NEXT MEETING: March 31, 2017

Medicine, Ethics and the Boundaries of Control

“We all want to feel we’re in control of our own existence. In some ways, we are, in other ways, we’re not. We are ruled by the forces of chance and coincidence.”

Nowhere is the truth of Paul Auster’s observation more obvious than in the timing and circumstances of our death. This Friday a longtime member of Kaiser’s Ethics Committee, Dr. David Rosen, will share with us a few stories about end-of-life decisions, and the difficult choices that can arise when a patient’s advance directives and a family’s wishes collide.

MEETING OF March 24, 2017

Welcome

Connie Tritt called the meeting to order. Simon Ellis led the Pledge and Herb Cole led the invocation. Provocative as usual, Sid Chauvin gave us his thought for the day, quoting from Oscar Wilde, “Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Today’s guest was Marianne Haas.

Announcements

• Alan Baer announced that the annual Bocce Ball tournament will be held on May 20 in Martinez. The courts are in the park across from the train station.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

A Club Conversation

In lieu of a speaker, Connie Tritt, the club’s next president, conducted a discussion based on questions raised by the new President of Rotary International. First, he is asking that members keep track of their volunteer hours. Connie asked those present for suggestions on the best way this could be done. Most agreed that yearly reporting was adequate and practical. Anything more often was likely to prove burdensome and go ignored. A second request focused on the goal of recruiting new members, especially women and those under 40.

A conversation ensued on how the club has changed over the years. People observed that the club is much smaller than it was in the 70s and 80s. This reflects both the changing demographics of Richmond (and West Contra Costa) as well as the departure of many small businesses. On the positive side, many noted that people join for the opportunity to be of service to the community, and they remain engaged for the friendship.

In response to a few specific questions, the group felt that the amount of club time and member energy devoted to fundraising was about right. They recognized the need to get help for Stacey in planning speakers (David Cole volunteered), and they would welcome more social events. People would also be glad to participate in more service projects. Henry Moe suggested that smaller projects, those that could be completed in 4-5 hours, would attract more participation.

NEXT MEETING: March 24, 2017

A Conversation Among our Members

It’s spring and we’re planting seeds. This Friday we’ll have an inclusive discussion about Club’s current activities, and hear each others ideas about possible future directions and projects. These open-ended conversations are opportunities for you to shape the Club to more closely align with your interests in the community. Come and make your voice heard.

MEETING OF March 17, 2017

Welcome

Pres Josh led the meeting, Mike Winter led the pledge, Herb Cole led the invocation and Sid Chauvin’s thought for the day was “Every time someone comes up with a foolproof solution, along comes a more talented fool!!

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Jerry Feagley brought Al Nero as his guest for the last time. Al will become a member next meeting. .

Special Events

Gina Fromer, the new and better version of Don Lau at the YMCA East Bay, was inducted as the newest member of Richmond Rotary.

Announcements

• March 24, 25 and 26 The District Conference is almost there and Pam Jones thanked all those who have been involved in the preparations for the conference and hopes to see many Rotarians there. The Friday Night Summer of Love Party and separate bag assembly are open to everyone. There is a $15 charge for the dance.
• Jan Brown will plan a Rotarian trip to visit Charlie Wong sometime next week. Contact Jan if you would like to go

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Mindful Life Project

Our March 17^th speaker was JG Larouce, who is the executive director of The Mindful Life Project. The project was founded in 2012 to help address the deeply rooted social and emotional problems that plague inner city schools. The project does this through training in mindfulness, expressive arts, yoga and mindful hip-hop. Its goal is to empower students and teachers to develop a strong mindfulness practice that supports educational ecosystems where compassion, empathy and kindness are the norms.

JG led the Rotary group in a 3-minute meditation where everyone closed their eyes and did not move or talk (which was really hard for the talkative people) and others fell asleep during the demonstration. We have so much data coming at us that we rarely take the time to rest our minds and that is how stress builds up.

NEXT MEETING: March 17, 201

The Mindful Life Project

The Mindful Life Project was founded in 2012 to help address the deeply rooted social and emotional problems that plague inner-city schools. The project does this through training in mindfulness, expressive arts, yoga, and mindful hip-hop. Its goal is to empower students and teachers to develop a strong mindfulness practice that supports educational ecosystems where compassion, empathy, and kindness are the norm.

JG Larouche, executive director of the project, will describe how Mindful Life programs have helped thousands of students to develop self-control, elevate their self-esteem and experience more satisfaction in their schools and communities.

MEETING OF

Welcome

President Josh Surowitz called the meeting to order. Henry Moe led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb Cole asked for a moment of silence of peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin had a thought for the day: Hospitality is the art of making your guests feel at home, which is where you wish they were.

Visiting Rotarians

• Alan Test, from the San Francisco evening club, who has just moved to Marina Bay.
• Mac Lingo from Berkeley.

Rotarians with guests

• Jan Brown brought her husband, Byron
• Jeff Mulvihill brought his wife, Sue
• Jerry Feagley brought retired Richmond Fire Chief Al Nero, who has applied to join the Club!
• Darlene Drapkin brought Matt Lewis, the ED of the Richmond Convention and Visitor Bureau.

Announcements

Pam Jones encouraged sign-ups for the District Convention, March 24-26, at the Marsh Arts Center in Berkeley. Friday afternoon there will be assembly of backpacks for CASA, then a party. Backpack assembly is free, the party costs $15.

The Conference really gets going on Saturday the 25^th. Among the speakers will be our own Mark Howe who will be talking about the Rotary Peace Garden. Rita Moreno is the luncheon speaker. Saturday night at 5pm there will be a beer reception, followed by dinner. Sunday will be the farewell performance of Mr. Rotary, Cliff Dochterman.

Josh Surowitz reminded everyone to check your emails for his announcement about Richmond Rotary’s school library project. There are opportunities to meet with school administrators to find out what their libraries need.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Syrian Children in New York City, 1911.

Immigration Policy under President Trump’s Executive Orders

Our President and immigration lawyer told us all about the recent turmoil and controversies surrounding immigration law and policy.

The “Muslim Ban”
President Trump’s first executive order did the following:

• Barred all refugees for four months
• Barred Syrian refugees indefinitely
• Barred everyone from 7 mostly Muslim countries

This was rolled out without providing any training to the folks in the field, which resulted predictably in chaos and the stories we heard about lawful residents being denied re-entry into the country and visa holders being refused entry. Trump’s executive order was struck down by the courts because it discriminated by nationality, which is barred by Federal Law (although there is a law permitting the President to bar “groups”, which might conflict with the other law), and because is singled out Muslims. The latter was interesting in part because the Courts entertained evidence of statements made outside of the official process of creating and executing the executive order, such as Trump’s campaign promises to bar all Muslims from entering the country. The executive order, itself, gave express preference to “religious minorities”: Trump said that meant Christians, so the religious discrimination was not difficult to find.

The new executive order, issued in March, names only seven countries; Iraq is off the list. There is no religious minorities preference, Syrian refugees are not treated differently than refugees from anywhere else, and permanent residents are explicitly excepted.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
During the campaign, Trump said the first thing he would do is rescind President Obama’s executive orders creating DACA and DAPA, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents. But he has not done so. Perhaps he is concerned about deporting children who have lived here their whole lives and about separating families.

Expedited Removal
Expedited Removal is the deportation of undocumented immigrants with no due process. It was created during Bill Clinton’s presidency, and applied to people caught within 100 miles of the border who had not been in the US for more than two weeks. The Trump administration has expanded it to people caught anywhere in the US and those who have been in the US for more than two years. Josh is concerned that people who are under the law entitled to due process will be removed expeditiously because they won’t be able to prove, within 24 hours, that they’ve been in the US for more than 2 years. Expect stories about US citizens being deported expeditiously.

NEXT MEETING: March 10, 2017

Immigration today: So what's changed?

Join our fearless leader, Richmond Rotary President Josh Surowitz for an informative and timely program! President Josh will be discussing the current immigration legal environment under the new Trump administration.

MEETING OF

Welcome

President Joshua called the meeting to order and asked Alan Baer to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb Cole asked for silent prayers for peace, hope, and justice. Holly Smyth offered a quote for the day: “imagination is the cure for reality.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Hercules President Holly Smyth, visiting Rotarian.

Mark Howe and Shana Howe brought daughter and recent college graduate Serena Howe.

Alan Baer brought Edgar De Leon and Max Christen.

Announcements

• Pam Jones brought a gift from Cuba, where they happen to grow coffee, and reminded us that the 5160 District conference is March 24-26. Please register now as seats are going fast. Please give her off any advertising tchotchkes (pens, etc.) for the 500 goodie bags for registrants.
• Hercules President Holly Smyth told us that the Hercules Rotary Pasta Feed is March 11, 2017. Tickets. Holly needs helpers. Funds will go to their community center sound system and peace project-heritage garden.  Time is 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Hercules Community Center, 2001 Refugio Valley Road, Hercules (map). Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and includes one drink. For tickets, please call Carol White at 510-685-7778 or text Holly Smyth at 559-707-4616.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Stacey Street introduced today’s effervescent speaker Darlene Francis, PhD, an Associate Dean at UC Berkeley. Darlene addressed the age-old question, nature or nuture?, and convinced us that it’s the wrong question. Both nature and nurture play roles in human development, our responses to stress, and the maintenance of health on into old age. But their effects do not play out equally across our lifespans.

Darlene presented findings from her experiments on the effects of enriched versus impoverished environments on mice with opposite genetic characteristics. The offspring of quick-witted parents were sentenced to mouse-worlds devoid of stimulation and challenge. The offspring of the dull-witted mice were placed in the equivalent of Mouseland University (lots of toys and social stimulation). The effect was striking: the offspring of the dullards performed at, or better than, the offspring of the quick-witted parents.

Takeaway #1: Genes are not destiny.

Takeaway #2: Public policy should aim at the enrichment of environments of children from birth to 3-years old. The pay-offs for these investments in the first few years, both for the individuals and for society, far outstrips the costs in coming decades.

If you would like more information, start here.