President Jim opened the meeting.

Jim J recited the 4-way test.  The world stopped as we all waited for Linda to return from the washroom and give us the invocation. Prez Jim asked us to toast the Queen and Canada.

Attendance was 18 Rotarians, one visiting Rotarian (Paul from Kitchener Grand River), and 4 guests:  Ida Pearson, Liska, Rena, and guest speaker Mitch Abrams

 

George reported that, while still dealing with an infection of the lower extremities, John J is looking for a place to live.  Who will have him?

Pres Jim - reported some good news but I missed it.  Sorry Jim.
Mike's daughter Lauren landed a nursing job quickly, in Austin Texas.
Alicia - happy to see her mom, and just made an exciting change to a new job.

The jokester position remains unfilled.

Erica - Best Bites on Sept.10. 10 tickets for $1000 or $125 each.  Buy online at http://bestbitestickets.ca/ or if you need paper tickets let Erica know.
Pres Jim - Hands-on job coming in Sept.  Stay tuned for details and timing.
Next Thursday - BBQ at Marcia's place, 94 West River Road, in place of our regular meeting.  Show up after work and bring a bathing suit if the weather is good.  I repeat...no meeting at GCC next week!

Rebecca introduced Mitch Abrams of the Dr Bird Foundation, which is established to bring eastern mindfulness to the western practice of medicine.
First Mitch played a guitar to stretch our brains and make sure we were all paying attention.
Then he told us how the industrialized health care model is not working:
- doctor burnout
- high suicide rate
- high drug addiction rate
We need to bring in some eastern medical wisdom centered around the brain (Mindfulness).  There is science to support this approach...studies prove that brains will improve structurally with the right exercise program or habits.
Mitch advocates for the BPS (Body,Mind,Social) health model. People need to feel connected to others around them (including health care providers). Studies have shown that health outcomes improve and crime goes down with increasing coherence-creating group size.

B Mindful Challenge - building emotional intelligence, for healthy minds, organizations, and communities.

For more information or to contribute or take part with an MRI (mission-related investment), visit www.DrBirdFoundation.org