CLUB 470 * DISTRICT 5160 * ORGANIZED APRIL 29, 1926
www.rotary5160.org
MEETING DATE: February 9,2016
www.woodlandrotary.org
Today's Meeting President Kris Kristensen called the meeting to order at
12:15. Our newest member led the club in a salute to the flag. Steve
Venables got everyone started on the Rotary Grace.
Visiting Rotarians/Guests / Julia Larsen, Woodland Sunrise Rotary and
the Assistant District Governor. Dave Flory introduced his guest
Caroline Whilers.
Announcements Gary Wegener was recognized for delivering meals on
wheels today. President Kris then called on Gary to talk about the upcoming
Rotary Auction. There will be a Board meeting next Monday at Becky
Martin’s office.
Birthdays and Anniversaries Les Engelman had a birthday on
the 8th, Les was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1946. We had 3
Valentine Anniversaries, Tabb and Nancy Randolph were
Married in Mount Vernon, Washington in 1987. George and
Janet Burger were married in Woodland 30 years ago. Peter and Chris
Holmes were married in San Diego 32 years ago.
Recognition David Janes led the club recognition today. Happy time, John
Lekey was happy that silly season (the primaries) were officially here.
Roger Kolhmier was happy that he got to meet with some old timer 49ers
including Dave Wilcox. Shawn Seyk was excited to hear from Chase
Bank that a local business that he had nominated, will appear in a
national advertising campaign. Running out of volunteers David started
wielding the power of the fine master and asked George Burger a super
bowl question for which George had no answer. Mike Chandler also
didn’t know the Super Bowl question. Jim Taylor didn’t know that a 30
second commercial in the Super Bowl cost $40,000. Barbara Sonin
didn’t know that a 30 second commercial in the latest Super Bowl cost
$4.5 Million. Roy Holmes didn’t know that the lowest score for a Super Bowl was 147 in the Miami, Washington game. Kevin Vesari, didn’t know that the 2 largest days
for the consumption of beer were the Super Bowl and 4th of July. Carl Rodegerts
didn’t know the attendance at the 1st Super Bowl. Aniek knew that M.A.S.H. was
replaced by one of the Super Bowls as the most watched TV show. Being
recognized as a member of the original Rotary Club of Woodland, Julia
Larsen knew that there had never been a touchdown made in a Super Bowl
on a punt return (she still paid). Jeff Barry didn’t know that 3 head coaches
played and coached winning Super Bowl teams. Clyde Brooker (with help) knew
that the Buffalo Bills were the only team to play in 4 consecutive Super Bowls. Craig
Miyamoto also knew that no Super Bowl had ever gone into overtime.
Rags to Riches Lori Ross won a free lunch.
Today’s Program On Tuesday, February 9, Ting Ting Lee of the Suicide Prevention
and Crisis Services of Yolo County spoke to the Woodland
Rotary Club about their agency’s suicide prevention work
in the county. Rotary member Lori Ross, Executive
Director of the Woodland United Way, introduced Ms. Lee.
Ms. Lee is an intern Marriage and Family Therapist, and
the director of the Yolo County Crisis Line. She has been a
Yolo County resident for the last ten years. Because the
highest suicide rate is among young people aged fifteen to
twenty-four, the suicide prevention efforts are concentrated
in the middle schools and high schools. The prevention
program centers on a video program called SOS Signs of
Suicide® - an evidence-based, award-winning prevention
program in which students learn how to identify the symptoms of depression and
suicidality in themselves or their friends, and are encouraged to use a strategy
called ACT®:- ACKNOWLEDGE that your friend has a problem and that it's seriousCARE - let your friend know you care about them and are concerned- TELL a
trusted adult. The videos depict students their age saying things that are red flags of
possible suicide. The videos show other students responding in ways that are not
helpful, such as minimizing their pain or even mocking it. The presenters explain
that those wrong responses can cut off conversation and make the depressed
student reluctant to seek help. The videos then show those same students
responding in helpful ways, such as listening empathetically, and encouraging them
to seek help. Ms. Ling reported that four out of five students who attempt suicide or
succeed in killing themselves have displayed warning signs before. The video has
been presented to over 1,000 students in the Yolo County schools so far this year.
After many presentations, students approach the presenter and tell them of their
own struggles, or those of fellow students. When students are going through a hard
time, it can be hard for them to think, “I should tell my friends, my teachers, or my
parents.” Ms. Lee said people in crisis often believe that no one would care.
Students reported that after seeing the presentation they’re 20% more willing to
reach out to the 24-hour help line for themselves or for others. Because,
unfortunately, adults may not understand the seriousness of the warning signs, the
students are taught to keep talking to different adults until someone takes the
situation seriously. They encourage people to call the crisis line, even if they’re not
sure whether a situation is serious. The training acknowledges how difficult it is
when a friend tells you something in confidence, and says “don’t tell ANYONE.” But
students are taught how important their intervention can be; it can save lives. A
student learned that a fellow student was being sexually abused by a family
member, and was feeling suicidal. The victim insisted that he not tell anyone. But he
Lori Ross, Ting Ting Lee, and Kris Kristensen (Woodland Rotary president).
remembered he had tucked away a card for the ASK (Ask about Suicide) hotline.
He called, and was able to get CPS and the school involved to help the girl.A Rotary
member asked how many suicides there were in Yolo County. Ms. Lee didn’t know
the exact number. She said that, thankfully, there were not a large number, but that
there were many hospital admissions for attempted suicide. Another member asked
how often drugs were involved in suicide attempts. Ms. Lee said that because
substance abuse reduces inhibitions, it can be a factor. She said their counselors
are also trained in substance abuse issues. If a caller is intoxicated, they consider
that a red flag that the situation may be an emergency. A Rotary member asked
whether they get calls from Iraq or Afghanistan veterans, and how those calls were
handled. Ms. Lee said that they do get calls from adults, including veterans. She
said counselors assess first, transfer after. So a veteran would never be transferred
to the VA without having a counselor speak with them and get them past their crisis.
Many thanks to Barbara Sonin, for providing the write-up regarding todays program,
to the splinter editor.
Upcoming Programs Feb. 16th Jeremy Patin, who recently presented a program on
Sustainability at Nugget Market Inc., will now share his extraordinary experience on a bicycle team
that completed the Race Across
America. http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/raam/raam2.php?N_webcat_id=1
Feb. 23 Michael Barrington, Past President Concord Rotary Club, will share with us his memoir
of ten years in Africa as a former Catholic missionary priest. He is the author of "The Bishop
Wears No Drawers." https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26336539-the-bishop-wears-nodrawers
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