Irvine Valley College

At our January 28th meeting our speaker was Glenn Roquermore PhD, president of Irvine Valley Community College. He explained how their enrollment had increased in this economy, while the number of students at state colleges and universities had dropped.

Most of this change is due to students being able to receive the first two years of classes at a lesser cost from community colleges. The colleges offer lower tuition fees and, because they are located close to the student's homes, reduces their living expenses. It was very impressive to hear how many of their students had subsequently attended four year colleges and universities throughout the nation, and the honors they have received.

All In Education

by Peggy Stalter

This morning's speaker, Kyle Shelley, is a member of the Costa Mesa Rotary club. He works with college students and members of the "I Generation", (young people in their 20's), who have gotten themselves into problems due to student loans, over spending, and credit card debts. He is young, and has found they will listen to him when they will not listen to parents or the older generation. He works on college campuses helping students. You can view his efforts at his web site, www.allineducation.com.

Credit card companies come after these young people in the same way cigarette companies did our generation. If you have children or grandchildren in this generation you know how large a problem this is. It can plague them the rest of their lives if they do not learn how to control it.

He would like to work with our club and other Rotary clubs in this area, His goal is to work with high school students, before they get into financial trouble, by educating them on the pitfalls. High school personnel have been open and excited about the program. If young people do not learn to control this area of their life, they will never be able to give back and help the world as Rotarians.

Gnaneshwari Mayi speaks about Yoga

by Peggy Stalter
Today's speaker was Gnaneshwari Mayi, from Nithya Yoga Foundation. Her Guru is Paramalhamsa Nithyananda from Australia. She also comes from Australia and has studied yoga in India and shared with us the many meanings of Yoga. It is a 5,000 year-old science combining the mind and the body; much more than the physical exercise, as most people in the USA believe. She now is touring the country in an attempt to explain more about the concepts of yoga.

We also heard from Sean McDowell, a current member of our club, who talked about his work with the New Generation Club, a younger group of Rotarians who aspire to our goals of helping people. Our club is supporting this effort. The group meets weekly and are trying to attract younger people getting started in the business world. Sean asked us to encourage younger business people we know from family and businesses to join them. They are involved in hands-on projects and meet on Tuesday evenings for drinks and appetizers. He asked us to join them if we wish.

Tim Wolin receives Blue Badge

Club member Tim Wolin receives his blue badge from
Membership Chair Toni Thomas and Club President
Pannkaj Kummar