In the Beginning…
President Sue opened the meeting with “Welcome to the best Rotary Club we know!’
Catherine Lee ably led the Pledge of Allegiance to our Great Flag.
Inspirational Moment
The Inspirational Moment was a recitation of the famous poem by Emma Lazarus given by Patricia Gates. It was titled The New Colossus, a powerful dedication to our Lady Liberty and reminding us that our great Nation was founded and built by immigrants.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land,
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of exciles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. ‘Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’
President Gilbreth announced “a very special birthday”—Al West, joined by his wife, Joyce in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday .
Visitors
Joyce West
Lyndon Thomas, guest of Kelley Rasmussen
Keith Gosselin, our Speaker
David Ambrose, apecial guest of Bill Prather
Richa Badami, Guest of Leah Hecker
Welcome to all!!
Thank-Yous…
Seargent at Arms: Dave Watson
Setup, Tech, IT: Jerry Maryniuk, Taundra Roddick
Greeter: PP Wendy Barker
Flag Salute: Catherine Lee
Inspirational Moment: Patricia Gates
Newsletter Editor: Carl Gross
Roving Mic: Betsy Watson
Fining and Confessions: Chris Williams
Treasurer: Dave Brubaker
Commander of Comestibles: Jayne Cruise
Announcements
Our new socialistas, Cindy and Janet reminded us of the upcoming Beach Bash at the home of Dennis Guernsey an Larry Wilde on August 22nd from 5 to 8 PM. Come join in the fun, fellowship, and food with our Rotary West members. It’s $30 for food and $35 if you have alcohol. You can pay in check or online at our site.-
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- 9/5—Fern Barishman has arranged our off-site meeting Friday, September 5th,. we will be at the Ojai Brewing Company, dine on delicacies from the Ojai Noodle House and be given a tour. The cost is $20 and $21 if you have alcohol. You can pay online. Please signup as soon as possible.
- 8/15=Adri Howe—Central Coast Horse Rescue
- 8/29—No Meeting. Labor Day Weekend.
- Please keep sending pictures of our events and functions to Chris Williams, our Social Media person.
Bruce Hanson gave a rundown of upcoming programs and events.
Fining and Confessions
Chris Williams took to the podium with less than thunderous applause to extract some loot.
Taundra Roddick is announcing the forthcoming weddings of her sons, Cody and Casey.
Al West gave $92 for his birthday.
Chris got down to fining:
Clint Haugen, Deirdre Daly, Bruce Hanson, Jack Jacobs, and Tony Thacher succumbed to a variety of brain teasers.
The Program: Keith Gosselin, Executive Director, Long Term Care Services of Ventura County’s Ombudsman Program.
President Sue introduced our Guest Speaker, Keith Gosselin.
A Los Angeles native, Keith Gosselin obtained his undergraduate degree at LMU and then spent two years in Virginia earning his MBA at the College of William & Mary. Over the subsequent 15 years, Keith managed a small air pollution monitoring equipment manufacturer, developed the marketing department for a medium-sized communications devices firm and then launched the eBusiness department for a Fortune 100 uniform rental company, before launching his own consulting business in 2003.
Keith started college instruction part-time but was offered – and accepted – a full-time tenured position at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Over the next 20 years, Keith Gosselin also taught as an adjunct faculty member at CSUN, UCLA and CLU. He obtained a great amount of experience with nonprofits through his consulting business and by conducting pro bono projects as part of his college instruction.
“I am excited to begin my third – and final – career as an advocate for the elderly. Having cared for my mother for two years, I know the difficulties that children face as they navigate the care for their parents.”
Residents in long-term care facilities are among the most frail and vulnerable in Ventura County. Because many cannot represent themselves, they need assistance to improve their quality of life and care. The Ventura County Ombudsman Program advocates for the highest quality of life and care possible for all our elderly living in long term care facilities.
In 1978 Congress amended the Older Americans Act to establish long-term care Ombudsman (a Swedish word that means “advocate”) to serve the frail vulnerable elderly residents in long-term care facilities. This was a much-needed action and a result of the serious problems that surfaced when the nursing home industry exploded following the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
In Ventura County, in 1981, two members of the National Council of Jewish Women founded the Ombudsman program. In 1988 the founders, Bee Ellisman and Shirley Radding, created Long Term Care Services of Ventura County, Inc., a not-for-profit charitable corporation, to administer the Ombudsman program.
The Ombudsman is trained, certified and mandated by federal and state authority to identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents and to provide services to help in safeguarding their health, safety, welfare and rights. Pre-admission counseling and support group services are also provided as valuable and much-needed services. Visits are unscheduled and unannounced.
To ensure quality care, the Ombudsman coordinates with licensing and regulatory agencies as well as law enforcement.
Services: “Did I mention it is free to clients?”
- The program exists to help clients be heard and empowered.
- They check facility environments for safety, hygiene, and accessibility.
- They investigate and report any abuse, negligence, or deficiencies to the appropriate authorities.
- They help with Advanced Directives and counsel families as to the client’s wishes for care and comfort measures.
- They assist and instruct facility owners and employees for a higher quality of care.
- They serve over 9,000 residents in Ventura County.
- Sad fact: Over 60% of the clients are alone. “They have no one”
- The ombudsman program is a 501c3 organization. They depend on donations and government support.
- They arrange symposia and training programs for caregivers and families.
For further information, please refer to the links below:
Thank you, Keith for a great presentation and all the work you and your staff have done to make life safer and easier for our senior and disabled.
Sue presented Keith with a box of citrus from Friend’s Ranch.
