Certain stress resistant characteristics have been positively associated with higher levels of trust, tolerance, warmth, self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, tranquility, composure, and self-assurance. Research has shown that a meaningful life includes the ability to deal with life crises in such a way as to bring about enhanced coping and personal growth. I hope you enjoy our inspirational moment in our newsletter this week. It shows how a random act of kindness can even save someone’s life. I also feel that our “service above self” acts save our own life by fueling us with a meaningful life walking with others of all faiths and political persuasions waging peace through our health, hunger and humanitarian programs.
One of my friends shared the following story:
A Rabbi asked the Lord about Heaven and Hell. "First," answered the Lord, "I will show you Hell." The Rabbi found himself in a room where a dozen people were seated around a large round table. The people were moaning from the pain of starvation. In the middle of the table there was a great pot of stew with more than enough for everyone. The delicious smell of the stew made the Rabbi's mouth water. The people around the table held spoons with very long handles. Each could reach the pot to take a spoonful of the stew, but because the spoon handles were longer than a man's arm, no one could position the food back into their mouth. Some were so frustrated they were hitting one another. The Rabbi saw that the suffering was terrible.
"Now," said the Lord, "I will show you Heaven." The Rabbi entered another room identical to the first. There was the same large, round table and the same big pot of stew. The people were holding the same long-handled spoons, but here they were all well nourished and healthy, laughing and talking. For a moment the Rabbi was confused.
"It is simple," said the Lord. "You see, they have learned to feed each other."
"Unhappiness is the hunger to get; happiness is the hunger to give."
At the excellent Board of Directors meeting last week we began to plan for next year. We need all members to help to feed each other through whatever service you can bring to the club. Perhaps this year you will find the avenue of service that makes your life meaningful. We need help in all the avenues of service: Club Service (club secretary, newsletter editor, fellowship committee, webmaster, etc.), Vocational Service (training programs for those in prison or with intellectual deficits, mentoring those rehabbing from addictions, etc.), International Service (Books for the World, Children of the Dump, college scholarships for those in third world countries, etc.), Community Service (help with preserving planet earth in our community with cleanup days, Habitat For Humanity, etc.), New Generations programs (EarlyAct, Interact, Rotaract, host a youth exchange student, etc.), and The Rotary Foundation (donating to Polio Plus or the Annual Fund so that our club is eligible for matching grants to make our benevolent dollars go further, becoming a benefactor, etc.). Whatever you can help with will be greatly appreciated by all club members as we feed each other the sustenance of a meaningful existence through “service above self.”
Today's video is all about the powerful impact of the Ripple Effect and how when understood and used appropriately can change your life and the life of those who are touched by your influence. It is brought to us from Inspiration4Life (Daily Inspiration <noreply@getmyinspiration4life.com>).
Sofka is global leader for Process Automation in the Mining, Storage and Pipeline business and Global Supply Chain Operations in The Dow Chemical Company. She has been a member of Rotary since 2011 and is President-Elect for 2014-15 as well as current Treasurer of the Rotary e-Club of Houston. She is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Society member.
Sofka’s early community involvement began in Germany with the Red Cross and through the family with Round Table activities. Locally, she has been very active in community activities by volunteering for different organizations. She is member of the Board of Directors of the Simonton Cancer Center.
Over her career, Sofka has received numerous awards and honors, as Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Technical University Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany awarded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 11 Awards for Technology Improvement and Innovation, 1 Quality Award and 15 Awards for Plant Start-Up, awarded by The Dow Chemical Company.
Welcome to our club's newsletter and/or website! Visit us often, 24-7.
Rotary International is pleased to present this five-part webinar series to support the Rotary family in producing sustainable service projects.
The series will highlight different strategies, best practices, and Rotary resources available to help clubs and districts undertake successful, sustainable service initiatives, using real-life examples from Rotarians.
In this webinar (part 4 in the series):
*Learn best practices for implementing your project and leading volunteers
*Understand how to define and coordinate roles and responsibilities within your project team
*Learn how to manage your service project budget
Space is limited to 500 attendees, so register today! Please note these times are in US Central (Chicago) time. To see what time this will be in your area, please use a time zone converter. For more information on how to register, em our club president and we will forward the information to you. (charlesworth@stresscontrol.com)
There's an astronaut saying: In space, “there is no problem so bad that you can’t make it worse.” So how do you deal with the complexity, the sheer pressure, of dealing with dangerous and scary situations? Retired colonel Chris Hadfield paints a vivid portrait of how to be prepared for the worst in space (and life) -- and it starts with walking into a spider’s web. Watch for a special space-y performance.
Tweeting (and covering Bowie) from the International Space Station last year, Colonel Chris Hadfield reminded the world how much we love space.
“Good morning, Earth.” That is how Colonel Chris Hadfield, writing on Twitter, woke up the world every day while living aboard the International Space Station. In his five months on the ISS (including three as commander) Hadfield became a worldwide sensation, using social media to make outer space accessible and infusing a sense of wonder into the collective consciousness. Check out his cover version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," sung while floating in his tin can, far above the world ...
Now back on our home planet, he continues to share the excitement of science and space travel. He's the author of the new book An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. As he says, "There are no wishy-washy astronauts. You don't get up there by being uncaring and blasé. And whatever gave you the sense of tenacity and purpose to get that far in life is absolutely reaffirmed and deepened by the experience itself."
Hadfield is also a font of Canadian firsts: He was Canada’s first shuttle mission specialist, and the first Canadian to board a Russian spacecraft (he helped build the Mir), do a spacewalk (he's done two), and of course, to command the International Space Station.
"He is a fighter pilot, a test pilot and an aeronautical engineer capable of docking a rocket ship. But that's not why the world loves him. Of the hundreds of astronauts who have gone into space, none has humanised it quite the way Hadfield has. " - Guardian
Congratulations to Rtn. Veroniek Gessemakers from The Netherlands who has volunteered in Houston to establish a new library at a women's rehabilitation center. There are 80 young women in residence at the rehabilitation center Santa Maria. Books and monies were donated by the Douglas A. Campbell Foundation; Dr. Ed Charlesworth and his wife, Robin; and Gwen Corolla. Most of these books are self-help books and self-improvement books. Rtn. Veroniek has volunteered to organize this project and Sister Pam van Glessen is in charge of the library. One of the major areas of focus of Rotary projects is education. Veroniek believes that "education does contribute to a better future".
Rotary International and the International Reading Association know that literacy is an essential ingredient for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic de- velopment, and promoting peace. Since 2002, RI and the IRA have combined their resources and skills to advance literacy in communities worldwide by
Providing books and educational materials
Building and supporting schools
Mentoring students
Training teachersand Establishing literacy programs for children and adults
Photo taken at the D5890 All-Club Meeting on February 20, 2014, which became our official charter date. What an honor to have our group meet and have a photo taken with RIP Ron Burton and his wife, Jetta.
Earth Day 2014 marks the fourth annual community-wide stewardship project for The Woodlands Township. Connect with neighbors and the outdoors by joining or leading a cleanup crew bagging trash from the streets, pathways and streams. You gather your friends, and we provide the bags!
Community Registration - Cleanup Volunteer Form
Individuals, families, clubs, scouts, neighborhoods, businesses, places of worship
Early registration is encouraged, especially for groups
Walk-up registration welcome on March 29, 2014
Everyone needs to register, whether participating as an individual or a group
Participants will receive a T-shirt and refreshments
Be Prepared
Wear appropriate clothing, long pants, close-toed shoes or boots recommended
Remember hats, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and water
Gloves and bags provided
A limited number of grabbers and vests will be available per group
Wagons welcome
Rotarians Dree and Mike Miller will be volunteering in Creekside Park: Rob Fleming Park, 6055 Creekside Forest Drive. When signing up, please add Rotary e-Club of Houston on the list of organizations. For more information, contact: http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?nid=238.
Check-In
Saturday, March 29, 2014, from 8 to 10 a.m.
Check in at a designated park in your village
Alden Bridge: Alden Bridge Park, 7725 Alden Bridge Drive
Cochran’s Crossing: Bear Branch Park NEW!, 5200 Research Forest Drive
College Park: Harper's Landing Park, 2 N. Blair Bridge Drive
Creekside Park: Rob Fleming Park, 6055 Creekside Forest Drive
Grogan’s Mill: Sawmill Park, 2200 Millpark Drive
Indian Springs: Falconwing Park, 5610 Rush Haven Drive
Panther Creek: Ridgewood Park, 4192 Interfaith Way
Sterling Ridge: Cranebrook Park, 11800 Cranebrook Drive
Pick up supplies for yourself and/or group
Receive a map to the cleanup site
Go To Cleanup Location
Green it up! Plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes at the cleanup site
Deposit bags and large items at designated sites throughout the community
OR bring bags to the GreenUp celebration party
Celebrate!
The community-wide party runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Northshore Park
Eco booths and kid's activities
Live jazz with Don Slocomb Band
T-shirt pick-up and free pizza for GreenUp volunteers
Food tickets available for purchase by general public
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do
First, Is it the TRUTH?
Second, Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third, Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
and Fourth, Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerne
Rotary E-Club of Houston
Board of Directors and General Meeting
Meeting Minutes
Rio Ranch 9999 Westheimer Houston, Texas
11:00 AM – 12:30 AM, 3/15/14
Welcome and Introductions – Ed Charlesworth
• Dr Ed welcomes the club members in attendance at Rio Ranch restaurant
• Ed said his presidential year is soon coming to an end and Sofka will begin as president in early July, 2014
• Club members introduce themselves and give a brief bit of their background
District Conference, International Convention
• District conference will be aboard a cruise from Galveston the week of May 1st
• the D.C. provides learning about district 5890 and its impact / influence
• International convention will be held in Sydney, Australia
• the international convention provides learning’s about Rotary's global impact
Current status of website and bulletin – Robin Charlesworth
Friends to receive bulletin, updating personal data,
• Robin pointed out that the attendance link is located near the top bar of our web page in the blue bar
• A link to the attendance will be added to the weekly bulletin email
• Connection to Twitter is in progress, addressing link to Facebook
• Potential e-Club smart phone application being considered
Secretary – Michael Mebes
• Reviewed last months BOD meeting minutes
• Discussed experience at P.E.T.S. training
Treasurer – Sofka Werkmeister
• Two new members have joined today and 5 members added since last month
President Elect report from PETS/Positions to fill– Sofka Werkmeister
• Discussed P.E.T.S. Training, the very positive impression of the new RI President and his message of the 3 H's (Head, Hand & Heart)
• Some training sessions attended were: budgeting, membership, & setting goals
• A key point presented at PETS was how to sustain club membership
• Presented the plan for the blue folders (that contain rotary information) to be created and sent to all current club members and potential new membership
• Call for nominations for club leadership positions
• Mike Miller nominated for Treasurer
• Michael Mebes nominated for President Elect
• Dree Miller nominated for Membership Chair
• Wind Nguyen nominated for International Services
• Other positions to be filled for upcoming rotary year very soon
• An email call for nominations will be sent out that will include the names of those already nominated
Ed reminded that club that nominations are typically done in December, however, our club was chartered in February.
• Ed pointed out that district assembly will go over these leadership positions in detail during which club members can learn more about the roles
• Ed will send out descriptions of the club leadership roles
Ed talked about fund raising ideas
• Potential exists to obtain a district grant or RI grant in the future
Ed brought up the topic of club administration
• Creation of monthly club socials – solicit members via email
• Partner with the young professionals group for these club socials
Club Administration (“Go to Meeting” and/or Skype BOD video conferencing monthly BOD meetings, monthly meetings/socials, greeter schedule, etc.)
Fundraiser – SIRE Concert 4/12/2014 and “Race for Peace” – Wind Nguyen
• Robin presented what SIRE is and those it benefits
• The SIRE benefit will be potluck, so please bring what you like
• Refer to the SIRE handout from the meeting for details
• Wind presented the Reason2Race.com program – a program for Rotarians to stay healthy and fit covering a variety of sports and age groups
• Ed's birthday bicycle ride will be posted on Reason2Race
• Sofka talked about fund raising activities for Polio Plus
• Wind pointed out that the race director matches 1:1 the dollars raised
Fellowship – Head to the Hills 3/22, RC University Area St. Arnolds Brewer 3/23
Publicity/Facebook!!!! Thanks Wind
Membership – Dree Miller has agreed to chair, Dree sponsored 2 new members (Michael and Almir),Sofka sponsored 2 new members (Ivelin and Ivelina from Bulgaria),
Dree and Roseangela sponsored Marcia, Ed and Robin have three new members interested and sponsored Mike and Jim, and Wayne Staton sponsored Naved.
• Dree is getting started on a membership campaign and is personally talking with people from Brazil that may join the club
Goals, continents and number, How to bring in new members, Split Excel spreadsheet to build database of past members and alumni, Displays for events, etc.
Service Subcommittees and Humanitarian Service requirements
• Ed talked about club members logging in service hours
• Robin will create a Google Doc to record service hours be members
• Mike & Dree gave an example of their service hours while in Hawaii last week
• Veronica got funds to create a library in the detox center she supports that will be opened on 3/19/2014
• The library can benefit from donations of self help books, 2nd hand books are gladly accepted
International – Nicaragua Scholarship, Books for the World
Community - Firefighters project,
Vocational – Training with HCC and Harris County jail,
New Generations – Jennifer Barker
EarlyAct, Interact, Rotaract, Barb Conway, Jim Wells, Mike Olson – Essay Contest in schools
Where in the WORLD are more Rotarians?
In your own backyard – Ex-Rotarians who became unable to attend regular weekly meetings and Rotary Foundation Alumni;
In other countries – ROTEX (Rotary Exchange Students who have connections to D5890), successful community leaders and business leaders who do not have access to Rotary clubs; and
In address books of active Rotarian’s – But unable to join same club as good friends or business associates
Ed made the request for club members to write a one paragraph “greeter” message
The club presented “Good News” moments that raised $8 today.
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Congratulations to Rtn. Veroniek Gessemakers from The Netherlands who has volunteered in Houston to establish a new library at a women's rehabilitation center. There are 80 young women in residence at the rehabilitation center Santa Maria. Books and monies were donated by the Douglas A. Campbell Foundation; Dr. Ed Charlesworth and his wife, Robin; and Gwen Corolla. Most of these books are self-help books and self-improvement books. Rtn. Veroniek has volunteered to organize this project and Sister Pam van Glessen is in charge of the library. One of the major areas of focus of Rotary projects is education. Veroniek believes that "education does contribute to a better future".