of Directors, left to right: Bruce Haefner, Marcia Goldstein, Trevor Johnson, Ingerid Kelley, Polly Cox, Millicent Ambroggio, Ace Eggleston, Sarah Schneider, Tom Tafoya. Not pictured: Meredith Fulford, Julia Patterson, Cindy Poinsett, Shelly Russell.<\/p><\/div>\n

The ESU Denver Branch Board of Directors will meet on the following dates from 9:30-11:30 am in the St. John’s Cathedral Common Room (1350 N Washington Street, Denver CO 80203): September 13, 2025; November 15, 2025; January 17, 2026; March 14, 2026; May 16, 2026.<\/p>\n

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Please join us in remembering Charles “Chuck” Thompson, longtime ESU member and Treasurer of the Denver Branch for many years. Chuck died peacefully on December 30, 2025, after a brief illness. Chuck and his late wife Janet were instrumental in transforming the Denver Branch and sustaining its financial health, and we honor their legacy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The English-Speaking Union<\/h5>\n \n

Denver Branch<\/h2>\n \n

ESU Denver Branch Officers<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Millicent Ambroggio
\nPresident<\/em><\/p>\n

Cindy Poinsett
\nImmediate Past President<\/em><\/p>\n

Bruce Haefner
\nTreasurer<\/em><\/p>\n

Cami Van Anne
\nSecretary<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n

ESU Denver Branch Board of Directors<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Polly Cox<\/p>\n

Andrew “Ace” Eggleston<\/p>\n

Meredith Fulford<\/p>\n

Marcia Goldstein<\/p>\n

Trevor Johnson<\/p>\n

Ingerid Kelley<\/p>\n

Julia Patterson<\/p>\n

Shelly Russell<\/p>\n

\nSarah Schneider<\/p>\n

Tom Tafoya<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

Committees<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Polly Cox
\nMembership<\/em><\/p>\n

Julia Patterson
\nFinance & Governance<\/em><\/p>\n

Ingerid Kelley
\nPrograms<\/em><\/p>\n

Ace Eggleston
\nShakespeare Competition<\/em><\/p>\n

Bruce Haefner
\nEnglish in Action Across America\/Co-Webmaster<\/em><\/p>\n

Tom Tafoya & Meredith Fulford
\nDr Howard F Beckley Writing Competition<\/em><\/p>\n

Cami Van Anne
\nTeachers Learning Abroad UK<\/em>
\nCommunication\/Newsletter\/Co-Webmaster<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n

Past Presidents<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Cindy Poinsett
\n2022-2025<\/p>\n

Kate Murphy
\n2020-2022<\/p>\n

Michael Thornton
\n2017-2020<\/p>\n

Bruce Haefner
\n2013-2017<\/p>\n

Jane Earle*
\n2010-2013<\/p>\n

Basil Carpenter
\n2007-2010<\/p>\n

Joyce Wilson
\n2005-2007<\/p>\n

Virginia Plunkett*
\n2004-2005<\/p>\n

Polly Cox
\n2002-2004<\/p>\n

John Willhardt*
\n1999-2002<\/p>\n

*deceased<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n