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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Club Assembly & Bylaws Update
May 19, 2022 12:00 p.m.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Leo Vroman: Scientist and Poet
Jun. 02, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Leo Vroman (1915-2014) was a remarkable man whose career straddled two seemingly unrelated endeavors: science and the arts. In the United States he was well-known as a hematologist for studying the complex subject of blood/foreign surface interactions as used for kidney dialysis, artificial heart valves, or extracorporeal circulation. In the Netherlands, he was a much-beloved poet who published 65 books and more than 3,000 poems in his lifetime; he was also an imaginative artist/illustrator. Many of those who knew of Leo in both countries were unaware of his extraordinary life and parallel accomplishments in both fields. After receiving a degree in biology in Utrecht in 1938, he became engaged to Tineke Sanders, and their life together was a love story of devotion for the 66 years of their marriage. The Nazi invasion of Holland in 1940 forced Leo to flee his country without Tineke, eventually arriving in the United States after the war ended. But between those two events, he traveled to Jakarta, was conscripted into the Dutch-Indonesian army, and became a prisoner of war for more than three years. His first published book of poetry was written while he was a POW. In 1947, Leo and Tineke were reunited and married; they had two daughters, Geraldine, and Peggy. In 1958, Leo completed requirements to obtain a PhD. A blood protein phenomenon known as the Vroman Effect was later named after him. He worked at the Museum of Natural History, Mt. Sinai Hospital, the Brooklyn VA Hospital, and Columbia University. Leo was always a quiet but memorable speaker, and he sometimes illustrated his scientific articles with drawings. In 2004, two scientist colleagues and I interviewed him for the National Library of Medicine, and Tineke, who rarely left Leo’s side, provided insight into his parallel careers as a scientist and poet. When Leo died, it became front page news in the Netherlands; a Dutch postage stamp was issued in his honor. For decades and to the present he was considered that country’s most famous and admired poet. I had other visits with Leo and Tineke and will share some anecdotes to reveal the character of this most extraordinary man, who has been described as “a scientist without category.”
About Mark Kurusz: Mark Kurusz is the immediate Past-President of the Rotary Club of West Austin, for the years 2020-2021. He is a retired clinical perfusionist (operates heart-lung machine) who continues to do consulting, primarily with Windmill Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a start-up company that is developing a blood pump for cardiac assist. He has been an author and editor for professional journals since the mid-1970s. He and his wife, Helen, are from New Jersey where they married in 1971 and are the proud parents of three daughters who have brought forth eight grandchildren. They moved to Austin, TX, in 2006 after spending nearly 30 years at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Classification Talks
Jun. 09, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Several of our new members will offer what Rotary calls "Classification Talks". We will invite our new members - Bruce Cardwell, Coleen O'Connell & Elaine Loyd - to give us overviews of their professions. We love the insights and connections that we get when people talk about their work and how their lives were fulfilled in practice. |
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING: How to Listen Your Way to Better Relationships
Jul. 07, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Think of your close relationships. Imagine if you could better engage, understand, connect, empathize and develop those relationships.
Using his experience interviewing Holocaust survivors and hundreds of moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas, Mike shares with you some of the lessons he's learned to gain a trust that results in better conversations and, thus, better relationships with people. You'll walk away from his talk with tools you can apply immediately and have fun using them!
About Mike O'Krent: Mike O'Krent is the founder of LifeStories Alive, LLC a business specializing in the making of personal history "legacy" videos for families , businesses and non-profit organizations. In a life-changing experience, from 1996 through 2000 Mike interviewed Holocaust survivors for Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, now the USC Shoah Foundation. It was through that experience he discovered the significance and technique of recording the life stories of loved ones, which forms the basis for his LifeStories business. Since founding the business in 2006, Mike has expanded its expertise beyond capturing personal histories for families to now include recording the histories of businesses and non-profit organizations. The professionally produced videos can be used externally to promote the organization or internally as a training tool for new employees/volunteers. |
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Jul. 07, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Jul. 09, 2022 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Come join our Sips & Dips Fundraising event, on Saturday, 09-Jul-22 from 7 - 9 pm. We will have snacks, wine tasting, and good fellowship. Angela Smith will regale us with music she plays on her steel drum.Enjoy some award winning hand-crafted wines from Austin, TX! Location: Water 2 Wine - Austin, 3300 West Anderson Lane, Suite 304, Austin, TX, 78757, US Tickets are $40 USD per person.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING: A life full of Adventures!
Jul. 14, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Pam LeBlanc will talk about her life as an adventure writer. About Pam LeBlanc: Adventure journalist Pam LeBlanc grew up in Austin and attended Texas A&M University. She worked at the Plano Star-Courier and The Monitor in McAllen, Texas, before joining the staff of the Austin American-Statesman in 1998. During a nearly 21-year career at the Statesman, she launched the weekly Fit City column, ran a naked 5K and rappelled down a 38-story building as part of her Year of Adventure, and wrote about travels that took her from the John Muir Trail in California to the rivers of West Texas and the oceans surrounding Fiji and the Galapagos Islands. She’s on the loose today as an Austin-based freelance writer who specializes in stories about outdoor adventure, travel and recreation. Her work has appeared in Texas Monthly, Texas Highways Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, AARP Magazine, Texas Coop Power Magazine, Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Real Simple and more. Her first book, “My Stories, All True: J. David Bamberger on Life as an Entrepreneur and a Conservationist,” was published in September 2020. And in March 2021, she and two other veteran travel writers, Kristin Finan and Mauri Elbel, launched an online travel magazine called Austin Travels, which focuses on travel from Austin to all corners of Texas and beyond.
Pam LeBlanc |
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Austin Energy Rate Hike Update
Jul. 21, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Austin Energy spokesman Matthew Mitchell will talk to us about the electricity base rate review process. About Matt Mitchell Raised in Austin, Matt Mitchell has been talking to our fair city for nearly 20 years. He's best known as a sports anchor and reporter for KVUE-TV, a position he held for more than a decade before moving into public school communications with both Austin ISD and Leander ISD. For the last four months, Matt has served as Media Public Information Officer for Austin Energy, the city's publicly-owned electrical utility, where he puts his media background to good use. Matt is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station and remains a sports fan, though he prefers talking about his awesome kids, Rosalie (6) and Lincoln (2). He and his wife Brie live in the Milwood area near the Domain and are blessed to call Austin home. |
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier/Never Forget Garden Veterans Memorial
Aug. 04, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Sherry will show a slide presentation and talk about the “Never Forget Garden” that will join the many life size statues in the unique park called the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, located in College Station. About Sherry Frisk As an educator and administrator for a private school in Houston for 25 years, Sherry’s career centered around early childhood education. Upon retirement, she and her husband, Larry, returned to College Station in 2010. After restoring the 1920’s family home where she grew up, Sherry became very interested in historic preservation and became a member of the College Station Historic Preservation Committee and the Brazos County Historical Commission. As well as her work in historic cemetery restoration, Sherry is the treasurer for a committee formed to establish a memorial “Never Forget Garden,” joining other communities nationwide to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and honor all American veterans.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING: District Governor 5870 Visit - Shannon Coleman
Aug. 11, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Shannon will share with our Club the 2022-2023 goals and objectives of District 5870. We'll have some fun, hearing about her experiences, her vision for our District and what we plan to accomplish together in this Rotary year.
About Shannon Coleman: Shannon is a 6th generation Texan, graduate of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and proud member of the Rotary Club of Pflugerville. During her 17 years in Rotary, she served her club as President, Board Member, Fundraising Committee Chair and on various committees and club projects. At the district level, she has served on the Global Grant Scholarship Committee, Vocational Scholarship Committee, Membership Committee, as Assistant Governor, District GovernorNominee and District Governor-Elect. She supports The Rotary Foundation as a Major Donor Level 2, Bequest Society Level 2 & Paul Harris Society. Being that her core values include community, servant leadership and fun; Rotary has given her the ability to connect with others who abide by the same “Service above Self” motto. She believes we can more fully engage others and create opportunities for impactful service while including an element of fellowship, relationship building and fun.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING: Caritas of Austin
Aug. 18, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Troy will talk about the problem of homelessness in Austin, including causes and impacts, knowing more about who people experiencing homelessness really are and what challenges they have faced, the "continuum of care" and collaboration among the City and several nonprofits who touch homelessness here, and proven solutions for the future. Homelessness is a devastating form of human suffering. Troy and the staff of Caritas of Austin do not believe that homelessness should be managed, they believe the problem is preventable and solvable. About Troy Gilbert: Troy Gilbert is an inspired nonprofit executive and professional. After a 25-year career in university administration, Troy became Executive Director of the Alameda Food Bank in Alameda, California in 2013. There he supervised staff and hundreds of volunteers to get needed groceries to over 5000 low-income people per year, and learned the basics of need, community intervention, and broad-based solutions to the societal problems of poverty in a well-meaning community with an escalating cost of living for everyone. After a move to Austin in 2015, Troy did community relations and fundraising projects for the Central Texas Food Bank, the United Way of Greater Austin, and Communities In Schools of Central Texas. Since 2020 he has been Major Gifts Officer for Caritas of Austin, working with like-minded altruistic community members to raise funds to defeat homelessness in Austin, forging strong relationships with donors to help them continually understand the impact of their care and giving. He also works collaboratively with program staff, executive staff, and volunteer leadership to build a stronger organization and more substantive resources to support the most marginalized in our community. |
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Shelterbox
Sep. 01, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Rotarian Judy Hutcherson will talk to us about Shelterbox, which evolved from a local Rotary Club project in the UK to a global organization providing shelter, temporary housing, and assistance for people impacted by catastrophic events around the world.
About Judy Hutcherson, RN Judy Hutcherson, RN, was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. She graduated from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, with an Associate Degree in Nursing in 1980. In 1989, she graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. After working in various fields of nursing, including Obstetrics, Intravenous Therapy and Oncology, she retired from active nursing in 2000 to devote her time to various mission projects. Judy joined the Fredericksburg Morning Rotary Club in October 2002. She and her husband John are both active members. After serving as Club Service co-chair, Secretary, and International Lane Chair, Judy was elected President of her club in 2007. She also was the GSE team leader from District 5840 to District 2050 in northern Italy, May 2008. Judy has served District 5840 as the World Community Service Chair, Friendship Exchange Chair and Assistant District Governor. She serves on the District 5840 HungerPlus Adopt-A-Region Committee, PolioPlus Chair and is a ShelterBox Representative for District 5840. Judy is Past District Governor for District 5840 2016-2017. Judy has been awarded Rotarian of the Year and Service Above Self by her club, and the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce 2009 Community Service Award. But her most honored award, the coveted Rotary International Service Above Self Award, was presented by District 5840 in 2009 Judy traveled to Afghanistan in October 2008 to explore Rotary projects with Rotarians from the US and Australia. She and her husband John have participated in National Immunization Days and work projects in India in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and in Pakistan in 2013 and 2015. Judy is active in the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church and served as the International Coordinator for Volunteers in Mission for the Southwest Texas UMC Conference for 6 years. She provided leadership training for volunteers wanting to lead mission teams to various countries. She led a construction team to Haiti in October 2010 and a medical education team to Russia in October 2012 Judy served as a volunteer and board member of The Good Samaritan Center, a non-profit clinic in Fredericksburg. She has been an active participant with Mision De Candelilla since 1999 and served as chair of the board 2012-2014 and 2022-2024. She has traveled to Mexico many times, as well as to Guatemala, Haiti, Russia, India, Afghanistan, Australia, Malawi, Pakistan, the Philippines and Europe. In all these travels, she has realized that people are very much the same the world over and that we could all enjoy many of the same opportunities if only education and health care were offered to all. |
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : The RYLA Experience
Sep. 08, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Each year with the exception of 2020 and 2021, which were interrupted due to COVID outbreaks, the Rotary Club of West Austin has sponsored two to four local high school juniors to attend the District 5870 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) one-week summer camp. This year's camp was held at a new venue, Peaceable Kingdom, near Killeen. This year, RWCA sponsored four students who attend area high schools, Anderson and McCallum. Each of our club's four 2022 RYLA campers will have the opportunity to describe their RYLA experience and the impact it had in helping to shape their outlook for the future. Special Performance
Our very own member, Angela Smith, will play her hammered dulcimer for us.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : The Future of ABIA
Sep. 15, 2022 12:00 p.m.
CEO Jacqueline Yaft will talk to us about the future of the Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA). She'll touch on some of the operational challenges experienced during the COVID pandemic, and the significant growth in passengers as air travel recovered.
About Jacqueline Yaft, Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Mrs. Yaft joined AUS in 2019 and is responsible for the City’s Department of Aviation. She has over 20 years of experience at some of the largest hub airports in the U.S., including the Los Angeles World Airports, Denver International Airport, and JFK International Airport. She has served in executive positions within operations management, airport safety and security compliance, and master plan implementation. At Los Angeles World Airports, she served as the Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Emergency Management, where she led airport operations throughout a series of major infrastructure projects at LAX. She received a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Metropolitan State College of Denver and a Master of Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is accredited as an International Airport Professional through the Global ACI-ICAO Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program. |
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Sep. 29, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Rotary Club of West Austin New Member Orientation
Time: Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Noon
Place: Casa Chapala
During the last year RCWA has added seven new members. The RWCA board is holding this New Member Orientation to try to familiarize our newest members with Rotary International and how our local club fits in at the local, district and international levels of Rotary International. You will get an overview of how our club functions and how our club lives up to Service Beyond Self.
This event will be open to all RCWA members as well as prospective new members who would like to attend.
You will hear from:
Nancy Ray - 2022/2023 Club President
Jim Dardnne - Club Treasurer
Ben Boswell - Club Secretary
Angela Smith - President Elect
Mark Kurusz - RCWA Involvement with Wooldridge Elementary School
K. C. Cerny - Immediate Past President/RI Foundation Chair
Mike Wray - RCWA Fundraising Efforts
You will also be receiving an email soon regarding a Rotary District 5870 New Member Orientation shortly. This is a separate opportunity to learn, but from the district leadership.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Toastmasters
Oct. 06, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Will Katz will share tips and hints on how to use personal anecodtes and stories to overcome typical obstacles to public speaking. These practices will help you connect better with your audience.
About Will Katz
Will Katz's life mission is to create the next generation of math learning software. The goal is to use data to adapt the program in real-time, tailoring the experience to each individual student.
His original background is in sales, where he logged thousands of hours selling everything from CUTCO knives, to software, to even mattresses. Sales taught him that there is genuine, monetary value to being honest and helpful with people.
In 2014, he pivoted to the field of education, by opening a private tutoring business, where he specialized in high school and college math. By working one-on-one with hundreds of students, Will noticed that when he matched the learning pace of each student, they made rapid and unprecedented progress. He found himself wondering, "what if a piece of software could do this?"
In 2017, he started his second business, Resurgent Arms -- a manufacturing and e-commerce company that specializes in firearm accessories. Will first encountered firearms in Boy Scouting, and saw what he thought was a business opportunity. The company began as an experiment, and took on a life of its own. Today, the company employs four people and makes six figures in annual revenue.
While all this was happening, Will diligently participated in Toastmasters, leading several clubs as President, and competing and winning in both the Evaluation and Humorous speaking competitions.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : The Importance of Good Sleep
Oct. 13, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Dr. Eric Rhoden will speak to the importance of sleep and how it can affect a variety of systems in the body. We will also go through some sleep hygiene/behaviors that can improve sleep quality/quantity.
About Dr. Eric Rhoden Dr. Rhoden was born and raised in San Diego, California, making Austin, Texas his home in 2016. Dr. Rhoden has always thrived on competition and learning new skills. After dabbling in many sports over the years, soccer became his primary focus. Just before playing soccer at the collegiate level, he sustained a knee injury, removing him from the sport and solidifying his desire to pursue a career in physical therapy. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with his bachelor's in Kinesiology from California State University, San Marcos and received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University. Following his academic accomplishments, Dr. Rhoden has served in various institutions and corporations as an advisor for health-related products, policies, and research projects. He has over 10 years experience in wellness coaching, nutrition, and personal training. During the past 6 years, Dr. Rhoden has been a movement disorder specialist with a local neurology practice. During the height of the pandemic, he co-founded a remote COVID-19 testing company to support the community. In addition, Dr. Rhoden has also spent time providing continuing education courses throughout the US on comprehensive Parkinson's care and enjoys presenting to local groups throughout the Austin area. Dr. Rhoden is married to his incredible wife Erin and together they have a 9-year-old son Mason who keeps them busy. While fitness has been a part of his professional life, it is also a part of his personal life as well. Dr. Rhoden currently participates in local running groups, Camp Gladiator, CrossFit, and any other competition he can get his hands on. His goal is to be the grandpa that can still run, climb, get on the floor, and defeat my grandkids in a push-up contest. When Dr. Rhoden is not competing, he enjoys creating healthy dishes in the kitchen, gardening, camping, and enjoying time with his family.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Evolution of Automated Data
Oct. 20, 2022 12:00 p.m.
This presentation is based on Aubrey Wilson's longevity with the data world and being with IBM for 38 years in Sales and Marketing worldwide. The title of his presentation is "Evolution of Automated Data". This is not intended to be a "hi-tech" presentation. It will be entirely in plain, simple English. About Aubrey Wilson Aubrey Wilson has a 1947 degree in Economics from UT (Austin) and a 1950 MBA from the University of Chicago. He describes his 38 years with IBM as "selling, advising, cajoling, teaching, planning, consulting, developing and implementing information systems for many of the greatest national and international corporate names in the world". Aubrey is an Emeritus Member of the Rotary Club of West Austin, and we look forward to the insights he will share with us.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : The Rotary Foundation
Nov. 03, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Past District Governor Jerry Chapman is the District 5870 Foundation Chair. He will talk to us about The Rotary Foundation, how the various funding models work, and update us on the outstanding set of projects sponsored by our District.
About Past District Governor Jerry Chapman 2018-2019 Jerry is a native Texan. He was born in Dallas where he spent most of his childhood. At age 16, his parents relocated their business to Mineral Wells, Texas where he graduated from high school. After discharge from the Navy, Jerry returned to Dallas where he completed his engineering studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. He is graduate of the Anglican School of Theology and serves as a bi-vocational Episcopal Priest in Austin.
Jerry held management positions in finance and engineering with two large technology firms. Following the death of his wife, Jerry shifted careers. He became a Certified Financial Planning practitioner.
Jerry joined the Rotary Club of North Shore Lake Travis in 2005. He served as a director, TRF Chair and president of the club. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Cedar Park-Leander.
At the district level, Jerry has served as the District Roll of Fame Chair, Assistant Governor, District Secretary, Annual Fund Chair and District Governor. Currently he is the District Rotary Foundation Chair. He has been a facilitator in the Rotary Leadership Institute, and Lonestar PETS. He is a Paul Harris Society member and a Major Donor.
Jerry is married to Jonelle Miller-Chapman, a retired Leander ISD teacher. Jonelle enjoys avocational archeology and is a member of the Texas Archeological Society. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and Major Donor. Jonelle is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.
Jerry’s son lives in Austin. His daughter’s family with two grandchildren reside in the Boston area.
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IN-PERSON & ZOOM MEETING : Texas Oncology - Advances in Cancer Treatment
Nov. 10, 2022 12:00 p.m.
Michael W. Lattanzi, M.D., M.S., is a medical oncologist at Texas Oncoloy Austin Central. He is heavily involved in clinical trials and the advancement of research in cancer care.
About Dr. Michael W. Lattanzi Mike Lattanzi, M.D., is a medical oncologist with a special focus on genitourinary malignancies, including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. He strongly believes in the potential for clinical trials to advance the standard of care for future patients and to offer hope in real time to individual patients in need of more effective therapies. As an active member of the US Oncology Genitourinary Research Committee, he works with an expert team of dedicated oncologists and other professionals throughout the country to expand access to clinical trials for our patients here in the Austin area. Dr. Lattanzi was born and raised in Wilmington, DE and relocated to New York City for medical training at NYU Langone Health and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He moved to Austin, TX in 2022 with his wife, Dr. Irina Dimitrova, who practices hospital medicine at Ascension Seton Medical Center. They are expecting their first child in late 2022. Education
Accolades & Memberships
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