John Terry introduced our guest speaker--Ed Merrigan is the Director of the Barnstable District Veterans Services

   -- Ed oversees services to veterans and their families in the Town of Barnstable working with 5 other district  offices on Cape Cod.

   --Ed helped secure 10.5 million dollars in federal grants to assist veterans and their families on Cape Cod.

   --There are 25,000 veterans currently living on Cape Cod

   --Ed focused on the veterans from the Vietnam war. He spoke of the impact of Agent Orange on the health of these Vietnam

    vets. He felt the veterans from the Vietnam War never got the recognition they deserved. This Veterans Day, November 11th

    Ed is organizing a "Welcome Home" ceremony for Vietnam Vets to be recognized on the Village Green after the Veterans Day

    Parade on Main Street in Hyannis on the 11ths. Featured speaker will be Sargent Debbie Siavie. The BHS band and chorale will perform

Steve Cahill introduced good friend and today’s speaker, Dr. Craig Cornwall, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Cape Cod Hospital.  Dr. Cornwall’s topic was the expansion/renovation project at Cape Cod Hospital and the growth of Cape Cod Healthcare.  He’s been at the hospital for many years and helped spearhead the fund raising effort to expand the E.R.

A few facts regarding the ER & the Cape Cod Healthcare:

• Employs 4600 people
• 400 physicians
• For several years in a row the E.R. has been in the top 2-5% in customer service amongst ERs in the US
• The two CCH ERs were built to handle 80,000 patients per year but served 133,000 patients in 2012

The renovation is adding 25,000 square feet to the foot print making it a total of 54,000 square feet.  The budget is $21MM and they hope to be completed in October, 2015.  A Falmouth expansion will grow that ER to 41,000 square feet.

President Steve called upon John Butler to introduce the program. John proceeded promptly to introduce his wife Karen who introduced us to "Challenge Day at Barnstable High." Karen was assisted by BHS students Meghan Lawton, Morgan Bentivegna, and Tess Dooley. 

Karen is a teacher at B.H.S. and has been associated with this 10 year old program for her six years at the school. Basically, Challenge Days are powerful high-energy programs in which youth and adult participants are guided through a series of experiential learning processes. designed to increase personal power and self esteem, to shift dangerous peer pressure to positive peer support, and to eliminate the acceptability of teasing, violence, and all forms of oppression. 

Karen invited our participation for this years program which will be held on the first four days of the week of Sep. 30. Volunteers are asked to be at school by 6:45 for morning coffee and familiarizaton and to stay for the full program which will last till 2:30.

Thank you, John, for bringing Challenge Day to our attention and for having the door open to our participating in a meaningful youth service project.

Welcome to the Rotary Year 2013/2014!

First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank all new Club Presidents for having taken on the leadership of their Club in our District 7950. I am very much looking forward to working with you and to be a resource to help implementing your visions and the aspirations of your Clubs for your communities, the region, and across our borders internationally.

Rotary is one of the most diverse service organizations one can be a member of. Drawing on leaders in each community where they are organized, Rotary Clubs, through those leaders, are engaged in local, regional and international service projects. These projects address real needs within the community, the region, and internationally.

The fact that most larger towns harbor Rotary Clubs in their midst benefits an entire region as many Clubs cooperate and may also take on regional projects.

Being thus represented and active through some 34000 clubs in some 200 countries and regions throughout the world, Rotary’s impact to contribute towards peace and understanding and contributing towards addressing major issues and needs is second to no other service organization.

Through Rotary’s areas of focus, which include:

• Peace and conflict prevention/resolution,
• Disease prevention and treatment,
• Water and sanitation,
• Maternal and child health,
• Basic education and literacy,
• Economic and community development,
• 
  

Dietrich

District Governor – District 7950

ENGAGE ROTARIANS – GROW CLUBS

Dick Casper introduced Michael Lauf, president and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare.  Cape Cod Healthcare link http://www.capecodhealth.org . Michael has been the CEO of CCHC since December of 2010 and just prior to that time was the number 2 person for the corporation.  He, his wife and two children live in Sandwich. 

 Michael reviewed the mission statement, vision statement and values statement, all of which follow:

Mission Statement

To coordinate and deliver the highest quality, accessible health services, which enhance the health of all Cape Cod residents and visitors.

Vision Statement

We will be the health service provider of choice for Cape Cod residents by achieving and maintaining the highest standards in health care delivery and service quality. To do so, we will partner with other health and human service providers as well as invest in needed medical technologies, human resources  and clinical services. Above all, we will help identify and respond to the needs of our community.

Values Statement

To be compassionate, respectful and professional in the way we deliver care. To be relentless in pursuing the highest standard of quality through continuous improvement, emphasizing the power of teamwork. To be honest, ethical and open in all our relationships. To be responsible stewards of the community`s resources by working efficiently and cost effectively. To serve all without regard to sex, race, creed, residence, national origin, sexual orientation or ability to pay.

 Cape Cod Healthcare has been recognized as more than once as the top performers in quality and patient care in the country.  They carry a strategic partnership with Partners and locally have developed a regional cancer network allowing patients to receive quality and consistent care close to their homes.  CCHC is an accountable care organization combing the effective and efficient practices of doctors and healthcare works into a continuum of care so people her on Cape Cod received the best possible care.

 In 2012 CCHC had a “profit” of $42 million, and over the last five years has turned its $130 million “profit” back in to the community.  CCHC has 4800 employees and 600 doctors as part of the system, with an average salary of $70,000 well above the $39,000 in the local economy.  CCHC is in the process of building a new emergency room to provide services to the 93,000 who use the busiest emergency room in Massachusetts during the months June through September.  It will include a purple zone for people who are mentally ill.  The intensive care unit will also have renovations. As the Cape has an older population, CCHC receives 67% of its reimbursement for care from Medicare/Medicaid.  Healthcare reform has been difficult. 

 Mr. Lauf also talked extensively about the health care reform with the major strong point being the information systems.  At this time, healthcare represents 18% of GDP, which is unsustainable.  He gave the example that in 2020, if the cost continue to rise, an individual with a salary of $90,000, will have family coverage with costs approaching 50% of the salary, a staggering amount.

 Several other examples where provided of where health care reform needed more work.  

Thank you, Michael, for a great presentation.  Log Editor: Lois André

Dick Casper introduced today’s speaker, Tom Lynch, Town Manager for Barnstable.  Dick referenced a low-stress; few-hours type of job was not how you would characterize the Town Manager’s.   Lynch took this post in June 2012, prior to which he had been assistant TM since 2007.  Prior to this, Lynch was executive director of Barnstable Housing Authority for 17 years and served 4 terms in House of Rep.  He lives in Centerville, is a BC grad, and received his Masters from Syracuse University.

Lynch explained that he trained to help emotionally and disturbed children, which has helped his career in public service greatly!  He had helped presidential and congressional campaigns,  served at the State House then in the Assembly of Delegates and has been slowly working his way down the ladder!

Lynch suggested that the current trend is to get people thinking outside the box.   He figures there are now so many people there, that he is thinking about going back into the box where some sound and tried-and true-ideas reside.  Here is what can be found in the four corners of his box:

1.  Talented individuals - to challenge conventional thinking, but then march to the same drum for the good of the community.  He inherited good people from John Klimm and has promoted Mark Ells to Assistant Town Manager and is seeking to fill the Supt'd of DPW now.
2.  One who is socially responsible and fiscally conservative.  He believes in balancing competing interests but finds this is always a challenge.
3.  Theory of management books:   taking the theory and putting into practice has to result in a product we can be proud of.  He showed us some of the books including the Ten Year Fiscal Forecast (the town charter requires this – in a time when Feds can't predict fiscal health 3 months out.)  T he Capital Plan for FY 13 - this started with Warren Rutherford, so the town could plan appropriately for needs and figure out funding.  The new plan soon out will call for $5 to 7 million in capital needs for school and municipal projects.  The Annual Budget – which can be found on the town's website.  Look up your pet topic (e.g. crime - and see the funding for street crimes prevention.)  
4.  Leadership – is different from management,  and includes working with town council and a variety of folks to see the vision of your town is put into place.   The town has 42 boards and commissions to help the work of the town.  Face to face meetings are good -but the 21st century demands new tools.  & nbsp; Citizen input and transparency has been promoted via various channels - including pushing info out to citizens to figure out on their own (and not depend on the bloggers.)  Inside Barnstable Town Government and Police Academy - multi-week academies are utilized as well as the monthly Barnstable Bulletin which is mailed or emailed.  Weekly e-news is sent to 3000+ folks with news from the Town Manager's office.  The town has a daily cable TV show  on the town's own station which airs 7 to 8 AM and is repeated from 8 to 9 AM.  Sarah Colvin is the host.  They have a 10 minute daily called Barnstable Today – with meetings of the past day reported out in a succinct way.  Barnstable iForum – go to www.town.barnstable.ma.us to sign up.  Here are daily posts to ask questions on issues (hard and soft.)  Barnstable is the only town in MA using this forum - which can generate points for users and you can win things (like lunch with Tom!)

Today, it was announced that Barnstable has chosen to work with city of Boston on a mobile app.  Buy it at the Apple App Store (Commonwealth connect) and using this you can report any issues or problems (e.g. potholes or signs down.)  These are ways to help people talk with the town vs. the few that go to Council meetings for public comment.  

When asked about the Governor's plan to raise income tax and lower sales tax - Lynch indicated that he thought the legislature would be reluctant to cut what is there (as much is earmarked for key use).  He has great confidence in Senate President Murray and knows they will  look at cuts vs. increases.  

When asked about the proposal to create 6 regions for housing authorities – He said this could actually help the Cape by spreading best practices and evening out distribution of low income housing- but he likes the local control system existing now.  

Medical marijuana - Dept. of Health has not issued regs for dispensaries - but 35 are to be established in first year.  Barnstable tried to be proactive to identify a medical marijuana district which would halt any grandfathered claims.  The Planning Board is holding a hearing on the 27th on this topic.  Other issues include where the plant is grown.  

Peter Audino introduced Carol Taylor of Brothers’ Brother organization, who led our book project in Nicaragua.  She traveled here from Pittsburgh to tell us about their organization, formed by a medical doctor in 1958 to help address the small pox scourge in Africa.  They now work to connect people’s resources with people’s needs. They distribute books, medical equipment, clothing and more. 

In a surprise to Carol,President Bob awarded her with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her work on our behalf to enrich the students of Nicaragua.

John Terry introduced our speaker, Rev. Joe Marchio, Director of the Chatham Chorale and pastor of the Chatham Congregational Church.

            For a history of the chorale, go to www.chathamchorale.org  The Chorale is over 40 years old and was founded by Marjorie (Jerry) Bennett Morley and Dr. E. Robert  Harned in 1970.  Singers come from all over the Cape and is the only audition choir on the Cape. 

            About half of the 90 plus performers are retired and the remainder still working.  The current performance home hall is Mattakeese (sp) School. The first concert of the season is all Beethoven on November 18^th.  The chorale also has the Chamber Singers, which is a smaller group. 

            Rev. Marchio complimented the organization and work of the Chatham Chorale board and volunteers, as they do significant fundraising through fruit sales and other events, in addition to ticket sales.  Congratulations to the Chatham Chorale for providing inspiring music to us for over 40 years!!

Andi Gesner of WE CAN with Sharon Hawkins and Club President Lois Andre