PDG Dr. Mary Berge speaks to us with a passion and enthusiasm we all need right now. Here are some tips on how to “Stay Sane During the Covid-19 Crisis” from an expert clinical psychologist and outstanding Rotarian. Enjoy!

E-CLUB PROGRAM

PRESIDING TODAY IS: Bonnie Branciaroli, President

bellDing! We’re now in session.

Welcome all – visitors, fellow Rotarians and guests alike to this E-Club program!

Remember the Four-Way Test!

At the beginning of each meeting we remind ourselves of the The Four-Way Test.  Therefore, please remember to ask yourself always . . .

Of the things we think, say or do:

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

Pandemic Quotes

I think the American public has done a really terrific job of just buckling down and doing physical separation and adhering to guidelines. But having said that, we better be careful that we don't say, ‘OK, we’re doing so well we can pull back.’ We still have to put our foot on the accelerator when it comes to the mitigation and the physical separation.
       – Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director – April 9, 2020, NPR
 
 
Always thought being a writer would be one of the most useless things you could be in a zombie apocalypse, but it turns out arts and culture and storytelling is what helps us get through. Along with science, doctors, nurses, delivery people, farm workers and supermarket cashiers.”
       – Lauren Beukes, award-winning and internationally best-selling South African author
 
 
If anything, the pandemic should make us realize that humanity is NOT the most powerful thing on this planet and that we should rethink our relationship with planet Earth.”
       – Don Rittner, an American historian, archeologist, environmental activist, educator, author and film maker
 
 
This pandemic is world reset. We have a chance to change the world. What it has proven is no matter what your politics, no matter what your religion, no matter what your job status, we are all brother and sister in the world together. Human kindness has come out in so many ways. Can’t buy a mask? People make it for you. Don’t have food? Let me drop some off at your porch. Love is all around you. All you have to do is look! I think the world needs a hippie right now... Here is advise from the original hippie: “Love Thy Neighbor as Yourself.” Let’s have that as the new rule in this world reset.”
      Johnny Corn, Irish-American comedian and actor

 

 

 

 

 
 

COVID-19 Disaster Response Telethon

 
Don't miss the COVID-19 #RotaryResponds one-hour Telethon to raise critical funds for disaster response. This telethon will be simulcast on Rotary International’s Facebook page. The goal is to raise more than $1 million dollars!
 
Rotary’s 1.2 million members across the globe have taken swift action to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $3.4 million in Rotary Disaster Response Grants have already been put into action on the front lines to battle COVID-19. Additionally, millions more have been raised by our People of Action – they have responded quickly and are truly saving lives. Now, we need to do more and the need for additional funding is a priority.
 
The Telethon date is Saturday, May 2, 2020, 10:00 a.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (Chicago, Illinois).
We will hear stories of hope, inspiration and gratitude from Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotary from across the globe as they share what they are doing to help their communities. The telethon will also showcase how our polio eradication infrastructure is helping to combat COVID-19.
 
How can you participate?:
1. Participate in the telethon on Facebook Live: facebook.com/rotary.
2. Spread the word through your social media channels.
3. Invite others outside of Rotary to watch and see first-hand what our #PeopleofAction are doing to combat COVID-19.
4. Post on social media during the broadcast and on the day of the event at #RotaryResponds
5. Donate as an individual or as a club at on.rotary.org/drf
6. Encourage your Rotary District to donate District Designated Funds (DDF) at Donate DDF.
Note: DDF received between April 22st and May 3rd will be considered part of the telethon fundraising total.
 
 

Staying Sane During the COVID-19 Crisis

 
PDG Dr. Mary Berge is a practicing clinical psychologist and Rotarian. A licensed psychologist specializing in assessing and treating an array of behavioral and emotional issues and diagnoses, PDG Dr. Berge is a Rotary International Coordinator and a member of the Rotary Club of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA. Dr. Berge has lately been enlightening Rotarians worldwide via Zoom with tips for coping with the various obstacles that have come about from COVID-19. Her tips and exercises are just what we need during this unprecedented time of Sheltering-At-Home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
 
I had the opportunity to view one of Dr. Berge’s programs on Monday, April 20 during a Rotary International Zone 33-34 Zoom meeting. Believe me, I felt better afterwards!
 
On April 22, the Washington Post published an online article entitled, “Fighting lockdown fatigue” that dovetailed quite nicely into PDG Dr. Berge’s program. It reported on a study instituted by the Ad Council and C+R Research for the newspaper industry that polled public sentiment through each week of the lockdown in real time.
 
Here are some interesting details as of April 22, three weeks into the lockdown in the U.S.
 
 
As each week wore on, it appeared that people were feeling less worried as in past weeks and that overall, Americans were “feeling Ok.” On the other hand, it also indicated the people had consumed so much news they’re becoming desensitized to it.
 
By week three of the study, Americans were less likely to seek out information about COVID-19, compared to the previous two weeks. The study also noted that when people felt anxious or depressed during the third week, large percentages indicated they took a break from the news and listened to music, looked for entertainment online and on TV, talked to family and friends, as well as exercised and looked for physical activity.
 
If you had a chance to watch the virtual concert produced by Global Citizen and the World Health Organization,
One World, Together At Home, you were one of 21 million other viewers worldwide.
 
The top two topics Americans report wanting information about now are: When will the crisis end (64%) and when will a vaccine become available (58%).
 
Seeking a respite is what makes us human – the reliance on a good laugh, a beautiful song, or a great story to carry us through.
 
It begins at minute 8.
 
 

More about Mary

Mary Berge hails from the sunny state of California where she received her Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology. She has resided in Pennsylvania since 1995 and currently works as a licensed Psychologist at her own private practice in Johnstown.
 
Mary was first introduced to Rotary in 2002 when she was selected to participate in the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange as a team member to Sweden.
 
Since then, Mary has served in numerous District leadership capacities including District Governor in 2008-2009.
At the Zone level Mary has served as the Zone 28-29 North American Membership Project Lead as well as Zone 29 Rotary Coordinator for membership. In the Rotary Coordinator role, she has had the opportunity to work with Rotarians and District leaders in the Midwest and East coast and in parts of Ontario, Canada.
 
Mary has been a trainer at Zone Institutes, a speaker at numerous President-Elect Training Seminars and District Conferences. She was guest speaker at the 2013 Rotary International Convention in Portugal and at the Women in Rotary Conference in Romania. She has also served as a President’s Representative in Texas and Illinois.
 
Mary and her husband are Paul Harris Fellows, members of the Paul Harris Society and Bequest Major Donors to our Rotary Foundation. In their spare time they enjoy scuba diving, cooking, traveling and playing golf. 
 
 
Stay Safe everyone and enjoy growing digitally!
 

Other Links:

 
 
We Are The World with One World, Together At Home Performers
 
 
 

NOTES

The Mountain State Rotary E-Club (MSRE) is a member club of Rotary International District 7545 (covering most of West Virginia, excluding the Eastern panhandle) and RI Zone 33, which encompasses a large portion of the eastern sector of the United States.
 
 
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