Clubs

The Laboratory supports a broad program of recreational, cultural, and educational activities by special interest groups for the Employee Activities Association (EAA). These activities utilize Laboratory, University, and off-site facilities for recognized activity groups and Laboratory-wide events. Support may include publicity, provision for use of meeting places, and financial support.

• Arts Council
• Asian Association
• Bicycle Coalition
• Corporate Racing (Running) Club
• Dance
• Dragon Naturally Speaking Interest Group (DIG)
• EX-Ls (LBNL retirees association)
• Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement
• Filipino Martial Arts
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, & Friends (GLBT&F) inactive
• Golf
• Green Team inactive
• Gym & Fitness Club
• Hoop Troupe (Hula-Hoop workout)
• JGI Intramural
• Karaoke Idols
• Latino and Native American (LANA) inactive
• Mac Users inactive
• Martial Arts
• Music
• Networks in Japanese Science and Culture
• Outdoor
• PASSport to Wellness inactive
• Philanthropy
• Philosophy
• Photography
• Pilates at the JGI
• Softball
• Table Tennis
• Tai Chi
• Tennis
• The Ukelele Project
• Yoga
  

Recreational

• Bike Coalition - A group of bicyclists from the LBNL community working as volunteers to encourage bicycle commuting through education and improved facilities. Visit web site:http://bikes.lbl.gov/.
  • President, Bruce Nordman x7089; Vice-President, Dave Lorenzetti x4562
• Corporate Racing (Running) Club: There are several corporate challenges each year, such as the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge (August) and the San Francisco Half Marathon Corporate Challenge (July).  Lab employees can run as a team against other institutions and corporations.  The camaraderie and support of colleagues can be a big boost to motivation, training, performance, and joy in running.
  • President, Stephen Derenzo x4097
• Dance Club - Offers an enjoyable diversion from our busy workdays. Promote physical and emotional well-being, i.e. a form of stress management, as well as encouraging camaraderie among LBNL'ers. Classes are held on Mondays. Practices on Wednesdays.  An aerobics class is offered on Thursdays.  Noon at Bldg. 76 room 235. For announcements and notes, visit our website.
  • President, Jeff Philliber x5257; Vice-President, Olga Poblete x7367
• Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Club - for anyone who wants to make the things they do easier, more efficient and pleasurable. In Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons, people engage in verbally directed, precisely structured movement explorations that involve thinking, sensing, moving, and imagining. ATM lessons attempt to make one aware of his/her habitual neuromuscular patterns and rigidities and to expand options for new ways of moving while increasing sensitivity and improving efficiency. Meets every Wednesday, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Bldg 90, Room 3075, and every Friday, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., Bldg. 46, Room 271. Classes are free.
  • President, Erika Gasperikova x4930.
• Filipino Martial Arts - Learn the art of self defense in its simplest form; develop mind and body coordination and physical fitness using Filipino martial arts.  Meets Wednesdays, 12:30 - 1:30 pm and any day after work.  All classes in Building 90.  Classes are free.  For more information about our club, classes and events, check out our website.  
  • President and Instructor, Rey Viray (510) 388-5869; Secretary, Arabella Schmidt x2902.
• Golf Club - Members participate in monthly tournaments at golf courses in the greater Bay Area, including an annual DOE tournament and an end-of-year Trophy Tournament. More information may be found on the Golf Club web site at http://golfclub.lbl.gov/.
  • President, Anthony Dela Torre x4937; Membership, Wes Bethel x7353
• Gym & Fitness Club - Looking for some fun exercise with other like-minded people? The new Gym & Fitness Club can help make your New Year's resolutions come true. From triathlons to wind surfing to snowboarding to ultimate frisbee...you can try any or all of these, and bring ideas of your own. The sky's the limit! We'll also be helping with the current effort to bring a gym to Berkeley Lab. First meeting will be on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 12pm in Perseverance Hall (54-130).
  • President, Mike Johnson x4389
•  Hoop Troupe - Come join your coworkers for a fun-filled hula hoop workout every Tuesday, Noon - 12:30pm OR 12:30 - 1pm. in Bldg. 76 room 235. For announcements and notes, visit our website.
  • President, Nancy Fleischauer, x5102
•  JGI Intramural Club - This JGI-based group encourages employee health and well-being by promoting various group sports activities (volleyball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, football, badminton, etc.) currently meeting 2-3 times weekly over lunch breaks and/or after work, on the JGI campus lawn or various local parks in Walnut Creek, CA. 
  • President, Marsha Fenner (925) 296-5781 
•  Karaoke Idols - The purpose of this club is to use singing as a way to manage stress and improve self-expression in front of the public (something like "Toastmaster's" or public speaking, but through singing, rather than speaking, in front of a crowd).
  • Co-Leaders, Susan James x6507 and Jacqueline Scoggins x8651
• Martial Arts Club - Training comprises a complete exercise system that focuses on aerobic conditioning, strengthening, coordination, balance, reflexes, and flexibility, with the additional benefit of having a practical self-defense application. Classes are informal with an emphasis on creating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. Classes can be strenuous, but participants are encouraged to go at their own pace and all exercises are optional. Free classes are held in Building 76-235; Monday and Wednesday, 5:00-6:15 p.m. and Friday 12:00-1:00 p.m.
  • President, Eric Esarey x5925
•  Music Club - Open to all instrumentalists and singers. Monthly business meetings are held every second Wednesday from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Cafeteria.
  • President, Steve Blair x5927; Vice-President, Ken Berg x2139
•  Networks in Japanese Science and Culture - This club provides opportunities for LBNL employees and their guests to share experience and knowledge of current science, technology, as well as social and educational issues in Japan and the U.S.  The club's goals are to maintain a sense of cultural awareness and to provide networking opportunities for LBNL Japanese employees, scientists, and collaborators.  The club holds brown bag seminars featuring speakers from Japan and/or LBNL/UCB scientists.  Some of the seminars and round table discussions are offered in Japanese.
  • Club Administrator, Miho Komai x5512; Co-Leaders, Hiroshi Nishimura and Kenzi Karasaki.
•  Outdoors Club - This club seeks to promote health and wellness with its emphasis on outdoor physical activity, facilitate connecting with fellow Berkeley Lab employees/guests who share a similar interest in the outdoors, and as a group get to know and care about the Bay Area environment and beyond. Current activities include: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, and Running/Jogging groups.
  • President, Shelly Caras x5404
•  Photography Club - Get together with other members and take photos together, show and critique member photos, and put photos on display. 
  • Co-Presidents, Misty Enriquez x6492 and Lorraine Dowling x2523
•  Pilates at the JGI - To provide strengthing and stretching for employees focusing on the issues that result from repetitive desk work.  Class meets 5 times a week with the typical member attending 2 sessions per week.  Classes are free.
  • President, Wendy Schackwitz (925) 296-5634
• Softball Teams - The teams play competitive slow-pitched softball on a UCB campus field in spring and summer. There are play-offs at the end of season.
  • President, Steve Blair x5927
• Table Tennis Club - Club members normally play during lunch time or after work. Table and accessories are located on the north side of Building 90. A few tournaments are organized each year to help members at different levels to find their matches. Visit the website: https://commons.lbl.gov/display/community/Table+Tennis+Club

• • President: Jason Detwiler x7846
• Tai Chi - The Tai-Chi model is based on a premise that there is a bioenergy system in the body called Meridians, 12 main and 8 secondary throughout the major organs. The muscle movements in the exercises are designed to stimulate blood flow which promotes health and well-being. The program will focus on the 18 fundamental forms of Chen style Tai-Chi, meditation, and breathing.
  • President, Mike Kritscher x8647
• Tennis Club - Players of all abilities are paired to form evenly matched competitions; a tournament is held once a year. Play on campus as often as possible during lunch time. There is a ball machine available for check out. 
  • President, Joe Harkins x7486 
• The Ukelele Project -  To help enhance and improve employee morale by providing an outlet where Lab employees can unwind through music and learn how to play the ukulele in a friendly atmosphere. 
  • President, Lida Gifford x2563; Vice-President, Robert Fox x7327
• Yoga- Classes are open to all interested in exploring yoga. Beginners and new members are welcome to come for any class. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Classes start at noon, come early to change clothing and help set up the room. Meets in Building 70, Room 191. 
  • President, Rick Diamond x4459

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Educational

• Dragon Naturally Speaking Interest Group (DIG)  - Users of the speech recognition software program Dragon Naturally Speaking meet regularly to share experiences and tips with other users and with those considering using the program.
  • President, Ciccina Guagliardo x6490.
• EX-Ls (LBNL retirees association) -  EX-Ls, founded in 1982, is an organization of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory retirees whose purpose is to provide social, cultural, and intellectual relationships among retired and/or ex-employees, their spouses, widows, or widowers.  The group holds quarterly luncheons, featuring speakers who give an update on research at the Lab or discuss topics of general interest.  Membership is open to all former employees and their spouses.  A full description including how to join is at http://www.lbl.gov/ex-l-express/. 
  • President, Joe Jaklevic; contact Suzanne Stroh at (510) 524-1953,scstroh@gmail.com for membership information
• Green Team - Employees will learn more about ecology and the environment and will participate in improving their environment at the Laboratory and in their communities. Visit our website.
  • President, Ken Woolfe x7739.
• Mac Users Group (MUG) - To exchange information that will allow users to increase their proficiency and productivity with a Macintosh computer at LBNL. The group holds monthly meetings, product demos, and run an e-mail discussion list to exchange questions and friendly help. Visit web site: http://lbnl-mug.lbl.gov/

• • President, Christopher Payne (202) 488-2252.
• PASSport to Wellness - Club President Tennessee Gock (a 25-year LBNL veteran currently works as ALS Safety Administrator and Division Ergo Advocate) loves this name because it accurately represents its mission: Promoting, Advocating, Supporting, and Sharing health and wellness tips. In addition to the abundant wellness tips, "Xiang Gong" exercise will be taught which focuses on promoting upper body circulation and will help alleviate/prevent repetitive motion disorder. Interested in joining? Email TGock@lbl.gov, or call ext. 5013.
  • President, Tennessee Gock x5013.
• Philosophy - Discuss philosophy of science and the relationship between philosophy and science. What are philosophers of science saying about how we scientists do our work and what it means? Are the philosophers even asking the right questions? What can scientists and philosophers learn from each other? For more information, contact Peter McCorquodale at PWMcCorquodale@lbl.gov or at x2458
  • President, Peter McCorquodale x2485.

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Cultural

• Arts Council - The council organizes events such as lectures, museum and theater visits. 
  • President, Helen Jefferson x5746.
• Berkeley Lab Asian Association - Serves to bring Asian employees, guests, and family members together, sharing their common interests and values in the community, and recognizing and promoting Asian cultures. The association provides networking opportunities for Asian employees and members to share their experience and to benefit the quality of work and life at the Lab as well as in the community at large.
  • President, Larry Guo, LLGuo@lbl.gov, x6514, web site.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Friends Club  - Promote a welcome atmosphere for sexual minority employees by increasing visibility and holding regular social meetings. Encourage tolerance and awareness of the challenges presented to sexual minority employees in a scientific community. Enforce and support nondiscrimination regulations for all employees. Increase positive community visibility, both for Berkeley Lab and for sexual minority employees by volunteering time for various outreach programs in the Berkeley-SF Bay area. 
• Latino and Native American - Seeks to create and maintain a sense of cultural awareness for its members and LBNL. Meets every last Thursday of the month in the lower level of the Cafeteria. Holds speaker's forums and film series at least twice a year--during National Hispanic month (September) and National Native American month (November); possibly other special events (Cinco de Mayo, Christmas). 
•  Philanthropy Club - To provide Lab employees with meaningful ways to contribute to the greater good of humankind through hands-on action. 
  Philanthropy Club's Chemo Cap Project a Huge Success
  Running from February to October, the Lab's Philanthropy Club 2009 Chemo Cap Project more than doubled the success of 2008 with 458 hand-knit and crocheted caps valued at over $6,300. The caps comfort those stricken with cancer during the most difficult part of their treatment, helping suddenly bald patients feel like themselves again. The hats — made by Lab staff and their friends — were donated to numerous local agencies, including Highland Hospital, Kaiser Oakland and Richmond, and Children's Hospital. For those who want to participate next year, a new session will start in February. Details will be announced in Today at Berkeley Lab. Contact Cynthia Sylvester x5938 for more information.
  • President, Heather Pinto x4181.

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