Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley

This week we are lucky indeed to hear about Natün Guatemala from our speaker Elena Wason. Rotary is deeply involved in International Service in Guatemala, particularly with projects that benefit indigenous Mayan people in the western highlands. Elena reminds us of how the indigenous population is systematically under-resourced, exploited, subjected to poverty, malnutrition, and inequality by the Guatemalan government and non-indigenous layers of their society. The Natün Guatemala organization works tirelessly to help the indigenous people rise up by helping their leadership and people elevate in Guatemalan society and to thrive, ?living their unique and beautiful culture. I love Elena's?description of how Natün Guatemala shifted their efforts from merely accommodating projects based on donor-directed interests to aligning donors to the specific needs of communities, driven by their leadership as developed with Natun Guatemala’s help and guidance. I hope you find this week’s program as interesting and?inspiring as I do! #Rotary #rotaryclub @district5170 #quatemala https://lnkd.in/gd6NxmgY

This week's program, Talking Art and Film with Lyndon Barrois, is an inspiring conversation with Lyndon Barrois—an award-winning director, animator, Unreal Fellowship graduate, and visual effects expert. He is also the only person in the world who transforms chewing gum wrappers into humanistic sculptures and brings them to life through stop-motion animation. What makes Lyndon’s story so compelling is how his passion for art began at just 10 years old. He grew up in the vibrant city of New Orleans, a place bursting with music, color, rhythm, and movement. What started as simple fun—sculpting figures from discarded gum wrappers—became the foundation for his unique artistic journey. With the support of mentors who embraced his love for sports and people, Lyndon honed his skills and transformed his creativity into a distinguished Hollywood career. Young creative minds are guided, not created. Success in any creative field is driven by passion, mentorship, collaboration, persistence, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth. Lyndon’s story is a testament to the power of his philosophy, which is having fun with your craft, staying determined, and always seeking new ways to evolve. We hope you find this week’s program interesting, entertaining, and inspiring. Please join us every Monday for a new Rotary meeting program with the Rotary Club of Silicon Valley. Have you ever thought about joining a Service Club? We welcome new members in our vibrant Rotary Club. #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #animation #creative https://lnkd.in/g9V6bwi9

This week, we are fortunate to hear from Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett, a board-certified OB-GYN specializing in Maternal Health and Reproductive Health in Augusta, GA. She is also the CEO and Founder of August Women’s Health. For over 23 years, Dr. Adams-Pickett has tirelessly worked to address the challenges faced by women, particularly Black women, in rural and economically underserved areas of the US. You may be surprised to learn that the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries, especially when compared to Canada, the UK, Germany, and France. More alarmingly, Black women are nearly three times more likely to experience maternal death compared to White women. There are persistent racial disparities in women’s maternal healthcare that remain a critical public health concern. This talk illuminates a maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. and fosters awareness that will lead to action to mitigate this urgent need. We hope you find this week’s program informative and thought-provoking. #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #MaternalMortality https://lnkd.in/djMpqqMd

This week, we are fortunate to hear from Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett, a board-certified OB-GYN specializing in Maternal Health and Reproductive Health in Augusta, GA. She is also the CEO and Founder of August Women’s Health. For over 23 years, Dr. Adams-Pickett has tirelessly worked to address the challenges faced by women, particularly Black women, in rural and economically underserved areas of the US. You may be surprised to learn that the United States has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries, especially when compared to Canada, the UK, Germany, and France. More alarmingly, Black women are nearly three times more likely to experience maternal death compared to White women. There are persistent racial disparities in women’s maternal healthcare that remain a critical public health concern. This talk illuminates a maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. and fosters awareness that will lead to action to mitigate this urgent need. We hope you find this week’s program informative and thought-provoking. #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #MaternalMortality https://lnkd.in/djMpqqMd

This week, we have the incredible opportunity to hear from Alys Laver, a passionate advocate for nature and wetlands conservation. Growing up in Somerset, England, Alys developed a deep appreciation for the natural world—one that has fueled her impactful work today. As a key player at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Alys is leading one of Europe’s most significant habitat creation projects. One highlight? The Steart Marshes Coastal Project—a groundbreaking research hub and newly designated national nature reserve, backed by a ￡1.5 million government grant. But wetlands are disappearing fast. Pollution, urbanization, agriculture, and climate change threaten these vital ecosystems, leading to increased flooding, biodiversity loss, and climate instability. Alys reminds us that wetlands aren’t just wildlife habitats—they play a critical role in flood control, carbon sequestration, our well-being, water purification, and even economic growth. WWT’s success in the U.K. is shaping global conservation efforts, proving that protecting and restoring wetlands is essential for our future. Projects like these are more important than ever as we navigate a rapidly changing climate. Let’s be inspired to take action! What can we all do to better protect and restore these critical ecosystems? #rotary #rotaryclub @District5170 #wetlandspreservation https://lnkd.in/gGhGPsqD

Welcome to this week's announcement for the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley! We hope you're ready to be inspired and informed during this week's meeting. In Guatemala's mountains, many indigenous women prefer home births with midwives who speak their language. However, complications can arise, leading to a maternal mortality rate 16 times higher than in the U.S. To address this, Wuqu’ Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance has implemented the Mobile Maternal Health Program, which equips midwives with a smartphone app for early detection of high-risk complications and provides Maya care navigators to support mothers during hospital visits. Since its pilot in 2016, successful referrals from midwives have increased by over 50%, and maternal deaths in the region have dropped from 8 to 0-2 annually. Founded in 2007, Wuqu' Kawoq focuses on health equity, serving over 11,000 patients in indigenous Mayan languages, with a predominantly indigenous and female staff. Anne Kraemer, an anthropologist and co-founder of the organization, will speak about this impactful work. I hope you find this week's program as inspiring as I do! #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #Guatemala https://lnkd.in/gYnpTEnW

This week, we have a remarkable speaker, a talented teen scientist from Nova Scotia. Joy's journey began with a deeply personal concern—her grandmother's struggles with dementia and managing her medications. This heartfelt motivation set Joy on a path of innovation and discovery. As you listen to Joy, you'll discover her unique ability to articulate thoughts and ideas, driven by a genuine desire to make a difference through technology. Despite still being in high school, she carries herself with the poise and confidence of a seasoned professional. I know you will find Joy's story both enlightening and motivating. #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #eldercare https://lnkd.in/gFe2UPYR

This week, our program features Mitch Weisburgh, who helps us develop a process for interacting with others with differing viewpoints on issues. He discusses mindset and how we "lock" into issues without much room for understanding, compromise, or change. Does this sound familiar? Mitch contends that using our minds to approach issues differently opens the door to a different discussion. This may help another person's mindset (and your own) "shift," perhaps to better alignment. We can turn conflicts into collaborative opportunities to live happier and more productive lives. Mitch believes that using mind-shifting tools can help make real progress in transforming the world into a better place. He urges us to find our joy! At Rotary, we all believe our work and stories, like this week's, are helping make the world a better place. Mitch's approach may help us make this happen more effectively and faster! #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #mindsetmatters https://lnkd.in/gXwPz_cW

This week's program focuses on a timely and important topic for all: Peace. While peace is often viewed through a political lens, our speakers, both Rotarians from Germany, will discuss it from the perspectives of humanity and happiness. Rotary, as an apolitical organization, shares this approach. A core Rotary mission is fostering peace in communities and regions, creating a ripple effect globally. Through service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, Rotary addresses the root causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to resources. In conflict-affected regions like Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, Local Rotarians collaborate to provide vital humanitarian aid such as food, water, and shelter. The program includes powerful stories from Rotarians in the Middle East, captured by Claudia Weingart, a Rotarian and professional photographer, whose portraits highlight the hope and resilience of Rotary leaders working for peace. Christine Buering, a future Rotary International Board member (2025–27), shares insights on how Rotary empowers members to promote peace and understanding worldwide. We hope you find this week’s program informative and inspiring. #Rotary #RotaryClub Rotary District 5170 #MiddleEastPeace #middleeast https://lnkd.in/gznTWScR

This week, we feature Damian Stefaniuk, a Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Concrete Sustainability Hub. Damian specializes in developing sustainable construction materials. He will discuss his research on electron-conducting carbon concrete (EC3), a revolutionary material that combines the structural strength of concrete with energy storage capabilities. Imagine concrete structures that can store energy to power infrastructure during low renewable resource availability—it's an exciting prospect! Enjoy this week’s meeting! #Rotary #rotaryclub Rotary District 5170 #alternativeenergy #batterytechnology #greenenergy https://lnkd.in/gux-7CA8