We changed our name - new website in construction

On 27th June 2023 members voted to accept all the proposed resolutions.

Our name has therefore changed to Trauma Recovery Network Australia Inc and the new Rules are now effective.

Our regulators have been informed and our first cohort of Trainers has finished the first stage of their training as at the end of August 2023.

A new website incorporating community management is under construction, and we will reach out to Rotarians and other supporters to join one or more of our support communities when the functionality is ready.

Thank you all for your support since 2014 and we look forward to keeping you informed as the new entity develops!

Our AGM with Keynote Speakers is coming up!

On 18th November, at 10 am Australian Eastern Standard Time (previous evening in the USA, for example) we will hold a short AGM by Zoom, with presentations before and after the official business. Register HERE to receive your own Zoom link.

Help us move the Trauma Recovery work forward by participating in our AGM

We have scheduled two brief presentations with opportunity for discussion.

Your input is essential for us to take the right path together.

Here is the Agenda:

AGENDA

1. How to safely stop abuse in families.

Short Video and discussion of Rotary Safe

Families with co-founder Dorothy Gilmour.

(about 15 minutes plus Q & A)

Formal Business (about 15 minutes)

2. To confirm the minutes of the previous

Annual General Meeting

3. To receive the Annual Report on the activities of

the RAG during 2020-2021

4. To receive the Audited Financial Statements of

the RAG for the year ended 30 June 2021

5. Announcement of Directors

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6. The Trauma Recovery Network Australia – the journey so far; individual bushfire treatment; Group Traumatic Events with First Responders, and Trauma-informed training; PLUS drawing the Map for our way forward.

Discussion led by Pam Brown and Fiona Mawson with your active participation.

NB: Members who are not paid subscribers are still welcome to join in our discussions, but may not vote.

Register here for the Zoom invitation

The AGM will be held by Zoom Call, for all members who register in advance of the meeting, at 10 am Australian Eastern Daylight Time* (AEDT) on 18 November 2020. The Annual Report and Financial Statements are available on our website here.

Rotary International would like to hear your views!

Rotary has asked for our help in reaching you

Please use the following survey link to answer survey questions and perhaps participate in a focus group or interview:

https://rotary.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8H8bUEc5KwIPKWG

Rotary International’s Strategic Initiative team is inviting all Action Group members to participate in an important survey about our future support of Rotary Action Groups.

Rotary International’s Strategic Initiative team is developing a pilot that we hope will contribute to a more robust experience for current and future Action Group leaders and members. We need your perspective to help inform potential new development and processes, added support, training, and resources from Rotary International.

We seek input from Rotarians, Rotaractors, Rotary Alumni, and non-club members who belong to an Action Group. Through the survey, they can indicate their willingness to participate in further research - focus group discussions or interviews. The survey is anonymous and results will be de-identified.

Action Group members interested in participating in interviews or focus groups about our future support of Action Groups must respond by 8 November 2021. Timeslots are limited and once full, will no longer be available for sign up.

Only selected Action Group members will receive an email with login instructions.

The results report will be shared with Action Group leaders upon completion in December.

Interim Report on our Three Steps to break the Cycle published August 2021

 

1. Awareness

The main news here is that the Rotary Safe Families website is up and running. We encourage members to become Champions of this programme in and with your Clubs and community groups. The materials are available for your use and there are ideal introductory videos to show in a Club meeting. If you adopt the programme or adapt the materials for your location, please let us know, so we can track versions and make connections to others who could benefit from your adaptation.

We hope to run a structured dialogue on the need to heal perpetrators as well as victims later this year or early next year. If you can contribute to the planning and running of this virtual event in your timezone, please let us know at ragfamsafe@gmail.com  .

2. Education

We have acquired a valuable resource in the form of a Cadre in this area. Madhumita "Madu" Bishnu of Kolkata has agreed to be our Technical Officer, and is looking for suitable programmes through her contacts in the education world. If you would like to connect with Madu please email us and we will put you in touch.

3. Trauma Recovery

Last year we were able to secure three different grants to advance our first signature project in this area.

The first grant, supported by several Clubs and a District, allowed us to set up a website which reaches out to people suffering incipient PTSD and also recruits Therapist Members of the RAG to help them at free or discounted rates. This is the first humanitarian network of its kind in Australia, and initially focussed on Trauma acquired during the 2019-20 bushfires.

The second grant, multi Club and District with the help of public donations from a Rotary appeal, allowed us to begin field operations in affected communities, delivering EMDR group and early intervention therapy and training, with the aim of stabilising First Responders, and beginning to create a local response capability for future events. The first trainings have been received enthusiastically in the health networks.

The third grant comes from California-based Direct Relief, building on links established when Rotary facilitated the distribution of a large quantity of respiratory masks they donated in late 2019. This grant is Bushfire-focussed too, and will assist us in providing group therapy to first responders and community leaders in the affected communities.

Given the lockdowns we have experienced, part of each programme is being delivered over the internet.

In 2021-22 we aim to broaden our scope to deal with the consequences of other disasters and to build resilience in the communities at risk of experiencing them, in rural, regional and remote areas. This should contribute to reducing domestic violence caused by triggers of trauma.

As always, if you would like to contribute to our efforts in any of these areas, please reach out to us at ragfamsafe@gmail.com

Be Safe, spread Safety!

Your RAGFamSafe Team

Background information for "Let's Talk about how Forensic Dentistry reveals Abuse" by Dr Frank Stechey

Program will highlight how Rotarians can unite Clubs through their vocation to eliminate family violence by educating the public, all multi-disciplinary health care, law enforcement & child educators in the everyday recognition of signs & symptoms of abuse leading to prevention & reduction in domestic violence.

Here is some background on Dr Frank.

And here is a comprehensive list of articles and activities, including more detail about one of the programs in which Rotarians are involved.