MARCH 15, 2016 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Al Zdrazil and Janice Barker
Domestic violence crosses every socio-economic status. When its effects follow victims into the workplace, co-workers and employers also suffer consequences of the original violence. Former Club 10 President Al Zdrazil and his colleague, prosecutor Janice Barker of the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, presented policies and action plans that can be put into immediate use in our workplaces today to assist workers victimized by this community problem.
Club 10 Business Report


President Carla Hauge brought the meeting to order at 12:14 p.m. on a cloudy, rainy late-winter day in downtown Saint Paul. David Laird led the assembled Rotarians in singing When Irish Eyes Are Smiling! accompanied by Doug Hartford on the piano to celebrate this week's observance of St. Patrick's Day. Matt Halley provided today's invocation. Michael-jon Pease facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. Today's Greeters were Brianna Vujovich and Rick Gobell.
President Carla asked Mindee Kastelic to come forward for a New Member introduction for Nancy Brady of Neighborhood House. Carley Stuber also came forward to introduce a second New Member Laura Nichols-Endres from the Children’s Museum. Matt Halley previewed the upcoming Rotation Day.
Michael-jon Pease collected Happy Dollars. Doug Bruce contributed and promoted the upcoming drive for Feed Our Starving Children with the pre-event set up at Summit Brewing on April 22nd followed by packing on April 23rd and 24th.
Past President and District Governor Joe Kovarik introduced today's speakers, Past President Al Zdrazil and Janice Barker, Assistant Ramsey County Attorney. The topic to be addressed: Domestic Violence in the Workplace. Past President Al displayed a short video that graphically represented an episode of domestic violence. After the viewing of the video, he then described the depth of the problem: domestic violence crosses every socio-economic status. Further, once domestic violence has taken root, seven interventions are required in order to force the abuser to leave the abusive relationship.
Cases of domestic violence follow a common pattern of escalating abuse: verbal abuse; emotional abuse; isolation; intimidation and threats; stalking and surveillance (control); sexual abuse; physical abuse; and, financial control. Economic abuse or financial control includes the abuser limiting the victim's access to joint bank accounts and even trying to control paychecks that may be surrendered to the abuser by the victim.
During an episode of domestic violence, the victimized employee generally wants to work; feels safer at work than at home; doesn't want to lose their job; doesn’t want others to think poorly of them; doesn’t want violence to impact their job; fears if co-workers try to help, the co-workers will only make matters worse.
Another video was shown featuring Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, herself once a victim of domestic violence. Her first marriage lasted from 1972 until 1985 and was marred by domestic violence. After her first marriage ended, she completed her education and eventually became a member of the Ramsey County Board. She also has remarried. She is an advocate for victims of domestic violence and services the community provides as a response to the problem.
The presenters offered policy suggestions for employers to help combat the problem in the workplace. One suggestion is to allow time-off for victims above-and-beyond standard company guidelines especially for court appearances to seek protective orders or for divorce proceedings or other legal actions. In addition, employers can (1) create a safe work environment; (2) develop a safety plan for victims; (3) adopt the "Sample Company Policy" (Al provided copies after the meeting) and put the policy/plan into action; and, (4) have a company "Protection Policy" for court orders. For further information, Club 10 members are encouraged to contact the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women.
President Carla thanked Past President Al and Ms. Barker for their presentation and noted that a donation would be made in their names to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Reading Together" program. She also presented them with Rotary Coins and then led those assembled in a recitation of the Four-Way Test inscribed on it ("Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?"). President Carla then rang the bell to close the meeting at 1:12 p.m.
Chuck Standfuss, Scribe