The Buzz - July 13, 2015
This week we hear from Sheralyn Dobos from the Family Violence Action Society, we award a Paul Harris Fellowship and prepare for Massie's return to Brazil.
The Buzz – July 13, 2015
President Tony opened the meeting at 1215pm and welcomed Sheralyn Dobos (Guest speaker from the
Family Violence Action Society).
Health of the Club – no report
Massie Report – enjoyed Canada Day in Edmonton. Went camping in BC with the outbound exchange
student going to Brazil this year…helping him practice his Portuguese and teaching him the ‘more
important/interesting’ phrases any young person needs to learn when travelling to a new country.
Massie enjoyed sleeping in a tent for the trip as well and the adventures that camping and the outdoors
provided. He flew back to Camrose from Caselgar – the original flight was cancelled because of
weather…and shortly after the announcement the airport tarmac was struck by lightning. Massie also
went to Drumheller, and during his last few weeks in Canada he is looking forward to doing anything
while he is off school.
Announcements
-some volunteer work is still needed to be done at the Camrose Women’s Shelter (sod laying
and gravel work). An evening work party will be put together in August to complete this work.
-Massie’s going away evening will be held on Wednesday July 15 at Shirley Rostad’s house.
Please bring your own lawn chair and a dessert to share.
-Rotary Gala – in an effort to expand our scope of live auction items for the 2016 event,
suggestion forms will be given to each member starting next week. The committee appreciates any
suggestions on new live auction packages or opportunities for next year that can be submitted by the
end of August so we can start work on them in September. New silent auction items are also
appreciated.
Happy Bucks – Dan M. dropped the ball and forgot he was greeter in Lou’s absence… thus he happily
fined himself for his forgetfulness. Everyone else was extremely happy for the past week’s events in
their lives.
Guest Speaker – Sheralyn Dobos program director of the Camrose Family Violence Action Society.
Sheralyn thanked our club for the financial support we provided ($3365) to bring the one person
play “Routes” to Camrose for three performances (involving over 650 CCHS, OLMP, Charlie Killam and
Hay Lakes School students) Routes is a riveting one man play that delves into the impact of violence
through the eyes of Tom, a fifteen year old boy living in Millwoods. Tom escapes violence at home by
riding his local bus until closing. As he journeys along the route of his nine previous homes, we discover
the ties that connect the violence at home to acts of bullying between students at his school and the
killing of a man by four youth on this very route. Starring Colin Dingwall.
This production tours with a Family Violence Support Worker and is appropriate for age 13 and older.
Curriculum Ties: CALM: wellbeing and respect, conflict resolution, relationships, making change; Health
and Life Skills: wellness choices, safety and responsibility, relationship choices, differing personal
perspectives on physical, emotional, social safety, strategies to promote harm reduction/risk, how
thinking patterns influence feelings, stress management, personal conflict management skills. Language
Arts: consider the ideas of others, analyze choices and motives of characters. Drama: an appreciation for
drama and theatre as a process and art form, recognize 'theatre is a mirror of society". Family violence,
bullying, life strategies, support.
Students attending the performance each received a “Love Me, Love Me Not” bookmark which
helps students identify signs of violence they may be experiencing in their lives. The bookmarks are
printed with the Rotary Club of Camrose logo, and has been reprinted because of the high demand
request from the schools, and Sheralyn said they are a great conversation starter for youth faced with
violence in their lives.
Sheralyn also provided more insight into the Society. FVAS provides individual and group counseling for men (Changing Ways) and women (Choices), affected by domestic violence or abuse;
adult anger management groups; and Parenting Without Violence group for parents of children ages 0-6
years. One-to-one counselling for children/youth ages 6+ affected by violence, anger or bullying.
Community Outreach: FVAS coordinates the Camrose Family Violence Response Council and will meet
with the local agencies and groups to talk about family violence, elder abuse, including "best practices"
regarding treatment and intervention support. Funded primarily by CDSS and Human Services, FVAS has
been helping reduce family violence in the Camrose region and surrounding counties for the past 19
years. While participation in anger management counseling may be voluntary, most participants are
directed to counseling by court order. Counseling sessions are held twice a year, and lasts 16 weeks and
limited to 11 people per session.
There is a certain segment of Camrose which could benefit greatly from the program, however,
the stigma attached with such counseling prevents some people from seeking assistance. In a new
initiative, FVAS is taking the program into the community to the Chuck MacLean Arts Centre – Family
Violence Response Council. While at present there are no supports in place for men as victims of family
violence (women account for 85% of victims of family violence), Sheralyn would like to see a men’s
support group develop, but they are often socially isolated because of the stigma associated with men
as victims of violence.
FVAS is also working toward enhancing senior’s violence awareness – emotional, financial,
psychological and physical abuse does occur against seniors in our community. With more awareness
then abuses can be reduced. Victims are often isolated and afraid to speak out. The program is being
provided to Camrose from the family violence group in Edmonton – therefore it simply needs to be
launched in Camrose.
70% of participants in the women’s program are voluntary, while 80% of men are directed to
take the program.
President Tony thanked Sheralyn for her presentation, and in thanks the club has purchased 50
doses of polio vaccine to help combat polio.
Paul Harris Fellowship presentation – Foundation Chairperson Roy \Wallace presented Florence
Blanchette with her certificate and pin recognizing her contribution of US$1,000 to the Paul Harris
Foundation. Congratulations Florence.
50/50 draw - Bonita’s ticket was the lucky one drawn this week, however, she drew the Queen
of Hearts rather than the three of Clubs… but she still had the honour of leading the club in the 4-Way
Test.
Next Meeting is on Monday July 20th at 1145am.
Greeters: Lou Henderson and Norm Mayer.
Guest Speaker – Ray Hook on his recent trip and voyage to Europe.