Money Train Recipient: Carol Graham Home!
Steve Patrick handled Sergeant at Arms duties this morning and helped us welcome several guests: Julianna (our exchange student from Brazil); Gina Lapka (guest of Bobby Clay); Julie Titchbourne (guest of Linda Pijon); Peg Novatny (guest of Anne Guest); Ken Bransby (guest of Brenda Thayer); and Deb Lanham (guest of Margot Belden). Also attending were our two newest members-inducted just this morning: Derek Smith and Sonia Mussiett.
Given that next week is election day, Steve Patrick shared some of Will Rogers' best quotes about government, including the gem, "Our Constitution protects aliens, drunks and U.S. Senators." And, given the current economic state, Marshall Delano added another Rogers favorite: "If you buy a stock and it goes up, sell it. If it doesn't go up, don't buy it."
Chris Warden shared with the club that Susan Cramer has been in Colorado visiting her mother who has been ill. Susan sends greetings to all, and appreciates the emails and text messages she's received.
Given that Friday is Halloween, Chris Warden shared photos he'd found of several interesting carved and decorated pumpkins, some of which were for the "IT set" (dare we say "geek set"?) including a death star and the face of Yoda.
Chris also shared photos of several of our recent projects. These included last year's international project in Bastos, Brazil, in which our club helped to fund the kitchen at a school for the developmentally disabled. We also saw photos of the highway cleanup crew and the crew working on the Silver Park shelters. Thanks to all who helped!
Chris Warden also announced (whoever said it's all Susan all the time?) that the dictionary project led by Carol Gaub and Bill St. John is in process, involving 400 kids across 7 schools. Two of the dictionaries were passed around for all to see.
Carl Prinzing shared that he attended the District Assembly last Friday/Saturday in Butte. Our club was awarded third place in the district for Foundation giving (placing third by a SLIM margin in per capita Foundation giving) behind Bozeman Sunrise and Hamilton. Carl reminded us that we need to have a 2+ net membership gain this year. He also said that RI President Lee wants two new clubs in each district. Carl also said the district has about $160,000 in pledges for the polio campaign. Carl brought the display board (regarding the polio campaign) to the meeting, and said it is available for placement in local businesses to help raise awareness and money. Carl encouraged all membership (especially club leadership) to attend the District Assembly next year.
Lynda Frost announced that the committee for the Money Train had its first meeting last week. This event is scheduled for February 14th and promises to be "bigger and better" than ever. The recipient will be the Carol Graham Home (read on!). Lynda said the committee is currently identifying auction items, sponsors and entertainment. The committee meets again today and next Wednesday, November 5th. Lynda expects tickets (which will be $125) to be available in about three weeks. The event starts with a champagne reception at 1pm and the train departs the NP depot at 2pm. The train will "turn around" at Dixon and return following an approximately three-hour ride. Watch for more details!
Chris Warden then announced some very big news: Missoula Sunrise Rotary has been named the "Outstanding Service Club in Western Montana" by the Western Montana Fund Raisers Association. This award recognizes the fine work of our club over the year under both Presidents Kris Paffhausen and Chris Warden. This is a HUGE award and one that truly recognizes Sunrise Rotary as a leading service organization! Several members will attend the awards luncheon on November 14th. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SUNRISE ROTARIANS!
In lieu of the Rotary Minute and Classification Talks over the next several weeks, various committee chairs will provide reports to the club. Today Kim Anderson, Service Committee Chair, updated on the work of the Service Committee. Kim said the Committee is large and does a lot of work. The youth exchange subcommittee is chaired by Jeanine Nguyen and Kate Cotnoir. The international project subcommittee is chaired by Bobby Clay. The vocational subcommittee is chaired by Paul Williamson. The community service subcommittee has many projects including the dictionary project, the highway cleanup project and the various Youth Homes events/projects. The most recent Youth Homes project was the pumpkin carving event last Sunday. Kelly Katz and Krista Frederikson led that event and many Rotarians participated. Kim shared photos of some very happy children and Sunrise Rotarians hard at work. Special kudos to Kara McCarthy for tackling the biggest pumpkin and most intricate design! Kim said the Youth Homes Santa breakfast will be December 17th and we'll be able to select and fulfill a "wish list" for a child. The newly-svelte Mayor John Engen will again play Santa. January will include the Youth Homes family night at the Symphony and the start of skiing events. Kim said that Jim Clark is currently working in the school tutor program and needs many more volunteers-please help! Additionally, two or three people are needed to help with the Interact club at Sentinel High School. A big thank you to Kim and all the committee members for their fine work!
Our newest members, Derek Smith and Sonia Mussiett, were then inducted. Sonia said she joined Rotary because it represents all that she is looking for: great values, community participation and a great breakfast! Derek joined for the terrific opportunities for community service. Welcome to both Derek and Sonia!
Gordie Campbell announced that the Noon club's poker tournament last Friday night was a success. Gordie and Brenda Thayer and Steve Patrick from our club participated. Our club sold 30% of the tickets and Gordie said he thinks the Noon club may have raised $6,000-$9,000! The competition was fierce, and it was a long night, but Gordie placed second, and Brenda placed 11th (apparently Gordie knocked Brenda out with three 4's). There was no official mention of where Steve placed -just somewhere behind Gordie and Brenda. Congratulations and thanks to those participants!
Programs chair Arnie Didier introduced our program and speaker. Arnie first thanked Lynda Frost for her tremendous efforts and work with the Money Train. This year's recipient is the Carol Graham Home, and today's program was presented by Bonnie Stewart, Program Director at the Home. Bonnie presented a wonderfully informative program.
Bonnie first said that it was an honor and a privilege to speak to us and to be a part of the "Money Train." She explained that the Carol Graham Home opened in July 2000 and serves six chemically dependent (in treatment) women AND their children at a time. The home has individual suites with a shared kitchen, laundry, family TV room and play area. The home strives to provide a safe, consistent, and stable environment for its women and children. The typical stay is nine months to a year, and Bonnie said the success rate is "pretty good."
Since its opening the Home has served 54 women and LOTS of kids. There are LOTS of birthday parties celebrated and the staff and clients experience many joys and challenges. The Carol Graham Home seeks to advocate and empower women to do for themselves. The kids are kept close, and the moms are encouraged to "do the parenting." Residents are taught budgeting, time management and nutrition skills. After being in the Home for several months the women are provided help in gaining employment. There is 24-hour help and support provided, along with a 12-step study group, music classes, and sewing classes (from placemats to quilts!). The chemical dependency treatment is done through Turning Point Addiction Services.
Residents each create a "survival book" or story board. Bonnie brought some along to show to our group. The residents take these with them when they leave so that they have lists of resources, as well as photos and memories of their stay. Graduates transition into the "Serenity Cove" apartments located behind the Home, typically for one to two years.
Bonnie reviewed a day-by-day schedule for a typical (and very busy) week at the Carol Graham Home. She also said that in 2008 the Home did its first overnight campout - and practiced first with a campout in the yard at the Home. Throughout her presentation, Bonnie shared wonderful photos, including some of the campout.
When asked if there are statistics on graduates perhaps five years after leaving, Bonnie said that they are working on an outcome study but it is not yet complete. However, she said that of the five women who have graduated since April, four have remained clean. Bonnie said there is a huge waiting list for the Home and there is a real need in particular for more apartments at Serenity Cove.
Bonnie was asked if they see a lot of prescription drug abuse. She said that over the past couple of years prescription drug abuse has increased tremendously. She said she has seen Oxycodone in particular ruin lives.
Following this wonderful program, Chris Warden announced that one of the dictionaries will be given in Bonnie's name.
In keeping with this year's tradition, we closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test.