Join Community Leaders, Exchange Ideas, and Take Action
This Meeting's Highlights
Speaker: Susan Valenta
Program: Join Community Leaders, Exchange Ideas, and Take ActionMeeting for the week of July 6th to 12th, 2015
Greetings
Welcome from President Rushton Hurley
Welcome, everyone, to a new Rotary year!We have lots of be proud of this week: we welcome two new members to the club, there is lots of cool news from our members (including cool Happy Dollars donations!) and of Rotary, and our program kicking off the year is from District Governor Susan Valenta. We're proud to be the first stop on her district tour!Thank you for joining us this week, and we look forward to reading the comments we ask that you leave at the end of the meeting.Guests, we welcome your comments, and ask that you consider contributing the cost of a regular Rotary meal to the efforts of our club.
Feel free to use an option below, 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.
Send via Our Secure Donation Form here.
Or send via Google Wallet to: ecsv.rotary@gmail.com
Or send via PayPal to: ecsv.rotary@gmail.com
To pay via Google Wallet or PayPal, you'll need to log in to your account with those companies.
New Members
We are very happy to have two new members to induct into our club this week! You received their bios via email a while back, but we'll add their reasons for applying to the club here:
Meet François Tessier, Digital Media Producer and Certified Energy Healing Therapist."I would like to join the eclub because I am dedicated to promoting a humanitarian aid project in Sri Lanka. Becoming a member of the club means helps provide me inspiration to continue this mission. In the past, I participated in a humanitarian organization by creating a documentary to help them make themselves known. This involvement has changed my life. Today I am in the process of starting my own NGO and this is the first time I taken on such a project. Becoming a member of Rotary is a way for me to get coaching, and also inspiration by the many similar projects that are presented every week in these meetings."
Meet Paul Mosso, Project Manager for a Building Materials Manufacturer."I am seeking to join the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley because it will provide me the best opportunity to participate in a Rotary club despite my limitations due to location and job responsibilities. I have a sincere desire to establish myself as a member of a Rotary Club to continue my service that I established and participated in during my five and a half years of Rotaract membership and leadership. I am a strong believer that it is our role in society to constantly work to better our community and participate in community-based organizations; Rotary will allow me to further pursue my belief in community service and help me learn and develop more skills to be a better person overall."
From President Rushton: François and Paul, our board and our members have approved your application and we welcome you into our club. As you have learned in the application process and from the content of our meetings, we expect you to share your ideas, contribute your time to worthy causes, support projects of this club and The Rotary Foundation, attend weekly and participate actively, and encourage those who are working to improve communities around the world.Let our club's focus on education, entrepreneurship, and innovation inform your thinking about possibilities for what you do.Know that the members of this club are here to support you and work with you.And finally, keep Rotary's Four-Way Test in your heart.The Four-Way TestOf the things we think, say or do:1. Is it the TRUTH?2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?You are now part of an organization of over 1.2 million women and men in over 34,000 clubs around the world. Our motto is Service Above Self, our members are glad you are with us, and our belief is that you will help us make great things happen!
Crippling a Disease
Someone may ask you, "What do Rotarians do?" One of the first items out of your mouth should be the effort our worldwide organization has made over the last thirty years to End Polio Now:
The Power of Imagesfrom Camera Czar Keith Marsh
"Here is another HDR photo from a recent trip to the Palouse area of Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington where I grew up (Lewiston, Idaho). It is a popular destination for photographers because of the rolling hills of wheat and barley, great sun sets and summer storms. This barn is south of Moscow, Idaho. These big thunder clouds are a big reason to consider HDR."
Happenings
What We Do: news about club events and events of clubs around the district
Social Time
If you catch this meeting before Monday night (July 6, 2015), you might join in the fun at 6:30 PM in Oakland. It will be at “Lost & Found” on Telegraph (map). It’s a gastropub with great food, drinks, and a cool vibe, we've been told!Here's another pair of shots from last month's barbeque gig, with Rotaractors Collin and Janel, Elizabeth Barron Silva, and members Stephen Zhou and Andrew Knaack.This one has member Stephen Zhou, former Rotaractor and applying-to-be-a-member Hardeep Singh, and members Gene Tognetti.Our volunteers' participation raised $1000 for our club's projects - well done, everyone!
Next Social Gathering is July 25th We're pinning down the details for a social on Saturday, July 25th, and hope you'll be able to join in! Watch the meetings and your email for more info.
Silicon Valley STEAM Fest on July 11th Dean McCully is part of the team running the Silicon Valley STEAM Fest at Reid-Hillview Airport this coming Saturday. The list of cool opportunities at this amazing event goes on and on (Girls in Tech, Robot Zoo, Sharks Zone with live sharks, all sorts of aircraft, classic cars, and much more), and the tickets are free! Get your tickets at: http://www.svsteamfest.com
The World of Rotary
A post in the Rotary Blog on June 30th included the thoughts from a former Peace Fellow who is president of the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee, USA. He spoke of listening to the stories of others supported by Rotary to go and make a difference:"I also learned about the experiences of Jewish and Muslim fellows who had worked on interfaith projects in war-torn Sierra Leone. I heard from people working with Syrian refugees, people studying the aftermath of Ebola in Liberia, and people working to build peace in Myanmar, Somalia, and Cambodia. I spoke to two friends based in the Amazon rainforest who are establishing a peace center that supports indigenous cultures and communities. Through tears, a fellow Brit told me about the reason he works for peace: his two granddaughters. I also listened to a Brazilian Rotarian, a shy man who shared a powerful personal story of growing up in extreme poverty and losing his father at a young age. That hardship had inspired him to build a better world for others."This year, we are working to encourage every member of this club to choose to be a donor to The Rotary Foundation. The benefits of doing so make good happen in many, many places, including via the efforts of people like those mentioned above.
Service Time
What have our members been up to? Martin Fox has been mentoring young entrepreneurs pro-bono, Keith Marsh volunteered as part of the board of Marin Ventures helping those with developmental disabilities, Richard Knaags took a destitute man grocery shopping for his hungry family of five, John Lozano led a weekend camp for Children's International Summer Village, Shags Shagrin helped with the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education and the Storytelling Association, Chris Cochrane was a guest speaker at the Rotary Club of West Ottawa (Canada) and chaired two online PR meetings, and Yvonne Kwan (along with Mitty Chang, Andrew Knaack, Gene Tognetti, Hardeep Singh, Janel Alimboyoguen, Collin Breen, and Stephen Zhou) had a great time helping out the Rotary Club of Santa Clara at the Silicon Valley BBQ Championships.Awesome!You may be doing something large or small to help others, and if so, I hope you'll share it with the club in order to inspire our members and guests! Let us know using this form.
Happy Dollars
Almost a quarter of us responded to the challenge last week to toss in a dollar or two or more and identify something to be happy about! Can we get everyone else to join in this week?
from member Martin Fox (Utah, USA) ($20)Full of gratitude for my hip surgery recovery progress and also for my clients' patience while I was incapacitated. So honored to work with global game changers who inspire me every day.
from member Rushton Hurley (California, USA) ($5)Excited about the new Rotary year!from member Mitty Chang (California, USA) ($50 to TRF)Just came back from a string of different Rotary related trips including Australia (for Rotaract PETS) and Brazil (for the Rotary International Convention). With great leadership and travel opportunities available, I always feel really blessed to be part of the Rotary family, and I'm really excited to part of this eClub. Here's to a great Rotary year, and to an AMAZING new Rotary year!
from member Mahmood Khan (California, USA) ($15)Great vision for future on the Moon.from member Chris Cochrane (Ontario, Canada) ($20)I'm happy to live in The Great White North, where talking beavers, with a glass of Molson beer in one hand and a hockey stick in the other, stop at Tim Horton's for coffee before watching ice hockey, eh?
from member Richard Knaags (Western Cape, South Africa) ($15)Completed my meeting recording today.
Fill out my online form
The Tidbit
Perhaps you’re this person:
“I have a laptop with a webcam, but I don’t know how I’d record a video message. This depresses me profoundly.”
Worry not! Here’s how you can use YouTube to record using your laptop’s webcam:
Birthdays
Monday (6th) is the birthday of the hard-working, chai tea-drinking, sushi-loving, and litter box-cleaning President Rushton. What he wants for his birthday is for all of you to make something very cool happen for the club this month!
Kudos
We have members getting extra kudos this week. First, another shout-out to Stephen Zhou for all the work he did coordinating volunteers for the BBQ. Second, a round of applause for Meg North Taylor, who completed a project with the PR Committee creating a press release telling about the club. Nice work, Meg!
Speaking of the PR Committee, the committee chair, Chris Cochrane, reports that our two promo videos have together passed 250,000 views – woohoo! Kudos, Chris.
Keep sharing – we’re a quarter of the way to our goal!
A Little Humor
from member Keith Marsh
Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him…a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis. [Ouch.]
Selected Comments from Last Week
In the first five months of our club’s existence, we had 54 guests fill out the I Attended! form, and many of those left their cool insights alongside those of our members. Here are some from last week’s program about TechWomen by Eileen Brewer:
from guest Andy Lester (Rotary Club of Edmond, Oklahoma, USA) via email
I’m very impressed by your club’s programs, which I’ve now “e-attended” twice, and its activities, about which I have read a little. I already have mentioned to some of my fellow Edmond Rotarians that the eClub of Silicon Valley makes attending as close to attending in person as is possible. I look forward to attending again.
from member Mahmood Khan (California, USA)
Yvonne and Mitty your vision is shared by many. It is a worthy endeavor. It can generate a lot of energy, excitement and new IP just as it did during the 60s – the humanity is still benefiting. However, we need to fix major problems on earth as well. A balanced approach is required. We must do both. Thanks for sharing.
from member Paul Mosso (California, USA)
Eileen, this is an awesome program and thank you for sharing with us this week. I agree that there needs to be more women in the Science and Tech fields. My wife and her sister are in the science field, and some of the biases they have encountered need to change! I am happy to see this is a growing movement and that it is getting support from our government.
President Rushton, I loved the photo, and like always, great meeting!
from member Yvonne Kwan (California, USA)
Eileen, this is absolutely amazing work that you are doing with TechWomen! STEM is such an important part of education; I’m so glad to see that you’re spreading it to more women across the world. I also loved hearing your stories from your work; you tell them with a true passion and love for what you do. Thank you for a fantastic presentation!
from member Martin Fox (Utah, USA)
The video by Richard’s students changed a belief system in me – love when that happens 🙂 Mitty… Your Momentum tidbit is perfect for me – and now running on my machines. Eileen… I love what you are doing with the Tech Women Exchange Program. I’ve done work with State Department exchange programs over the years and loved it. That stated, the exchange you are involved in goes so much further and will have a global ripple level of impact. Your work is the ultimate in sustainable growth at the human level. Kudos to you.
from member Richard Knaags (Western Cape, South Africa)
Thank you for showcasing my learners’ work. They are awesome. Eilleen – I hope my school will provide some ladies for your program.
from member Andrew Taw (California, USA)
Great program, Eileen! Thank you so much for sharing. And also, birthday wishes to Heather and Francois!
from member Mitty Chang (California, USA)
Eileen. Great job on the program. I love the program and the work you do with TechWomen! Thank you so much for sharing about the work that you do. I loved the passion that came out of your Q&A responses. You are AMAZING! I am definitely going to be sharing this presentation with some folks.
from member Keith Marsh (California, USA)
Glad to see that TechWomen is so successful at spreading STEM around the World. Thanks to Eileen for working on this. Another good Tidbit by Mitty.
from member François Tessier (Quebec, Canada)
As an about-to-be-a-member [and now a member!], I thank you for the birthday wishes! Science and technology need more presence of women, worldwide. The story of your visit to a school in the middle of nowhere gives me goosebumps. It was life-changing for you, and surely for them as well. Congratulations for this exceptional and inspirational work.
from member Gene Tognetti (California, USA)
Thanks again to Eileen for sharing the TechWomen story – looking forward to following up to see what we can do to engage some of the mentees from the program at my school!
from member Rushton Hurley (California, USA)
Great program, Eileen! Huge kudos to our group that went to the BBQ to help, as well.
from guest Hardeep Singh (California, USA)
What an awesome program. Hurray for women empowerment in STEM! Also, the BBQ event was a lot of fun. Can’t wait for next week’s social!
from member Chris Cochrane (Ontario, Canada)
Finally speechless…the program is that good!
This Week’s Program: Our Rotary District Governor
One requirement that Rotary International puts on the governors of each district is to visit all district clubs during the Rotary year. This week, you get to hear from our new district governor, Susan Valenta.
Susan Valenta is a member of the Rotary Club of Gilroy and joined the club in 1995. Her career in business management spans over 40 years – most recently being the President/CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce where she retired after 24 years.
In 2013 Susan was selected as one of the 100 most influential women in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. She also received the 2013 Hearts of Gilroy award from Community Solutions and was a recipient of the Rotary District 5170 Sidney R. Mitchell Award. In 2014 she was named Gilroy’s 2014 Woman of the Year.
Involvement in Rotary on the District level includes the Club Visioning Team, the Youth Protections/Abuse Prevention Task Force, the Advanced Leadership Program Seminar, the Finance Committee where she helped author the District’s Finance Guidelines, and is a past Assistant Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and District Conference Chair.
DG Susan, we are honored to have you join us, and to kick off your tour of clubs with our young eclub. Welcome!
Upcoming District Events:
July 8 District Cabinet meeting
Rotary District 5170 website
Roast and Toast – click above on Rotary District 5170 Home Page for registration (old system 🙁 )
You’re done! One last thing.
Just complete the “I attended” survey below for credit!
Keith Marsh
Thanks to DG Susan for an informative presentation on District 5170. A special welcome to new members Francois and Paul. Here is my “Happy Dollars” photo of my grand daughter that won “Best of Show” at the Marin County Fair. When I took this, she was 7 years old holding a photo of her that I took when she was 1 year old.
Thank you Keith 🙂
What a fantastic year kick-off, Governor Susan!!!! Thank you for doing it in our e-club! And Rushton… your tidbit-of-the-week inspired me so much that… I was about to leave a YouTube “My_webcam” message here! 🙂
Cool – feel free to be the first to do that!
Welcome François and Paul. Thank you to our DG Susab for a simple but effective message. I love that the DG Susan is willing to master new technology including using our site for makeup meetings. I hope her attitude becomes the norm.
Thank you for bringing me in!!!
Governor Susan, it’s going to be a great year – thanks so much for sharing you hopes, plans, and stories!
Yvonne Kwan
Hey folks! For anyone wanting to join in on the social tonight (7/6) that was set to be at Lost & Found, our location has changed to The Trappist (460 8th St., Oakland). Sorry for any inconvenience!
I will return to the comments shortly after I have properly attended the meeting.
Happy birthday President Rushton!!!
Madam Governor Susan —
I have always loved your enthusiasm for Rotary, and your willingness to support the youth. You did a great job, and I’m especially excited for your governor’s wheelchair project! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to make our eClub your first governor visit of the Rotary year. We’re looking forward to supporting you and growing District 5170 together!
Gene Tognetti
What a packed meeting! Very touching video from Rotary on the continuing fight to end polio – Paul Alexander should be a role model for us all… LOVED this week’s photo, particularly that stunning sky – thanks Keith! And finally, thanks so much to Susan – very informative and interesting, and your quote from W.H. Murray was extremely thought-provoking. I just may ‘borrow’ that for some upcoming ed tech training sessions I’m doing for my school this fall. And one more “finally,” happy 29th (!) birthday Rushton!
ShagsCA
We’re in for another great year of Rotary!
ShagsCA
And hope you had a happy birthday, Rushton. Next time there’s a social, maybe we should blast it out that morning as an email to all, as I forgot to put it on my calendar. (oops!) Would have gone to the wrong place, anyway, as I didn’t visit the meeting on Monday.
Yvonne Kwan
Governor Susan, thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to make a presentation to our new and budding eClub. I love your passion for Rotary, and I especially love the wheelchair campaign — what an awesome project! Exciting new things are definitely going to happen this Rotary year!
mahmood khan
Thank you Governor Susan Valenta to take the time to talk about your focus areas and now we know you.
Great Polio video – keeps us humble and aware.
ThanksLisa Highfill
Thank you for your time Governor Susan- I loved being a part of the program this week and believe that tech can be a great way to connect many Rotary clubs together in small ways that can have big impacts. I’d love to share in Pleasanton sometime.
Martin Fox
Thank you Governor Susan. I learned so much from your presentation. Thank you for the presentation and the inspiration.
What a great person to have in the lead! I love her enthusiasm and passion and am looking forward to the coming year
Meg Taylor
Hi Susan, I’m really looking forward to your year! Thanks for this presentation. Meg Taylor (I “go with” Art Taylor, Past AG, Area 5).
Richard Knaggs
It was a great pleasure to meet District Governor Susan. Thanks Rushton for the Tidbit. Can I use it for a Google Educator group Demo slam? I hope you had a happy happy birthday Rushton.
Thank you Govenor Susan. I completely agree with Susan’s comment on your thoughts on how technology can help Rotary Clubs connect. It’s the focus on small things and building relationships that will have the greatest impact over time.
Paul Mosso
Thank you Governor Susan for the presentation! I enjoyed hearing more about how the world of Rotary works and how we are helping others. I feel the quote from W.H, Murray is so true, beginning is the most important step to helping others.
I’m happy to join this Rotary Club, and I’m thankful to the membership for having me on their team. I am very excited for this Rotary year and for beginning my journey in Rotary.
Andrew Taw
Thank you so much for the presentation Governor Susan! It’s always great to be reminded of the scope of the work in Rotary. And happy new Rotary year!
Andrew Knaack
I am glad to see Governor Susan’s support!
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
8,000 Interactors Fighting Human Trafficking July 4, 2016
Something Special June 27, 2016
Lighting for Literacy June 20, 2016
How to Raise Money Using Video June 13, 2016
Project HAND UP – Using Puppets to Teach Health Education June 6, 2016
