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A CLUBHOUSE FOR ELKHART COUNTY
NEWSLETTER
   JULY 2010


Our vision
A Clubhouse for Elkhart County—
A community of recovery, hope, and dignity

empowering people with mental illness
through friendship, meaningful work, and cultivation of strengths

Prevemos una comunidad de recuperación,
esperanza y dignidad,
que autorice a las personas con enfermedades mentales
por medio de la amistad, el trabajo significativo
y el cultivo de habilidades.

No Working Group meeting in August

Next Working Group Meeting
Tuesday, September 7 at Central Christian Church
418 West Franklin Street, Elkhart (corner of 5th and Franklin).
Light supper at 6 pm; meeting from 6:30-8 pm. 
Contact Lily Rath  if you'd like to help with food.   
Contact information
is at the end of this newsletter.

Board of Directors News: The Clubhouse project is in a state of transition from leadership by a loose-knit Working Group to leadership by a newly appointed board of directors that reflects some of the cultural diversity of Elkhart County. The board of eleven members met for the first time on June 15 and appointed two committees. The board planning committee is assuming responsibility for board development and planning board meetings. The tasks committee is assuming responsibility for program planning and a wide range of tasks, including guidance of our working group volunteers. The tasks committee is proceeding with application for charitable status with the IRS. Board and committees are in the process of orientation to the Clubhouse model and to their assignments. Major items awaiting board attention are fundraising, hiring an executive director, and site selection. Thanks to all who have made the commitment to serve on our board.



University of Notre Dame Old2Gold Sale
: Nine working group volunteers contributed time to the Old2Gold Sale to raise money for A Clubhouse for Elkhart County. Our volunteers were Jeannie Stuckey, Jonathan Stuckey, Stephanie Johnson, Christine Guth, Lora Rusel, Nathan Shenk, Sandy Sandusky, Susan Garboden, and Lily Rath.   Lily alone accomplished 61 hours, which will be divided between our group and Elkhart NAMI. She was there every day before, after and during the sale!  The rest of us logged a grand total of 86 hours.  We don't have the check yet, but expect to share in sale proceeds proportional to the volunteer hours we contributed.  Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the sale. 


Lily's enthusiasm for the sale inspired the following little ditty contributed by Susan Garboden.  

Ode2Lily

All told,
Lily was bold. 

I was pulled
to clean cold mold
from many fridges,
now sold.

When I looked inside,
My stomach rolled!

My senses were dulled,
but I was lulled
by thinking of all the
$$$ we'd hold!!!     Thanks, Lily!!


T shirts    Contact Susan by email or phone if you'd like to purchase one.   $10.00 for working group members (You are a member if you have ever attended a Tuesday night meeting!)    $20.00 for others.    Shirts are available in rust colored unisex style or white in women's style. Logo on the front; mission statement on the back. Promote the clubhouse as you go around town.


Highlights from the July 6 working group meeting.   We had a wonderful turn out for our laid-back "no business" meeting. Seventeen persons attended. Having new persons join us during a holiday week was a pleasant surprise!   After a wonderful meal organized by Lily,  we played two group-building games and spent some time saying goodbye to Jonathan.   This was his last meeting before heading to Bloomington for college at the end of August.   We are really going to miss you, Jonathan, but we plan to have plenty of progress to show you when you return!    Best wishes!

In one of the games we played, we each listed the first ten words that came to mind when we think of the clubhouse.   When we shared our words, several stood out.    Can you guess which of the words below were mentioned most often? 

 hope Socialization     Education    Safety  food Loving   Supportive  friendship  Calm   Self Esteem    initiative meaningful   inclusive  FUN  friendship  Pride Healthy   Encouragement   ideas work   HAPPY    LAUGHTER hope    logo   kindness  food joy    relief   hospitality   vision   confidence  belonging sharing brotherhood friendship relax industry empathy   organization   grounding work  commitment   OF, By,and FOR the members   star friendship   bank   music    reclaim    dignity   food relationships    RESPECT    renewal    hope   rebuilding recovery  friendship  work   employment food strengths  members T-shirts office hope building  connection community hope assistance work abilities  participation growth food together food games fellowship friendship
hope renewal hope

A word from Christine: No one mentioned voluntary in the word game we played, but we can't leave it out out when talking about Clubhouse. Voluntary is a key word in Standard #1 of the Clubhouse Standards that guide all ICCD-certified clubhouses. Participation in all clubhouse activities is freely chosen. Clubhouse communities respect the right and ability of all potential members to have control over their own lives, to have a say in whether and when and how much to become involved. No one knows better than you yourself if or when the time is right to become a clubhouse member or to engage in activities of the work-ordered day. No one will label you "noncompliant" if you take your time. No one will think less of you if you come back to the clubhouse after a long absence. Assuring that participation is voluntary will be an essential part of respecting the dignity of members and potential members of our clubhouse. Thank you for your voluntary support of this project that will benefit all of Elkhart County.
Standard #1:
"Clubhouse membership is voluntary and without time limits."

Contact info
Newsletter Susan Garboden, susan.garboden@usa.net, 574-533-8026
Christine Guth, christine@adnetonline.org, 574-534-2718
Jeannie Stuckey, wisegenie@comcast.net,574- 266-0581
Lily Rath, lilyrath@hotmail.com

  Website - www.elkhartcountyclubhouse.org

Facebook- A Clubhouse for Elkhart County

ICCD (International Center for Clubhouse Development) - www.iccd.org/

Contributions accepted by:
Clubhouse Project, ADNet, PO Box 959, Goshen, IN 46527
Or donate online.


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