Editor Marilyn Bedell/Meeting notes taken by Bruce Pacht (thank!)
A top priority for Rotary is growing and diversifying our membership to make sure we reflect the communities we serve.
We're creating an organization that is more open and inclusive, fair to all, builds goodwill, and benefits our communities. We want people with differing perspectives and ideas who will help Rotary take action to create lasting change in communities around the world
A doodle poll has gone out asking if you are interested in participating in a social distancing out door meeting at Camp Coniston in Grantham, NH.
Date: August 26, 2020 — Time to be determined by responses to the doodle poll
The Program: John Tilley, Executive Director for Camp Coniston will tell us about the camp. I've learned that many of our members spent time at the camp during their childhoods.
Thanks to Plymouth, NH Rotarian and Owner of the Common Man Restaurants, Alex Ray we will be able to provide FREE washable face masks to folks in the Upper Valley. We will be issued 3,500 masks to distribute. We will issue two masks to each person in a household, one to wear and one to wash. We will be working with he Rotary Club of Hanover and will have support from the Upper Valley Business Alliance and the Upper Valley Young Professionals. We have received permission from DHMC to use Lot 9 adjacent to Jesse's on Route 120. We will be supported by the municipal governments in Lebanon and Hanover. We've learned both the town councils are considering adopting rules to require all of us to wear masks. Click here for more information about Mask Up NH
We need your help:
If you would like to be on the planning committee, we need help with logistics and finding all the equipment we will need for the event.
We all need to help with advertising the event via our own social media accounts.
We will need help on Friday and Saturday. Jobs to help with traffic flow, educating people about the mask, distributing mask and collecting voluntary donation for the masks (fund raised will be split between Listen and The Haven for food insecurity items.
We will be sending out a doodle poll for sign-ups to work on the day of the event. Please mark you calendars: REMEMBER WE NEED YOU TO HELP!!
Date and Times: Friday, August 7, 2020 from 3-7 PM, and August 8, 2020 from 10-2 PM or until we run out of masks.
Place: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center's Lot 9 adjacent to Jesse's
What: Distribute FREE REUSABLE/WASHABLE MASKS (2 per person in a household — one to wear and one to wash)
How: Primarily Drive Thru Pick-Up, and if possible... we will arrange for walk up only for passengers traveling on Advance Transit
Other: Donations welcome, and will be divided between Listen an The Haven for Food.
Samantha Lewandowski, MS – NH Governor’s Recovery-Friendly workplace Initiative.
Overview
Launched March, 2018 to promote health safety and wellness of workplaces and communities. Provides support for those in recovery, those who have fallen away from recovery, those impacted by a close person’s struggle with addiction. Tools and information for employers.
Lewandowski stated that they start with workplaces examining their current environment for folks in recovery. Many businesses might not know that they may already employ folks somewhere in the recovery process.
Process: They have a checklist to guide the process. Starts with orientation for businesses. Then employers give information to employees, participate in education and training. Recover-Friendly staff help to review employer’s policies, etc. Outcomes are that employees would know where to go for help; and could name resources available to then.
Partnerships
NH Gov’s Office – Dept of Business and Economic Affairs -- Advisory Council. They are working with businesses having a total of 70,000 employees, also with 13 public health networks and many recovery organizations.
Recovery-Friendly helps businesses become certified as recovery-friendly workplaces. Headrest has a grant to do some work.
Another partner are the staff manning the 211 Help Line, the mental health emergency phone line to “The Doorway.” Navigators can help those in need with information, referral and other tools.
www.NHrecoveryhub.org is a place to learn about recovery organizations. Center for Recovery Resources in our area is in Claremont. Headrest is a partner: 24-hour crisis line, opportunities for work program.
Headrest, Hypertherm and Recovery-Friendly Workplace – have worked with Jake’s Market. Headrest offers supports to the workplace: orientations, information, working with person and business to learn.
(M)LADAC – Masters-licensed alcohol and drug addiction counselor works 2 days a week during the pilot program. She is a trained clinician who works directly with the individual, helps connect that person to various supports and resources, sometimes she can get involved directly with counseling even before a plan is in place.
Case Study
Genfoot America (manufacturer of boots in Littleton) – started as early adaptor of the initiative. They are now a leader connecting with other workplaces. Benefits they have seen: 5 employees have come forward; Genfoot has hired from local recovery homes – 2 are now shift leaders; Helping Hand Committee monitors progress of the program; some analytic results seem to indicate decreases in injuries, lost days and light duty days.
QUESTIONS
Bill Secord – particular categories of businesses you work with?
Sam – yes NFPs, hospitality and manufacturing are the sectors; we’d like to get more into the trades.
JPY – Is there a charge?
Sam – No. Everything is free; after Cameron’s pilot program is over, businesses could be asked to chip in to keep the program’s presence.
Rudy – Is there a similar program in Vermont?
Sam – Not sure. There are about 10 other states doing some work.
Paul T – any work with Listen Community Services in Lebanon?
Sam – No.
Paul T – Listen is one of the foremost providers of basic services in the Upper Valley, working with folks at the lower end of the economic scale. Paul asks Sam to contact either Angie or Kyle.
Ernst – At what time in the procedure do you tell the client to involve his/her primary care provider?
Sam – We have found that it’s hard to sum up. We do try to work with the local recovery organization.
Paul T: Is there some way for Rotarians to refer your services to some people in those companies?
Sam – Capacity-wise we haven’t been able to do a lot of recruiting. We are looking to increase. Best way is to use the link. We will get a recovery advisor assigned to them and start the informational process.
Speaker Bio: Samantha Lewandowski holds a Master of Science in Community Development & Applied Economics from the University of Vermont. She first began working with individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) back in 2013 through a residential harm reduction program. Presently, she is a Recovery Friendly Advisor for the Governor's Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative, where her role is to work with businesses to help them develop workplace cultures that are more supportive to those in recovery or who have been impacted by SUD more generally. She is also a certified Recovery Coach.
Having loved ones with SUD, this work is especially near and dear to her heart, and she hopes that through continuing to provide research-informed and evidence-based supports, information, resources, and trainings, that stigma can continue to be challenged and barriers reduced so that those who have been impacted by SUD can access the support they need.
The Kilton Library Children's book given in honor of Samantha Lewandowski is:
Most of the Natural Things in the Worldby Dave Eggers and Angel Chang.
A tiger carries a kitchen chair through nineteen different geographical regions of the world looking for a friendly place (like a workplace the Governor's Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative would recognize) to sit down and eat with her family.
A tiger carries a dining room chair on her back. But why? Where is she going? With just one word per page, in lush, color-rich landscapes, we learn about the features that make up our world: an archipelago, a dune, an isthmus, a lagoon. Across them all, the tiger roams. An enigmatic investigation of our world's most beautiful places from bestselling author Dave Eggers, beautifully illustrated by debut artist Angel Chang.
• Each page introduces young readers to a different geographic element—from archipelagos to lagoons to gorges
• Universal story of a mother's arduous journey back to her family
• Quirky and enigmatic story with hipster appeal
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Moorings
Paul Tierndy called the meeting to order after a few minutes of banter between the members of our Club. Marilyn Bedell rang the bell and Bill Secord recited the 4-Way Test.
Paul then welcomed our Rotary Peace Fellow, Rachel Brooks to the meeting. She was asked to join us to read a reflection on the life of Representative John Lewis. She read the following quote:
“You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. […] Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don't be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.”
― John Lewis, Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America
The following members were in attendance at the meeting:
Dan Affeldt
Marilyn Bedell
Ron Bedell
Paul Boucher
Hank Clarke
Dave Crandall
Rudy Fedrizzi
Ed Friedman
Garlan Hoskins
Willy Koppenheffer
Jane Mason
Ernst Oidtman
Bruce Pacht
Bill Secord
Paul Tierney
Rich Wallace
Steve Whitman
John Yacavone
Rachel Brooks
President Paul shared that the board of directors met on Tuesday – The BOD decided on trying to follow through on some old things and trying some new initiatives. We will be reaching out to actively engage everyone in pursuing our mission.
The BOD agreed we should be a part of Mask UP NH; and to consider joining Hanover Rotarians at Camp Coniston, in Grantham, NH.
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SHARING HAPPY THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS:
Hank Clarke: We visited our friends in Thetford to have lunch, drink wine and enjoy their company.
Ron Bedell: Got a new computer for my birthday; He shared he was wearing the Hawaiian shirt I didn’t get to use for the virtual convention in Hawaii. Ron is donating $100 in honor of his birthday to the Lebanon Rotary Charities Fund.
Jane Mason: Bill Secord does a great job picking out the books for our speakers.
Paul Tierney: a $50 brag. This is his 50th anniversary of his return from Vietnam. 30 years of therapy and doing well --- most of the time!
Willy Koppenheffer: (1) Today I had my last PT session for plantar fasciitis.” (2) He showed us the tree in his backyard. His grandparents had a tart cherry tree in their backyard. Willy planted a tart cherry tree in his backyard several years ago and this year had the best crops ever. “Ellen makes a tart cherry pie with Wilyl’s grandmother’s recipe and he has cherries in the freezer waiting for the next one.”
Dan Affeldt: An ironic dollar – “Poliovirus has been used successfully to treat cancer.”
Rachel Brooks: Having good health keeps me grateful to continue working on my studies as a peace scholar even though the work isn’t what I expected.
Paul Boucher – belated happy dollar April 12 = 46 years in Rotary including 3 in the Claremont club.
Dave Crandall: Pulled out my telescope and looked 10 PM at Neowise comet. It is right below the big dipper. It's is worth taking time to do this.
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Club News and Other Announcements
Request from Cindy Jerome - Looking for housing:
Cindy Jerome, health care administrator, is looking for a small condo or apartment, a studio or one bedroom, 400 square feet or more, in NH and within 15 minutes of APD. Also willing to consider a room with private bath in a someone’s home. Will use 3-4 nights/week, returning to my home in southeastern Vermont on weekends.
Hoping to be able to cook in August, October, December, February, April and June. Hank Clark will let us know when we can be back in the kitchen again.
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Trail Maintenance
Ticknor Trail Trail Project - August 22, 2020
From Ernst Oidtimann
WORK ON TICKNOR TRAIL on AUGUST 22, 2020
Location: Slayton Hill rd; it branches off to the east about half mile south of Mascoma River.
Parking: problematic. 3 cars in line on the actual trail and along Slayton Hill Rd itself.
Bring signs of “ROTARY AT WORK”.
I walked the trail July 22. We will need about 10-15 people.
The first 200 yards are heavily overgrown with weeds so a weedwacker will come in handy.
At 200 yards there is water runoff from the neighboring property where more stepping stones are needed.
At 300 yards 2 trees have fallen across the trail. I suggest that from the larger one, a hemlock, we cut a 12 foot section, flatten one side and move it about 20 yards to bridge another drainage area (easy to move with 2 or 3 straps and cross bars). Maybe do the same with the smaller tree.
From there it is pretty easy going with minor trail improvements. Consider slowing down the current of the intermittent brook alongside the trail with available rocks.
At the large cellar hole there is a lot of Bar Berry, an invasive species, which we might cut down with pruners. This is also the spot where the trail from the cemetery joins.
Enjoy the rest of the trail with a stroll to the top of Townsend Farm and view!
Ernst Oidtmann will share more information once dates are set.
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United Way Day of Caring
September 2020
Bruce will give us more information once we know this event can happen in September
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Our Park Clean-Ups
October and April
Baker's Crossing
Riverside Park
Willy Koppenheffer and Bruce Bergeron will organize these events
Airport - Air show Memorial Area Clean Up
Bruce Bergeron will organize this event
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Listen Food Drives
September, November, March
Tim Guaraldi will organize these events.
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Working with Cover on a Winterizing Project
Winter
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First Grade Reader Distribution
April May
Bruce Bergeron will organize this event.
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Mascoma River Clean-up & Rail Trail Clean-up
Summer 2021
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2020 Holiday Service Projects
Listen Holiday Basket Helpers Gift Purchases, and Basket Review at Listen
Working with our Interactors
Community Dinner Set-up on
December 24, 2020
Picture from the Valley News
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Club Social Events
Club's Holiday Party and Yankee Swap
It's never to early to plan...Mark you calendars now, our 2020 Holiday Party and Famous Yankee Swap! It will be on Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farms. Cost will be the same as 2019...$40/person
Keep or Swap?
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Upcoming Fundraising Event
Save the Dates
The Bedell Classic Golf Tournament
September 17, 2020
Golf committee has secured September 17 Thusday as a new date for the Bedell Tournament. Planning underway. Club will be updated on plans over the next few weeks.
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Rotary International News
Q: How does the COVID-19 pandemic impact Rotary’s fight to end polio?
A: In our work to end polio, the program sees the devastating impact that communicable diseases have. With this in mind, we are fully committed to supporting national health systems by engaging our expertise and assets to help mitigate and contain the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside continuing concerted efforts to eradicate polio.
Using the vast infrastructure developed to identify the poliovirus and deliver vaccination campaigns, the polio eradication program is pitching in to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19, especially in polio-endemic countries. From Pakistan to Nigeria, the program is drawing on years of experience fighting outbreaks to support governments as they respond to the new virus. Learn more.
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