TOYP 2012: Volunteers Needed for an Outstanding Night

The chapter needs a few good men and women to help out at the Hawaii Jaycees Three Outstanding Young Persons Awards Presentation, Saturday, February 18th at the Pacific Beach Hotel. The presentation is part of the Hawaii Jaycees Year-End Convention.  Please email us at risingphoenixjaycees@gmail.com or leave a comment below if you and your friends would like to learn how to help.

The Three Outstanding Young Persons Award recognizes exceptional achievements or contributions in a nominee’s chosen field, organization, community, state, or nation. The nominees exemplify the line of the Jaycee Creed that states, “Service to humanity is the best work of life.” Last year, RPJ members Eve Epitome and Roger Gumerman nominated Shane Victorino, the center-fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, and Lucas Boyce, the Orlando Magic’s Director of Multicultural Insights and Cause Marketing, and the two would later earn spots among the United States Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans.

Thanksgiving Meals-On-Wheels

Midweek showed 3 of the 15 teams that did Thanksgiving Meals-On-Wheels.  Rising Phoenix Jaycees have been doing deliveries for Lanikila Pacific every Thanksgiving and Christmas for the last 20 years.  We do about 25% to 30% of their deliveries for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Volunteers Deliver Thanksgiving Meals To Homebound Seniors

Thank You to all the volunteers.

RPJ Elects New Board

The 2012 RPJ Board of Directors is a mix of new and familiar faces. Elvin Berzabal steps into the top spot next year as chapter president. Rounding out the board are: Jason King – Vice President; Nathan Martin – Membership Development VP; Roger Gumerman & Winston Chow - Directors-at-Large; and Anthony Higa – Chairman of the Board. We’ll post their bios in the near future. Let’s wish good luck to the new board and a successful new year.

RPJ, “Bad” Chow Recognized as Good Neighbors

Who says sweets are bad for you? Midweek recently profiled the chapter’s ongoing involvement with the United Cerebral Palsy Association’s Dessert Fantasy fundraiser. Former president and current chairman of the board Winston Chow delivered the goods (and handsome headshot) on what continues to be one of RPJ’s most popular volunteer opportunities.

Winston Chow, Rising Phoenix Jaycees

Remembering 9-11

RPJ President Anthony Higa (right) RPJ member Roly Navarro (middle)

Sunday was the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against America on 9-11 2011.  Honolulu mayor Peter Carlisle hosted a memorial walk in honor of those who perished on that dreadful day.

   

Hail to the Chief!

Eve Epitome Elected State President

Hilo, Hawaii – Today former RPJ President Eve Epitome was elected as the 69th President of the Hawaii Jaycees at the Second Trimester Convention. Eve is the second president of the Hawaii Jaycees from RPJ. Jon Nishihara served as Hawaii Jaycees president in 2004. Congratulations to Eve and good luck to her and her board in 2012.

GMM June 2011 – Business Development

Focus on your strengths and you will lead a successful life.  Society teaches us to focus on the weakness of ourselves and others which is counterproductive.  Guest speaker Ray Shiraishi, business coach, helps people focus on their strengths to improve business thus leading a successful life.  This GMM was  a small gathering of current and potential members which made it more personable.  Those in attendance expressed qualities that people perceived as a weakness but what turned out to be a strength.  One lady said people thought she was too outspoken but she turned to be a great advocate for Asian Americans in her state.  So when you have time to reflect, think about your strengths and it will carry you far.

Aloha from Chicago

'Banzai Party' run by the Hawaii Delegation

ONTO Chicago will definitely be a trip to remember.  Everywhere we went people recognized our beautiful Aloha shirts because the Hawaii Jaycees have ‘style’.  Above is a picture before the Banzai Party run by the Hawaii Delegation that was a fundraiser to help pay for our trip.

TOYA - Hawaii Delegation

Two winners of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) have Hawaii ties.  Shane Victorino was nominated by RPJ member Eve Epitome, and Lucas Daniel Boyce was recommended by RPJ member Roger Gumerman to the Florida Jaycees.

     

Wisdom teaches us that frustration is a life lesson and how we deal with it defines character.  There were several life lessons in Chicago, coping, acceptance, friendship.  And no trophy is big enough to represent how the Hawaii Jaycees have developed their leadership skills this month.

ONTO Chairperson - Eve Epitome

This trip was headed by ONTO Chairperson Eve Epitome (left).  She helped organize practices, raised money, made hotel reservations, constructed an itinerary, and made travel arrangements for the Hawaii delegation.

 

 

ONTO Chicago 2011

ARE YOU READY?!  Hawaii Jaycees unite to represent our great state in Chicago for the 91st Annual US National Convention.  ONTO chairperson Eve Epitome, RPJ President 2008 – 2009, has organized the logistics of the journey and training for Hawaii’s competitors.  In addition to workshops, competitions, TOYA, and sight seeing, Hawaii Jaycees will run the Banzai Party which is a fundraiser and social gathering.  RPJ would like to congratulate all the competitors and people who helped make this trip possible.  Good Luck and Aloha!

Special Olympics Summer Games 2011

Athletes and escorts hamming it up before the event.

Several new and veteran RPJ members volunteered for this year’s Special Olympics Summer Games held May 28-29th at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This year RPJ provided the bulk of the manpower for Saturday’s Softball Throw event. Members escorted athletes from the staging tent to the field for three rounds of competition. This is the second consecutive year that RPJ manned the area. The next Special Olympics volunteer opportunity for the chapter is the Aukake Classic in Pearl City. More pics after the break.