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.

Debuts & Discoveries Grant Recipient Announcement

Debuts & Discoveries Seal Teen Feed was chosen by our Club as the 2017 Debuts & Discoveries Grant Recipient. A big “Thank you” to all the organizations and their sponsors that submitted applications this year, and the efforts of the Grant Recipient Selection Committee led by Colleen Johnson and Tim Linehan.

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.

Support Teen Feed: Monday, October 3rd

On Monday, October 3, we will be volunteering with TeenFeed–a non-profit organization that provides warm meals, basic needs items, and supportive connections to homeless youth in Seattle. From 5:30-8:30 that evening, we will be at the University Lutheran Church, preparing and serving dinner to the homeless youth.

If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Nancy Bolin or Betsy Conklin, communityservice@usrotary.org

Teen Feed0001

TINFA Fundraiser-September 30th

Come support our international service partner, TINFA at their annual fundraiser, this week. This year it is a breakfast, on Friday Sept. 30^th starting at 7:15am at the Montlake Community Center 1618 East Calhoun Street, Seattle, WA. One of the teachers from Guatemala, Marleny Sanchez, will join us. She will tell us about the program and we hope to be able to connect through Skype with her classroom in Retahuleu, Guatemala.

The breakfast is free and a donation is encouraged (any donation level is welcomed). Let Mike Madden know (mikeminseattle@gmail.com) if you can join the University Sunrise table, Or if you prefer, go to tinfa.org and click on “Sign me up here.”

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 13^th 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 28^th, 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:

Need – Connect with other clubs to partner with us for a Global Grant
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)
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 29^th).

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.

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.