Ken Johnson, Educator, Trauma Therapist, Artist, Author Submitted by Lark Gerry
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SERVICE ABOVE SELF Claremont Rotary Year 91 | Week 23 | June 5, 2020 Ken Johnson, Educator, Trauma Therapist, Artist, Author submitted by Lark Gerry Susie Ilsley introduced her husband, Kendall (Ken) John- over the past twenty- son, a fourth generation Claremont resident and a third five years, many front generation Claremont native. Ken was raised on a lemon page headliners, that grove. His father Roger Johnson, was a philosopher, a Ki- stand out in the nation’s wanis club member, and his mother Patricia Johnson, was memory. From 1987 to a teacher, and both were artists. Ken’s father did land- 2012 Ken served as trau- scape design and his mother did water color painting. His matic stress consultant medical doctors at one point in his life happened to be Dr. to emergency service John Ilsley ( Susie’s dad ), a member of Claremont Rotary, agencies and the military in various settings, often in the and also Dr. Morrill Ilsley (Susie’s grandfather). field It is within the extremes of life experience that im- portant lessons can be learned, that character comes to Growing up in Claremont, Ken went to local schools. He the fore, and that human nature, for better and worse is has several advanced degrees including a doctorate in Clin- most clearly revealed. This is important background ical Psychology and is licensed by the state of California. that influenced Ken’s art. And now, Ken Johnson!! His specialty is psychological trauma. He has been an ad- junct faculty member at Mt. San Antonio College, and was Program begins on page 4 faculty at the International Critical Incident Foundation in Maryland and in that capacity lectured throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has consulted with Los Angeles Coun- ty Department of Mental Health, California Specialized En- gineers, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Chan- cellor’s Office of the New York City schools. A psychother- apist in private practice, Ken has authored seven books on psychological trauma and recovery, and has served on the editorial advisory board for The International journal of Emergency Mental Health. In addition, Ken has authored four books of poetry, and served as Director at Gallery 57 Underground in Pomona. His most recent book Chaos and Ashes, Literary nonfiction, California interest essays will be released this summer by Pelekinesis. It records his views from the inside of some of the largest critical incidents LAST WEEK’s MEETING ONLINE submitted by Cameron Troxell Inside Program p.1, 4, 5 Here is the link to the recording of the meeting of Friday, June 5. As always, Guests, Inspiration, Announcements p.2 thanks to those who participated, brought guests, and shared in virtual fel- Sergeant p.3 lowship. District Assembly p.5 Rotarian in Action: Francis Limbe p.6, 7 All are welcome! Zoom is almost like being there!! Events, Birthdays, Bits’ Thoughts p.8 The Clarifier Page 2 Rotary, the Zoom Meeting submitted by Harry Sparrow Cameron welcomed each member as we signed into our Zoom meeting. There was the usual banter. After a little bit of catching up and asides, Cameron said that based on the positive re- sponse to the breakout rooms last week, would definitely do it again and, based on a member request, the breakout groups would be a little smaller and he would let the sessions this week run a little bit longer (or so he said). We broke away for the sessions, but technology had a different idea as Cameron accidentally hit the wrong icon/button and inadvertently called us back in about 5 minutes instead of the promised 10. Nonetheless, the consensus was again that the breakouts are fun and a good simulation of the kind of table talk we have when meeting in person. Welcome Guests and Visiting Rotarians What Singing Club? Leah Zimmerman is now a familiar face. It was Mark Carson’s birthday and so the Can member induction be far behind? club serenaded him with Happy Birthday. Ian Sylvia Whitlock pointed out her guest Standley entered a comment in the chat box questioning the quality of the musical perfor- from Albany, New York, District Gover- mance; this led to an agreement that Mark’s nor Larry Jones. Sylvia was invited to be song would be the extent of the day’s sing- the keynoter for District 7190 the next ing. Mark said he awakened to balloons and a bottle of morning. Later, during the Sergeant ses- wine (for later) followed by a birthday hike in San Dimas sion, Larry talked about the area that he Canyon. Later in the day that there would be a nice dinner represents; he stressed that upstate with Kelly that would be followed by Zooming with friends. New York is significantly different from New York City. In a good way? Inspiration for the Day Announcements Cameron asked before we left for the breakouts wheth- th er anyone had been asked to provide the thought for the Anita Hughes said that since there will be no formal 4 of day, but if not, someone might volunteer a thought. Ron July celebration this year, the city is not charging for ban- Coleman immediately called out his thought: “I used to ners on the streetlights. Our club’s banner is on the north st be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.” [Insert groan side of 1 street not far from the Economy Shop. Anita said here]. we should salute the banner whenever we drive past. After the breakout, Lark Gerry noted that she had IPP Ron Coleman is chairing the debunking committee for brought up an idea in her breakout session to bring to the debunking of President Cameron Troxell, scheduled on the club. Since restrictions on dining out have been July 1. If you would like to help, just let Ron know! The eased, it might be possible for us to find a venue for an next meeting is on zoom June 17 at 5:30pm. All but Cam- in-person meeting soon. We all agreed that while some eron are welcome! members likely would choose to be cautious and not Lucinda McDade announced the California Botanic Gar- attend, many of us would be interested as long as appro- den online auction / annual fundraiser being held instead priate social distancing and other precautions would be of the annual gala. It’s open now for bids! taken. A number of possible venues were mentioned The annual District Assembly training sessions will be (e.g. patios at Elvira’s, Nuno’s), and the consensus was offered free online on Thursday evenings from June 4-25. All that we should also see if we could use the courtyard at are scheduled from 6-7 pm. Ask Buff for more infor- the DoubleTree, which we’ve done before. Anita mation. You can register on Dacdb. Remaining sessions: Hughes will check this out with DoubleTree catering. Membership Session June 18 Consider: Would members enjoy meeting as small Foundation Session June 25 (at least two members) groups around special topics such as planning projects need to attend for Club to be eligible for Dist. Grants) for the Rotary year (with or without another virus out- The first (free and) virtual Rotary International Convention break), discussing Club priorities, Community needs, will be online June 20-26. etc.? If so, send a note to erstwhile Clarifier editor, Buff. https://www.riconvention.org/en Speaking of Zoom etiquette: Convention Breakout sessions (starting at 6 am PDT) remember that you’re always https://www.riconvention.org/en/honolulu/breakout- on screen unless you “mute” sessions-schedule your video. Or, don’t stand up! The Clarifier Page 3 It’s a Fine Day he has bid on a number of items, and has been outbid So the sergeant must be John Tulac! John is on some. John said that one of the items is a piece by becoming a bit of a regular in this role be- our speaker, Ken Johnson, that John really wants. Out- cause he is just as comfortable on Zoom as bid John for a good cause! when we are all in the room. Actually, it is rumored that Next on John’s list was Zoe TeBeau. Zoe has been hold- John spends more time in Zoom meetings than he does ing estate sales online. As the state and in in-person conversations. county are easing stay at home re- John has always loved low hanging fruit and so he imme- strictions, she plans to stick with the diately fined Cameron for his “trigger finger” on closing online approach until she is confident the breakout sessions. Then out of the blue, John asked that it is safe to do otherwise. And she the name of Francis Scott Key’s brother. The answer is likes it! FINE! Francis “Off” Key, which was a precursor to another fine Nothing escapes John’s eye. He called out Jim Marchant for Cameron for the singing of the birthday song (which for having posted a thought for the day via the chat he disavowed). Mark Carson, of course, was fined for his box. Jim noted that he had lots of thoughts, but “since birthday. And John, for his joke. What goes around…. we aren’t supposed to talk politics here,” Jim’s thought Kelly Carson was fined for her excellent craft talk last was almost definitely apolitical: week. Kelly said that the talk had been good for her “Men who know little are often health: it was the most cardio activity she had all week. great talkers, while men who know She said her favorite part of the presentation was “the much say little.” Jim noted that he end of it.” Speaking of excellent craft talks, Barbara should revise the thought to remove Troxell was fined for her great talk as well.