Feb 11 2009

Ginny Barr, Chris Joye, Dr. Kathleen Hayes

Lake Murray – Irmo Rotary Club Meeting February 11, 2009

Submitted by Harold Crawford

President Robinson called the meeting to order. Si Amick opened the meeting with a prayer that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

John Hanson introduced all visitors, and Lyman Whitehead entertained us with Health and Happiness.

President Robinson asked each of us to remember Bill Kopelman who is beginning his treatments. We will all keep Bill in our prayers.

Judy Johnson spoke of the upcoming bowling event on Saturday, February 28, at 2:00 PM at Anchor Lanes in Irmo. Rotarians can sponsor teams or play individually.

President Robinson reminded everyone of the District Conference Friday Luncheon. The club will be picking up the expense for the lunch.

Classification Talks were delivered by both Chris King and Ray Hunt.

Former President Chris Joye introduced our speaker, Dr. Kathleen Hayes, State Director of the SC Department of Social Services. Dr. Hayes has dedicated her professional career to improving the wellbeing of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, especially at risk children – in child protective services, foster care, adoption, and to those in the custody of the juvenile justice system.

As director of DSS, Dr. Hayes oversees an agency of 4400 employees which serves more than 800,000 citizens in South Carolina, with an annual budget of $1.2 billion. The DSS programs she supervises includes: child welfare services, including adoption, foster care, child protective services, family preservation and case management; adult protective services, protecting and maintaining the safety of vulnerable adults from abuse and financial exploitation; child support enforcement, including the establishing of child support orders, collection from non-custodial parents, paternity establishment and parent locate services; child care regulatory and licensing services; and temporary assistance to needy families in the form of SNAP benefits, and monetary assistance.

President Robinson adjourned the meeting and wished all Rotarians a good week.