President-Elect Sofie Ameloot welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Quote of the day: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today’s announcements:
- Thanks to our greeters Boyd Preston and Socks Bowersocks.
- Welcome to visitors: Chuck King’s wife, Elaine; Jeff Senney’s guest Willis Blackshear, Jr; Dave Herman was back after 4 years away and brought his guest, Kyle Eads; and Crissy Allums’ guest Tyon Brown from Lexus of Dayton.
- Harvey Smith gave the update that Sivaji Subramaniam’s health is improving and his wife Elvessa is being moved to St Leonard rehab facility today. Sivaji should be released to Rehab soon.
- Thanks to those who attended the Rotary social and big thanks to Rand and Penny for hosting in their home.
- The next Board meeting is Jan 22, 5:30 pm at Woodbourne Library.
- The next Rotary Leadership Institute is on January 27. Adam Manning and Sofie Ameloot are attending and Brian Hayes is teaching. Sign up on the Rotary District website and the club will reimburse you.
- Brian Hayes reminded everyone to Pay Your Bill!
- Kelly McDonald noted the Golf committee had a preliminary kick off meeting. We’re looking forward to more participation on the committee - all hands on deck, just like Pancake Day. There are many tasks that day: Help corral members, drive carts to improve experience, etc. Golf Outing is May 10 at Yankee Trace. Let Kelly know if you are interested in helping or have ideas for sponsors or raffle prizes.
- Chuck King noted the District grant application deadline is coming up. One requirement is for at least one participant from the club in the grant training Zoom on Feb 7. You can sign up on District website. Let Chuck know if you can attend.
- Jeff Senney met with the Dayton Performing Arts alliance folks. Social committee is looking at Rotary attending one of the events. He is also looking for more people to help on the committee.
Happy Bucks this quarter are going toward the International Red Cross /Red Crescent. https://www.icrc.org/en/who-we-are/movement
Jim Stuart was our Sergeant at Arms today with assistance from Brian Hayes.
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Jeff Senney was happy but not sure why. He had a good morning meeting.
- Carol Kennard gave in memory of her dad at the one year anniversary of his passing.
- Jim Harris for guests and the turnout today; people are thawing out.
- Pat Turnbull was happy the holidays are over and kids are back in school.
- Brad Huffman was glad to be back and had to leave early.
- Boyd Preston IMO Carol’s dad, for Sivaji and glad to see Dr Herman back.
- Mark Febus was happy.
- Crissy Allums for today’s guests
- Lisa Goris May was happy to see Brian Hayes.
- Lee Hieronymus asked Harvey what our Rotary district number was in 1955 (231). He then reported the 2023 e-field report is available for farmers from the OSU Extension office.
- Socks Bowersocks is happy and he got married yesterday! Congrats Socks!
- Rand Oliver had a lovely time at last night’s social. Leaving to head south and will be back in February.
- Don Stewart returned from Jackson Hole, WY in one piece.
- Ron Hollenbeck gave thanks to Rand/Penny for hosting the social and he was glad to see OH Sport/Spine (Dave Herman) back.
- Dale Berry gave thanks to Rand/Penny.
- Harvey Smith gave congratulations to Socks & Mary.
- Elda Gotos Gay congratulated Socks & Mary, and for Sivaji & Elvessa’s continued health improvement.
- Dave Herman said it was nice to be back.
- Chuck King for his beautiful bride joining him today, for Sivaji and today’s guest speaker.
- Elaine King for today’s speaker, and for human trafficking awareness month
- Uriah Anderson for the first time back since early December. He had a great cruise with his entire family to Catalina Island and Encinitas, and his youngest sister got engaged.
- Kelly McDonald gave thanks to Rand/Penny. He is heading to Hilton Head, and will see everyone in February.
- Amy Hary gave thanks to Rand/Penny.
- Sofie Ameloot celebrated her 30 year anniversary and her wedding dress still fits. Marie-Thérèse went back to Belgium.
Our speaker today was Mandy Reed, founder of Dear Dinah.
Mandy shared the main goal of Dear Dinah is to provide a safe space for survivors of human trafficking. They also work to raise awareness.
Mandy defined human trafficking as the sale of souls; Human beings selling human beings against their will. It exists in every state in our country, and Ohio ranks #5 in reported cases.
Once she became aware of the issue, Mandy started looking at the City of Dayton and who is doing what. She didn’t find much and noticed the gap was the relational piece.
They primarily work with women who have no one in their life to bring community support and faith. Elaine King volunteers with their program, working with the girls. They also do street visits. Reach out to let them know they are not alone.
Mandy works with the Dayton Dream Center and the Miami Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
If they want any basic needs filled, they have to perform for it. Even recovery programs are performance based. Many don’t have a place where they are safe and know they have a choice.
They will leave traffickers when they believe there is something on the other side. Traffickers prey on vulnerabilities. If we step in and help when someone is vulnerable, we can stop trafficking.
Kids in school, teachers don’t recognize them. Parents sell children for drug money. They may be labeled a problem child, but you should explore what else is going on to cause this behavior.
Mandy encouraged all to reach out if want to learn more, help, or know someone who is affected. Their funding is through donations only.
They just had 19 acres in New Carlisle donated to them and hope to build a center there..
Think about where you might see vulnerabilities. Example of something you could say if you witness something:
“Just so you know there’s s guy that’s been following you. If he approaches you, remember you don’t have to talk with him. Leave.” Don’t be afraid to call the police.
National Human Trafficking number is 1-888-373-7888.
Mandy said they talk with them, provide meals and coffee.
In our country, it happens more in the home, not by kidnapping. Traffickers are typically the most nice people, they work by coercion and grooming their victims. Trafficker doesn’t fight if victim leaves; they can always get another girl. :-(
Since COVID, there has been a 400% increase in online trafficking because kids are online more.
President-Elect Ameloot wished everyone a great week and shared next week’s speaker is Dr. Cassie Barlow with Soche.
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