Past President Tim Ridge filled in to run the meeting for President Ben Shelton
Nasser Shaheen offered the prayer and led the pledge to the flag.
 
Announcements:
Founders Night will be June 23 at Shipyard Pavillion.  There are still spots available so if you haven't signed up, let Tim Ridge know.  Dress is business casual.
 
The board has approved to spend $2500 toward our 2017-18 Foundation Goal.  The club will still be short of meeting the goal set last July.
 
June 19 there will be a joint Board meeting of the current year and next year board members. It will be held in the Buckeye Room
 
Social committee - July 23 trip to the Savannah Bananas game.  The club is paying for the bus, your cost is $15 for ticket which includes the bus ride and snacks.  Sign up sheet to be circulated.
 
Membership - Lew Wessel has resigned because of moving to Michigan
 
John Farrenkopf filled in as Sergeant at Arms.  He introduced guests and visiting Rotarians and collected Happy $$
Visiting Rotarians: Richard Rorschech, Kilgore, Tex; Ken Nykiel, Schoemburg Il
Guest of Roger Burns: Tom Duff
 
Speaker:
Tim introduced speaker Sheila Strand from Memory Matters. She is the Executive Director since joining them 18 months ago.  This past April Memory Matters had changed - with the blue wrist bands reminding that it is now "My Memory Matters"  meaning the organization is here not just for those with brain disease and their care givers, but also for others to help prevent cognitive diseases.
photo credit - Barry Davis
 
Memory Matters was started in 1997 in churches and small classrooms primarily to help care givers make it through another day.  Eight or nine years ago they moved to the dedicated building at Squire Pope and 278.  They are Certified and Licensed by the state.  They use five interventions:
1. Vigorous exercise 150 minutes a week.  Breaking down to 30 minutes per day for five days.  The excercise being beneficial for heart and brain.
2.  Follow the Mediterranean life style - eating a healthy diet consisting of 70 percent plant based foods and 30 percent protein - plant or animal based.  Staying hydrated, is also important
3. Life Long Learning - learning something new is brain challenging
4. Staying connected - socialize, conversing purposefully and laughing every day
5. Meditation, Yoga - Spiritualization.  Cool your brain for 20 minutes each day.  
 
Memory Matters applies all five in their Memory Care Services .
Sheila spoke of a study that determined that 40% of caregivers of brain disease patients die before the patient because of stress
 
She also shared information about some of the programs/classes that are offered:
Connections Class - proactive early intervention -  try to keep those with diagnosis as active as possible. There are some in the class for five years, meaning that they are "arresting" their disease
Compass Day Program- delivers "best brain days" for participants with mild to moderate dementia. Dementia is a broad term for cognitive impairment.  Alzheimers is about 70% of that.  Number 2 is Parkinsons.  There are also many others including TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury - of which they have three individuals with this as well.  This program also includes Mediterranean lunch, socializing and dancing, creative art and music, yoga and relaxation. laughter, etc.  
She urged all to take a baseline memory screening to get a base where you are now and repeat a intervals to see if there is any change.  This allows earlier diagnosis of brain disease and allow earlier steps to be taken to hopefully slow the progression.  
Her advice is to become a brain health advocate.  If you suspect someone may be having memory issues, invite them to take a baseline screening or as them to go with you as you take it.   The organization also offers classes called "brain boosters" and holds educational events.
 
There are many opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or financial contributions.  Visit their website www.mymemorymatters.org for more information.