President Lynn King called the meeting to order
Kevin Courtney offered the prayer and led the pledge to the flag
Announcements:
Raffle tickets - Kristin Keller - ten raffle tickets were handed out to present members. Tickets are $20 each and can accept payment via VENMO. Each member is responsible for the sale or purchase of ten tickets - more than ten are available. Drawing will be held on October 29th at Guiseppi's. There are three outlets as well - Island Rec, Julie's dental office, and Burke's. Proceeds benefit our commitment to the Island Rec Center.
Julie Camp-Tome, Sergeant at Arms welcomed guests and collected Happy $$.
Visiting Rotarian: Jim Mackey from the Ardmore Rotary Club
New member induction -
photo credit - Barry Davis
Bruce Yeager inducted transferring Rotarian, Dick Storm. Please welcome VLR new member - Dick Storm
Speaker
Dude, President of local BACA - Bikers Against Child Abuse was our speaker. BACA is a world wide organization.
photo credit - Barry Davis
BACA was founded by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered play therapist/supervisor and part time faculty member at Brigham Young University to fill the need in "the system".
The mission of the organization is:
BACA "exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse we stand ready to be that obstacle."
Dude grew up on Hilton Head Island and is the president of the local organization. He described how they operate and what they do to help the abused child. The child makes the decision if they want their help. if they do, the bikers (as many as are available) conduct a small ceremony to welcome the child into the protective group. The child gets their own road name and two bikers are assigned to the child. The two bikers can be called upon any time that the child needs them. BACA supports each child on their individual needs such as physical presence in the home, visiting the child at school, therapy needs, etc. They are also available to accompany the child to court proceedings to make them feel safe and cared for. BACA has built a good relationship with law enforcement, Duffy Stone's office and all the local agencies that deal with abused children. Dude showed a video which illustrated their services and what they accomplish. BACA makes a big difference in the lives of the children who need them. To see more about this group of dedicated bikers, visit bacaworld.org