Our Program For Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Richard Lopez had a vision to help the troubled youth who, because of little parental supervision, limited positive role models, failure in school and lack of a positive self-image, are drawn to gang affiliation. He created the Double Punches Boxing Club which combines physical and academic activity while motivating and rewarding academic success through stressing fundamentals, discipline and skills rather than brute force and toughness. He created a safe place where youth can develop a sense of self-worth, experience greater success in school and develop physical fitness skills.

USEFUL LINKS

Visit our district at: http://www.rotary5130.org
Check out Rotary International at: http://www.rotary.org
Come see us at: http://rotarymeansbusiness

Opening Ceremonies

Pledge: Chip Rawson

Reflection: Cathy shared these thoughts about 9/11.   

“9/11 is a reminder of a terrible tragedy. It was 18 years ago but it feels like yesterday to so many. What I took from all this is the importance of those around us. I refer to our family, but look beyond that and look at your neighbor, your friends, the clerk in a store, the passerby…treat them like you’ll make a difference in their life with a smile, a hug, a phone call, or a simple hello as you walk by…We all breathe air, drink water, and eat food. We need these but we also need each other as much we need air, water, and food to survive. So as we all remember this sad day of extreme loss, we need to live every day as if we have a responsibility to help someone besides yourself. A smile will never hurt anyone, so try to share them generously.”

Visiting Rotarians

Sebastopol Sunrise – Mike Cook

Guests

Keith Graves, Hanni Kohle

Sunshine

Ginny Cannon had nothing to report. Debi Zaft said the board approved Jack Abercrombie as an honorary Rotarian.  Rich de Lambert has been fighting an infection but is feeling better.

Raffle

Ted Wilmsen (who else?) had his ticket drawn. After a brief bromance hug, Ted drew the blue marble and won, I dunno, a million five? Like Cathy said, a hug never hurt anyone!

Cathy is Still a Joker

Wife: There is a problem with the tractor. There is water in the carburetor.

Husband: Water in the carburetor? That’s ridiculous!

Wife: I’m telling you, the tractor has water in the carburetor!

Husband: You don’t even know where the carburetor is! Where’s the tractor?

Wife: It’s in the pool.

Announcements

A 100th anniversary committee has been formed. Talk to Mark Burchill if you’d like to join.

Andrea Geary shared the dates of the upcoming socials. She’s looking for volunteers.

Mathew asked for volunteers to serve beer at the YMCA golf tournament fundraiser.

Doug Johnson announced his Paellea lunch. Help Doug recoup his investment.

Ann Gospe announced that 58 new cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan.

Paul Harris Presentations

Dan Balfe announced Club Foundation Paul Harris recognitions. Mary Graves was presented replacement PH items she lost in the 2017 fire. Steve Graves and his partner were recognized for donating 60K to their Paul Harris. Tim Delaney has donated to PH for each of his 3 children

Telemedicine Background Story

Mary Graves told us a 10 minute  story about a young woman who arrived in Arizona in 1871 that relates to today’s telemedicine. It turns out this young 16 year old Ella who knew Morris Code. Upon seeing sick indians, the young lady sent the symptoms by telegraph to a doctor in another town. The doctor identified the symptoms as scurvy and the indians were given citrus which saved their lives.

Program

Sonoma County Chaplaincy was the subject and today’s speaker was Warren Hayes. He was accompanied by Hanni Kohle, a Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplain. The organization dates back to the late 1990’s in Sonoma County. Ironically, according to Mr. Hayes, the worst chaplains were ordained ministers as their ability to listen does not match their ability to preach. Chaplains are on call 24/7 to be dispatched to do things like notifying next of kin when someone dies from accident, suicide or other sudden death calls. Chaplains are always accompanied by uniformed officers, for everyone’s safety in emotionally charged situations. Every call out is different and while nearly all people respond to the bad news very emotionally, some also react violently, especially if alcohol and/or drugs are involved. Chaplains are trained to listen, just to be there for the person to whom they are giving the bad news. Mr. Hayes noted that the chaplaincy participates in the “Every 15 Minutes” school program which is always an emotionally charged simulation of real life disaster events.

Mr. Hayes then introduced Hanni Kohle, who has been a special education teacher and is currently in administration in Rohnert Park. As a chaplain, Hanni is on call for two 24 hour shifts per month.  Calls may come at 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning. She explained that the program is an extremely rigorous 6 month program with a difficult final exam. Hanni shared her most memorable call 6 months ago. That call led her to spend over three hours with daughter of the dead person. Since it turned out she had previously met the person a year prior and shared a German heritage, she was especially suited to help the woman with her grief. She closed by sharing how grateful she is to be a part of the chaplaincy.

Mr. Hayes closed the presentation by saying how proud he is of Hanni and the others who perform this important work. He noted that each chaplain is “debriefed” which allows chaplains to share their experience, cry if needed after a call. They do not send out chaplain to psychologists or other professionals. They find it more effective to counsel in house since they have all shared similar experiences. The chaplains see awful things, especially from suicides which are up in Sonoma County in recent years.

The program was informative and was effective in making us aware that there are those people out there with a special calling for this type of support work. 

Governor, District 5130

Kathy Flamson

Attendance Secretary

Debi Zaft P.O. Box 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Board of Directors

Club Service I, Membership, Michael Moore
Club Service II, Club Meetings, Holly Garretson
Club Service III, Fundraising, Ryan Thomas
Club Service IV, Member Activities, Anne Gospe
Club Service V, Information Technology and Records, Brandon Urich
Community Service I, Member Involvement, Rio Ray
Community Service II, Youth, Andrea Geary
Vocational Service, Carolyn Fassi
International Service, Dan Balfe