Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Lord,
We struggle to support and love our neighbors. It is time to end the stigma surrounding mental health and champion those who seek help when they need it, to end bullying, to stand up for those who can’t, and to choose our words and actions wisely. It is time to end division, finger pointing, and putting people into boxes and time to welcome each other with open arms. God, help us to show one another the love and grace you show us every day.
Amen.
Announcements
Activity Flyer Updates
Joan Cordonnier showed us the fantastic flyer designed by Deb Saunders and the Marketing Committee. Joan said it is a great piece, but it could use more information to fully showcase club events and activities. Keep the Marketing Committee informed about your committee’s public activities. These flyers are distributed at community events and on our Facebook page.
TOP Soccer Season Begins
Last week, Greg Wasmund shared the exciting news that TOP Soccer is back for its 25th year! Registration and opening day will be Sunday, August 18th, 2024, at Oak Grove Park from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM and volunteers are needed. Volunteer coaches are also needed on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and Sundays from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM until mid-October. No soccer experience is required—just bring enthusiasm and empathy for the players. There will be 150 players across 8 fields. For more details and to sign up, please use the Member Calendar.
CHS Hope Squad 2023-2024
Joan Cordonnier introduced Beth Mires, Amy Hilliard and CHS student Lauren Aiken. Amy and Beth are Crisis Intervention Specialists and Counselors at the high school. They are also advisors for various programs including BOLD, Health Connectors, Lunch Buddies, Care Team, and Hope Squad. Lauren will be the President of the 2024-2025 senior class and is very active in Hope Squad. Beth and Amy said that everything Lauren does is done with purpose and passion.
They thanked CNO for the monetary support that helps create a positive culture at CHS and breaking down the stigma of mental health.
Hope Squad is a program of Grant Us Hope.
Slides
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
About Hope Squad
Hope Squad is a school-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that deploys trained students to do intentional outreach with distressed peers. The goal is providing friendship, encouragement, and support for students in their school who may be struggling. Hope Squad spreads HOPE and brings awareness to their school and community about mental health in addition to suicide prevention fundamentals, self-care, and anti-bullying.
Presentation from Beth Mires and Amy Hilliard
Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. We started implementing it after a tragic incident at Kettering Fairmont, where a young man completed suicide before the program could be launched.
They began planning for Hope Squad at CHS in 2021 and started the nomination process where students are chosen, not for popularity, but for their kindness and caring nature. The only question on the nomination form is, “Who would you turn to if you needed someone to talk to?” The nomination process has been effective in identifying students who are trusted by their peers.
CHS Hope Squad launched in the spring of 2022.
Hope Squad meetings aim to model kindness and care, create positivity, and breakdown the stigma of mental health. They also provide another layer of support for our students.
Presentation from Lauren Aiken, CHS Student
Lauren Aiken, who graduates in May of 2025, was nominated to the Hope Squad as a Freshman.
Lauren said, “It’s wonderful to be part of Hope Squad. We do various activities to build community and spread awareness.”
In the summer, the kids gather to reconnect, and they start the school year with events like “Touch a Truck” to promote mental health awareness.
They collaborate with other schools, including with their football rival Kettering Fairmont High School, to emphasize that mental health is a shared cause.
Hope Week is like Spirit Week, with activities designed to bring awareness and create a positive environment. For instance, on Mondays, they play music and have bubbles to welcome students.
Throughout Hope Week, they encourage activities like making friendship bracelets, participating in stress shredding activities and writing gratitude notes. The Hidden Duck activity is particularly popular, where students find rubber ducks that were hidden throughout the school and exchange them for donuts from Bill’s Donuts.
They also meet regularly to discuss self-care and other mental health activities. For example, the mindfulness activity is one of my favorites where we focus on breathing exercises and self-healing.
Contents of the Hope Week Flyer
Planned for November is Hope Week. The goal is to spread awareness for mental health, inspire hope and show options on self-care. Hope Squad is here to help anyone and encourages students to reach out to others that may need help.
Mindful Monday
Hope Week Kick-off!, Wear your PJs!
Therapeutic Tuesday
Wear Yellow
Stress Shredding Activity in Advisory
Lunch – Make friendship bracelets in the PDC
Hippie Hump Day Wednesday
Wear Hippie Clothes
Spread Peace and Love
Play Kahoot in Advisory
Lunch – Cornhole/Spikeball front of central
Thankful Thursday
Dress as your HERO
Not all HEROS wear capes!
Write a gratitude note in Advisory
Lunch – Thankful Post-it Notes BOC
Fandom Friday
Wear something you are a fan of
“Hidden ducks” activity throughout the school, find a duck & get a Bill’s Donut
Hope Squad Activities
- Summer Gathering: A social event at Whit’s for squad members to connect.
- Community Awareness: Participation in the Touch-a-Truck event at City BBQ and collaboration with Fairmont’s Hope Squad during the Spirit Chain Game for mental health awareness.
- Hope Week (Nov 6-10): Activities such as wearing yellow for suicide prevention, making friendship bracelets, stress-relief exercises, gratitude notes, and a hidden duck prize activity.
- Lunch Meetings: Squad gatherings to create a ‘Hope tree,’ plan activities, and celebrate achievements.
- Take Hope to the Hoop: Mental health awareness event in collaboration with Fairmont.
- Mindfulness Activities: Sessions for squad members to focus on self-care.
- QPR Presentation: Training and presentations on suicide prevention at Tower Heights.
- Senior Send-Off: Spring retreat in partnership with TJ’s Place of Hope.
- Generous Donations: CNO’s generous donation allowed the squad to provide meals, purchase ‘Radiate Hope’ shirts, buy art supplies, and thank volunteers.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is QPR?
A: QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer. It’s our approach to helping students in crisis. We ask if they are okay, persuade them to seek help, and refer them to counselors if needed.
Q: Do students in crisis come to you, or do you go to them?
A: It varies. Sometimes we notice someone in need and approach them, and other times they come to us. We also have a QR code on posters that students can use to request help anonymously.
Q: How can we help you going forward?
A: We appreciate the support. Continued funding helps us with activities, retreats, community work, and providing resources like posters and T-shirts.
Q: How are HOPE Squad members trained?
A: Training involves role-playing scenarios and learning how to handle various situations. We focus on the QPR method and self-care to ensure members are prepared to help others without being overwhelmed themselves.
Thank You
Thank you, Beth Mires, Amy Hilliard, and Lauren Aiken for educating us about the CHS HOPE Squad.
Previous CNOtes about HOPE Squad
On June 20, 2023, we first heard about Grant Us Hope and Hope Squad. You can read that article here.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Addie Bartlett | Evelyn Griffin |
| Aidan Bartlett | Evelyn Griffin |
| Amanda Bartlett | Evelyn Griffin |
| Amy Hilliard | Speaker |
| Beth Mires | Speaker |
| Corin Brewer | Stephanie Llacuna |
| Don Adams | Blanca Criner |
| Krista Mowell | Award Recipient |
| Lauren Aiken | Speaker |
| Leah Goeke | Matt Goeke |
| Marian Montgomery | Blanca Criner |
| Melinda Mowell | Award Recipient’s Family |
| Steve Bennett | Ellie Parker |
| Tina Timmons | Ellie Parker |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Brad Millward | Art Hung | Induction |
| Michelle Collier | Julie Walling Noeth | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Julie Walling Noeth | Parking for Dayton Dragon’s games is available for just $5 at the Good Neighbor House and you are helping a great cause. Michelle Collier, who was just inducted into CNO, is the executive director of Good Neighbor House. |
| Patrick Arehart | He and his wife Diane recently helped assemble 53 beds in 3 hours for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. He said it was an amazing experience and everyone should try it. Jeff Mogg, a new CNO member, is the organizer of the chapter for our area. The next opportunity to help is 8/17/2024. |
| Bob Collins | His daughter and son-in-law found a CNO member giving away a tandem bike online. His daughter’s eyesight has gotten bad enough that she can’t ride a bike alone. |
| Art Hung | His daughter was great in the Centerville Community Band that played at the Pops concert at Sinclair in Centerville last Sunday. |
| Art Hung | The singing performance at the Pops concert of CNO member Andrea Bublitz at Sinclair in Centerville last Sunday was great. |
| Don Stafford | His first granddaughter just had her first birthday. Lauren Aiken was a fantastic speaker today. He was glad no one showed up that had a birthday today, he wanted a rest from hearing the singing. |
| Ellie Parker | Her step-grandson just graduated and is now a meteorologist and a reporter. |
| David Duncombe | He is happy each day when he wakes up to another day. He also looks forward every Tuesday to having a great meal with some of the best people in Southwest Ohio. |
| Gary Anderson | $6, He has been traveling for six weeks. He saw his granddaughter play in a national volleyball tournament in Orlando. He saw his grandson play in a baseball tournament in Charleston, SC. Remember the speakers today when you are cold on the tree lot this winter. They are the reason we raise the money that we do. |
| Diane Flick | Crayons to Classrooms is starting its second year of supplying brand-new teachers from Wright State with items to setup their first classroom. She also just got a new to her car. |
| Mike Creech | He is happy that Diane Flick joined his table today for lunch. |
| Bob Burkman | Last Wednesday he and Carol welcomed their first great granddaughter. He also said thank you to our great speakers today. |
| Joan Cordonnier | $10, for all the kindness CNO members have shown her for the loss of her mother. Thank you to the Hope Squad for speaking to us today on short notice. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Art Hung | Only introduced his daughter to Sergeant Chris McAlpine and not Sergeant Matt Goeke. |
| Diane Arehart | She won the Euchre tournament last Friday night. |
| Scott Langer | He was late to today’s meeting. |
| Beth Duncan, Erin Laurito | They were too excited to tell sergeant Matt Goeke what to fine people for. |
| Joan Cordonnier | Ratting herself out for a potential fine. |
| Steve Rau, Paula Harrison, Ginger Ross, Sharon Baker, Greg Hoffbauer, Craig Dring, Tia Papp | The never gave the sergeants a reason to fine them in the last quarter and today was the sergeant’s last day. |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Christina Clemmer | July 30, 2023 | 1 |
| Alice Onady | July 30, 2023 | 1 |
| Julie Woodruff | July 30, 2023 | 1 |
| Myron Rheaume | August 1, 1987 | 37 |
Birthdays
| John Powell | July 30 |
| Steve Linder | July 30 |
| Todd Muckerheide | July 30 |
| Jeff Mogg | July 31 |
| Melissa Deeter | August 3 |
| Andrew Cain | August 4 |
| Andrew Nathan | August 4 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week