USRC President’s Corner – August/September 2016

Hello Fellow University Sunrisers! Jim Horrigan

I encourage you to take the time to read through my quick update on happenings in the club as we approach the end of summer. And please be nice to Past Presidents Tim and Mike as they take the helm for the next two weeks as I vacation!

Relay for Life

Thanks to all who participated in and supported our efforts at this year’s Relay for Life on August 13^th at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill. What a great way for our club to show a presence in the community, and make a difference in such an important cause.

District 5030 Picnic

This Sunday, August 28^th, District 5030 is sponsoring an Old Fashioned Summer Picnic from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Aubrey Davis Park on Mercer Island. Bring a lunch (barbeques will be fired up if you want to throw something on the grill) and enjoy accoutrements and beverages courtesy of District Governor Darling and the company of fellow District 5030 Rotarians. Details and info the District 5030 website.

TINFA

We’ll continue to support TINFA in an even bigger way this year. Many of you had the pleasure of attending our meeting with Emma Le Du, where we connected with one of the schools in Guatemala.

We have three needs and opportunities related to our TINFA relationship:

Need – Connect with other clubs to partner with us for a Global Grant
Need/Opportunity – Volunteer to interface with teachers in Guatemala via Skype to help familiarize them with the technology (three volunteers needed – Spanish speakers a plus)
Opportunity – Consider a trip to visit the schools in Guatemala in February

In Search of 2017/2018 President Elect

We’ve asked a few who aren’t quite ready to take on the task, and we have a few more in mind to approach. That being said, if you’re interested in the job please see me!

Debuts & Discoveries 2017 Grant Recipient

Calling all interested organizations, the time is now to submit an application to be the primary recipient of the funds from our 2017 Debuts & Discoveries event. We only have a few submissions and the deadline is fast approaching (August 29^th).

Membership

Life situations have resulted in the loss of some of our members. Let’s refresh the ranks by thinking of just one person to bring to a breakfast meeting. It can be a friend, colleague, business contact, or merchant that you patronize. Our Membership Committee leaders, Colleen and Past President Tim, are here to help in any way they can.

Twitter

Facebook

Last Week’s Speaker: Kristi Martin, Senior Adviser of the Office of Health Reform,

Bereft of a workable projector, Kristi Martin, Senior Adviser of the Office of Health Reform, reverted solely to verbiage without missing a beat.

She was inspired early, when health coverage was weak and poorly distributed, to get it for those who needed it. To get it off the ground, she worked through several levels up to the federal. An anecdote was given for illustration.

Ultimately health care reform was passed, with Medicare and Medicaid created in 1964. The Consumer Assistance Plan was developed to help individuals contend with denied claims from insurance companies. This struggle resulted in two favorable Supreme Court decisions. The Affordable Care Act, following the Massachusetts model, followed. This is admittedly not perfect, but is a start, creating coverage for 20 million people. In addition, adult children up to age 26 are included under parents’ policies. There is now also free coverage for screening services, benefiting 137 million. Clinical trials have shown that this is economically feasible.

In that partnership has been needed, the YMCA in Seattle and elsewhere has been a logical choice. All of this proactive activity has saved Medicare money. Attention has now targeted the malnourished. Delivery of healthful meals to the home is a program known as Feeding America. Each food box costs $13. People are being empowered to control their health, i.e., in managing cardiovascular and diabetic situations. Trials in Ohio. California, and Texas have proved encouraging. Politics aside, all of this has shown success.

Comment: Is this the forerunner of single-payer universal health care? The other industrialized nations might be consulted on this concept.

Twitter

Facebook

Qi Gong practice

"Hal, your other right hand!" — “Hal, your other right hand!”

On a gorgeous July morning, Tai Ji practitioner Phill Briscoe, leads his “charges” in Qi Gong exercises at Gasworks Park after a US Rotary meeting. Phill’s students are Susie Jamieson, Hal Beals, Betsy Conklin, Scott Jamieson, and the photographer, Ron Espiritu.

Twitter

Facebook

August 11th, Emma Le Dû with TINFA update

August 11^th our speaker was Emma Le Dû redux and our hardiest perennial, TINFA. (Technology and Information for all).

Her presentation encompassed Project Update and much more, to wit:

Connection with a Santa Cruz school (henceforth SCM)
The Inherent worth and dignity of every human being
Do no harm –Technology is a tool that serves the people who use it.
While we don’t know all the answers, technology will never replace teachers.

By way of illustration:

It is basic to evaluate teachers’ skills and students’ attitudes.
At the end of the process, a teacher is given a career-enhancing certificate.
A good connection has been made with SCM. Teachers come for skill training.
Photos and VCRs show students in action, specifically in art.
The use of equipment was shown.
The school director gave an oration of thanks for our support.
The transition from old methods to technology is well along in progress.
One-on-one training for students; one-on-two for teachers.
Teachers perform in front of other teachers; back and forth feedback
Model classes occur in front of children.
Teachers invited to go to different schools to show techniques

The TINFA Three Year Program:

Equipment usage and practice training
Advanced training and increased participation in curriculum building
To continue being a resource for other schools.

Results:

100% teacher participation.
184% improvement
24% increase in children’s attitude toward education

Comment: As can be seen before our eyes, Rotary changes lives. In this case, it will extend unto generations.

Twitter

Facebook

2016 Relay for Life Photos

This year’s Relay for Life: Pam Mushen whipped around the course to complete the Survivor’s Lap. She then helped David complete the Caregiver’s Lap.

President Jim and Alan H. had a good time!

It looks like Lee had too good of a time.

Twitter

Facebook

Join Relay for Life: Saturday, August 14th

Hi everyone,

On Saturday, August 13, our club will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life walk in Capitol Hill. The walk will begin at 10am in Cal Anderson Park with the Survivor’s Lap and will end at 10pm with a Luminaria Ceremony to honor and remember cancer survivors and those we have lost to cancer. If you would like to join us for our walk or donate to the American Cancer Society, you can do so at this link. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

Twitter

Facebook

Former Rotaract President Julianne Sloane Visits

At our July 28, 2016 meeting, in addition to the District Governor. his spouse and the Assistant District Governor, we were graced by a visit from Past UW Rotaract President, Julianne Sloane.

After graduating from UW, Julianne was involved in establishing an ex-im business in Brazil. Then she moved to London to join a startup called Splittable: www.splittable.co a financial services technology company. She seems to be truly enjoying exploring her career path. It was great of her to stop by while visiting family in our area. We wish her much success and hope to see her again, soon!

Twitter

Facebook

D G Bo Darling announces District Picnic

DG Bo Darling, of hydroplane fame, used boat racing to exemplify the teamwork ethic which he champions. This led into his discourse on fellowship, membership, and continuity.

As he spoke, it was evident that these three are interdependent.

Fellowship takes place when we do things together, whether at meetings or events such as fireside chats, projects, and activities. As we know, fellowship events do bring people together, either locally or at the district level. Inspired by last year’s successful outing, he declares an 8/28 district picnic on Mercer Island, 10AM-3PM. It will be child-friendly; full families are invited. As to continuity, he pointed to the rising number of Interact and Rotaract Clubs throughout the District.

This continuity is an imperative. Essential to the organization, youth must be heard and regarded. Rotary addresses it. In that regard, all in the District will come together on 9/19 to review rules and regulations. In particular, membership criteria are to be added. Attendance requirements have been relaxed and may be changed to adapt for an individual club.

To preview the District Conference in Portland, he displayed a vertiginous video of the Rose City. To be commemorated at that time will be the 100th anniversary of Rotary Foundation and 30 years of women in Rotary (and we’ve never been the same).