Meeting for the Week of Apr. 27th, 2015
This Meeting's Highlights
Speaker: Mitty Chang
Program: The Power and Possibilities of Rotaract
Meeting for the week of May 27th-April 3rd, 2015
Greetings
Welcome
With this meeting, we start into our fourth month of being an official Rotary club. Can I get a "Woohoo!"?
I hope you just woohoo-ed.This is also a special week of the year for me and my wife, Tabitha. This coming weekend is Relay for Life in our community, and an opportunity to take part in the primary fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Like all of you, there are people we know and care for - family and friends - who battle the terrible scourge of cancer.Just this last week, I connected with a friend overseas using Google's Hangouts video conferencing system (the same system we use to record our programs), and was surprised to find him sitting in a hospital room next to his wife, who had been diagnosed in the days before with breast cancer and was undergoing her first chemo treatment. While hers was caught early enough to make for a promising outlook, this isn't the case for many others.Relay for Life is our chance to honor those who are fighting cancer and remember those we've lost. If there is someone you want us to honor as part of our walk, feel free to include his or her name at Tabitha's fundraising page. You are also welcome to donate to the cause, of course. Even better, if you would like to join us this Saturday to walk here in Santa Clara, just let me know with a note to rushton@gmail.com.I hope you, members and guests, will each find something to inspire you to make a difference for others this week. That's what Rotarians do.Guests, we welcome your comments, as well, and ask that you consider contributing the cost of a meal to the service projects our club is putting in motion. Feel free to use our donation system for Happy Dollars, or you can mail a check made out to the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley to our treasurer: ℅ Allen Thompson, 13500 Cascade Ct., Bakersfield CA 93314.
Being Able to Play
Here's another cool bit from the recent district conference. The Saturday of the conference includes breakout sessions at which you can learn about all sorts of great things clubs in the area are doing.The last one of the day featured the work of Julie Matsushima and a team from The Rotary Club of San Jose, and is about the millions of dollars they raised and helped raise to create a playground that can be enjoyed by children with various disabilities. The formal opening is happening in May, but there's a great video of the ribbon cutting that gives you a sense of what this effort has produced.
Great stuff. We're talking to Julie about presenting to our club in the next month or two, so hopefully you will be learning much more about the San Jose PlayGarden soon!
The Power of Images
Ever seen a project go over budget? If the answer is, "No," then write a book and sell it - plenty of folks need to know your secret! In honor of our presenter this week, who has built our website for far less than this bridge costs, we present another gem from Cool Club Camera Czar Keith Marsh:"This photo was taken about a year and a half ago after the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge was completed. The old span can still be seen in the background. At a cost of $6.4 billion, it was more than six times over budget from the original 1996 estimate. It is still plagued by engineering flaws. The HDR photo was taken from Treasure Island with post-processing in Photomatix Pro."Nice work, Keith!
Happenings
Events
In this part of the meeting, we work to share news of things happening in our club and the clubs around our district who let us know (in time) about their shindigs. Looking down this week's list, my thinking is that if we're bored, it's our own fault!
Relay for Life
As mentioned above in the welcome, Tabitha and I will be walking the track this weekend as part of our community's annual Relay for Life event to raise funding for cancer research, care, and awareness. Let Rushton (rushton@gmail.com) know if you'd like to take part.
Art Time
Saratoga Rotary invites all our fellow Rotarians, their families and friends to attend our annual Art Show on May 2nd and 3rd at West Valley College in Saratoga. The club is delighted to present work by two hundred artists in a variety of categories--painting, sculpture, jewelry, fiber art, ceramics, glass, photography and more. This show benefits the club's charitable foundation, which to date has given over $2.2 million to local worthwhile organizations. More info is at saratogarotary.org (click on the art show link on the left).
Got chili?
On Friday, May 8, from 5-8 pm at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Park, the Rotary Club of Castro Valley is having its annual chili cook off. If you make a mean chili and want to take part, you could with the top prize of $500! To get involved, visit the club's website (click on the chili cook off link on the right) and then contact event chair Randy Vanderbilt. Money raised goes to support the club's community projects.
eClub Social for May, Part 1
Up for a linner? A dunch? I'm not sure what to call a good eating gig that happens in the mid-afternoon, but whatever it's called, we're going to do one. On Saturday, May 9th, a group of us will gather at the Drake's Brewery Tap Room in San Leandro (1933 Davis St, San Leandro, CA 94577; they are directly to the right of the Walmart entrance, a little bit hidden next to the truck unloading/loading). It will help us if you RSVP, of course. Do so by writing webmaster Mitty Chang at webmaster@siliconvalleyrotary.com or member Stephen Zhou at szhou@financialguide.com.
Play ball!
The Rotary Club of Oakland was established in 1909, and is older than all other Rotary clubs except The Rotary Club of Chicago (the first club, 1905) and The Rotary Club of San Francisco (the second, 1908). They're a fun and active crowd, and are gathering a group to go to an A's game the evening of Monday, May 11th. If you'd like to join in, send a note to Tom Limon (tomlimon@gmail.com) to see if there are still slots left. You can get more info at this page. They will also be doing a Mount Whitney hike in late July, and for that gig, see this page on their site.
Top Chef of Dublin
The Rotary Club of Dublin (California, not Ireland), has its annual fundraiser the evening of May 17th. Taste delicious food, sample fine wines, and enjoy craft beers at this gig supporting the club's effort to help Eric's Corner, a resource for education regarding epilepsy. Learn more at the Top Chef of Dublin website.
eClub Social for May, Part 2
There is the possibility that a group of us will go to the San Jose Earthquakes soccer match on Sunday the 24th. If that's of interest to you, send an email to Webmaster Mitty (webmaster@siliconvalleyrotary.com). We hope to have enough of us involved to score some kind of discount. Stay tuned for more details!
The World of Rotary
Several weeks ago, member Keith Marsh did a presentation about his experience with a National Immunization Day in India. Here's a story of how the project has worked in west Africa.
Why are we Rotarians? Because we not only know we can make a difference, we do make a difference.
Service Time
What do our members do to serve their communities? All kinds of good stuff, it turns out!Martin Fox in Utah does pro-bono mentoring and volunteers at the Friends of Animals Shelter. Shags Shagrin in Walnut Creek helps with (including doing the financials for) the Storytelling Association of California. Heather Shaw in Santa Clara arranged for a massage for a home-bound patient. Gene Tognetti in San Jose helped a group of 120 teachers learn to use iPads and Google Drive. Richard Knaags in Cape Town (South Africa) is donating time to help schools that do not have an information technology subject as an option for their students. Chris Cochrane in Ontario (Canada) has helped a Rotary eclub there with a video project. John Lozano led a training for the Children's International Summer Village (CISV) program. Keith Marsh in Marin serves on the board of a non-profit (Marin Ventures) that serves the developmentally disabled. Lisa Highfill in Pleasanton helped tutor a gentleman trying to pass his plumbers test. Manju Ramachandran in Mountain View organized, attended, and created marketing materials for the 8th Grade Orientation Program at Mountain View High School. Allen Thompson in Bakersfield visited patients at San Joaquin Community Hospital with a therapy dog.There are many more examples of what people are doing (apologies if I didn't include one you submitted), and our goal is to share these examples on a regular basis. What we do without any monetary compensation enriches our lives in all sorts of ways, of course, and is a key part of what we experience as part of Rotary.What are you up to in terms of service? Let us know!
Sharings
Happy Dollars
Have you contributed a Happy Dollar yet? No? Now's a good time! Share something cool that is happening in your life or the life of someone you know using the form below.
member Linda Tangren ($15)A thank-you to Rushton and Tabitha for representing me and all others fighting cancer at the Relay for Life later this month!
member Lisa Highfill ($10)I'm happy to be offering a donation to the Justin’s House fundraiser. I missed the initial gift card collection, but want to support a great cause.
guest Julie Matsushima ($15)I thoroughly enjoyed Joanna Jaeger's presentation (April 20, 2015) on creative ideas for employment of individuals with disabilities. My own experience has been a wonderful one, in that many years ago I hired a hearing impaired young woman of 19 as an account manager for a medical client of my medical billing company. The challenge was in the training but, once trained, she became an outstanding employee who worked for the company 15 years until her untimely death. The experience was fulfilling and rewarding--so you employers out there--I encourage you, as Joanna says, to think outside the box and be surprised with the gift you will receive by employing the able disabled. They are very capable, honest, thorough, and an absolute joy to have on the job.
Fill out my online form.
Selected Comments from Last Week
Last week Joanna Jaeger let us know about the efforts of Parents Helping Parents and other organizations to help those with developmental disabilities find employment. She also responded to many of our comments over the course of the week, which impresses us mightily!
member Allen Thompson (California, USA)
A round of applause for Yvonne Kwan and Rushton Hurley for their work in our Hospitality Suite at the District Conference in San Jose on Friday/Saturday. They spent the evenings sharing the news about our new eClub with Rotarians from District 5170. As if they don’t do enough already….!
Wonderful presentation, Joanna. Not enough can be said about the potential that special needs people possess. It is often a challenge to channel that potential and help it convert into achievement.
guest Paul Mosso (California, USA)
Joanna, thank you for an enlightening presentation on a very important topic. I agree, having more people attuned to this topic in work places will help disabled people and society as a whole. President Rushton, great meeting and great tip on the recovering a closed tab; I like the new segment!!!!
member Linda Tangren (California, USA) (via Google+)
Joanna, Thank you for your hard work! We had a wonderful restaurant in Hayward a few years back that was operated by young and not so young adults with disabilities. Unfortunately, real estate becomes more valuable and programs on tight budgets cannot afford the rent. It sounds like incorporating individuals in existing businesses will be more long term.
guest Mary Albitz (California, USA) (via email)
Very interesting, as I hadn’t been to an e-club meeting before. Nicely done. One of your members, Keith Marsh, is a golfing friend of my husband’s and so that’s how I found out about it. I work with adults with intellectual disabilities in Redwood City running our workshop, and we will soon have to get all of our people working in the community at minimum wage and above, so I’m always looking to see what others are doing in that arena.
member Keith Marsh (California, USA)
I, too, had an older brother who was developmentally disabled. When he moved with my dad to California in 1997, we were able to get him into a program for adults called Marin Ventures. When he passed in 2000, my Rotary Club helped buy a van for the organization in his name. About three years ago, I was asked to serve on their Board and have been doing so since. These organizations are very valuable to the community, but lack sufficient funding by the State. This Saturday, we are having a major fundraiser celebrating 25 years of service.
member Yvonne Kwan (California, USA)
Joanna, the work that you are doing is truly admirable. Thank you for shedding light on a subject that is normally simply swept under the rug. Employment is already a tricky avenue, so to see that you are finding opportunities for employment for developmentally disabled people is inspiring. If there is a way to get businesses to see your perspective, that would be huge.
Also, for those of you who didn’t attend the District Conference, our very own President Rushton received the very prestigious David A. Heagerty Award for all of the work that he has put into this eClub. He is too humble to toot his own horn, so I’ll toot it for him. Way to go, Rushton!
member Chris Cochrane (Ontaria, Canada)
I learn so much every week, from a useful tidbit to another great presentation. Plus kudos to Rushton on the award. Well deserved.
guest Kim Covill (New Mexico, USA)
Joanna, the importance of work for everyone cannot be overstated. I enjoyed your presentation immensely, and like many of us, we have dear friends that are developmentally challenged. A young friend of our family’s has had a job in recycling for years. She takes pride in her work. The company loves her, and she gets raises in pay frequently. We are so thankful!
guest Rory Olson (Texas, USA) (via email)
It was interesting and informative, as usual.
member Frank Tripicchio (California, USA)
Great program, Joanna. Are you familiar with the TIL (Transition to Independent Living) program at Taft College? It is a program designed for people with disabilities and, in my opinion, very much in line with the concepts you advocate.
member Martin Fox (Utah, USA)
1. Thanks Joanna. I love your purpose-driven passion and inspired action. You are doing great work and keep spreading the message. 2. Loved the Kid President’s 20 things video. 3. The control-shift-T is invaluable. 4. Keith, your photos from San Rafael bring back so many happy sailing memories from when I used to race out of the Tiburon Yacht Club :-). Alas, it also made me miss our sailboats 🙁
member Rushton Hurley (California, USA)
Joanna, your work to get employers to see the possibilities of bringing the developmentally disabled onto their teams is so important. Thanks for all you do!
This Week’s Program
This week, we hear from our very own Mitty Chang, who met with President Rushton last August, and advocated for many of the elements that have become what people love about our website.
While Mitty is a new Rotarian, he has many years of history within the family of Rotary organizations, starting in Interact, continuing with Rotaract, and then helping form this eclub. He is a board member and our webmaster, and will tell you about his vision for what Rotaract and Rotary can be together.
Enjoy!
Learn more about the July Big West Rotaract event at: http://www.bigwestrotaract.org/
I Attended!
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Meeting for the Week of Apr. 20th, 2015Meeting for the Week of May 4th, 2015
Given membership numbers in North America, Rotary has had a less-than-optimal record here of bringing younger leaders into the organization. Rotaract is clearly the natural target for helping these young, service-oriented people into clubs in order to help them better develop their leadership skills, connect with others in the community, and foster ever-bolder ideas on how we can address the problems we face. Mitty, your vision for Every Rotaractor, Every Rotarian is a winning one!
@rushtonh:disqus – As always, thank you for your support! 🙂 Looking forward to figuring out how we can grow our next generation of leaders together
Andrew Taw
Thank you Mitty for being my mentor in the Rotary family! Great presentation!
It’d be cool for this club to sponsor a Rotaract E-Club and for us to start a mentorship program for Rotaract members. This could be a way for us to recruit Rotaractors who are in more transient populations like community colleges and maintain a more cohesive journey into Rotary after they transfer.
@andrewtaw:disqus – The honor is all mine. And thank YOU for giving so much back to Rotary!
I definitely LOVE the idea of sponsoring a mentorship program for Rotaractors. I think there’s a lot of potential in that idea! Perhaps we can have a chat about how to creatively make that happen.
Keith Marsh
WooHoo. Thanks for keeping the meeting to 30 minutes. Good program and well presented.
Jermaine Ee
Just when I thought I knew all about Rotaract’s history..
Great presentation Mitty! I’d also like to have a copy of the PDF. Will be sharing this video with my district Rotarians.
@jermaine_ee:disqus Thanks! I’ll send it over to you. 🙂
Mitty …our club’s own James Dean. ( love his picture behind you in your recording). Excellent background on Rotaract.
Personally I learned much. Keith, another stunner of a picture ….Thanks @disqus_5lmtt0Xu9R:disqus 🙂
Manju Ramachandran
Mitty, I am so inspired by your passion and simple presentation. That presentation not only highlights the emotional life cycle of a Rotarian but definitely of anyone entering the non profit world and engaging in work that really benefits others. I would love a copy of the presentation please. Taking it a step further, I’d love to see if we can incorporate/start a rotaract club at the India Community Center in Milpitas. I’d love to cultivate that type of mentorship. We have so many programs that a rotaract wanting to make a difference right here can impact either in person or even virtually. Let’s email/talk!
Charlie Wasser
Manju……good idea about a Rotaract Club at the India Community Center in Milpitas. In case you did not know, Rotary 5170 is having this year’s Rotary U (aka District Training Assembly) at the India Community Center. In addition to being chair of the event, I am also on the 5170 Membership Committee. We have spoken about starting a Rotary club there also. We should touch base when you have time……Charlie
Manju Ramachandran
Charlie, I had no idea about the 5170 event. Can you give me the dates? I would love to figure out a way to start a regular chapter there! I can be reached at manju@indiacc.org.
Charlie Wasser
The 5170 event is May 21. Speak with Donn Wadley. We are trying to decide if we will have Interactors and Rotaractors at the event. It is usually called the District Training Assembly but we call it Rotary U. Whatever else happens, you should keep moving in the direction of starting another Rotaract Club.
@manjuramachandran:disqus Thank you so much for those kind words! Here is a copy to the PDF version of the presentation for you to download at your convenience: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4915acxsbij1z3c/therotaractjourney.pdf?dl=0
Also, I’m super excited about the idea of growing Rotaract! Let’s definitely chat about it. Sounds like Charlie might already have some good opportunities to start with
Manju Ramachandran
I am working with Charlie on the Rotary U project. The three of us akpuld set up a time to talk and go from there. Monday around 11 usually work for me.
Charlie Wasser
Mitty….Good over view. Not to be an idea killer, but to start your Rotarian-Rotaractor mentor program, you need to get champions that will visit clubs and district events to speak one on one to Rotarians. This would start bewteen friends and then should eventually spread.
@charliewasser:disqus Thanks for watching! You’re definitely right. The more ambassadors and champions of this message, the more likely this idea will become a movement. This is just the first step!
Paul Mosso
Mitty, thank you for the great presentation. I do agree that having Rotarians reach out to Rotoractor’s does help the process of Rotoractor’s that want to join Rotary become a Rotarian. I think a great way to have Rotarians become engaged with Rotoractor’s is by reaching out to their local Rotaract Clubs and getting involved there. I know the local Rotoractor’s would really enjoy that.
@paulmosso:disqus Thanks for watching! Great idea. It would awesome if Rotarians took the initiative to reach out to Rotaractors. Let’s make it happen!
ShagsCA
Woohoo!
Hey – no “Rotary Wheel” at the end of the Key to the playground?
Keith – Amazing image, as always!
Rushton: Linner?!? Dunch?!? How about “lupper”?
For those with Windows who want a screenshot, use the Snapping Tool app!
Mitty – you are on your way to a great life history with Rotary! No Interact where I lived when in high school, and Rotaract came to U of Miami (Go ‘Canes!) in my junior year. Ten out of 26 years is impressive!! Fun history of young adults and Rotary’s connection – things I didn’t know. More importantly is the sharing of your insight into how we can bring all generations into the Rotary World for the benefit of all. An excellent adaptation of Campbell’s work. Let’s work on applying this knowledge to the growth of our eClub. And I’m shocked that only recently there was a “PETS” for Rotaract. We try to get Interact leaders to RYLA, so it’s a natural next step. I’ll share this meeting with my terra District where I reside, 5160. Let’s talk about eCSV as the place to get online recorded and live leadership training for Rotaracters. Also, there is no e-Interact Club yet. Hmmmmm… And the James Dean photo to your back right is awesome – love to hear the story behind that! Keep on keepin’ on, Mitty – vroom vroom ssshhhhhhh!!!
@ShagsCA:disqus Awesome! All good things to hear! I’m definitely looking forward to working with you on growing our youth programs! Sounds like you’ve got some great spirit there. Also, super looking forward to seeing you at the May 9th event at Drake’s!!
Everyone who is going to be in the bay area on May 9th— you are all welcome to join us at our eClub’s monthly social meet up! It was mentioned in the meeting under the events section.
We’ll be at Drake’s Brewery in San Leandro starting at 1:30 PM oN Saturday, May 9th! Come join us anytime from 1:30 PM to 4 PM! All guests are welcome. You don’t need to be a member to hang out with us! Just looking for the Rotary Sign that will be sitting on a table. 🙂
Yvonne Kwan
Awesome presentation! I love the Rotary history bit at the beginning (I’m a sucker for trivia), and I definitely learned new things. As another former Interactor who moved to Rotaract and ultimately to Rotary, I know the importance of having mentors in the Rotary family. The positive influences and experiences are what powers everyone through life, and Rotarians can definitely be that positive energy for young professionals and leaders.
Yvonne, as always — keep doing the awesome things you’re doing! 🙂
François Tessier
I am so happy to learn more and more about Rotary on each meeting: I knew so few about Rotaract thank’s Mitty for this History moment cheered up with pure 5.0 sound FX!!!! Awsome!
Francois — Hahah! I caught that poke at my sound effects. Thank you for watching and for participating! 🙂 I hope one of these days, we’ll get the chance to meet you in-person!
LOL sure, Mitty we will meet as I plan to become member of th eClub! Oh and I forgot to mention; youer visual effect were great too!! 🙂
john lozano
Mitty, great presentation. As a new member Rotary, I appreciate your history lesson on Rotaract. Also, I like your challenge and explanation to why this is so important as a member of Rotary. The cycle is a great reminder for me to reflect on my service and leadership experiences and make this club part of my daily life. I am impressed with you commitment to service and many talents. Keep up the great work.
John — As always, it’s a pleasure to hear from you! I’m hoping that we’ll see each other at one of the upcoming May socials, so we can catch up in-person and also chat more about growing a mentorship program starting with our club!
Richard Knaggs
Mitty. I have am learning so much (I feel like I need a mentor 🙂 ) The cycle is a great explanation of the process. Every Interactor , Every Rotaractor, Every Rotarian. 🙂
Richard — I’m 100% behind you on this. I love how you expanded it to include Every Interactor too! 🙂
Linda Tangren
Mitty, great presentation. This presentation should be presented to all clubs to create a better understanding of the needs of Rotaract members.
Thanks Linda!
Lisa Highfill
Thank you Mitty for the great presentation. Love that you used the hero’s journey as a way to explain the Rotaract Journey, it really helped to learn more about these organizations.
Lisa, thanks for those kind words and for watching!
Art Taylor
A great history and an opportunity for Rotary. Working together to make the world better.
Thanks for those words, Art!
I think it’s impressive that young people are getting involved at such an early age. I know in college I was pretty overwhelmed with classes so it’s amazing that the rotaract club is so huge.
Heather, thanks so much for watching! 🙂
frank tripicchio
Mitty, I have no problem restating my opinion as to the exceptional presentation you shared. I invite my fellow Rotarians, in my Club, in my District and those who will have attended as guest, to commit to the concept put forth by Mitty. Make it a point to share the Program with at least one ‘conventional’ Rotary Club on your area.
You will have fulfilled one of the most basic responsibilities of a Rotarian………Frank, once again — THANK YOU! Your spirit and willingness to give back to the next generation of leaders is so heartwarming to hear. I’m looking forward to working with you to spread this message. Let’s connect soon!
frank tripicchio
My pleasure, Mitty.
Please let me know if you plan when you may have some time to chat….
Thank you, frank
Allen Thompson
So much I didn’t know about Rotaract! Thanks,Mitty!
But I know I didn’t retain all of that! I’ll need to listen to that one again just to try pick up more of the pieces.
It’s been a marvelous few weeks for us in Bakersfield. Things in general have been going pretty smoothly and – we heard our second grandchild is on the way. They heard the heartbeat last Friday. Very exciting!@disqus_PsewMvjaPA:disqus – I’m so glad to hear about the good news! Looking forward to the next time we get a chance to catch up in person. 🙂
Meg Taylor
Wonderful presentation, Mitty! And I love the idea, “Every Rotarian, Every Rotaractor.” Great idea, and even better enthusiasm.
Thanks Meg! 🙂
Martin Fox
Great meeting. Loved the Rotary Play Garden. While not part of this program, I loved Chris Cochrane’s intro videos. Great stories on your Rotaract experiences Mitty.
About us
Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization dedicated towards bettering humanity through service and fellowship.
Delivering innovation, entrepreneurship, and education since January 2015.
Recent Meetings
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