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Celine Hardy-Johnson
– Jobs Niagara
President Rick called
upon George Parks to say what we believe was grace and Don Shaw
to lead us in the singing of O'Canada. (Don has some homework for
next week's U.S. Anthem)
President Rick welcomed
all and introduced today's head table: Kelly Buckley, Celine Hardy-Johnson,
our guest speaker, Sergeant-at-arms Peter Mahoney (Jim Denham's
assistant), Jean Girgenti, and Norma Medulun who introduced today's
guests.
Guests: Exchange student
Bekki Kugler, Ted Usick, guest of Patricia Rooney, Regional Chairman
Peter Partington, guest of John Snowling, Wendy Thompson and Mayor
for the Day – Raven DeSouza, guests of long-time Mayor, member
Tim Rigby, Linda-Gay and Lewis Dustman, guests of Angus Adams, Dave
MacLaren- Technical Assistant for Guest Speaker, and Glen Norton,
visiting Rotarian from Hamilton Club.
Birthdays: Roses today
for Ross MacDonald, Bill Orr (86) and Angus Adams (90).
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| Ross MacDonald, Bill Orr, Angus Adams |
President Rick
- advised the Club that John Potts was resting at home after surgery
and asked everyone to sign our Rotary card
- advised the Club that the Board of Directors approved a temporary
leave of absence for John Potts and accepted with regrets the resignation
of Gord Armstrong
-
Christina Pentlichuk
is at home with baby boy Nicholas Jasen –
7 lbs.–12 ozs. Congratulations Christina Pentlichuk
- Rotary International District 7090 Foundation Dinner – Friday,
November 3rd at Salvatore's Italian Garden Restaurant, Depew, New
York. Fellowship 6:00 p.m. and Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Kim Widdicombe, has called
a Seniors/Visiting and Telephone Committee meeting next Thursday
at 11:30 before regular noon meeting.
Mayor Tim Rigby, introduced
Raven DeSouza "Mayor for the Day" who qualified by catching
a 14.49lb. fish. President Rick welcomed her and presented her with
our Club banner.
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Mayor Tim Rigby and Mayor Raven DeSouza |
Foster Zanutto,
reminder that it is "Take Our Kids to Work Day" on Wednesday,
November 1, 2006. Foster encouraged participation by inviting staff
to bring their grade 9 children to work for the day.
Brian Stewart worked the
Group:
Patricia Rooney –
happy that supper was prepared by exchange student Bekki last night.
Glen Norton – happy
that he got married on Saturday (we hope he is still happy this
time next year)
Ken Wright – happy
to be celebrating his 60th anniversary.
Angus Adams – several
happy dollars that his daughter Linda-Gay and her husband of fifteen
days Lewis Dustman are visiting. Angus said that Lewis is the best
fifteen-day-old son-in-law he has ever had.
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Pat Rooney and Bekki Kugler |
Ross MacDonald – happy to have travelled the Welland Canal where he could see the
Rotary Bridge.
John Crossingham - happy
to have enjoyed the good music at son John's wedding.
Sam Walters – Auction
Sam introduced the TV Auction Canvass leader after week one who
rode into the meeting on his bicycle wearing a leather jacket and
shades – who is it? – none other than Leader of the
Pack Larry Iggulden – "Hats off to Larry."
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Sam Walters and Larry Iggulden |
Sam encouraged others to overtake Larry
so they too could wear the leather jacket and embarrass themselves
riding into the meeting.
Others had happy dollars but my assistant
missed them and I had to fire him – sorry Jim.
Kelly Buckley introduced
our guest speaker Celine Hardy-Johnson who is the
manager of Jobs Niagara, an organization that helps people with
disability barriers find employment. Celine has worked in Community
Living Agencies throughout the Niagara Region for twenty years in
a variety of capacities. She is also involved as a member of Garden
City Toast Masters for over six years, and completed a year as their
Club President in 1997. In 1998 she was the Campaign Chair of the
United Way of South Niagara.
Celine started her presentation
by projecting a list of well-known people who have some sort of
disability, but due to their special talents that we know them from
would never know or focus on the fact they had a disability.
If these individuals did not share their
gifts to the world, we would all miss a lot. Sixteen percentage(16%)
of the population of Ontario or 1.6 Million people have some sort
of disability.
Individuals with disabilities do not normally
want to be defined by their disability. They are people first.
Celine said that we need to be respectful
of individuals with disabilities, and watch euphemisms such as "physically
challenged" and "special needs". It is extremely
important not to sensationalize a disability. Use terminologies
that explain their disabilities rather than highlighting the limitations.
Celine then provided us with many examples
of affirmative phrases, which do not place a negative perception
of one's disability.
Secondly, Celine outlined how able individuals
should interact with a person with a disability:
- offer assistance
- be aware of their limitations
- ask them to participate in processes by asking them to sit on
advisory boards.
- remove displays or clatter when they are in your environment
- help guide blind people
- do not pet or play with an individual's guide dog
- speak with normal tone and voice for a deaf person – use
facial expressions – let them see your face so they can read
your lips
Thirdly, some individuals with certain
types of disabilities may have behavioral problems, which are normal
for that person. In the work place you should:
- divide tasks to assist them
- give short breaks if needed
- partner them with someone
- provide the proper environment.
Unfortunately, there are not a lot of
opportunities for individuals with disabilities to return to work
because of the misconception that able individuals have about the
disabled such as:
- they can't keep up with other workers
- they will miss a lot of work
- staff don't want to work with them
- can't perform physical labour
- expensive changes to the work place are required
- safety issues to consider which can be expensive
- to accommodate their needs are too expensive
- they do not work.
However, studies show that for the vast
majority of individuals with disabilities the foregoing is simply
not true.
Celine stressed how we should all try
to make our workplace more accessible because it will eventually
help all of us – either now or in the future. Employers are
required to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Some businesses like the Fallsview Casino's
know for instance that disabled people have money to spend and the
value of hiring a person with a disability and of accommodating
the needs of the disabled.
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Celine Hardy-Johnson and Rick Merritt |
Marg Jarrell thanked
Celine for addressing our Club today and said her talk was relevant
to a group that believes in service above self.
President Rick also thanked
Celine and presented her with a certificate of appreciation that
indicated a contribution would be made to a literacy project.
President Rick's Rotary
moment provided an explanation of our new member in the spotlight,
member in the spotlight and committee in the spotlight each week.
President Rick encouraged all to participate in our special seat
at the head table sometime during the year.
District Governor Dick Earne's
visit
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