NEXT MEETING: June 2, 2017

The Nature of Happiness

Clair Brown is a professor of economics and author of Buddhist Economics: an enlightened approach to the dismal science.  Clair will address the question, What makes people happy? This question takes us to the heart of the difference between free market economics and Buddhist economics: human nature.

According to Buddhist economics, human nature is generous and altruistic, even as it also cares about itself. This is based on Aristotle’s teaching that people find happiness through living a meaningful life and contributing to the community. Yet free market economics holds that human nature is self-centered and that people care only about themselves as they strive to maximize their incomes and fancy lifestyles. These two models lead to very different ways of structuring our economies to maximize social welfare.

MEETING OF

Welcome

President Josh Surowitz called the meeting to order. Jan Brown led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Stoney asked (and from the looks of it, received) a moment of silence for peace, freedom and justice on Earth. Sid Chauvin issued his thought for the day: “The time to make friends is before you need one.”

Rotarians with guests

Edgar DeLeon introduced us to Al (Alberto) Silva.

Announcements

Dues are due! (Duly noted.) Why not take care of it right now? Please direct your eyes to the right sidebar of this page. Just below the Flywheel Archives look for a yellow “Dontate” button to pay your $200 annual dues.

Just below that button you’ll see another yellow button. This one enables you to donate to the Rotary Foundation. The Foundation asks you to chip in $100 yearly for the life-saving, life-changing programs it conducts worldwide.

If you prefer you can also pay your dues and donate to the Foundation by seeing David Brown, credit card or check in hand, at the next meeting. Thanks!

Henry Moe announced that the Rotary District Assembly would be on June 3 at Salesian High School.

Mae announced, on behalf of Oscar Garcia, that volunteers are needed for the Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 17. This is a good opportunity to network with others around the city.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Meet the Old Timers

Two of the more mature members of our club reprised their Who-Am-I speeches, updated: Alan Blavins and Herb Cole.

Alan was born poor in England, and thanks to support for developing his art from both his family and school teachers, he managed to make it big in advertising. Alan regaled us with stories about his professional exploits, amorous entanglements, and readiness to make life-changing decisions on the flip of a coin—the “heads-it’s-New-York, tails-it’s-San-Francisco” kind of thing. By all accounts, he won.

Herb was an indifferent student in Texas, until a lengthy steelworkers union strike left him with nothing else to do. Ironically, he went back to school and became a school teacher. He met his wife on a blind date and, on their honeymoon, they went to Southern California where he interviewed for jobs and got one. Later, he got his doctorate at USC and became a school administrator. Herb’s last job was right here, where he stayed after retirement.


- Josh Genser, Rotating Scribe

NEXT MEETING: May 26, 2017

Meet the Old-timers

When we were inducted into the Rotary, we made short presentations that answered the question, “Who am I?” Over the course of many years, our answers to that question will have changed. But some would say, “Nonsense, I’m the same person I was when I was 20.” And that leads to the nub of the question, “Who am I?”  Our answers hinge on our feelings about change and a core identity.

This Friday we can ponder such questions, or choose to ignore them completely as we listen to several longtime members address the question, directly or not, Who am I?

MEETING OF May 19, 2017

Welcome

President Josh called the meeting to order and asked Ric Ambrose to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Herb Cole asked for silent prayers for peace, hope, and justice. Sergeant at Arms Sidney Chauvin offered a quote for the day: “ Reality is the leading cause of stress among those who are in touch with it.” – Lilly Tomlin.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Jan Brown’s guests were her husband Byron, daughter Jennifer Finegan, and son in law Aaron Finegan.

Stacey Street introduced Chuck Grant who runs a new non-profit (safetimehost.org) that prevents homelessness through home-sharing.

Announcements

  • Joshua Genser reminded us about the RotaCare BARSHEEP Bowl-a-thon this weekend.
  • Al Nero and Pam Jones announced the Rotary bocce tournament this weekend in Martinez.
  • President Josh Surowitz gave us an update on his micro library project. Richmond elementary schools will receive new books and improvements. The books have been ordered and we will deliver them before start of school year. Two schools will have hands-on improvements (by us) this fall.
  • Jan Brown thanked everyone for another successful Teen Moms Project.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

Stacey Street introduced today’s fun and informative speaker Richmond Deputy Fire Marshall and Acting Fire Chief, and author, Robin Pointdexter. Marshall Pointdexter taught us about fire behavior and prevention.

  • Think of fire as a triangle of oxygen, heat source, and fuel. To extinguish a fire, just remove one part of the triangle.
  • Put cold water, not butter, on a burn.
  • Don’t leave your heated electrical appliances unattended.
  • Don’t leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
  • Throw baking soda (not flour) on a fire or use an extinguisher.
  • There are different types of extinguishers based upon the fuel source: A – wood, paper; B – liquids; and C- electronics. The best for a kitchen is a 2-A-10-BC rechargeable extinguisher, like this one.
  • When using an extinguisher, remember “PASS.” For pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. Keep your eyes on the fire, aim to the base of flames, and sweep side to side. Use the extinguisher until it is empty.
  • Place your fire alarms in places where it won’t be set off falsely (such as the bathroom or near the stove). Replace batteries twice a year. If it chirps, replace the batteries right away. Don’t put it in the junk drawer.

Stay Safe!


- Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette

NEXT MEETING: May 19, 2011

Deputy Fire Chief Robin Poindexter

Deputy Fire Chief Robin Poindexter will update us on projects and changes at the Richmond Fire Department.

MEETING OF May 12, 2017

Welcome

Madame President-To-Be Connie Tritt had a trial run today. Connie called our meeting to order in the absence of soon to be former president Josh Surowitz. Jon lead the Pledge, Herb invocated peace and freedom, and Sid entertained, courtesy of Will Rogers: “I don’t make up jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”

Rotarians with Guests

We welcomed many guests today. Jan Brown introduced Kathy Anderson and Terri Brown, both from the YMCA. Jan also introduced her husband Byron (the latter sporting a new beard and so needing only an identification, rather than an introduction). Speaking of spouses, we also welcomed David Brown’s better half, Cheryl.

Alan Baer’s guest was Alberto Silva, his second attendance at Richmond Rotary. Mike Winter’s guest was Cecilia Orozco, who will no longer be a guest (see below). And last but certainly not least was Jon Lawlis’ sweetheart, Darlene Quenville. We appreciated the full house.

Special Events

Cecilia Orozco was inducted into the Richmond Rotary today, sponsored by Mike Winter. Welcome, Cecilia!

Announcements

The Interact Boat Cruise sets sail again on May 27th. Richmond Rotary has been very generous in helping the Salesian Interact Students attend each year. If anyone would like to contribute send your donation to David Brown and mark Interact Boat Cruise in the Memo. The cost of the cruise for each student is $55.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Teen Moms Project

teen-moms-group_2017

A full house of Rotarians pitched in for the 12th Annual Teen Moms program, packing bright Rotary bags with gifts for moms and their kids. But in addition to preparing the gift bags, our members wrote personalized notes to each young woman, encouraging them to finish high school and rise to the challenges of parenthood. The thank you notes we’ve received in years past tell us that they greatly appreciate the support.

We also have many thank-you’s to make. We appreciate the generosity of Mary Sue Erickson and the Linus Project for hand-finished blankets. Michelle Attkisson of Clorox donated the Burt’s Bees and Baby Bees gift packs, and Dan Tanita again provided dental hygiene supplies. Thank you all!


-Nick Despota, Flywheel Editor

NEXT MEETING: May 12, 2017

Teen Mom's Gift Bag Assembly

teen-moms-wide-angle

Our 12th Annual Teen Mom’s Project launches at this meeting. We’ll roll up our sleeves, stuff gift bags with baby care essentials, and write letters of encouragement to 33 teen mothers who are students at Richmond high schools. Next week a small delegation from our club will deliver the bags to the girls’ classrooms. They truly appreciate the support.

The Teen Mom’s Project is among our most successful, hands-on community service activities. Please do your best to attend.

MEETING OF May 5, 2017

Welcome

Past President Alan Blavins presided over today’s meeting. Nick led the pledge and Herb the invocation. Herb’s thought for the day was “Your friends tend to come and go but your enemies accumulate, so make more friends.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Our guests were Gilbert Silva, Marianne Haas, Festas Alhassan and Cecilia Orozco

Special Events

Edgar De Leon was inducted into the Richmond Rotary Club. Again. Edgar was a member some years ago but then had to resign because of the location of his work, which prevented him from attending meetings. Welcome back, Edgar.

Announcements

The only announcement at this meeting was that we need all hands on deck next Friday, May 12th, for the Teen Mom’s project. See you then.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Amarok Society and its contibution to peace

Gem Munro presented an inspiring overview of the mission and operation of the Amarok Society, which he co-founded with his partner, Tanyss Munro. The Society has developed a unique way to educate the poorest children in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria. These children live in urban slums and other areas that are too poor to provide schools and employ teachers. Therefore the Society teaches young women to be teachers of their own children and their neighbors’ children in their own homes. The women learn the skills of reading, writing, arithmetic, personal health care and conflict resolution—which they then pass on to the children.

The Amarok Society plants a culture of education, self-care and conflict resolution within families. Literacy and numeracy make the women, and in time, the children more employable. This gradually promotes economic development within the community. Greater economic opportunity also reduces birth rates because women, with alternate sources of income, do not feel compelled to have large families with the hope that 1 or 2 may survive and remain in the home, to care for them in their old age.

From a western perspective these are, of course, all positive developments. But the very act of educating women also makes the Amarok Society a target for extremist groups in these societies. Gem must take precautions to insure his personal safety and that of any Westerners working with the Society. But the organization employs local people, not men or women from the West, to conduct its work.

Gem emphasized the social impact of education and the lives of the women who are transforming their communities. He ended his talk with a comment that resonated with anyone familiar with the work of Rotary International: “As polio distorts the body, ignorance distorts the mind.”


- Henry Moe, “Rotating Editor”

NEXT MEETING: May 5, 2017

Peace through Education

Bangladeshi slum. CREDIT: CBS/Thorsten Hoefle

Bangladeshi slum. CREDIT: CBS/Thorsten Hoefle

Gem Munro will tell us about the Amarok Society. The organization provides education to the poorest children in the city slums of Bangladesh and Pakistan in a unique way. Rather than opening schools for children, the mothers are taught in the slums, who in turn teach their children and their neighbors’ children all they have learned.  The model allows Amarok Society to reach far more children and reach them more economically than with the traditional model.

Another goal is to nurture a culture of education from within the family.  The method also promotes the empowerment and education of women, but has put them at odds with the growing culture of radicalism in the slums, which has grown more dangerous in recent years. In particular, Gem will speak to the social impact of education and the lives of the women who are transferring their communities.

MEETING OF April 28, 2017

Welcome

President Josh Surowitz ran the meeting, Oscar led the pledge and Herb led the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Our principle guest was the Consul General for Mexico, Gemi Jose Gonzales.

Our other guests were Ken Koziol, Nadine Argueze, Nicole Richards, Robert Kroll, Arroal Donsty, Steve Price, Jose Cobos and Felicia Amaral.

Announcements

  • May 27 2017 The Interact Boat Cruise will set sail once again. Richmond Rotary has been very generous in helping the Salesian Interact Students attend each year. If anyone would like to contribute send your donation to David Brown and mark Interact Boat Cruise in the Memo. Each student costs $55
  • May 20th 2017 – Annual BARSHEEP Bowlathon to raise money for the Rotocare Clinic. Josh Genser has assembled an unstoppable team but others are encouraged to attend and join in on the fun and raise money for a great cause.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

Norm’s Nonsense

PROGRAM

The Consul General of Mexico Gemi José Gonzalez

The Consul General for Mexico Gemi José Gonzales addressed the relations between Mexico and the United States. He reviewed an array of facts and figures, including the number of people born in Mexico that live in the United States both legally and illegally and the situation of children who were brought to this country by their parents at a very young age, and, under the Dream Act, obtained US Citizenship. In some cases, they are unaware of the fact that they were not born in the US. Mr. Gonzales recounted a story of a girl who obtained citizenship through the Dream Act. Even with the apparently generous conditions of that law, after her mother was deported the daughter had to wait 10 years before she could travel to Mexico to see her mom.

Attendance at this meeting was very high. Our members listened closely to the presentation by the Consul General, and followed up with probing questions.


- Henry Moe, Rotating Editor