THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY
On a positive note let’s glance at some of the broader trends and exciting new developments spanning our globe which perhaps provide powerful antidotes to much of the “fear” generated by our relentlessly negative media. And it goes without saying that Rotary (among others) have and continues to play an integral part in and towards the evolution of these trends and achievements.
It is purported that during the past century child mortality decreased by 90% while the average human life span increased by 100%. Food is cheaper and more plentiful than ever (groceries cost 13 times less today than in 1870). Poverty has declined more in the past 50 years than the previous 500. Adjusted for inflation, incomes have tripled in the past 50 years. Even Americans living under the poverty line today have access to a telephone, toilet, television, running water, air conditioning and a car. Go back 150 years and the richest robber barons could have never dreamed of such wealth*.
Nor are these changes restricted to the developed world. In Africa today a Masai warrior on a cell phone has better mobile communications than the President of the United States had 25 years ago and if that warrior is on a smart phone with Google, he has access to more information than the President did just 15 years ago with a feast of standard features (watch, camera, video, GPS, a library, films, games, music and so forth). That $8 million supercomputer from two decades ago now sits in your shirt pocket and costs less than $200*.
So perhaps the world truly is your oyster …but only if you have the optimism* to see it that way as Rotary does through so many venues.
And if you missed him last week, our resident historian, Mead Kibbey delivered another California History Minute to an attentive membership. You can relive the minute below in this Pulse…and Happy 90th birthday Mead! You are going strong.
Your Clean Water Team in Duon On village, Cambodia is running hygiene classes for adults on Saturdays and also on Sunday mornings for children. They all look forward with anxious anticipation the reality of “their” fresh water well to begin pumping this spring. All households are also attending filter and distribution training classes taking home new ceramic filters. We will visit Duon On village for the well dedication on our way to the Rotary International Convention this spring.
Fresh sanitary water diminishes the spread of disease worldwide. The more access to fresh water which can be cultivated around the world, like this project, the faster we can eradicate many diseases.
Rotary at Work Day (Saturday April 28, 2012) is just over a month out. New members, please notify Tanya Kravchuk “you’re in” (and have you ordered your T Shirt?) Stay tuned for what is in store for this fun filled day (Perhaps we will be planting trees!)
Indian gaming was the topic of the day which our guest speaker, Doug Elmets elaborated upon with lots of thought provoking facts, figures, and future trends of this emerging cultural dynamic in our state and country. (Read all about it below in the meeting recap of this Pulse)
Brooks Cutter reports the Speech Contest semi finals are all set. Our student will be competing on March 29th at the SMUD Customer Service Center 6301 S Street Sacramento in the Rubicon Room. It all gets under way at 7 pm. Come support the contest and cheer on these remarkable students.
We are sorry to see Nelson Janes depart our ranks. We wish him the best and welcome you back Nelson, when the opportunity knocks.
Many thanks to Kelly Moran for sponsoring the meeting this week, to Hiking Explorer Bonnie Plummer in recognition of her firsthand account of a lot of firsts at this year’s Daytona 500, to a Summit Bagging saxophonist PP Brian Van Camp in recognition of the remarkable accomplishments of your Rotary Rooters contributing an average of $6,000/ year to your RCS Foundation in performance contributions and CD sales. You guys rock!...you too Brian!
Your District Conference (May 18, 19, & 20 in Reno) is in need of Assistant Sergeant at Arms volunteers from the Club and John Buck will contribute $100 bucks for each club member who volunteers. They need 10 volunteers so that will set John back $1000 bucks!... Works for me. Let the office know if you can help out.
We are green next week for St. Patrick’s Day and speaking of green (cash contributions that is ) have you formed your table for Bids for Kids (Saturday May 12, 2012) or contributed an on line auction item (be creative) or a sponsorship or matching challenge?...all for your Sacramento Society for the Blind! Contact Leesa Fons at leesa@healthpointcalifornia.com or 916-797-0555.
Enjoy this early spring weather and do strive for those summits!
Ken Noack, Jr.
*From the book “Abundance: Why the Future Will Be Much Better Than You Think” 