Today’s meeting was called to order at 12:30pm by President Mark Ouimet, followed by Tom Strode’s playing of our patriotic song.
Our inspiration message today was provided by Barb Eichmuller who read a poem about words and how impactful our words are in a number of ways, both good and bad. She ended with a quote from Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Our musical selection today was led by Rick Ingram (w/ Tom Strode at the piano) – leading us in singing You’re a Grand Old Flag!
President Mark then provided a round of thank you’s to those covering the various meeting components today (Zoom, attendance, etc.).
Joanne Pierson announced the birthdays from last week (since our meeting was canceled) In addition, it was noted that Rotary International celebrated its 110th anniversary on February 23, 2023.
Joanne remained at the podium to share a portion of her moving eulogy from our esteemed member Lou Calloway’s funeral last weekend. Lou Calloway was also remembered on our website: https://www.a2rotary.org/louis-m-callaway-jr-obituary/. President Mark then asked for a moment of silence to honor our former club president.
Kathy Waugh introduced us to new member, Susan Shipman. We then were led by John Barrie in a fun game of Bingo using the theme: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Some examples of categories:
- Take own bags to store
- Reusable cup to coffee shop
- Does not take plastic silverware with take out
- Replaced w/ LED bulbs
- Recycle used clothes
- Returns hangers to dry cleaners
- Takes plastic bags back to stores
- Shops at thrift stores
- Stores food in reusable containers
- Washes zip top bags to reuse again
- Wraps gifts in reusable bags
- Mows grass high , no-mow May
Shelley MacMillen reminded us of the upcoming Wine Women & Song at Kerrytown Concert House tomorrow, Thursday March 2, 2023. Currently sold out! Several Rotary Club members (6) are now part of this performance group.
President Mark announced a food drive – Rotary Fights Hunger – that benefits Food Gatherers. There are multiple local non-profits that participates in this event. He reminded us that one of every 7 people in Washtenaw County experiences food insecurity. For every $5 donated, Food Gatherers can support 15 meals. To donate: Food Gatherers website, or send a check to Food Gatherers and put ‘Rotary’ in the notes section. Lastly, you can drop off food directly to Food Gatherers.
Susan Froelich provided the introduction of today’s speaker, Jim Mangi, PhD., whose topic today was “Creating a Dementia Friendly Community”.
Jim is a Vietnam veteran, a retired environmental scientist who now is a caregiver for his wife who was diagnosed with early onset dementia. In the last five years, Jim has become an activist on this subject and now teaches classes and workshops for caregivers.
An overarching theme of today’s talk was ‘Less difficulty, more enjoyment, no disgrace’, and the challenge: Can Ann Arbor become a dementia friendly city? This means that the community supports health care promoting early diagnosis, residences with memory support, provides legal/financial planning, etc. There is a nationwide network of over 300 towns/cities/counties across the nation that supports these ideals, however there are only two in Michigan: Saline and Grand Rapids. The network in Saline is called Dementia Friendly Saline – dfsaline.org
Jim provided some statistics on dementia: 1) How common – about 2% of US population; and 10% Americans over 65. 2) What about Washtenaw County – 55,000 persons over age 65 are diagnosed. 3) Most individuals with dementia are out in the community for 5+ years meaning, persons with dementia are a part of, not apart from, our community. As you may know, dementia is progressive, there is no cure, and the average prognosis is about 8-10 yrs from diagnosis to end of life.
Three things for a community to consider in deciding to put forth the effort to become a Dementia Friendly Community – an enhanced image, increased business, and community service. If a community is interested in such an initiative it takes someone / a group to organize, develop an awareness and education plan, assess the support across community sectors and then complete an application! The process timeline could be as little as 6 months or less with a well thought out plan.
Dementia Friendly Saline offers dementia friendly workshops around the community (banks, realtors, etc) and most are taught by Jim! There is an upcoming Dementia Friendly movie event next week at Saline’s Emagine Theater. The theater will show classic movie musicals presented with soft light and sound, and visitors/participants are encouraged to talk, clap, dance, and just be themselves in a judgment-free environment!
President Mark ended today’s meeting with this quote of the day, from the days following the historic hockey game on February 22, 1980 when team USA beat the Soviets: “Do you believe in miracles? YES!!” – Al Michaels
Ring the bell at 1:29pm
