MINUTES OF ZOOM MEETING:  Tuesday, February 2, 2021

                              Editor:  David Penney

 

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Birthdays Peter Dueck Feb 8th; Kris Sachdeva Feb. 9th

Anniversary Marg & Alan Nason   Feb 9th

 

On the Zoom Call Tonight:

Lennis Trotter, Hilda Finnigan, David Penney, Ted Morrison, David Andrews, Sue MacKinnon, Robbie Laroque, Ana Rejab, Janice Coupland, Kris Sachdeva, Bob Koski

Guests:  Sandra McCormack and Dina Sicard from The Denise House Oshawa

 

PRESIDENT SUE’S OPENING REMARKS

This too shall pass, as all things will / if the virus don't kill us, the stay at home will

The kids are bored and restless / they scream and yell and squawk

And the teens and tweens, they're just plain mean / they bite your bleepin' head off,

And all those lovin' couples that were once so sweet and cozy / now the fight like cats and dogs, like Trump and Pelosi,".

"Lord, get us back to school and get us back to work / and get us out of this God dang house 'fore someone gets hurt.

And Lord, please find a vaccination in the form of a shot or a pill / 'cause if the virus don't kill us, the stayin' home will.                        Dolly Parton

 

Good “girl power” News—Canadian Valerie Wafer, now a resident of Collingwood, formally of Whitby, will be VP of Rotary International for the 21-22 Rotary Calendar year!!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wednesday Feb 3rd @ 7:00PM Club Board meeting. Silent auction & Reverse Draw discussion

Saturday Feb 6th @ 3:30PM It’s 5’ O’clock zoom party with the Oshawa Rotary Club.

Tuesday Feb 9th it’s our Quarantine Party!  1st clue was a bottle of red wine, empty or full, second clue was aspirin.  Now for our final clue, some people I understand after wine and an aspirin, they may want a cup of tea!

Tuesday talks, Feb 9th   Conflict Resolution, recorded and available online.

February 18 – New members get together link in bulletin.

February 27 – 9:30 to 11:10 Grow Rotary Workshop part 3 (Pres Sue has registered)

Friday, February 5 Toronto Rotary Club hosting 3 zoom meetings with dynamic speakers; on Racism in Canada, final one this Friday Feb 5th at 12;15 TO 1:30PM.

RLI part 3, Feb 10/17 and 24 is sold out!

 

GUEST SPEAKER:

Our speaker was Sandra McCormack. She began working with The Denise House Feb 1985 just after the original shelter opened. She became the executive Director in August 1989 and has been there ever since.

Sandra briefly described the pre-COVID operations. They could accommodate 30 women and children in total. They are open 24-7. Their goal is to help their clients get back into the community. Clients make decisions and staff are there to support them.  They have a crisis help line taking 1200 to 1500 calls per year. They have outreach services as well –they become helpful listening partners. The intent is to move the women through and the norm would be to support 400-500 women in a year. There is a high school program as well.

COVID lockdown impacted operations. They are deemed an essential service so are open but must observe social distancing, cleaning and PPE protocols. This has reduced their ability to have women and children stay in home with them. They now function at about 50% of capacity. Like most organizations they have adapted to virtual programs to maintain contact and deliver services. Help lines are workable and are very active.

They are working on a re-opening plan. Their building is 36 years old so in need of up-grading. Ideally a new facility but that is a big wish. In any case they will always be there and make the best of the facilities they have.

Pres Sue said she was surprised that they were in schools. Sandra said the focus is on building self confidence and self love. They are also working with younger children now.

Ted Morrison asked about the scope of their coverage. There are four housing shelters in Durham and they work together. For example the YWCA and Bethesda House in Bowmanville have in-home services.

Kris Sachdeva asked about the number of beds in use now. They have 12 beds. Normal capacity is 27 to 30 people.

Pres Sue asked about repeat clients---Sandra responded that that has happened. Even children coming back as adults.

Janice Coupland thanked Sandra and said that the Club hoped to be able to help again. Sandra mentioned that one of her joys was seeing some of the children engaged in a game involving a bulletin board in the hallway.

Kris Sachdeva asked where they were located. They are on Princess street south. They have 11 bedrooms on the second floor so space per person is limited. Sandra mentioned some of the women work, they are encouraged to get out and engage in physical activities otherwise they are confined to the Home’s communal space.

Dina Sicard accompanied Sandra. She is a specialist in the Violence Against Women (VAW) sector. Her primary role at The Denise House is to raise funds communication and awareness.

 

 MEETING ADJOURNED:       at 8:10

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

Feb 9, 2021.   7 pm   Our club’s Zoom Valentine Party

Mar 2, 2021.   7 pm   John Currie, Exec Director Rotary Honouring Indigenous Peoples (see: https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com/ )

Mar 9, 2021.   7 pm   Nilam Bedi, Chair, Districtn7070 Environmental Action Committee