"Tip of the hat" to Rotarians and friends who volunteered to be part of the "meal delivery" team;
Rotaract Club of Regina Auxilium is conducting a Warm Clothing Drive for the AWASIW: A place of Hope Warm Up Station - Looking for warm winter clothing, boots, jackets and gloves - Contact Karla (639-560-0023) for drop off information.
REGINA MOBILE CRISIS - ADDRESSING CRITICAL NEEDS 24/7!
Acting President Pat Dell invited Joyce Butler to introduce our Guest Speaker Holly Murray, Internal Program Manager at Regina Mobile Crisis Services. In her introduction, Joyce noted that Holly obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Major Psychology, Minor Sociology) in 2000 and returned to University in 2002 and received a Bachelor of Social Work in 2004. She was employed with the Ministry of Social Services in 2004 in Child Protection and worked there for 16 years. In "protection" for her entire career and moved to a Supervisor role in the Screening Unit of the Department before leaving. From the time of leaving the Ministry, Holly has worked for Mobile Crisis Services as the Internal Program Manager. In this role Holly is responsible for supervising the Team Leaders (TLs) to ensure consistency and quality in the provision of crisis services across teams.
Holly used power point slides to share the Mobile Crisis Service (MCS) story, which we learned was initiated in 1974. It was created by the Regina Police Services and the Ministry of Social Services to address a gap in services (domestic violence and child protection). In the early days of the organization it had an evening/night focus where staff members would drive around in the down town core of the City in their van providing sandwiches, coffee and a listening ear to citizens who were "about". Those early efforts has grown into an organization that has partnered with nearly 30 community organizations and is supported financially by a number of Provincial Ministries including Health, Social Services and Agriculture. In addition Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming, City of Regina, SGI and the United Way provide financial support.
Managed by a Volunteer Board, chaired by Rotarian Doug Keam, from the RC of Regina, MCS has a broad array of program foci including Child protection services (100's of calls each month), Emergency Financial Services (cold weather strategies, food, transportation baby needs), Mental Health and Wellness (10-20 calls a day), Gambling Addiction, Farm & Rural Support Services (manage the farm stress line), Crisis Counselling Services, Domestic Violence (which is becoming ever more serious), Addictions, Fire & Trauma Events, Seniors’ abuse and Neglect.
MCS employs 12 full time and 2 Part time Crisis Workers who are divided into 2 teams. These teams are supported by a group of casual Crisis Workers in addition to 2 part time staff who are crisis gambling counsellors. To address the dynamic ever changing challenging environments presented on a daily basis, the organization created the following VISION to provide a beacon for which to strive: Effectively respond to the critical needs of an ever changing society. A VISION structured on five VALUES: Professional, Respectful, Teamwork, Client focused, and Resilient; which serve as pillars.
Holly observed that over the years their clientele are becoming ever more aggressive and as a result going out and remaining safe is a significant challenge. Their staff work very closely with Regina Police Services and frequently accompany them when dealing with domestic violence calls. Safety is a not necessarily a matter which crosses our minds on a regular basis. Therefore, we must be exceedingly grateful that in our city we have a group of people whose occupation is such that they are working to make life "survivable" for some of the most vulnerable.
Thank you Holly Murray for your presentation, your dedication and inspiration.
Mobile Crisis Services, a community of Regina Heroes.
Holly will be providing a short video which provides a glimpse of the kinds of situations MCS staff deal with on a daily basis. It may come with this ROTOR or be circulated to you separately.
Holly Murray, Internal Program Manager, MCS
RI President Elect Shekhar Mehta
Incoming RI President Shekhar Mehta, a member of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, West Bengal, India, revealed the 2021-22 presidential theme, Serve to Change Lives, at this week’s virtual Rotary International Assembly. He urged district governors-elect to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.
The Family of Rotary
Regina Eastview members were saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Ruggles, a former and Charter member of the RC of Regina South. Our condolences to the Ruggles family and to our friends in Regina South;
It was a special and unique treat to witness the Induction of our first member in 2021, as John Van Koll, supported by ZOOM "pomp and ceremony", officiated in the process of welcoming Vic Wiebe into Regina Eastview membership;
Welcome Vic - it is our hope you will find your association with our community personally fulfilling.
2021-2022 RI Theme
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Wild applause erupted on learning that the 2 teams of 2 volunteers journeyed out on the coldest Saturday to gather up Eastview member bottle and can offerings, delivering them to SARCAN - one team (John Van Koll and Pat Dell) realized $146.00 for their effort - congratulations;
Jeff Barber was delighted to tell us, that of this minute he is still the highest bid on the online 'Silent Auction" Item - get on this folks he wants the item - you know what to do;
Seems GOLFING opportunities are available, you can get the latest from John Van Koll;
Peter Neufeldt and Doreen Pankewich have been key to moving Valentine GALA 2021 (with a difference) to its concluding stage through varying stages of not much happening to it is all happening at one time;
While surrounded and supported by a large team - thank you both for your leadership.
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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Today's guests
Joining us today were Guests Holly Murray, Jessie Carlson and April Jasper; along with Visiting Rotarians Doug Keam (RC of Regina); and briefly Vic Wiebe (RC of Weyburn) - briefly in a visiting role, because Vic was inducted into the RC of Regina Eastview at on or about 12:14 P.M.
