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”.

On October 6^th, 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.

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Bob Donegan, CEO of Ivar’s

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.

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August 11th, Emma Le Dû with TINFA update

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

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.

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D G Bo Darling announces District Picnic

DG Bo Darling, of hydroplane fame, used boat racing to exemplify the teamwork ethic which he champions. This led into his discourse on fellowship, membership, and continuity.

As he spoke, it was evident that these three are interdependent.

Fellowship takes place when we do things together, whether at meetings or events such as fireside chats, projects, and activities. As we know, fellowship events do bring people together, either locally or at the district level. Inspired by last year’s successful outing, he declares an 8/28 district picnic on Mercer Island, 10AM-3PM. It will be child-friendly; full families are invited. As to continuity, he pointed to the rising number of Interact and Rotaract Clubs throughout the District.

This continuity is an imperative. Essential to the organization, youth must be heard and regarded. Rotary addresses it. In that regard, all in the District will come together on 9/19 to review rules and regulations. In particular, membership criteria are to be added. Attendance requirements have been relaxed and may be changed to adapt for an individual club.

To preview the District Conference in Portland, he displayed a vertiginous video of the Rose City. To be commemorated at that time will be the 100th anniversary of Rotary Foundation and 30 years of women in Rotary (and we’ve never been the same).

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Matt George the Mussel-man

Matt George, the avid mussel-man
Is doing more than most men can,
Upon the margin of the sea
To earn a surefire PhD.
The principle he has in view
Is how the mussel forms its glue.
It binds with such tenacity,
It may have use in surgery.
In low pH and low Oh-two,
The process may slow down,’tis true–
Especially when by degrees,
These factors fall on future seas.
And since the mussel forms fine food,
We think starfishes more than rude:
“Tis shellfish of them, far from right,
To so indulge their appetite.
But mussels more than merely mate–
They wildly proliferate.
The net(?) result: they thus abound
To breed enough to go around.
Upon them, thus, the world shall dine
As other food fish fast decline. [Poem by Dr. Hal]

In Summary: We must hustle the bustle to harvest the mussel; The world stands prepared, the mussel to guzzle.

Hanging by a thread

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Ed Bronsdon: Outdoors 4 All

Whenever we receive a talk from Ed Bronsdon, all become reminded of the hope, accomplishments, and joie de vivre imparted by Outdoors for All. Those who would sink into depression and despair are simply not permitted to, once within the purview of this organization. OFA has several facets. This time, it was that of cycling which, if not precisely termed an art form, it is unquestionably a science. Moreover, it takes those who would be out of the mainstream and includes them in the fun and camaraderie.

The cycling program originated from downhill skiing, the nucleus of all that has evolved to date. Anecdotal vignettes included a skier who had lost the use of his legs; children with muscular dystrophy; a blind snowmobiler; a biker with a brain tumor, and several others. Veterans are particularly vulnerable, with PTSD plus or minus physical impairments. They are enabled to relate to the group, socialize, and connect with others. One of the transcendent events is the Seattle-to-Portland bike occurrence. Everyone gets there, no matter by what type of conveyance nor how long it takes. Recumbent trikes are now part of more than 120 in the fleet.

There are 700 volunteers and 18 full time staff. Activities, in addition to skiing and cycling, include kayaking and rock climbing. To date, 2438 have benefited. While much of the activity is in the Puget Sound area, the show often goes on the road to include others.

Observation: We get the impression that Ed and his retinue have not exhausted all the activities to be scheduled nor the apparatuses with which to do them. It will be no surprise to hear of them. Their motto that everyone counts and is important would do well to be part of global weltanschauung.

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Jason Robertson: Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Although a Chinese Medicine practitioner has proposed a full body transplant, Jason Robertson’s immersion into this discipline has not embraced such a concept. His is a traditional form which he practices and teaches. He traces his pathway to dedication in both the language and the concepts to years spent in both of the Chinas and in San Francisco. His mentor, Wang Ju-Yi, has been both teacher and inspiration.

Although there is an herbal branch of Chinese Medicine, the preponderant technique is that of acupuncture. There are some 30,000 acupuncturists in the US, 1300 in the Seattle area, and three accredited local schools. The local society is named East Asian Medical Practitioners. The scope of the process includes: clinical history, acupuncture, advice, supplemental advice, and herbal therapies. Within this mix is the connection of signs and symptoms, clues, and patterns of disease.

The evolution of the art (actually a very old one) was expedited during the Cultural Revolution of the ’60s. Mao Tse-Tung approved of sending “barefoot doctors” into the hinterlands to administer to the masses. Subsequently, the techniques came to the larger cities, particularly Beijing. Wang was one of these.

The sequence of events, as practiced by Wang, is first to check the pulse, then to ask questions, laying on of hands to palpate acupuncture channels while running the thumb along limbs and torso, determining the effect on organs, and at times slapping the contralateral limb to direct attention away from the site of the acupuncture. The effect, it is postulated, is mediated by channels toward the target organ. It has been found that acupuncture increases the oxygen levels at the sites. A very narrow-gauge needle is used. 10-15 needle pricks are generally given per hour.

Observation: A student must keenly prick up his/her ears as the instructor makes his points, lest said student be needled by classmates at not having been too sharp, the motto being, “Get on the stick.”

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Virginia Emery: What are you eating?

Our April 24th speaker was entomologist Virginia Emery an advocate for insects. Her farm contains them in abundance.

She avers:

Insects comprise half the animal species on earth, with beetles predominating in many forms.
They perform important services which concern food, a proper ecosystem, water, and air.
They kill other insects.
Termites break down dead material and recycle nutrients,
Mealworms biodegrade styrofoam, which can be converted to animal feed.
Leaf cutter ants turn leaves into fungus, which they then eat.
They are social just like us.
Army ants eat everything, while cooperating with each other in intricate ways.
Ants and other insects communicate with each other by means of pheromones,
The dance language of honeybees direct others to the best flowers for pollination.
We depend on bees, which are endangered. To replace what they do in the US would cost $29 billion; worldwide $173 billion. Without them, we would lack the food we enjoy.
Flies are important in their effect on composting, their recycling causing a buildup of nutrients.
Insects are food, and are eaten in many places.
They are the next super food, being a source of protein.
Food waste is a large problem. 1/3 of all food is wasted.

Her company, Beta Hatch, converts organic waste into animal feed fertilizer.

Comment: A compelling discourse. But somehow we cannot help but wish that Noah had not admitted those two flies and two mosquitoes onto the Ark.

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Max Collinge: Emotional Intelligence

Our speaker on April 21st, Max Collinge, in a succinct presentation, maintained that Emotional Intelligence and body language are better predictors of one’s success than an IQ, Citing his own rise from the depths of poor self-image and directionless existence, he came to develop social skills by employing a few vital principles.

Much is based on the Vagus nerve, a structure responsible for the difference between comfort and panic. How we think of ourselves determines how we comport ourselves and, in turn, how others regard us. The development of five character traits often makes all the difference:

Love for oneself and the other person leads to favorable body language (i.e. a deep breath that stimulates the Vagus) and a feeling of sociability.
Intellectual Honesty. Speaking one’s mind and not withholding opinions helps to burn off resentment, leads to clearer speech, truth, honesty, and transparency. One is thus able to speak reasonably and vent what is on one’s mind, obviating negative thoughts.
Emotional vulnerability. Allowing this to show on one’s face is preferable to a masking smile. It communicates how we really feel.
A genuine interest in other people, especially in cases of strained relationships, is a good trait. Be tuned in, pick up emotional cues. Ask people about themselves. All of this can be soothing.
Self-direction. Have pride, hold the head up high, and believe you have the capacity. This results in self-assurance.
Our

He asserts that if we think of which of the five keys with which we may have trouble, and work on them, good results may well ensue.

Comment: Some have the innate capacity. Others have to work at it.

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Chris Bailey, former King County Prosecuting Attorney

March 24th our speaker was Chris Bayley, former King County Prosecuting Attorney. He recounted how he created a justice model that has showed how the office is to be run. His reforms endure to the present day.

He is an advocate of strong relationships between the justice system and the community. Had his model been in place, the police shooting tragedies in the US would not have resulted in unrest and violence.

He traced the history of vice-related corruption, wherein brothels, liquor, and gambling had been allowed to flourish through a system of payoffs. Thus, licenses were continuously renewed. This Tolerance Policy went on for some 30 years. The City Council Licensing Committee, if not paid off, would harass the entrepreneurs. Thus, the pinball-punch card-pull-tab illegal industries made millions and averaged a yearly $500K in revenue to the city. The police vice squad payoff system grew. The Tolerance Policy was, in fact, public endorsement of municipal corruption.

In the middle ’60s, Bayley and other reformers began a campaign to elect different council members. US Attorney Pitkin took office, but could enforce only federal, not state law. Bayley, in some interesting political machinations and confrontations, scored an upset with a narrow victory and became Prosecuting Attorney for King County. He reformed the office and, as he stated it, drove a stake through the police corruption system. His predecessor, KCPA Carroll, had not prosecuted important violations, but trivial ones. This changed. Favorable treatment came to an end. The law began to be applied equally to everyone, including prominent offenders. Police departments were made to behave. The office was thus professionalized.

Comment: It is probable that, elsewhere, corruption exists. It is hoped that similar reformers will enter those arenas as well.

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