Meeting Date: September 21, 2021
Reporter: Sharon Garland
Inspiration
Ben Hadsell (read by Bill Applegate)
Ben Hadsell reads the following each day and thought someone else might find it helpful. It starts:
“This is the beginning of a new day. I have been given this day to use as I will. What I do today is important, because I’m exchanging a new day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place whatever I have traded for it. I pledge to myself that it shall be for gain, good, and success, in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for this day.”
Announcements
President Holly Applegate introduced Helen Kagan, a retired high school ESL teacher, who is interested in joining Rotary.
Don Saracen announced that Literacy Gala sponsorships stand at $40,500. New sponsors this week include Amica Insurance (Bryan Cook), Hope Health, Jan Feyler, and The Jewish Alliance. We’re in our last month before the Gala so it’s critical to follow-up on additional potential sponsorships.
Holly announced that thanks to funding from the Providence Rotary Club Charities Foundation, a District 7950 grant, and a private donation, Malcolm Michell of the Share the Magic Foundation will make an inspirational presentation on October 25 to the Kizarian School children. There will also be a magic show and each child will receive a copy of, “My Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World.” Malcolm was honored for his commitment to literacy at the 2019 Legends Gala and he will join us at this year's Gala.
Holly and Bill Applegate attended the District 7950 Governor’s installation in Falmouth where they were able to showcase our Club’s literacy efforts. Providence Rotary was one of six clubs in the District awarded a Rotary Citation for the 2020/2021 year. Bryan Cook thanked Kris David for her help with submitting the district award application.
Holly also presented past president, Bryan Cook, with a citation for his service as Club president.
Happy Bucks
collected by Margaret Kane
- Barbara Harris had a happy buck to thank Catherine Taylor for her work on behalf of RI and for a terrific Rotary Book Club meeting where the highly recommended book,“Caste,” was discussed.
- Liz Messier had $5 happy bucks for a great Disney World vacation with her daughter, two negative Covid tests on her return, and that she and Holly will appear in a cabaret together!
- Holly had $10 happy bucks to welcome Catherine Taylor, a long-time family friend, to the meeting.
Speaker
Steve Hug introduced Catherine Taylor, the new State Director of AARP in RI. Her past positions include serving as the director of the State Division of Elder Affairs and as executive director of Age-Friendly RI.
Catherine sees her current position as her dream job - advocating for older adults so they can live their best lives and continue to thrive. AARP is the largest non profit in the country and there are 132,000 members in RI. AARP is not a direct service provider of health care and social services to frail adults. The organization instead focuses on legislation and programs that enrich the lives of those over 50.
AARP-RI has a strong legislative program supported by volunteer advocacy. Successful 2021 initiatives include: elimination of, “gag clauses” that prohibit a pharmacist from informing a consumer if a drug would cost less if the consumer paid out-of-pocket, rather than through their insurance plan; lower co-pay for diabetes medication; funding of a home modification program to adapt homes for accessibility and a bill that requires financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse of individuals over 60. Catherine reminded everyone that by RI law we are all mandatory reporters of suspected physical, emotional and financial abuse of older adults.
Catherine touched on the unhealthy impact of personal ageism. Research at Yale shows that if a person focuses on their fear of aging and ending life alone and without friends, this self fulfilling prophecy could take 7.5 years off their life. There is research that indicates that there are ways to give us more control on how we age. She cited the research of National Geographic explorer, Dan Buttner who researched “blue zones” around the world. These are societies where people routinely live active lives into their 90’s and beyond. His research showed common elements shared by these individuals: a plant based diet with little meat, naturally occurring exercise through meaningful work, drinking wine, and a belief in a higher power with time set aside for prayer and meditation. Importantly, older adults in these communities have a purpose, like caring for children, and they are honored for their wisdom and life experiences.