Dr. Leslie Gruiswill give a presentation on “security and privacy” issues – a topic that affects all of us. She is an award winning author of the book - Privacy: Past, Present, and Future - on this topic, and is a recently retired intelligence officer from the NSA. She has outstanding credentials and has given similar talks to other Rotary clubs in the DC area. She will be “zooming in “ from Maryland.
Dr. Gruis obtained her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Engineering Sciences from Northwestern University. She worked as an intelligence officer for the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) for 30 years. Early in her career, Dr. Gruis developed disruptive technology solutions to difficult national security challenges, and served as the first president of NSA's Women in Mathematics Society. As a senior intelligence officer, Dr. Gruis contributed to the debate on alleged privacy abuses from the inside. She worked with government attorneys to explain the capabilities that technologies brought in order to develop legally defensible sources and methods to protect national security while also preserving civil rights. Her last two assignments were at US Cyber Command and the National Intelligence Council at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Since retirement, Dr. Gruis' interests are privacy, and mentoring K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students.
Bruce Erickson opened with aspects of Zoom that he appreciates and his views on where we are or should be going, including frequency of meetings. Nelson Defendorf briefly discussed the non-availability of directors and officer’s liability insurance for us should we choose to return to in-person meetings. Jay Tung shared the results of his member survey on member’s ideas about meeting in-person. Vast majority are anxious to resume a more regular meeting. Among those opining were Nelson Defendorf, Bruce Erickson, Jay Tung, Art Clark, Trygve Erickson, Boyd Morgenthaler, Debra Mason, Ric Schmidt, Kevin Fimon, Denise Runge, Raeshawndra Jett, Ginger George-Smith, Dr. Helena Wisniewski, Joe Zimmerman and Mark Cosby. There were questions as to venue availability, meal quality and cost and so on. There seemed to be a consensus that the Zoom format brings some positives regarding program availability and should continue as a part of at least some meetings.
Pre-meeting discussion was largely regarding Girl Scout Cookies and their availability. Shari Showalter did what she could to quell suggestions that the cookies are not forthcoming. Coming soon she speculated. There was also talk about things to do or take to minimize side effects from the COVID vaccine. Ginger George Smith precipitated that with news that she had recently received her first dose.
President Art Clark called the 26 of us on the Zoom meeting to order at noon. Jules Tileston preceded the Pledge with a brief history of the Pledge we take for granted. Turns out there was no such thing until a abbreviated version was penned by Col. George T. Balch, an employee of the New York Board of Education is 1887. Similar but different versions came into use between 1892 and 1924 when the version approximately the same as what we recite today was adopted by the Daughters of The American Revolution. Congress accepted that as the nation’s pledge in 1942. The words “Under God” were added to the Pledge in 1954.
The thought for the day came from Ginger George-Smith contemplating the landing of the Perseverance space craft on Mars. Vincent Van Gogh penned “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Also Elon Musk has said that “If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it.” Mention of the Mars Rover had Dr. Helena Wisniewski proudly tell us that her father has the patent of the robotic arm used on the first Rover spacecraft.
In Happy Buck activity President Art opened with $10 for receiving his second COVID vaccine shot today. Tim Trueblood offered two $5 HB’s. The first for having received his second dose last week and second as a shout-out to Angie, “Big Wig” Rush for all her organization, AK Child and Family does. President Art questioned where and when Angie became a Big Wig and thusly showed that he had not read the weekly bulletin. Debra Mason had $5 for her parents receiving the vaccine. Debra offered another $5 for Rick Goodfellow’s role in the Cook Inlet Historical Society’s program closing the case on who killed our first chief of police a hundred years ago. Rick would not tell us, instead directed us to the Anchorage Museum of History and Art website for the video of the meeting. (editors note. Rick did divulge the answer later on his Facebook page as well as a press release run by AP Newswire). Debra also had a third happy buck to recommend the Club App! While Debra was speaking President Art took a phone call. The audience heard. Art offered $10 as a plea in lieu of a fine. Ginger George-Smith offered $10 for her 41st wedding anniversary and $5 for an upcoming birthday. Jay Tung offered $1 for the help he received from Angie Rush in providing the Claire House Dinner and another $1 for the help he didn’t receive from Kevin Fimon. Given the work Kevin has put in on that project it’s assumed that our Sargent @ Arms will deal with Jay harshly. In Jay’s defense Kevin giggled. Dr. Helena had $5 for the turn out for the UAA seminar on Artificial Intelligence this week. 154 participants! The next session is March 17 on Artificial Intelligence in health care with a presentation on robotic surgery. Boyd Morgenthaler, after several try’s, got through on his telephone. It’s been 3 weeks since he broke his collarbone (?), and he seems happy about that. Steve Strait suggests we conduct our meetings with a Hollywood Squares set. Someone reminded Steve that if he would select the “Gallery” setting on his Zoom dashboard he would have that very effect. Bruce Erickson suggested to Jay that since Jay is enlisting his wife for Rotary projects, Jay follow Bruce’s lead and bring the wife in as member. With that the club segued to our program, a Club Assembly
In a normal year, Alaska Sound Celebration would be busy preparing for a three-week run of our wildly popular Fur Rondy Melodrama and the Melodrama raffle – which are also our biggest fundraisers of the year. Unfortunately, due to public health concerns, we are unable to host in-person performances this year. But the show (and the raffle) will go on – virtually!
Join us for the2021 Virtual Melodrama: Gold Rush Greed in Grizzly Gulch!In this year’s Melodrama, you’ll travel back in time to the Alaska Gold Rush, when a miner was a forty-niner, a villain was dastardly, and a heroine was lovely but not too bright. A time when a woman with a heart of gold could be a sexy success, and a hero came complete with a horse and hat.
The show will be streaming online February 26 through March 14. Pop some popcorn and watch the show as many times as you like at home for a minimum donation of just $10! Make your donation (of $10 or more) on PayPal, and you’ll be directed to the webpage where you can view the Melodrama starting February 26. Be sure to bookmark the page so you can easily return to watch the show! And you can buy raffled tickets too!
Pre-meeting discussion was largely regarding Girl Scout Cookies and their availability. Shari Showalter did what she could to quell suggestions that the cookies are not forthcoming. Coming soon she speculated. There was also talk about things to do or take to minimize side effects from the COVID vaccine. Ginger George Smith precipitated that with news that she had recently received her first dose.
Turns out there was no such thing until a abbreviated version was penned by Col. George T. Balch, an employee of the New York Board of Education is 1887. Similar but different versions came into use between 1892 and 1924 when the version approximately the same as what we recite today was adopted by the Daughters of The American Revolution. Congress accepted that as the nation’s pledge in 1942. The words “Under God” were added to the Pledge in 1954. 
The thought for the day came from Ginger George-Smith contemplating the landing of the Perseverance space craft on Mars. Vincent Van Gogh penned “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Also Elon Musk has said that “If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it.” Mention of the Mars Rover had Dr. Helena Wisniewski proudly tell us that her father has the patent of the robotic arm used on the first Rover spacecraft. 
