University Club programs are open to the public and are held Tuesdays in the Padua Room of the Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Road, Claremont, California. Meetings start at 11:30 AM. The $20 meeting fee includes a buffet lunch. Membership applications are available at each meeting. Map to Hughes Community Center

October Program Chair: Julia Arias
The 2019 Directory of Members is done! Pick one up at a lunch meeting or contact Anne Sonner (909-859-4362 or anne_sonner@verizon.net) if you would like one mailed to you. Membership contact information is also available on the club website.

Oct. 1 – “Unsettling Fragmentation ­ Discussions with Prominent Christians from Eastern European Countries and Italy on Current Political, Social and Religious Events”   

Speaker – Bill Forti

Societies are experiencing unsettling fragmentation – fault lines in the European Union, Christianity, traditional values, rapid technological change, the structure of business, the work place. In July, Bill Forti traveled to Moscow, Ukraine, Hungary and Rome. He had discussions with leading Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians regarding their current views, primarily focusing on the European Union, Christianity and traditional values. Bill is a local business owner and past president of the University Club. He presents another program at the end of the month focusing on the last three fault lines mentioned – technological change, business and work.

Introduction: Mel Boynton
Fellowship: Art Sutton
Greeter: Lori McGrath

Oct. 8 – “Travels to Munich, Barcelona, Venice and Prague

Speakers – David and Anne Sonner

The Sonners traveled to Europe a few months ago. Join them for a slideshow about their trip – a little bit of carnival, history, politics, art, music, food, and churches in the cities of Munich, Barcelona, Venice and Prague. Anne and David have been members of the University Club for a while.

Introduction: Donna Bernard
Fellowship: Mel Boynton
Greeters: Pat Kelly, Art Parker

Oct. 15 – “Mailboxes, Stucco and Graffiti: The Built Environment as Narrative

Speaker Prof. Michael Mata, Point Loma Nazarene University

Knowing how to read the physical landscape can uncover clues to the history, current concerns and values, and even the future of an urban neighborhood.  Learning the story of a place can better inform the curation of culturally relevant and hope-filled engagement with that community. Join us to learn skills for reading your neighborhood.

Michael Mata, for over three decades, has designed and implemented community and faith-based programs in the areas of community organizing and development, intercultural engagement, organizational and leadership development, and community youth development. Mata is the Community Transformation Specialist with Compassion Creates Change, Inc. and most recently was the director of the Transformational Urban Leadership Program at Azusa Pacific Seminary. His prior assignments have included the Tools for Transformation Director for World Vision U.S. Program, the Mildred M. Hutchinson Assistant Professor of Urban Ministry and Director of the Urban Leadership Institute at the Claremont School of Theology. He holds degrees in Biblical Literature, Religion and Urban Planning.

Introduction: Hal Durian
Fellowship: Michael Fay
Greeter: Peter Boniface

Oct. 22 – “How Do We Communicate, Including Tips for Improving Your Memory

Speaker Celeste Palmer

Improve memory by playing games, socializing and good nutrition. We’ve heard all that. What do coffee, berries and chewing gum have to do with improving your memory? How do we sound to others? Do you think about how others will hear your words? Have you been offended by someone else only to find out that isn’t what they meant? Communication is an art. With a little humor and thought we can enjoy the conversation!

Celeste Palmer graduated from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University after a near fatal car accident left her with total amnesia, PTSD and Post-Concussion Syndrome. She founded Bridging the Gap connecting Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, a 501c3 organization, with encouragement from Peter Drucker.  BTG (www.tbibridge.org) provides support groups for survivors, caregivers, and families, and awards scholarships at Citrus Community College for veterans with TBI. Today Celeste is a speaker, author and coach for those looking for inspiration and a change of direction toward their goals with a little fun along the way! She is a past president of the University Club.

Introduction: Bob Smith
Fellowship: Anne Sonner
Greeters: Bob Knell and Julia Arias

Oct. 29 – “Unsettling Fragmentation Radical Changes in Business, Technology and the Workplace”

Speaker – Bill Forti

The structure of business and the workplace has radically changed, causing fragmentation, which requires new ways of thinking. Utilizing the actual experience of the William Mark Corporation as an example, this talk will address the great contrast of doing business at the turn of the century and today – from product development to manufacturing, to marketing, to business structure and criteria for success. The William Mark Corporation is a family owned and operated toy company started in Claremont in 1993 by Bill and his son Mark. It has invented and marketed over 25 products and achieved worldwide distribution.

Introduction: Mel Boynton
Fellowship: Don McDonald
Greeter: Anne Sonner
Birthdays: Don McDonald