PLEASE NOTE: No $10 fee will be collected and appetizers will not be provided. Individuals may order off the menu. The club will reimburse any member for their guest(s).
We had the honor of welcoming Clan Mother Shelley from the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania to our meeting on May 30, 2024. Her visit provided us with an introductory glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and worldview of the Lenape people.
Clan Mother Shelley began her presentation with a brief prayer in the Lenape native language, setting a respectful and solemn tone for her sharing. She elaborated on Lenape's unique perspective of the world, where everything is regarded as a nation. This includes the nation of birds, the nation of deer, the nation of insects, and the nation of two-legged beings (humans). Each entity is seen as an integral part of creation, working together harmoniously. This worldview emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living things.
Clan Mother Shelley highlighted the belief that every individual possesses a special gift meant to contribute to the world. Elders play a crucial role in recognizing and nurturing these gifts in children, guiding them along their paths. The Lenape society is matriarchal, with mothers leading or selecting leaders. When a couple marries, the man joins the woman’s family, underscoring the importance of matrilineal ties. Respect for elders is a cornerstone of their community, valuing the wisdom that comes with age. Despite this reverence, decisions are made in an egalitarian manner, with roles distributed equally among community members.
She provided a brief historical account, noting the Leni-Lenape diaspora in the early 1800s. Those who remained in Pennsylvania often intermarried with settlers, predominantly of German descent. Clan Mother Shelley herself has a mixed heritage that includes German ancestry. Today, the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania is actively engaged in environmental conservation, forming "treaties" and collaborations with various groups dedicated to protecting the land.
In closing, Clan Mother Shelley expressed her hope for future engagements, inviting us to meet with her and other members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania at an outdoor site to deepen our understanding and connection.
We look forward to these future interactions and extend heartfelt gratitude to Clan Mother Shelley for her enlightening visit and the wisdom she shared with us.
PLEASE NOTE: Members are asked to bring a side, a salad or a dessert. Please RSVP to Shawn at (shawnbarina@gmail.com) and let her know what you want to bring so we don't end up with all desserts.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout this Rotary year, we have all become more aware of the importance of discussing mental health and sharing resources with our clubs and our members so we can help those in need. As I found on my club visits, the need is REAL and touches the lives of so many members of our community.
I am pleased to announce a special offer through a district grant to provide FREE Mental Health First Aid training virtually to non profit staff in your community and to Rotarians for a modest fee. Provided by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, this curriculum teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults and is facilitated by Penn State Extension.
Your club can share the attached flyer with the many non profits your club has relationships with and offer this training for free. It's a great way to let them know that Rotary is on a mission increase awareness and skills to help those with mental health challenges. While we are not allowed to use District Grant funding to pay for Rotarian training, we can offer this important session to Rotarians for just $25 per person.
There are 30 spots available and a second session can be scheduled if it fills. The program is June 10 and 12 from 5:00 - 8:15 pm
It's taken a while to organize this opportunity so I apologize for the short time line, but if you would like to:
- offer free Mental Health First Aid training for non profit organization staff in your community
- offer $25 training to Rotarians in your club that might be interested in having Mental Health First Aid Training
please have the interested participant register by sending their Name, Organization, and Email today or no later than June 7 to Cynthia Pollich: cep5@psu.edu
Important Notes:
One of the trainers will be Rotarian Denise Continenza!
If you or someone you know is interested but can not make the scheduled time, please send me an email so we can plan a second program .
The session is a 2 hour self study before June 10 and then two 3 hour sessions.
Rotarians will be billed.
I hope you will share this information with your club members and community's non profit staff as together we build strength and experience to support the mental health of our community. I look forward to seeing you, your members and non profit workforce there! Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions.
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