President's Message

Rotary Club of Santa Clara

Message From President Steve Rainbolt

Weekly Club News Update!

11/18/14

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It was Throw-Back- Thursday last week with Past President Bob Ricks running the meeting since, according to Bob, I was attending and important educational convention in the Evergreen State. Thanks Bob for taking the gavel. I am sure you had as much fun as I always do.

Last week’s speaker was Brad Mattson, current CEO of Silva Power. Brad made his case that relying on traditional sources there will not be enough energy available to meet future US and Global needs. The clean solution to this problem is tapping the endless supply of solar power. While solar power usage is growing it currently represents only a small percentage of our overall energy production. Brad also argued that the U.S. can be a major player in the expansion of solar power usage through advances in solar technology. Specifically, he spoke about the production of solar panels using Thin Film Technology as opposed to the Silicon Based technologies currently used. Thin Film based solar panels will be more effective in the creation of electricity than those based on silicon and can be produced in the U.S. at cost that are completive with China’s production of silicon based panels.

This week’s speaker is Phil Gonsalves, Associate Superintendent of the Santa Clara Unified School District. Phil will be discussing the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is the largest-ever attempt in the United States to set unified expectations for what students in kindergarten through 12th grade should know and be able to do in each grade in preparation for college and the workforce.

At this week’s meeting we expect to hear a red badge speech, an update on ELC, and the presentation of the Club’s donation to the Marsalli Thanksgiving Dinner event. This will be the last meeting before the Thanksgiving break. Could this week’s lunch be a classic Thanksgiving meal? Probably. See you all on Thursday.

COMING UP….

Club events:



TRF Campaign – on going

 Board Meeting" November 19, 6:30 PM. Holders Country Inn

 November 27: We are Dark for Thanksgiving

 Dec 4: Speech Contest

 Dec. 9: Wrapping party 5:30 PM at Eastern Furniture, Santa Clara

 Dec. 11: Christmas for Kids at Lexus of Stevens Creek

 Save the Date: Our holiday meeting will be the evening of Dec. 18, 2014 at the Santa Clara Hilton. Members, Spouses and Friends are all invited. More information to come.

District Events:



TRF Campaign – on going

 Mexican Project Safari – Sign up

See

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/5170//HTML/231985//WheeledAdventuresMonterrey2015.pdf

for details.