Luke returned to the podium today to speak about this new and “signature” program of the Adrian Noon Rotary Club. The full board last week approved the recommendation to submit a formal proposal to the board of directors of the Adrian Rotary Foundation for $25,000 in support of this important program. A motion to approve was made by Kathryn S. and seconded by Bob Behnke and was passed unanimously! Luke made special mention of State Representative Bronna Kahle’s hand-signed letters she gave him expressing total support of this program!
Luke then proceeded to give more details of the program and answered a number of the audience's questions. The basic focus of the program, he said, was to offer PTSD support, allow veterans to use the shop and all of its equipment, receive valuable/marketable education through the classes that are taught and even certification through the state so those who want to pursue a career.
Mike Tobey, a fellow club member and veteran himself spoke next saying that he served in Viet Nam and has medical issues from exposure to Agent Orange. He left Viet Nam in 1966 but it wasn’t until 1986 that he was diagnosed with PTSD. He continues therapy to this day. Hollywood and the media, Mike said, need to be quickly corrected when they allege that those veterans suspected of commiting crimes, always attribute it to PTSD. Mike quickly put that to rest and added that it is actually less than 5% of all crimes.
PTSD, Mike said, was something that could be addressed through woodworking which not only gives vets something to do but helps them interrelate with one another. “The program can potentially reach out in so many other directions, too.” Mike clarified that alcohol would not be part of this program unlike groups such as the VFW and the American Legion. It is an environment that is less than appropriate for people with PTSD who might have a weakness for alcohol.
Nate added that the Brownstown Rotary Club in Brownstown Michigan started an organization called the Victory Gym and was aware of what we’re doing at the workshop and expressed much interest in learning to provide a similar woodworking program at their gym. They said that they would be willing to learn from us and therefore touch even a larger group of vets than are in Lenawee County alone. District Governor Noel Jackson provided a bit more info on what the Brownstown Club was doing.
Luke summed everything up by saying that this program will officially launch in May of this year and that every Wednesday the Sam Beauford Workshop will be closed to the public. It will be called Woodworking Warrior Wednesday and run from sun up to sun down. Vets can simply show up and not do anything they want if it's only to enjoy fellowship and coffee with other vets. For others who want more they can embark on official vocational certification. Those who do simply come in and chat could further be encouraged to get involved in woodworking at some level and eventually seek certification, Luke said. There will be scheduled class time for those who would like to participate the workshop's typical 6-week classes, Luke said. Remember – there will be no charge to veterans regardless of their level of involvement.
Side note: every member should have received a copy of the full color brochure that was distributed. (Shown at the right).
New Board Member – We welcome Bob Behnke to the club’s board of directors. Bob was selected to a 3-year term beginning July 1. He will be replacing Kathy Williams who has served the past three years – Thanks to Kathy and Congrats to Bob!
Raffle Tickets for the Boys & Girls Club – Please see Bob Behnke if interested - $20@ linked to the Michigan Daily 3 Lottery and a chance to win $250 if your ticket number matches the one drawn each day of February.
Upcoming Programs:
January 17 – Moriyama – Youtube
January 24 – Tiffany Sieler – Dempsey’s Downtown
January 31 – Club Assembly
February 7 – Art of Mingling
February 14 – Fun Day
February 21 – Angela Pooley – Homeless Students
February 28 – Patrick Hartory, author
March 14 – Dick Eppstein – Toledo BBB
DATES TO REMEMBER
January 17 – New Member Orientation & Club Social – A big thanks to Nate Smith who conducted this program to the new members on hand and to Kathy Williams for once again graciously hosting this event and those members who attended the social.
January 24 – Great Pasty Project – A sheet was passed around again today and we wish to thank the 10 members who have signed up to serve next Thursday, February 24. They are:
8am-10am – Tara Dumas, Rod Pender, Gerry Burg, Bob Behnke
10am-11:30am – Kathryn S., Sue Lewis, Nate Smith, Kathye Herrera, Anne Sherman, Hannah Suydam. This shift ends at 11:30am so that these folks have time to make our regular meeting.
Be sure to wear your Rotary T-shirts.
January 26 – Annual Celebrity Wait – A major fundraising project by the Adrian Morning Rotary Club and will be held at the Adrian Armory Events Center. Our own Rodney Pender will be the auctioneer! The club wants to get a group together to purchase a table at the event! Mark and Mary Murray encouraged members to join them that evening as they will be attending.
January 31 – SHU Rotaract Blood Drive - From 11am to 5pm at Benincasa Hall.
Guests: Visiting Trenton Club Rotarian and District Governor Nominee, Dr. Noel Jackson; Junior Rotarian, Angela Peterson; Jeff Davis, guest of Luke Barnett; Mike Warfield and Margaret Hearn both SHU Rotaractors, guest of Barry Reinink.
Fines – Brent M. fined the following Rotarians: Williams, Reinink, Chase, Ellerholz, Herrera, S. Tobey, Moore (3), Barnett, Chadha, Baldwin (2), Dick, M. Tobey, Burg, Smith, Sala.
Happy Bucks – Moore, Sala, Behnke, Barnett, Dumas
Brent fined the following Rotarians: Behnke, Sala (2), Mark M. (3), Mary M., Smith (3), Douglass, Bendes, Olsaver, M. Tobey, Slater, Barnett, Soto, Hokenson, Chase.
50/50Drawing – Nelson Douglass took home a quick $30 and then Kevin Marti’s ticket was drawn but he was not present to pick the card to win today’s $1,333 jackpot!!!
2018-19 RI President Barry Rassin wants Rotary members to Be the Inspiration
Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, unveiled the 2018-19 presidential theme, Be the Inspiration, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.”