Thanks to all the amazing Rotarians today who helped assemble 500 gift bags full of goodies for our local health care workers and then to deliver out into the community. And a shout-out to our Red Tag members for organizing this service project for the Rotary Club of Medford.
Program Update
Tuesday, November 26th!
Here’s what to expect at this week’s meeting…
During the Cold War…During the Vietnam Era…During a flare up in the Middle East conflict, our own Rotary Club’s Dr. Doug Smith was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force assigned to the Strategic Air Command. As a Nuclear Missile Launch Officer stationed UNDERground in the state of Montana, he was in command of more firepower than General Patton, and more than all other military commanders had ever used.*
Scary, huh?!?! (A moment needed to ponder those written sentences….)
Twenty years later he was soaking in mountainside hot springs with his Russian nuclear counterpart in Kam-chat-ka Russia, Doug’s former “ground zero” target region.*
How Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Medford helped him purge a few personal demons and deliver over $18,000,000 worth of humanitarian aid will be part of his presentation on Tuesday.*
I recall hearing Doug’s tale of the “red button“and a pickup truck parked above a nuclear missile launch site in his most recent “Who Am I” presentation he gave about 3 years ago. I was riveted to my seat! Please join me in an afternoon of Rotary camaraderie and hear a tale of the power of Rotary and its ability to rise above political obstacles on a personal level and make a difference in the lives of many.
There is more to this Optometric Physician than the eye can see!
September 25, 2018 Rotary Club Meeting Notes
RYLA = Rotary Youth Leadership Academy Summer 2018 Camp included speaker guests Shelby, Kate, Sasha, and Alaya.
They students convinced our Rotary Club that they are indeed our investment to the future and the camp with provided them with this year was lifechanging for each one. There were group exercises everyday and evening that enhanced their ability to empathize with others, inclusion and respect for all others. “the Pitch” was a program to teach service to youth who have had their own life struggles at an early age. Personality tests were given to give each participant an understanding of who they are as well as their neighbor. Conquering Fears, learning trust, sharing hardships are all part of our healthy personal development a RYLA participant experiences. Relationship building, functioning in groups, knowing how to take charge, understanding norms and assimilations and specific areas where we can effectively lead were other lessons taught all as part of leadership training.
Respectfully submitted by
Raymond Kistler
Medford Football Coaches
Bill Singler of South Medford, Mike Mitchell of North Medford, and Jon Gettman of Cascade Christian High School Football coaches discussed their 2017 high school football schedule.
Mike Mitchell of North Medford reported that their year was off to a slow start with a small Senior Class (13 kids). But that he was hopeful for the rest of the season.
Jon Gettman of Cascade Christian High School reported that they had a big Senior Class (11 kids) this year and were working hard on helping teammates.
Bill Singler of South Medford reported that he will be retiring from teaching at the end of November. He’s working with his kids on understanding that life isn’t smooth and adjusting to the twists and turns is an important element of both the game and life.
They all discussed concussions and report that Heads Up Football is helping to mitigate any risk there for their team.
RYLA Student Presentations
Our Club’s RYLA students: Preston Jerrigan, Emma Ward, Chad Moncus, and Hannah VanHolle shared their experience’s at this year’s RYLA summer camp.
Young Rotarians as Club Presidents
Katie Hutchinson and Dana Preston shared about how to better engage Young Rotarians in leadership. Some of the takeaways include:
- Ask young people to join Rotary
- Understand that if joining is too long or too hard — they won’t finish the process.
- Engage new members and make them welcome.
- Ask new members to step into leadership.
- Keep asking new members to step into leadership.
- Understand that for younger members, a real benefit is the networking (even though that’s a dirty word).
Additionally, they suggested understanding:
- That younger members will accept traditions, but will also ask “Why?”
- That we need to all watch our narrative around Rotary. We don’t “Have” to go to our meeting — we “Get” to go to the meeting.
Holly Theatre Restoration
Randy McKay presented an update on the Holly Theatre Restoration Project.
When restored, the theatre will have 1,003 seats and be the largest venue between Redding, Calif. and Eugene, Oregon. The restoration project has three goals: Historic preservation, support the arts and revitalization. Several have asked if the restoration of the Holly will have an impact on the Collier Center. A study revealed that it will have 88% unique events. As far as revitalizing, the theatre has the potential to add $3M to the Rogue Valley economy with 90 new jobs and over 10,000 hotel guests. When open, the theatre’s operating model calls for 95% earned income from ticket sales and the balance from donations/memberships.
At present, 88% of the funds to restore the building have been raised and bids are out to contractors. It is projected that restoration will begin in the 4th quarter of 2017 and that the theatre will be open first quarter 2019.
For more information on the Holly, please call 541-772-3797 or go to: hollytheatre.org.
Health and Human Services
Denise Stafford, of our club, and Jackson County Healthy & Human Services made a presentation to our club, along with Emily Mossberg about the services available in our region to train individuals on how to deal with Mental Illness. They shared a quiz — how many do you get right?
True or False
- Employers face up to $80-100 billion dollars in indirect costs annually due to mental illness/substance abuse. (T)
- Through a lifetime, there is a 50/50 chance of experiencing a mental illness or substance use disorder (T)
- Drinking alcohol raises body temperature (F)
- People who drink responsibly and in moderation tend to be healthier and live longer than those who either abstain from or abuse alcohol. (T)
- A mixed drink containing a carbonated beverage is absorbed into the body more quickly than a shot. (T)
- For almost all mental disorders, the median delay in getting treatment is 10 years. (T)
- The disability from moderate depression is similar to the impact of relapsing multiple sclerosis (T)
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause for ages 44 and under (T)
- Asking someone about suicide increases the likelihood they will attempt suicide (F)
- 90% of those who die by suicide had a diagnosable psychiatric disorder (T)
- Men more commonly attempt suicide (F – men are 4x more successful)
- Verbal de-escalation methods never stop someone from becoming violent (F)
- Anger is a primary emotion (F – lack of power, fear, shame, and embarrassment are)
- Anger and aggression serve no purpose (F)
District Governor McWilliams
District Governor Claudette McWilliams addressed our club on August 15th. As a Rotarian since 1999, DG Claudette explained how Rotary has changed her life. There was no Rotary “moment” – just a steady progression of inspirational events over the years that has given her both a sense of purpose and appreciation for how Rotarians work together toward a common goal to achieve big things.
Oregon and Rogue Valley Employment Economic Trends Presented by Guy Tauer
Guy Tauer is the Regional Economist with the Oregon Employment Department covering the Rogue Valley. He has worked for the agency since 1999. He received a promotion to Regional Economist in 2001. A native Oregonian, Guy holds a degree in economics and a minor in business administration from Southern Oregon University. Guy concentrates on labor force, economic and demographic data.
Guy shared unemployment reports with the club, indicating very low employment rates in Jackson County. In May 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.2%. The nonfarm unemployment rate change in Jackson County by sector, May 2016 – May 2017 are:
- Private education and health services – up 630 Positions
- Leisure & hospitality – up 460 Positions
- Professional & business services – up 440 Positions
- Retail trade – up 470 Positions
- Other services – up 170 Positions
- Construction –up 150 Positions (150)
- Manufacturing DOWN 100 Positions
- Government DOWN 200 Positions
During the past year, the Medford MSA (Jackson County) gained 2,060 payroll jobs, a growth rate of 2.4 percent. Industries with the largest employment gains over the year included health care and social assistance (+560), leisure and hospitality (+310), retail trade (+240), construction (+240), other services (+210), and wholesale trade (+120). Government employment declined by 240 jobs since June 2016 with declines in local government education (-140) and federal government (-60) partially offset by a gain of 80 jobs in state government.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, estimated at 4.4 percent in June, remains close to record lows going back to 1990. A year earlier, the unemployment rate was considerably higher at 6.1 percent.
Many of Guy’s reports and studies can be found at qualityinfo.org, the Oregon Employment Department’s labor market information website.