Anne was our chairperson and gave us a warm welcome to the "Best little club on the Sunshine Coast".
Great meeting with guest speaker Dean Aitken, celebrant and author of "Good Grief" who believes that tough times don't last - resilient people do. Dean helps transform lives through sharing his life's journey.
Worthy mention for the International Toast which recognised Rotary's 114th birthday, so PDG Alan appropriately toasted the very first Rotary Club operating as ROTARY/One.
Visitors were Kathleen's partner, Ian from the Rotary Club of Caloundra Pacific (CalPac), and our guest speaker was Dean Aitken accompanied by his partner Ida.
Bernie's president's report was to remind us of the Bunnings BBQ on 27 February and a précis of the requirements to obtain a Club Citation for her year. Sounds like there is much to be done to obtain this citation.
Bernie introduced Dean Aitken as our guest speaker who spoke passionately about grief.
Dean helps transform lives through sharing his life's journey and believes that tough times don't last - resilient people doHe is a celebrant and professional story teller. As the author of "Good Grief" he relates that phrase back to his father and also to Snoopy comic strip writer Charles Schulz who often used the phrase.Dean believes there are 5 steps to overcoming grief: Become Aware | Acknowledgement | Acceptance | Tolerance | Self Care.He relates his own story of living in a van on the streets where is tried to blend in so as not to draw attention. He had been a good person, so why had he ended up like this. He felt he was being pulled down into a black hole, he was "loosing it"; but he then started to mend which was only three and a half years ago.He believes that tears are potent and crying can be one of the best things to do; hugs are therapeutic. It's a myth that if you cry you are not coping; its a release and natural response and crying releases some chemicals which help numbs the pain. If you don't cry then exercise can be another option.Hugs sooth us the same as an extended hand shake or a hand on the shoulder.Grief is multi-faceted and is the result of loosing someone or something.There are no perfect words to console someone, just listed, be a friend and having companionship is important.
Anne thanked Dean.
Directors' Reports included:
- James advised we had lots of projects and we need to fund raise to have the funds to complete these projects. So he and incoming Community Service Chair, Kathleen are organising a Monster Garage & Car Boot Sale to be held at the Salvo's on a Saturday in May. Target is to raise $1000.
- Judy still needs volunteers for Bunning's BBQ on 27th February.
- Golf Day on 15 March and the call to action was to 'sell sell sell' those raffle tickets.
- Merv on RYDA and Bunning's BBQ, both on 27 March.
Editor Mark's note: I hope you have enjoyed my first Reel contribution using our website (powered by ClubRunner) and thanks to Irish for the pics.