2018-19 International President
BOB JONES
What inspires him to serve? Plus:
Honoring Those Who Served Civitan’s Connection to Veterans Day
From The President Hello Civitans, As I write this first article for our magazine, I stop and think how grateful and humble I am to serve as your International President. It is truly an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am here to serve you the membership.
Bob Jones
International President 2018-19
As we enter a new Civitan year we need to look back at the previous year and reflect on the changes that have taken place. I believe that every change that has been made will strengthen our organization for the future. As we move ahead I strongly feel that as an organization we have the ship heading in the right direction. We as members need to put our oars in the water and pull together to move us forward. Each of us understands to remain a strong organization, we need new members and clubs. With new members come new ideas for projects but also fundraising ideas. No project is too small for clubs to consider. Keeping your members engaged, active, and involved is important to the life of the club. People join Civitan to be involved.
We add new members each month but also we lose members. Retention is also a major hurdle we must overcome. The majority of our attrition occurs within the first three years. We all need to step back, look and ask ourselves “WHY”. What could we have done different to help that member remain with us? I encourage your club to utilize your membership specialist to help you with your club needs and concerns. They are there to help you. As we approach the holiday season it is an excellent time for your club to give back. It is a great time for our “Civitan Hands to Help Make A Difference In The World.” Judy and I would like to wish each and every one of you a joyous holiday season.
Bob Jones
VOL. 98, No. 6 ISSN 0914-5785
Editor in Chief Terry Schrimscher Contributing Writers Terry Schrimscher Scarlet Thompson Megan Mindel Emily Kicker Mary Luck
2017-18 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
Civitan Hands
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.
making a difference in the World
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INSIDE NOVEMBER 2018
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From the Editor
Board Report
What’s new in Civitan Magazine
News from the Board of Directors
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Whither Civitan
World Junior Civitan Day
Thoughts about the future with Past International President Ed Baum
Celebrating one of our oldest projects
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Veterans Day
Civitan’s connection to a national holiday
Convention Update
Look out Greenville, here we come
10 Kicking off year 102
Getting to know International President Bob Jones
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Research Report
A look inside the Civitan International Research Center with Dr. Farah Lubin
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From the Editor What’s New in Civitan Magazine? Hello Fellow Civitans! This is the last issue of the calendar year but the first issue of our Civitan year, and what a year it is shaping up to be. As our organization turns 102 in the coming months, we have a lot to look forward to and a spectacular history to build upon. In this issue, we explore some Civitan history by celebrating our connection to Veterans Day in the United States. Many of our members have served in the military and we are all grateful for your service. In keeping with the military theme, we also have a short piece on the Four Chaplains and their connection to the Civitan tradition of Clergy Appreciation Week, which is coming up in February. We hope your club will participate and send in great photos for the magazine. One of our regular features focuses on the work being done at the Civitan International Research Center. In this issue, we talked to Dr. Farah Lubin who recently discovered a connection to a dietary amino acid and the ability to manage memory loss after seizures. The work being done at our flagship project continues to amaze me and is, I am sure, a source of great pride to Civitans around the world. This is also the first issue since our new board president took office last month. Get to know him a bit better as he answers a few questions about his life, motivation, and goals. Read all about Civitan Internation President Bob Jones on page 10. Please keep sending in your great story ideas and photos for the magazine and our news feature on the new website. As always, thanks for all you do. Terry Schrimscher Editor
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, ext. 134
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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Whither Civitan An Editorial Opinion By Edward Baum 2005-2006 Civitan International President
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lame it on the internet. Blame it on changes in the workplace. Blame it on television. Blame it on ________ [you can fill in the blank]. The reality is that the “service club” as well as the “fraternal organization” as originally conceived have lost much of their relevance in today’s society. The most visible sign of this is in declining membership. This decline has spread throughout our society including church membership. Peter Beinart in The Atlantic (April 2017) noted that “Americans—long known for their piety—were fleeing organized religion in increasing numbers. The vast majority still believe in God. But the share that rejected any religious affiliation is growing fast, rising from 6 percent in 1992 to 22 percent in 2014.” Similarly, Boy Scouts which a few years ago had a membership of over 4 million dropped to 2.6 million last year, a decline so drastic that they decided to change their name to Scouts BSA and allow girls to join (leading, paradoxically, to a further decline as the Mormon Church withdrew its scouts from the organization). The world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed in 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wanted to create a business network in a professional club with the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices. It was not until a few years later that they added service to their goals. Its membership, like all service clubs, has declined greatly over the past three decades. The formation of Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Optimists, and, yes, Civitan were all based on developing professional relationships. But modern life has greatly reduced the need for those face-to-face meetings. Historically, most service clubs consist of community-based groups that share the same name, goals, membership requirements, and meeting structure. Many of these clubs meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly on a recurring established day and time, commonly at a mealtime. This model no longer attracts new members. If this is the reality of modern life in America, what is to be done? Robert Putnam, in Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000), focused on this decline in organizational activity as early as 1995. He suggested the importance of developing “social capital.” Although “social capital” has no clear definition it refers in a broad sense to the many interconnections which exist among people. In short, we are replacing the need for face-to-face meetings with a myriad of ways to connect. Just walk down the street on a college campus today and you will see a large
number of people looking at their cell phones. People can take many of their classes without ever coming into contact with another person via the internet. Thus for many, especially the younger generations, there is no longer any real need to meet physically to accomplish many of the normal interchanges that are required in everyday living. So, what of Civitan and the many other associations which have seen their organizations shrink rapidly over the past four decades? When there is no longer a need either there is disappearance or change. For disappearance the examples are legion: When was the last time you held a 50 cent coin? What happened to the buggy whip manufacturers of the 19th century? Have you tried to buy film for a camera lately? For transformation there is no better example than the March of Dimes. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, founded in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt to combat polio, lost its purpose when polio was pretty well conquered by the Salk and Sabin vaccines. Rather than simply die, it morphed into working to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. As an organization, however, it is not immune from changes. USA Today in 2017 reported a decline in support leading it to put its headquarters on the market. Service clubs may try to change their focus, although this is a tough sell since many who attend conventions are already committed to what exists. For example, an amendment to the Pilot International mission from a focus on brain-related disorders to a more general promotion of “programs and activities that influence positive change” at its June 2018 convention did not pass. More importantly, Civitan cannot simply grow by changing our focus from helping people with developmental disabilities to something else because it is the very structure of our organization that needs to change. We must identify alternative forms of organization and association. For example, we can create a new category of members, let’s call it flash membership, in which a person is contacted for a specific activity. She or he receives club notices but does not participate in regular meetings. Dues are reduced both at the club and national level. Similarly some of our “members” may be part of a “smart mob,” a group whose coordination and communication abilities have been empowered by the smart phone and the internet. Keep in mind that one definition of insanity “is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” We must find ways to be of service in our communities in different ways. I hope that what I have written may spark a real discussion of the future of Civitan and the exploration of alternative futures. Submissions may be published as space allows. Civitan Magazine does not request or solicit articles on specific issues.
All donations on Giving Tuesday of $101-$500 will be matched on this one day with Civitans at the Helm credit! Donate through Facebook or on our website, www.Civitan.org.
WILL YOU BE A CHAMPION OF GIVING TUESDAY? WWW.CIVITAN.ORG
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CIRC Video Now Available Each year, the Civitan International Research Center produces a video update which is debuted for members at the International Convention. This year’s update provides great insight into the work being done by more than 100 scientists at the CIRC and features a video introduction of the center’s new director, Dr. Craig Powell. The 2018 video update is available for purchase through the research center and is a popular way for club leaders to share the important work being done by our flagship program in Birmingham, Alabama. This year's update follows research programs that are laying the groundwork for treatment of disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, and more. You can order this video by emailing our PR department at PR@civitan.org. We will pass along your request to the research center. Videos cost $15 and are a great investment in the research center and a source of valuable information for new members and potential donors. DR. ALAN PERCY AND DR. CRAIG POWELL
CLUB NEWS Sun City Civitans continue to support a variety of causes Members of the Sun City Civitan Club, located in Griffin, Georgia, support a variety of community projects. Sun City has several fund raising projects scheduled for the new year including the traditional “Derby Day” to raise funds for Camp Big Heart scholarships. The club also participates in the special Olympics, National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and is working to expand partnership with local agencies which serve causes associated with I/DD.
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The Board Report
By Scarlet Thompson, Executive Vice President
International Board convenes for New Year The Civitan International Board of Directors gathered for its first meeting of the 2019 fiscal year. It included a tour of the Civitan International Research Center and a reception by CIRC officials, where all Civitans were thanked for their donations to the facility. Other developments from the board meeting include:
at Large districts. Several clubs in each district could not be currently verified, so they were taken off the master roster for Civitan International. This vote to take these clubs off amounts to 3,730 less members in our International programs.
2021 CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENT
More work will be done over the coming months to see if there are more clubs internationally that need to be removed.
A vote by the Civitan International Board of Directors leads us to the sandy beaches of eastern Florida in a few years. The 2021 International Convention will be held in Jacksonville, Florida, home to several Civitan clubs. That means we’ll be celebrating our 101st convention in the Sunshine State!
WORLD CITIZENSHIP AWARD
IS YOUR DISTRICT IN GOOD STANDING?
Civitan International gives out its prestigious World Citizenship Award to “those who have made significant contributions to mankind.” Past winners have included President Dwight Eisenhower, Winston Churchill, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
There’s a Civitan International policy that details that, and it was added onto at last month’s International Board meeting. Policy 0305 says to be considered in good standing a district must:
The next recipient was voted upon by the Civitan International Board, and will be awarded at the upcoming International convention in Greenville. The winner is Amy Wright, creator and owner of Bitty and Beau’s coffee shops. These coffee shops specifically hire people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Operate in accordance with the governance documents of Civitan International.
INTERNATIONAL HONOR KEY CHANGE The Civitan International Honor Key is the highest honor bestowed on any member, for their contributions to Civitan on the club, district and international levels. A policy guiding how it’s awarded was reviewed by the board. Revisions were made to require the recipient had to be a Civitan for at least ten years before receiving the award. INTERNATIONAL CLUBS STRUCK FROM RECORDS The Board of Directors spent a good portion of their time together discussing the organization’s international clubs. First, the group voted to revise policies 801.1 and 1110.1, to set a new dues structure for International clubs, and to outline how a country is vetted for Civitan club building. An adhoc committee had recommended both revisions. The group was also presented numbers and information on the Philippines, Korea and Clubs
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Through her efforts, Amy and her husband have brought awareness to the lack of employment opportunities for those with I/DD. In fact, it’s estimated more than 80% of adults with I/DD do not have a job. Congrats to Amy and we look forward to celebrating her and the mission of the coffee shops in July!
• Remain current in financial obligations and reports to Civitan International.
• Have a governor and governor-elect who both took part in training. • And, have a growth plan on file with Civitan International. The fifth requirement is now submitting the district’s bylaws and policies on an annual basis to Civitan International.
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World Junior Civitan Day 2018 By Emily Kicker Membership Specialist Each 4th Saturday of October, Junior Civitans around the world are encouraged to participate in World Junior Civitan Day (WJCD). WJCD is a day to celebrate our wonderful organization and spend time with fellow Junior Civitans in service or fellowship. This year, we saw great participation by our membership on October 27th and were thrilled to see so many celebrated by serving their communities. Some ways our clubs and districts celebrated were by hosting inclusive Halloween dances, local park clean-up, trick or treating for canned goods, soliciting donations for the Civitan International Research Center, volunteering at community events, and more. We are so proud of our Junior Civitans for not only being a part of our organization, but for serving their communities so well. For more information about the Junior Civitan program, please contact Membership Specialist Emily Kicker.
Dr. Timothy and Mrs. Debbie Juhlke Charitable Fund for Junior Civitan International—GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE! Thanks to a generous gift from the Juhlke family to further the mission of Junior Civitan International, struggling Junior Civitan clubs can apply to help them be successful and clubs or individuals can apply to build new Junior Civitan clubs in their communities. Visit www.juniorcivitan.org/helpforclubs to learn more and apply today! Applications due December 7th and funds will be awarded in February. For more information about the Fund, please contact Membership Specialist Emily Kicker.
CLUB NEWS HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY FORT DODGE CIVITAN! November 16 marks the 50th birthday celebration of the Fort Dodge Civitan club’s charter. Doran Eaton, Governor of the Min-Owa District at the time, was at the charter banquet and installation of the first year’s officers at the Holiday Inn, Fort Dodge. Twenty five members, all men, were part of that first club and signed their names around the charter. Sandy Bennett, who has been a member since 1976, and The club’s first president was Bill maintained her membership for the last 42 years was one of the Highland, right, who now resides in Andover, Massachusetts. Bill sent first women to join Civitan.
well wishes to the club and commented
The local club in observance of its 50th year will be having a “my memories of early Civitan are the display at the Lights at Kennedy, sponsored by Noon Sertoma, service club olympics, FRUIT CAKES and all the nice people from different in December. professions.”
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A Year of Winning! Updates from the Membership Team By Megan Mindel Membership Specialist The 2018 – 2019 Civitan year is off to a great start! Thank you all for your work as members and leaders in Civitan. To recognize your accomplishments, the Membership Team worked with the 2017 – 2018 Growth and Retention Committee to develop new incentives for the year that would highlight your efforts as Civitans, as well as the work your clubs do. If you missed the October 1 Facebook Live session you can still watch it on Civitan’s Facebook page or keep reading to learn about all of the opportunities for recognition available this year. Three Cheers for Civitan is a program to acknowledge new members when they reach milestone anniversaries. There is a trend of losing members in the first three years of service, so each year at the individual’s anniversary they will receive an email from Civitan and a survey. If they complete the survey about their experiences throughout the year, they will receive a small token of appreciation from International. Champions of Sponsorship recognizes anyone who sponsors a new member into Civitan throughout the year. At the beginning of each month we will have a drawing for prizes ranging from gift cards to a coffee machine. Anyone who sponsors a new member will be included in the drawing. Your name only comes out if you win. There will also be a special grand prize drawing on Founder’s Day for anyone who sponsors their first member ever this year. Champions of Club Growth was developed to highlight clubs who have net gains in membership throughout the year. Each month, if your club finishes with a net gain in membership and is in good standing (dues paid and officers certified), your club will be entered into a drawing for prizes that benefit the club such as 12 months of speaker gifts, a Bluetooth speaker, and vinyl banners. Any clubs that end September 2019 with a net gain in membership will be entered into the grand prize drawing which is a quarter of waived dues for up to 30 members. As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas on how the Membership Team can make your Civitan experience better, please contact your Membership Specialist!
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Completing the Task WITH CIVITAN INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
BOB JONES By Terry Schrimscher Editor
Bob Jones was elected to become the 2018-2019 International President during the Centennial Convention in Birmingham during the summer of 2017. He and his wife, Judy, live in Concord, North Carolina, where they are both active members of their clubs. Originally on the board since 2013, Bob is very familiar with the issues facing Civitan as we grow into our second century. He is a certified club builder and the recipient of multiple honor keys and the club, district and international levels. He was kind enough to sit down with Civitan Magazine, during the October board meeting in Birmingham, to discuss his thoughts about the future of Civitan. Tell us a bit about your family. How long have you been married? How many kids? Judy and I just celebrated our 54th anniversary on November 7. I have two sons Kevin a retired Charlotte Mecklenburg police detective, and his wife Kandy. Mike is a supervisor for Supply One in Rockwell, North Carolina. I have three grandchildren. McKenzie is a senior at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Her sister Hayden is in 5th grade and my grandson Spencer is in the 6th grade. I am proud to say that all my family are members of our great organization except my two youngest grandchildren.
Bob and Judy Jones celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary earlier in November.
You come from a military background, correct? Thank you for your service. What about that background prepares you for leadership in Civitan? I served four years in the US Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence, so I really don’t think that qualifies as military background but I am proud of my service to our nation. Those four years of service did teach me a lot and instilled in me the values I hope to reflect in Civitan—service to others, personal responsibility, and a sense of community. It also gave me good insight on what it means to be a leader. How long have you been a Civitan? In 1989 Judy and I were invited to come to a Civitan meeting by one of her co-workers. We both had the same question “What is Civitan?” We attended the meeting
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Bob’s two sons, daughter-in-law, and oldest granddaughter are members of Civitan.
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which was what was called at that time a “Seek” meeting. We both liked what this club and the organization was doing in the community so we joined. We immediately became involved and within a short period of time were serving on committees working on projects. What motivates you to be a Civitan? What are some of your favorite memories? The opportunity to help others in need. I like to work with children and see the smiles on their faces with just the least little bit of accomplishment. One of my motivations is the Research Center and the work that is being accomplished which motivates me to continue supporting that great work. I just enjoy meeting and helping people. In 1998, our club was planning to have a “prom” for those in the community with developmental disabilities. We had dress shops donate prom dresses and other businesses donated suits and ties for those who could not afford one. We had a local limo service that was going to bring the people to the dance. Everything was set and ready. The afternoon before this dance I was severely burned in a fire. I was in the hospital with third degree burns on 90% of my right arm and minor burns on my face. I will never forget that all these people who came to the dance signed a giant get well card and sent it to me in the hospital. That card meant so much to me and helped lift my spirits. What are some of your favorite projects? The first project that comes to my mind is the Civitan International Research Center. With a family member who has been diagnosed with autism, and a close personal friend who is has a family member with Alzheimer’s, the research they are doing there is very important to me. My hope is that very soon they will have answers to help those with I/DD and other debilitating conditions. My next favorite project is Special Olympics. The joy and smiles on the faces of the
Civitan International President Bob Jones speaking to attendees at Special Olympics in North Carolina. athletes are beyond compare.Their attitude is something we can all learn from. We have a project in North Carolina West we support, Victory Junction Camp. This is a camp for children with life threatening illnesses or chronic diseases. Here the children do not see the illness. They only see another person that they can relate to and make a new friend. What are some of your goals for your Civitan year? I have a big goal that we help make a difference in the world. Also, to increase the visibility of Civitan around the world. We often hear people ask “What is Civitan” When we say the word Civitan I want people to know what and who we are and what we do. I think there are many of us who share that goal along with you. What did you learn during your year as President-Elect? That it is important to be a good listener and also a good communicator. You can not do everything yourself. This is an organization of teamwork. What do you see as some of the challenges ahead for service organizations and how can we tackle those challenges? Of course, the challenge for all service organizations is membership. I do believe that people want to give back and serve others. How we reach those people is the challenge. I do believe we have to be more cognizant of people’s time in this day and age. That is one thing people really cherish. The way we form new clubs and the ways clubs meet may have to change in order for us to grow. If you could challenge everyone to do one thing for Civitan, what would that be? At the convention in Reno we played the video by Admiral McRaven on completing one task of the day by “Making Your Bed.” My challenge to each member this year is to complete that one task by sponsoring just one new member. I also would challenge each person to tell at least five people they meet this year about Civitan. I’d like to challenge everyone to build quality clubs that will be sustainable and meet the mission of Civitan. If someone asked you to sum up Civitan in 10 words or less, what would you say? A Service organization where hands and hearts make a difference. What are you looking forward to the most this year?
Bob and Judy are shown visiting Bitty & Beau’s coffee shop, in Wilmington, NC. The shop made national news for only hiring employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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I am looking forward to meeting people and as I attend different districts I see that even though they may do some things a little differently than others we all have the same goals—to help others. We can all learn from each other.
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Research Report Dr. Farah Lubin
Impacting Lives at the Civitan International Research Center By Terry Schrimscher Since its creation, the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) has been a point of pride and a unifying cause for Civitan members globally. In the 1950s, service to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities became a primary focus of the organization and, as such, the center is a physical manifestation of the very mission of Civitan. This year, the research center celebrated a milestone birthday. Although the CIRC officially opened in 1992, the resolution to create it was passed in 1988—exactly thirty years ago. The Center for Disease Control estimates Intellectual and developmental disabilities affect one in six Americans. In reality, no member of our society is unaffected. For many Civitan members, the impact of I/DD is the reason for their service because they have a friend or family member with autism, alzheimer’s, Down syndrome or another issue closely tied to the mission of Civitan. It’s personal. Just as the definition of I/DD has expanded over time, the scope of the research center has grown over the three decades since it was first conceived. Today, there are more than 100 scientists working under the banner of Civitan looking to find answers for a variety of concerns. With each issue of Civitan Magazine, we like to highlight some of the amazing work being done by the researchers supported by Civitans around the world.
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Dr. Farah Lubin is one of many Civitan scientists working hard to make a difference. As the leader of the Lubin Lab, she takes on a variety of roles from hands-on research work to serving as a mentor for students seeking to begin their careers. “My lab is a memory lab,” says Lubin. “I study how the brain learns and retains memory. I like to do it because this is what happens in a healthy brain.” Dr. Lubin explains how the brain adapts to circumstances and compensates for changes naturally. Understanding how a healthy brain works is important because it helps researchers determine when something needs to be treated or when the body is actually repairing itself.
“I’ve become really interested in epilepsy,” she says, “because we know a lot about memory from patients with epilepsy, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy.” When patients no longer respond to drug treatments, doctors have to remove affected portions of the brains where seizures begin. “We learn the science of ‘blobology’ as I call it. Where this blob in the front is executive function, this blob is visual cortex, and so on.” Her work with epilepsy intrigues her because much of the treatment for the disorder revolves around preventing seizures but, she says, addressing the memory loss that accompanies the seizures can lead to a higher quality of life for the patients.
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Annual Civitan International Research Center Awards Courtesy of Vicki Hixon and Jim Willett, Civitan International Research Center On October 25th, 2018, faculty, students and members of the Board of Directors of Civitan International met to announce the winners of this year’s Civitan Emerging Scholar, Whit Mallory Research Fellow, and McNulty Civitan Scientists awards. Civitan McNulty Scientist 2018-19
Dr. Farah Lubin was born in Haiti and grew up in New York City. She received her undergraduate degree from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama and her Ph.D. in Cell/Molecular Biology and Immunology from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York. “I study an area of molecular genetics called epigenetics,” she says, “epi is latin for above, so it means above genetics. These determine how your genetic code is read. Your cells all have the same DNA, for example, but external factors tell them which codes to turn on or off at the cellular level.” Dr. Lubin says epilepsy can be genetic but it is important to understand what factors play a role in causing the seizures and memory loss. She recently had a study published in a peer reviewed medical journal which has drawn a lot of attention to the work at the CIRC. The study involves the supplementation of methionine, a basic amino acid attained in the diet, which has prevented memory loss in lab studies. “Methionine is an essential amino acid which means you take it in through food,” she says. “It contributes to those epigenetic processes. It increases expression of certain genes and suppresses expression of other genes—and the body just takes it in and rescues memory.” Dr. Lubin add a caution to say all seizures are not the same and not all seizures are epilepsy. This bridges the research across other areas of I/DD. For example, about 30% of autism patients experience seizures. So, the research could have a much broader impact in seizure control and memory retention. Currently, she is waiting on approval for clinical trials in humans but is encouraged by the success in rodent studies and in human tissue. There are many variables to consider with human studies which can’t be explored with rats and mice, such as male and female specific epilepsy and how hormones might affect results. The epilepsy lab has moved to UAB Highlands hospital where the Civitan International Neuroimaging Laboratory (CINL) is located. She says the MRI at the CINL allows her, and other researchers, to attain higher quality images much faster than other imaging equipment. Visit www.civitan.org for more information from the Civitan International Research Center and updates on the exciting work of Dr. Farah Lubin and other Civitan scientists.
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The prestigious Civitan McNulty Scientist Award, which honors the research efforts of a senior faculty member each year, was awarded to Dr. Sarah O’Kelley for her ongoing research on multiple aspects of Autism Spectrum disorder. O’Kelley, a faculty member in the Departments of Psychology and Pediatrics, is the Director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics. O’Kelley has been involved in research and clinical activities with individuals with autism and their families for 20 years. Her research interests include cognitive and behavioral phenotypes of individuals with autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities and all issues across the lifespan for individuals with ASD. Civitan Emerging Scholars 2018-19 Heather Dark, a medical/clinical psychology doctoral candidate in the lab of Dr. David Knight (Psychology), received an Emerging Scholar Award for her research addressing the neurodevelopment of children exposed to violence and the effects it has on children. Silvienne Sint Jago, a graduate research assistant in the lab of Dr. Farah Lubin (Neurobiology), was honored with a Civitan Emerging Scholar Award on her work investigating seizure disorders which was inspired by watching a family member suffering with chronic seizures. She is in the Pathobiology & Molecular Medicine Graduate Program at UAB. Whit Mallory Research Fellow 2018-19 The Whit Mallory Research Fellow award went to Abbey Herringshaw, in the UAB Medical Clinical Psychology Program and the lab of Dr. Rajesh Kana (Psychology). Drs. Rajesh Kana and Sarah O’Kelley accepted the award on behalf of Herringshaw who was unable to attend the ceremony. Kana and O’Kelley enthusiastically endorsed Herringshaw and her proposal “Changing the Social Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorder with Intervention,” noting her work with autism spectrum disorders makes Abbey the perfect recipient for this year’s award. Each of the Center’s annual awards is designed to promote research related to neurodevelopmental disorders and to encourage new research related to developmental disabilities.
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VETERANS DAY Civitan Raymond Weeks’ lifelong mission of service By Terry Schrimscher
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Courtesy of the Eisenhower Presidential library and museum. Public Domain.
ervice to veterans has been an important part of Civitan’s history since the earliest days of the original club in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded during the first World War, early Civitans raised funds to support war orphans in Europe and sold bonds to support troops fighting overseas.
Billed as the “war to end all wars,” WWI lasted from 1914 to 1918. Peace was declared on November 11, 1918 and that date is commemorated each year as Armistice Day around the world—becoming a national holiday in the United States in 1938. Unfortunately, the second world war broke out in 1939 and American soldiers joined the efforts in 1941. After the war ended in 1945, people around the nation began to look for ways to expand Armistice Day to honor all veterans. “Raymond Weeks was not the only person in America who had this idea,” says Dr. David Dyson, author of Patriotism in Action. “In 1945, there were many people who believed Armistice Day needed to be expanded and that we should have a national celebration to commemorate veterans of all wars.” Action, he points out, is the difference between saying and doing.
from Birmingham-Southern College and, as a young professional, was initiated into the Civitan Club of Birmingham in 1935 at the age of 27. After the United States entered the war in 1941, He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and earned his honorable discharge in 1945. He returned to his career and his life of community involvement in Birmingham.
The next year, Weeks and a delegation from Birmingham visited General Eisenhower at the Pentagon with a written proposal for a Veterans Day celebration and suggested Birmingham as the host city. In 1947, Weeks hosted the nation’s first Veterans Day parade in downtown Birmingham. In 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation designating Veterans Day as a national holiday. It wasn’t until 2012 that Congress officially recognized Weeks, and Bimingham, for their roles in creating Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks spent his early years in Phenix City, Alabama before he moved to Birmingham, Alabama with his family as a child. He graduated
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Raymond Weeks accepting the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Ronald Reagan in 1982. Photo courtesy of Life Leaders Institute.
Weeks founded the National Veterans Day organization in 1947 and led it until his death in 1985. He also served three terms in the Alabama State House of Representatives and remained an active member of the Birmingham Club throughout his career. In 1982, Weeks was honored by President Reagan with the Presidential Citizenship Medal. Reagan called Weeks the “driving force behind Vet-
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PLAN AHEAD FOR CLERGY APPRECIATION WEEK Clergy Appreciation Week is an international project of Civitan International, which honors local leaders of all faiths for their dedicated service to their local communities. Since 1963, Civitan clubs around the world have set aside a week in February of each year to honor local faith leaders for their acts of service. The project was inspired by the story of the Four Chaplains. On February 3, 1943, four military chaplains—a Methodist minister, a Catholic priest, a Reformed minister and a Jewish rabbi—sacrificed their lives in service to others on board the USS Dorchester. The troop transport ship, in route to Greenland, was hit by a torpedo. The four chaplains, George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, John P. Washington, and Clark V. Poling, removed their own life jackets to give to other passengers and locked arms in prayer for the safety of others as the ship submerged into the icy waters. The story of the Four Chaplains has been commemorated in several books, films and in song. Dr. Dyson
Barbara Weeks Minor, daughter of Raymond Weeks, pose with Scouts in Birmingham during the annual tribute at the Raymond Weeks Monument. Dyson credits his participation in a Civitan speech contest in 9th grade with his lifelong interest in patriotism and citizenship issues. He successfully lobbied the U.S. Senate to recognize Weeks for his pioneering efforts in the establishment of Veterans Day. Dyson has been a featured speaker at a Civitan convention and at a Civitan Governors training session. and
erans Day” and Elizabeth Dole introduced him as the ”Father of Veterans Day.” In its nearly 102 year history, Civitan has expanded into many countries around the world and updated the Civitan Creed several times. The motto “Builders of Good Citizenship” is the same as it has always been. No matter what country a Civitan calls home, members around the world can look with pride to a fellow Civitan who expanded Armistice Day as a tribute to all veterans. Weeks envisioned Veterans Day as more than a remembrance of war. He wanted the day to be a celebration of peace. Each year, The World Peace Luncheon is held in his hometown before the Veterans Day Parade.
The creation of the annual Civitan project was first chronicled in the October 1965 edition of Civitan Magazine. The article pointed out that the week was selected to commemorate the sacrifice made by the four chaplains but Clergy Appreciation Week is not intended to be a memorial to the chaplains but a week of celebration and appreciation for the men and women who dedicate their lives to the service of others in their community as leaders in their respective ministries. Club meetings during clergy week were not intended to feature a sermon but to invite local clergy as honored guests. Clergy Appreciation Week quickly gained attention across the nation. First Lady Betty Ford served as Honorary Chairperson for Civitan in 1974. President Ford issued a White House proclamation for the week in 1975. Among the clergy honored that year was Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia and father of slain civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civitans around the world continue to honor leaders of all faith traditions each February in respect to the men and women who lead their communities with the hearts of servants.
As our ears “ hear the cry of children and the call throughout the world for peace,” Civitans can look to Armistice Day and Veterans Day worldwide as a point of pride and a celebration of the peace we speak about and seek in our creed.
Tips for a Successful Clergy Appreciation Event Raymond Weeks first lobbied General Eisenhower for Veterans Day in 1946. In 1954, the President Eisenhower signed the holiday into law. The story can be found in the book
Patriotism in Action, by Dr. David Dyson and Col. C.H. “Stretch” Dunn (19432017). Photos courtesy of Life Leaders Institute.
WWW.CIVITAN.ORG
The Civitan tradition began with the chartering of the Albuquerque Breakfast Civitan Club in 1960. The members of the club decided to honor local clergy as their first major project and Civitan International soon adopted Clergy Week as an official project. Beginning with a proclamation at the 1962 Civitan convention in Dallas, Texas, the week of February 3 was selected to coincide with the sinking of the Dorchester and the story of the four chaplains.
• Plan ahead! Clergy Appreciation Week is typically held the week of February 3. In 2019, that is February 3-9. Invite your local clergy well in advance, and publicize it to your fellow Civitans and local news media. • Clergy are traditionally honored at a club meeting in the form of a special banquet or similar event. A recognition dinner or lunch is a perfect way to let them know they are appreciated. In the spirit of the Four Chaplains, clubs are encouraged to invite clergy from different faiths represented in your community. • Clubs are encouraged to find an outstanding layperson to speak in honor of the clergy. As the guests of honor, clergy should not be asked to honor themselves. If any wish to speak a few words of gratitude, that is certainly appropriate. Many clubs ask a veteran club member or local official to speak about the Four Chaplains, and tell the story of the sacrifice that began this tradition.
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DONATE YOUR CHANGE! Change by Softgiving enables you to round up your change from everyday purchases and donate it directly to Civitan International. TM
HOW TO GIVE CHANGE? Connect the debit or credit card you use for your everyday purchases. Spend like normal. We'll round up your purchase to the nearest dollar. Watch your impact grow as you donate to Civitan International.
All donations are tax deductible. You can set monthly limits and cancel at anytime. Feel safe knowing we have the same security as your bank.
Visit WWW.CIVITAN.ORG to donate your change! Your donation helps volunteer service clubs around the world, dedicated to helping people in their own communities.
1.800.CIVITAN Alternative Recurring Fundraising . SOFTGIVING.COM
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CLUB NEWS It’s Christmas at the CIRC Member of the Birmingham Civitan Club joined with the Hearts of Horizon Civitan Club to bring a bit of holiday cheer to the Civitan International Research Center. It has become a tradition in recent years for the Birmingham club to decorate the lobby of the research center with trees and lights. This is the first time the Hearts of Horizon club has joined in the festivities. The new club was chartered this past year, sponsored by the Birmingham club. Interestingly, the Hearts of Horizon Civitan Club is located at the Horizon School in Birmingham, which was created, in part, by funding from the Civitan International Research Center.
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.
WWW.CIVITAN.ORG
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Civitan is GOING GREEN
Greenville, that is
CONVENTION 2019 By Mary Luck Director of Meetings & Awards
2019 Civitan International Convention Hyatt Regency Downtown • July 3-6 Greenville, South Carolina offers visitors a balance of Southern hospitality and modern amenities. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city has transformed from a blip on the map to a vibrant downtown scene. The reinvigorated downtown serves as the focal point of the region, hosting an emerging culinary scene and housing what some call the crown jewel of Greenville: Falls Park on the Reedy. The 10-block stretch
of Main Street is lined with a variety of boutiques, restaurants, businesses and bars.
Civitan International and the South Carolina District look forward to welcoming you and your club members to Greenville for the 2019 international convention. Plans are progressing well for a great event, and here are a few details: Convention Registration Opens January 2019
Located in the trendy downtown area of Greenville, Hyatt Regency is near the area’s best dining, shopping, and entertainment. Guest room reservations are available on the Civitan website or call 402-592-6434 and mention the Civitan Convention. Civitan Special Rates:
Registration fees include opening, business sessions, workshops, seminars, research center report, host hospitality, expo and supply house. Two events are separately ticketed: Welcome Party and Installation Banquet. Packages include tickets for both events. Below are the fees for Civitans and Guests (U.S. funds) if received by April 1: Civitan Event Package
Hyatt Regency Downtown
$240.00
Civitan Registration ONLY $160.00 Guest Event Package
$300.00
Guest Registration ONLY
$210.00
Welcome Party Ticket
$30.00
Single/Double
$119.00 per night
Triple/Quad
$129.00 per night
Guest room reservations will open soon, so be looking for this information. Reservations deadline is June 7, 2019.
Start planning now for your trip to Greenville next summer. See you there!
Installation Banquet Ticket $60.00
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Photo: Grethe Ødegaard from Civitan Club Kristina, Tønsberg, Norway.
BORDERLESS CIVITAN Civitans in Norway have had a busy autumn, so far. In October, 28 Civitans from 10 different Norwegian clubs visited Civitan Club Rakke, in Estonia, to deliver 2.5 tons of clothes and supplies to the thrift store there. In September, clubs in Norway held activities for people struggling with addiction. Also, in September, clubs in Vestfold sponsored games and activities for children and adults with disabilities.
Do you shop online? Your amazon.com purchases can add up for Civitan! If you haven’t signed up for AmazonSmile, take a moment to visit www.smile.amazon.com and pick Civitan International as your preferred charity. Then, every time you start your shopping experience on smile.amazon.com, instead of amazon.com, Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase to our great cause. It’s that easy.
smile.amazon.com — Choose Civitan WWW.CIVITAN.ORG
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