Bob models a No Malaria bib
Guests
- Kate Gilbert – guest of Ron’s from BNI
- Clear Water Path
- Donna & Scott
Old business
- International convention was great! Chris, Laura, Carol & Bob all attended.
- $1.5 billion is needed to finish the polio eradication – Bill Gates has promised to provide financial support
- Last week, Chris presented a scholarship to Page who will be attending UMass Amherst in the Fall. Page sent a nice thank you card
- Howard & Glen received their welcome letters (insert applause and laughter)
- Reminder that Karin & Mary’s Installation is Saturday, July 15
Happy/Sad Fines
- Chris shared a story of how his son, Tyler, saved a man’s life who was choking
- Mary enjoyed her 1st week of retirement
- Laura is excited that she, Chris & Tyler are leaving for London on the red eye
- Howard thanked Chris for a great year and is excited that he was able to get football tickets to the Ohio State (his alma-matar) game against Army.
- Rich was happy to have attended RYLA
- Jacky shared congratulations to Chris on his year
- Kate thanked Ron for inviting her to the meeting
- Ron is relieved that his beagle had successful surgery
- Bob is glad that spring weather (hehe) has finally arrived & had a great time at both the Atlanta Convention and Ryla
- Brian is happy to be back
- Karin wished everyone a happy 4th of July
- Glen is looking forward to a long weekend in NH
- Leigh thanked Chris for a great year & thanked Nanci for the support in applying for a job at the Healing Garden
- Nanci congratulated Chris on a great year, is excited for Karin and Mary and shared her trip to Indonesia
- Rich also expressed his appreciation for all that those at the Zone/District level, most especially Laura, Carol & Karin
Upcoming Events
- Wings & Wheels – July 13 (volunteers needed)
- Brewfest – August 12 (volunteers needed for ticket collection, checking ids, etc)
New Business
- Karin Gaffney brought gifts … a variety of flags for the 17-18 year
- Karin also shared that she will be visiting 51 clubs in the next few months to speak as District Governor. She is looking forward to representing the incredible Nashoba Valley Club!
Guest Speaker - Clear Path For Veterans
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- Staff with us today
- Donna & Scott leading business managers
- Tiffany – spouse of veteran who was in service for 24 years, deploys all over the world
- Dave – 12 year army veteran (5 combat tours), received purple heart. Returned and went to school to get doctorate in clinical psychology - now devotes career to helping veterans
- Ryan – unable to be here today but is the inspiration behind Clear Path New England. Scott shared his story
- Local 24 year old who left wife and young kids behind when he was deployed. While he was deployed, he was survived two IUD explosions and experienced physical injuries. As a result, he was sent home where he had a difficult time reintegrating back into his home life. He was given a variety of drugs by the VA to address his injuries and it took 2 years to get help with alternative methods.
- Overview
- On a path to build a 12,000 square foot community center for Veterans in Devens with a focus on:
- Building a 12,00 sq foot community center in Devens with a focus on
- Veterans helping community & vice versa
- Holistic Healing opportunities
- Collaboration with other service providers (ex. VA)
- Partner with industries to provide richer employment opportunities that are moe suitable for men and women with visible and invisible scars
- Address crime, homelessness, drug & alcohol abuse before it becomes a problem
- ALL veterans welcome regardless of discharge status or service type
- Dave shared his vision on re-engaging veterans with community and family. He hopes to provide opportunity for men & women to rebuild bonds and address challenges that men & women face before they get into trouble. This will be done by focusing on 3 areas
- Peer Support/Community Outreach – connect with other veterans; someone who is further along in their journey reintegrating. Expose to service opportunities to not only receive assistance but to give back as well. Here, people will be expose to a group who share the same struggles
- Warrior Reset/Wellness – Organized recreation activities provide unique opportunities for Veterans and their families to explore new experiences that support mental health and well-being whether they are connecting through nature based programs or competing in team physical activities.
- Dogs to Vets – assist in lessening time to adopt a dog. Many veterans have significant waits due to resources. Plans to work with Middlesex House of Corrections
- For more detailed information on these visit http://www.clearpathne.org/programs/
- Open discussion
- Any time someone serves, it is an admirable thing and we have the capacity to solve some of these epidemics (homelessness, incarceration & drug addiction).
- The reason behind building to suit, as opposed to renting space, was deliberate. The reason being that it is important to have a “home away from home” for veterans and a space for people to call their own.
- Working closely with New York to model this space, and its purpose, off of their work.