Jodi Borrelli - "Her journey through Opioid Addiction, Homelessness, Incarceration and Recovery"
Ray Deck, Skookum Kids Service Grant Presentation
NEW PARKING MAP FOR WCC LOCATION 8-1-2022
July 18, 2022
Opening Welcome:
With no opening bell ringing, Pres. Paul Grey started the meeting with a reverse order of business. He called Mike Plenkovich for the invocation, then the singing of "America the Beautiful" and then onto business. And then he skipped over introductions of guest or visiting Rotarians. The pres is keeping us on our toes. No sleeping on his watch...
Book Review:
The Paris Library, a novel by Janet Skeslien Charles and presented by John Dunne
Although this book is written by a woman and has two female protagonists, it’s a book that should appeal to everyone. Ostensibly, this story follows the life of a young Parisian, Odile, a librarian at the American Library just prior to and during WW II. Interestingly, the second protagonist is a young teenage, Lily, who lives in Froid, Montana 43 years later. The author weaves the two stories together into an intriguing mystery. The very reclusive older woman living next door to Lily is Odile whom the townsfolk know only as someone from somewhere else. Lily manages to befriend this strange woman and begins to unravel the mystery. Like any good mystery, the final piece is not revealed until the very end. The Paris Library is engaging and fun to read.
Club and Committee Announcements:
BREAKING NEWS: WE ARE MOVING OUR MEETING LOCATION TO WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE, PAVILLION 201 EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2022. HERE ARE THE NEW DIRECTIONS (ONES HANDED OUT LAST WEEK HAVE BEEN REPLACED) PRINTABLE DOCUMENT CLICK HERE
The buildings address is 241 W Kellogg Rd. But this is not where you park. There is no parking off of Kellogg Road. You must enter parking off either Eliza Ave or Cordata Parkway. You are looking for the YELLOW lot (look on light poles for Y2 or Y3).
Enter from Eliza Ave: the driveway between Kellogg Rd and Westerly Rd has a driveway into the campus, follow that about 200 yards until it slopes down, park in the area between the three buildings.
Enter from Cordata Parkway: Just north of the WTA station and Cruisin Coffee before the round about is Orca Lane, take Orca Lane around the first two buildings until you find a large parking lot between three buildings.
Nathan Twining announced the Rotary Golfun Tournament happening on 26 August in Lynden. There is a lunch included and a dinner afterward. Nathan said you don’t have to be a serious golfer to join in. Contact Nathan for details. $125 entry.
Board Briefs for July 14, 2022
A resignation was received from Mauri Ingram with deep regret. She has requested that we accept her resignation, but she has agreed to stay on the RCOB Foundation Board thru her term of 2024. Her resignation was accepted with regret.
Meeting location decision – We will start meeting at Whatcom Community College effective August 1, 2022. Until the middle of September we will meet in the Pavilion Room #201, 2nd floor. There is an elevator. Cost of lunches will be set at $22.00. Thanks to Ward Naf for arranging this. President Paul thanked Brad Burdick, Doug Cole and Ward Naf for all of their hard work on searching for a venue for our meetings. President Paul indicated that this location met our criteria. (Attractive venue, designed for meetings, good parking, affordable meals and cookies!)
The catering service at W.C.C. will serve lunch in a buffet style and will include a variety of meal choices (including nut, or gluten or pork free). We were shown examples of menus. The cost will be $22 and Rotary will continue to sponsor a scholarship for a WCC student. Rotary will also be working in a mentor capacity for WCC students. Faculty and staff will be invited to hear our premium speakers.
It was agreed to cancel Book Reviews effective August 1st due to difficulty getting them in on our agenda weekly.
Andy reported that Sara Maloney has agreed to Co-Chair the Major Project Selection/Fundraising Committee and they are off to a fast start with a draft plan and timetable.
You will still receive an email from Sandee each week prior to the Monday 12:30 meeting if you are unable to attend in person (you can start logging in at 12:00 for short socializing) with the link for that privacy-protected meeting. If you have n done so, please download the Zoom app on your computer (you need a camera and microphone on it), iPad or phone. There is no cost to you. If you cannot do either, you can also call in. On the invitation, there are US phone numbers you can call and enter the meeting ID number also indicated on the invitation.
Four Points is now requiring a Contract thru March 2022. We will continue t evaluate other locations for a permanent location. Lunch will be $22 for a sit-down meal. We must notify them by Wednesday at 4:00 pm each week prior to the Monday meeting as to the number of members attending. We are sending out meeting "Invites" weekly and members are asked to sign-up ASAP. You can also sign-up by going to the event section of our website at bellinghamrotary.org. If you sign up for a meal at the meeting, you will need to pay the $22 even if you don't wind up attending the meeting after the numbers are turned in. If you plan to attend but not eat, PLEASE indicate that on your sign-up so we don't overorder meals and still make sure there is enough seating.
Four Points also will not collect the payment weekly, so the Club will collect payments prior to the meeting or at the door.
We urge members of the RCOB to set up a Venmo account for ease in payment of Meeting lunches, Happy Bucks, Minister of Fun, Dues or donations to the club. Our account is @RCOB- Bellingham. If you do not have a Venmo account you can set up an account with your computer then download the app. on your phone (just Google "Venmo" and you will find all the information you need) You then attach it to a debit or credit card (a fee on your end) or attach to your checking account at no cost. Payment will be sent di ctly to the RCOB checking account. When you use it for the first time it may ask you the last 4 digits of the RCOB phone number which is 0282. Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532
Other payment options are to bring a check in the correct amount to the meeting made out to RCOB or cash in the exact amount to speed up the payment process. There is also the PayPal option as usual and we are set to take payments at the meeting. We have a QR Code that you scan and simply click to pay thru paypal also.
Website and Phone App instructions:
Here is a tutorial on how to login for the first time. (Click here) Go to belling mrotary.org first. In order to login you need t know your user name and password in your Clubrunner account. The user name is Your first name.Lastname.264 unless you have changed it. Example: Sandra.Lindhout.264 the password is initially set by Clubrunner at 264 unless you have changed it. Sandee can see your Username from her computer but not the password. She can also change your password for you from her computer at your request if you run into problems.
Once you have originally created your User Name and Password you can download the ClubRunner Mobile app on your phone:
Please contact Sandee at 360-734-5532 or rcob@comcast.net if you run into any trouble.
Guests
Jodi Borrelli, our speaker, introduced her WCC Public Speaking teacher, Guy Smith
Paul Grey introduced Ray Deck with Skookum Kids.
Jack Westford introduced his brother Jim Westford.
Visiting Rotarian Bill Kirby from Carson City.
Gary Goldfogel visited us on Zoom
Members attending on Zoom: Scott Wallace, John Moffat, Monty McAllister, Kathy Hughes, Dennis Williams, Bob Morse and Nancy Jordan
Presentation:
President Paul presented a service fund grant in the amount of $1000 to Skookum Kids. Ray Deck, the executive Director, accepted the check. (Look at the size of that check!) Ray explained Skookum Kids has been providing foster care services for eight years including two emergency shelters in. When is it going in the other Ellensburg. They serve over 200 children a year. Ray will be a speaker to explain their program at an upcoming meeting.
Dr. Steve Ban introduced today’s speaker – our own Jodi Borrelli.
Jodi began her talk by showing a photo of a turtle on a fence post saying, “Any time you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.”
Jodi is a licensed substance use disorder professional (licensed by the Department of Health). She is also works as a co-occurring Disorder Specialist with PACT (Program for Assertive Community Treatment.)
Jodi walked through the history of a healthy mother of three children, fully engaged in their sports and school programs, who suffered a shoulder injury. She was prescribed opioids for the pain. In what is now an all too familiar story, Jodi described how this prescription led to an addiction, harder drugs and stealing to support the habit.
In a candid, first-hand account, Jodie described the hardships and turmoil that comes with addiction and failed treatment programs. She described the recovery process as “brutal” She attributed the beginning of her recovery to a police officer who asked, “Don’t you want more out of life” and a counselor who provided compassionate substance abuse counseling “with respect…dignity…and empathy” that finally gave her hope
Jodi went on to describe her remarkable journey and transformation from the depths of addiction to a vibrant and healthy woman now supporting and counseling others with addiction issues. It began by holding down a job. She returned to school. Her counselor recommended the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program at Whatcom Community College. Jodie graduated Summa Cum Laude. She also received awards for her transforming lives and public speaking. (A member of the WCC faculty, and teacher of Jodi, attended her presentation.) Jodi was featured in the Whatcom Transportation Authority’s ad program for her resiliency and will graduate from Central Washington University next spring with a college degree (Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies Social Science and a minor in psychology).
Jodi completed her talk by noting her loving relationship with her three children and returned to the photograph of the turtle on top of the fencepost asking the question “why is the turtle on top of the fencepost”? She replied, “Because this is where she is happiest.” Her work will continue by sharing her experience and providing hope and inspiration for others.
