Plus:
HIRING UP Pasadena Civitan’s job program empowers people with I/DD
G. WESLEY WILLIAMS The Poet Laureate of the North Carolina District East Joined Civitan 77 years ago
RESEARCH REPORT Dr. Pozzo-Miller expects advances in Rett Syndrome treatment
From The President Hello Civitans, As I reflect on this past holiday season, it was a time of giving and helping others. On a personal note, Judy and I spent Christmas morning delivering Christmas gifts that had been collected and wrapped by the local Civitan club, to local residents with developmental disabilities. The look of joy and the smiles on their faces was one of the best gifts I received this holiday season.
Bob Jones
International President 2018-19
We have completed the first quarter of the Civitan year. As I look back to 2018, it was a year of many changes in our organization. These changes will help strengthen us as we move forward into 2019. As we move forward, we will have many opportunities to “Use our Hands to Help Make a Difference” in the lives of many. I would encourage each of you to look for that opportunity to help make a difference. Have you asked someone to join Civitan? I truly believe people want to give back and are looking to help others. I challenge each of you to ask. Does your club have a Facebook page? This is a great tool to reach out to your community and reach potential new members. Post pictures of your projects to let others see what you are doing to make a difference. You never know who will see this and it could stir and interest in your club. As we move into 2019, I want to wish each and every one of you and your family a prosperous New Year.
Bob Jones
VOL. 99, No. 1 ISSN 0914-5785
Contributing Writers Scarlet Thompson Meredith Binkley Megan Mindel Amy Roberts Various Civitans from Around the Globe
2018-19 International Officers President: Bob Jones, Concord, NC PresidentElect: Patsy Perkal, Aurora, CO Immediate Past President: Kendyl Massey, Maryville, TN International Directors: Julia Floyd, Cullman, AL; Dianne Hansard, Cumming, GA; Tony Workman, Greensboro, NC; Carol Wolters, Columbus, OH; Bill Lawrence, Almonte, Ontario, CA; Marta Ford, Eaton Rapids, MI; Fred Matthies, Franktown, CO; Ann McCarty, Pocatello, ID; Mogens Brun, Ålbæk, Denmark Junior Civitan International President: Danni Jo Grider Huntsville, AL; Executive Vice President: Scarlet Thompson, Birmingham, AL Civitan Magazine, like the organization it represents, is dedicated to service. The magazine will, at all times, emphasize the high ideals and purposes of the organization, disseminate ideas for greater service, and carry authorized announcements and notices regarding the activities of the organization. The magazine is an official Civitan International publication. Civitan International does not endorse or imply endorsement of any product and/or company by selling advertising space in this publication. Editorial opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Civitan International, its officers, or staff.
Telephone: (205) 591-8910 FAX: (205) 592-6307 Email: civitan@civitan.org Website: www.civitan.org
Mission Statement The mission of Civitan worldwide is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.
Civitan Hands making a difference in the World
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INSIDE JANUARY 2019
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In Memory
Sno-Do
Remembering two Past International Presidents
Junior Civitan Prepares for Sno-Do
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Research Report
Dr. Pozzo-Miller: Next Great Milestone for Rett Syndrome Treatments Sooner than Expected
Servant Spotlight
Pasadena Civitans “Hire Up” to impact Lives and the Local Economy
7 G. Wesley Williams
A lifetime of poetry and service to others
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Club News
Tupelo Evening Civitan sponsors a new Junior Civitan Club
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In Memory Civitan lost two Past International Presidents in the last quarter of 2018. As we join their families and friends in mourning, we want to remember their lasting contributions to our beloved organization.
Orville P. Brink
John Francis Essic
November 26, 1919 – November 28, 2018
May 25, 1925 – December 6, 2018
Plantation Civitan Club
Gastonia Civitan Club
International President 1971-1972
International President 1967-1968
Past International President Orville Brink passed away on November 28 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Brink served as International President during the 1971-1972 Civitan year. He also served as President of the Plantation Civitan Club and headed a committee to reform public education, for which he was nominated for President’s Volunteer Action Award by President Ronald Reagan. Brink was known for his dedication to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Specifically, he was on the committee back in the 1950s that decided Civitan would have that focus. In one of the editions of Civitan Magazine introducing him in 1971, he said... “I feel Civitan needs to assume a positive role of leadership in the communities they serve. We need a new surge of excitement similar to the zest and fervor exhibited by our founders. Civitan can, with proper planning and sincere dedication, set a new pace for the nation to follow in a period of great community and national difficulty. We must be a movement of today, responsive to the needs as we find them at this point in time.“
Past International President Francis Essic passed away on December 6, in Gastonia, North Carolina, after a long illness. Essic served as International President in 1967-68 and has the distinction of being the youngest person elected to lead the organization. He first joined the Welcome Civitan Club in 1954. According to another Past International President, Francis Essic led the efforts to update our Civitan Creed twice and was so highly regarded by fellow Civitans he was asked to install 19 subsequent International Presidents. Essic’s theme was “Go!” and he was aware of how technology would play a role in changing the way Civitans would need to adapt to continue to effectively spread our message of good citizenship. “No longer can we simply be citizens of a precinct, county, city or state because of the shrinking of world borders made possible through more rapid communication and transportation. We must be citizens of the world.”
Civitan Online Magazine and You Magazine Submissions
Civitan Magazine is distributed six times a year to club members around the world. We need your news stories, events, and pictures! Is your club finishing an exciting project, organizing an event in your community, or approaching a special milestone? Just email pr@civitan.org, call us, or mail your story to the address on the right and your club could be in the next issue of Civitan Magazine!
Civitan Magazine P.O. Box 130744 Birmingham, AL 35213-0744 1-800-CIVITAN pr@civitan.org
Please include as much information as you can – funds raised, how the event impacts your community and/or club, and any other important details. Pictures are always welcome, too. Please send in jpg format, sized 300 dpi or larger. We hope to hear from you soon!
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Headquarters Update the costs for our premiums have gone up over that same time period. I encourage you to visit our website and review what is covered by this insurance and what is not. For instance, there are many activities that are not covered by our policy considering their risk. This includes carnivals, fireworks, and sporting events. There’s some great information about it all at www.civitan.org/ liability-insurance.
By Scarlet Thompson, Executive Vice President Happy New Year! Civitans had a lot to celebrate in 2018. We also have a lot to look forward to in the coming months of 2019. Here are some updates from World Headquarters. One of the greatest things Civitan does on an international level is give away several college scholarships each year, in memory of our founder Dr. Courtney Shropshire. This year, all applications should be submitted through an online program that can be found at www.juniorcivitan.org. Those applications are due by January 31st. Also new this year, scholarship amounts have changed, with the highest level being a $5,000 award. Any Civitan can apply, as long as they are going to college. We will be planning more details of the 2019 Civitan International Convention over the next few weeks. The annual membership gathering is slated for July 3-6 in Greenville, South Carolina. The event package registration fee for the convention is $240, and rooms start at $119 a night at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Greenville. Registration opens this month, and you can find out more info by visiting www. civitan.org/convention.
Another opportunity that opens up this month is registration for the 2019 Civitan International Breakthru Golf Benefit. In its 26th year, this tournament supports the Civitan International Research Center. This year’s event is set for July 2nd at the River Falls Plantation Golf Course in Greenville. We invite you to join us as we make the benefit bigger and better than ever before. One thing you’ll see new this year on your dues billing will be an increase in the general liability insurance fee. The Civitan International Board voted in July 2018 to raise this fee from $2.50 per member to $3.50 a member. This fee has not seen a hike in at least a decade, while
A new support item we’ll be introducing this year will be our Hot Topics calls. These calls will be for any Civitan who wants to further their knowledge. We’re trying to schedule these to be as timely as possible, so if there’s an issue that we see affecting several clubs we’ll tackle it for one of these calls. The information will be taught by Civitans, and not staff. The first call is scheduled for February 7th and the topic is Club Revitalization. Look to our Facebook page for more information. Future calls will include how to use the Servant’s Heart toolkit, tips on one-onone recruiting conversations, and best practice sharing among secretaries and treasurers. Thank you for choosing Civitan as your way to serve your community. Your world headquarters staff is here to serve you in doing so.
CLUB NEWS By Mattie Fraser Uptown Civitan Tee Up Raises Money for Schools The Uptown Civitan Flagship project for 2018 was a fundraiser for North Florida School of Special Education at Topgolf on Sunday afternoon, August 26. Over 220 tickets were sold for men, women, and children. These golfers took advantage of this fun day to raise money for the school whose mission is to discover and foster each student’s unique abilities revealing their highest potential within an engaged community. This 26-year old school’s student body is comprised of 40% of students with autism; 40% Down syndrome, and 20% other. Uptown members sold tickets to the event, secured sponsors, and secured 112 auction items. One of the students designed and crafted a special window for which tickets were sold. Almost 2,400 volunteer hours were spent by Uptown members on this special event.
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The Uptown Civitan Club announced the final figures for their annual fundraiser. The club raised a total of $35,975 for the North Florida School of Special Education. Uptown Civitan is an all female club which celebrated its 35th anniversary last spring.
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SERVANT SPOTLIGHT Pasadena Civitans “Hire Up” to Impact Lives and the Local Economy By Bob Moore, President & Suzi Hoge, President-Elect
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asadena Civitan is working to increase employment opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the Pasadena area. A looming federal mandate requires most people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to be employed in the community by 2022. In the face of this, our goal has become even clearer: to encourage employers in our area to employ people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We hope that Civitan clubs throughout America (and beyond) will join us in addressing this critical national need. As we recite the Civitan Creed at each of our meetings, we each add, “I BELIEVE all people with disabilities have the right to lead a full life.” For 90 years Pasadena Civitan has been supporting the needs of people with intellectual or development disabilities in our community. Our group was instrumental in providing property so that two local agencies, Villa Esperanza and Foothill Vocational Solutions, could establish their programs. Our support for this population has remained steadfast over time, as we also reached out to AbilityFirst and Club Aspire as they became part of the community. In 2016 our vision shifted to the growing need for employment. We began working with Mr. Terry Tornek, Pasadena’s Mayor, other city officials, the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Accessibility and Mobility Commission, and various other local government agencies. We initiated an Annual Pasadena Civitan Employer Awards Presentation, a celebration to honor current employers --- and their workers. This event showcases the success stories of workers who have brought their skills, dedication, and enthusiasm to their jobs --- and the appreciation and loyalty they earned from their employers. Three employers receive recognition each year for their supportive hiring practices. We chose October for our annual event since October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Our club attends the tele-
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California District Governor Sandie Shapiro with Pasadena Civitan October Employment Project Committee Members: Pietro Rosetti, Don Nollar, Bob Moore, Charles Paddock, Linda Pierson, Ali Everett, Jorge Lambrinos, Suzi Hoge, Robert Gorski, and Isis McDonald.
vised City Council meeting at the beginning of the month as a Proclamation is read designating the month as such. The employers who will receive our awards later in the month are presented to the City Council and Mayor --- and may even be invited to say a few words. One of our members describes our goal and invites folks to our annual event. Outreach is an important part of our efforts. We want to increase awareness, interest, and commitment to hiring people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. To make all this happen, we first formed a project committee of our members, city and community representatives. First, we worked to gather data and increase our own knowledge. We listened to job developers. We questioned the agencies who provide training for employment. We gathered data from Regional Centers and local agencies. (California has 21 Regional Centers which provide support and funding to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.) We provided information for
local newspaper articles and bought advertising space to recognize employers. The use of social media emerged as a need so our group now has its own gmail account Pasadenacivitan@gmail. com and its own Facebook account Pasadenacivitan . Our members met individually with most of the City Council members. Pasadena’s mayor supports our efforts and encourages others to support us as well, shown by his reaching out to the hotel industry via letter. We are presenting at local service clubs and business groups – Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, etc. To aid in our outreach efforts we are now using business cards for our members, a pamphlet about our project, speakers’ binders, a power point, and lots of committee notes. We continue to reach out to local and area Civitan clubs, by presenting at local club meetings and at the area conference. This article is also an effort to inspire more Civitan groups to join our efforts and do the same in your own community.
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The Life of Civitan DEPENDS ON ITS MEMBERS CELEBRATING CIVITAN’S LONGEST SERVING MEMBER By Meredith Binkley Membership Specialist
Courtesy of the family of Wesley Williams.
Over the last seventy-seven years, much has changed in our country and our world. Queen Elizabeth ascended the English throne and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. The Hubble Telescope was launched in to space and the Berlin Wall fell. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball and civil rights activists marched in Selma, Alabama. Apple Computers was founded, and the iPhone was invented. Civitan International, now in its second century of existence, has grown and changed along with its members. One Civitan has been a constant through all of the change; Mr. G. Wesley Williams of Raleigh, North Carolina. First joining in 1941, Williams recently celebrated his 77th anniversary as a Civitan – making him one of the longest serving members of Civitan International. Williams has seen and done more in the last seven decades than many people will do in their entire lifetimes. In having the opportunity to share his story with Civitan Magazine, he shared a glimpse of his incredible legacy. He believes in living the Civitan Creed, considering its words to be more than just something recited at the beginning of meetings. He says the creed and its 12 points are “the most personal creed” he has ever seen, heard, or read about, and truly describes the way Civitans should live their lives. He pointed to the personal pronouns “I” and “my” found in every line, revealing the personal responsibility each member has to live a life worthy of the values of the organization. “I am Civitan,” said Williams when asked to share a memory that stands out to him about the organization. To him, those words must ring true, not just in your meetings, but in every aspect of your life. “You cannot speak the words of the Civitan Creed and not live them out in all that you do.” Williams joined Civitan in 1941, before the United States entered the Second World War. That year he was named North Carolina’s “Most Outstanding Young Man” and was selected to attend the Southeastern State’s World fair in Atlanta, Georgia.
served as the President of the Raleigh Civitan Club from 1951-1952, which was one of the five largest Civitan clubs during that time. In 1958, he was awarded the honor of Civitan of the Year from the Raleigh club. In 1958-1959, Williams served as the governor, he oversaw a district convention with a record-breaking attendance of 373 guests, one of whom was International President-Elect Joe Starnes. Not content to serve on the club and district level, Williams began his international service in 1959-1960 serving as the chairman of the Committee on Civitan Education. He would later serves as a Vice President for Civitan International in 1961-1962, overseeing the east coast Zone 3. Today, that position would be considered a regional director on the International Board.
He served for three years in the U.S. Army as a First In addition to his years Sergeant in the infantry division – based at Camp Fanof service to his club, nin in Tyler, Texas. He was responsible for training recruits, who came to him every seventeen weeks before Williams is also known as the Poet Laureate of being sent overseas. N orth Carolina District Upon returning from his time in the service, he served East. as the aide to his District Governor in 1946-1947. Several years later, a 32-year-old G. Wesley Williams
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In 1962, Williams was awarded the highest honor a Civitan can receive, an International Honor Key. Nearly 20 years later, in 1984, he was bestowed another international honor, receiving the Shropshire Fellow. One of his most notable achievements is one specific to the state of North Carolina. Within his home state, Civitans hold the Boys and Girls Home in the
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Photos from Civitan Magazine archives unless noted.
“He is amazing and full of “gusto” – one of his favorite words! The only thing I’ll add is a line from one of his poems that he wrote during the year I was District Governor (2010-11) that I’ve used in numerous presentations and articles since then: Governor Wesley Williams, North Carolina District, presents the keys to the boys home at the civitan cottage to James L. Collier, board of directors of the Boys home of North Carolina. The funds for the Cottage were given yn Civitan clubs from the district. highest regard. During his time as governor, Williams served as the chair for the Civitan Committee, which donated $22,500 for the Civitan Cottage at what was then known as the Boys Home of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw. Today, more than 60 years later, the Girls and boys Home is the premiere project of North Carolina District East and serves as the location for many district meetings.
When I asked him how long it had taken him to come up with that line, he said it just came to him and he wrote it down. He’s truly a blessing to Civitan and all who know him. -Leigh Wilkinson Past International Director from NCDE
G. Wesley Williams, Poete Laureate of the North Carolina District East, in his own words:
The Boys and Girls Home provides residential and community-based services to children by meeting their physical, social, and spiritual needs. The Civitan Creed says, “my ears hear the cry of children,” and the hope since the founding of the Civitan Cottage is that the creed is being brought to fulfillment through the support offered by the North Carolina Civitans. After entering the workforce at age 17, Williams founded the Young Business Men’s Club in 1937 as an avenue for young men who could not afford college to connect to the business world. He served as the Executive Director for the Greater Raleigh Merchant’s Association for fifty years, from 1940
“We have been given it all to give it all away!”
HONOR IS RESPONSIBILITY
to 1990, and he directed and produced the Raleigh Christmas Parade for 46 years and oversaw the Christmas decorations in downtown Raleigh. Under North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, Williams served as the chairman and Master of Ceremonies for the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony for 12 years. In addition to serving the City of Raleigh, Williams served his church, Hayes Barton Baptist Church, as the chair of deacons and taught adult Sunday school classes for 60 years. He was inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame in 2008, and it was said that “there may be no other citizen of Raleigh who has spent as many years devoted to community service than G. Wesley Williams.” “The life of Civitan depends on its members,” Williams said. He offers this phrase as his advice to future generations of Civitan members with the hope that living the creed of the organization remains the foundation for the next century.
In Civitan, Honor Key Recipients are the movers and shakers. Those who receive this honor are givers, not takers. Civitans who wear the Honor Key accept it as a badge of responsibility. They believe the requirement of building good citizenship demands personal accountability. Honor Key Recipients know their actions must interpret Cvitan at its best. They are keenly aware that upon their laurels they must not rest. So, all you Honor Key holders raise that Civitan Banner high. May God grant us all we need to live the Civitan Creed and keep us in His love and grace untile we meet in the Sweet By and By. G. Wesley Williams
G. Wesley Williams (right) being congratulated after being elected Vice President of Zone 3. In modern terms, a zone vice president would be a member of the international board.
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Poet Laureate, NCDE Civitan August 26, 2012
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Junior Civitan prepares for Sno-Do
Sno-Do is an annual fundraiser where Junior Civitan Governors and International Board Members are charged with raising a minimum of donations in order to attend the event. The funds that these juniors raise go to support the Civitan International Research Center. This year we’re excited to hold the 44th Annual Sno-Do in Barrie, Ontario, Canada at the Wildfire Lodge from February 8-11th. During their stay in Barrie, Junior Civitan Governors and International Board Members will gain and share knowledge during the Governor’s Update, enjoy a special Banquet, and of course, go on a snowmobile ride!
Kayla Benson, Iman Shere, Anushe Ashraf were among the attendees last year.
Thank you to all of the supporters who make this event possible each year. Sponsors Don Mills Civitan Club Inc. Ont. FCIDD Chesapeake District Special Thanks to Civitan International Foundation of Canada
Kenneth Lukens (AL West/FL Jr. Civitan Governor) hosted a Zaxby Night Friday, January 4, 2019 to raise fund for his trip.
Barrie Civitan Club Midland Civitan Club London Middlesex Civitan Club
BACK (L to R) Hadden Fulgham, Danni Jo Grider, Matthew Reineke, Molly Zuidema, Alexis Cruickshank, Anushe Ashraf, Aaron Kendall, Isabella Romano FRONT (L to R) Kyndall Herring, Kayla Benson, Gracie Kelly, Darby Reeder, Stacie Perreault, Iman Shere, Amy McJunkins, and Kendyl Massey at the last year’s event.
Fox’s Bakery
CLUB NEWS By Matt Alexander, Ph.D. and Lara Ianov, Ph.D. RCC President and President-Elect Research Civitan sponsors a family in need The Research Civitan Club (RCC) sponsored a holiday event on December 12th, 2018. While many families are in need of support during the year, especially the holidays, those who are affected by developmental disorders have many needs. The RCC sponsored the family of one of Dr. Alan Percy’s first Rett syndrome patients at the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC). She lives in north Birmingham under the care of her uncle and her elderly grandmother. The RCC collected several food, clothing, and toiletry items in addition to monetary items that were generously donated to her and her family for the holidays. These gifts would have not been possible without the aggregated effort of all who donated. Thus, in recognition of the donors, we would like thank all staff, faculty, postdocs and students at UAB and the CIRC who kindly made this possible. In particular, we would like to thank the CIRC Director, Dr. Craig Powell, and Drs. Alan Percy, Lucas Pozzo-Miller and Vladimir Parpura for their support.
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Turning Tragedy into Triumph Clergy Appreciation Week Painting of the rescue of USAT Dorchester survivors by USCGC Escanaba. Public domain. Image courtesy of the United States Coast Guard Historian’s Office.
It’s been called one of Civitan’s greatest traditions. Now in it its 58th year, Clergy Appreciation Week has become one of Civitan’s most enduring projects, celebrated annually on the week of February 3. Originally a project of the Albuquerque Breakfast Civitan Club, which was chartered in 1960, clergy appreciation week was intended to honor local faith leaders who give so much of their personal lives to serving others. The inspiration goes back to the story of the Four Chaplains who perished in a torpedo attack on board the USS Dorchester. on February 3, 1943. The four chaplains,Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed, removed their own life jackets so others could be rescued. Clergy Appreciation Week became an official project of Civitan International by a vote of membership at the convention that year. That same summer, the United States Congress created a special medal— the Four Chaplain’s Medal—to honor the clergy who, because of military regulations, were not eligible for the Medal of Honor. Although inspired by the story of the four chaplains, and celebrated on the day of the sinking of the Dorchester, the annual Civitan event is not intended to be a memorial event. Instead, Civitan’s Clergy Appreciation Week is designed to be celebration of the lives of clergy of all faiths who minister to the needs of their communities with the hearts of servants. Clubs who wish to honor a local faith leader can visit the Civitan Supply house to purchase a certificate and certificate holder to give to the honoree. Clubs are not limited by how to honor a recipient. Although Civitan recognizes the week of February 3 each year, clubs are encouraged to hold an event during their regular monthly meeting in February. Additionally, clubs are not limited to honoring only one recipient each year. Many clubs pay tribute to more than one person each February. As with many other projects, clubs are able to develop their own local traditions. Some clubs invite a layperson—a club member or local leader—to be a guest speaker instead of asking a minister to speak. Many clubs plan ahead and get a proclamation from the mayor or city leaders recognizing the day in the community.
Communication Corner
Let’s Talk Research Do you ever try to tell people about the amazing work being done at the Civitan International Research Center and feel like you are speaking a foreign language? If you are like most Civitans, you probably take a great deal of pride in our flagship project but find it hard to explain to prospective members and potential donors. Civitan International has created a new handout for the research center that is designed to help you share exciting information like a champ - a champion of service.
CIVITAN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER The Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) was created in 1989 with a $20 million pledge from Civitan International. Since opening in 1992, the CIRC has emerged as a world leader in the research and treatment of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and other brain-related conditions which impact the lives of one in six people worldwide. GroundbreakinG discoveries
Life chanGinG research
Civitan-funded scientists have discovered dietary supplements of an essential amino acid can reduce seizure events and improve memory in patients after seizures. This study is currently seeking approval for human trials. Memory loss is common after seizures. Additionally, 30% of patients with Autism suffer seizure events.
Civitan scientists are using MRI scans and driving simulators to study the brain activity of autism patients and how they react to stress or distractions while driving a car.
Civitan scientists are studying how adults with Alzheimer’s conditions withstand the onset of dementia. This can help target ways to delay or prevent dementia in patients who develop the disease. Civitan researchers are studying visual cues and nervous system processing in relation to the development of nearsightedness.
Civitan-funded scientists discovered a drug composed of scorpion venom could be used to deliver treatment to inoperable brain tumors without harming nearby healthy cells.
Civitan researchers are studying how inflammation in the nervous system relates to the development of glioblastoma (brain tumors), ALS, and strokes.
Civitan-funded scientists have discovered a drug treatment which may improve breathing and brain function in Rett syndrome. Rett patients commonly go long periods of time holding their breath which can disrupt nutrition and heart function. Civitan-funded researchers have identified treatment modifications for glioblastoma, the most devastating form of human brain cancer.
impactfuL tooLs
The Civitan International Neuroimaging Laboratory features the fastest MRI scanner currently available for human use. It provides clearer images for study while the higher speeds allow researchers to capture brain activity more accurately. Civitan researchers are using robot technology to help patients with autism maintain eye contact in conversations, improve social skills, and interpret facial expressions more accurately.
To learn more about Civitan International’s flagship program, visit
WWW.CIVITAN.ORG/CIRC
The new flyer is concise and written in laymen’s terms so anyone who wants to know more about the broad reach of Civitan research can easily understand how our funding is impacting the lives without having to look for a medical dictionary. This information is available to clubs on the Civitan International website. It is a great piece to put out on your media table at club meetings, service projects, or recruiting events. Additionally, new member packets from Civitan headquarters will contain a copy to help each new Civitan share the message about life-changing research. To download and print a copy for yourself or your club, simply visit the Civitan website at www.civitan.org/research and click on the image to download a PDF for printing.
New Tools for the Servant’s Heart “Clubs should do this for many reasons. It only recognizes some true servants in their community, but it brings recognition to your club as well! The press releases and posters within the tool kit truly help the clubs get the word out. Our Civitan emphasis has always been about the special needs community, and we should be recognizing the heroes of this group.” - Misty Konow, Governor-Elect, South Carolina District. The Servant’s Heart Award toolkit is a ready-to-go project for clubs who want to honor the mission of Civitan by recognizing community leaders with hearts of servants. You can find the toolkit at www.civitan.org in the Member Resource Center.
To learn more about the Civitan tradition or to order supplies for your celeebration, visit civitan.org/clergy-appreciation.
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Research Report Dr. Lucas Pozzo-Miller Progress with Rett Syndrome could be sooner than expected By Amy Roberts Fundraising and Marketing Specialist Rett Syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects thousands of children all over the world. With limited resources being allocated to the study and research into treatments for rare disorders, it’s nothing short of incredible that new discoveries have quickly been added as milestones in the history of Rett Syndrome. A few weeks ago, I sat down with Dr. Lucas Pozzo-Miller, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at UAB, to talk about his research in Rett Syndrome at the Civitan International Research Center. “Rett Syndrome was first described as a disease entity by Andreas Rett 52 years ago, but it took 17 years until the first paper was published in English in a medical journal with worldwide distribution,” Dr. Pozzo-Miller begins as he quickly recounts the history of Rett Syndrome. “Then, it took 16 years for the causative gene to be discovered, but only 2 more for the first experimental mutant mice to be generated. Amazingly enough, only 6 years spanned until similar mice were used to demonstrate the genetic reversal of the most serious Rett Syndrome symptoms, including their premature death. Every new discovery comes with shorter and shorter intervals, showing the success of animal research funded by volunteer organizations like Civitan International and Rettsyndrome.org, as well as by the federal government,” Dr. Pozzo-Miller continued. For a disorder with such a small patient population, one may assume that any form of treatment would take generations of research and wouldn’t be discovered in a lifetime. However, Dr. Pozzo-Miller believes that viable treatment options for some of the most life-threatening symptoms of Rett Syndrome are only 5-10 years away. When Dr. Pozzo-Miller first came to UAB, the primary focus of his research was on neurotrophins. “When I set up my lab, I was focusing all our work on the family of proteins called neurotrophins, or neurotrophic factors, which are important for the
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development and survival of neurons during brain development,” said Dr. Pozzo-Miller. “Neurotrophins play a role in brain development, and since learning and memory use similar molecular and cellular systems to brain development, I was part of a team that discovered that neurotrophins – especially one of them [called] BDNF was repurposed for learning and memory in adults,” explained Dr. Pozzo-Miller. This discovery came only 3 years before the discovery that the MeCP2 gene is responsible for Rett Syndrome. When Dr. Pozzo-Miller arrived to UAB, Dr. Alan Percy, CIRC Medical Director Rare Disease Research Center, encouraged him to pay attention to Rett Syndrome research, because MeCP2 controls the BDNF gene. “That’s when I realized that we could take everything we knew about BDNF – how it allows neurons and synapses develop and work properly – and try to understand Rett Syndrome from the point of view of the deficits in BDNF, which are due to mutations in MeCP2. At this point, the Pozzo-Miller Lab switched gears “to studying the mouse model of Rett Syndrome, which lack MeCP2, and trying to understand which problems in Rett mice are due to deficits in BDNF, and then test for therapies that boost either BDNF levels or its function.” Rett Syndrome wouldn’t be the only disorder reaping benefits from BDNF treatments. According to Dr. Pozzo-Miller, BDNF has been involved in Huntington’s, Lou Gehrig’s (or ALS), and Alzheimer’s diseases, and even depression. However, the road to developing BDNF treatments comes with one great roadblock. “For all of those neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions, nobody aims for BDNF itself as the treatment, because you cannot inject it or take a pill, because it will not reach the brain,” explained Dr. Pozzo-Miller. Between the blood circulating your brain and the brain itself, there is a layer called the blood-brain barrier, which protects your central nervous system from foreign invaders that could cause brain infections. With this, researchers must take a different approach to treatment methods. One successful method is using small molecule mimetics – compounds that can
Dr. Pozzo-Miller, along with Dr. Alan Perecy, served as interim director of the CIRC prior to the arrival of Dr. Craig Powell in September of 2018. not only mimic the effects of BDNF on its molecular receptor, but also cross the blood-brain barrier. Dr. Frank Longo, MD, Ph.D. at Stanford University, discovered a family of such small molecules that mimic a portion of the whole BDNF protein, which can bind and activate the receptors of BDNF. Dr. Pozzo-Miller and his team have already conducted experiments using injections of one of these BDNF mimetics in MeCP2 mice with Rett Syndrome symptoms and described improvements in their spatial memory. In addition, the same compound discovered by Dr. Longo improves irregular breathing and breath-holding in studies by Dr. David Katz, Ph.D., Professor of Neurosciences, at Case Western Reserve University. The next step for these BDNF mimetics is to be submitted to the Federal Drug Administration as an investigational new drug. “I’m very excited about the possibility that this BDNF mimetic can go into the FDA pathway for an eventual human clinical trial in Rett Syndrome individuals,” said Dr. Pozzo-Miller. This next phase, while it may be considered a huge hurdle, will be the next great milestone in the history of Rett Syndrome.
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BORDERLESS CIVITAN A heart for service never takes a break Each issue, we profile a service project from international Civitans to show how members are touching lives around the globe. This issue, we are highlighting a food project organized by the Sehnde Civitan Club in Germany. In collaboration with government agencies, local businesses, and other nonprofit groups, the Civitans work every Saturday, 52 weeks a year, to feed hungry people in their community. The following is a report from past International Director, Michael Koneke: The Table Sehnde Food Distribution project was founded in February 2002. The support of the table is the non-profit development company of the Civitan Club Sehnde e. V. Civitans and volunteers only collect food of the highest quality from food supermarkets and from two bakeries that are no longer able to sell them and distribute them to poor families. At the present, about 390 people, including about 120 children, are supplied with food every Saturday through the project. The rooms of the Table Sehnde are in the Building complex of the City of Sehnde. The City of Sehnde provides the rooms for free and carries the electricity and water costs. Grants and subsidies were granted by the LIDL pledge donation, the Lions Club Lehrte, the Savings Bank Hannover and the City council Sehnde. Regular donations receive the table Sehnde from different Farms, Factorys, Suppermarkets and Drugstores around the City of Sehnde, as well as from private donors and other Sehnder companies. Special annual activities for donation: Action “Help! Buy one more! “(Nationwide) in the EDEKA Supermarket in Sehnde and a nationwide REWE action in the REWE Supermarket in Sehnde (Acquisition of 350 donated bags with durable food for the Sehnder Tafel). Collection of food, sorting and distribution of goods is being handled by 5-6 Civitans and volunteers, 52 Saturdays a year (in the period from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm). The Voluntary working hours per year are approx. 2,100 hours.
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CLUB NEWS Tupelo Evening Civitan sponsors a new Junior Civitan club By Shane Robertson
The Saltillo-Lee County Junior Civitan Club is sponsored by the Tupelo Evening Civitan Club (TEC) which is located in Tupelo, Mississippi. TEC is a centennial club, having been chartered in 2017, the year of Civitan’s one-hundredth birthday. TEC has already made great strides in helping those in the community and is devoted to ensuring the continuation of the traditions of Civitan by sponsoring a new Junior Club. A chartering ceremony for the new Salitllo-Lee County Junior Civitan Club The Newly chartered SLCJCC (left to right): Ethan Benefield, Lily (SLCJC) celebrated the spirit of Junior Civitan on October 27, 2018; which is World Hill, Kalee Sanders, Mckenzie Jones, Emma-Cate Sparks, Kay HarJunior Civitan Day. Kay Harrelson, Advisor for the SLCJC, opened the ceremony. relson, Kinsley Floyd, Madison Jones. Houston Enlow, Governor of the Mississippi North District Junior Civitan, addressed the members, parents, and other guests discussing what it means to be a Junior Civitan. He also presented each member in attendance with their membership pin. David Nielsen, Junior Civitan Mississippi North District Chairman, inducted the new club officers by leading them in the oath of office and awarding them with their officer pins. Mississippi North Governor-Elect Gerald Powell spoke to the new club and conferred Junior Civitan Club Builder Certificates to Kay Harrelson, MeKenzie Jones, and Ethan Benefield. He also declared the SLCJC chartered as he presented the Civitan International Official Charter of Saltillo-Lee County Junior Civitan Club to President McKenzie Jones. The young men and women of SLCJC truly exemplify what it means to be a Junior Civitan. When Ethan Benefield was asked what inspired him to join the club he said, “When I saw that everyone was so involved and that we could get more involved in our community to help others, it inspired me and motivated me to become a better leader.”
Echoing his sentiment, Lily Hill said, “For me personally, it’s an opportunity to give back the the community in a way I have Kay Harrelson receives her club builder award from David Nielsen. never been able to. I’ve volunteered at church before but I’ve never been able to do as much with another organization.” Hill continued, “I just want everybody to know they’re not alone. I know its a struggle for kids that come from a broken family or a broken home...it’s hard for them to see that they have people to reach out to. Our club is something they can come to and we can be that friend for them.” President McKenzie Jones added her first trip to a Junior Civitan International Convention sparked a fire within her and her fellow member Kailee Byrd. McKenzie said,”It really opened my eyes to see that kids were doing stuff for their community that really had an impact on their community, so I wanted to be a part of that.” After that Convention, McKenzie and Kailee met with Kay Harrelson and, with the support of the Tupelo Evening Civitan Club, the seeds were planted and a new club sprouted. After several meetings and the recruitment of future members, the group began to plan service events which helped them learn more about Junior Civitan. SLCJC is currently 17 members strong with several events/projects planned into 2019. They are destined to grow and flourish, reaching out to others to join the club. New members stand proudly with the charter plaque.
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CLUB NEWS Being Builders of Good Citizenship By Megan Mindel Membership Specialist On October 18, 2018, the East Cobb Civitan Club hosted their 27th annual Wine and Vine Market. The event brings together the citizens of Cobb County to raise funds for the East Cobb Civitan Club’s many projects and causes. Part of the event’s success comes from the silent auction. Every donation is unique, but one item in this year’s auction held special meaning. Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson is no stranger to the East Cobb community. Each year, his team donates a flag that has been specially flown over the US Capitol in honor of a valued community member. This year, the flag had been flown in honor of a strong Civitan supporter who is currently battling health issues.
Mary Karras, Governor of Georgia District Civitan, Hudhaifa, Marilyn Cain with Synovus and East Cobb Civitans and Norm Collins with Synovus.
At the last minute, that individual for whom the flag was flown, was unable to attend the event. The East Cobb Civitan Club sprang into action and asked one of their members to make sure that they outbid the other attendees, to ensure the flag went to the correct home.
As the original auction item was promised to another community member, Karras went back to Senator Isakson’s team and shared Lilan’s journey with them to see if they could fly another flag in his honor. They overwhelmingly agreed to help, and not only flew another flag in his honor, but did so at no cost to Lilan or the East Cobb Civitan Club.
The story of the flag was unknown to event patron, Hudhaifa Lilan. Lilan is an employee of Synovus Bank in Cobb County and heard about the Wine and Vine event from his coworker and East Cobb Civitan, Marilyn Cain. Lilan was born in Iraq and spent his childhood there and in Egypt. He moved to the United States in 2013 to further his education and build a better life. Lilan has been working toward becoming an American citizen, a goal which should become a reality in 2019, and thought having a flag flown over the United States Capitol would be special. He shared his story with Ellen Wilkinson, the East Cobb Civitan who had been tasked with making sure the club won the flag. Moved by Lilan’s story, Wilkinson approached Georgia District Governor, and East Cobb Civitan, Mary Karras, who had
procured the flag to see if there was anything to be done.
On December 17, 2018, Karras, Cain, and Wilkinson, along with representatives from Senator Isakson’s team, the staff at Synovus Bank, and East Cobb Civitan Club President, Michael Krengel surprised Lilan with the new flag, flown in his honor. “We say in our creed, ‘My mind teaches me respect for law and the flag of my country.’ In this day and age, when our flag isn’t always respected as it should be, Hudhaifa’s story stuck with me, and we feel honored to be able to do this for him,” said Governor Karras. “I felt so special. It was a real blessing. I appreciate that they understood my commitment to becoming a US Citizen,” said Lilan of the East Cobb Civitan’s Club gesture.
SHOP the CIVITAN SUPPLY HOUSE Whether you are looking for the perfect speaker gift, a present for your favorite Civitan, or tailgating supplies to show off your status as a “Champion of Service,” the Civitan Supply House is the place to go! Simply visit Civitan.org and click on Supply House in the menu.
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IMPORTANT OFFICIAL REMINDER For U.S. Civitan Club — IRS Reporting Deadline Approaching
All Civitan clubs located in the United States (U.S.) are required to file annual reports with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) no matter what the club’s gross annual receipts total for the year. Any U.S. clubs neglecting to submit required annual reports to the IRS could suffer revocation of tax-exempt status. For clubs with less than $50,000 in annual gross receipts, a simple 990-N electronic online postcard is required. Clubs exceeding this amount in gross receipts come under different filing requirements. Please visit www.civitan.org/irs-filing-information for further information regarding this required filing. The IRS deadline is 4.5 months following the club’s fiscal year closing. If your club’s fiscal year-end is September 30, the IRS filing deadline is FEBRUARY 15.
Is your club in the process of filing the required reports with the IRS?
If you have questions, visit www. civitan.org/irs-filing-information/ or call 800-CIVITAN ext. 121 or 107.
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