It is unlikely there will be a Rotary eBulletin next Saturday or the one after that. Your editor is fully vaccinated and has some triplets to get caught up on. So this week's bulletin covers what's coming up during that time period.
Do you have an interest in Western History? A connection to or special knowledge of one of our Frontier Pioneers? Did you ever wonder what happened to Lewis's slave, York, after the Lewis and Clark expedition? This Tuesday, John Juras will share his knowledge of the first Western fur trapper to publish his journals. He'll ask our club members to share their special western history connections. Finally, John will tell the story of York's life among the Crow Indians. Join us on Zoom Tuesday at noon!
The following week, Jo-Viviane Jones will tell us about one of our most important programs, the Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nourishment Program known as WIC. That's Tuesday, March 9, also at noon and also on Zoom.
Last Week at Rotary
Last week Dr. Mark Miles addressed the members on the subject of Alluvion Health, of which he is now Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Miles’ specialty is gynecology and family health, which he had practiced in Ennis, Great Falls, Fairbanks, and then back in Great Falls before accepting the position of CEO at Northern Montana Hospital. He is transitioning out of that role as he assumes the CMO position at Alluvion.
Alluvion is federally qualified health center (FQHC), a nonprofit, community-based provider subsidized by the federal government to provide family-centered healthcare to underserved regions or underserved groups within a region. Alluvion is one of 34 FQHCs in Montana, a large number when compared to the number of FQHCs in the surrounding states. There are 14,000 FQHCs in the United States, all funded through the Social Security Act.
FQHCs are result of a long evolution of legislation, starting in 1962 with the Migrant Health Act and really embedded into Title 6 of the 1964 Equal Opportunity Act, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s seminal War on Poverty legislation.
FQHCs get major federal grant funds, but they do billing of their own through Medicare and Medicaid and on an in-cash basis. They are overseen by local boards to ensure that they are compliant with federal regulations and responsive to local needs.
Alluvion has been serving underserved populations in Great Falls since 1994. In 2019, with the rebranding of Cascade County Community Health Clinic, the organization became Alluvion and restructured to provide a more well-rounded approach to health. They now have a dental mobile unit, a presence in the schools, a low/no-cost billing system, an on-site lab and pharmacy.
Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging, Dr. Miles told us, and Alluvion exists to help underserved patients find their way. Onsite lab/pharmacy/dental … No one is turned away for inability to pay. Alluvion aspires to create and inspire healthy lives by providing a medical home for well-rounded healthcare in a secure and respectful environment regardless of financial or social status.
Riches to RAGs?
In her tireless efforts to bring the international service mission of Rotary in the forefront, Sheila Rice told us at last week’s meeting about RAGs. Rotary Action Groups are independent, Rotary-affiliated groups made up of people from around the world who are experts in a particular field, such as economic development, peace, addiction prevention, the environment, or water.
Action groups offer their technical expertise and support to help clubs plan and implement projects to increase our impact, one of Rotary's strategic priorities. This support includes helping clubs find partners, funding, and other resources. Action groups can also help clubs and districts prepare grant applications, conduct community assessments, and develop plans to monitor and evaluate their projects. One such RAG effort has helped the Missoula club establish "ambassador" memberships for visiting professors and other professionals from foreign countries.
Over 250,000 Rotarians in 150 countries are members of RAGs. They supported 1800 projects last year, ranging from “the Bell RAG,” focusing on basic education and literacy to the WASH RAG, focusing on water and sanitation hygiene. Another RAG focuses on refugees and has established a Rotoract club at a refugee camp in Uganda.
Fascinating opportunities to put service above self! If you are interested in learning more, google Rotary Action Groups ... or talk to Sheila.
Partnering with Rotary Electric
Rotary Club of Great Falls has a distinguished history with the Paul Harris Fellowships. Many of our members have become part of the Paul Harris Society by contributing $1,000 or more over the course of time to the Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or other approved global grants.
Globally, more than 20,000 Rotarians are members of the Paul Harris Society, which was established in 2013. In an effort to boost our number of Paul Harris Fellows before the end of the year, our Rotary board is working on transferring points from one member to another who is actively working her or his way toward Fellowship status. You can check your own PHF standing in ClubRunner under the Rotary Profile. Contact Cari Yturri for more information.
Milestones
The last birthday greeting of February goes out to John Goodnow, who only gets to celebrate his birthday every four years. He's a leap-year baby, so he's technically still a minor!
In early March, we say happy birthday to Carey Gray on March 2, Michael Bowman on March 3, Dave Crum, Lacey Gallagher and Bill Knick on March 5; Mark Nash on March 11 and Judge Holter on March 13. Many happy returns!
