Community & Clubs:

Vanguard University’s Students in Free Enterprise, or SIFE, aims to live up to its name. These students are leading the charge in the battle against global warming by hosting the Environmental Sustainability Conference. This conference, which will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Vanguard University, will feature Kéan Coffee founder Martin Diedrich as its keynote speaker, who will focus on environmental innovation.

Jamie Welsh, founder and chief executive of 10% Solution, will host a panel of environmental experts. Various breakout sessions will be offered, allowing for a more informal atmosphere between attendees and local “green” business owners. A low-carb lunch, catered by Bon Appetit, will be provided, fostering an opportunity for attendees to network, as well as experience an exhibition of local businesses employing eco-friendly practices.

The purpose of the Environmental Sustainability Conference is to educate our business community, Orange County residents, and the emerging generation of leaders about the effects that their choices have on the health of the environment, innovation and creativity, said Chris Leininger, vice president of SIFE.

This event is being put on by Vanguard University’s local chapter of Students in Free Enterprise, an international nonprofit organization that works in partnership with business and higher education. SIFE mobilizes students to discover their own potential by creating economic opportunity for others through community outreach projects. SIFE is active on 1,800 college and university campuses in 48 countries.

For more information and to register for this event, visit www.greenconf.com.

SERVICE CLUBS RESPOND TO EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

Past Lions International District Gov. Mike Scheafer reports that Lions International made a $50,000 Major Catastrophe Grant the day after the earthquake in Haiti to support immediate disaster relief efforts, and clubs are expected answer to the call for help as well.

Newport Beach Sunrise President Tim Brown said Rotary International has set up a disaster relief fund for Haiti for Rotarians to contribute to, while many Rotarians have contributed upward of $75,000 to Rotary District 7020 in the Caribbean, and many local clubs are buying Shelter Boxes. These include a 10-person tent, insulated sleeping mats and blankets, 180 water purification tablets, 2.1-gallon water jugs, cooking equipment, stove, mosquito netting, shovel and a variety of tools. To date, Rotarians and the public have bought 3,300 Shelter Boxes, which are being shipped to Haiti to house 33,000 people. Visit www.shelterboxusa.org.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council …“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you!”

— Dale Carnegie

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TODAY

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, to hear Newport Beach City Manager David Kiff. Visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

Noon: The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a presentation of the “Field of Honor” — Jerry Nininger.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, for a program by Julie Ann Ulcickas on Business Etiquette. For more information, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected] .