Guests: Cornelia Stevens, who is the South Central Region Program Director for the Kansas Childrens Service League and our guest speaker for today.
Our Opening prayer was given by Colby Davis, and he did an excellent job, bringing a round of applause from all in attendance.
Sergeants Playground: Brad T and Stan M rang in and immediately went to President Dane to collect his weekly fine. Darren W once again paid Danes fine for not having not having his presidents pin. Brad noticed that one of four Edwards Jones financial consultants failed to were his official outfit this morning. Dan P, Darren W, and Dane P all had on their dark blue power suits. Jay P appeared to be way too casual this morning in kackies and a short sleeve shirt, not even wearing a jacket. That cost Mr. P $1 for being out of uniform. Brad requested this editor to announce the expansion of his immunity from fine program. To be immune from a fine of any kind, a member must wear his pin, have a Breakfast Card in his possession, and if there are no guests at the meeting (excluding the guest speaker), every member pays a buck. If you sign up a new member, you are immune from all fines for the rest of this AMBUC year (through May 2014).
Announcements: Randall H reported on the Membership/Social Committee meeting this morning. They are continuing to focus on how to increase membership during the year. They are convinced that we need to bring guests to meetings and work with those who sponsor guests on how to follow up to complete the process of membership. If you have input or ideas contact Randall @ 665-7177, 899-5500, or email him at randall@ehm.kscoxmail.com.
Dont forget!! Next weeks meeting will be at Reins of Hope. Breakfast will be served by Knackies. The location is 2216 N. Obee Road. The easiest way is to go east on 30th street to the Prairie Dunes Sign, then turn south on Obee Road for mile.
The annual golf tournament will be on Friday, August 23rd at the Carey Park clubhouse. Breakfast will again be served by Knackies. Cost will be $42 per golfer, which includes green fees and cart. The sign up sheet will be available at next Fridays meeting, or you can contact Guy Gann at 669-1230 or g_gann@yahoo.com.
Due to next weeks off-site meeting, the Board Meeting will be postponed until Friday August 16th at 6:15AM at the Town Club.
Program: The Kansas Childrens Service League (KCSL) is currently making communities aware of the public health issue of Child Maltreatment. Cornelia Stevens came prepared to explain to us why this is such issue in Kansas. Child maltreatment is defined as all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role that results harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect of the welfare of a child. Studies of control groups during the last few years have provided a wealth of statistics about the maltreatment of children through out this country. The numbers are startling. Nationwide, 3 million reports have been made of abuse or neglect. Nearly 11/1000 children are confirmed as having been subjected to abuse or neglect. Just under 1,800 children die each year as a result of maltreatment. The Reno County numbers are just as alarming. 1,714 reports were received of abuse/neglect were received by the DCF during the year ended June 30 2013. Of those, 939 were considered worthy of investigation, and 108 were determined to be the result of abuse/neglect. That is the 8th highest rate in the state. Recent studies have show that much of this maltreatment goes back to very young ages and continues into successive generations. KCSL has taken the initiative to develop their Healthy Family Program, where families can be exposed to healthy ways of dealing with stress of everyday problems which can lead to unacceptable treatment of children. The focus is to reach families before the abuse occurs. Interestingly enough, a childs early environment has a direct effect on how they behave throughout their lives. Mrs. Stevens pointed out the heavy economic strain this places on our countrys already over-burdened budget. She encouraged us to report suspected child abuse by calling 1-800-922-5330, support child abuse prevention awareness activities, or choose to volunteer within the community.
Upcoming Program: See you at Reins of Hope next Friday
Drawings: Paul Brown had the lucky ticket and donated the $14 pot to the National AMBUC Foundation. The Newsletter pot of $10 would have gone to Curtis Mitchell if he had been in attendance.
We will not have a newsletter question for our meeting at Reins of Hope.
Editor: Duke Wiggins