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Meeting Notes from February 9, 2016
Past President Harold Bauer called the meeting to order. Horton Kellogg gave the thought for the day from Dr. Seuss, and related that when he met the famous author of such books as “Horton Hears a Hoo,” he found out that his uncle Horton was not the inspiration for that character, contrary to family lore. In fact Dr. Seuss just thought the name Horton was funny.
Announcements
Helen Oloroso announced that the Club Service Committee would meet in the RI Cafeteria at 7:30 a.m. this Thursday.
Joan Borg, back from her trip to New Zealand, announced the assignments for next week. She also told us that Marissa Naujokas was in the hospital with a possible gallbladder issue, which is why she didn’t set-up this morning.
Don Gwinn explained that he swiped several credit cards on January 5th for this quarter’s bill, and one member who paid is unknown, as the name wasn’t indicated on the Paypal account statement. See Don if you paid by credit card on January 5 but are still getting invoices from him so he can give you credit for the payment.
John Searles announced that Ann is at Alden Estates rehabbing after knee replacement surgery and likely will be there until next week. She would welcome calls [(847) 676-4800] or visits, and asks that you call before you go visit so she will be available and not in therapy.
Albert Menard announced that his wife, also Anne, was recovering from hip replacement surgery at McGaw.
Horton Kellogg reminded members that the Old Man Jazz Band is playing February 21. Please get cash or checks to him if you wish to attend.
Ken Green presented a banner from the Orlando, FL evening club, EOLA, which only has about 15 members.
Harold Bauer briefly discussed his recent visit to Cuba. He said it was a fascinating trip, but it is troubled, in part because of the U.S. embargo placed on the country many years ago. Doctors and lawyers earn only about $20-$30 per month, and food is rationed. Although Cuba could grow plenty of food, 80 percent is imported because there is no economic incentive to grow it. The infrastructure is lacking and one main highway is only half completed, as work on it stopped after the Soviets left.
Zbig Skiba auctioned off the right to be Sergeant next week to Sam Lovering.
Roasts and Boasts
Neil Gambow boasted his granddaughter’s 24-day trip to Brazil during her year as a Rotary Exchange student in Paraguay. She also just moved to her second family, and will return to the U.S. July 1.
Joan Borg boasted Harold Bauer for shoveling a path from the cars to the Hilton Garden’s back entrance.
Kathy Tate-Bradish boasted the District Meeting on Grants she attended, at which Yves Lassere spoke on sustainable grants. She also thanked our own International Service Committee for giving $500 to purchase solar cell phone rechargers, which double as lanterns, for her educators in Kenya so they all can stay in touch.
Bruce Baumberger boasted Kathy, Yves, and Steve Carlson for attending the District Grant Management meeting. Bruce also asked for any advice on rotator cuff surgery, a procedure he is undergoing on Friday.
Harold Bauer boasted Yves Lassere for his continued focus on sustainable grants at the International Service Committee meetings.
Sergeant Zbig Skiba asked questions about movies that portrayed mental health, including “Silver Lining Playbook,” “Shutter Island,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest," "A Beautiful Mind,” “Fisher King," and “Ordinary People.”
Program
Susan Resko, president of the Josselyn Center
Zbig Skiba introduced Susan Resko, the president of the Josselyn Center, a community-based mental health center located in Deerfield. After receiving her Kellogg Masters in Marketing, Susan spent ten years in banking before entering the non-profit world. She worked at several other non-profits before she was hired as the president of the Josselyn Center in August.
She explained that cardiovascular disease is only the second highest cause of disability, with all neuropsychiatric illnesses the number one cause.
However, by 2020, depression will be the number one cause of disability, measured by the inability of affected people either to go to work or function properly at work. Using club members as volunteers, Susan explained that people with either controlled or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease receive expressions of support from family and community. This is not the case with mental illness, as there is still a stigma associated with discussing this type of illness, much like the stigma that used to be associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Susan explained that while doctors are beginning to ask the appropriate questions of patients to determine if they are suffering depression, sometimes the mental health cause of a medical diagnosis might go undiscovered, like bad liver function being the result of alcohol consumption due to depression. The consequences of untreated depression, like anger and alcoholism, can lead to loss of job, loss of family, and other bad outcomes.
The Community Mental Health Act was passed in 1963, and from then until 1980, 75 percent of the people who had been institutionalized were brought back to the communities. Unfortunately, since 2010 the Illinois legislature’s funding for community mental health centers has decreased dramatically, and the new Illinois budget, if and when it is passed, will have no money budgeted for these centers. This is despite the fact that the need is so great: one in five people will suffer from these issues over their lifetimes. In addition, more people have access to mental health services because of the Affordable Care Act. Susan encourages everyone to reach out to Robin Gabel or Gov. Rauner and ask them to reinstate funding for community based mental health centers.
Susan Resko and Harold Bauer
Guests and Milestones
Guest
Sri Sakthival, prospective member and guest of Jackie Mack
Anniversaries
Harvey Newcomb
Darrel Dixon
Next Week’s Assignments
Greeters: Neil Gambow and Linda Gerber
Thought for the Day: Charlotta Koppanyi
Scribe: Lesley Peters
Meeting set-up: Albert Menard and Fran Caan
Breakdown: Steve Carlson and Bill Glader
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