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NAMI SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. If you came to a NAMI meeting once, can you tell us
why you did not return?
2. If you were formerly a member, please share with us
why you are not a member now.
3. What do you appreciate the most about our meetings?
4. What do you like least about our meetings?
5. What would you like to see us offer?
6. How can we best meet your needs at our meetings?
Remember, you are not alone in this challange and together
we can work to improve our lives either living with or dealing with mental
illness. Please return this survey by mail or bring it to the next
NAMI meeting. There is no need to put you name on it, and feel free
to use a seperate piece of paper for your answers. Thank-you sincerely.
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FIELD TRIP REPORT
by Jim Caywood, V.P., NAMI-TC
The field trip to Calaveras Big Trees was a big success.
We had 45 in attendance including King's View Day Care folks, David Lambert
Drop In Center people, and Cabrini House residents as well as 6 family
care givers, two King's View Drivers, and 1 driver/counselor. We
B-B-Qued Polish Sausages with all the fixin's at noon. We then gathered
on a Redwood Stump for a group picture. That stump was 25 feet in
diameter. Then we enjoyed a lecture by a Forest Ranger about the
history of the Big Trees. Afterwards we went on an awesome hike of
1 mile in a loop. Later that afternoon, John Leamy entertained us
on his acoustic guitar with beautiful folk music and popular songs from
the 60's, 70's, and 80's. We sang along and everyone had a
wonderful time.
Be sure to mark your calendar for our next outing event.
On Sunday, July 15 at 2:00PM we will be going on a fishing excursion to
"The Rich's Pond" in Copperopolis. There will be transportation available
from the David Lambert Drop In Center at 2:00PM. We will be having a B-B-Q
lunch again. Please be sure to sign a release of liability form and
turn it in. There will be forms available at the next NAMI meeting
on July 5th. We hope you can all plan to join us at the meeting and on
the Fishing Trip
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JULY,
2001
American Independence Month
Message From the President
This month we will celebrate our country's independence
on the 4th. Thinking of independence reminds me of what we strive
for regarding our consumers. We have many projects directed at making
independence possible. Projects in areas like housing, transportation,
job training, education, etc. We need to put all our resources together
to get the best research, the best legislature, and the best media coverage.
We have come a long way together, but we still have a great deal of work
to do regarding our concern for Mental Health. If you can help in
any way in our NAMI affiliate chapter here in Tuolumne, your suggestions
are welcome. Dr. Peters will be at the NAMI monthly meeting on the
5th to speak with family members. Don't miss this opportunity to
ask him questions about medications, side effects, and our local Mental
Health Clinic. See you there!
Jeannette Lambert
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NAMI PRESENTS YOUR LOCAL
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
ALAN PETERS, M.D.
Dr. Peters was born and raised on the East Coast.
He attended both college and medical school in New York, graduating magna
cum laude, and was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He
originally planned to study drama, but changed his mind and graduated from
New York Medical College in 1979. He interned in New York City, then
went to University of California at San Diego for his residency in psychiatry.
He completed his residency in 1983 and moved to Sonora in 1984. Since
moving to this area he has been with Community Mental Health in Calaveras
County, Stanislaus County, and Tuolumne County. He has maintained a private
practice as well as acting as program psychiatrist here in Tuolumne County.
He is currently the Medical Director for the inpatient psychiatric unit
of Tuolumne General Hospital. We appreciate Dr. Peters contribution
to the mental health consumers here in Tuolumne County, and we hope to
have him here for some time to come.
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AFFILIATE TRAINING IN SACRAMENTO
Jim Caywood and Jeanette Lambert drove to Sacramento
on Thursday, June 14 for a training seminar offered by NAMI of California.
They left at 7:30AM and returned home at 6:30PM. The training lasted
from 10:00AM to 4:00pm with a break for lunch provided by NAMI of California.
It was a long day but so worthwhile. Jim and Jeanette are both very
excited about the plans for the Tuolumne County Affiliate. The presenter
was Katrina Gay who kept the trainees attention the entire time.
There were many affiliates represented and a lot of ideas exchanged.
They got to meet the President of NAMI of California whose name is Grace
McAndrews. She was interested in each affiliate. There is so
much help available by the NAMI website and we plan to avail ourselves
of that information. The 12 different affiliates that had people
at the seminar ranged in membership from 5 to 365 members. How does
this benefit you? First, we would like to hear from you. Please
take a few minutes to answer the questions on the survey on the next page
to help us better meet the needs of our members. Thank-you for your
participation.
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RED CALLS BINGO
Every third Friday of the month Red calls a bingo game
at the David Lambert Drop In Center from about 1:00pm until the Bingo
prizes are all won. He must have at least six people to proceed with
the game. Marilee buys a variety of Bingo Prizes each month that
range from eatables to toiletry and household items. The next date
for Bingo is June 22, at 1:00pm. Join Red for his Bingo game and
have a good time winning!
QUOTE FOR THE DAY
A lie gets half way around the world before the truth
has a chance to put its pants on.
Sir Winston Churchill
We wish to express our thanks to "NAMI Gold Country Updates"
from Angels Camp for giving us permission to use articles and information
from their monthly newsletter distributed in Calaveras County.
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FAMILY TO FAMILY NOTICE
Do you want to know more about your family member's illness?
Do you wish you new more about medications?
Would you like to be able to understand and communicate
more effectively with your ill family member?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, the
NAMI Family to Family Education Course can help you. The 12 week
course is taught not by professionals, but by trained family members
that have "been there" themselves. The curriculum was written by
Dr. Joyce Burland, a psychologist and family member. It offers the
most up to date information and is completely free of charge. The
class will begin in Tuolumne County on August 5th. For more information
call Pat Davis @ 209-728-0864.
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Last Call
Membership Dues
Reminder
Thank you to all who have paid your yearly dues.
It is now time to send a portion of those dues to the state and national
organizations. If you haven't paid yet, please take a moment to do
so now. Just $20.00 for an individual and $30.00 for a family membership.
Consumer dues are only $5.00. Members receive the NAMI California Statement
and the NAMI Advocate
Please send your check to:
NAMI - TC
P.O. Box 4720
Sonora, CA
95370
Send Your Address and receive this NAMI newsletter as
well.
NAME____________________________________
ADDRESS________________________________
CITY/STATE______________________________
ZIP/PHONE_______________________________
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