Chester is one of the world's foremost experts on memory training and has helped thousands of people around the world to realize the benefits of an improved memory and sharper mind. He has given memory improvement tips on CNN and PBS, Trained employees at NASDAQ, OMX and Credit Suisse and has been a guest speaker at Berkeley and Harvard. While combining entertainment with education, Chester provides unique and interactive experiences that leave audiences amazed with the hidden power of their minds.
On August 30th we were visited by Barb Spangler, the District Governor of District 5130. Barb is a member of Valley of the Moon Rotary Club and an admirer of our club. She has visited us before, most notably shortly after The Fire, at one or our early meetings at Franchetti’s. Barb was introduced by Doug Johnson of the downtown club, current Assistant Governor and District Governor Designate for 2020-2021. Doug told us that Barb is a big fan of teamwork, is absolutely committed to her position, and is truly a ‘genuine’ person.
Barb described the theme for 2018-2019: “Be the Inspiration” and interpreted the new logo. The new RI President, Barry Rassin, is from the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas. The logo is centered around water, a powerful force in the Bahamas. The elements are water and waves. The underlying symbolism is based on the power of water and waves: We are powerful and everywhere. The logo also contains a heart, meaning that these concepts are at the heart of Rotary, and a spinnaker, signifying that we can pick up a light wind and lead the way, much like Rotary and Rotarians everywhere.
Barb also asked us to fill out a card and identify a person who inspired us, what that person did and what that person did to give us a lasting impression. She asked us to keep the card and reflect upon it from time to time. Maybe we can make them into a program?
She also discussed District 5130’s theme: “Do what matters.” She gave a great example of what this means, an example that comes directly from Sunrise. At a meeting after The Fire at Franchetti’s, Past President Harry Coffey told Barb that he was devastated by the loss of his Paul Harris Award (As we all know, Harry lost his home and everything in it in The Fire). The idea caught on and she and others passed it up the line, ending up with Rotary International President Ian Riseley. This ultimately led directly to Ian Riseley visiting Santa Rosa and giving out the “lost” awards to fire survivors, including the Sunrisers whose homes and awards were lost in The Fire. And, President Riseley mentioned this at the RI International conference in Toronto to thousands of Rotarians, listing it as one of the most inspirational events of his presidency. In other words, “Do what matters.” It may be a small thing but it matters greatly to someone, and that’s how we do it in Rotary!
Thank you to Barb Spangler for the visit and the warm thoughts. Her visits are always memorable and she has a way of making us feel like an important part of the District!
On a regular basis, our resident photo pros Warren Smith and Jack Strange submit pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren and Jack!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
Sunriser and veteran, Peter Treleven, announced that this year's annual celebration luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 8, taking the place of our usual meeting on that day. Sunrisers may purchase two tickets from Peter -- one for themselves and one for a veteran -- for $30. The event will feature speakers and patriotic music by a high school band.
“Doing What Matters” is our District Governor Barbara Spangler’s 2018-2019 theme. It is a compelling mandate.
These three words have given me pause to ask if my priorities are, in fact purposeful. An early morning break in routine last week gave me, and four other Sunrise members affirmation of being on the right track.
Carolyn Anderson, Liz Colbert, Merle Hayes, Paul O’Rear and I were invited to present our Rotary Fire Relief experience to the Novato Sunrise Club. We used the PowerPoint summary, which Randy Seelye had prepared for our Club. Each of us described the grant applicant’s scenario we heard during our interviews.
What struck me even more than during the interview periods from late last year through this spring was the well coordinated, methodical, collaborative processes matter and work!
Step by step, Rotarian-by-Rotarian, from Lake to Mendocino, to Napa and Sonoma County, members were building advocacy, advancing requests for assistance and moving forward to distribute relief to fire disaster survivors. Receiving a check Mattered! Protecting financial resources Mattered! Sharing the experience Mattered!! Reviewing the process Mattered, and preparing for the next disaster response Matters!!
Oh, and another insight emerged: Our Club commitment to Service was strengthened. We increased Humanitarian Service, and enhanced our Public Image. The early morning sojourn was a home run!! The even better news is the year is still young, and our latest service project is local and doesn’t start until 5 PM!
Sign up, talk it up, Do It!! You will be “Doing What Matters” !!
Leroy Carlenzoli organizes, schedules and largely performs numerous and varied building and grounds maintenance to multiple sites for local non profit social benefit organizations. SAY, Social Advocates for Youth, Women's Recovery Services, and a Drop In Center at Santa Rosas Junior College benefit from Leroy's skill and attention.
Sunday's Town Section of the Press Democrat featured the story of Elizabeth Quiroz, a Human-trafficking survivor. Elizabeth's story is an inspiring example of courage, and the immense power which caring and kindness play in recovery.
Leroy disclosed how Elizabeth's gratitude for his multiple "helping around the place" provided him an ongoing sense of appreciation and fulfillment, and willingness to keep on serving.
Leroy's "Doing What Matters" does the same for us!
Sunrisers who have given additional gifts to the Rotary Foundation in honor of family members were recognized by District Governor Barbara Spangler and Sunrise Foundation Chair Randy Seeley. Paul Harris pins featuring additional stones and framed certificates were awarded in appreciation of these generous gifts.
The classic photo of Kent Seegmillar -- Sunrise "Recognition" monitor, always on the move, keeping track of Sunrisers honored at each meeting -- that was published is last week's Bulletin, prompted comments from members, including several from Kent himself. Bulletin contributors are most pleased to feature Kent once again, this week. This time, on the microphone without his trusty pan.
When Christopher Major declares “check” while sitting at a chessboard, it gets his opponent’s attention.
“The first time you put a kid in check, they freeze up,” explains Major, who is president of the Novato Chess Club. “Then my voice gets soft and I say, ‘There are always stressors in life. Now how can we get out of check? Can you evade? Can you capture the piece? Can you block it?’ We’ve gone from stress, to discerning, to making the best move.”
Christopher Major, Rotary Club of San Rafael Harbor, California
Photo by Ian Tuttle
Dozens of kids participate in the after-school chess program that Major, a retired special education teacher, runs as part of Hayward Youth Academy, which he founded in 2005. The academy provides educational and recreational services to families in the San Francisco Bay Area, including a college outreach program, a public speaking program, and animal therapy.
In 2009, with a grant from the Rotary Club of San Ramon, Major started the program that grew into the Novato Chess Club. The goal was to improve kids’ critical thinking, but the students, who range from kindergartners to eighth-graders, also learn to communicate, overcome failure, be gracious in victory, and deal with the emotions that the game brings out.
“They are learning patience and how to work through frustration,” Major says. They also learn to work together; sometimes Major puts the kids in teams of two or three, and they can’t make a move until all agree on what to do.
Fifty children in San Rafael and Novato attend the weekly one-hour chess sessions. Major does most of the instruction with the help of several talented eighth-graders.
Major learned to play chess when he was teaching special education at Oakland’s Skyline High School. He saw that the game brought out the students’ emotions and helped them deal with stress.
Over the summer, he distributed chessboards to a program he helped establish in Uganda. Back at home, he ran the chess club’s first summer program.
“It’s so different from playing basketball or other games,” Major says. “Two people playing chess are engaged with each other in a special way.” – Anne Stein
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Football Hall of Fame Hero
