Rotateller Rotary Club of Owego, NY
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 Gary Williams, Editor

GUEST:

Mike Suwak, OFA Interact

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Orv.

Mrinalini and Suzanne:

The girls continue to be very busy – thanks to many Club members – and inform and entertain us with their reports. Mrinalini went to a Sacred Beast Dinner and Concert with Harry. Suzanne went to a girls and a boys basketball game. She is now living with Orv and Carolyn and has dispossessed their cat from the bed. She went with Carolyn to see Charlotte’s Web and also joined Harry and Mrinalini.

OFA INTERACT:

Mike reported that the orientation that they are conducting for the 8th grade students will be on the 24th. They are also going to have a dinner for the Interact volunteers. The Precise Ball Tournament will be on February 28, and they will have a post-prom spaghetti dinner at the Elks.

PROGRAM:

Jocelyn spoke about Hidy Ochiai. She moved here from Minneapolis to study under Hidy Ochiai who has spent 40 years in our community. He believes in helping the community and that you must understand the community, the people, and their needs to be able to assist. When he came here, he was told by his teacher not to do anything or to reveal who he was until he was here for four years. He received a degree from Albright College in philosophy while he was getting to know the community. The Southern Tier has a long history (short compared to that of Japan).

Jocelyn shared that this region has the highest percentage of registered sex offenders in the state other than areas with prisons. With 450,000 people between Allegheny and Broome Counties, there are 1700 registered sex offenders which is 5X the rate in NYC. In his teaching, Hidy Ochiai teaches that the best approach is to avoid – to create an invisible wall. He also gives a two-hour course in how to defend yourself. For a child to feel secure and protect themselves, they have to feel their own worth and have to be able to define who they are. They need the confidence to act as they know they should. The EKP (Educational Karate Program) was started in 1996 and has been approved by New York State. It has been in 320 schools, has 1500 teachers, and 100 who are trained to teach the teachers. This is a not-for-profit organization. It teaches the interaction between the psychological and the physiological – stand tall – bow to show respect for the other – the natural stance for awareness (360 degrees and yourself). “I am ready to learn.” “I am aware of myself.” They are taught to step out which is actualization. Jocelyn demonstrated how you can go against the thumb. If you feel important and capable, you will have confidence. When you are strong, then it is time to start to help others. 10,000 have gone through their doors over the years. 40,000 to 70,000 students have been through the program. The mantra is that you are important, you are good, you are strong, you are gentle, and you are non-violent.

50/50 Orv

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