Last Week’s Speaker: Kristi Martin, Senior Adviser of the Office of Health Reform,

Bereft of a workable projector, Kristi Martin, Senior Adviser of the Office of Health Reform, reverted solely to verbiage without missing a beat.

She was inspired early, when health coverage was weak and poorly distributed, to get it for those who needed it. To get it off the ground, she worked through several levels up to the federal. An anecdote was given for illustration.

Ultimately health care reform was passed, with Medicare and Medicaid created in 1964. The Consumer Assistance Plan was developed to help individuals contend with denied claims from insurance companies. This struggle resulted in two favorable Supreme Court decisions. The Affordable Care Act, following the Massachusetts model, followed. This is admittedly not perfect, but is a start, creating coverage for 20 million people. In addition, adult children up to age 26 are included under parents’ policies. There is now also free coverage for screening services, benefiting 137 million. Clinical trials have shown that this is economically feasible.

In that partnership has been needed, the YMCA in Seattle and elsewhere has been a logical choice. All of this proactive activity has saved Medicare money. Attention has now targeted the malnourished. Delivery of healthful meals to the home is a program known as Feeding America. Each food box costs $13. People are being empowered to control their health, i.e., in managing cardiovascular and diabetic situations. Trials in Ohio. California, and Texas have proved encouraging. Politics aside, all of this has shown success.

Comment: Is this the forerunner of single-payer universal health care? The other industrialized nations might be consulted on this concept.

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

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.

2016 Relay for Life Photos

This 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.

President Jim and Alan H. had a good time!

It looks like Lee had too good of a time.

Join Relay for Life: Saturday, August 14th

Hi everyone,

On 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!

Former Rotaract President Julianne Sloane Visits

At our July 28, 2016 meeting, in addition to the District Governor. his spouse and the Assistant District Governor, we were graced by a visit from Past UW Rotaract President, Julianne Sloane.

After graduating from UW, Julianne was involved in establishing an ex-im business in Brazil. Then she moved to London to join a startup called Splittable: www.splittable.co a financial services technology company. She seems to be truly enjoying exploring her career path. It was great of her to stop by while visiting family in our area. We wish her much success and hope to see her again, soon!

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).

USR 2016/2017 Officers and committees

Officers

President – Jim Horrigan

Alan H, Secretary; Colleen W, Membership; Ryan H,. IR Foundation; Pres Jim; Jeff D, Treasurer

President Elect – Open
Secretary – Alan Hovland
Treasurer – Jeff Danforth
Foundation Treasurer – Ron Espiritu
Rotary Internal Foundation – Ryan Hamilton

Other Board Members

Tim Lenihan – Past President and Membership

Mike Madden – Past President and International Service

Hal Beals – Past President

Colleen White – Membership

Betsy Conklin – Community Service

Dave Mushen – Fellowship

Committee Chairs

Tom Ranken – Programs

Phill Briscoe – Public Relations and CTO

Club Service – Teri St Onge

International and Youth Service – Lee Raaen

Rotoract – Pam Mushen and Sarah Cave

Club Historian – Open

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

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.