Hey everyone! Happy second semester (especially to my fellow seniors!). One of the biggest goals I have is to maintain a strong emphasis on SERVICE throughout the year. So, even though it is second semester, everyone should still remain active in their community; try refraining from getting “senioritis” and remember, service should always be a top priority! If you have already started a recycling project in your school, try continuing it throughout this semester; if you have not, it is never too late to start! Remember, in California, each water bottle you collect can be returned to specific recycling centers for five cents (though it’s a small amount, it actually starts to add up really quickly). Even if you are not participating in a specific project, please try to spread the word about recycling; it is a huge benefit for our environment at a relatively low cost. You have nothing to lose!

In terms of future pursuits, Angela and I are working on making a huge project in the upcoming few months. Additionally, for the district wide day of service, we will potentially be holding AN ENTIRE DISTRICT-WIDE BEACH CLEAN-UP (stay tuned for more information). And, for the first time this year, we are going to open up the opportunity for YOU to suggest an event. If you or any of your friends think an event would be perfect for our district, please do not hesitate me to email me, and we can work out the logistics.

As some of you may already know, we are still selling pure, stainless steel water bottles for only five dollars! This is a huge price cut for a stainless steel water bottle (usually, most water bottles of this caliber are at least $15); also, each of the water bottles has been customized solely for District 5170 members the “Go Green” project! If you would like to purchase a stainless steel water bottle, please contact your respective area director. All the money made from the sale of these water bottles will be used to invest in something that will beneficially affect our environment (in the name of the “Go Green” project). This project holds limitless potential; we will get out of it what we put into it.

On a side note, the Presidents’ Winter Retreat is only TWO WEEKS AWAY! Get excited. The entire DC team has been working extremely hard to ensure that the retreat is an unforgettable experience! We really hope everyone is as exhilirated as we are. Again, if you have any problems, doubts, concerns, life dilemmas, puzzling thoughts, troubling dreams… ANYTHING, my email inbox is usually empty, and I’m always happy to help. If you actually read this entire message, I applaud your dedication and hope I didn’t bore you too badly.

UPDATE COMPLETE. QUESTION FORUM NOW OPEN. EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS! Look for another update prior to PWR! That’s all for now. P-Dawg out.

Peace. Love. Interact.

Hey everyone! Angela and I have just received a new opportunity for everyone! We were contacted a couple days ago by the founder of a shop called: “El Elefante Blanco.” The best part about this is that ANYONE form ANY AREA can go to this shop and donate their time to help out. The shop basically recycles items in a similar fashion to the actual game of “White Elephant” (and thus the name). The shop makes an impact on a global and local level and is also currently raising funds for Interact. In general, we believe this is a really great way to give back to our community. We encourage everyone to visit their website: http://www.elefanteblanco.org/mission.htm  and also like their page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElefanteBlancoThriftBoutique.

The address of the shop is located on: 1343 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126.

The shop is open 7 days a week. On Monday-Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and on Saturday-Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. Usually, one shift is around 3-4 hours and volunteers are encouraged to work at least 1 to 2 days a week. Responsibilities include: helping in sales and marketing alongside assorting gently used clothing, antiques (including several rare books), and other miscellaneous items. This shop has lots of potential; as a matter of fact, other shops like this one make over $400,000 annually to donate to their projects (one of which, is Interact). ALL AREA DIRECTORS HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY. If you need more information, do no hesitate to contact us or any of your other area directors. We really hope everyone takes advantage of this unique chance.

So, now, this winter break, let’s make a difference. Even if you can’t make it to El Elefante Blanco, please make sure you get out there and make a change in our community. I know our theme is Go Green, but, in reality, any type of service can make a difference in our world. Today is the DISTRICT WIDE DAY OF SERVICE, let’s show everyone our potential, 5170!

Here at Interact 5170, we believe in change, in freedom, in evolution.
We like to be bold and different. We like to think big, and dream bigger!

As if the revolutionary achievement of 2,400 Interactors at FLC wasn’t enough, we decided to do something even bigger.

Introducing, the first ever, Interact 5170 District Wide Day of Service!

On December 18th 2011, from 12 Morning to 12 Midnight, we are calling ALL Interactors, ALL Community Members, ALL Clubs, ALL Rotarians, ALL Communities to join us in SHARING INTERACT with our D5170 community by serving!

OUR GOAL

To have every Interactor dedicate their entire day to service, and serve AT LEAST 5.170 hours (5 hours & about 10 minutes)

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

1) JOIN IN
Invite all your friends, all your family, all your clubs, EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

2) FIND AN ACTIVITY
Contact your President, your Area Director, look at our list, go on Volunteer Match, or create your own! Find something to do to give back to your community.

3) SERVE YOUR 5.170 HOURS(+)
On event day, get out there and have fun! Bring friends and family, and inspire them to continue with goal!

4) RECORD
Take pictures of you and your friends doing your activity! Make sure you record how many hours you all served, and send both (photos & hour count) back to your Area Director!

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Need some service ideas?

Go to here or here.

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For more information please visit our facebook event (click on the flyer above!)

Helllooooooooo everybody! Happy December. I hope everyone’s all geared up for the holidays, and ready to have a great time! Good luck to anyone who has finals in the upcoming week; be glad we’re halfway through the school year.

I really hope everyone has been doing their best to continue going green. Though it has been some time since FLC, we all must remember that this is a year-long project, and in order to truly make an impact, we must stay committed. With that said, I would like to inform everyone that the powerpoint has officially been uploaded onto the website! It gives a concise yet informative overview on the project and what our goals are for the upcoming year. To access it, go here and scroll down to the Community Section and download the “About Our Project: Go Green” file. This powerpoint is just a way for me and Angela to share our views with the rest of you amazing Interactors. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to shoot me an email. The list of potential community service events and ideas will be up soon, so keep an eye out for that!

Hope everyone has some AMAZING HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES  Finish off these last few weeks of school, and prepare to have a blast!

☮, ❤, Interact

P.S. LOOK OUT FOR A ANOTHER UPDATE SOMETIME SOON ABOUT THE DISTRICT WIDE DAY OF SERVICE .

The Holidays are here! And we all know what that means :]

The red Starbucks cups are back with all the yummy holiday flavors, the strings of lights downtown and in neighborhoods dazzle, and scarves and beanies make a fashionable return. There’s that warm fuzzy feeling you get inside when you’re out chilling with friends, and everyone’s just in a merry mood. It’s a time to reflect and spread that cheer to the community. Around this time, especially during holiday breaks when my friends and I don’t have school, we make it a tradition to go to places like Feed the Hungry (which serves warm breakfast to the less fortunate), Christmas in the Parks* in downtown SJ (you get to shoot staple guns beautify the park AND see the whole result of a community’s efforts), and throw our own little cozy get-together. So put that holiday cheer to use! In these times, we could all use a smile, a helping hand, and that sense of community. Go out and serve breakfast to those who normally wouldn’t be able to afford one,  clean up your neighborhood, participate in a “Caroling for Cans,” …do SOMETHING to make this Holiday season a little more meaningful.

What have YOU done in your community today?

☮, ❤, and Interact!

Angela
P.S. It’d be so cool if you could incorporate this year’s Go-Green theme into your holiday adventures! Bring your own tumblr tumbler to Starbucks and save a paper cup; encourage recycling when you’re walking around at Christmas in the Parks. Every little bit helps.

*Christmas in the Parks is completely volunteer-run. Everything you see is donated, sponsored, or put together by the help of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, high school volunteers, and Interactors! Admission to the park is free. They’ve started an initiative to “Go Green” too;

-switched to LED lights, reduced energy consumption by 70 percent (if your family gets super into decorating with lights, maybe you can make the switch too!)

-currently working towards becoming a Zero Waste Event (properly dispose of your goodies, food, and trash at the park). They are a plastic-bag-free zone!

-find out about the Bright Green Tree Zone

Open November 25–January 1