CROW’S CALL – September 6, 2018

 

President John Milich was conspicuously missing today. The “official story” is that he and Teri are on vacation; however, Interpol has been alerted.  Instead we were herded together by a “blast from the past,” Lucky “Can-Do” Sandhu who immediately reminded us of all the tics and quirks that made us love him.  The Greeter Naim Katiby led our salute and offered a Thought for the Day from a UN conference: “We are all connected.  If one of us is sick, we are all sick.” It was a particularly apropos thought since Naim has gotten his medical license to practice in California.  His project in Afghanistan has been redirected to treating addiction among the almost five million addicts in his home country.  [Random Thought: if Naim shares test results of his patients the way he delivers winning raffle numbers in Rotary, it would sound like this: “Your blood pressure numbers total under 200 but more than the square of your temperature, minus your weight.”] Mike Thelan led “God Bless America” roughly in tune.  Our guests to day included Rachna Bijlani who is undergoing orientation to join the club. She has been warned.

Announcements:

Jerry Marrs, the Auction-Meister, says we will hold an Input Party at Marie Galbo’s house to enter the items for the auction online.  We will be accepting items through October 1.  Jerry urged  members to get their items in early to help avoid the last minute rush.  He also asked that we  bring wine, beer and whiskey for liquor packages for the auction.

Ana Dominguez just learned that Rotary International has approved the grant she has been working on  years to fund clean water for a town in Bolivia.  The grant totals $67,000 and involves other local  clubs.  Ana needs to raise $2,400 more for an engineering inspection of the project.  Contact her  to help out.  We will celebrate the success of Ana’s effort at a Bolivian restaurant in the City on October 5.  Watch this space for more details.

Dennis Harvey announced that we will have a table at the Business Expo on September 20 to recruit      possible members.  He needs volunteers for the event. There will be food and fellowship.

Aakash Bhegade, Interact liaison to our club, shared some of the fund-raisers which the Interactors are  planning.  Look for details in an email from Gary Sloan and help support the kids.

Lucky Sandhu urged us to encourage other members to attend meetings more regularly.

Program:

Gary Sloan, the Director of Youth Services, introduced our guests, four members of the Interact Club of Cal High: Jocelyn Gao, current president; Shannon Lee; Akansha Singh; and Aakash Bhegade.  Jocelyn, Shannon and Akansha all shared their experiences at Camp Venture and Camp Royal this summer; Aakash was monitoring their presentations to decide which camp he wanted to attend next year.

Jocelyn and Akansha participated in Camp Venture, an intensive experience designed to introduce students to business and finance over four days.  In that time participants, working in groups, come up with a business plan that will be graded on its feasibility.  They have instruction in the mornings to help put together the components of a successful plan.  In the afternoons the groups work on their business plans.  During the day the students hear inspirational talks by guest speakers; this year that included the founder of Leap Frog, an online program for youngsters, who talked about the importance of a vision for a business.  They also heard from the president of Magnolia Ice Cream, a Filipino company, who described the challenge of an evolving product. 

 

Jocelyn’s group came up with a plan for a design for a touch-screen control for the shower.  Akansha’s company developed a bio-foam for treating wounds.  The Venture experience also included group activities like the “Elevator Pitch,” a one-minute sales message for the product; the “Dream Board,” a fantasy game of celebrities to represent the company; “Murder Mystery,” a who-done-it encouraging problem-solving.  There was also lots of time for social activities and games.  The motto of the group was, “You have capabilities beyond what you think.  Push yourself.”

 

Camp Royal is a leadership training experience at an isolated summer camp west of Redding.  It has hosted youngsters from District 5160 for many years.  Shannon Lee and Akansha Singh attended this summer.  They joined about 150 other students for a week filled with inspirational speeches and confidence-building activities.  The participants formed teams and learned cooperation through challenges like the rope course where they had to overcome obstacles together.  They dwelt with their fears by identifying them and symbolically burning them; they confronted their limitations by writing them down on a board and then breaking the board with their bare hands.  Two highpoints for the kids were the friendships they formed with strangers and the fact that they had no cell phone connection for the week.  Since the camp experience, Shannon shared that the group of campers from the Tri-Valley had met to make dog toys and blankets for pets in shelters.  The presentation made all Rotarians feel good about supporting this useful project over the years.  Aakash Bhegade decided he wanted to attend Camp Royal next summer.  The highlight for him, undoubtedly, was when Gary Sloan dropped his phone in a pitcher of iced tea.  The tea was still drinkable but tasted a little Samsung-y.

 

Judy Lewis, a worthy winner, won the Greeter’s gift.  Cathie Opila, an excited newbie. won the chance at $200 but drew blue.