I took my final flight in the Air Force on 20 March 2000, my dad’s birthday. Sheri had a great photo op before Dave and I took to the sky in a T-38, me in the back seat. For the five years before that, starting in 1995, I was tasked by our commanding general to oversee the mental health of the 13,000 personnel at our largest logistics center. President Clinton had signed our realignment and closure order. I was concerned about our 1-3% at high-risk personnel, especially the 1, 2, or 3 individuals who might get a gun and want to know who was in charge. I recruited a blue-suit USAF organizational clinical psychologist for the general, and he adapted my brother’s and my signature theory of preventive management to help those 1-3% high-risk individuals. The general’s psychologist referred over 300 high-risk folks to licensed clinical psychologists or licensed clinical social workers to get the professional help they needed for family conflicts, psychological issues, and/or financial strains. The base chaplains provided great backup and triage. In those five years, we had no homicides, no suicides, and no workplace violence (sure, some arguments and conflict but no violence) and over $33 million in cost avoidance from HR complaints that never materialized. The irony for me was that our theory of preventive management was born of intense conflict between my brother and me. That conflict was the forging energy enabling us to translate his public health notions of prevention into my organizational stress world. Our original book is in the third edition and our body of work has garnered some handsome professional awards and recognitions. Conflict can be disturbing and unsettling, but it need not be violent or destructive. In a recent North Texas legislative luncheon, Senator John Cornyn put a spotlight on the importance of mental health, especially in this post-pandemic era. As we Rotarians know, President Gordon has put a spotlight too on mental health, and on prevention. Freud said that to be mentally healthy, we need to do two things: 1) work to provide for ourselves; 2) love and protect one another. When we need help doing these, we should ask for it. The general did!
It Happened Last Thursday
by Carey F. Walker
The weekly meeting was called to order at 12:00 pm by President Barry Bondurant. Heather Kipker offered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone sang a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America”. David Keal, the greeter, introduced visiting guests. Visitors were Roseanna Needham, Reginia Crane, Debra Shankle, Mannie Toledo, and Peggy Smith.
Announcements: So far, our Club has raised $3,000.00 for relief efforts in Maui. The Knights of Columbus are auctioning two Dallas Cowboys season tickets. They are selling these tickets for $20.00 and limiting the number sold to 1000. A Field of Honor workday is scheduled for September 8, 2023.The 5th Annual Field of Honor will have its opening day ceremony on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Arlington Veterans Park. Volunteers are needed on 9-9-23 for the Arlington Heroes’ Run. The emcee of this event will be Sheriff Bill Waybourn. Please take advantage of this opportunity to volunteer for a very worthwhile fundraiser. LeeAnn Chenoweth Lawson and Timeless concerts have several events scheduled in September. Please visit Timelessconcerts.com for the date and time of these concerts.
Vera McKissic and Kathleen Smith led us in singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag”.
Sally Hopper announced Rotarians with anniversaries and birthdays. Celebrating birthdays were Jill Regina, Fred Weekley, Joy Bates, Michelle Deuell and Val Gibson. Rotarians with anniversaries are Kurt Bartley, Bill Daley, Bob Griffin, Bonnie Harris and Ken Cox.
Vera McKissic announced the program for today. The program was Building Community Together: We’re Better Together by Regenia Crane. Ms. Crane has been a resident of Arlington for over 35 years. She was an educator for 29 years, having retired in 2022. She has a B.B.A. and a Master of Art in Counseling. She is Certified in Biblical Counseling and Life Coaching. She is a Board Member of MISD Educational Foundation and a Board Member of Arlington Baptist University. She has one son and 3 grandchildren as well as numerous bonus children. She is the wife of a Pastor and has been married 39 years.
The program began with Ms. Crane instructing each table to visit with each other for 6 minutes in order to learn details about us that were unknown to our fellow Rotarians. Ms. Crane then called on each table to give a brief report on what we had learned. Ms. Crane said that conversations breed community. Rotary needs to seek partnerships with other service organizations such as churches and even the City of Arlington. We make a difference when we all come together.
Ms. Crane told us that we should focus on three concepts. One is to encourage and remind us about the importance of community. Two is to value others because this in turn produces community that reflects the importance of people. The third concept is to create a space to exchange ideas and participate in conversations that provide opportunity for those with diverse skill sets and knowledge to collaborate with the purpose of building stronger communities.
We should get to know people, have conversations and exchange ideas. Learn how to become an active listener and seek to understand. Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world, it will be known by the results.
Ms. Crane ended her presentation with a quote from Stephen Covey,” Strength lies in differences, not in similarities”.
President Barry presented a Webb Library Book in honor of Regenia Crane.
Dan Blumberg provided us with the “last laugh.”
Barry informed us that next program will be on September 7, 2023. The speaker is Mary Pat Higgins from the Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum.
The quote for this week: “Love is at the root of everything. All learning. All parenting. All relationships. Love, or the lack of it.”. – Fred Rogers.
Barry thanked the special guests and everyone else for coming. He then led us in the Four Way Test, and we were adjourned.
Miss Last Week’s Meeting?
The recording of last week’s Zoom meeting can be viewed by
Regenia Crane helps us learn more about each other as part of her program Building Community Together: We're Better Together.
Tom Ware, Maggie Campbell, Val Gibson, April Pettitt, Jerry McCullough, Clete McAlister, and Linda Gibson at the city reception for city volunteers to boards and commissions. Ignacio Nunez was present too but missed the photo.
Stacy reminds everyone of the upcoming Reception for New Members and then asks for volunteers for the upcoming Arlington Field of Honor. Click HERE to learn more.
Mayor Ross stops by the Arlington Field of Honor table at the Levitt Pavilion for this photo with Sally, Stacey, Susie, Clete, and Terry Bridger, husband of Stacey.
The Arlington Heroes Run on Saturday, September 9 needs volunteers. Click here for more information.
