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.”

Humor-More from Dr. Hal

A manufacturer said to a storekeeper, “Thank you, Mr. Schwartz, for your patronage.
I wish I had twenty customers like you.”
“Gee, it’s good to hear you talk like that, but I’m kind of surprised,” admitted Schwartz.
“You know that I protest every bill and never pay on time.”
The manufacturer said, “I’d still like twenty customers like you.
The problem is, I have two hundred.”

The high school kid loved fast cars, and was thrilled to land a summer job with the local Alfa Romeo service center.
“Gee, Mr. Vespucci,” he gushed, grabbing a wrench,
“I can’t wait to learn the ins and outs of fixing up these babies.”
So he was startled when Mr. Vespucci told him to put down his tools and listen up.
“The first thing you gotta learn how to do,” he instructed the kid,
“is to open the hood, stand back, and shake your head very, very sadly.”

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.

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.

Rotary November Food Drive + Team Challenge

November Food Drive:

Over the next two club meetings please bring canned food as part of the community service committee’s Thanksgiving food drive benefiting the University District Food Bank. This will be the first way you can earn points for your team as part of the new team challenge! (more info on the challenge below).

Bring dry/canned food items for the next two club meetings – November 12 & November 19
Items will be sorted by the color teams and weighed – Thank you Pam Mushen for making the color sorted boxes!
Points will be accumulated for the color teams as part of the new team challenge
1 pound of the food = 1 point for your color team
Hats are encouraged for maximum fun

Community Service Color Team CHALLENGE

Between now and the end of the Rotary year in June the community service committee is thrilled to introduce this challenge to our color teams. Points can be accrued by participating in various community service activities organized by the committee.

How to earn points for your team:

One hour of labor at sanctioned community service projects = 60 points for your team
The community service committee may announce other ways to earn points, similar to the November Food Drive

Why participate:

Exemplify the Rotary maxim, Service Above Self
Your team could win Mimosas and Donuts at a club meeting in June
Unlimited bragging rights

Looking forward to performing great work with you all for the rest of the year. Have fun, get stuff done!

Thank you,

University Sunrise Rotary Club, Community Service Committee

Teri St Onge, Chase Carter, Betsy Conklin, and Pam Mushen

2016 Rotary District 5030 Conference: Friday April 29, 2016

Questions & Answers

Question: Where is the 2016 Rotary District 5030 Conference?
Answer: The conference is in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho at the Coeur d’ Alene Resort.

The Rotary 5030 District Conference Room rates are $95-$135, depending on your choice of rooms. To make your reservations:

http://rotarydistrict5030.org/2016-district-conference/ or call: 1-844-896-5641

Question: How do you get there and how long does it take?
Answer: Coeur d’ Alene is about 40 miles east of Spokane, just across the Washington/Idaho border.

From Seattle, drive east on Interstate 90 for 310 miles. Allow 5 hours travel time, or more if leaving during a high traffic time.
From Spokane International Airport, it is about 40 miles east on Interstate 90.
Amtrak also runs from Seattle to Spokane.

Question: Why should I go?
Answer: Fellowship and Inspiration. Engage with Rotary through education sessions about Rotary’s work including that within our District at fellow clubs. Have fun and get to know your Rotary and Rotarians better in a beautiful setting.

Question: When Should I arrive?
Answer: The first Conference event for general attendance is 2 p.m. on Friday April 29, 2016.

Question: When is the Conference over?
Answer: The last scheduled Conference event is over at noon on Sunday May 1, 2016.

Question: Is there group transportation planned to get there?
Answer: You are welcome to arrange your own group. Currently the District is not organizing transportation.

Question: Are there any scholarships available to attend?
Answer: Currently the District does not offer any scholarships for attending the Conference. Please review the registration options below.

Rotarian Full Registration $325
Rotarian Guest Registration (meals only) $300
Rotaract Full Registration $199

Question: What if I can only come for one day?
Answer: You are welcome to attend the Conference for only one day. However, the registration price is the same whether you attend for a day or stay for the entire Conference.

Question: I want to save money. Can you pair me up with someone else to share a double room?
Answer: You are welcome to reach out to other Rotarians in your network. The District is not organizing room arrangements.

Question: What will the weather be like in Coeur d’Alene in May?
Answer: Temperatures are typically in the mid-60’s with mixed sun and rain – spring weather in the northwest!

Question: What kind of clothes will I need?
Answer: Business casual. You are welcome to bring dressier attire for the banquet, but business casual is acceptable.

Question: Will we have free time?
Answer: Yes. There will be some optional group activities in the evening. Once finalized, the official conference schedule will be published to all District 5030 Rotarians.

Question: There is no early bird rate, so why should I register now?
Answer: As a nonprofit service organization, Rotary tries to keep costs economical and a good value for all conference attendees. The District does offer a discounted rate ($199) to encourage Rotaract (young Rotarians) to attend.

Registering now will help you reserve the time on your calendar, and will help the District to recruit dynamic speakers, and encourage the fullest attendance possible, which make for a more robust conference for all. Once registered, you can leverage maximum enjoyment of the experience by encouraging your own club members to attend with you.

Question: What is the last date I can register?
Answer: For planning purposes, the District encourages you to register no later than April 8, 2016.

Question: Can I bring my spouse/partner?
Answer: Certainly. Spouses and partners are indeed welcome to attend sessions even if they are not a Rotary member.

Question: Can I bring my family?
Answer: Certainly, though only registered conference attendees may attend District Conference sessions.

Question: Are there activities planned for kids?
Answer: The District is not planning any family activities. However, you’ll find kid-friendly activities abundant, and we suggest you consult the resort or concierge to make your arrangements.

Question: How many people usually attend the conference?
Answer: 400+ Rotarians typically attend the District Conference each year.

Question: Is the Rotary discounted room rate ($95-$135 depending on room choice) available for extra days before and after the Conference?
Answer: Yes. You will be given the Conference room rate for 3 nights before and 3 nights after the April 29-May 1, 2016 Conference.

To make your reservation: http://rotarydistrict5030.org/2016-district-conference/ or call: 1-844-896-5641

Question: Will there be Wi-Fi available?
Answer: Yes. The resort offers Wi-Fi and there is also Wi-Fi in the conference center.

Question: What is there to do in and around Coeur d’ Alene?
Answer: Take to lake Coeur d’ Alene for boating, jetskiing or wakeboarding. Enjoy a scenic sunset or dinner cruise. For more information, visit the resort website http://www.cdaresort.com/ or the Coeur d’ Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau website http://coeurdalene.org/ .

Question: What if I register now, but then need to cancel closer to the date of the Conference?
Answer: The cancellation policy is as follows:

Rotary District 5030 will accept cancellation requests until March 31, 2016, after which fees will no longer be refundable. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. Email cancellation requests to: conference2016@rotary5030.org

Registrations are transferable until March 31, 2016.

Question: Can you give me a preview of Conference break-out sessions and Conference speakers for next year?
Answer: Sure!

2016 District Conference Break-out Sessions

Have you ever wondered…

What great ideas are out there, besides an auction, for fundraising?
What’s the latest idea in social media we could use to promote our club?
How do we make our weekly meetings fun and energetic?
Who has some proven strategies for keeping your membership strong?
We are a small/medium/large club, what’s happening for clubs our size?
I want to get a Rotary grant, what are some lessons learned to help me?

All of these questions and more will be answered at the 2016 District Conference! We have speakers and sessions lined up to share trends, creative ideas, lessons learned and so much more!

2016 District Conference Key Note Speakers

Marilyn Fitzgerald is an inspirational speaker with a pragmatic approach toward sustainability that motivates others to ask the critical question of “How can we best invest our time, talent, and treasure in a way that best provides opportunity to others?” Marilyn is committed to the promotion of empowerment leading to prosperity and resilience, rather than continuing with the actions that create dependency.

When it comes to Rotary, Mitty Chang is practically a lifer – and he’s only 26. Chang joined Interact 10 years ago in Fremont, Calif., where almost a quarter of the 2,000 students at his high school were Interactors. He went on to organize two Rotaract clubs. Now an entrepreneur who works with small businesses and nonprofits to build their online identity and brand, he plans to become a Rotarian within the next few years. “I expect to have a long life in Rotary,” he says. Adapted from a story in the March 2015 issue of The Rotarian

Pamela Banks: Candidate for City Council District 3

On September 17th, we heard from Pamela Banks, aspirant for District 3 of the City Council. She gave a moving history of family struggles in her Portland childhood and her family’s dedication to community service.

Pamela Banks and Past President Mike Madden

A graduate of the UW, she is President and CEO of the Seattle Urban League. In that capacity she has done fund raising, food drives for the poor, and much more. She rescued the Urban League from financial ruin in 2009-2010. It now flourishes with a staff of 14. She has served for 30 years, under 5 mayors, and has been a community organizer for southeast Seattle. Her focus is on the community; she shuns federal involvement.

Her goals:

To connect citizens to local city goals and to deliver more local services, especially for those of low income and the homeless.
Light Rail liaison with the community, considering the impact of the Light Rail on businesses and property owners during construction.
In general, support for small businesses.
An education and employment program, which obviates much crime.
Problem solving as regards transportation and safety.
The housing crisis must be addressed with a view toward preservation of the single family home.
Gun violence is increasing. More education and jobs are needed to reverse it.
A career bridge for women. Funds are in place for this.
Housing affordability. Must build 20-50 thousand apartments.
Homelessness pervades not only Seattle but all the surrounding communities. The problem is huge. There is much work to be done.
Transportation, i.e., getting people to work, must be improved.
Early reading for children. If kids cannot read at a third grade level when reaching that grade, dropouts and other bad consequences occur.
Many construction and transportation jobs are unfilled. Federal grants are in place for teaching these skills. Teachers must also be trained.
To get people out of cars, mass transportation must be improved. The matter of dwelling construction without provision for parking remains an unsolved enigma.

Observation: A tough job awaits anyone who attains office. Sparring with colleagues must be added to the abovementioned labors.

Relay for Life 2015

Cancer survivors, Betsy Conklin, Dave and Pam Mushen, Chase Carter, Sandi and Ron Espiritu complete the Survivors’ Lap at this weekend’s Relay for Life.

District Governor Elect, “Bo” Darling visits

August 6th, District Governor Elect Forrester “Bo” Darling visited University Sunrise RC. Rotary business starts early not only for Breakfast Club but also next year’s District Governor wanted to become acquainted with the Clubs in District 5030 early so he can better help them. DG “Bo” is a Mercer Island Rotarian. He brought his wife Patti Darling, his “Aide De Camp” and also a Mercer Island Rotarian, as are Becca Palm and Claudina Campbell, who have agreed to help the DGE to prepare for his coming term in office.

DGE “Bo” was well received by President Tim Lenihan and the University Sunrise RC members. He stated that he loved the Ivar’s venue, the view, the enthusiasm of the Club and how he loved to see Rotary in Action at the Club level.

New Rotary Year, New Member: Sarah Cave

President Tim Lenihan started the Rotary Year on the right foot by adding a new member, Sarah Cave, at the July 9th meeting. She was introduced to the Club by her sponsor Ed Brondson.

Sarah has been a Rotarian since 2008, beginning with the Longview Early Edition Club and then the Longview Noon Rotary serving through 2013. She then relocated to Seattle and has been in the University District Rotary Club. Her classification is Healthcare Education and starting on September 1 she will be the Senior Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Health Services Administration Program at the UW School of Public Health in the Department of Health Services.

She is also on the planning committee for the Kidney Research Institute’s annual gala fundraiser, is active with her daughter’s school (Bright Water), and serves as a mentor to students in the UW Master of Health Services Administration Program.

Please welcome Sarah Cave as the newest member of University Sunrise RC.