Minutes from March 14, 2016

 

President John Starnes called the meeting to order promptly at 12:26, and welcomed everyone to the club meeting. He acknowledged District Governor Ken Small who is with us today.

 

Jack Swanson and Red Nickerson were the greeters today, and Jack introduced the members who brought guests:

First, our exchange student Elise and then Visiting Rotarians, District Governor Ken Small (Jackson Hole Lunch Bunch) and Helen Bishop (Jackson Supper Club);

 

 

Dennis Lower cracked us up with a couple of good jokes, and then Gary Pehrson led us in singing “I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover” in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day this week.

 

President Starnes asked District Governor Ken Small to present some Paul Harris Fellow Pins to the following members: Mark Owens (PH +1), Kevin Murphy (PH +2), Ned Hodder (PH+3), Richard Schwahn (PH +3) and Bill Schilling (PH +8); Congratulations to these five Rotarians!

 

District Governor Ken Small congratulated the Paul Harris recipients and then spoke a little about the Paul Harris Foundation and the recognition. He then reminded us of the upcoming District Conference May 19-21 in Jackson Hole and encouraged us to attend. He recapped all of the exciting things that will be happening during the conference. He also let us know that they need sponsors to bring the youth exchange students to the conference as well as general sponsors to help with the costs of the conference. Please call Windy at Dave True’s office for hotel reservations.

 

Jim Porter let us know that he went to NASCAR in Vegas and ran into Robin Mundell and she sent her greetings to everyone.

Susan Griffith congratulated the Stepp Family for the great article in the newspaper about Donnels Candy.

Bill Schilling let us know that his youngest daughter Sydney is the President Elect for Rotaract in Portland OR.

President John Starnes let us know that he received a couple of emails this week, the first one telling us that Tom Zimmerman is back at home following a hospital stay for pneumonia and is recovering nicely but can’t have visitors yet. The second email was from Bob Auflick letting us know that his Mother-in-law, Ann Anderson, passed away in Texas last week and there will be a small ceremony for her later in the month.

Dennis Jack said that his wife is down with her dad who is about to pass away as well, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

 

President John Starnes nominated Jim Porter for attending a NASCAR race and awarded him a four way test coin!

Richard Schwahn nominated Liz Becher for the great job she did at PETS.

President John nominated all those who attended PETS, including Richard Schwahn and Jim Ruble;

Brian Deurloo nominated Dave Simonson for all of the work he is doing on our International project.

 

Today we heard from a couple of great students from NCHS, Emily Robertson and Duke Beddes. They both are 4.0 students and have great plans for their futures.

 

 

Program (Wyoming Technology Business Center):

PN Richard Schwahn introduced our speakers today from the Central Wyoming Counseling Center; Brandon Wardell, clinical director; Crystal Ballerio a clinical therapist at the center and Debbie Wood, an alumnus from the center. Brandon told us that the center is looking to offer the best treatment possible. He let us know that CEO David Monhollen became ill and so Brandon is currently serving as acting CEO while David is out. They have been carrying on David’s mission of driving forward the community collaboration to help the people in the community. He said that they have five main programs; outpatient mental health assistance, outpatient substance abuse treatment, therapeutic family counseling, psychiatric rehab services and resident substance abuse treatment. Over the last five years they have been evolving to help a wider variety of people in the community. Whatever the needs of the community are they focus on helping in cooperation with other organizations. He then turned the time over to Crystal; she has been working there for the past five years in the psychiatric rehabilitation unit where they work with the severely mentally ill patients. She told us that when a new patient arrives they are assigned a therapist, a job coach, a case worker and a health care provider. They believe that with a holistic approach they can provide better care for the client. They currently have 132 patients in this particular program. She introduced Deb Wood who let us know that she has found great help in the program that the counseling center has provided. Deb has returned to College and is working towards her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. They then opened the floor for questions where we learned a few more things. They have a peer program where people who have gone through the program come in and help those who are currently in the program. They are funded through State Government funding along with grants and donations from the community. They plan on expanding their services so they need to continue to diversify their funding to be able to do this. They are planning on collaborating with Casper College to become an internship provider for their students. They are working with other community organizations to help with suicide prevention; they are not an emergency place for those in crisis and encourage anyone with someone needing emergency help to go to the emergency room. They work more being proactive with education and follow up treatment that may be needed. Brandon let us know that there is a shortage of counselors in the State of Wyoming. He also stated that most people will need their services at one time or another and at different levels.

 

Brian Deurloo announced that he is starting a new business so he needs to hand of the reigns of Duck Commander to Dave Elmer who has graciously stepped up to take over the derby. Dave said that there is a great need for volunteers this year as we have lost a couple of last year’s great volunteers so please be prepared to help where you can.

 

President John adjourned the meeting at 1:24 p.m. reminding us that we are back at the Parkway Plaza next week.