Please join us at Odd Fellows Hall, 218 Concession Street, Kingston ON.
The Rotary Four Way Test
Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned
Rotary Reflection
For food in a world where many walk in hunger
For peace in a world where many walk in fear
For friends in a world where many walk alone
And for the opportunity to serve others through Rotary,
May we be truly thankful!
The Loyal Toast
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Queen of Canada!
Acknowledgement of Territory
We are gathered on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. we are grateful to be able to join together in Rotary Fellowship on these lands.
The meeting opened with the singing of the National Anthem and acknowledgement of territory.
Guests: none provided this week
Friends of Rotary: Roger Romero, Friend of Rotary and speaker
Visiting Rotarians: None
Service Commitments (Makeups):None provided this week.
Member Sharing
Fun Master - John Farrow
John started by fining Robert Reid for being a man who could tell a women what to do, then fines those who didn't attend the two great recent concerts in Kingston, and those not wearing orange shirts.
Happy/Sad Bucks
Ana Sutherland, for scaring Bill Egnatoff
Rick Fiedorec, for missing Ron Pols
John Farrow, for Sandi Dodds being in Profile Kingston, and mentioning Cataraqui Rotary, and for Rockin' The Big House
Elizabeth Cohoe, for her cruise, and her upcoming hip operation (finally)
John Gale, for continuing good sailing weather, and for going over target on the Pathways Project.
Elizabeth Cohoe
Elizabeth spoke about Orange Shirt Day, with Phyllis' story
Phyllis (Jack) Webstad's story in her own words...
I went to the Mission for one school year in 1973/1974. I had just turned 6 years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog Creek reserve. We never had very much money, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!
When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes, including the orange shirt! I never wore it again. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.
I was 13.8 years old and in grade 8 when my son Jeremy was born. Because my grandmother and mother both attended residential school for 10 years each, I never knew what a parent was supposed to be like. With the help of my aunt, Agness Jack, I was able to raise my son and have him know me as his mother.
I went to a treatment centre for healing when I was 27 and have been on this healing journey since then. I finally get it, that the feeling of worthlessness and insignificance, ingrained in me from my first day at the mission, affected the way I lived my life for many years. Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter. Even with all the work I’ve done!
I am honored to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories.
Today...
Phyllis Webstad was born in Dog Creek, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. Today, Phyllis is married, has one son, a step-son and four grandchildren. She is the Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society. She has published two books that tell her story.
She earned diplomas in Business Administration from the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology; and in Accounting from Thompson Rivers University. Phyllis received the 2017 TRU Distinguished Alumni Award for her unprecedented impact on local, provincial, national and international communities through the sharing of her orange shirt story.
The club with our orange shirts
Greg Mumford - Auction
We have five weeks to go. The committee has set up the process and supplied everyone with the information they need to solicit items. Two years ago we cleared $55,000 and last year we were down to $47,000. We are currently at a level that could net about $20,000. Bingo has increased in recent years but it won't increase any more. In fact they are bringing on more charities. If revenue is down by 40% we will have to decide what we can achieve on 40% less. Members need to call on old and new businesses now. Ana encouraged members to make that extra effort.
President's Announcements
President, Ana Sutherland:
I wish to thank the members that have contributed to the food and paper goods shortage at South Frontenac Community Center Food Bank.
I include the information flyer which states the current needs.
I appreciate your generous contribution.
We were expressed great appreciation by the organizers during last week's delivery.
Ana Sutherland reminded members about the upcoming District Conference that will take place in Clayton NY on Friday and Saturday, November 1st and 2nd. The early-bird discount has been extended. This is an important event for networking with other Rotarians in the District.
Upcoming Dates/Events
Sept 30 Deadline for Nominations for Community Paul Harris Awards
Sept 30 Deadline for Grants applications
Oct 03 Fundraiser for Pathways to Education, 1000 Islands Playhouse, “The New Canadian Curling Club”, tickets $40
Oct 6th Pig and Corn Roast, 3 to 7 pm, Robinson Gardens in support of Project Isthmus
October 23rd, 2019 - Auction Committee meeting at Kingston Dodge 5pm
Oct 24 World Polio Day.
November 1-3, 2019 - District Conference in Clayton New York
Nov 23rd Networking session for new Canadians, Oddfellows Hall - let's introduce these folks to Rotary!
Dec. 10th 2019 Christmas Party - 6:30 pm at Oddfellows Hall
July 19th, 2020 - Rotary Centennial Birthday Party at Rotary Park
June 25th, 2021 - Rotary Anniversary Gala, St. Lawrence College
Bill Egnatoff introduced Roger Romero from Pathways Kingston by stressing our club's strong connections with the program, and that we know that the program works. Bill also noted that we have had Pathways students participate in Adventures in History.
By way of background, Roger noted that Pathways is dependent on partnerships, like the United Way, one of the first organizations to offer support to their program. Pathways is part of the Kingston Community Health Centre, and they both serve primarily an area of the city that faces significant challenges. Roger showed a video talking about how he faced challenges as a young refugee from El Salvador, and tied that to his dedication and that of the entire Pathways staff, many of whom have been with the organization since the beginning. This is an important aspect of their work, the kids they serve need consistency.
Roger is the Program Coordinator for Pathways Kingston, meaning he oversees the after school programs and Pathways' strategic partnerships. Pathways is present all across Canada, helping students who face challenges graduate from high school and build a successful future. From it's beginnings in Regent Park in Toronto, Pathways addressed four pillars for success - advocacy for the students, mentorship, financial resources (usually to address food security issues), and one on one help of a graduation coach who supports the student even outside of academics. Relationships are the key in the process.
Pathways Kingston opened in 2010, and they are starting to see the change in the community. Why are they associated with Kingston Community Health Centre? Because KCHC addresses the determinants of poor health, low education being one of these factors. Pathways is just one part of a 'wrap-around' approach to health care in Kingston's North end. Students dropped out at twice the rate of the rest of the city in this area. Other statistics gathered by KCHC back up the need for support, especially the fact that the average family income is $23,000 less than other areas of the city. The goal for Pathways was to help the students in their service area finish high school and be prepared for the transition to post-secondary education. The results are impressive - in both the applied and academic streams, Pathways students are much more likely to go on to post-secondary education, beating averages by more than 20%.
Pathways target is to serve about 325 students per year, and they have served over 1,000 students, and have 300 alumni. The students attend all area high schools, and remain with the program for all 4 years of high school. These students have complex lives which affect their schooling. The have ACE's - adverse childhood experiences. These traumas create toxic stress in the brain and can adversely affect the student's health and education. And these ACE's can cause problems to subsequent generations. Pathways addresses this by forming a bond of safety and trust with their students. The workers don't do things for their students, they do things with their students, empowering them to get what they need. Peer support is also important.
So everything is rosy, right? Not so much. When the students went on tp post-secondary school, they fared poorly, often dropping out. They couldn't make the transition, often dropping out with large debts and taking low paying jobs. The national organization didn't have a solution, so Pathways Kingston came up with the idea of having a worker dedicated to helping graduates connect to the support network that Colleges and Universities provide. Again, results were amazing - 80% of the students stayed in post-secondary school, and those who did drop out were still connected and offered help on what to do next. That's where Rotary comes in - helping raise the money to fund this program for 3 years, finding mentors, hiring graduates, and more. Roger wants to help create the next generation of Rotarians. These kids want to give back, they want to work and be successful!
Roger was thanked for his presentation by Robert Reid.
