President-elect Brian Hayes welcomed everyone to the Zoom meeting of the Centerville Rotary Club and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PDG Harvey Smith provided a prayer and asked that we all keep Sally Beals in our thoughts and prayers as she is experiencing health issues.
Brian Hayes made the following announcements:
- Golf outing 3 weeks to go; form a team now! Funds raised this year will support rotary scholarships
- Monday, 5:30 pm Rotary Board meeting. Let Brian know if you need the meeting link.
- Next week meeting at the Kennard Nature Nook in Grant Park on McEwen Road. Bring your own lunch and chair. We will dedicate bricks in memory of Robin Parker, John Callander, and Joyce Young. Will let us know on Wednesday if the weather looks ok to have an outdoor meeting.
- Thursday 4/29 we will return to in-person/hybrid meeting at Yankee Trace. We will use the same mask/social distancing protocols as we did last fall.
- The District Conference will be April 23 & 24. Registration for this virtual event is now open. It should be a lot of fun with music, trivia and BYOB on Friday night. Saturday, Kim Forster (who we sponsored to attend the London School of Economics) will be one of the speakers. There is no cost to attend. Just sign up on My Rotary.
Committee announcements included:
- Chuck King announced for the brick ceremony meeting, he needs a head count. Watch for a survey to let us know if you’re coming. We’re providing drinks and dessert.
- Judy Budi announced the Education Committee picked up 7 scholarship applications at Centerville High School and will pick up at Alter next week. The interview process will then begin.
- Carol Kennard reminded everyone to send in their order for the 50th Anniversary polo shirt. It is a short deadline APRIL 19 to be able to have them in time for the Golf Outing.
- Arnie Biondo gave thanks to club members for getting so many sponsors for the Golf Outing. We are just $200 short of budgeted goal and hope some generous individuals will help us reach it. We currently have $14,800 in sponsorships.
- Rebecca Quiñones announced she is finalizing the list for volunteer positions at the Golf Outing. Watch for an email with link to sign up to help. Her daughter, Sofia sold necklaces to donate to Artemis Center (many Rotarians contributed.) She was able to make a $250 donation to Artemis through sales of bead necklaces!
- Sofie Ameloot noted that we typically do a donation collection for the District conference. Event though the conference is virtual, she suggested we still do a project and recommended a collection of shampoo, deodorant, razors, and soap for the Artemis Center. Watch for an email with details from Sofie.
Our Happy Bucks recipient this quarter is Luke5 Ministries. (You can send your check to the club mailbox: Centerville Rotary Club, PO Box 41431, Centerville, OH 45431-0431
Boyd Preston was our Sergeant at Arms today.
- Boyd Preston gave $20 for how great this club is during pandemic; golf, polo shirts, 50th anniversary - great work by the committees.
- Carol Kennard gave $10 to thank Boyd for filling in as a guest newsletter editor last week and offered someone else to have that wonderful experience in 2 weeks when she will visit her grandkids in Philly. After an awkward pause with everyone looking away from their computer camera, Boyd stepped up again to help. Thanks Boyd!
- Susan Schnell gave $20 as her daughter is senior at CHS and will attend American University in Washingtin, D.C. in the fall
- Ron Hollenbeck gave $20 to recognize Carol K. for her work with shirts; and the great Rotarian work on golf outing.
- Dick Hoback gave a $20 apology for making a snide comment to Boyd when he signed on the Zoom meeting.
- Harvey Smith gave $20 for Arnie doing a super job raising money for the golf outing.
- Elda Gotos-Gay gave $20 for being happy that her St Louis son and granddaughter came for a visit last weekend.
- Chuck King gave $20 to share that his unfriendly neighbor across the street who tells anyone who parks on the street to move, now has a for sale sign in his yard. Chuck hopes for a quick sale.
- Dale Berry gave $10 to share how successful the house selling market is currently.
- Ray Merz gave $20 saying he had a wonderful 6 weeks in Naples and announced his oldest grandson defended his Doctoral in particle physics.
- Carol Sue Galloway gave $20 as she got her sales trailer up so is no longer working in her car.
- Jim Harris gave $20 to share that his son and daughter-in-law from Quebec came for a visit and were able to get their first Pfizer shot. In Canada, they are really locked down; have to be inside by 8 pm, and can only buy essential food.
- Mike Wier gave $20 to say he is happy for the generous Rotarians.
- Sofie Ameloot gave $10 for Arnie’s fundraising and great committee work. Plus another $10 for Boyd picking on Arnie.
- Arnie gave $20 to celebrate that 74 years ago today, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball.
Our speaker this week was Jane Keiffer from the Artemis Center.
Arnie introduced our speaker, Jane Keiffer, executive director of Artemis. She is also a Dayton Rotarian who just moved to Washington Township. The purpose of Artemis Center is to end domestic violence. Jane has been at Artemis for 25 years, as the Executive Director the last 4 years.
Artemis is named after a Greek goddess, of light and the protector of the vulnerable.
They recognized that services need to go beyond just shelter, so they provide those other services.
Domestic violence is about power/control. When the stay at home order went into place, their phone lines went silent as everyone was at home, where they are not always safe.
To help with financial abuse, Artemis provides pantries help survivors so their money can go elsewhere.
Most batters are repeat - it’s what they see growing up.
Most common question is, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” It usually takes 6 times before she will finally leave. The batter always tries to regain control - brings flowers, apologizes. They are not abusive 24/7 - the victim still loves that person, want them to be a parent to their kids, etc.
Once the victim leaves, the batter responds with separation violence. Thee first 3 months are the most dangerous time for the victim.
It’s becoming more of an issue for younger folks because of easy interaction on cell phones.
Artemis programs include:
- Hotline is available 24/7 where they provide crisis intervention, support, and safety planning. They also take walk-ins from 9a-4p (before COVID).
- Support groups where childcare is available so they can attend, and therapy for kids ages 3-17, who witness violence, working with non offending parent.
- Accompany victim through court process. They are notified when abuser is released from jail. Help them get protection orders.
- Pantry - food, toy, toiletry; also bus passes, gas card, cab fare. lock changes, window alarms, etc.
They have an experienced staff and also work with Ohio Domestic Violence network. Plus they have many community partners - Jane noted they can’t end domestic viol on their own. They get financial support from many different funders.
Other services include:
- Take cell phone donations, wipe clean and hand out
- Posters around town with shoe cards, they can carry around and know where to call for help
Jane said there has been an increase since the pandemic. The batter sometimes poses as the victim to keep her from being helped, so they always do an assessment first.
They have interpreters and use language line when there is a language barrier. Their biggest problem is helping people understand domestic violence and that it’s not easy for her to leave - financial, love, children, so many contributing factors.They do have some middle and high school programs teaching what a safe date looks like programs.
If you have a friend, family member who you suspect is a victim, call Artemis and let them investigate. You can ask, “Are you safe?” Being present is most important. Would probably say, yes at first. Ask again shows you care.
Sometimes a protection order can make the situation worse. They ask if you think they will abide by it? If they think it will make things worse, they may not recommend a protection order. However, it helps the police do their job and if you tell neighbors about it, they can help watch.
Brian Hayes thanked Jane for the thoughtful presentation and led the group in reciting of the 4-Way Test.
Next week’s meeting will be at the Kennard Nature Nook - bring you own lunch and lawn chair. Drinks and dessert provided.
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