Big Sir Sez,
December 2024
As 2024 fades out, SIR Branch 8 has recognized and addressed many challenges over the past year. With the leadership of our Big SIR, Rich Carlston, the input and decision making of our BEC committee, the hard work provided by our activity chairmen and the overwhelming participation of our membership, We Had A Good Year😉!
The arrival of 2025 will bring opportunities and changes to grow on the foundation started in 2024. Better communications, acting on the membership survey, having a direction / plan to increase our membership is a start. Opening a dialogue with other Branches, working together, helping to solve our issues and their’s. Listening to and acting on our membership‘s ideas and suggestions, we have a lot of talented individuals in SIR Branch 8😃.
Are You Ready? Let’s Do It👍!
Wishing you and your loved ones, a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays🥗! May this festive Christmas & Holiday Season be filled with love and laughter, bringing warmth to your hearts🎄. Here’s to a wonderful time celebrating with those dear to you and creating lasting memories. “Cheers”🥂 to a bright and thriving New Year filled with joy🎆!!
Tom
November 2024
It seems hard to believe that this is my last Big Sir Article. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to discuss our Branch matters with you. As I considered this article, one thought prevailed: This is my last opportunity to share “jokes” with everyone. So, here goes:
Why did Rudolph get a bad report card? Because he went down in history.
Why should the number 288 never be mentioned? It’s two gross.
Why did the elves ask the turkey to join the band? Because he had the drum sticks!
Why was the math book sad? Because it had so many problems.
How much do rainbows weigh? Not much. They’re actually pretty light.
Why did the snail paint a giant S on his car? So when he drove by, people could say: “Look at that S car go.
Why do mummies like Christmas so much? Because of all the wrappings.
What word can you make shorter by adding two letters? Short.
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims.
Hope you liked at least one of those. But if not, I know you will like and appreciate Tom’s leadership next year!!
So, I’ll end with just one more: Where do old Big Sir’s go … to the back of the room with a big smile.
Best Always!!
Rich
October 2024
It is hard to believe we are approaching the end of 2024. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it is a good time to think about those many things for which we should be thankful. While we live in a world filled with political and cultural divisions, war and strife, we need not be impacted by these matters. Rather, our world can evolve around our friends and families. We need only consider these relationships and the freedoms we have to begin to see the vast extent of that for which we should be thankful. I believe it is important to pause and recognize and express gratitude during this season. And I hope you do.
One of the things I’m thankful for is SIR and the many friends and opportunities that it provides. As I approach the conclusion of my time as Big Sir, I look back and think how fortunate I am to have been given the opportunity to serve our branch, to get to know and work closely with our leadership team and to get to know all of you. What incredible people we have in this Branch. Talented, dedicated, active, resourceful, willing to lend a helping hand and above all dedicated to each other and the standards and mission of SIR. Thank you for letting me serve you.
Also, as I step from the role of Big Sir, I am thankful that Tom DiGrande will step into that role. I have seen and experienced Tom’s dedication, commitment, leadership and friendship over the past year. He is an incredible person and will be an incredible Big Sir. Under his guidance, our Branch will continue to grow and thrive. Thank you, Tom, for everything you do. You have been an inspiration to me and others.
Finally, I want to thank our entire leadership team. It is not often that you get the chance to work with such outstanding individuals. Day in and day out, they have been there to not only complete, but to excel at their jobs and tasks. They stand ready to handle the problems and challenges experienced by the Branch. Because of their dedicated efforts, Branch 8 is respected as one of the leading branches within the State organization. My sincere thanks to each of you!
Life is a journey, and I’m pleased to be making that journey with each of you. Best Always and Thank You!
Rich
September 2024
Along with Halloween, we have our outstanding Octoberfest on Thursday, October 17,2024. Be sure and sign up and attend if you can.
At our September Luncheon, we discussed the results of our recent survey. 42% of our members participated in the survey. Preliminarily, the following chart confirms that the overwhelming majority of those responding responded favorably.
90% plus stated that:
- SIR provides value in their lives
- They are satisfied/neutral with the branch overall
- They are satisfied/neutral with the lunch meeting
- They are satisfied/neutral with the branch communication
- They are satisfied/neutral with the branch activities
- They are satisfied/neutral with their activities.
We were also pleased to learn that many of our members would like to participate as branch leaders. We are so appreciative of the foregoing support.
As part of the survey we asked for suggestions for improvement and criticisms. We very much appreciate those of you who took the time to comment. Your comments have been and will continue to be discussed by the BEC. We will continue to review your comments closely as we work to improve our branch. For your part, as we roll out improvements, let us know how you like them.
Following for your review is a link to the Survey PDF file:
https://www.sirbr8.com/wp-content/uploads/activities/Sir-Br8-Survey-Results.pdf
Finally, SIR, Inc. put on a Zoom program in September addressing scams and how to handle them. The program was recorded and is available to review. The shorter version is at https://youtu.be/YyksdG0AblQ. The longer version is at https://youtu.be/DwdZqlCtWrY.
Rich
Little Sir Sez,
January 2025
I hope you got to listen to our speaker, Andrew Parrott, talk about the various factors one may consider with the market going forward. It was interesting that so much of the current market growth has been vested in a small group of hi-tech companies. I heard Andrew refer to them as the “magnificent seven.” Whatever, Andrew did provide us with a parallel report titled “The Great Moderation: Riding a Wave of Economic Stability.” If you would like a copy of this report, whether you attended the luncheon or not, email me at dns.lns02@astound.net.
I learned a lesson in the face of this luncheon. Boundary Oak was starting to serve lunch and our speaker had not shown up. I was getting worried. What a way to start out being Little SIR. Andrew arrived just in time, as he was targeting noon. My lesson, make sure I communicate when to arrive to our speakers.
There is another lesson stemming from a current event involving the Branch that I will share with all. Videos were made of each of the four sessions of our recent End of Life presentations. The Branch intends to make these videos available after they are edited. Unfortunately, one file was lost in this process. It is being remade, at a cost, so that we will have the complete set. The lesson for all of us is, “back it up.” We are dealing with Murphy who has a cruel but wise hand. This Murphy Law is, “Whatever you really value will be lost.” Whenever you do something in this wonderful electronic world of ours, make sure that you back it up.
Our next speaker will be Jon Kalan, representing the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team (CoCoSAR). The CoCoSAR team consists of about 200 professionally trained searchers under the direction of the Contra Costa County Sheriff Emergency Services Division. The team is made up of unpaid volunteers with extensive, specialized search & rescue and medical training. Would you want to join them? Come to the luncheon and listen.
Best,
Dan Smith – Little Sir
December 2024
It was time. I had been coordinator for the Hotline for several years. I was also assisting Manuel Dominguez with attendance including relieving him of several duties. Ray de Wit was reaching out to membership, searching for our next Little SIR. I had been asked before, but had declined because of my effort in support of the Hotline. I told Ray that I would be willing to take this on, provided we could find a member to relieve me of my current roles. I reached out to our three editors (Davis Glazer, Steve Moore, and Chris Wehling) and Chris volunteered for the Hotline. Ray reverted with John Vallor as being willing to take on being Assistant Membership Secretary. OK, I was committed. My only regret in giving up my editor role is that I did not get to rename our newsletter, “Senior Moments.” Yes, I can be corny.
Time has been spent ensuring that both Chris and John understand the roles they are taking on. They both show that they have the capability to do this. I thank them for stepping up. Here’s the point, SIR operates best when we all pitch in to help. We realize that there becomes a point in time that this is not feasible; we like to see you participate. After all, SIR to me is a community just like we have been involved in other communities during our lives. And when we get involved in our communities, we get more out of it. I hope that you that read this, and are able, likewise volunteer and find a role that is rewarding.
As Little SIR I will be involved with finding speakers for our luncheons. That and being there to assist or stand in for our Big SIR Tom DiGrande are my primary roles. We have State SIR, comprised of members from all branches, that are committed to keeping the organization successful and to supporting all that take on any of our many roles. Our branch has a Speakers Committee in support of me, consisting of Tom DiGrande, Tom Doll, Leo Dominguez, Steve Schramm and myself. If you as a member have a suggestion for someone that you think would be a worthwhile speaker, these are the guys to reach out to. I will also recognize and thank Tony de Losada for supporting this committee, one of his many roles.
Our speaker for January will be Andrew Parrott, who will be presenting on the subject 2025 Market Outlook. Andrew comes to us by way of our activity “$UMS in Retirement.” This is, of course, our investment group and the subject should be timely considering the recent election. We will have as a visitor Tom Henry of Branch 174, who our Dave Sutton supports in chairing this activity.
I will appreciate your support as I take on this role. I hope to have fun with you guys. Bear with me if I get corny.
Dan Smith – Little SIR
dns.lns02@astound.net 925-588-6792
November 2024
As 2024 fades out, SIR Branch 8 has recognized and addressed many challenges over the past year. With the leadership of our Big SIR, Rich Carlston, the input and decision making of our BEC committee, the hard work provided by our activity chairmen and the overwhelming participation of our membership, We Had A Good Year😉!
The arrival of 2025 will bring opportunities and changes to grow on the foundation started in 2024. Better communications, acting on the membership survey, having a direction / plan to increase our membership is a start. Opening a dialogue with other Branches, working together, helping to solve our issues and their’s. Listening to and acting on our membership‘s ideas and suggestions, we have a lot of talented individuals in SIR Branch 8😃.
Are You Ready? Let’s Do It👍!
Wishing you and your loved ones, a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays🥗! May this festive Christmas & Holiday Season be filled with love and laughter, bringing warmth to your hearts🎄. Here’s to a wonderful time celebrating with those dear to you and creating lasting memories. “Cheers”🥂 to a bright and thriving New Year filled with joy🎆!!
Tom
October 2024
As we watch the autumn leaves fall, I want to take time to express gratitude for the hard work ALL the BEC Committee and Activities Chairmen & Assistant Chairmen have done this year. Your efforts have truly made a difference in solving the challenges of SIR Branch 8!
Working together has been an amazing opportunity for me the learn and appreciate the value of the SIR organization. With the guidance and leadership of Rich Carlston, we have grown as a branch, not only with the size of the membership, but with knowledge and advice. Branch 8 has succeeded and emerged as a leader! We all thank Rich and wish him the best in the roll of State President of SIR.
What will 2025 bring?
Challenges and more opportunities for sure. But SIR Branch 8 is ready and up to the task ahead. We are working on and solving the issues with the luncheons, speakers and better communication. Meeting quarterly with other SIR branches will help solve some of our common problems and concerns. Listening to and welcoming our memberships thoughts and comments, will help strengthen the areas of concern brought up in the recent survey.
Let’s work together to obtain the mission / goal of SIR:
“Enhance the lives of our members through fun activities and events – while making friends for life”.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and Joyous Holiday Season!
Tom
September 2024
Communication & Information!
In the last few months, we have distributed a large quantity of information pertaining to the “State of the SIR Organization” and upcoming changes within our branch.
We have asked for your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and views, in a survey. You have the results from that survey, keeping in mind that only 42% responded.
Some changes or adjustments have already happened or are “in the works”. The BEC is dedicated to sharing any and all this information (transparency) with our members thru various types of communication.
The SIR Website, Newsletter (Hotline)and E mails are the biggest source of communication for the branch. Luncheons only get the message out to about 1/2 of our membership.
So, here is the issue –
Why do we still have some of the membership saying that they don’t see any of these suggestions and views being addressed or changes being made?
Are you going to the Website?
Are you “opening “ and “reading” the Hotline when it comes out (monthly)?
Do you “open” and “read” the E mails from our branch leadership & activity chairs?
Please take the time to do so!
The SIR State Board and Directors, along with ALL the local branch Big and Little SIR’s, hear what their members are saying. The “Communication “ lines are open.
Be Patient!😵💫
Attend a BEC meeting.👍
Volunteer to take a Leadership role in our branch.😉
Join an activity.😃
Thanks for your support, Tom
last updated 01/21/2025 by MLF
