I rang Carol, one of the church wardens recently about a friend who needed a hamper of food at Xmas. My friend had broken her back (she can walk), and a number of other things had happened. She gained an abused stepchild the day she came out of hospital, in addition to her own two young children. A long year of recovery ahead of her, a husband who’s miraculously survived three heart attacks but is unable to work. Tough times indeed. I first heard about free hampers when my Health Visitor referred me for one. They are a lovely thing to get when you’re facing a skint Christmas. An amazing box of grocery blessings, dropped on your doorstep from heaven. Ok, so mine is actually dropped off by the Rotary Club, but you know what I mean.

So I was on the phone to Carol about the family-in-need and I explained the situation and asked her if there was any help the church might offer them. I was expecting her to say, “how terrible”, or , “of course we’ll do something” or “Jesus Christ! That’s awful”. What she actually said, in a voice like aspartame was, “I was surprised you weren’t in church yesterday”. Really? Why? (I didn’t say that, but I felt like it). I go to church regularly – one visit every year. I go to the children’s “Christingle” Christmas service. It might be said, that some years I’ve been a bit late, but I can assure you that I always get there before the free sweets and oranges are given out at the end. However, I didn’t realise there was a register being taken. I wonder if “He” reads it?

The Christingle service is pure magic – think Derren Brown – not quite what you expect, but strangely fascinating.   The Sunday School put on a play and it’s a strange sort of parody of Christian life. The woman who writes the play has absolutely no idea how subversive her messages are. She is totally innocent. But the rest of us watch with baited breath, wondering what the latest heresy will be. Carol, the church warden, has been trying to have the plays banned for years. Last year they did a remake of The good Samaritan and the play was actually set on Christingle day, in the village. Like in real time. The story was that a passing backpacker was mugged by some hoodies. They took her phone and left her at the side of the road, battered and bruised.

I think I should just put in a little aside here. It’s worth mentioning that if this really happened here, half the village would be out (watching) and they’d point out the hoodies’ houses immediately. Then they’d walk her to the door and tell the hoodie parents what had been going on. The hoodies would have their i-phones confiscated for a week, and the victim would get a glass of sherry in the living room. This would enable the hoodie mum to ring round the other hoodie mums (“I just can’t understand it”) and find the rest of the stolen gear. Shortly after, a couple of fop-haird boys, in ironed striped shirts and M&S pullovers, would appear from the back of a waiting Audi estate. They’d return the stuff and go bright red apologizing, muttering towards the ground, “so sorry”, “stupid mistake” and “never happen again”. Yes, it’s zero tolerance for gangs round here.

Back to the play. So our backpacker victim lies in front of us, having been mugged. The acting “vicar” runs by her, he’s in a hurry to prepare for his Christingle service. Then all the children walk by, dressed as Mary and Joseph, sheep etc. They don’t stop because they want to get to the church in time for the play. Then all the parishoners walk by eager to get to church on time. The first Act ends with the “vicar” smugly announcing the first hymn, Silent Night. Then the real Vicar gets up and tries to distance himself from how he is being portrayed in the play. There is even an uncomfortable resemblance between the two. He announces the “real” hymn, no 176, and it turns out to be, Silent Night. The real vicar laughs uncomfortably. My eyes meet Carol’s, across the pews. I am amused, she clearly is not.

In the second act, our Samaritan play spirals into the unknown. Our traveller is eventually helped out by, wait for it, a Muslim. It’s a very brave attempt at political correctness.  I say “attempt” as our Muslim is actually played by a white boy with a painted brown face. Not really very PC anywhere else, but here in whitest West Witney, it’s a statement of inclusion.  I am actually half Egyptian and half Irish.  In London I’d be considered pale, but out here I’m definitely a racial minority. I wonder if anyone thinks he’s with me?

Our Muslim is a kindly open-minded man, who is coming to visit the Church at Christmas in a spirit of friendly interfaith. On his way, he stumbles across the victim and takes time to helps her. After caring for our hapless traveller, our Muslim hero encourages her to join him and they visit the church together. (Now, he’s expanding the flock?). Once in the church, our traveller-victim sees all the hypocritical bigots who ignored her in distress. One by one, led by the “vicar”, they apologies for their lack of Christian spirit. Even the hoodies are in church and give the phone back, muttering “so sorry”, “terrible mistake”, “won’t happen again”.

Brilliant isn’t it? Makes all those cutting statements about modern Christian life. But actually, none of it is intentional. The woman who wrote the play is in the front pew, smiling proudly.  Her fourteen year old son has his arm round her and kisses her (a lot). Carol, however, is about to blow her top. Maybe she’ll be able to disguise it as the holy spirit coming out of her head instead of steam. The real Vicar stands up and is clearly unsure of the message we’ve just “shared”. He moves quickly on to the nice bubbly thank yous – much safer ground. One by one he calls all the children to the front and thanks them. He gives the children heaps of hearty praise and asks us for a big round of applause. Just then he notices me gesticulating. He stops the applause in mid flow and says

“Someone’s been left out. Who is it? Who is it?”  He looks at me.
“Er, it’s the victim”, I reply and point to the girl who was mugged.  She makes her way to the front. The poor vicar goes red with embarrassment, he’s done it for real. I bow my head in contemplation, but shaking shoulders are a dead give away.

Back on the phone, Carol has asked me for a second time why I wasn’t at the Christingle service. She knows I’m not what she’d call a “Christian”. And that’s why I’m surprised she’s pushing me about my non-appearance in church this year. I’m an idol worshipping Hindu, who’s belief in karma and reincarnation mean I’m gonna be hot, hot, hot, in the afterlife. If I’d realised that one more tick on her Christingle register would have reversed that, then for sure I would have turned up – just in case she’s right, and god is a judgemental, unforgiving parent, who dishes out eternal tough-love for no good reason.  I steer the conversation back towards the hamper for my friend-in-need. She offers to see if there is some help. Then it dawns on me, she is trying to tell me that I should have been in church if I want to ring up looking for help for people. Just as I realise this, someone bangs hard on the front door and I hurriedly put the phone down. I open the door and can’t quite believe my eyes. It’s a man with two heavy boxes and a present wrapped in Xmas paper. It’s an amazing box of grocery blessings, dropped on my doorstep from heaven.  Thank god for the Witney Rotary Club’s hampers.

P.S.  Carol rang a few days later to say she had organised a Sainsburys voucher for the family.

http://www.witneyrotary.co.uk

Happy Holidays Everyone,

Don’t forget that I will be performing this New Year’s Eve at Howard Johnson’s in Toms River, NJ. You can purchase tickets online at my Online Store at www.comedytornado.com/merch.htm. The price will be an amazingly low price of $40 per person if tickets are purchased in advance and $45 per person if purchased at the door. This includes a Buffet Dinner & Show and Champagne Toast at Midnight! The show is my Special Music & Comedy Show of about 2 hours plus. Doors will open at 8:15 PM. This is going to be a fun show, to say the least. There are only 80 tickets being sold so hurry up! (They also have package deals available of Room, Dinner & Show) Call Andrea at 732-244-1000 Ext.508 for more info or tickets. START THE NEW YEAR OFF WITH LAUGHTER!!

Also, I have just written and recorded my very first Christmas Holiday Song called, ‘All Year Long’. It is a serious song and can downloaded for only 99¢. You can also hear a sample of it on my Online Store Page. I hope you enjoy it.

AND NOW FOR MY UPCOMING SHOWS:

Date: December 31, 2009 (NEW YEAR’S EVE)
Venue: Howard Johnson’s — Toms River, NJ
Phone: (732)244-1000 Ext. 508 Ask For Andrea
Other: Dinner & Show plus Champagne Toast at Midnight ($40 in advance & $45 at the door) SPECIAL: Room, Dinner & Show Packages Available to make it a special evening!!
Other: THIS SHOW WILL DEFINITELY SELL OUT FAST so BUY TICKETS EARLY!!

Date: January 7, 8, & 9, 2010
Venue: Wiseguys Comedy Club –Syracuse, NY
Phone: (315)477-9898
Other: Located at 201 South Salina Street

Date: January 15, 2010
Venue: Toms River Elks Club — Toms River, NJ
Phone: (732)240-2711 Ask For Becky
Other: Fundraiser Show For The Special Children’s Committee

Date: January 16, 2010
Venue: Port-Au-Peck Fire House — Oceanport, NJ
Phone: (732)921-8025 Ask for Jim Gallo
Other: Fundraiser For The Oceanport Firefighters

Date: January 22 & 23, 2010
Venue: Wisecracker’s Comedy Club — Scranton, PA
Phone: (570)788-8451
Other: Located in The Clarion Hotel off of I-81

Date: January 29 & 30, 2010
Venue: Wisecracker’s Comedy Club — State College, PA
Phone: (814)238-3001
Other: Located in The Ramada Inn on Atherton St. (Route 322)

Date: February 12, 2010
Venue: Anthony & Cleopatra’s Catering Hall — Williamstown, NJ
Phone: (856)498-5556 Ask For Scott
Other: Fundraiser For Franklin Township Little League

Date: February 13, 2010
Venue: The Mansion — Bricktown, NJ
Phone: (732)330-3852 Ask For Nicole or www.ballbusterscomedy.com
Other: A GREAT NIGHT OUT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND!!

Date: February 19, 2010
Venue: Luna Rosa — Seaside Heights, NJ
Phone: (732)793-0021
Other: Located at 401 on The Boulevard
Other: 4 Course Dinner & Show Packages Available!!

Date: February 20, 2010
Venue: The Holiday Inn — Ronkonkoma, NY
Phone: (631)790-4046 Ask For Mike Dillon
Other: Located on Veteran’s Highway (Exit 57 on The L.I.E.)

Date: February 27, 2010
Venue: Westwood Elks — Westwood, NJ
Phone: (201)358-8968 Ask For Gina
Other: Fundraiser For Westwood Elks Women’s Auxhilary

I hope one of these dates is near you and that you can attend. As always, thank you so much for all of your past support!

Don’t forget that my BRAND NEW COMEDY  DVD that was recorded at The Strand Theater this past July is out now and doing very well and I wanted to thank everyone who have purchased it so far and thanks also for the great e-mails about it. I am very happy with the response thus far. If you are interested in purchasing it just go to my online store at www.comedytornado.com/merch.htm. It is called ‘Hanging By A Strand’ and it is the live show plus added bonus footage of the question and answer session I had with the audience at the end of the show… Makes a great Christmas gift stocking stuffer.

Thanks for being on my mailing list,

Paul Venier

www.comedytornado.com

www.myspace.com/paulvenier

Today i thought i would draw your attention to the fact that i have been out of the country in Papua New Guinea for a few weeks working voluntary on a Rotary Club Project. It was a humbling experience and we helped a great number of people with medical aid, school book, clothes and so much more. That said the point of this blog was demonstrate that Send Out Cards offers a powerful online system and global data base that you can access anywhere in the world. I found myself sitting at an airport for a few hours before i boarded my plane, so i logged into my system and sent a 3 touch card campaign to 100 business prospects that i had previously spoken to. I staggered the cards so that they would receive the first one in about 4 days, then 5 days after that and then the day i was scheduled to return 2 weeks later. All i had to do then was to call or email to say hi. Of course they all thought i was only sending them cards, it took me 5 mins and no one even knew i wasn’t in the country. My business actually increased while i was away for 3 weeks in a developing country! Just imagine how you could use this system in your business.

 I offer a powerful, yet simple business client retention tool. For further information please don’t hesitate to visit www.mycardteacher.com for further information or contact me at rod@mycardteacher.com

 To give you an example of what I was up to with the Rotary Club please see the video below:

Hello Everyone,

I will be performing this New Year’s Eve at Howard Johnson’s in Toms River, NJ. You can purchase tickets online at my Online Store at www.comedytornado.com/merch.htm. The price will be an amazingly low price of $40 per person if tickets are purchased in advance and $45 per person if purchased at the door. This includes a Buffet Dinner & Show and Champagne Toast at Midnight! The show is my Special Music & Comedy Show of about 2 hours plus. Doors will open at 8:15 PM. This is going to be a fun show, to say the least. There are only 80 tickets being sold so hurry up! (They also have package deals available of Room, Dinner & Show) Call Andrea at 732-244-1000 Ext.508 for more info or tickets. START THE NEW YEAR OFF WITH LAUGHTER!!

Also, I have just written and recorded my very first Christmas Holiday Song called, ‘All Year Long’. It is a serious song and can downloaded for only 99¢. You can also hear a sample of it on my Online Store Page. I hope you enjoy it.

AND NOW FOR MY UPCOMING SHOWS:

Date: December 31, 2009 (NEW YEAR’S EVE)
Venue: Howard Johnson’s — Toms River, NJ
Phone: (732)244-1000 Ext. 508 Ask For Andrea
Other: Dinner & Show plus Champagne Toast at Midnight ($40 in advance & $45 at the door) SPECIAL: Room, Dinner & Show Packages Available to make it a special evening!!
Other: THIS SHOW WILL DEFINITELY SELL OUT FAST so BUY TICKETS EARLY!!

Date: January 7, 8, & 9, 2010
Venue: Wiseguys Comedy Club –Syracuse, NY
Phone: (315)477-9898
Other: Located at 201 South Salina Street

Date: January 15, 2010
Venue: Toms River Elks Club — Toms River, NJ
Phone: (732)240-2711 Ask For Becky
Other: Fundraiser Show For The Special Children’s Committee

Date: January 16, 2010
Venue: Port-Au-Peck Fire House — Oceanport, NJ
Phone: (732)921-8025 Ask for Jim Gallo
Other: Fundraiser For The Oceanport Firefighters

Date: January 22 & 23, 2010
Venue: Wisecracker’s Comedy Club — Scranton, PA
Phone: (570)788-8451
Other: Located in The Clarion Hotel off of I-81

Date: January 29 & 30, 2010
Venue: Wisecracker’s Comedy Club — State College, PA
Phone: (814)238-3001
Other: Located in The Ramada Inn on Atherton St. (Route 322)

Date: February 13, 2010
Venue: The Mansion — Bricktown, NJ
Phone: (732)330-3852 Ask For Nicole or www.ballbusterscomedy.com
Other: A GREAT NIGHT OUT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND!!

I hope one of these dates is near you and that you can attend. As always, thank you so much for all of your past support!

Don’t forget that my BRAND NEW COMEDY  DVD that was recorded at The Strand Theater this past July is out now and doing very well and I wanted to thank everyone who have purchased it so far and thanks also for the great e-mails about it. I am very happy with the response thus far. If you are interested in purchasing it just go to my online store at www.comedytornado.com/merch.htm. It is called ‘Hanging By A Strand’ and it is the live show plus added bonus footage of the question and answer session I had with the audience at the end of the show… Makes a great Christmas gift stocking stuffer.

Also, speaking about the holiday season, for people interested in hiring me for your Holiday & Chrismas parties, whether it be private or corporate, let me know soon because my December dates are almost gone.  All I require is a 10 ft. wide by a 6 ft. deep area and I bring my own P.A. System & Lighting, all you have to bring is the laughter. I also can book other acts if you are looking for something different than my act.

Thanks for being on my mailing list,

Paul Venier

www.comedytornado.com

www.myspace.com/paulvenier

 ”The Fruit Gallery on Westminster Avenue organized the community-involved 3rd Annual Thanksgiving “Feed the Beach” on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2009.

200 volunteers served turkey with all the trimmings, desserts & beverages. Other volunteers did clean up, made and held signeage, brought donations, and helped out in caring ways. 

 There was also a free clothing table and talented guitar musical  accompanyments to the generous and ample food serving.

[our comment sent to the SM Mirror newspaper is below:]

 ”This was a fabulous event, from the home cooked special generously shared foods to the sweet presence of each volunteer who was courteous and helpful to all. We had a great time working, eating, talking, staring, wanting “more” and knowing when to stop eating the delicious feast goodies.

The organizers were kind and worked hard, and the list of participants who also donated food or some money for permits is on their website. All deserve commendations and appreciation, including the SM Mirror photographer, Margaret, who seemed to take it all in with a huge smile of her own.

over 700 people partook of the feasting, mostly homeless or home-free, or van-car-living ones came and it all  felt like part of the Real  Venice community,  [as it was years before the disparateness and flea market encroachment has shifted the place and it's people and attitudes therein].

This excellent Day of Giving and feasting was a brief but healthy example of how Venice can be, a place of sharing, caring and artistic living.”

The organizers – James and Nina Merced – wrote a prompt thank you to all who helped them, tho they did the majority of the heft  of lifting up others to join them..and made the whole scene magically work effectively and smoothly.   They had over 200 volunteers and plenty  enough food to extend the event from 2 to 3 constant food-serving hours. 

700+ hungry people were fed , but most importantly they “were able to feed and nourish the souls of many. “

In addition,to the  200 plus volunteers, Nina and James said : ” please know that your contributions no matter how small or big really served its purpose and everyone should feel very proud of themselves for a job well done. Every last tray of food was served, every dish washed, every piece of trash picked up, every table wiped down and every last trash bag taken out.”

They also again acknowledged the generosity of the  the Rotary Club of Venice, who have partnered with them for the past three years and made Feed the Beach a tradition.  There were others who also donated food, cooked food in small or larger portions and brought them down to the site on Westminster Ave by the Boardwalk to share with everyone there.  A few donated cash for permits and insurance. Others donated other items. All was done without publicity or promotion of the donors, which is unusual in this day and age of overriding promos everywhere overriding the beauty of    just GIVING.

This was a great example, the 4th year and growing, of how a small set of dedicated and loving people can expand and give so much more TOGETHER with others to those who have much less, at least once per year, at the time when Thanks is given not for food or presents but for our being able to come together and be PRESENT TOGETHER, strangers, and friends, families and loners, heavy backpacked or just strolling thru…Venice.

May we all do similar and more of these gatherings where sharing is more important than taking and where being together is more than just the eating of good food.

(c) veniceactivist 2009

Rotary Club Of Venice  gave  $1300 in 26 complete turkey dinners

Il Rotary Club Roma Palatino con il patrocinio del Presidente della Camera dei Deputati, della Regione Lazio, del Parco Regionale Bracciano-Martignano e del Comune di Trevignano Romano ha organizza il 16° Presepe Subacqueo del Lago di Bracciano, presso il molo di Trevignano Romano alla presenza di un folto gruppo di cittadini.

La manifestazione si è svolta con una Processione Subacquea per deporre da parte di appartenenti del Corpo del Nucleo Carabinieri Subacquei e del Corpo Subacqueo dei Vigili del Fuoco di una Corona in memoria dei Parà caduti a Kabul nelle acque del Lago dove da sedici anni si organizza il presente il Presepe.

Il Presidente della Camera dei deputati, On. Gianfranco Fini, ha disposto l’invio di una medaglia d’argento dono di rappresentanza per la manifestazione “Presepe subacqueo del Lago di Bracciano”.

da sinistra: Piergiorgio Benvenuti (Coordinatore FareAnbiente Lazio) - Antonio Rossi (Responsabile di Fare Ambiente di Bracciano) - Fabio Ficosecco (Responsabile FareAmbiente Giovani Lazio) - Francesco Alaimo (Responsabile Fare Ambiente del XIII' Municipio)

Alla manifestazione hanno partecipato, oltre agli Organizzatori, fra le altre Associazioni, il Movimento Ecologista Europeo FAREAMBIENTE e la Fondazione Italiana per la Legalità e lo Sviluppo “Generale I. Mlillo” con una delegazione guidata dall’On. Piergiorgio Benvenuti, dal Responsabile di Fare Ambiente di Bracciano, Antonio Rossi, dal Responsabile Fare Ambiente Giovani Lazio, Fabio Ficosecco e dal Responsabile Fare Ambiente del XIII’ Municipio, Francesco Alaimo.

Hi Theo, I apologise for the delay in coming back to you with a possible reference following your attending our Storrington Rotary Club Charter Dinner at South Lodge Hotel on 7th June . As requested, I am pleased to offer you the following suggestion for your blog and website:

How did he do that?

 I had been a guest at a function at The Reigate Hill Golf Club in  Surrey at which Theo performed, and was very impressed. A year later I was organising a celebratory dinner for my Rotary Club, and booked Theo to perform at that.  I had a lot of derogatory remarks about magicians made when I told my colleagues that a magician was coming to our function, including one lady member who told me that all magicians were ‘rubbish’.

Who does this look like?

The evening came and Theo went round the tables before and during the Dinner, delighting everyone with his close-up table magic, and he then gave us all a half-an-hour magical cabaret show, which went down extremely well with everyone.  There were many comments about “How did he do that?” after the tricks, and he got a very well deserved round of applause at the end, with many people asking him to do more.  The lady Rotarian who had made the earlier comment about magicians, was won over, but modified her comments by saying that Theo was really good – but other magicians are still rubbish!”

We can certainly recommend him!

Good Luck!

Regards

David Langley    President of The Rotary Club of  Storrington

On November 21, 2009, four Rotarians and their three guests made the trek to Cooperstown, New York, to turn over the mitt to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

The entourage was met by former Chief Curator Ted Spencer. Spencer, named after legendary Ted Williams, is a walking encyclopedia of baseball history.

Spencer invited the Rotarians to the basement archives to see where the mitt would be stored until displayed as part of the World War II exhibition. Berthiaume and Pisk were in awe at some of the historic pieces found in the archives. Berthiaume was like a child in a candy shop when given the opportunity to hold (while wearing appropriate archival gloves) the bat that Ted Williams used to hit his last home run.

Spencer spent almost two hours with the Rotarians sharing stories of baseball,  history, and Americana.

Berthiaume said that this experience was the highlight of his life in baseball. The Hall of Fame provided Berthiaume and Pisk with lifetime passes. They will have continued opportunities to see the mitt and appareciate their role in its history.

“It’s an amazing story,” Pisk said. “I know that my father would be very pleased.”

Photos of the trip appear below. Please be patient as we organize and caption the photos!

Photos by Janis C. Jerman

For more information, please see:

New Britain Herald article: http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2009/10/26/news/doc4ae10e2539e5c777468704.txt

NBC Channel 30 video http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local-beat/World_War_II_Catchers_Mitt_Hartford.html

Bristol Press article: http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2009/10/22/life/doc4ae10707a5992039746494.txt

Quand les riches veulent se donner bonne conscience (image volée à Pov)

Ce matin, en discutant sur la présence du Premier ministre à une fonction de la Voice of Hindu pendant la conférence de rédaction, nous débattions sur la définition d’un groupe sectaire. Un collègue s’est alors exprimé en disant qu’un groupe sectaire est une association qui œuvre/milite dans l’intérêt d’un groupe uniquement. Par opposition à d’autres associations dont les activités s’inscrivent dans une logique d’intérêt national. Comme des clubs de service : Rotary Club, Lions Club et autres. Cette comparaison m’a agacé. Je n’ai jamais caché mes sentiments à l’égard de ces clubs de service. Pour moi, ces clubs ne font pas de l’activisme, mais du « slacktivism »*.

Pourtant, les causes et doctrines ne manquent pas de nos jours. De la protection de l’habitat endémique de l’île aux Aigrettes, le débat autour l’incinérateur Gamma-Covanta, la protection de nos plages face à l’érosion et à la montée des eaux, aux combats plus réels des associations œuvrant dans la réintégration sociale d’anciens détenus, toxicomanes ou prostituées, une personne frappée d’une volonté authentique de donner un sens à sa vie en s’impliquant et s’engageant dans une action sociale aurait l’embarras du choix. Pourtant, ces causes n’intéressent pas ces messieurs et mesdames des clubs de service.

Une petite visite dans leurs embassades soutient ce que j’avance : le rêve d’un jour d’un gamin dont on ignore tout depuis, un repas et un sourire éphémère d’un autre. C’est déjà ça, me direz-vous. Etant un puriste, j’aime les choses bien faites. Et en faisant un petit peu chacun, on finit par ne faire… qu’un petit peu chacun. Les activistes authentiques croient fermement qu’un changement et possible dans leur domaine. Ils font tout pour que cela se réalise. Ces véritables activistes placent le combat au-dessus des hommes et non l’inverse.

J’ai plusieurs amis dans les clubs de service à Maurice et j’ai toujours refusé leur proposition d’intégrer ces groupes. En refusant je me suis toujours demandé : qu’est-ce qui motiverait une personne de mon âge à intégrer le Rotaract Club par exemple ? Outre le fait de participer à des activités de « jeunes professionnels » qui impliquent boissons et autres catalystes de « socialisation ». Outre le fait de se créer des contacts qui tombent à pic lorsqu’on démarre dans la vie professionnelle.

La définition de « slacktivism » m’apporte une grille de nouvelles réponses: pour se donner bonne conscience, pour rajouter des dimensions par rapport à sa définition de soi, pour se donner l’illusion de participer à un quelconque changement dans son environnement. Et en ce faisant, la personne n’est point différente d’une autre qui signe des pétitions sur Internet, qui porte des bracelets avec des messages politiques, qui rejoint un groupe Facebook d’une fille décédée dans un accident de voiture, qui modifie son avatar personnel sur des réseaux sociaux.

Au lieu de vraiment prendre position, ces simples actions du confort de chez soi se veulent l’équivalent d’un engagement. En d’autre mots, un activisme qui ne participe à aucun changement au final, qui ne sert à rien. D’où ma conclusion: les clubs de service n’oeuvrent pas dans l’intérêt du pays ou de la communauté. Ce n’est qu’une vulgaire pâle copie d’activisme, idéale pour une génération docile et paresseuse.

* “Slacktivism” is an apt term to describe feel-good online activism that has zero political or social impact. It gives those who participate in “slacktivist” campaigns an illusion of having a meaningful impact on the world without demanding anything more than joining a Facebook group. Remember that online petition that you signed and forwarded to your entire contacts list? That was probably an act of slacktivism.

The brave new world of slacktivism – Evgeny Morozov

I am pleased to share with you, the efforts of my friend, Rotarian Pankaj Tanna and the rest of the team at the Rotary Club of Bombay Worli, with respect to Thalassemia.

At this time, they are doing a show by another Pankaj, viz. Pankaj Udhas, to raise funds to enable them to do even more good work in this area. More information is available in the pdf document linked to this post.

It is my earnest request to all readers to support this cause, either by purchasing tickets and attending the show, or by means of direct donations / advertisements, for this purpose. Thank you in advance, and in anticipation!

Check this out..a must-see..the pdf document about the event

This collection consists of one a folder containing letters, envelopes, and one certificate concerning Susan Svarson’s success entering essays contests in the 1950s.

Susan Marianne Svarson was born October 12, 1936 and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1955.

Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary Club presents a special screening of The Boat That Rocked,  for all to enjoy and to raise money for charity.

From the writer of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually, The Boat That Rocked is an ensemble comedy about a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that preferred jazz.

The screening will be on Thursday 29th October at 8:15pm. Tickets are £9 and include a glass of wine.

Please note that tickets are not available from Light House box office. To book, contact Mike Bates on t: 01902 670311 or email: mike.66@btinternet.com

Empire Realty Associates Broker Associate, Elizabeth Enea orchestrated a plan to participate in the the Asti Century Bike Ride to raise money for local charities and local Rotary Clubs.

Elizabeth and Empire Realty President Hank Perry stepped up to the challenge and successfully completely the ride in beautiful wine country. The ride took place this past Saturday, 10/17 at Asti Winery in scenic Sonoma County.

The bike ride took Elizabeth and Hank through the breathtaking Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys. They rode through charming rural countryside with breathtaking views of autumn-hued vineyards and the meandering Russian River.

Elizabeth is passionate about giving back to the community - it is one of the most important things to her. She is so happy to have completed this challenging ride with all proceeds going to a worthy cause. It is true – everyone can make a difference in the community!

Thank you Elizabeth!

Posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates

 Follow Empire on Facebook            

  Follow Empire (@EmpireRA) on Twitter

A A pae do Guará, oferece cursos de copa e cozinha, musicoterapia e informática para pessoas com deficiência múltipla.

Sedest arca com 50% dos custos do cursos de informática dos alunos da APAE

A Apae do guará tem o seu espaço físico para realizar as atividades cedidas pelo Rotary Club e também tem o certificado concedido pelo Conselho Nacional de Assistência Social, para prestar atendimento a pessoas carentes.

 

A Apae do guará está sob a direção da Coordenadora Pedagógica Luciana de Sousa, que já está há dezesseis anos trabalhando com a APAE.  

A Coordenadora informou que se tem mais de duas mil entidades no Brasil e ela é estruturada da seguinte forma: Federação Nacional, Estadual e Municipal. A Apae de Brasília é única, pois a sua sede fica na Asa Norte e temos núcleos em Ceilândia, Sobradinho e Guará.  Na sede da Asa Norte os alunos fazem jardinagem, em sobradinho os alunos aprendem a cultivar a terra produzindo horta, em ceilândia aprendem a fazer pães e no guará temos as oficinas de copa e cozinha, Programa Pedagógico, aulas de informática e musicoterapia.

A Apae do Distrito Federal trabalha com Educação Profissional e Trabalho com programas como a Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) e Oficina Protegida Terapêutica (OPT) e oferece também atividades nas áreas de: educação artística, educação física, cultura e lazer.” Para Luciana o objetivo da Apae  é preparar os jovens com deficiência múltipla para o mercado de trabalho e para o mundo”. Os jovens passam meio período ou dia todo, pois depende da família ou do programa que ele está inserido. 

Quando o jovem entra na Apae, ele é alfabetizado, passa por todas as oficinas, é como se fosse um estágio inicial para ele descobrir suas habilidades e ver qual ele desenvolve melhor, para que ele possa entrar no mercado de trabalho. Duas vezes no ano a Apae realiza um conselho juntamente com o Serviço de Acompanhamento e Colocação Profissional (SECAP), esse órgão funciona como uma ponte entre a instituição e a empresa que ajuda na inclusão dos jovens. Com a obrigatoriedade de cotas nas empresas para deficientes físicos ficou mais fácil, pois a empresa através do secap nos procura para contratar jovens e eles quando contratados recebem treinamento e acompanhamento pelo secap. Temos convênio com várias empresas como: Super Maia, Riachuelo, Hospital Brasília, Big Box entre outros.

Temos um grupo de jovens da Apae que está trabalhando na UNB, com higienização dos livros, alguns no Super Maia e alguns já entraram até na faculdade, mas não conseguiram ficar, pois a mesma não tem estrutura.

“Luciana disse também que os pais estão satisfeitos com o nosso trabalho, pois eles se admiram com o potencial que o filho desenvolve, por que através do excesso de cuidados dos pais, eles se tornam dependentes e incapazes de fazerem algo sem ninguém por perto.”

“Para Kelly uma das alunas, que está na oficina de copa e cozinha, aprendendo a cozinhar, ela falou que gosta de fazer biscui e não de cozinhar, mas no momento estão sem professora”.

I had a walk up Pilot Hill yesterday. Boy this place has some beautiful views. And there are bench seats to use to just drink in the view and the peace. The local Rotary Club built stairs up the steepest part so it is a reasonable climb for seniors if they are fit.

http://roamersclub.com

http://grey-nomads.org