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Kwapi Vengesayi and the 5th Avenue Theater

kwapi-vengesayiOur  Speaker October 27th was Zimbabwe-born Kwapi Vengesayi and the 5th Avenue Theater encountered each other and neither has been the same since. He had been trained in architecture and then in sociology. He found his calling, however, as the theater’s Community Engagement Specialist. The showplace had been a venerable landmark. It is now undergoing renovation in modern facilities, acoustics, and space. At the same time, efforts are afoot to preserve much of its old charm.

Vengesayi’s mission is to immerse the community in performance culture.  Also, his aim is to reach out to under-served and under-represented areas of the community. He realized, upon arrival, how much musical theater is around us. Therefore, he works to engage the community in musical theater. Indeed, several of the musicals at the 5th have made it to Broadway.
The crux of the endeavor has been that of partnerships. In the process, high school students have at one time run the theater, under supervision. Variously, there have been served those with dementia, Thai dancers, kids who met the casts, and those of Tech Tuesday. This has catered to those who study all stages of production as to what foes into staging a show.  It is hoped that time and effort may be devoted to autism.

Other partners have included the UW Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, the Thai community, Alaska and Delta Airlines, US Bank, Bank of America, Renton Skyway Boys and Girls Club, and others either current or pending.

Meanwhile, the project goes on to make the theater more spacious and to have patrons interact in the large entrance area.

 

November Food Drive to benefit the UNIVERSITY DISTRICT FOOD BANK

Teresa St. OngeUNIVERSITY SUNRISE ROTARY – In-House “COLOR TEAM COMPETITION” Food Drive to benefit the UNIVERSITY DISTRICT FOOD BANK… 

UDFB has entered its busiest season and is distributing groceries to over 1,100 families, delivering food to 105 homebound adults, and providing weekend food to 500-plus middle, elementary and high school students through their Pack for Kids program.  They currently serve 11 schools! 

WHEN:      First three Thursdays in November
November 3rd, 10th and 17th 

WHAT DO YOU DO?  Donate items or Cash.  As a member of your team, by your giving, your team will add 10 points to their cumulative total-to-date.

We’ll announce at each Thursday’s meeting the team scores- it’s a win-win!

It’s also easy and fun!  PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING to an agency our Club is so proud to be a partner with…………

 Needed items:  In addition to the ‘always need’ canned good items that include fruit (highly desired!), canned chicken, canned tuna, canned salmon, canned soups, stews and chili’s, peanut and other nut butters (especially Crunchy), shelf stable milk and milk alternatives, cereal and cooking oil are most appreciated!

They would also really like to have hygiene items – soaps, toilet paper, lotions, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and BABY PRODUCTS – formula and diapers, especially large size diapers for older babies.  

Make your check out to University District Food Bank if you desire to contribute funding.

Bring your items in each Thursday – we’ll make sure they get delivered.

Thank you for all you do!!!  UDFB appreciates Rotaries continuous support and love.

 

Teri St. Onge and your Community Service Club Committee Members

 

 

 

 

Our October 20th speaker: State Senator Pramila Jayapal

Pramila Jayapal, community activis (Tyrone Turner / Tyrone Turner)
Pramila Jayapal, community activist

The October 20th US Rotary speaker will be Senator Pramila Jayapal. An Indian-American activist and politician. A Democrat, she has represented the 37th legislative district in the Washington State Senate since 2015. Before her election she was a Seattle-based civil rights activist, serving until 2012 as the founder and executive director of OneAmerica, a pro-immigration advocacy group.

In January 2016, Jayapal declared her candidacy for Congress in Washington’s 7th congressional district, after Congressman Jim McDermott announced his retirement.  She finished with 40% in the August 2 primary and advanced to the general election in November.

She was born in India and raised in Indonesia and Singapore. She came to the United States in 1982, at the age of 16, to attend college. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and an MBA from Northwestern University in Chicago.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/bernie-sanders-to-headline-pramila-jayapal-rally-saturday-in-seattle/

Classification Talk: Phill Briscoe

Rotarians meet weekly and weekly meetings allow members to get to know each other personally and develop a high level of Esprit de corps. This comradery builds not only builds a strong bond but also encourages members to not only participate but explore numerous avenues to explore “Service Above Self”.

Phill BriscoeOn October 6th, Phill Briscoe came forth with the touch of autobiography that we term a classification talk. (Traditionally Rotary classifies us as to occupation. Maybe there are other ways).   Phill originated in Great Bend, Kansas. Its name would appear to come from what one sees on a map, to wit, its location at the apex of a major bend in the Arkansas (pronounced ar kan’ zass) River.

  • Aesthetically minded, his school chose a gorilla as a mascot. Phill did his best for the Gorillas in track. The teams did quite well.
  • Kansas is not entirely flat; there is an elevation named Mushroom Rock.
  • His family, ever-supportive, was active in diverse community activities.
  • Phill moved to the northwest in 1972 and became a lecturer in ethnic studies at Central Washington State College.
  • Further career progression:

o   1976–Upward Bound instructor at Evergreen State College.

o   1980–Allstate Insurance finance; agent (20 years)

o   2000–Microsoft certified systems engineer, then Microsoft small business specialist.

o   Established Ebony Knight Consulting/Briscoe Network Solutions

  • Military–Republic of Viet Nam, a significant period in his life’s direction.
  • Tai-Chi, an important part of his life. He went to China as an honoree in the discipline.

Presently Phill is retired and spends time with friends. Friends, Rotary, Tai-Chi, and race relations currently fill his calendar. A closing memorable photo of Phill on a Chinese litter after an injury piqued some interest. Some yuan changed hands at that juncture.

Conclusion: Phill filled the bill, but we’ll never have our fill of Phill.

Bob Donegan, CEO of Ivar’s

Bob Donegan with Hal Beals
Bob Donegan with Hal Beals

The ramifications of the $15 minimum wage are beyond what many may know. Herewith is a trip through the subject as put forth by our September 29th speaker, Bob Donegan, CEO of Ivar’s:

  • What wage to start at–immediate or phase in?
  • Over what period to phase in?
  • What is included in income, i.e., tips, bonuses, health care benefits?
  • Determined by size of organization or the sector?
  • How is law to be enforced?

Principles agreed upon:

  • All employees to be treated the same
  • All compensation that appears on W-2 has to be included
  • The training phase for high school graduates, ex-convicts, and immigrants begins with a phase-in wage to work up to $15/hour.
  • If an employer has more than 500 personnel, this business is a large employer, which must get to the wage in 3 years. If health care insurance is included, 4 years. Tips must be included in the case of small employers.

The question arises as to whether to increase revenue by adding a service charge or raising item prices? The solutions range from one of these to another in various restaurants. The Ivar’s sites will go to $15 over 3 years…If a service charge occurs, it must be shown on the menu what it is and where it is to go. If a price rise is made, this is not necessary. No tips are expected at Ivar’s. But 40% of patrons leave tips, over and above the price rise. Parity between the out-front workers and the kitchen staff has had to be achieved.
The results to date:

  • –People have bought fewer items.
  • –Customer accounts and sales are down.
  • –90% of employers raised wages.
  • –62% of employers raised prices.
  • –30% laid off workers.
  • –30 added a service charge.

Primary factor that has raised employment is the vigorous economy:

  • Many high rise cranes…
  • Record year for cruises
  • Hotel occupancy is over 90%
  • Unemployment is less than 3%.

Obviously, the economy is driving more changes than the minimum wage law. A city law requires that all employees must be given a notice of two weeks as to what their schedules will be. Initiatives regarding paid time off and gender equality will probably pass.

USRC President’s Corner – August/September 2016

Hello Fellow University Sunrisers!  Jim Horrigan

I encourage you to take the time to read through my quick update on happenings in the club as we approach the end of summer.  And please be nice to Past Presidents Tim and Mike as they take the helm for the next two weeks as I vacation!

Relay for Life

Thanks to all who participated in and supported our efforts at this year’s Relay for Life on August 13th at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill.  What a great way for our club to show a presence in the community, and make a difference in such an important cause.

District 5030 Picnic

This Sunday, August 28th, District 5030 is sponsoring an Old Fashioned Summer Picnic from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM at Aubrey Davis Park on Mercer Island.  Bring a lunch (barbeques will be fired up if you want to throw something on the grill) and enjoy accoutrements and beverages courtesy of District Governor Darling and the company of fellow District 5030 Rotarians.  Details and info the District 5030 website.

TINFA

We’ll continue to support TINFA in an even bigger way this year.  Many of you had the pleasure of attending our meeting with Emma Le Du, where we connected with one of the schools in Guatemala.

We have three needs and opportunities related to our TINFA relationship:

  1. Need – Connect with other clubs to partner with us for a Global Grant
  2. Need/Opportunity – Volunteer to interface with teachers in Guatemala via Skype to help familiarize them with the technology (three volunteers needed – Spanish speakers a plus)
  3. Opportunity – Consider a trip to visit the schools in Guatemala in February

In Search of 2017/2018 President Elect

We’ve asked a few who aren’t quite ready to take on the task, and we have a few more in mind to approach.  That being said, if you’re interested in the job please see me!

Debuts & Discoveries 2017 Grant Recipient

Calling all interested organizations, the time is now to submit an application to be the primary recipient of the funds from our 2017 Debuts & Discoveries event.  We only have a few submissions and the deadline is fast approaching (August 29th).

Membership

Life situations have resulted in the loss of some of our members.  Let’s refresh the ranks by thinking of just one person to bring to a breakfast meeting.  It can be a friend, colleague, business contact, or merchant that you patronize.  Our Membership Committee leaders, Colleen and Past President Tim, are here to help in any way they can.

Qi Gong practice

"Hal, your other right hand!"
“Hal, your other right hand!”

On  a gorgeous July morning, Tai Ji practitioner Phill Briscoe, leads his “charges” in  Qi Gong exercises at Gasworks Park after a US Rotary meeting.  Phill’s students are Susie Jamieson, Hal Beals, Betsy Conklin, Scott Jamieson, and the photographer, Ron Espiritu.

August 11th, Emma Le Dû with TINFA update

IMG_8962 IMG_8954August 11th our speaker was Emma Le Dû redux and our hardiest perennial, TINFA. (Technology and Information for all).

TINFA For All_3

 

Her presentation encompassed Project Update and much more, to wit:

  • Connection with a Santa Cruz school (henceforth SCM)
  • The Inherent worth and dignity of every human being
  • Do no harm –Technology is a tool that serves the people who use it.
  • While we don’t know all the answers, technology will never replace teachers.

By way of illustration:

  • It is basic to evaluate teachers’ skills and students’ attitudes.
  • At the end of the process, a teacher is given a career-enhancing certificate.
  • A good connection has been made with SCM. Teachers come for skill training.
  • Photos and VCRs show students in action, specifically in art.
  • The use of equipment was shown.
  • The school director gave an oration of thanks for our support.
  • The transition from old methods to technology is well along in progress.
  • One-on-one training for students; one-on-two for teachers.
  • Teachers perform in front of other teachers; back and forth feedback
  • Model classes occur in front of children.
  • Teachers invited to go to different schools to show techniques

The TINFA Three Year Program:

  • Equipment usage and practice training
  • Advanced training and increased participation in curriculum building
  • To continue being a resource for other schools.

Results:

  • 100% teacher participation.
  • 184% improvement
  • 24% increase in children’s attitude toward education

Comment: As can be seen before our eyes, Rotary changes lives. In this case, it will extend unto generations.

2016 Relay for Life Photos

IMG_8967This year’s Relay for Life:  Pam Mushen whipped around the course to complete the Survivor’s Lap.  She then helped David complete the Caregiver’s Lap.

 

 

 

IMG_9003President Jim and Alan H. had a good time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like Lee had too good of a time.IMG_9006

Join Relay for Life: Saturday, August 14th

Hi everyone,

Relay for lifeOn Saturday, August 13, our club will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life walk in Capitol Hill. The walk will begin at 10am in Cal Anderson Park with the Survivor’s Lap and will end at 10pm with a Luminaria Ceremony to honor and remember cancer survivors and those we have lost to cancer. If you would like to join us for our walk or donate to the American Cancer Society, you can do so at this link. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!