text:
Q: textview.settext not working inside spinner Onitemselected event i have a listview which has a custom layout for its items.
inside this custom layout there is a spinner and i want to change the text of some of the items inside the custom layout based on the spinner selection.
the onItemSelected event is fired just fine,however, textview.settext() functions do  not change the text of textviews.
here is my implementation:
listview_layout:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="horizontal">

    <LinearLayout
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:layout_weight="0.28"
        android:orientation="vertical"
        android:paddingStart="5dp"
        android:paddingEnd="5dp">

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/name_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_marginBottom="3dp"
            android:text="نام دستگاه:" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/address_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_marginBottom="3dp"
            android:text="آدرس محل نصب:" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/diameter_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_marginBottom="3dp"
            android:text="قطر لوله:" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/batt1_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="میزان باتری1" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/batt2_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="میزان باتری 2" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/last_data_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="زمان ارسال آخرین داده:" />

        <Spinner
            android:id="@+id/sensor_no_spinner"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:entries="@array/spin_items"/>

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/sensor_type_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="نوع سنسور:" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/sensor_range_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="بازه سنسور:" />

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/sensor_val_txt"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="آخرین داده:" />

    </LinearLayout>

</LinearLayout>

listview_adapter:
package com.dezelectronic.www.datalogger_abfa;

import android.content.Context;
import android.view.LayoutInflater;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.widget.AdapterView;
import android.widget.BaseAdapter;
import android.widget.Spinner;
import android.widget.TextView;

import java.util.List;

class listview_adapter extends BaseAdapter {

    private Context context;
    private List<datalogger> data;
    private TextView name,address,diameter,last_time,sensor_type,sensor_range,sensor_lastlog,battery1,battery2;
    private Spinner spin;
    private LayoutInflater inflater = null;

    public listview_adapter(Context context, List<datalogger> data) {
        // TODO Auto-generated constructor stub
        this.context = context;
        this.data = data;
        inflater = (LayoutInflater) context
                .getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE);
    }

    @Override
    public int getCount() {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
        return data.size();
    }

    @Override
    public Object getItem(int position) {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
        return data.get(position);
    }

    @Override
    public long getItemId(int position) {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
        return position;
    }
    public  void settxt(String type,String range,String lastlog){
        sensor_type.setText(type);
        sensor_range.setText(range);
        sensor_lastlog.setText(lastlog);
    }

    @Override
    public View getView(int position, View convertView, ViewGroup parent) {
        View vi = convertView;
        if (vi == null)
            vi = inflater.inflate(R.layout.listview_layout, parent,false);
        name =vi.findViewById(R.id.name_txt);
        address =vi.findViewById(R.id.address_txt);
        diameter =vi.findViewById(R.id.diameter_txt);
        spin=vi.findViewById(R.id.sensor_no_spinner);
        last_time=vi.findViewById(R.id.last_data_txt);
        sensor_type=vi.findViewById(R.id.sensor_type_txt);
        sensor_range=vi.findViewById(R.id.sensor_range_txt);
        sensor_lastlog=vi.findViewById(R.id.sensor_val_txt);
        battery1=vi.findViewById(R.id.batt1_txt);
        battery2=vi.findViewById(R.id.batt2_txt);
        spin.setOnItemSelectedListener(new AdapterView.OnItemSelectedListener() {
            @Override
            public void onItemSelected(AdapterView<?> parent, View view, int pos, long id) {
                switch (pos){
                    case 0:
                        sensor_type.setText("نوع سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor1_type);
                        sensor_range.setText("بازه سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor1_range);
                        sensor_lastlog.setText("آخرین داده: "+data.get(position).sensor1_lastlog);
                        break;
                    case 1:
                        sensor_type.setText("نوع سنسور:"+data.get(position).sensor2_type);
                        sensor_range.setText("بازه سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor2_range);
                        sensor_lastlog.setText("آخرین داده: "+data.get(position).sensor2_lastlog);
                        break;
                    case 2:
                        sensor_type.setText("نوع سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor3_type);
                        sensor_range.setText("بازه سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor3_range);
                        sensor_lastlog.setText("آخرین داده: "+data.get(position).sensor3_lastlog);
                        break;
                    case 3:
                        sensor_type.setText("نوع سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor4_type);
                        sensor_range.setText("بازه سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor4_range);
                        sensor_lastlog.setText("آخرین داده: "+data.get(position).sensor4_lastlog);
                        break;
                }
            }

            @Override
            public void onNothingSelected(AdapterView<?> parent) {
                sensor_type.setText("نوع سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor1_type);
                sensor_range.setText("بازه سنسور: "+data.get(position).sensor1_range);
                sensor_lastlog.setText("آخرین داده: "+data.get(position).sensor1_lastlog);
            }
        });

        name.setText("نام دستگاه:"+data.get(position).name);//WORKS FINE
        address.setText("آدرس محل نصب:"+data.get(position).address);//WORKS FINE
        diameter.setText("قطر لوله:"+data.get(position).diameter);//WORKS FINE
        last_time.setText("آخرین داده:"+data.get(position).last_time);//WORKS FINE
        battery1.setText("میزان باتری یک:"+data.get(position).battery1);//WORKS FINE
        battery2.setText("میزان باتری دو:"+data.get(position).battery2);//WORKS FINE
        return vi;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Perception is powerful! Here's some advice from Rio Salado Counselor Autumn Cardenez to help you get over those rainy days and Mondays that get you down.
As much as I'd like to write differently life is not always easy! Life brings stressors… illness, bad weather, irritating people, finances, work, and more. Often, when negative things are happening the only thing that is able to change is a person's perspective.
As human beings it is impossible to remain a perfectly balanced, happy, upbeat, and positive 24/7. There are things, however, that you can do to help a negative become well…less negative.
It can take a while for an optimistic train of thought to take root, however, there are three questions to ask in any situation that can help.
1. Ask questions that allow you to see the optimistic viewpoint.
● What can I learn from this situation?
● Are there any opportunities?
● Can I do anything about it?
It's normal if answers do not come immediately but pondering and journaling can really help!
2. Start your day in a positive way.
Do you enjoy a cup of coffee and a brisk walk? I sure do! There cannot be enough said about exercise and the benefits it has on one's body and mood. Watch something uplifting and fun. Let's face it…the news is hard to watch at times and often negative. A positive beginning will carry through your entire day.
3. Choose positive people and activities.
While it may not be possible 100% of the time spending your time with positive and supportive people will lift you up. Learn from others. If you know someone who is genuinely a positive and upbeat person seek them out and simply ask "how do you do it?" Make a mental note of their answers and activities and give them a try. Lastly, do the activities you know you enjoy and that make you smile. Sometimes you will only have 30 minutes but that is 30 minutes of positivity that you didn't have. There are ups and downs to lives, routines, and responsibilities…it's up to you to find the positive and joy.


Brad and Barry Klinge have been investigating paranormal occurrences for the last twenty years, and in Chasing Ghosts, Texas Style, they divulge some of their most exciting ghost encounters and analyze the science behind their paranormal hunts. Each chapter of this fascinating book focuses on the Klinge brothers' investigations into the creepiest of places, and explains how they have been able to capture both audio and video of paranormal occurrences using their high tech tools, and a healthy dose of common sense. Even when faced with mysterious slamming doors and haunting pleas for help, these brothers never shy away from a bone-chilling encounter or another chance to investigate a centuries-old haunting.
Klinge, Barry., Lawlor, Patrick G., Passero, Kathy.
Klinge, Barry., Lawlor, Patrick G., Lawlor, Patrick G.|Narrator, Passero, Kathy., hoopla digital.
Brad and Barry Klinge have been investigating paranormal occurrences for the last twenty years, they divulge some of their most exciting ghost encounters and analyze the science behind their paranormal hunts. Each chapter of this fascinating book focuses on the Klinge brothers' investigations into the creepiest of places, and explains how they have been able to capture both audio and video of paranormal occurrences using their high tech tools, and a healthy dose of common sense.
hoopla:MWT10023925|eAudiobook|Audio Books|Unabridged.|English|Dreamscape Media, LLC ,|2011.|1 online resource (1 audio file (6hr., 37 min.)) : digital., ils:.b24244132|Audio CD|Audio Books|Unabridged.|English|Dreamscape Media,|p2011.|6 sound discs (6 hr., 37 min.) : digital ; 4 3/4 in.


text:
title: "Instrument Open Match with Telemetry Supports"
linkTitle: "Instrument Open Match with Telemetry Supports"
weight: 3
description: >
  This guide covers how you can monitor your Open Match deployment.
---

Open Match is instrumented with [OpenCensus](https://opencensus.io/),
a telemetry library. The metrics that Open Match provides give you
insight into the performance and health of your Open Match cluster. Currently, Open Match supports the following telemetry backends:

* Prometheus
* Grafana
* Jaeger
* Stackdriver

## Install telemetry backend

 At this point we provides two ways to install supported telemetry backend, either via K8S yaml files or via helm.s

- Install via K8S yaml

    ```yaml
    # Install Prometheus
    kubectl apply -n open-match -f https://open-match.dev/install/v{{< param release_version >}}/yaml/03-prometheus-chart.yaml
    # Install Grafana
    kubectl apply -n open-match -f https://open-match.dev/install/v{{< param release_version >}}/yaml/04-grafana-chart.yaml
    # Install Jaeger
    kubectl apply -n open-match -f https://open-match.dev/install/v{{< param release_version >}}/yaml/05-jaeger-chart.yaml
    # Install the above telemetry backends with Open Match core services
    kubectl apply -n open-match -f https://open-match.dev/install/v{{< param release_version >}}/yaml/install.yaml
    # Install Stackdriver
    # No need to install, provided by GKE by default.
    ```

- Install via helm

    ```yaml
    $ helm install my-release --namespace open-match open-match/open-match \
    --set open-match-override.enabled=true \ # Install the default override configmap
    --set open-match-telemetry.enabled=true \ # Enable telemetry logic in Open Match core
    --set global.telemetry.jaeger.enabled # Install jaeger with Open Match core
    ```

## Enable telemetry exporters
{{% alert title="Note" color="info" %}}
The configurations to enable/disable the telemetry exporters are not read at runtime. Please re-deploy Open Match if you want to change the telemetry settings. Also note that helm users can skip this section as overriding helm values change the default telemetry configs at the same time.
{{% /alert %}}

You can configure where and what telemetry you want to emit from your Open Match
deployment. To instrument Open Match with telemetry supports, modify your `06-open-match-override-configmap.yaml` to override the related settings. Please refer to [how to customize your Open Match deployment]({{< relref "../Custom/_index.md/#telemetry" >}}) for more details.

Below is an example of the data section in `om-configmap-override` configmap to enable all of the supported telemetry exporters:
```yaml
matchmaker_config_override.yaml:
  telemetry:
    zpages:
      enable: 'true'
    jaeger:
      enable: 'true'
    prometheus:
      enable: 'true'
    stackdriver:
      enable: 'true'
```

## Prometheus

Prometheus is the server for capturing and analyzing metrics. You can use it
to draft metric queries that can be used to debug a service in the moment or
tweak a query that can be used in a Grafana dashboard.

To access Prometheus you'll need to `kubectl port-forward` port 9090 from your
Kubernetes cluster.

```bash
# Port forward Prometheus to your machine, http://localhost:9090.
kubectl port-forward --namespace open-match service/open-match-prometheus-server 9090:9090
```

Next visit http://localhost:9090 in your browser.

Let's try an example query, `sum(rate(backend_tickets_assigned[5m]))`

This returns the number of tickets assigned by the backend server over a 5-minute sliding window period.

![Prometheus](../../../images/guides/telemetry-prometheus.png)

Let's break down each part of the query.

* `sum()` - This will take the sum over each individual rate produced by
   each server (there may be more than 1 backend server).
* `rate(metric_name[5m])` - Take the rate of a particular metric.
   Since a rate is not instantaneous we must use a sliding window where we take
   *metric_name[now]* - *metric_name[5m ago]* at every time point. The
   smaller the time window the more exact but choppy the data appears.

You can learn how to query your metrics from the
[Prometheus Query Basics](https://prometheus.io/docs/prometheus/latest/querying/basics/)
tutorial.

## Grafana Dashboard

The easiest way to view the health of your Open Match cluster is to browse
the Grafana dashboards. Open Match ships with a few dashboards to monitor RPC
traffic, database transaction rates, and database transaction time.

To access Grafana you'll need to `kubectl port-forward` port 3000 from your
Kubernetes cluster.

```bash
# Port forward Grafana to your machine, http://localhost:3000.
kubectl port-forward -n open-match service/open-match-grafana 3000:3000
```

Next visit http://localhost:3000 in your browser with
Username: `admin` Password: `openmatch`.

Once you're in the Home Dashboard try selecting gRPC. You'll see a page like
this:

![Grafana gRPC Dashboard](../../../images/guides/telemetry-grafana-grpc.png)

## Jaeger

Jaeger is a distributed tracing tool. To view the Jaeger frontend, please run
```bash
# Port forward Jaeger frontend UI to your machine, http://localhost:16686.
kubectl port-forward -n open-match service/open-match-jaeger-query 16686:16686
```

Next visit http://localhost:16686 in your browser. You'll see a page like this:

![Jaeger frontend UI](../../../images/guides/telemetry-jaeger-ui.png)

## What's Next?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Having an effective online presence is key to the success of any business in the internet era. We hope you find this article helpful in optimizing and maximizing your web presence. To that end, we will be writing a series of articles that cover the latest trends in digital marketing, websites, cloud software, phone apps and more. This is the fourth article in this series. This series was originally supposed to be four parts, but over the months we've compiled some additional recommendations that can help you create an excellent online presence this year.
In this article we will share three considerations you should keep in mind when thinking about upgrading/maintaining your current website or when building a new one.
Website ADA compliance is important to avoid a lawsuit, but it's also as important to provide an equal opportunity for people to enjoy your goods or services whether they have a disability or not. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, was focused mostly on physical accommodations in public spaces such as elevators, wheelchair ramps, etc. The regulations have never really included web presence but in 2016, a few lawsuits went to trial and resulted in mixed rulings. Since then, the topic has gained a lot of attention and more attorneys are filing suits even without having clear regulations on how a website should cater to the needs of the visually impaired. As such, the web community has put together some work in progress guidelines that can help keep you and your business out of litigation. These regulations are covered in WCAG 2.0 and they direct how to have a site for visually impaired visitors (by identifying users with braille keyboards) to a version of your site that converts text to speech, which makes it incredibly easy for persons with disabilities to navigate your site. So why not stay ahead of the curve, avoid potential litigation and upgrade your site sooner rather than later.
General-Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was set up by the European Union to protect privacy of its individuals, and it came into full effect 25th May, 2018. This regulation targets all businesses and not-for-profit organizations that process personal data concerning employees, customers or prospects who are in the EU and/or are EU citizens no matter where in the world the company is based and even if the data is processed outside the EU. The regulation states that if a European person's data is being shared by a website then the person needs to know why it's being shared, who it is being shared with and how long the data has been retained. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in a hefty fine. Feel free to contact us to determine whether your website is in compliance with this regulation and if it should be. Remember, this regulation has already taken effect so make sure you handle this urgent matter before it results in undesirable consequences.
Conduct a cross-browser check of the site every six (6) months. This means we'll test the site on different desktop, tablet and phone browsers to see if the site loads properly given the amount of new browser versions deployed regularly.
Confirm annually that Captcha codes are working and are updated to the newest and best versions as they become available.
Monthly tests of the website forms to confirm they are working and sending our email notifications, etc. Contact Us, Footer forms.
Every 6 month change the admin login area of the website and modify the password each time to conform with security best practices.
Every six (6) months confirm that the Website is Mobile Friendly as per Google's Webmaster Tool and take necessary steps to keep the site fast and compliant outside of recommendations that require a new site build.
Every six (6) months, confirm that the Website Is W3 Clean including handling error mitigation that does not require a new site build.
Confirm annually that website.com is redirecting to www.website.com (Check for HTTPS for relevant clients).
Woorank report and related modifications every 6 months.
Contact Consult PR to find out more about our these services and more. We can outfit your site will all the necessary features to be compliant with the above stated requirements and then push a little bit further for a healthy competitive edge. We hope that you have found our fourth article in this series to be informative and helpful.


Supreme comfort and striking aesthetics define this transitional style tailored sofa offered in over 30 fabrics/colours.
The Ashley Sofa offers both supreme comfort and striking aesthetics to the transitional or modern living space. Upholstered in over 30 fabric/colour choices, this tailored sofa features h feather back cushions with polyurethane feather comfort wrap. Frame made of hardwood timber with innerspring suspension. Body and cushions have piped detail.


The flower delivery business has traditionally been considered immune to technological advancements. With the popularization of mobile apps, almost every industry was quick to harness this new tide of change. There has been an app for virtually every service one can think of.
The floral industry is a lucrative business that is said to generate more than $101.84 billion annually. While there's no denying that mobile apps have greatly transformed every business, the floral industry is looking for a much-needed boost with an Uber for flower delivery app.
As a florist, you can stand to benefit by investing in on demand flower delivery app development. A mobile app can greatly reduce the constraints posed by space and time for a florist to deliver flower-based gifts to a user.
An Uber for flowers app will help an entrepreneur widen his existing base of customers while also directly addressing regular users without much hassle.
One of the best features a successful on-demand flower delivery app can have is the option to schedule flower deliveries. As an on-demand app, it should both allow instant delivery as well as scheduled deliveries for a future time. This feature is likely to attract a throng of customers aboard your Uber for flower delivery business.
Once an order is placed for flowers, it becomes very important for the customer to know where their ordered product is. This is why you should integrate real-time tracking of floral products when you build an on-demand flower delivery app. In order to fully exploit the nature of this feature, it is suggested that GPS integration be enabled on your flower delivery app. Enabling Geolocation will further help in providing the location of the user and it also becomes convenient to track the order.
Every great on-demand service provider app comes with multiple payment gateways. Your on-demand flower delivery app is no different – the user has to get several options for payment like credit/debit cards, e-wallets like Paypal or cash on delivery, if applicable. Diversifying the payment option will only endear your app to more customers and make your floral business a huge success.
How to develop an on-demand flower delivery app?
Developing an on demand flower delivery app is no child's play. The process requires the dedicated attention of an expert team of app developers. If you are an entrepreneur looking for ways to give your floral business a fillip, look no further! AppDupe is one of the market leaders in app development and can meet all your business needs by building an Uber for flower delivery app using state-of-the-art technology. The company's undying commitment to client satisfaction ensures that you get the best flower delivery app that is entirely customizable.


text:
Raimondo to Deliver State of the State Address Tonight
The General Assembly will receive Gov. Gina M. Raimondo's State of the State and Budget Address at 7 pm Tuesday in the House of Representatives chamber in the State House.
The House of Representatives will hold its regular floor session at 5 p.m. today, while the Senate will convene its floor session at 6 p.m. Legislators will then gather in the House chamber for the governor's address at 7 p.m.
In addition to the members of the General Assembly, also expected to be present to hear the governor's remarks will be the state's other general officers, members of the judiciary, heads of various state departments and agencies, municipal officials and other guests.
The address, as well as both sessions, will be broadcast live by Capitol TV, seen on Channel 15 for Cox Communications and Full Channel, Channel 1013 for Cox HD, and Channel 34 for Verizon. They will also be live streamed at www.rilin.state.ri.us/CapTV.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Merrill`s Pocket Guide to Radiography Long, Bruce W.
Merrill`s Pocket Guide to Radiography, Long, Bruce W.
Описание: A dictionary of terms used in imaging departments covering radiography, radiotherapy, imaging, radionuclide imaging, ultrasound, MRI, associated medical terms, associated anatomical terms, quality assurance, computers, and, physics.
Описание: Presents a comprehensive question-and-answer review for the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) examination. This work gives students and recertifying radiographers the practice they need to pass the registry examination with flying colors. It also offers advice on preparing for the exam and what to expect on exam day.
"Maximize your study time -- and your grade -- by focusing on the most important and frequently tested topics"
Описание: The chest X-ray (CXR) or chest radiograph remains the most commonly ordered imaging study in medicine, yet paradoxically is often the most complex to learn, recall, and master effective and accurate interpretation. The chest radiograph includes all thoracic anatomy and provides a high yield, given the low cost and single source. This guide presents a structured lexicon for use by readers to reproducibly describe radiographic abnormalities of the chest detected on plain film CXRs. The lexicon is designed to provide readers with clinically significant differentiation of abnormalities detected. The content is structured to relate specific combinations of distinct radiographic findings to classes/groupings of pathological etiologies of those findings. Recognizing the individual findings and identifying their combination or lack of combination with other individual findings allows readers to create effective differential diagnoses that can then be further evaluated using other imaging procedures and/or non-radiographic clinical information. The book includes hundreds of images, including radiographs, CTs, graphics, and analogous models to help teach otherwise complex processes and radiographic principles.
Описание: Standard radiography of the chest remains one of the most widely used imaging modalities but it can be difficult to interpret. The possibility of producing cross-sectional, reformatted 2D and 3D images with CT makes this technique an ideal tool for reinterpreting standard radiography of the chest. The aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of chest radiography interpretation by means of a side-by-side comparison between chest radiographs and CT images. Introductory chapters address the indications for and difficulties of chest radiography as well as the technical and practical aspects of CT reconstruction and image comparison. Thereafter, the radiographic and CT presentations of both anatomical variants and a wide range of diseases and disorders are illustrated and discussed by renowned experts in thoracic imaging. The book is complemented by online extra material which provides many further educational examples.
Описание: Covers various content areas needed by limited radiographer practitioners, included x-ray technology, anatomy, pathology and positioning, patient care, and other clinical skills. The introductory chapters in this book explain the role of the limited practitioner and introduce the student to radiographic equipment.
Описание: Written by an experienced program director, Radiography Prep delivers a concise summary of the entire radiography curriculum in a readable narrative. It is a true "must read" for certification or recertification.
"This is an excellent resource for radiography student interns to use to prepare for the national registry. It poses a series of questions from each integral portion of radiography and covers all the units thoroughly....This is a wonderful resource for students to use to fully prepare for the exam....This is the best book around to prepare interns for the exam."--"Doody's Review Service"
"LANGE Q&A: Radiography Examination, 9e "provides radiography students and recertifying radiographers with more than 1,400 registry-style questions with detailed answer explanations. Questions are organized by topic area for focused study and the book also includes two comprehensive practice exams. This ninth edition includes the ARRT examination content to be implemented in January 2012. Also new is coverage of computed tomography (CT) technology within the chapters on radiation protection, equipment, procedures, and CT imaging. Also included is an exam-simulating CD containing two complete practice exams.


text:
Public Has Little Confidence In Obama's Foreign Policy Or Leadership, New Poll Shows
More bad poll numbers for the President.
Doug Mataconis · Wednesday, June 18, 2014 · 13 comments
President Obama's job approval rating has hit a low point in the new NBC News/Wall Street Journal part, thanks in large part to a precipitous drop in public confidence in the President when it comes to foreign policy:
The percentage of Americans approving of President Barack Obama's handling of foreign policy issues has dropped to the lowest level of his presidency as he faces multiple overseas challenges, including in Iraq, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.
Additionally, the public is evenly split on whether Obama is a competent manager of the federal bureaucracy. And a majority of respondents – 54 percent – believe the term-limited president is no longer able to lead the country.
"This is a bad poll for President Obama, and not a good poll for anybody else," said Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who conducted the survey with Democrats Peter Hart and Fred Yang.
"Whether it's [Vladimir] Putin, Ukraine, the VA hospitals, Bowe Bergdahl, the events have controlled Obama, rather than Obama having controlled the events," Hart adds. "He may be winning the issues debate, but he's losing the political debate, because they don't see him as a leader."
The poll was crafted before the instability in Iraq grabbed headlines, so it doesn't contain questions on that subject. It also was conducted before the United States arrested a suspect in the 2012 attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya.
But it shows an American public that has grown dissatisfied with President Obama on foreign policy and national security decisions.
Just 37 percent approve of his handling of foreign policy, which is an all-time low in the survey, while 57 percent disapprove, an all-time high.
What's more, by a 44 percent-to-30 percent margin, Americans disagree with the Obama administration's decision to secure the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for five imprisoned Taliban fighters.
And respondents are evenly divided if the details of Bergdahl's disappearance from his base in Afghanistan matter in the U.S. decision to secure his release: 47 percent say the details matter, while 46 percent say they don't.
President Obama's overall approval rating in the poll is at 41 percent, down three points from April. That's tied for his all-time low in the survey.
And his favorable-unfavorable rating is upside down (41 percent-45 percent) after being right-side up two months ago (44 percent-41 percent).
<Perhaps most troubling for the president, 54 percent think he is unable to lead the country and get the job done, compared with 42 percent who believe he can.
The general phenomenon of President Obama's declining poll numbers isn't new, of course. We've seen it in other polls this month, and going as far back as April, with polls showing him hitting lows in job approval that make one wonder how much longer it will be before he hit the levels that his predecessor saw before he left office in 2009. What's perhaps most remarkable about this poll, and something that should concern the White House if it persists, is the overall decline in the public's approval of the President's foreign policy in general and the doubts about his ability to lead in particular. As a general rule, the public tends to give a President more leeway and support on foreign policy issues than on domestic issues, at least that's been the case historically. To a large degree this has been because there has usually been more domestic agreement on foreign policy issues, and because the public tends to give Presidents the benefit of the doubt when they act in response to an international crisis. Those rules no longer tend to hold, though, when things start to go bad on the international front or when the public begins to doubt the Presidents judgment or ability to lead. This is what happened to such recent former Presidents as George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.
To a large degree, this is exactly what has happened to Barack Obama. For most of his Presidency, foreign policy was the one area where the public tended to approve of his job performance at the same time that they were giving him lower grades on the economy, health care, and general job performance. For example, take a look at this chart from Pollster: (Click to enlarge)
For the vast majority of the Obama Presidency, the President was above water on foreign policy job approval. In no small part, no doubt, this was due to the fact that he had largely followed through on his promise to end the Iraq War and the fact that the Afghan War, while unpopular has largely become an "out of sight, out of mind" phenomenon for the American public. The one major dip that occurred seems to have coincided with the Arab Spring of 2011 and the military action in Libya, which the public was largely against according to the polls taken at the time. However, since that was a short and, for the United States at least, bloodless affair, and was followed just a few months later by the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, it didn't have much of an impact on the general trend. It wasn't until roughly a year ago that things began to turn sour for the President on foreign policy. It's difficult to pick any single incident that might be responsible for this, but this does coincide with the Administration's aborted campaign to lobby for military strikes against Syria, which the public was strongly against, as well as the general post-election decline in Obama's job approval that I've written about before. Whatever the reason, it seems as though we've entered an era where the public is negative on the President's job performance even in any area where they've traditionally given Presidents deference.
Outside of foreign policy, though, that leadership number I highlighted above is the one that should most concern the White House, and Obama's fellow Democrats. If it holds up, it basically means that the public has lost confidence in the Presidents ability to lead the country on any issue, even the ones they might agree with him on and that makes it harder for the President to make the case for his political agenda going forward. When this happened to George W. Bush, it played a huge role in his ability to navigate the 2008 financial crisis. When it happened to Jimmy Carter, it had an impact on everything from his domestic policy, which even a Congress controlled by his own party started to reject, to foreign policy issues like the Iranian Hostage Crisis and relations with a Soviet Union that was becoming more assertive than it had been in quite some time.
This morning on Morning Joe, NBC's Washington Bureau Chief Chuck Todd bluntly stated that this is the public telling the President that his Presidency is over:
I'm not sure I'd go quite as far as Todd does in interpreting the results here. At the very least, I'd want to see how this plays out in other polls in the coming months and, most importantly what impact this has on the midterm elections and the fortunes of Obama's fellow Democrats. As a general rule, however, we've known all along that eventually Barack Obama was going to become a lame duck at some point in his Presidency. What this polls seems to show us is that it's happening sooner than anticipated, and that it could have a serious impact on the President's ability to get things done not only domestically but also around the world.
FILED UNDER: Barack Obama, National Security, Politicians, Public Opinion Polls, US Politics
C. Clavin says:
Wednesday, 18 June 2014 at 10:55
The majority don't want to bring home POW's?
Obviously driven by the right wing entertainment complex.
In other words…who cares?
Obama's Foreign Policy has been nothing short of spectacular when compared to his predecessor, granted that is a very low bar but …
rudderpedals says:
This bodes poorly for Mr. Obama's reelection campaign.
Fog says:
So…this means, in contrast, Dick Cheney's popularity is soaring on the wings of eagles?
Then it's just another BS popularity poll without deeper significance.
edmondo says:
@rudderpedals:
I wonder if Kay Hagen, Mark Begich, Mark Pryor, Mary Landrieu and Mark Udall are thinking the same thing?
@edmondo: So long as the oil flows and home state arms contractors are fed foreign policy's a don't care input to their campaigns.
Ramalama says:
You see, the world is like an orange and when you peel the orange your hands get sticky and you have to wash them, you bunch of jackasses.
Jeremy R says:
While the public has clearly internalized the endless puerile RW "leadership" drumbeat they still think very little of the Right's foreign policy alternatives:
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2014/IraqPollMemo.pdf
Q5 President Obama has announced that he will
not send U.S. troops to Iraq under any
circumstances. Senator John McCain has
argued that the United States should have left
troops in Iraq rather than withdraw them from
Iraq as we did in 2011. Would you say you
agree more with President Obama or Senator
McCain about whether the U.S. should have
troops in Iraq?
President Obama 54% ……………………………………..
Sen. McCain 28% ……………………………………………
Not sure 18%
I may sound like a broken record here, but the sluggish economy and the impression that the Prsident is powerless to do anything to revive itit is having a big effect on his foreign policy figures and above all on his "leadership" figures, IMO.
An objective look on his FP record would show that PBO has done quite well, certainly better than those figures.
Helpful here is EJ Dionne's latest. The nub:
His frustration reflected the way in which Washington gridlock may have a larger cost for Democrats than for Republicans — even if Republicans are the ones foiling Democratic proposals, as they did in the Senate last week with the Warren bill. Because the Democrats' stock in trade is to use government to solve voters' problems, their supporters become especially disheartened when the legislative process grinds their initiatives to pieces. Obama knows this. "Think about how much more we could do if they were not standing in the way," he said.
Also curious is how little traction Obama is getting out of the ongoing recovery. When Ronald Reagan ran for reelection in 1984 and his commercials announced it was "Morning Again in America," the nation's unemployment rate averaged 7.5 percent over the year. Unemployment stands at 6.3 percent now. And as Bloomberg reported, if the pace of job growth "is sustained for the remainder of the year, it would mark the fastest-growing labor market in the U.S. since 1999."
Why is no one declaring it "Morning in America" now?
Part of the answer lies in how much damage the Great Recession did — the labor force participation rate is at its lowest level since 1978, median income is still below its 1999 peak and wage growth has been sluggish, though there are signs it's picking up. Many Democrats worry that touting success could make them look out of touch. But the party's difficulty in moving the national conversation to economics is also helping to bury promising tidings.
IOW, the Republicans , by screwing up the wheels of government, has presented an image of an ineffective government and an ineffective President and that affects public perception even in an area where he has been effective.
The solution would be better messaging, but then this is the Obama Administration we're talking about….
Eric Florack says:
Weren't Carter's numbers about the same toward the end of his term?
Robin Cohen says:
Thursday, 19 June 2014 at 14:52
Now he's sending troops as instructors. This man is about as sneaky as it gets. He's using
every dirty little trick to send troops to Iraq and calling them something else. There is no reason to waste another American life on this worthless country. He must be stopped ASAP. The Iraqi people must take full responsibility for their failed State and we need to stay the hell out. Obama needs to go.
mannning says:
Sunday, 22 June 2014 at 01:02
It is most unfortunate that over 50% of the nation waived the clear knowledge that Obama was not suitable for the presidency and proceeded to elect him twice. So we are now over 6 trillion dollars more in the red, have been virtually forced to listen to a gaggle of serious and repeated lies to the people, have a stagnant economy, printing money at a furious rate, about to lose the dollar as the world's reserve currency (which will be disastrous to the economy!), see our foreign relations tank and the bad guys ascend, and good jobs almost impossible to find, with unemployment and those who have given up reaching around 13%, who could possibly call this president and administration a success? Yet he has until 2017 to continue this disassembly of the US Constitution, order up whatever he thinks he can get away with, and use the perks of the presidency to play golf all over the nation at millions a pop of taxpayer money when you include the entourage and planes that must follow him. This is the president that promised a transparent administration and 5 day reviews of all legislation. What a scam artist!
With the exception of Jon Huntsman, none of the other candidate had any better foreign policy experience or would have made a better President and he had the integrity and honesty all the others lacked. Looking at recent elections, it seems we really don't want a President with those qualities, just one who jumps highest when the big, corrupt money donors say jump.
Obama Continues Slipping In Public Opinion Polls
Bad News For GOP As Trump Job Approval Dips To New Lows Ahead Of Midterms
One Year Later, Trump's Job Approval At Historic Lows
After 200 Days In Office, Trump's Job Approval Continues To Slump
As Shutdown Continues, The President's Political Position Weakens


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Home / Mass-media / Events / Social campaign: Do you want to be successful? Be honest!
Social campaign: Do you want to be successful? Be honest!
On the eve on the Intenational Anticorruption Day, NAC and UNDP Moldova have launched the integrity promotion campaign "I did noot buy success!". Different public personalities have urged people not to rely on illegalities, to breed success in life following honest and legal ways. The messages were used in a social spot, which is currently broadcast on several TV stations with national coverage, but also on social networks.
"You cannot be successful if you are corrupt"
One of the protagonists of the campaign, the journalist and vlogger Dorin Galben, affirms that integrity is the basic element to become successful. As a result, this is the rule that is followed in the professional activity. The online platform "Un show de doi Galbeni" that he has developed has over 100 thousand followers, and the topics he addresses are mainly related to social problems.
"Corruption is a phenomenon in the Republic of Moldova and no matter how much we talk about this; it continues to exist in our society. Unfortunately, money play a very important role in our country. We are the ones who generate this chain of giving bribes and taking bribes".
According to him, success bypasses the corrupt. "A successful man is an integral man. You cannot be a corrupt man and be successful. A successful man does not give bribes, he is responsible for what he says, what he communicates, for the topics he addresses. "
"It's a shame to give a bribe!"
Dorin Galben considers that information campaigns are needed to reduce corruption.
"A well-informed person is a difficult man to manipulate. When you go to a hospital, you know your rights, you know that certain services are provided according to the medical insurance, you will never get 1000-2000 lei to give to the doctor. The lack of information also makes people believe that when you are stopped by the police you must give bribes, when in fact you better pay a fine of 200 lei than to bribe, "he says.
Another way to get rid of corruption is for each of us to give up bribery and favoritism, says the journalist. "I always start from the hypothesis that the moment I would give bribes would be found out very fast. Someone would say the journalist Dorin Galben gave bribes while promoting completely different values. So, I gave up and I have a clean conscience. The citizens need to understand that giving bribes is a shame and that you can feel remorse for the rest of your life, "says Dorin Galben.
"All the successes I have are achieved through hard work"
Another protagonist of the campaign, the student Victor Purice, who has obtained several medals of International Olympiads in the study objects believes that his success is based, first and foremost, on work.
"To give money to teachers is foolish on the part of the teacher, and on the part of the one who gives the bribe. I consider that it is necessary to work for marks, for results. Success does not have a magic formula, it is a combination of effort, passion, luck, abnegation and dedication".
Victor solved math exercises from kindergarten, when he became a pupil, he has made a real passion for this school subject. When he was in the 4th grade he won his first competition. Then several national Olympiads followed, a little later he has achieved success on the international level - silver at the Balkan Mathematical Olympiad from Greece, bronze at the Balkan Olympiad of Computer Science, as well as European Olympiad in Informatics in 2018.
"Your image is worth more than money"
For the actress Dana Ciobanu success means, first and foremost, the ability to maintain integrity. "It is good if your intransigence, your image, your social position matters more for you than money. In the Republic of Moldova, you can be a successful person, maintaining your integrity, maintaining your principles without compromising yourself, "she says.
Dana Ciobanu successfully combines the profession of actress and journalist. She does television, theatre, and film. "For me success is equivalent to work and ambition, but it is necessary to maintain the priorities in life and resist the temptations that can appear along the way. You need to have the backbone to resist, especially in journalism and theatre. Success is when you are satisfied with yourself, you are not ashamed to look in the mirror and smile to yourself", she says.
According to Dana Ciobanu, integrity must be educated in the family. "I have always known that I will not chose financial security to the detriment of integrity. It was clear for me when I was a child, it was a principle established by my father. The profession I have has educated my strenth, my will and I know from personal experience that by working, giving up some benefits, and aiming higher you can resist", confirms the actress.
The campaign "I did not buy success!" is part of the project "Fighting Corruption by Strengthening Integrity", implemented by UNDP and the National Anticorruption Center, with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
https://medium.com/undp-moldova/campanie-social%C4%83-vrei-s%C4%83-ai-succes-fii-integru-9111ea5fc36b
Contact person: Natalia Porubin, media consultant. Tel. 079727205; e-mail:nataporubin@gmail.com


The lack of legislation, poor infrastructure, unjustifiably high charges imposed by the naval authorities, the problems of the Romanian fleet, and many other issues of major interest in the Romanian shipping industry have been intensely discussed by the representatives of academia, public authorities, naval authorities, ship-owners and operators in this field in the special context created by the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the "Danubius" University, a round table on "Developing and Running Successful Shipping Businesses", which took place on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the Danubius University.
The hosts of this event, Senior Lecturer Mădălina BĂLĂU, PhD - coordinator of the Master program Shipping International Trade and Finance, and her colleagues, Professor Florin Dan PUŞCACIU, PhD and Professor Viorica PUŞCACIU, PhD, experts with valuable scientific and practical expertise in the field of shipping, have organized this event in order to launch a new challenge for the participants, highlighting the main shortcomings of the practice in the field of shipping and its maritime and river components and to establish a common strategy for the academic environment, naval authorities, local public institutions, ship owners and naval operators to reach at the level of the central government.
The opening of the debates was preceded by the intervention of Associate Professor Andy Corneliu PUŞCĂ, PhD, Rector of "Danubius" University, who has familiarized the public with examples of facts and people which gradually built the international, entrepreneurial, open and online profile of the host university, a profile perfectly adapted to the realities of the labor market and the complex dynamics of different sectors of activity, exemplifying the active role played by this higher education institution in the field of shipping, by carrying out the unique master program in Romania "Shipping International Trade and Finance", as well as by being a member of the Naval Cluster – the result of a European project in which APDM was a partner.
The presence of the well-known Professor Eleftherios THALASSINOS, PhD, member of the School of Industrial and Maritime Studies - Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus, Greece, with over 30 years of experience in the academic field and with an impressive expertise in Shipping, acknowledged the importance of this meeting, which has passed the stage of superficial discussions and highlighted real "attack" initiatives that are considered essential to solve many of the issues raised on this occasion. The Professor has responded to the challenge raised by Alina Raileanu, PhD, Director of Danubius International Business School (DIBS), to present the latest trends in International Shipping domain.
All the interventions were punctual, referring specifically to sensitive issues registered in the naval field, issues that require urgent intervention by local, regional and national officials, institutions which according to Mr. Gheorghe ANTISTESCU - General Manager ROMNAV SA, "reach the water" and have to become supporters of the ship owners and the harbors.
The subject of Romania's longest highway, the Danube, has monopolized the debates in this event, focusing on the complexity of problems encountered at the level of the river, especially by navigators.
On the same page, Mr. Gheorghe ANTISTESCU - General Manager of ROMNAV SA, criticized Romania's legislation in the field of shipping, highlighting the erroneous harmonization between maritime and fluvial at the legislative level, the exaggerated level of port taxes to be borne by the ship-owner, the need to attract funds in this area, making adjustments, as well as other issues that the river transport is facing.
The ineffectiveness of the shipping studies left without practical transposition was argued by Mrs. Carmen COSTACHE, Director General Adj. of the APDM, considering that it is important to take action, by adopting the policy of small steps, by establishing short, medium and long-term strategies and by undertaking concrete and immediate actions. Mrs. Carmen COSTACHE also invoked the negative effects on shipping due to the lack of a coherent transport strategy for Romania.
At the end of the event, Associate Professor Andy Corneliu PUŞCĂ, PhD, granted to the special guest Professor Eleftherios THALASSINOS, PhD, Doctor Honoris Causa of "Danubius" University, a plaque in appreciation of the special dedication and commitment to the international development of maritime studies and for the openness shown to the collaboration between the two higher education institutions at academic and scientific level.
We mention the people that have participated in this event: Carmen COSTACHE - Deputy General Manager of APDM; Mrs. Gabriela BRĂGĂU - Braila County Council; Mr. Gheorghe ANTISTESCU - General Manager ROMNAV S.A .; Mr. Eng. Corneliu CARP - The Lower Danube River Administration R.A. Galati; Mr. Leonard Lucian COTIGA - Executive Director of the Association of Ship owners and Operators of River Ports in Romania (AAOPFR); Mr. Fakhouri HAMMED MOAD - General Manager ARUAMAR SHIPPING SRL; Mr. Eugen FRUNZĂ - General Manager NAVLOMAR SHIPPING Galati.


text:
NATIONAL SECURITY APPARATUS
The National Security Apparatus (NSA) is NAIMUN's most dynamic and unique organ. The only one of its kind on the high school circuit, the NSA is made up of five crisis-style committees existing within the same universe (Think of it as the MCU of MUN). Each committee has 20-25 delegates.
Historically, the NSA was made up of multiple organizations within one country — at NAIMUN LV, NSA was the United Kingdom; and at NAIMUN LIV, NSA was the United States. Last year at NAIMUN LVI, the NSA broke the status quo and transformed into an intergovernmental organization, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
This year, we will continue to push the organ into uncharted territory. At NAIMUN LVII, we will be running the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 — a fight for power during the Cold War between the United States, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), and Cuba. The NSA includes five crisis committees: John F. Kennedy's Executive Committee (EXCOMM), the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Nikita Khrushchev's Presidium, the Soviet Union's Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti (KGB), and Fidel Castro's Cabinet. Each committee must consider committee-specific crises while also working with (or against) other committees in the NSA.
The NSA is unique on the circuit due to its interactive nature. As delegates push individual crisis arcs, their impact will go beyond their own committee and affect the other committees in the organ as well. As each committee reacts to new crises, they must carefully consider how their actions will shape the responses of other committees in the organ. Because each committee has a different focus, they will each experience the crises from different perspectives, and communication among delegates between committees will be crucial to coordinate responses on each side. The stakes are high, and we are confident that the interconnected crisis will challenge even the most seasoned delegates.
john f. kennedy's executive committee (excomm)
nikita khrushchev's presidium
fidel castro's cabinet
Комите́т Госуда́рственной Безопа́сности (KGB)
GRAND CRISIS MANAGER: SURAAG SRINIVAS
Suraag is a member of the Class of 2020 studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Business Growth and Development. While originally from Chelmsford, MA, Suraag spent his four years of high school in rural Indiana at a military school, where he first got involved in Model UN. Since then, he has served as the Under-Secretary-General of Cabinets at NAIMUN LV and the Chair of the Ad-hoc Committee at NAIMUN LVI. He has also served as the Secretary-General of Georgetown's collegiate Model UN Conference, NCSC, last year, and he currently serves as GU MUN's Conferences Coordinator and Head Delegate. When Suraag is not staffing or competing with Georgetown Model UN, he is a member of the board of directors for Hilltop Consultants, a student-run group that consults for nonprofits, and a choreographer for Rangila, Georgetown's South Asian dance showcase. In his (agreeably limited) free time, he can be found watching SNL videos on Youtube and searching for (or blending up) the perfect fruit smoothie. Suraag could not be more excited to staff his fourth and final NAIMUN as the Grand CM of the NSA Organ and is looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for delegates this coming February!
UNDER-SECRETARIES-GENERAL
caleb yip
alex chen


text:
Kurt Drake: The integration master
Brian Beeghly: The change agent
Richard Bistrong: The great communicator
Mara Davis: The media mind
Peter Driscoll: The risk detective
Rob Easton: The crossover expert
Cindy Fornelli: The auditor's CCO
Mary Gentile: The practical ethicist
Michael Hershman: For the love of the game
Nancy Jardini: The legal mind
Sean X. McKessy: King of the whistleblowers
By Joe Mont2017-05-16T13:30:00+01:00
Before joining Kimberly-Clark as its chief ethics and compliance officer in 2016, Kurt Drake already had more than 20 years of global ethics and compliance and finance experience.
He has been the chief ethics & compliance officer for GE Aviation, Mubadala Development Co., PPG Industries, and General Cable. In these roles, he has successfully built and led global ethics and compliance programs and teams in a range of industries. For more than nine years of his career, he took his talents overseas to China, Italy, and the Middle East. A common denominator at each company: building a world-class compliance program unique to each entity, eschewing the easy route of a cookie-cutter, check-the-box program.
Drake is a former board member of the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association and is active speaking at ethics- and compliance-related events.
Highlights of his career include cutting his teeth with Deloitte and GE's renowned audit team. At the latter company, he was selected to work directly with then-CEO Jack Welch as CFO for one of GE's major business units in China.
About Kurt Drake
Title: Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, Vice President, Kimberly-Clark
About Kimberly-Clark: A global consumer products company with sales over $18 billion and with over 43,000 employees worldwide. Their products are well-known brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, and Depend and are sold in more than 175 countries.
Years of experience: 22
Areas of expertise: Compliance, audit, finance, Six Sigma
Quote: "When I back up a little bit and think about my career, it is all about making compliance integrated into the company's DNA, globally and locally."
Among Drake's notable challenges, and an enduring success story, was righting the ship at General Cable, a wire and cable manufacturer he previously interned for in college. At the time, Drake took on the role of senior vice president and chief compliance officer (also taking on responsibility for internal audit), the company was in the midst of cooperating with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice on a review of its business units in Asia and Egypt for potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Within 14 months, a comprehensive compliance program was developed under Drake's careful watch. In crafting the program, communication and cooperation with senior business leaders and managers was crucial, he says, explaining the need for top-down buy-in and enthusiasm.
The results speak for themselves. The new compliance program was among the first to pass muster under a new Department of Justice program where the agency's internal compliance expert worked alongside a company to assess its submitted compliance program's merits and effectiveness.
Noted FCPA expert and Compliance Week columnist Tom Fox noted that General Cable's enforcement action and dealings with the Justice Department "may well be one of the most significant for the compliance practitioner as it clearly states the need to operationalize a compliance program … It could be the case which portends the most significant step in doing compliance forward."
"Kurt had performed his due diligence and understood the areas where our Internal Audit function needed to improve," a former colleague says. "He had a clear vision for where internal audit needed to be, but trusted the team to engage and execute on that vision while still being intimately involved, driving for the best possible results."
You've described yourself as fortunate in having mentors who helped inspire you and focus your talents.
I've been lucky to have two great mentors who have been really instrumental throughout my career.
My early mentor was Kenneth Meyer. He was a former two-star general in the Air Force who also set up the compliance program at GE. Very early on in my career, he taught me a lot about leadership and change management.
When I went over to China, I reported to the CFO, as well as Ken, as the compliance leader. He instilled into me the leadership aspect of how to deal with people and change. He excited me about how to connect my expertise to compliance and keeping the company safe. He remained very instrumental throughout my career.
My other mentor is Keith Darcy [former executive director of the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association, now known as the Ethics & Compliance Initiative]. He was really helpful to me in terms of ethics and compliance in general, but also in terms of thinking about how to build culture and a world-class program at a company. I initially met Keith at various conferences and got to know him very well. He took time to really invest in me and has been very helpful over the years. Frankly, both mentors saw a lot of things in me that I didn't always see in myself.
I've also been very lucky to work at companies with business leaders of high integrity.
You have had significant overseas experience, including time in Shanghai with GE. Tell us about leaving that company for an opportunity in Abu Dhabi.
I spent 12 years at GE and then moved on to a sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, headed up by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Mubadala was a greenfield opportunity that involved establishing an entire compliance program for them including writing their first code of conduct. It was very unique in the sense that, for starters, I had to define the vision and build a program and team across the various industries in more than 20 countries.
I loved the challenge of building a brand-new program, that covered various industries and countries, but it wasn't easy. It wasn't just going in and implementing a best practice program. It was customizing a best practice program into their business operating rhythm and one that connected with their company's vision.
When I back up a little bit and think about my career, it is all about making compliance integrated into the company's DNA, globally and locally.
Early in your career, the focus is on the ins and outs of compliance. You are more focused on the technical side. As I gained more experience living overseas and setting up global programs, I realized the real challenge—and I would say the fun part—is evaluating that company's culture. Where are they located in the world? How regulated are they? What industries are they are focused on? How do the business leaders think? How do they talk about integrity?
Putting all that together is what it takes to build a world-class program. As we always say in compliance, one size does not fit all.
Lessons learned from your international experience?
They all provided a nice toolbox of experiences for how to think about, customize, and implement compliance. Part of the evaluation is understanding the maturity level of the company's compliance program. Where are they in the lifecycle? To help build an effective compliance, you need to know where you are starting.
I was very fortunate to start my career at a great company like GE that had very mature processes. I was able to grow up and be trained the right way. When I left to travel to other companies and other countries, they were at different points in the maturity curve. With each new experience, I had the opportunity to customize the program to fit that company's needs and culture.
When I go to different companies in different countries, I develop strong relationships with the business leaders and try to understand where they and the company are coming from. How do they think about compliance?
At any company, making compliance natural and part of the corporate DNA is always a continuous challenge. The fun part is making it OUR compliance program. It is the company's compliance program, not the compliance officer's compliance program.
Can you tell us about your time at General Cable?
When I started there, I was the company's first standalone chief compliance officer. I was there to establish and build a program while it had open and ongoing SEC and Justice Department investigations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
There were multiple priorities. There was building a world-class compliance program quickly. Another was engaging the employees. You can imagine how people think about their company when they are in the headlines. You need to engage, globally, with employees globally to make them feel good about the company and the culture, partnering with the senior leaders.
If you do it right—if you set the program up right—people will be engaged and they will speak up. So, we were also responding to employees' questions, which allowed us to make real-time improvements into the program. By listening to their inputs, it helped us to build 'their' program versus an off-the-shelf, textbook program.
What advice might you share, based on your experiences, with younger folks entering the profession?
To be in compliance, you need to be a student of change management.
One of the things that makes compliance so rewarding is helping a company win business while doing things the right way. That sounds very simple, but it can be very challenging because things are very dynamic and always changing.
Rules change and regulations change; businesses change and people change. Technology is always changing. I love the dynamic aspect of navigating continuous change while maintaining the standards of a culture of integrity. That's the piece that gets me up every morning, wanting to help the company do the right thing.
Not only is the environment dynamic but, you personally, in compliance, need to be dynamic in understanding the company culture. You need to understand the business leaders, the industry, and previous issues they have had and then you need to put it all together so it sticks in the way they operate.
Nearly every business leader wants to do the right thing; it is all about how to translate it and make it natural for them as part of winning business. For example, tone at the top can mean many different things. One CEO might send out five communications a year, but then never talks about it. Another leader might not send out any integrity-related communications, but every time he or she visits the plant they are so authentic, natural, and comfortable when talking about integrity and what affects the company's reputation that his or her approach is far more valuable than any formal communication they could ever write and send out.
As a CCO, we are measured on how we operationalize compliance with the leaders and into the business. The core, however, is making your ethics and compliance program genuine and authentic. That's better than any poster or the best-looking code of conduct out there.
Joe MontJoe Mont has been an award-winning journalist for nearly 25 years in the Greater Boston area.
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Public Release: 8-Jun-2015
Diabetic researchers pinpoint gene key to reactivating insulin-producing beta cells
Professor has four students with diabetes on research team studying molecular pathways
IMAGE: Students Benjamin Bitner and Chad Tidwell carry out research in Dr. Jeffery Tessem's lab. Both have Type 1 Diabetes. view more
Credit: Courtesy of Mark A. Philbrick
Professor Jeffery Tessem has pinpointed a gene that may help solve a riddle at the root of diabetes, the high-blood-sugar disease affecting 400 million people worldwide.
To peel back the cellular layers and understand that gene better, he's turned to some experts with extensive personal, daily knowledge about the disease: students with diabetes.
Four of the students in Tessem's nutritional science lab have Type 1 diabetes, the genetic version of the condition that is unrelated to diet and lifestyle. Two were diagnosed while on LDS missions, two were diagnosed on their birthdays, and all of them want to find answers.
'We'll always be the first ones to volunteer to get injected with whatever's next in search of a cure,' said Sam Grover, a sophomore. 'My diagnosis has given me a path in life and I've found what I'm passionate about -- because it's who I am.'
The same can be said for labmates Mathew Ballard, Benjamin Bitner and Chad Tidwell. The four of them have become a support group of sorts as they work alongside each other in their quest for progress.
Led by Tessem, they're investigating the molecular pathways that can activate the replication of beta cells. Beta cells are insulin-producing pancreas cells that are attacked and destroyed by the immune system of those with Type 1 diabetes.
Tessem's team, which includes researchers at Duke University Medical Center, is concentrating on Aurora Kinase A, a gene that not only causes beta cells to replicate, but also helps them maintain their ability to identify glucose and secrete insulin in response.
'We're actually seeing proliferation,' Bitner said. 'We're seeing these beta cells grow, divide and secrete insulin which is very novel and very exciting.'
The group's findings are published this week in Islets, an academic journal dedicated to research on insulin, beta cells, glucose and other elements of diabetes.
Tessem and the students aim to define all the genes that let beta cells replicate, so that in time, chemists can devise drugs that can activate or shut off those genes.
'If we could give beta cells back to a patient who is diabetic, that would be a way of treating their diabetes,' Tessem said.
Current methods to reintroduce beta cells to diabetics include taking beta-cell-producing islets from cadavers and transplanting them into a patient. To have a sufficient amount of beta cells for islet transplant, one needs two cadavers worth of islets. Lining up enough donors that have matching blood and tissue types for each diabetic is prohibitively expensive, timely and sometimes minimally successful.
Knowing the pathways that induce beta cell growth could reduce the amount of islets needed for a recipient, or, perhaps, could lead to solutions where a patient's own residual beta cells replicate without a transplant.
Of course, the end goal is to cure diabetes.
'To not have to worry anymore about insulin injections or our blood sugar, and to be able to live normal lives,' Grover said. 'That's the hope.'
Adds Tessem, 'as a research scientist, it's very easy to get caught up in the minutia of the science, to focus on genes and proteins and chemicals. For me it's very helpful to have these individuals here who can kind of bring us back to reality and help us remember this is the application.'
Todd Hollingshead
toddh@byu.edu
@byu
http://www.byu.edu
DIET/BODY WEIGHT
IMMUNOLOGY/ALLERGIES/ASTHMA
METABOLISM/METABOLIC DISEASES
Diabetic Students are Researching Solutions to Diabetes (IMAGE)
Diabetic Student Research (IMAGE)
http://news.byu.edu/archive15-may-diabetesresearch.aspx


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BCAA Vs CREATINE: Which One To Choose?
Athletes and gym junkies can pick from several different supplements for optimal performance. Proteins, essential amino acids, pre-workouts, post-workouts, and so on are all available. First, we will look at two of the most well-known supplements today: BCAAs and Creatine. Then, we'll put them through their paces to see which one stands out and is the best option.
First, let's get a handle on what they are –
Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) are a triad of Valine, Leucine, and Isoleucine, all of which are necessary for human survival. Because humans cannot synthesise them on their own, these are known as "essential amino acids," and we must obtain them from our diet or nutritional supplements.
In several studies, consuming a BCAA drink during training has been shown to speed up fat and mass loss, lessen muscular discomfort and recovery time, and improve overall exercise performance.
Creatine, also known as Creatine Monohydrate, is an amino acid derivative that combines arginine and methionine. Similar to BCAAs, though, they are not quite as crucial because our bodies can produce them independently. But on the other hand, Creatine supplements have been demonstrated to increase performance and energy, as well mass and resistance to injury.
The question of which is superior has now arrived.
According to the research, BCAAs help in several ways, including speeding up recovery and decreasing muscle damage and discomfort. Therefore, a BCAA supplement is needed for people who cannot obtain enough BCAA through their diet, especially those who are engaged in muscle development and weight training.
While it's true that there are many advantages to using creatine supplements, it's also true that they have their own set of benefits. For example, it's useful for gaining strength, power, and muscle size. Creatine loading, on the other hand, might cause water retention and stomach pains if you aren't drinking enough water. Explore Fast&up coupon
BCAA and Creatine pills are both useful. Those who aren't getting enough protein in their diets may benefit from taking BCAA, which stimulates protein synthesis in muscles, and creatine, which aids in developing muscle mass and strength.
The question of which is preferable depends on the individual's needs and hence cannot be answered categorically. Consequently, neither BCAAs nor Creatine can be considered the definitive winner.
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The publisher lays off parts of the Heroes IV and Might and Magic IX teams.
3DO has confirmed reports of layoffs at New World Computing, its subsidiary development studio that created the Might and Magic games, including the recently released turn-based strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic IV and the role-playing game Might and Magic IX. While the publisher did not provide specifics on the extent of the layoffs, it did state that a core team still remains at New World, and the publisher is committed to providing patches for current games. 3DO has not ruled out creating an expansion for Heroes IV or a new Might and Magic game sometime in the future.
We'll post more information on the situation at New World Computing as it becomes available. For more information about the Might and Magic games, take a look at our full reviews of Might and Magic IX.


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Q: Am I taking the proper approach to dealing with these files? (CSV with PHP) I am a student working on a placement for the summer. I have been given the task of dealing with data entry from excel to a SQL Server database for surveys that were carried out over a number of years. The task is outlined below:

There are three tables, a main event, an individual event and an individual. An event has many individual events, an individual event has many individuals. My code regards just the last two tables.
I read two files, a list of all individual events in one file, and a list of all individuals in the other. The individual's data tells me what individual event it is associated with.

My code basically reads an individual event, then looks through the second file for any associated individuals. For each line in the individuals file, if it is associated, it is inserted to the proper table, else it is written to a new file. Once the whole file is traversed, the new file is copied to the old file, thus removing data already entered to the database.
This copying across has knocked a good 3 minutes of execution time off simply re-reading the full individuals file again and again. But is there a better approach to this? My execution time for my sample data is ~47 seconds...ideally I'd like that lower.
Any advice, regardless how trivial would be appreciated.
EDIT:
This is a cut down version of the code I am using
<?php
//not shown:
//connect to database
//input event data
//get the id of the event
//open files
$s_handle = fopen($_FILES['surveyfile']['tmp_name'],'r');//open survey file
copy($_FILES['cocklefile']['tmp_name'],'file1.csv');//make copy of the cockle file
//read files
$s_csv = fgetcsv($s_handle,'0',',');

//read lines and print lines
// then input data via sql

while (! feof($s_handle))
{
    $max_index = count($s_csv);
    $s_csv[$max_index]='';
    foreach($s_csv as $val)
    {
        if(!isset($val))
        $val = '';
    }
    $grid_no = $s_csv[0];
    $sub_loc = $s_csv[1];
    /*
    .define more variables
    .*/

    $sql = "INSERT INTO indipendant_event"
        ."(parent_id,grid_number,sub_location,....)"
        ."VALUES ("
        ."'{$event_id}',"
        ."'{$grid_no}',"
        //...
        .");";

    if (!odbc_exec($con,$sql))
    {
        echo "WARNING: SQL INSERT INTO fssbur.cockle_quadrat FAILED. PHP.";
    }
    //get ID
    $sql = "SELECT MAX(ind_event_id)"
    ."FROM independant_event";
    $return =  odbc_exec($con,$sql);
    $ind_event_id = odbc_result($return, 1);

    //insert individuals
    $c_2 = fopen('file2.csv','w');//create file c_2 to write to
    $c_1 = fopen('file1.csv','r');//open the data to read
    $c_csv = fgetcsv($c_1,'0',',');//get the first line of data
    while(! feof($c_1))
    {

        for($i=0;$i<9;$i++)//make sure theres a value in each column
        {
            if(!isset($c_csv[$i]))
            $c_csv[$i] = '';
        }
        //give values meaningful names
        $stat_no = $c_csv[0];
        $sample_method = $c_csv[1];
        //....

        //check whether the current line corresponds to the current station
        if (strcmp(strtolower($stat_no),strtolower($grid_no))==0)
        {
            $sql = "INSERT INTO fssbur2.cockle"
                ."(parent_id,sampling_method,shell_height,shell_width,age,weight,alive,discarded,damage)"
                ."VALUES("
                ."'{$ind_event_id}',"
                ."'{$sample_method}',"
                //...
                ."'{$damage}');";
            //write data if it corresponds
            if (!odbc_exec($con,$sql))
            {
                echo "WARNING: SQL INSERT INTO fssbur.cockle FAILED. PHP.";
            }
            $c_csv = fgetcsv($c_1,'0',',');
        }
        else//no correspondance
        {
            fputcsv($c_2,$c_csv);//write line to the new file
            $c_csv = fgetcsv($c_1,'0',',');//get new line
            continue;//rinse and repeat
        }
    }//end while, now gone through all individuals, and filled c_2 with the unused data
    fclose($c_1);//close files
    fclose($c_2);
    copy('file2.csv','file1.csv');//copy new file to old, removing used data
    $s_csv = fgetcsv($s_handle,'0',',');
}//end while

//close file
fclose($s_handle);
?>

A: I may not have fully understood the process but why not just insert the entire CSV into your database table. This might seem like wasted work but it will likely pay off. Once you have done your initial import, finding any individual associated with an event should be much faster as the DBMS will be able to use an index to speed up these lookups (compared to your file based linear traversal). To be precise: your "individual" table will presumably have a foreign key into your "individual_event" table. As long as you create an index on this foreign key, lookups will be significantly faster (it's possible that simply declaring this field to be a foreign key will cause SQL server to automatically index it but I can't say for sure, I don't really use MSSQL).
As an aside, how many records are we talking about? If we are dealing with 1000s of records, it's definitely reasonable to expect this type of thing to run in a couple of seconds.

A: You can create a temporary database with the data from the files and then use the temporary database/tables to bring the data into the new form. This probably works faster especially if you need to do lookups and you need to flag entries as processed.


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Enghouse Systems Q4 Revenue Decreases 6.5%
Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf- December 17, 2021, 1:34 PM EDT
Enghouse Systems (ENGH) reported a lower revenue in Q4, and a slightly higher profit than a year earlier.
Enghouse serves a number of distinct vertical markets through its two business segments, each developing and selling business-oriented application software.
Revenue came in at C$113.1 million for the quarter ended October 31, a decrease of 6.5% from C$120.9 million in the prior-year quarter. The decrease reflects exceptional revenue during the comparative period due to demand related to COVID-19 in addition to an unfavorable exchange rate.
Meanwhile, Enghouse posted a net income of C$30.2 million (C$0.54 per diluted share) in Q4 2021, compared to a profit of C$29.4 million (C$0.52 per diluted share) in Q4 2020.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, net income was C$92.8 million (C$1.66 per diluted share), compared to C$98.6 million (C$1.77 per diluted share) in 2020. Revenue decreased 7.3% to C$467.2 million.
Enghouse closed the quarter with C$198.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, down from C$251.8 million as of October 31, 2020.
Acquisitions & Dividend
Enghouse closed three acquisitions during the year that met its return on investment (ROI) criteria. The company continues to seek profit-generating acquisitions to increase its revenues and further expand its product line and geographic reach.
The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of C$0.16 per common share payable on February 28, 2022, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 2022.
On December 13, RBC Capital analyst Paul Treiber maintained a Buy rating on ENGH and set a price target of C$70. This implies 50.4% upside potential.
Overall, ENGH scores a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on two Buys. The average Enghouse Systems price target of C$67.51 implies 45.1% upside potential to current levels.
Dye & Durham Buys TELUS Financial Solutions Business


Posted on April 11, 2019 · Episode: 2894 Wastewater Treatment. Today, the unmentionable.
Posted on February 11, 2018 · According to the Public Works Department, the potentially impacted areas are near the University of Houston-Downtown and the intersection of Washington Ave. and Milam St.


Chowdhury, Shubhankar Roy and Roy, Debasish (2019) A non-equilibrium thermodynamic model for viscoplasticity and damage: Two temperatures and a generalized fluctuation relation. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLASTICITY, 113 . pp. 158-184.
Utilizing a non-equilibrium thermodynamic setting that involves two temperatures, we present a model for ductile and brittle damage. The thermodynamic system consists of two interacting subsystems configurational and kinetic-vibrational. While the kinetic-vibrational subsystem describes fast degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) of ordinary thermal vibration, the configurational subsystem includes the slower DOFs pertaining to a slew of configurational rearrangements that characterize elasto-visco-plasticity and damage, e.g. dislocation motion, lattice stretching, void nucleation, void growth and micro-crack formation. Following statistical mechanics, an expression for the entropy of a plastically deforming metal with growing voids and micro-cracks is derived. Subsequent application of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, suitably modified for the two-temperature system, yields coupled evolution rules for dislocation density, void volume fraction, micro-crack density etc. A modified flow rule for dilatant plasticity and evolution equations for the two temperatures are also derived. Even when the two subsystems are strongly coupled, we show that a splitting of energy and entropy is feasible and that the notion of two temperatures conforms with such splitting. We conduct numerical experiments on both brittle and ductile damage to assess the predictive features of the model and validate the results against available experimental evidence. Finally, a generalized fluctuation relation is put forth for deformations with extremely high strain rates. This leads to an entirely new procedure for constitutive closure, providing valuable insights into the emergent pseudo-inertial aspects of the evolving thermodynamic states.


Blue Raspberry Italian Ices! Your kids will definitely enjoy this NEW delicious cool addition!
The perfect whimsical summer treat!
Micron filtered water, sugar, corn syrup, apple juice concentrate, natural and artificial flavor, citric acid, guar and Xanthan gums, and FD & C Blue #1.


text:
Silverstone warns it could 'break' F1 contract
Jan.6 (GMM) A new cloud has moved over the future of the British grand prix.
F1 business journalist Christian Sylt revealed that a letter from Silverstone owner the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) explained the "potentially ruinous risk" that financial problems could spell the race's end.
The Club has a contract with Bernie Ecclestone until 2026, but BRDC chairman John Grant said in the letter published by ITV that he is thinking about "whether we should give notice before the 2017 (race) of our intention to exercise the break clause".
If that clause is exercised, Silverstone will cease hosting the British grand prix after 2019.
F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart said Grant's warning must be taken seriously.
"I think it's a credible threat and not impossible for it to happen."
And F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone added: "If they want to activate a break clause, there is nothing we can do.
"Two other tracks have contacted us and we are keen to keep a British grand prix. As far as Silverstone is concerned, it's not in our hands."
Ecclestone happy, not angry, as F1 stars retire
Manor to enter administration again
10/01/2017 Ecclestone tells Silverstone to stop complaining Jan.10 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has told British officials to stop "complaining", amid fears Silverstone will drop off the calendar after 2019. Circuit owner the BRDC has warned it could […]
29/09/2015 Ecclestone admits British GP axe could fall Sep.29 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that the running of next year's British grand prix is in doubt. Amid similar doubts over the future of another historic race, the Italian GP […]
23/03/2016 Hamilton could retire with fourth title – Stewart Mar.23 (GMM) One more title could be enough to satisfy Lewis Hamilton's ambition. That is the view of Sir Jackie Stewart, who like Hamilton is a triple world champion. Briton Hamilton […]
21/01/2017 Silverstone denies GP axe decision made Jan.21 (GMM) Silverstone has rejected reports it has already decided to drop the British grand prix after 2019. A report in the Sun newspaper this week quoted a source at the […]
08/11/2016 Silverstone buyout bidders pull out – report Nov.8 (GMM) The future of the British grand prix could be in tatters, in light of the latest news emerging from circuit owner the BRDC. F1 business journalist Christian Sylt reports that […]
12/07/2016 F1 legends tip Hamilton to win title Jul.12 (GMM) Two experienced veterans of the world of formula one are tipping Lewis Hamilton to win a third consecutive world championship in 2016. Thanks in part to Nico Rosberg's […]
15/05/2015 Ecclestone 'will be replaced' – Stewart May 15 (GMM) Fernando Alonso, who tested Ayrton Senna's old 1988 car recently, said this week he wishes he had raced in that era. "The cars were more racy," said the McLaren driver, […]
28/08/2016 Someone must save British GP – Ecclestone Aug.28 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has admitted the future of the historic British grand prix is in doubt. Writing in the Independent, F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said […]
08/10/2015 Silverstone chief says F1 'sh*t' and 'not saleable' Oct.8 (GMM) Silverstone chief Patrick Allen has launched an unprecedented attack on formula one, describing it as a "sh*t product". It is an echo of an earlier story in 2015, when Bernie […]


text:
Home » Uncategorized » Why does it matter for youth to have a voice?
29 Jul 2013 / by admin / in Uncategorized
Why does it matter for youth to have a voice?
Why should youth be involved in the non profit sector beyond front line service/management? Why should they be involved in policy shaping of the sector itself versus just working within the sector? Is youth representation even an issue? Why should youth care?
What does the sector even mean when philanthropic, social and environmentalist tenancies seem baked into all of us "young people" via culture and education?
I'd argue the non-controversial premise that the non-profit sector is changing, eroding this once stable edifice with a first push to social enterprise, giving way to social entrepreneurs. These social entrepreneurs further blur the lines between for profit and non-profit by seeing social inequalities as market opportunities to do good and create wealth.
Second we live in this time of de-centralization of everything: of power via social media and open/more transparent democracy, of information via the internet, of data via open data movements, of technology and engineering via DIY/hacker/maker movements, and even traditional capital intensive sectors like manufacturing via the additive manufacturing revolution (a.k.a. 3D printing.) We have this situation beginning where very few people can now control the production and mobilization of power that would have required hundreds of people only decades ago. The world is evolving into de-centralization from the centralization of the previous years.
But what does this have to do with the non-profit sector? What are the implications? Well, this being said, the non-profit sector at the highest level of policy shaping and advocacy retains the traditional large centralizing tendency. Us youth are growing up in a world that to us is ubiquitously de-centralized, yet the areas we want to build into remain dogmatically centralized, slow moving and closed off to people who haven't been in the industry for long. You see the tension here.
Now the question is even more pressing; why should youth get involved with the policy level of the non-profit sector, especially when that level is so alien to what we know? Why not just do our own thing? There are three responses.
First, you should be involved at that level because it gives us more power and ability to accomplish what we want if one can say, shape Trillium's funding mandates set by the government, rather than just trying to fit within them. That is the sort of selfish reason.
The second reason is because young people, having grown up in this totally different culture bring the possibility of new innovative ideas to the table. They can bring a lot of new creativity and innovation to policy of the sector. That is the sort of selfless, pragmatic reason.
But I think there is a more important third reason.
Someone once told me a very compelling argument for why the youth vote matters. It's not because voting ensures they can get what they want, or that because they bring new ideas—both of which are true of course. It is because as the youth vote decreases over time we are growing a large cohort of citizens who more and more will feel disenfranchised from their government, and the longer that is allowed to fester, the greater the probability of a increasingly traumatic revolution/revolt. The reason the youth vote matters and is actually a high priority is because it's a matter of domestic security and national sustainability- not a issue of trying to "be fair to youth."
Some people I can imagine would say, "Yes, we need revolution!!" It's hard to communicate how naive this is—in my opinion—because the social, cultural and economic effects of an "actual" revolution—whether bloody or not—are so tragic for a country that it sets it back for decades. Revolution is not the path for Canada.
So, likewise, a similar situation is occurring in the non-profit sector at the policy creation level, where those who shape the non-profit sector are of the centralized camp—the ones where the front line is often well integrated across age demographics. Those who are classified as youth are more and more feeling the centralized world is alien. The longer and deeper this gap exists, the greater the chance of a traumatic split within the sector. Ironic because we all want to just do good, yet in the words of James Shelley, "our arguments about how to achieve peace are usually the most violent debates we have."
Youth need to be involved for the sake of the security of the sector itself. We need bridge builders who can speak both languages of the de-centralized younger generations and the centralized traditional ones. An analogy from chemistry is that of something called a coordination complexes. Coordination complexes are a metal ion at the centre of a molecule that brings a bunch of smaller molecules (ligands) together which traditionally want nothing to do with each other (they intensely repel each other because of their electronegativity). But the awesome thing with coordination complexes is that they are everywhere in our biology, and therefore everything that allows us to be alive. It would seem that a prerequisite for life, is the bringing together of many constituent parts who traditionally don't get along.
Likewise, we need youth to rise as the centres which bring all these generations together, who can speak both languages, and understand we each value different things as far as policy goes. And that isn't an insult to each other, but rather a celebration of our diversity, which we transcend for the greater good. In the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see things as hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise. "
What role do youth play in your organization? Is engagement with youth changing?
Matt Ross is an eternal student currently pursuing a undergraduate in Chemistry at Western University in London Ontario with an interest in nanotechnology, quantum chemistry and bio-fuels. His first degree was Philosophy from Huron University College at Western University. Outside of school, he serves as the Executive Director of the London Youth Advisory Council & the Business Development Director of the Caesura Letters.
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