Pacific Currents - Rotary District 5150rotary5150.org/Rotary/Pacific_Currents_December_2015.pdf ·...
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Pacific Currents Pacific Currents Pacific Currents Serving Rotarians in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties • December 2015 Connecng for Good In the world of Rotary, December is now designated as Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. Rotarians are taking on projects across the globe to prevent and treat disease. From setting up health camps in undevel- oped countries where communities are struggling with HIV/AIDS and malaria to our top priority to eradicate polio, Rotary is making a difference. Interestingly, this month, my own mind has been turned to consider a different kind of disease: social disease. Last month, Rotary leaders from 23 districts in the western United States and parts of Canada converged at a 2015 Rotary Institute titled, “Connecting for Good.” The entire program focused on different aspects of social connectiv- ity, starting with a talk by Dr. Matthew Lieberman, a UCLA psychology professor, who spoke about “Why We Are Wired to Connect.” Lieberman shared results of research study after study that scientifically evidenced this fact: When we experience social pain – a snub, a cruel word – the feeling is as real as physical pain. Lieberman shared the story of a joyful, vivacious, generous woman who, after losing her husband to cancer, turned into a self-centered, inattentive, mean-spirited person whose friends abandoned her one by one. The woman knew what was wrong and she told Lieberman every chance she got. She was his grandmother, and she was dying of a broken heart. Lieberman began wondering why our human brains have evolved to make us feel so much pain at the loss of a loved one. Is the experience of social pain that comes from loss or rejection as real as the physical pain that comes from, say, a broken leg? In his book, “Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect,” Lieberman presents a growing body of research that answers, “yes.” The need to con- nect socially with others is as basic as our need for water, food, and shelter. Lieberman’s presentation to Rotary leaders was filled with examples from his book – many using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that showed how regions of the brain were activated as strongly when exposed to particular emotions like social rejec- tion, as when exposed to physical pain. Furthermore, evidence showed that when humans are not cognitively engaged in analytical thinking, the wandering mind returns to a default mode of “social thinking”– contemplating the thoughts, feelings, and goals of others. It is the default setting that promotes understanding and empathy, cooperation and consideration. Reaching out and connecting with others for good reduces our pain as well as that of others. Connecting for good produces physical feelings of pleasure. What a hopeful message for the holiday season! Mother Teresa said, “The greatest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis; it is the feeling of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are more who are dying for a little love.” This month, let us all reach out to others with a kind word, a gesture of love. Connect for good. Happy Holidays! In Rotary, for peace, Leah 1
Transcript of Pacific Currents - Rotary District 5150rotary5150.org/Rotary/Pacific_Currents_December_2015.pdf ·...
Pacific CurrentsPacific CurrentsPacific CurrentsServing Rotarians in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties • December 2015
Connecting for GoodIn the world of Rotary, December is now designated as Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. Rotarians are taking on projects across the globe to prevent and treat disease. From setting up health camps in undevel-oped countries where communities are struggling with HIV/AIDS and malaria to our top priority to eradicate polio, Rotary is making a difference.
Interestingly, this month, my own mind has been turned to consider a different kind of disease: social disease.
Last month, Rotary leaders from 23 districts in the western United States and parts of Canada converged at a 2015 Rotary Institute titled, “Connecting for Good.”
The entire program focused on different aspects of social connectiv-ity, starting with a talk by Dr. Matthew Lieberman, a UCLA psychology professor, who spoke about “Why We Are Wired to Connect.”
Lieberman shared results of research study after study that scientifically evidenced this fact:When we experience social pain – a snub, a cruel word – the feeling is as real as physical pain.
Lieberman shared the story of a joyful, vivacious, generous woman who, after losing her husband to cancer, turned into a self-centered, inattentive, mean-spirited person whose friends abandoned her one by one. The woman knew what was wrong and she told Lieberman every chance she got. She was his grandmother, and she was dying of a broken heart.
Lieberman began wondering why our human brains have evolved to make us feel so much pain at the loss of a loved one. Is the experience of social pain that comes from loss or rejection as real as the physical pain that comes from, say, a broken leg?
In his book, “Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect,” Lieberman presents a growing body of research that answers, “yes.” The need to con-nect socially with others is as basic as our need for water, food, and shelter.
Lieberman’s presentation to Rotary leaders was filled with examples from his book – many using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that showed how regions of the brain were activated as strongly when exposed to particular emotions like social rejec-tion, as when exposed to physical pain.
Furthermore, evidence showed that when humans are not cognitively engaged in analytical thinking, the wandering mind returns to a default mode of “social thinking”–contemplating the thoughts, feelings, and goals of others. It is the default setting that promotes understanding and empathy, cooperation and consideration.
Reaching out and connecting with others for good reduces our pain as well as that of others. Connecting for good produces physical feelings of pleasure. What a hopeful message for the holiday season!
Mother Teresa said, “The greatest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis; it is the feeling of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are more who are dying for a little love.”
This month, let us all reach out to others with a kind word, a gesture of love. Connect for good.
Happy Holidays!
In Rotary, for peace, Leah
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News Worthy
ElEction & REpoRting of club officERs
As the calendar year draws to a close, it is time for Rotary clubs to elect their 2016-2017 officers, including the president elect nominee (PEN) who will serve as club president in 2017-2018. The deadline for election of officers is December 31, 2015, and the deadline for reporting officers to Rotary International is February 1, 2016. Current club officers can submit this information via My Rotary or by sending the information to [email protected]
RotaRy VidEo staRs onE of ouR own
A video on the new Rotary International branding debuted at the Rotary Zone Institute last month and was quite a hit! The video features Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, Laine Hendricks, who also serves as Public Relations Director for the Salvation Army. To hear what Laine has to share and learn more about Rotary’s new voice, click HERE.
dinnER with pREsidEnt RaViOpportunity still exists to enjoy an incredible evening with 2015-2016 Rotary International President K. R. “Ravi” Ravindran on Sunday, January 3, 2016, in San Jose, CA. Details, go to tinyurl.com/pkyd8pd. Register at tinyurl.com/qayhq5k.
RotaRy woRld pEacE confEREncE 2016
If you are interested in learning about peacebuilding, don’t miss the Rotary World Peace Conference 2016 in Ontario, California, January 15-16, 2016. The two-day conference features more than 100 speakers in 12 tracks plus keynote speakers ranging from the founder of the Institute of Economics and Peace, Steve Killelea to actress and human rights advocate Sharon Stone. Learn more at www.peaceconference2016.org.
EnRoll in basic pRls
The Basic Potential Rotary Leaders Seminar (PRLS) is being offered Saturday, January 30, 2016. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of this information-filled, six-hour session that offers practical training that will enhance your experiences in Rotary. T0 learn more, click HERE.
Rotary Day at the United Nations
Each year, Rotary Day at the United Nations invites more than 1,300 Rotarians including many Rotary International Directors, Foundation Trustees, and guests to come together at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The program is designed to inspire and educate participants as well as provide insight into the relationship between Rotary International and the United Nations.
This year, Rotary Day at The United Nations took place on November 7th, 2015. Rather than “read” about the sessions that took place, you have the opportunity to view both the plenary and breakout sessions via webcast. It is, of course, nothing like being there in person, but the webcast provides a great chance to listen to the keynote speakers and discussions in key areas of interest. Try links to the multiple sessions, and enjoy! Start by clicking HERE. Also, be sure to check out the session on Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Peace Priorities
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at thE woRld pEacE concERt
More than 600 people attended the Rotary World Peace Concert at the Herbst Theatre on Saturday, November 14, 2015. District Governor Leah Lambrecht opened the concert by asking for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives the previous night in the barrage of attacks in Paris. Everyone agreed: There is no better time to unite and focus on World Peace. Thanks to performers Brett Dennen and Crystal Bowersox and to the many volunteers who made this such a special event. At least a third of the audience was new to Rotary and so impressed by who we are and what we do!
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About the District Bikes-4-Vets Giveaway
The San Francisco Rotary Clubs of SoMa and Bayview (“Service Above Self”) joined forces with The San Francisco Veterans Lions Club (“We Serve”), the San Francisco Police Department, The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 15 (MOPH 15), and The Lions Veterans Charities, Inc. in the 4th Annual Bikes-4-Vets Giveaway on Saturday, November 14 in San Francisco.
Approximately 100 refurbished and safety inspected bicycles were reserved for qualified local Veterans, many formerly homeless or economically disadvantaged. Following remarks by Chief of Police Greg Suhr, Lions and Rotary leaders, and MOPH 15 officers, a BBQ lunch sponsored by Recology’s Ron Walton (Bayview Rotarian) was served to Veterans prior to the distribution of the bikes.
Rotary Club of San Francisco Chinatown
RC SF Chinatown President Paul Chinn with Harry Ong, brother of Betty Ong of the Betty Ann Ong Foundation. Betty Ann Ong was an American flight attendant onboard American Airlines Flight 11 when it was hijacked and flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, on September 11, 2011.
Members of the Rotary Club of SF Chinatown gather at the club’s recent Gala event in Millbrae.
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District 5150 Rotarian of the Month Nomination
dEnnis pEttinElli
RotaRy club of bElmont & REdwood shoREs
District 5150 Rotarian of the Month for December, 2015 is Dennis Pettinelli, long-time member of the Rotary Club of Belmont & Redwood Shores.
Dennis is a major donor of The Rotary Foundation and a significant contribu-tor to his club. Personally and through his firm, Pettinelli Financial Partners, he supports Rotary Clubs in addition to his own. His son-in-law Jonathan Nicolas is a member of San Carlos Rotary.
Dennis has been a member of Belmont Rotary since 1984, and has served as President, Treasurer, and Foundation Chair. He inducted Belmont Rotary’s first woman member. He has frequently assisted with the club’s Gretchen Ross Legacy Teacher Mini-Grant program and has been a strong financial supporter of that program. He has chaired many casino nights, pancake breakfasts and blood drives. Years ago, when 12-year-old Lance Turner was kidnapped, Dennis researched and brought to Belmont a program to help teach children and parents safety habits. The program utilized coloring books and was funded by Belmont Rotary.
This year, Dennis initiated a fundraiser on behalf of Be The Match Foundation, a unique nonprofit that delivers cures to blood cancer patients. Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with a life-threatening blood disease
like leukemia, lymphoma, or sickle cell anemia. For many, the only chance for a cure is a marrow transplant from someone outside their family. The fundraiser, a golf tournament held in August at Peninsula Golf & Country Club, was in recognition of an advisor who has been with Dennis’ firm for nine years, during two of which he has battled a rare lymphoma requiring two stem cell transplants.
On the district level, Dennis has served as Vocational Service Chair, and he and his wife have hosted a number of Rotary youth exchange students/young professionals, including “Rosie” from Venezuela, who spent four months living with the Pettinelli family.
The Pettinellis have been contact persons for college students over the years and hosted them in their home many times, sometimes serving as “emergency” hosts for students/young professionals who missed their air connections in San Francisco.
Dennis Pettinelli exemplifies the very highest principles on which Rotary is based, and this recognition provides an important example to other Ro-tarians and to the community of the tremendous value of being involved with Rotary.
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Do you know what AMC is?
AMC is Area Membership Co-Ordinator. These are Rotarians that have volunteered to help you and your club with membership retention, attraction, inductions, programs or whatever you need them for.
Listed below are the respective AMC for your club. Please reach out to them to help you “FOCUS” on your club’s membership.
Membership Moment
MARIN – 17 clubs Stanley Hook (Ross Valley) [email protected] c: 415-328-2043Mill Valley San Rafael Sausalito
Melissa Prandi (SR Mission) [email protected]: 415-300-6762& Marie Borders (Ignacio) [email protected] c: 415-601-1715Central Marin Marin Sunrise Mission San Rafael Tiburon Sunset Terra Linda
Al Shirley (Marin Evening) [email protected] c: 415-298-9299Novato Sunrise San Rafael EveningTiburon-Belvedere
Reggie Winner (Novato) [email protected] c: 415-250-8232Ignacio Marin EveningNovato Ross Valley San Rafael Harbor West Marin
SAN FRANCISCO – 7 clubsRebekah Shapiro (SF Evening) [email protected] w: 415-525-3344San Francisco #2 SF Fisherman’s Wharf SF Bayview SF Evening SF Greater Mission SF Chinatown SF West
PENINSULA -17 clubsDon Bowcutt (South San Fran-cisco) [email protected] Belmont Burlingame South San Francisco San Bruno San Francisco Airport Daly City/Colma
Linda Jonas (Pacifica)[email protected] c: 650-438-4848San Carlos Menlo ParkPacifica Peninsula Sunrise Redwood City Woodside /Portola Valley
Andrea Pond (Foster City) [email protected] w 239-470-4675San Mateo Sunrise San Mateo Millbrae Half Moon Bay Foster City
Remember, you don’t have to do this by yourself. Keeping your members happy and attracting new ones always brings new energy to the club!
Reach out to your District Membership Chairs and let them know what you need!
In Rotary, Helen Abe Melissa Prandi Membership Chair Assistant Membership Chair [email protected] [email protected]
Gary ChowDistrict Programs Chair
Gary Chow is a member and past President of the Rotary Club of South San Francisco.
Professionally, he has been a health and wellness educator for the past 50 years.
Although now retired from the American Cancer Society and Kaiser Permanente, he is still actively involved as a volunteer health educator and patient advocate for such organizations as the National Cancer Institute,National Lung Cancer Alliance and the United Ostomy Association of America.
Gary also serves on the Regional Appeals Board for the United States Selective Service. Most recently, he became a member of the Health
and Wellness Rotarian Action Group.Gary’s passion is to find creative ways to empower people to achieve whatever goals they wish to attain.
In his role as District Programs Chair, he strives to utilize the vast experiential resources of our District membership and Rotary International to help clubs plan and implement effective programs in the areas under his purview: Community Service, Vocational Service and Youth Service.
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Know Your Team
Pete NannaroneDistrict Training Chair
Pete Nannarone is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of San Carlos. He is in his 3rd and final year as our District Trainer. He has also
served as a basic PRLS instructor and is also a Masters PRLS graduate.
This year, in his role as District Training Chair, Pete has overseen these District 5150 training programs: • District Leadership & Assistant Governor Training • Pre-PETS • District Assembly • Programs Training • Membership & Public Image Training • Grants & World Community Service TrainingPete also has provided support, as requested, in coordinating aspects of FarWest PETS, Basic and Master PRLS, and District Visioning.
Professionally, he is a retired Commander of the San Carlos Police Department. He served in the department for 30 years.
He is currently an instructor at the College of San Mateo. He has been teaching in the Administration of Justice program for several years.
He and his wife Leslie enjoy visiting baseball parks and have been to 23 of the 30 parks. They plan on completing the remaining parks in the next 2 years.
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Calendar of Events
January 3, 2016 Dinner with Rotary International President K. R. “Ravi” Ravindran Go to www.tinyurl.com/pkyd8pd
January 15-16, 2016 Rotary International World Peace Conference Go to www.peaceconference2016.org
January 30, 2016 Basic PRLS Learn more at www.rotary5150.org and click on Training/PRLS.
February 20, 2016 Master PRLS #1
March 19, 2016 District Assembly Redwood High School, Larkspur
April 16, 2016 Master PRLS #2
April 29, 2016 Rotary District 5150 Golf Tournament – Presidio Golf Course The Rotary Foundation Dinner Go to www.sfpeacecon.com
April 30-May 1, 2016 Rotary District San Francisco Peace Conference & House of Friendship Go to www.sfpeacecon.com
May 15, 2016 Major Donor Event (By Invitation)
May 29-June 1, 2016 Rotary International Convention – Seoul, Korea Go to: www.riconvention.org
June 26, 2016 Past District Governor Event (By Invitation)
For listings of specific club events, please go to www.rotary5150.org and click on “Calendar.” Clubs are encouraged to list all “special events” to which others are invited.
News AnnouncementNews AnnouncementNews Announcement
Thank you to everyone who made our Annual Fund Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) campaign such a success! More than $210,000 has been donated to the Annual Fund. Tickets for the Visa Gift Card prizes were drawn on November 20, 2015. Here are the lucky winners:
Grand Prize Winner $2,000 Gift CardMike Ring, Rotary Club of Novato
Prize Recipient Rotary Club $750 John Berglund San Bruno $500 Ron Leach Mission San Rafael $500 Bruce Wright South San Francisco $250 Jim Rochotte San Mateo Sunrise $250 Cindy Tameroff San Rafael Harbor $250 Mary Cororan Half Moon Bay $250 Larry & Marilu Mazotta Novato $250 Jim Carriere San Rafael Harbor $250 John Bottari San Rafael Harbor $250 Sue Royce Mill Valley $250 Tom Keating Ross Valley $200 Kimberly Jessup Mill Valley $200 Fred Pfeifer Ignacio
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Did You Know?Contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) are transformed into grants that fund local and international humanitarian projects, scholarships, and activities, such as vocational training teams. At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in our District are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund, or DDF.
At the end of three years, our District can use the DDF to pay for Founda-tion, club, and District projects that your Club and others in the District choose. Districts may use a portion of their DDF to fund district grants. The remaining DDF may be used for global grants or donated to PolioPlus, the Rotary Peace Centers, or another District.
TRF CONTRIBUTIONS: Congratulations to the top District 5150 contributing Clubs as of October 31, 2015. To view your Club’s TRF Contributions click here.
RANK ANNUAL FUND POLIO PLUS TOTAL GIVING TOTAL GIVING Per Capita Dollars Dollars Per Capita
1 Marin Evening Marin Evening Marin Evening Marin Evening $356 $7,400 $15,235 $692
2 San Rafael Harbor Mission San Rafael Ignacio Ignacio $205 $2,150 $14,824 $302
3 Woodside/Portola Valley Terra Linda Mill Valley San Rafael Harbor $172 $1,936 $10,431 $240
POLIO UPDATE: Rotary International continues to work diligently to eradicate Polio around the world. Our partners, including the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will not end this fight until this dreaded disease is eliminated. Please watch “Dear Polio Fighter”, a 90 second heartfelt video from Bill Gates. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTgkkmnHSTU
Please continue to donate to eradicate Polio. Every US dollar Rotary commits through 2018 to Polio eradication will become three dollars, thanks to a 2-to-1 match from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Officially reported Wild Polio Virus cases 2015 Year to Date 2014 Calendar Year
Total Global Cases 52 359
• Pakistan 39 108
• Afghanistan 13 8
• Nigeria 0 5
Data from World Health Organization as of November 11, 2015.
Social disease is as disabling as physical disease. The following thoughts on “social connectedness” emphasize the importance of relations, respect and freedom from humiliation. Staying connected creates a healthier
and more peaceful world.
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Thoughts of the Month
“The most important thing is being able to live with others, because if one is poor, relating to others can reduce one’s poverty.” ~ Woman in Mozambique
“I like money and nice things, but it’s not money that makes me happy. It’s people that make me happy.” ~ Middle-aged woman from Ethiopia
“We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.” ~ Herman Melville
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.” ~ John Lennon
Polio Update• In 2015, wild poliovirus transmission is at the lowest levels ever, with 56 wild poliovirus cases having been reported from two countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan), compared to 290 cases from nine countries during the same period in 2014.
• With most of the world polio-free, the risks posed by remaining vaccination coverage gaps anywhere is becoming more evident.
• On extremely rare occasions, in areas of chronic vaccination coverage gaps, circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) can emerge to cause outbreaks of polio cases.
• Efforts are ongoing to urgently address both remaining wild poliovirus transmission and cVDPV outbreaks.
Learn more and read weekly updates on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at www.polioeradication.org.
This and That
...On a Final Note
EDITOR’S NOTE: We encourage your submissions–Please follow the guidelines at www.rotary5150.org or click on “NEWS” and “Submit a Story.” To be considered for inclusion, all content must be received at [email protected] by the 15th of each month. Aline Estournes, Editor
