Meeting Minutes
Torch Club of the Fox Valley
07 March 2017
Atlas Coffee Mill & Café
Notes taken by: Jude Kuenn, secretary
Attendees: David Debbink, Marcia Debbink, Mary Flanagan, Jean Hedges, Walt Hedges, Barbara Kelly, Bill Kelly, Jude Kuenn, Cam Maurice, Richard Schoenbohm, Katie Shaw, Webb Shaw, Jan Smith, Bob Swain, Helen Thiel, Peter Thiel, Sofia Wilson
Guest: Sue Bennett
BUSINESS MEETING
Meeting called to order at 6:35pm.
- Guest Introductions: Sue Bennett was welcomed to the evening.
- Meeting minutes from 2/09/17 were accepted, motioned, seconded and approved.
- Treasurer’s report: 3/06/17 balance is $2,659.63. Report was accepted, motioned, seconded and approved.
- Old Business: none.
- New Business:
A. Nominations and election of officers: Peter Thiel advised the Nominating Committee of Walt Hedges, Jude Kuenn and Peter met. He presented the following office nominees: Paul Freiberg-President, Walt Hedges-Vice President, Barbara Kelly-Treasurer, and Sofia Wilson-Secretary. Ballet was accepted, motioned, seconded and approved. Officers start at 5/11/17 meeting for a two-year term. Congratulations to the new board.
B. Planning for IATC Convention: Richard proposed offering delegate who represents us a reimbursement to help defray personal expenses for attending the June 15-18, 2017 convention in Kalamazoo. Discussion included previous attendees’ expenses, as well as reiterating IATC’s $300 reimbursement to the club. Proposal of $500 total (to be shared between all delegates) was accepted, motioned, seconded and approved. Registration fee before 3/13/17 is $360 each; final registration due by 5/15/17 at $375/person. Richard passed out convention details. Please let him know if you’ll attend on behalf of the Fox Valley Chapter. - Announcements:
A. David Debbink – “Pecha Kucha 2017” is Thursday 3/16/17 at Riverview Gardens, 6-8:30pm. Evening is no charge, includes a silent auction, and will feature 12 interesting talks. Event is a fundraiser for Appleton Public Schools.
B. Jan Smith – “Songs We Know: When Hits Become Art” featuring Christiaan Smith was very successful. The two evening concerts benefit the education programs at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass.
Business segment adjourned at 6:50pm for dinner.
Mary Flanagan: Your Brain on Meditation
The last 20 years’ studies have confirmed the brain’s ability to change. With the advent of MRIs in the 1990s, neuroplasticity has been confirmed and documented.
Richard Davidson, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is the founder of the Center for Healthy Minds. A closet meditator from the 197Os, Davidson has scientifically studied the meditating brain, proving meditation increases resilience, neuro-pathways, and can slow and stall the normal brain aging process.
NIH (National Institute of Health) also supports meditation studies.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” –Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.
Studies have shown we are happier when our mind is focused. Meditation is: breathe in. Breathe out. Repeat. “Joy on Demand” is a concept where we pay attention to thin slices of joy. It is found everywhere and is easy to cultivate if we are mindful. Make this part of a habit:
- Trigger – is a moment of joy
- Routine – noticing the joy
- Reward – feeling joy
Davidson’s book “The Emotional Life of Your Brain” defines six emotional styles:
Resilience
Outlook
Social Intuition
Self-Awareness
Sensitivity to Context
Attention
Case studies in neuroplasticity can be found in Norman Doidge’s book: “The Brain that Changes by Itself”.
Meta: loving kindness, a strong wish for wellness for others; compassion. This mindset leads to measurable changes in the brain.
The evening adjourned at 8:50pm.
April meeting will also be a book exchange, so bring one or two to pass along.