Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter for February 24, 2021

~ Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter ~

Rotary Club of Newberg, Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

 

~ Zoom Meeting Participants ~

Shannon B, Mike, Dan, Joe, Patrick, Judy, Gene, Walter, Doug, Todd, Larry, Auggie, Lisa, Kathie, Laura, Paula, Shannon K, Paul, Amber, Denise, Jim, Amy, Brady, Om, Stan.

 

~ Call to Order ~

President Shannon Buckmaster welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021. The Rotarians split out into breakout groups to start the meeting.

 

~ Flag Salute ~

Walter lead participants in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

~ 4 Way Test ~

Laura lead participants in the recital of the 4 Way Test:

Rotary’s Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do:

#1 – Is it the TRUTH?

#2 – Is it FAIR to all concerned?

#3 – Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

#4 – Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

~ Announcements ~

Shannon welcomed everyone to look into the following volunteer opportunities:

~ Guests ~

Joe Yoder, Guest Speaker, CEO Providence Newberg Medical Center

Anna Hinkle, Guest, Interact Club President

Doug Cain, Guest, Providence Newberg Health Foundation

 

~ The Rotary Duck ~

Walter: Mentioned during his flag salute that the flags are half mast to honor the over 500,000 people who have died from Covid. Walter also congratulated Todd who recently received praise for managing the Senior Citizens staying at Friendsview, keeping them safe from Covid. Also got to visit with fellow Rotarian Ray Hillman, who recently had a stroke and is in recovery. He is now walking and would love to have walking partners. We miss you Ray. He also gave a shoutout to Dan who helped put together an article published in the Newberg Advantage last week. Also shared that the couple who bought a beachhouse stay, that Walter and Julie donated at this year’s auction, said they had a wonderful time and that soon the Carusos will be over there enjoying it next.

Shannon B: Added, regarding the article about our club, that our club was approached with a generous opportunity for free ad-space from the owner/publisher of the Newberg Advantage (who is a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Canby) and that we had jumped on the opportunity to publish the good news of our club for free on a biweekly basis. This Magazine is sent to everyone within the 97132 zip code and features coupons, ads, and a variety of articles including ours. Thanked Dan for helping put it together.

Laura: Reminded us during her reading of the 4 way test that it is Good to do business with other Rotarians as a way to support each other socially and professionally. Also mentioned that she and her team (Paula, Paul, Mike) working on the EMS global grant. Mentioned that they need to raise $35,000 and so far have raised $17,616. She said she has been asked if individual Rotarians can donate to this project and that the answer is YES! You can donate to our Club Foundation and that the Club Foundation could then pass it through as a Grant to the project.

Paula: Shared that she is currently on a beach vacation with family.

Gene: Gave more appreciation towards Providence for serving and saving him over the last year. He also mentioned that his lovely wife switched to Providence as well and is very happy with her move.

Dan: Thanked Mike for helping him with the Newberg Advantage article. Also mentioned that his wife and kids are going to spend the next 4 days at the beach and he will have the house to himself to work on the next article, do chores and errands, and maybe find some very rare quiet time alone. If anyone has ideas or would like to help put together future articles, reach out to Dan.

Todd: Thanked Walter for the recognition. Mentioned that they are happy to hear that our area is going down in Covid cases and moving from “extreme risk” to “high risk” finally. Mentioned that nearly all of the Friendsview residents who signed up to be vaccinated have received their first shots and soon will be getting their second shots thanks to Yamill County’s distribution of shots. He said many of the residents getting the vaccines are VERY happy to finally be able to mingle again. Mentioned that they are adding new homes and apartments through new construction and the spots are filling up quickly which is great news.

Joe: Pointed out that NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover had a parachute which contained a hidden message in Binary Code. He greatly enjoys these types of Easter Eggs and congratulated that team for the perfect landing in a place so far away.

Total Collected today for The Duck: $80

 

~ Today’s Program: Providence Newberg Medical Center Updates by CEO Joe Yoder ~

Joe Yoder is fairly new to the community, currently living in Tualatin with hopes to move to the Newberg area when the right
Housing opportunity comes up. He has shown to be very committed to connecting with and serving the community in a variety of ways: community activities, volunteerism, professionalism, etc. Joe has been with Providence for over 3 years, working in Providence of Milwaukee and Klamath Falls before coming to Newberg in August.

Joe shared Providence’s Mission: “As expressions of God’s healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.”, their Values: “Compassion, Dignity, Justice, Excellence, and Integrity.” and their Vision: “Health for a Better World.” He shared all the services they provide including but not limited to Emergency Dept with geriatric certification, general inpatient services, maternity services (8 LDRP rooms plus OR), surgical procedural services (3 ORs, 2 procedure rooms, and private pre-op rooms), diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, Xray, Mammography, Ultrasound), an off campus sleep center, and a cardiac rehab. The physician services include Orthopedics, ENT, Urology, General Surgery, Neurology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, OB/GYN, Heart and Vascular, Pulmonary, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, GI, and Primary Care.

He highlighted that he is proud to boast about Providence’s:

  • positive patient experience scores,
  • annual community benefit contributions of $553,745 in 2020, up $10,000 from 2019,
  • the needs assessment and commitment to serving those needs,
  • their outstanding quality of service as shown through great, above benchmark, scores on a variety of metrics such as Hospital acquired infection rates, sepsis, and readmission rates,
  • and their COVID response efforts and successes which resulted in safe care processes, limited workplace exposure, and vaccine deployment.

Joe discussed the importance of attracting and retaining quality professionals as well as the importance of focusing on improvement in service and resources. 2020 has caused a dip in financial resources for Providence and they are currently navigating financial recovery. They are also working hard to improve caregiver engagement as caregivers experience fatigue and burnout. They are also working on new efforts around supportive housing and behavior health. They also noted a decrease in some of their patience experience scores over the last few years that is inspiring them to work harder to navigate through the challenges of COVID and new technological strategies with services such as virtual appointments. He also mentioned a transition in long term vision and strategy when it comes to serving and funding services where healthcare is not a transnational service but a continuum of care.

Q&A: Regarding COVID response, he noted that it is hard to determine if the US would have had a better response under a National Healthcare for All type of system, as many countries with this sort of system faced similar struggles. He did note that possibly it could have served to improve coordination and communication efforts in concept. In terms of Joe’s thoughts on Medicare for All vs ACA vs private health care systems, he shared that he and Providence’s outlook on healthcare is that it should be for everyone regardless of class and financial resources, but noted that they are hesitant that Medicare for All system is the best path due to a variety of challenges that it poses due to the nature of the system. Brandy gave kudos to Providence’s support of the NSD in a variety of ways including supporting their Bond efforts this past year. The NSD is excited to continue working with him and with Providence going forward. Regarding the negative mental health impacts of social isoloation, he spoke on the efforts to follow the demand for services, respond to changes in needs, and to continue the battle with the obvious stigma people have against getting help with those sorts of problems. People need to treat mental health in the same way they treat physical health, which is improving with the incoming younger generations and general social atmosphere we are in. He also mentioned that there are new ideas in the works whereby they will be posting digital educational opportunities about improving and understanding health.

 

~ Next Week’s Program: Newberg Youth Homelessness & Mental Health by Shyla Jasper ~

Check your e-mails for Mike Caruso’s Zoom meeting access information.

~ Joke of the Day: For Dr. Joe Morelock ~

There are 10 types of people in the world: those that understand Binary, and those that don’t.

~ Happy Quotes! ~

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

– Winston Churchill

 

~ Published 2/26/2021: Dan Keuler, Newsletter Editor ~

Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter for February 17, 2021

~ Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter ~

Rotary Club of Newberg, Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

 

~ Zoom Meeting Participants ~

Shannon B, Mike, Dan, Kathie, Matt, Ralph, Judy, Laura, Spike, Gene, Michelle, Paula, Shannon K, Amber, Lisa, Amy, Larry, Brandy, Paul, Joe, Om, Todd, Michael, Stan

 

~ Call to Order ~

President Shannon Buckmaster welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2021. The Rotarians split out into breakout groups to start the meeting.

 

~ Flag Salute ~

Matt lead participants in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

~ 4 Way Test ~

Paula lead participants in the recital of the 4 Way Test:

Rotary’s Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do:

#1 – Is it the TRUTH?

#2 – Is it FAIR to all concerned?

#3 – Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

#4 – Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

~ Announcements ~

Guest Sally Rice announced that the Soroptimist club will have their Dream it Be it event on March 13. This is a career planning event they do for teen girls. This year, rather than a one day event, it will be over Zoom. Though they traditionally provide services for girls, they now will be accepting both boys and girls. They also will be offering 2 $500 college scholarships to 2 lucky participants (funded by Rotary)! The curriculum is FREE and FUN. They will have some amazing local professionals sharing their experiences and will be available for questions in breakout rooms. The registration deadline is 2/22/21. To learn more about this annual event or to learn more about Soroptimists, go to https://www.sicv.org/.

Shannon welcomed everyone to look into the following volunteer opportunities:

~ Guests ~

Renee Campbell, Guest Speaker, Salem Rotary, Past District Governor

Sally Rice, Guest, Soroptimist Club

Wendy McArthur, Guest, soon to be new member

 

~ The Rotary Duck ~

Shannon B: Thanks to Paul for writing the grant for Dream It Be It program. What a great partnership for our organizations.

Laura: Thanked Paula for presenting to Portland Rotary Club for EMS global grant and to Paul for joining. There is an urgency to complete the fundraising due to a tight timeline. Laura and her team are looking for contacts from other clubs to help raise more money in order to reach their goal.

Spike: Apologized for not making all of the meetings and is excited for getting back to in person meetings.

Ralph: Mentioned that he let a friend use his generator and is willing to share with someone else after his friend provides it back.

Kathie: Announced that First Federal Customers can still send in ballots to the donation voting, which includes the Soroptimists of Chehalem Valley. Also shared that she is proud to have not complained about being without power on Facebook.

Mike: Met with Amy and had a delightful conversation with the new member. Welcome Amy!

Todd: Also has been without power.

Lisa: Also had lost power but got it back Monday.

Amy: Also thanked Mike for being his mentor and being welcoming.

Joe: Thanked scientists for the creation and the distribution of vaccines of all kinds.

Total Collected today for Polio Plus: $310

 

~ Today’s Program: Update on the Salem Rotary Amphitheater by Past District Governor Renee Campbell ~

Rene Campbell last presented an update on the Gerry Frank Rotary Amphitheater in Spring of 2019. A lot of progress has been been made since then, as you can see firsthand if you travel to Salem and take a look at the waterfront area where it is being built. Renee gave a shout out to the Larry and Jeannette Epping Family Foundation who had helped them get past the finish line for fundraising with a $100,000 matching donation. They also got a generous donation from Al Jubitz of Portland Rotary and have now met their $4,000,000 goal for the project! What an amazing community effort! She noted that there is still opportunity for anyone who wants to donate as they have an intention to try to raise an endowment that could fund the maintenance of the structure long term as there will be ongoing maintenance that will be required to keep it beautiful and safe. There will be a wall of donors that will include the names of anyone who wants to donate $2,500, permanently expressing their gratitude for you or your Club’s generosity. She also gave thanks to Late Newberg EB Rotarian Ken Austin for his very generous $100,000 donation before his passing.

The Lead Architect Dylan Chavez for this project is a wonderful blend of Artist and engineer and deserves a lot of credit for his and his team’s designs. It is beauty and functionality wrapped up in one. He grew up in Albequerque New Mexico and went to College at UO and MIT. He believes that design influences community as much as community influences design. When you go out and see the project develop, remember that originally the area being developed for this project was a very unflattering gravel lot. This transformation will be an amazing improvement for the park. The design team tried to consider what the area used to be in the towns past, as well as what the area used to be when it was held by the Grande Ronde Tribe. They even met with the Tribe and got their input in an effort to reflect that Tribal history as well as the Industrial history of the last Century.

The following images show what it is to become as well as one photo where the construction is in early February. They have now put up the first arch. She also pointed out that as you come across the bridge toward the amphitheatre, you will come across a Rotary Peace Pole! They hope to finish this June and have a grand opening in July.

If you are interested in hearing about the different donor levels and considering making a contribution to the project, please reach out to Renee at rotarystage@gmail.com or go to the website at https://rotaryamphitheater.com/.

 

~ Next Week’s Program: Providence Newberg Medical Center Updates by Joe Yoder ~

Check your e-mails for Mike Caruso’s Zoom meeting access information.

~ Joke of the Day ~

Did you year about the employee fired from the calendar factory?

All they did was take a day off.

~ Happy Quotes! ~

“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to happiness that you can give out.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

 

~ Published 2/23/2021: Dan Keuler, Newsletter Editor ~

Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter for February 10, 2021

~ Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter ~

Rotary Club of Newberg, Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

 

~ Zoom Meeting Participants ~

Shannon B, Mike, Dan, Joe, Amber, Lynn, Judy, Auggie, Kathie, Gene, Amy, Ralph, Michelle, Shannon K, Geoff, Laura, Walter, Doug, Paula, Paul, Julie, Larry, Brandy, Michael, Todd, Matt, Kim, Om, Lisa.

 

~ Call to Order ~

President Shannon Buckmaster welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The Rotarians split out into breakout groups to start the meeting.

 

~ Flag Salute ~

Gene lead participants in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

~ 4 Way Test ~

Brandy lead participants in the recital of the 4 Way Test:

Rotary’s Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do:

#1 – Is it the TRUTH?

#2 – Is it FAIR to all concerned?

#3 – Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

#4 – Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

~ Announcements ~

Welcome to the Muralists. Volunteering opportunities were discussed:

~ Guests ~

Jillian Sokso, GFU Art Faculty Representative

Isabella Dixon, GFU Murlist

Chandler Everett, GFU Murlist

Icey Lyman, GFU Murlist

Emily Pulver, GFU Murlist

Elizabeth Buchheit, GFU Murlist

Gabrielle Brinkman, GFU Murlist

Lang Kanyer, GFU Murlist

Wendy McArthur, Guest, potential new member

 

~ The Rotary Duck ~

Laura: Laura gave kudos to fellow Rotarians: Michelle went to two different towns to work with heritage bank to make sure Laura’s grant efforts worked out. Paula made a presentation at the LO Zoom meeting and did a great job and LO Rotary committed the next day to a $2,000 grant contribution. Paul went to the Sherwood club and morning club to get commitments to fund the 911 grant. He is also working with the local homeless and Soroptimist Clubs.

Gene: Announced that he finished the stem cell treatment process. He now just needs to build strength and be safe about being in contact with people. He also pointed out a friend is going to do his yard work and FM will deliver groceries.

Ralph: Gave appreciation for Paul’s hard work helping with the homeless.

Paula: Gave well wishes to Gene for a speedy recovery.

Auggie: Is celebrating his 44th wedding anniversary with his wife. Also mentioned that he got his 2nd Covid vaccination with no physical side effects beyond a briefly sore arm. Congrats to you both Auggie!

Michelle: Announced that she got to work with a few Rotarians who have been unable to show up at many meetings including Rick and Stan who worked with her to do Meals on wheels and greatly enjoyed working with them.

Total Collected today for The Duck: $144

 

~ Today’s Program: Meet the GFU Muralists ~

Geoff and GFU are working on the next Rotary Mural. Geoff shared that last Monday Lewis Audio hosted a meeting outside of their building with Rotarians, the GFU team, the Lewis’ and Loni Parrish to discuss the project, as the external wall of Lewis Audio will be the site of this Mural (pending permit approvals). Jillian noted that this year they hired a professional to mentor and help with the mural team. Geoff, Mike, and Jillian (GFU Faculty) interviewed and selected the 2021 Mural Intern Team. They each came last week to see our meeting and are back this week to take up to 5 minutes each to introduce themselves and talk about their art.

Jillian Sokso: Jillian is the Director of the School of Design at George Fox University and is leading the team through the course and Mural project.

Elizabeth Buchheit: Is from Silverton, Oregon and is a first year student at GFU majoring in Illustration. She presented a replica of the last supper done on Ceramic with glaze. She shared that she loves drawing mythical creatures and animals.

Chandler Everett: Is a Senior at GFU studying Studio Art with a focus on Painting. He has lived in Newberg for nearly 10 years and in his free time makes music and working on classic cars. He was drawn (I don’t think that was a pun intended, but I caught it none the less!) to the Rotary mural project as he loves the idea of people coming together to work peacefully with eachother in the same space. He shared an amazing piece that was spontaneously inspired by his friend sleeping on his couch as well as a charcoal piece of a set of hands playing piano. He also shared a self portrait and pointed out he has a face paced, energetic style within his art. He noted that he will use 3D art for his senior exhibition project.

Icey Lyman: Is a Senior studying Illustration. She grew up in Alaska and Vancouver. She loves drawing people, loves the outdoors, loves coffee. She shared a digital portrait of a friend and noted that she loves capturing moments of laughter. She also shared an amazing water color and digital work showing how she also loves drawing animals. She chose to participate because she loves the idea of being able to communicate with the community through her art.

Lang Kanyer: Is a sophmore Illustration major at GFU. She is from Tualatin and went to school briefly in Newberg back in 3rd grade. She even mentioned that she got a dictionary that year, likely from our Rotary Club. She shared a charcoal still life she did with her friends, right before March Covid Lockdown. She was excited to be a part of this project as she and her peers are all really missing the connectedness of working in groups, on location. She wants to be able to connect with the community as well. She loves drawing landscapes and people. Watercolor is one of her favorite mediums. She loves doing figurative work and reflecting nature and care for the environment into her work.

Isabella (Izzy) Dixon: Is a studio art and arts administration major, graduating in 2022. She is from Seattle, Washington and looks forward to being a part of something bigger than herself where she will work with the community on something that will be around for years. She shared a multi figure study that was done with pastels. She loves playing around with unnatural colors and texture. She also likes to add deeper conceptual ideas to her pieces, sometimes reflecting her Christian roots. She loves Rotary’s value of Inclusive and hopes to work that into the Mural.

Emily Pulver: Is a Junior Illustration major with a focus on studio art at GFU from the Bay area in California. Her first piece was a landscape portrait. She realized an appreciate for her Cali landscapes and captured that in her art. She also shared a piece inspired by the idea of losing oneself in art as a form of therapy for both the artist and viewer. also shared a watercolor piece with 3D elements inspired by a Dickenson poem. She appreciates using other forms of art to inspire telling such stories through another medium. She is excited about the mural and hopes for it to be a positive impact on the community in tough times.

Gabrielle Brinkman: Is a Junior Illustration and Theatre major at GFU from Warrenton, Oregon. She wants to pursue the concept of being a servant storyteller through both theatre AND illustration. She is excited to serve the community through art during this project. She shared an oil painting based on parables as well as a design project where she re imagined and created a new version of the GFU Bruin Logo. (Editor’s note: as a sports fan: I LOVED her logo redesign! Looked like something Nike would do: so professionally impressive.) She also shared a touching and very personal piece done for her grandma of her grandma’s dog who recently passed. This project was an effort to serve through art. She noted she has more pride for her art when she does it FOR someone in specific: Service through Art: very Rotarian Concept.

 

~ Next Week’s Program: Update on the Salem Rotary Amphitheater by Past District Governor Renee Campbell ~

Check your e-mails for Mike Caruso’s Zoom meeting access information.

~ Joke of the Day ~

My child refused to sleep during nap time.

I found him guilty of resisting a rest.

~ Happy Quotes! ~

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”

– Robert A. Heinlein

 

~ Published 2/15/2021: Dan Keuler, Newsletter Editor ~

Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter for February 3, 2021

~ Newberg Noon Rotary Club Newsletter ~

Rotary Club of Newberg, Zoom Meeting

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

 

~ Zoom Meeting Participants ~

Shannon B, Mike, Dan, Gene, Laura, Larry, Denise, Lisa, Paul, Ralph, Auggie, Julie, Walter, Amber, Todd, Brandy, Judy, Geoff, Debby, Christy, Kim, Joe, Paula, Jim, Michelle, Lynn, Doug, Fred.

 

~ Call to Order ~

President Shannon Buckmaster welcomed Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to the Zoom meeting at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2021. The Rotarians did not split out into breakout groups to start this meeting due to a special extended presentation format.

 

~ Flag Salute ~

Gene lead participants in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

~ 4 Way Test ~

Mike lead participants in the recital of the 4 Way Test:

Rotary’s Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do:

#1 – Is it the TRUTH?

#2 – Is it FAIR to all concerned?

#3 – Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

#4 – Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

~ Announcements ~

The Duck portion of our meeting was skipped for this meeting in order to properly honor and welcome our guests as well as to provide additional ti e to our amazing guest speaker, for whom so many Members and Guests have come to hear speak. Welcome everyone! Editor’s Note: This group today nearly doubles the previous record attendees since we have been doing virtual meetings!

Today the Peace Committee meets after the meeting. The speaker today, Paul Chappell, has agreed to stay on past 1pm and into the Peace Committee meeting to answer any questions after his presentation. What a great opportunity since his presentation is about peace!

~ Guests ~

Paul Chappell, Guest speaker, Executive Director of the Peace Literacy Institute

Jane Vankuren, Guest, member of Rotary Club of Sherwood

Wendy Wells, Guest, member of Rotary Club of Sherwood

Warren Barash, Guest, member of Rotary Club of Boise

Warren Banks, Guest, member of Rotary Club of World Peace

Deniel Banks, Guest, Past District Governor, member of Rotary Club of Portland

Richard Lazere, Guest, member of East Portland Rotary Club

Natalie & Vic, Guest, member of Beaverton Rotary

Tom Hastings, Guest, Professor at PSU

Rob Federwisch, Guest, member of Newberg Early Birds Rotary

Ainsley , Guest, member of Rotary Club of Sherwood

Varity Caruso, Guest, Mike’s daughter, Rotary Club of Sherwood

Tom Caruso, Guest, Mike’s brother

Katherine Futornick, Guest, Past President of Rotary Club of Newberg

Sean Kelso, Guest

Kay Weaver, Guest, REV

Ellie Patterson, Guest, Past District Governor of District 5500 from Tuscan

Jo Ann Deck, Guest, Peace Literacy Institute

Krystal Conniry, Guest of Wendy Wells, Sherwood Club

Leah Sunquist, Guest, member of Rotary Club of Oregon City, chair of OC Peace Committee

Wendy McArthur, Guest

David Newman, Guest, Rotary Club of Winnipeg, Peace Committee Chair

Tammy Haas, Guest, Rotary Club of Tigard

Elizabeth Wilson, Guest, Director for Peace Village

Al Jubitz, Guest, Rotary Club of Portland, Jubitz Family Foundation

Alan Bazzaz, Guest, Past president District 5100

Manal Fakhourly, Guest, Ocala Rotary Club

Katlin Smith, Guest, member of Rotary Club of Vancouver

Anna Hinkle, Guest, Interact President of Newberg High School, Shannon’s daughter

~ Today’s Program: Peace Literacy by Paul K Chappell ~

Paul executive director at the Peace Literacy Institute. He also authored the Road to Peace book series. Paul shared a that he grew up in Alabama and his father served in the Korean and Vietnam wars which cause trauma that resulted in a lot of behavioral issues for Paul which led to a very troubled childhood. Paul’s trauma, rage, alienation, and mistrust pushed him even to the point where he could have become a school shooter. In spite of this traumatic childhood, he graduated from High School and attended and graduated from West Point, going on to serve the country. After serving he spent his professional career serving to learn and educate about Peace.

“Peace must flow through an accurate understanding of the human condition.”

He gave an AMAZING presentation about how we are traditionally taught about Human needs on a physical level, but do not focus on the expanded non-physical needs. Here is the primary slide that breaks this down and shows how traumatic events can create what he called “Tangles of Trauma”. Note that I tried to keep up and have included some notes below, but this likely does not do his concepts justice. You will want to watch his New Peace Paradigm video on Youtube and ready his books and visit his website which are listed at the bottom of this writeup.

Purpose and meaning – People need purpose and meaning in life

Nurturing relationships – People cave being around people they can trust (all people of all cultures, backgrounds, nationalities, etc. ) If people feel unsafe, people are pushed to need for additional trust, which he pointed out is how Hitler took advantage of people: he told them he was the only leader/politician that they could trust. Trust is the primary way humans feel safe.

Explanations – People need explanations, and they will accept whatever explanation fits this need. This provides opportunity for manipulation in that when there is a lack of explanation, manipulators can fill the gap with whatever they want. Our need to solve problems also provides a need to explain: Rotary has been able to eradicate polio thanks to science being able to explain the causes and cures. How can you solve any problem without an accurate explanation of the problem?

Expressions – Physical, verbal, dress, tattoos, social media, protesting, voting, rioting, violence, cooking are all forms of expression. Consider when baby cries in first seconds of life: the need for food and expression activate simultaneously when born. Need for expression spikes when physical needs are unmet: we express to others when we need something. This is critical need as it allows the other needs to be met through communication.

Inspiration – Role models – without good ones, people will turn towards bad ones. When people’s physical need for safety is unmet, effective leaders will often give an inspirational speech (MLK inspired during a time where people were feeling unsafe, coaches in sports when they need to inspire to come from behind in a game, and even Hitler, who created the feeling of unsafety himself, then began working to inspire people who were scared to join his cause). You can inspire through words and actions.

Belonging – Being part of a group or community – this also serves to help people get their physical needs met. Paul pointed out that alienation and lack of belonging is a top thing shared by mass shooters and serial killers.

Self-worth – Much human behavior is based on this. Many will even see this in suicidal behavior – valuing self worth over physical survival. Many cultures see humiliation as akin to murder. Dishonor can cause people of some cultures to take their own lives. Also consider youth gang violence: many will risk death or jail when they are insulted or challenged as their worth is that valuable. Today when peoples self worth is wounded, they may even kill themselves slowly through stress, drugs, alcohol, depression, etc. This is the value of feeling good about yourself.

Challenge – The need to continue improving and persevering.

Transcendence

Paul pointed out that Rotary provides great ways to meet many of these needs in very healthy ways. Just the same, extremest groups meet these needs in unhealthy ways.

Also consider how social media fits into these nine needs and at the same time, social media can be used to trigger the tangles of trauma. The most dangerous thing is weaponizing the tangles of trauma to recruit people who are vulnerable due to their individual traumatic experiences. The government military cannot protect us from these types of weapons. Educating people on Peace literacy is one way to protect us. Paul points out that currently, this education typically happens once every year or more during a brief assembly in public school. This is not enough to properly teach complex concepts. How can you play basketball without being taught? or play instrument? This is why we need to teach about the human condition and how to find healthy ways to meet our needs through peace literacy. We need to view it as a complex competency like math, english, etc. Teach it in depth. Peace Literacy provides skills to deal with serious critical needs.

Consider the importance to our psyche of a “world view”. If you lose your world view, you can lose your mind. If someone threatens one’s world view, people often react to that as if their threatened physically. It is their mind protecting itself. World view can function like a force field where new information can bounce right off. The adult human brain cannot function without a world view. This is why a 4 year old brain has so many questions: their brain craves a world view and so they desperately seek to put one together.

What is more important: lack of food, or lack of truth? Ruler will manipulate and distort the truth before doing anything.

For more information, go to www.peaceliteracy.org. Also, you can find more material if you go to Youtube.com and look up “Paul K Chappell A New Peace Paradigm”.

~ Next Week’s Program: 2021 Rotary Mural: Meet the GFU Art Muralist Team ~

Check your e-mails for Mike Caruso’s Zoom meeting access information.

~ Joke of the Day ~

A friend of mine once told me that I’m the cheapest person she’s ever met…
But I’m not buying it.

~ Happy Quotes! ~

“Peace must flow through an accurate understanding of the human condition.”

– Paul K Chappell (during this meeting)

 

~ Published 2/7/2021: Dan Keuler, Newsletter Editor ~