EmployAbilities
Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced visiting Rotarians Jim Hutcheson (Missoula Noon club) and Bill (and wife Barbara) Jewett of Yuma. Bill has 40 years of perfect Rotary attendance and was presented with our club banner. Bill thanked us and told us he'd visited our club a year ago. He said attending the meetings of other clubs is wonderful and encouraged us all to do so. David also introduced guests Kate Joyce (Susan Cramer) and Katy Clay (daughter of Bobby).
David then noted that in follow up to last week's "Blue Boy" theme he saw several shades of blue in the room, in particular on Steve Patrick and "Granny" Kris Paffhausen. Chris Warden announced that he found Blue Boy and Pinkie figurines in his home. And no, they weren't Pez dispensers!
David Bardwick brought us some thoughts on what a difference 100 years makes. To wit: in 1909, life expectancy in the US was 49 years; there were 144 miles of paved roads in the US; the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world; accountants (good ones!) earned about $2,000 a year; eggs cost 14 cents a dozen; Las Vegas had a population of 30; and marijuana, heroin and morphine were available over the counter at the pharmacy, with heroin touted as "the perfect guardian of health." Wow!
Chris Warden provided a quick budget update: we're in the red, almost. Please remember to keep current on your dues (our bylaws require payment within 30 days) or talk to Chris if there is a problem. Our cash flow is tight, and we need to pay our bills and are to hold a $5,000 balance in reserve. Also, if you have any expenses for this Rotary year, they must be turned in by the end of May (to Chris or Margot Belden) or they may not be paid.
Chris Warden announced that our Anniversary Dinner will be held Wednesday, June 24th. There will be no regular morning meeting that day. The event starts with a social at 5:30, with the program and dinner at 6:30. Chris said we should be finished by 8:00 or 8:30. The dinner will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Atrium and the current cost is $50 per person. Chris said this may be lower but due to budget we may not be able to subsidize the dinner with the morning meeting funds. A signup sheet was circulated and will be circulated at coming meetings. Please plan to attend this terrific event!
Chris also announced that awards will be presented at the Anniversary Dinner. Nominations are now open for the Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service and Rotarian of the Year awards. Forms were available at the meeting, and nominations can also be made by e-mail to Chris Warden at cwarden@washcorp.com. Please include the nominee's name, the award you wish to nominate them for, and a short reason why you nominate this particular person. Please have all nominations to Chris Warden by this Friday, May 22nd. Chris said he's received 15 nominations so far-keep them coming!
Justin Metcalf reminded us that our highway cleanup is set for Saturday, May 30th. Many have signed up, but more help is needed. We are guaranteed to be done by 10am! We'll meet at the Press Box between 7am and 7:45am (come at 7 if you want to have breakfast).
Clyde Neu announced that a GSE Team from Africa will be visiting Missoula June 15-19 and host families are needed. Carl Prinzing and Chris Warden offered to be host families, and more are needed. Additionally, a vocational day will be offered to the visiting team members (who include an attorney, paralegal, government finance officer and a school principal). Clyde said the vocational day may be Wednesday (June 17) and Shawn Rosscup and Susan Cramer offered to consider job shadowing for the vocational day. More help is needed-please contact Clyde!
Susan Cramer announced that fellow Sunrise Rotarian Donielle Engebretson and her husband Jeremy are the proud parents of daughter McKenna, born on May 6th and weighing in at 9.1 pounds! Congratulations to Donielle and Jeremy! Susan said she's already working to fix McKenna up with Kris Paffhausen's grandson/Kelly Katz's son Blake!
Chris Warden announced that the District Conference will be held in Bozeman June 5-7. Chris had applications available at the meeting, and they are also available on the District's website (you can link from our site in the upper lefthand corner).
Guest Katy Clay announced that she had the water bottles that were ordered a few weeks ago, and had more to sell for her fundraising efforts for the YMCA music program.
Paul Schaumberg provided the Rotary Minute, telling us about Big Green Box Week, May 18th through 25th, and event designed to raise money and awareness for the ShelterBox organization, which is best known for its big green boxes delivered to disaster sites. The boxes contain a tent, blankets, water purification and cooking equipment, basic tools, and other necessities to help a family of 10 survive for six months. Big Green Box Week coincides with the launch of ShelterBox's new partnership with the Scout Association. Supported by Rotary clubs around the world, ShelterBox has helped more than 800,000 people in 57 countries since its inception in 2000.
We then inducted our newest member, Lou Bahin (pronounced "ban"), sponsored by Bob Clay. Lou told us he moved to Missoula two years ago from Chicago with his wife Lila and their two sons. Lou works for a software development company from Chicago which builds websites and helps businesses online. Lou joined Missoula Sunrise Rotary to focus on fellowship and our good work in service to the community. Welcome, Lou!
Arnie Didier (who told us he blew out a knee playing in a softball tournament last weekend-ouch!) then introduced our program. Arnie introduced Martha Ripley, Noon Club Rotarian, Youth Exchange Chair for the District, and Job Developer at Opportunity Resources. Martha holds an MA from Central Washington University and has been in Missoula for 20 years, and with Opportunity Resources for four years. Martha and Hal Pulling, Director of Community Employment Services with Opportunity Resources, came to speak to us about Opportunity Resource's "EmployAbilities" program.
Martha and Hal explained that Opportunity Resources has been in Missoula for more than 50 years. Opportunity Resources serves more than 400 individuals every day with residential, case management, arts and recreation and employment services. Through the EmployAbilities program they have placed people with disabilities in jobs since 1982. The program works with more than 75 businesses in Missoula and more than 150 people with disabilities who are placed and supported in community work settings. The Mission of Opportunity Resources is to support persons with disabilities in enhancing their quality of life.
Hal Pulling explained that Opportunity Resources works closely with the employee and employer providing work site assessment, training and supportive services. Through the "employment equation" Opportunity Resources' EmployAbilities involves job seekers (people with disabilities: those injured in accidents, born with disabilities, developed over time and veterans), job developers (there are three: Martha, Hal and one other) and job coaches (there are five).
The program is now working on a new strategy called "customized employment." This is a proactive strategy, starting with a person, and not a job. A needs assessment leads to building a bridge between a person with disabilities and an employer.
Martha shared slides and touching stories of several successful placements: Jan, who sorts and files at UM and has done so for 19 years; Paula, who works in the mailroom at Blackfoot Communications and has done so for four years; Cheryl, who works as a ticket taker and cleaner at Carmike Cinemas; Scotty, who vacuums and cleans at the Blue Canyon and is very happy doing so; Tina, who "does everything" at Taco Maker; and a woman who is training for a new career as a vet tech at Pruyn's.
Hal and Martha explained that people with disabilities want to work and they need to work to supplement their Social Security income. They are striving to be productive members of the community and also become consumers. They said that 2/3 of the disabled population is unemployed and wants to work.
There are many incentives for employers to consider hiring a person with disabilities. Hal and Martha said there are a large number of Americans who prefer to patronize businesses that hire people with disabilities. Businesses also receive name recognition and good advertising (through the large reader board at Opportunity Resources).
Hal and Martha encouraged all business owners to consider hiring a person with disabilities. They said we should look inside our organizations and businesses for current unmet needs. Working with EmployAbilities can save money and time, build awareness, and can be another source for finding dedicated long-term career employees.
During a Q&A, our speakers were asked what are the characteristics of a good business fit for the program. They replied that anywhere, in any industry, is appropriate, as long as the employer is supportive.
When asked how Opportunity Resources is funded, Hal explained it is a combination of funds from manufacturing services, product sales, State Vocational Rehab and likely some federal dollars.
Following this informative program, we closed the meeting with the recitation of the Four Way Test.