Today we welcomed Assistant Governor Ward Pollard , President Halyna Koscharsky from the Mosman Rotary Club and Guest speaker Christine Campbell from Odyssey House to our Meeting.
Christine spoke about how Odyssey House is helping people with Alcohol and DrugAddiction and has been doing this for the past 40 years. Christine is working within the community providing counselling and advise to professionals and stated that their mission is to build safe and healthy communities by reducing the impact of addiction on individuals, families ,carers and communities .
I again ask that you please put Monday August 13th in your Diaries as I would ask as many Fellow Rotarians to attend that day as it is District Governor Susan Wakefield official visit.
Bill and Lydia Lee and Angelo and I have so far acknowledged that we will be attending The Rotary Club of North Sydney’s 90th Birthday Dinner on August 16th . Please consider joining us as North Sydney Rotary Club was our sponsor Club nearly 50 years ago. I will be sending out an email with all the details shortly.
Next week John Saunders is our Guest Speaker and he will be discussing how best to advertise our Club.
John will be talking on how we go about promoting our Club .We look forward to seeing you all next week.
Last Meeting - Monday July 16th 2018.
Angelo gave the International toast to the Rotary Club of East Nassau , located in the Bahamas , founded in 1963,where else would they meet but Friday lunchtime at the Nassau Yacht Club
Sue reminded everyone of the up and coming visit by PDG Gina Growden on the 30th of July,her subject being on how to promote Crows Nest Rotary Club and Rotary in our Community.A very important topic for us all.
Peter Coote reviewed the request via Roseville Club to assist in a BBQ fundraiser for the RHS hospital who need to purchase a new head for their MRI machine.Roseville Chase,with the help of other Clubs in the area, want to raise some $40K through a District Grant
AG,Ward Pollard spoke of the new focus by District on the plight of the NSW farming community as they battle the effects of a prolonged drought.District 9685 has responded to the drought crisis in the rural areas of our state by appointing Rotarian Barry EDMUNDSON of the Rotary Club of Wahroonga to be the District Coordinator for Drought Relief.
Barry has been and will continue to be in touch with the Districts most affected by the drought in NSW. Barry will be able to advise clubs that don’t have rural contacts just where their relief can be sent.
There are many ways we can support the rural communities and Barry will also have that information. We must remember that along with the farmers and their families, the businesses and schools in the drought affected regions also need support and relief.
I have been in contact with the District Governors in country NSW and 2 have responded with information and suggestions on how we can help.
It is important to remember that often times money is the best sort of assistance that we can send. The money can be converted into grocery cards administered by agencies such as The Salvation Army or local Councils.
The Rotary Club of Sydney is coordinating the sending of semitrailer loads of stock feed to areas of need.
Rotary District 9650 has set up a RAWCS project. That project will be matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000.00.
The project is listed on the RAWCS website as “Drought Relief NSW” project number 2-2018-19.
Today,our guest speaker,Christine Campbell, of Odyssey House , lead an open discussion on their activiities. Odyssey house was established 40 years ago. With 101 staff in NSW, it caters for residential rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol for those 18+ . They have 100 beds, plus a couple of 'family cottages'' for those stays vary between 9 months and 2 years. It was good to hear that over two thirds of those who stay do not relapse. Recently they have extended into community services with numerous contacts/linkages into community organisations.
Key message today was that with the media's help the focus is on the criminal aspects of drugs & alcohol , while it is in fact a HEALTH issue which need the focus on education and the underlying causes. People only ask for help once their lives are impacted, hence the need for focus on preventative. (i.e. impact on medication with a slight increase in alcohol). Odyssey House is focus on increasing awareness. Starting with engaging Rotary, GPs and for the first time advertising as a community service.
We wish to thank Christine for her time, and the useful information and statistics she shared with us.
News
New BBQ roster starting in July has now been issued.
Reminders
Monday August 13th , District Governor Susan Wakefield official visit to our Club Meeting.
Saturday 25th August - Trivia night @ Chatswood Rotary
Our parent club North Sydney is celebrating its 90th year of service on the 16th August.
As it was North Sydney that formed the Rotary Club of Crows Nest 49 years ago I feel we should have some presence at this celebration. To date the Raveane's and Lee's are going it would be great if others could join us
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