The Rotary Foundation - Why?
This Meeting's Highlights
Program: The Rotary Foundation - Why?Speaker: Cecelia BabkirkMeeting for the week of November 16th to November 22nd, 2015
Is this your first time to visit us? If so, welcome to our meeting!Each Monday our week's meeting is posted early in the morning, U.S. Pacific Time. These meetings are designed so that you can read and watch what we post anytime during the week. The entire meeting takes about 45 minutes to complete, with the video conference recording of the program being the bulk of the time.Note that you can easily read this meeting with your favorite device, so feel free to take our meeting on the go with you; read it while on public transit, waiting in line for coffee, or even at the park! Please also make sure to complete the attendance form at the bottom and leave a comment. Enjoy!
Greetings
Message from the President
Welcome, one and all!This week, we do some full-on celebrating of Rotary Foundation Month by honoring the good work being done locally and globally by those serving their communities in all sorts of ways.You'll learn plenty about the Rotary Foundation, read about a health care project in rural Mexico, and get an update on Rotary First Harvest.You'll also have the same opportunity you have every week to read some Happy Dollar messages, send one of your own, and tell about service you're doing.Tutoring or mentoring someone? Tell us about it.Took part in a food drive, a park cleanup, or a visit to shut-ins? Tell us about it.Volunteered your time as part of a board for a nonprofit? Tell us about it.The idea, as always, is to build off of each other's stories, using the energy and inspiration shared in the reports to expand the circle of service that is so important to us as Rotarians. The first week of each month, we bring these together in the meetings, and you can see the cornucopia of good deeds from October by taking a quick look at the Service Survey section of the meeting of the week of November 2nd.However you got here and whatever your connection, you are a welcome member of our community this week - thank you for joining us!Rotarian guests, we ask that you consider contributing something – perhaps what for you is the regular cost of a Rotary meal, or just any other amount you might be willing to donate. Donations will go directly to power the efforts of our Rotary club.
This week, the money you give will go toward support of a high school Interact club we are in the process of sponsoring.You can help by choosing one of the options below:
Send via our secure Happy Dollars form.
Send via Google Wallet to: ecsv.rotary@gmail.com
Send via PayPal to: ecsv.rotary@gmail.com
Send a check via snail mail (see below for instructions)
To pay via Google Wallet or PayPal, you'll need to log in to your account with those companies.Those of you who prefer a more traditional approach can mail a check made out to the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley to our treasurer: ℅ Allen Thompson, 13500 Cascade Ct., Bakersfield CA 93314.Non-Rotarian guests, you are certainly welcome to help us out, too! Even a small amount can help us make something good happen for someone in need.
Yours in service,
Rushton Hurley,
President
Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley
The Power of Images
We believe that there is power in imagery, and that a great photo can inspire in its own unique way. Every week we feature a powerful photo to inspire you.
Photo by Keith Marsh, Camera Czar"In honor of Veterans Day, [here's] a photo I took several years ago. It was taken with B/W Infrared film at the Presidio Cemetery in San Francisco. Infrared sees green plants white."
The Power of Ideas
Sometimes one good idea is all the power you need to get the engine of creativity moving. We would like to share with you one good idea to help you power your week.
Following that picture, here are three quotes related to Veterans Day:"Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul." – Michel de Montaigne"
The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war." – Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." – Cynthia OzickMay we all have the courage to fight for peace!
A Life of Honor
What Your Heart is Set OnThis is a story about Louise Neistat, who loved to dance - when she was young, her heart was set on becoming a Rockette. She built a life around using that love of dance to honor her father, who died of cancer shortly before she first danced as part of that famous New York group.
Like Louise and her father, and like Casey, the videographer to whom Louise was "Nana," may you take time this week to reach out and/or honor those who have meant much to you.
eClub Survey
Members, by this Wednesday, you'll receive (early birds) / you received (later in the week folks) an email with a link to a survey about efforts of the club so far. We want to get everyone's feedback, so please take a few minutes to let us know what you think.If we all pitch in our ideas, we'll find good ways to improve - help make it happen!
Events & Projects
This section of our meeting is where you learn about both recent and upcoming events and projects our club has going on. We welcome guests to all of our events and service projects listed here.
Upcoming Events:
Supporting RotaractThe Rotaract Club of Silicon Valley is holding a fundraiser to support its international water project in India: The PAANI Project. On November 19th at 6:30 PM at ISO Beer in San José, those donating $30 will have the opportunity to try six kinds of poke (Hawaiian raw fish salad) paired with six kind of beers. For more information, please click here.
Tickets can only be bought in advance at:https://squareup.com/market/svrotaractPre-Thanksgiving Potluck with Rotaract Alumni on Sun., Nov. 22 in LivermoreOur eclub has been invited to join the Big West Rotaract Alumni Association at their quarterly Rotaract alumni networking event. This particular gig is a pre-Thanksgiving themed potluck at the award-winning Steven Kent Winery in Livermore, California. The purpose of the event is to bring together Rotaract alumni and Rotarians to celebrate the friendships and the memories being in the Rotary/Rotaract family has provided.– Event Address: Steven Kent Winery, 5443 Tesla Rd Livermore, CA 94550– When: Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM– Who: Open to all Rotarians, Rotaractors, Rotaract alumni, and guests– Cost: $0 cash price. (Free!) In lieu of money, the hosts are asking that guests bring a dish to contribute for the potluck! (Wine tasting is separate; bring money if you want to do that!)Pumpkins-a-Plenty
In our eclub's second meeting after launching in January, we shared a video highlighting the work of Rotary First Harvest based in Seattle, Washington. That same week, we sent them an email asking if they'd like to speak to us, and 48 hours later, we were recording our Week 3 program with Benjamin Rasmus and David Bobanick of Rotary First Harvest.They continue to go strong, and report having gleaned two tons of pumpkins to share with the needy in Thurston County at the southern end of Puget Sound. Read their short post and see some pictures of good folks doing good in the First Harvest Blog.
The World of Rotary
We are part of the Rotary International family with over 1.2 million members in over 180 countries in the world. Rotary’s reach is global. Here are some Rotary initiatives and events we think we should know about.
In this month's issue of Rotary Leader, there is a short article about how global grants have been put to good use in the same part of Mexico to which our district is sending shipping containers loaded with new wheelchairs in the coming months. As the wheelchair effort is a cause our club is supporting financially, and you'll hear more along these lines in Cecelia Babkirk's program below, you are encouraged to give this one a look.
The Power of Giving: Foundation Grants Support Free Health Care in Rural Mexico
And for our newer members, watch for more info to help you get a better understanding of the many good works of The Rotary Foundation.
Service Survey
One piece of being a Rotarian is finding ways – both big and small – to help others. Our members report the good deeds they do and the good efforts in which they participate, not in order to brag, but to remind us of the many possibilities there are for using what we have for those in need.
Helping hands by Antonella Beccaria from Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Have you given someone a helping hand in the last week or two? If so, let us know! This is what I was telling you about in the welcome, of course. Your stories inspire your brothers and sisters in Rotary to find new ways to help in their communities, so don't hold back!
The Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley Service Survey
Happy Dollars
Every week we offer the opportunity for guests and members to express their gratitude for something good that has happened to them this past week. Think of this like a digital karma jar.
Several pieces of good news got shared this last week, and we encourage you to toss in a five or so with a nice thought or an encouraging message!
Member Linda Tangren ($20)First a Happy Birthday to all celebrating Birthdays this month. This weekend, I had the privilege of attending a Pre-Collegiate Science Conference with my granddaughter at Stanford University. She left this conference with a very positive attitude and a greater understanding of what her high school curriculum can do for her, but more importantly how she should reach beyond her high school curriculum. She is a junior and beginning to enter that phase of "why do I need to take this course?" So that's my Happy Story this week. Thank you Stanford!
Member Nate Gildart ($10)Just because.member Chris Cochrane ($20)Thank you to all for making this Canadian and my wife feel so welcome and "at home." Excellent potluck!
Member Allen Thompson ($10)I'm thinking maybe my new grandchild will hurry up and arrive if I donate to a good cause!! [Allen, we're sending good vibes your way!]
Member Allen Thompson ($25)Congratulations to my kids, Michael and Amelia Thompson, proud parents of Reese Emerson, born in Bakersfield CA at 0305 on 11/11/15!! [One day later: It worked!]
Birthdays
We have two birthdays this week! Let's get to celebrating.On Thursday, Linda Tangren celebrates her birthday, and kudos for to for finding a great way to do so (she was in Hawaii with family in the days ahead of her day)! Linda, as you may know, it was on your birthday in 1863 that President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, dedicating Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania. More precisely, this speech was seven score and twelve years ago.And Saturday is the birthday of Treasurer Allen Thompson, who is a happy camper for reasons mentioned above. On your day in 1877, a mere fourteen years after Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg, Thomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph. Here's to hoping that the audio of the new grandchild happens at reasonable hours of the day!
The Tidbit
Every week, we feature a new tech tid bit or life hack to make your life more convenient.
Member Lisa Highfill made this video for some of the teachers she works with. It's all about creating your own collection of videos embedded in a Google Slides presentation. Cool stuff!'
Thanks, Lisa!
A Little Humor
We feature a little bit of humor every week because we believe laughter is sometimes the best medicine, and we just want to brighten your day!
Member François Tessier shared this data moment on Facebook:
PIE Chart Most accurate by Jan Burch from Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Good one for the week before Thanksgiving, I'm thinking. While we're there, I think I'll thank François for the chuckle!
Selected Comments from Last Week
Imagine attending a meeting, and it being possible at a glance to know what everyone found interesting and/or meaningful. That's how our meetings work - we ask every member and guest to leave a comment, both to enrich discussion and to allow us to get to know each other all the better!
Here are a number of last week's comments celebrating that meeting and the program of member Andrew Taw:
Guest Shobana Gubbi (Los Altos Rotary Club, California, USA)I really enjoyed your club's innovative approach to making the meeting engaging, even though it was virtual. I try to attend my club's weekly meetings in person, but with traffic and other commitments it is not always convenient. I appreciate having this alternative.
Member Tzviatko Chiderov (California, USA)Andrew, I really enjoyed your presentation. Monologue class is such a great idea - working on writing and public speaking - both incredibly important skills in just about any career. Thanks for the important work that you do.
Member Catherine Liu (California, USA)I am just amazed at how much really tough work Andrew and his team do. I would love to visit your students sometime soon and see if there is anything I can do to help.
Member Shags Shagrin (California, USA)A great program, Andrew! Loved the tidbit -- I will most certainly use that a lot. And as for Keith's photo - the mystery has been solved! See this LA Times article. And thanks again to Rushton for hosting another terrific potluck event so we could get together with Chris and Liz.
Member Richard Knaags (Western Cape, South Africa)Hi Everyone. Great Tidbit Yvonne I look forward to sharing it with my teachers. Have a look at this article related to Keiths picture. Thanks for sharing your story Andrew; I am also trying to get 20time going in my school. It just makes absolute sense to get kids to spend time on the things they are really passionate about at school.
Member Mitty Chang (California, USA)Andrew, awesome presentation on your work with Upward Bound! Great to finally hear (in video format) about what you've been doing with the 20Time program. I also think the food idea for your students is a great one, but also very necessary for students. Glad you're exposing them to more food cultures!
Member Hardeep Singh (California, USA)Andrew, thank you for presenting on Upward Bound. It sounds like a wonderful program that is really helping the students of Oakland. It's always so great to hear from people who are so passionate about serving others. Also, I would love to get to know you more as a poet! Seems like you've got quite the talent!
Guest Nadia Nouri (California, USA)Thank you Andrew for sharing your passion with us, it is always great to hear all the effort done to move our young people onward and upward. Thank you Rushton for inviting us to meet all the wonderful people of the rotary eclub. Looking forward to hearing the inspirational talks and getting involved in doing service.
Guest Nassim Nouri (California, USA)Having met Andrew just this weekend, I was interested in learning more so it was great to hear about the great work Upward Bound does. Thank you for sharing your passion in service Andrew, specially in the education field which keeps on giving throughout a student's life. Also thanks for the useful tip on Printer Friendly site, it will save me loads in time and printer ink! Great to join you today, have an inspired week everyone.
Member Linda Tangren (California, USA)Andrew thank you for your presentation on Upward Bound. It also sounds like you have created a program for the students of Oakland that extends beyond their educational needs. Great Work! Loved the Dragon!
Member Nate Gildart (Tokyo, Japan)Thanks for the presentation Andrew. You highlighted some really important elements of a holistic education, that being exposure to opportunities and developing skills. We tend to forget that those who are disadvantaged miss out on a lot more than just academic learning (which is why programs like Upward Bound are so valuable). Your comment on food resonates. How can a person learn when their mind is on hunger? As a songwriter for a pop-punk band I appreciate your love of poetry. Nice one! Great tidbit Yvonne! I'll pass it on to my colleagues shortly.
Member Yvonne Kwan (California, USA)It's great to hear more details about the work you do, Andrew! I love that Upward Bound is teaching students life skills in addition to academic skills. A monologue class is an ingenious way to hone students' writing and speaking skills while folding in creativity. Also super cool that you've managed to implement 20time projects into the curriculum as well. Super cool stuff! :)P.S. -- That metaphor at the end that you gave about poetry is one of the many reasons why you're awesome.
The Program
Too often, presentations on any topic in Rotary cover technical details, without any concern for the "why." There is more information about the "what" of The Rotary Foundation than anyone could absorb, and entirely too little about the "why," and so the "why" is the focus of this presentation.Our presenter this week is Cecelia Babkirk, who was born in Reno, Nevada, and raised in the Bay Area. She graduated from San Mateo High School and the University of California at Berkeley. She joined the Rotary Club of San Jose West in 1994, and in 2007, moved to the Rotary Club of Cupertino, where she has served in various capacities.Her work at the District level began in 2003-2004. She has served as Assistant Governor, International Service Chair, Vocational Service Chair, Lieutenant Governor and District Grants Subcommittee Chair. She is currently the District Rotary Foundation Chair for District 5170, a position she will hold until July, 2017, and which includes responsibility for all donor and grants activity.At the Rotary International level, she serves on The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisors as a Technical Coordinator in the area of Economic and Community Development and Audit. Cecelia believes that a well-planned humanitarian project which features a travel opportunity is one of the best ways to introduce Rotarians to the internationality of Rotary.Members and guests, enjoy the program!
You can learn more about The Rotary Foundation starting with this page.
You’re Almost Done! The Attendance Survey..
Thanks for reading and watching this week’s meeting! You just have two last things to do before you’re done with this meeting. First, we have a very short attendance survey below for you to fill out to record your attendance.
Visiting Rotarians, this is how you can get an email receipt as proof that you’ve attended our meeting if you need it for makeups.
Non-Rotarian Guests, we would love to see who is dropping by our meetings! This part is optional for you though.
More importantly, for all members and guests — we strongly recommend and ask that you leave a comment below in our comments area below. Tell us how you enjoyed the program. Ask this week’s speaker any questions you might have. Or just stop by and say hello and tell us where you’re from!
