Community Outreach Program Check-In Part 2

     There is nothing better for change than time, and sometimes change can happen overnight. Since thee last check in, the fate of our group has changed. Other members have taken initiative by stepping up to the plate and becoming active participants; as a group we are finding balance. There is a leadership spirit awakening among the group. The concept of the bystander effect is fading, all it took was a reality check, the group has adapted technology to be our best tool of communication, specifically using an app called GroupMe to help facilitate conversation bringing conversation instantly to our cellphones as a group message without having to stress on message delivery of apple or android. Since last week members have taken new roles, and engaged in group meet ups of a few hours, with another one happening early tomorrow morning around 8:00am. We are committed to working together to sail our ship to safety . I am glad to announce that collectively, we have found an organization that is willing to work with us to complete our Community Outreach Project. We look forward to starting our new journey with Day Worker Center of Mountain View.

Community Outreach Program Check-In

     As the semester began and I got hold of the syllabus for our State and Local Government class, part of me was excited on taking part of a Community Outreach Project. Ever since childhood my parents made sure that both their daughters became proactive and well rounded individuals. They encouraged us to become leaders while becoming proactive with various community organizations.They believed that engaging with our community would benefit us, developing a strong work ethic, communication skills, empathy, and courage to become independent women in a patriarchal society.
     From the moment our community outreach project was assigned, there has been unprecedented obstacles that seem to continue to occur. In the time that I have invested between personal research on Life Moves, and creating spread sheets on Google Drive to help organize fellow students there alone I have invested minimum of 10 hours. Other task that I took on were to establish a line of communication between Maple Street Shelter and our group. Even after sending two emails to our main contact Jessie, with no reply delivered we did not lose faith on completing our mission. Since communication is key when working in a group, I made sure that the group of students assigned, and the professor were always maintained in the loop of our progress, here alone invested roughly 5 hours. If it was not for the assistance of Jade Rosa who has shared the workload we probably would have fallen behind even more. Jade reached out to Bon Appetit, only to find out that the company has a contract with an organization to which they donate their leftovers. Jade attempted to reach out to a former employer, who is also part of the Life Moves organization, only to return empty handed and also receive no reply back to her email. I can only speak on my behalf, desperation is beginning to take over, I am afraid that the lack of organization from outside parties, and the resistance from other members of the group to take on any real responsibility is making this project difficult to manage. One other member of the group has gone rogue, and has decided to sign up with Cake4Kids. After doing some lite research of 2 hours, the objective of organization is to bake birthday cakes at home for foster children ages 5-18. I was unable to get more information pertaining to its relevance to state and local government, and will have to get approval first before following suit with encouraging others to sign up.
     From personal reasons I was hesitant to volunteer with Life Moves also formally known as Innvision Shelter Network. I was willing to put my personal grief aside and make the best out of the situation. Unfortunately, do to lack of professionalism from their part I am discouraged from ever partaking or donating to this organization. Regarding the time left to complete the assignment and reach the appropriate milestones that is expected by the due date on the syllabus it is becoming clear that I may need to join another group, only this may be difficult since some of these project require physical labor which I am unable to do, because of medical reasons. The alternative option would be to independently find a volunteer project, only problem that may arise is meeting the deadlines for the upcoming assignments. My best hope is to speak with the professor and pray for the best result. After investing an estimated 17 hours, only to show up empty handed, leaves me fearful for my grade and scared that I may not be able to graduate in May. 

Case Study: Challenging The California State Constitution

     In 2014 there was an initiative pushing for a state division looking to end the existing State of California and replace it with six new states. When California was seized from Mexico there was a Treaty in 1848 with Mexico relinquishing its territory to the United States. In 1849 California's delegates defined the borders of the state, then in 1850 Congress and President Fillmore allowed California to join the Union as a Free State, discouraging the idea of dividing the state into two. Nine years after becoming part of the union Legislature passed a measure allowing California to become separate territories. Even with voters approval, Congress never moved to separate Southern California. Fast forward into the 1940's and northern territories continued to push for separation from the state finding the same fate their predecessors had. The proposal of 2014 brought a new push to amend California State Constitution, while maintaining its current county borders, but creating a separate state per region. The sates would be known as Jefferson, North California, Central California, Silicon Valley, West California, and South California.
     The proposal of division came with a new set of dilemmas pertaining to State and Local Government disbursement of funds. In the California Constitution it gives the state power to distribute responsibility, holding local government to produce their own local laws. However, the state of California can mandate local government to provide resources to its residents, with there being a reimbursement after from the state to the district. If a division of State were to occur there could be a disruption on a federal and local courts level, making the distribution of state assets and liabilities difficult to asses and distribute accordingly. There was also discussion on how taxing would be implemented, which help fund school districts closing the gap between who receives more financial assistance from the state, Each property tax would depend on the different state, the state that collects less property tax would then help fund the school district. Other concerns were also the distribution of water, federal assistance, land use, and prisons. It is clear that all assets and liabilities will be divided among the states.
     There is discussion that this proposal may make it into the 2016 voters ballot. Hypothetically, say it does pass by majority vote, and California does become six new states. Will Congress recognize the decision and move forward finding ways to recognize the new states, while addressing their new set of "state laws". Will there be a new State Constitution or would we continue to recognize what already presently exist? The election of 2016 will come with many changes, but before any real change can take effect getting a better look at the logistics may be in order.

Work Cited

• http://www.lao.ca.gov/ballot/2013/130771.aspx

NDNU Foundresses’ Week

   Foundresses’ Week is a special week long celebration held at Notre Dame de Namur University. Each day holds a special events were the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are honored for their many years of dedicated work to the community they have served. On February 9, 2016, Sr. Roseanne Murphy gave a campus tour. She began with the Story of Saint Julie Billiart, an amazing handicapped woman who escaped persecution with the help of her niece, and other people who cherished her. She escaped assassination and relocated, and established the congregation in Amiens, France in 1804. By 1809 the government moved the congregation to Namur, Belgium. Nearly forty years later the Congregation was invited to expand in the United States leading the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taking a dangerous boat trip that eventually ending up in Oregon. During this time Oregon was not populated making it difficult for the sisters to establish themselves comfortably. In the mist of the Gold Rush they received an invitation leading them to find a new home in San Jose, CA. Interestingly enough by the suggestion of Jesuit Fathers who had Society of Jesus in Santa Clara later known as Santa Clara University these amazing women began to offer other women an opportunity to receive an education. They purchased property on Notre Dame whose cross street is Santa Clara, now it is taken over by what is known to be Downtown San Jose. With the rapidly growing city they had no other choice but to relocate once more leading them to Belmont, California.
   The Ralston Hall Mansion has an interesting back story. Originally it was the villa of Count Leonetto Cipriani, the former owner of the estate prior to being purchased by William "Billy" Chapman Ralston. Ralston was a lover of the steamboat, and used a combination of architectural inspirations to build is grand country house. He was a man who seemed to love the finer things in life, but was bitter and cold. It is said that he once loved a woman whose family did not approve of him, forcing the young woman to move away, in time she fell ill and died. Ralston lost the love his life and was forced into a loveless marriage where he told his bride, he would never love her and wore a locket with a picture of his lost love for many years. However, he did benefit from his marriage procreating five children with his wife. Near the end of his life he decided to change his will, leaving his family to fend for their own. He chose to leave the home to his mistress, soon after having an unexplained death in the waters of San Francisco. The mansion since then has been home to others, and by the 1930's it was purchased by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
   At the time of purchase of the Ralston Estate there was only a farm and the mansion, it was isolated in Belmont, California. The sister eventually reestablished what they had created in San Jose, California. Other buildings like Cuvilly and Saint Mary's were erected, the dormitories we also part of the expansion. What Sr.Roseanne spoke fondly about what the development of the Church and their windows. Crafted in Europe and shipped to the United States, the widows were created and later sent to their new home. The craftsmanship on the glass was a perfect fit with frame made in the US. Each window holds biblical symbolism of triumphant women. Prior to the church, mass was held in the ballroom of the Ralston Mansion.
   One last thing that made the tour amazing was the cute little grotto next to art gallery. Although, the garden is small and hidden from direct view, the garden is beautiful and meaningful. NDNU seems to be filled with history and forever be a diamond in the rough.