The Buzz - October 3, 2015
This week we hear from Pam Gahir Executive Director of the Pê Sâkâstêw Centre, Maskwicis
The Buzz – October 5, 2015
President Tony opened the meeting at 1210PM and welcomed many guests including Bertha Briggs, Laurie Barr, Roy Lewis, Les Parsons, Treva Olson…plus a nice contingent of members from the Camrose Daybreak: Destiny Rae, Anna Harder, Lisa Rohr and Paige Switzer
Health of the Club – nothing to report
Tanzania Trip Update – Roy Wallace reported that the trip is set for Jan. 31 to 4 Feb. 2016.
-their club meets on Mondays so the group would like to meet with the club about the medical clinic project
-club members would be able to host as many Rotarian guests as possible to defer costs
-with the help of Laurie Barr they are investigating airfares and options for a ‘post-visit’ tour
-LeRoy is spearheading the trip planning
NOTICE OF MOTION (To be voted on at the October 19th meeting)
That a portion of the 2015-16 Rotary Club of Camrose International Service budget be allocated to deferring the cost of travel to Tanzania to investigate the medical clinic project opportunity, up to CDN$1,000 per person to a maximum of four people.
Motion: Kim Boyco
Seconded: Ray Hook
District Conference – Dawson Creek, BC
-Ray Hook reported great response from the Camrose clubs, as 13 members attended the conference.
-three great speakers – Chris Hadfield, Alvin Law and Sally Armstrong (http://www.whatifdc2015.com/keynote-speakers/) –
-Shelterbox has added a “Toolbox add-on” as well as smaller shelters for 5 people rather than the current 10.
-David Taylor received an award for Meritorious Service to Rotary
-Rotary Club of Camrose was recognized as a “Shelterbox Hero” for sponsoring a Shelterbox for the past three years. We were one of 10 clubs to receive this award out of 61 clubs in the district.
-Anna Harder said it was a great opportunity to spread the word about Days for Girls project.
-Lisa Rohr was invigorated by the Stop Hunger Now was an energetic opportunity for a hands-on project
Greeters- in light of time constraints of today’s presenters, the opportunity for Happy Bucks has been omitted this week.
Guest Speaker – Pam Gahir Executive Director of the Pê Sâkâstêw Centre, Maskwicis
- Pê Sâkâstêw Centre in Maskwacis opened in 1997 and is a minimum security facility for up to 60 inmates living in residential houses.
-Pê Sâkâstêw promotes a healing process based on Aboriginal culture. This contributes to the successful reintegration of Aboriginal offenders.
-terms of two years plus one day
-inmates are steps away from being released
-centre is self-sufficient –like it’s own community
-three pillars – management services, operations and interventions
-strong cultural component to help rehabilitate inmates and integrate back into society
-typical programs include substance abuse, anger management and aboriginal issues, culture and recovery
-each inmate has a parole officer linking them to Corrections Canada
-team made up of aboriginal liaison, parole officer and elders to help inmates
-when the inmate is ready, possible for temporary escorted absences from the centre
-work release is possible where the inmates can begin work in the community
-eventually working up to day parole and into a half-way house – they work or go to school by day, but are back at the house at night.
-healing lodge has a great impact on success
-best record of inmates not reoffending in Canada
-there are similar facilities for women, the closest is in Saskatchewan. There other facilities for men across the country.
-most inmates are between 21 and 25 years old.
-recently, the Rotary Club of Camrose together with Rotary visitors from South Africa toured the facility during a recent exchange.
Past-president David Samm thanked Pam for her informative and insightful presentation, and a donation to the Rotary Polio Plus program has been made in Pam’s name to help provide 50 doses of polio vaccine.
50/50 draw – held over until Oct. 19th.
Next Meeting
Monday October 19th at 1145am at the Best Western Plus Camrose Resort Casino.
This will be a club assembly meeting – club chairs are asked to be prepared to update the club on their committee’s activities.
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Greeters: Al Rostad and Jim Rasmussen
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