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District Governor's Newsletter
May 2018
Continuous Rotary Service Month!
Much is made of the need to increase Rotary’s membership, and for good reason. In working on this, let’s remember to embrace the Rotarians who are already “inside the tent.”
Our District 7780 communities have large numbers of Interact Clubs. The students of Interact are Rotarians in every sense of the word: they are committed to serving the community, they value Service Above Self, they go to work and get it done.
When was the last time your Rotary Club members worked hands-in with your Interact Club? It’s a great way to learn new things and share your Rotary passion with folks who will be doing this long after we’ve moved on.
How many emerging leaders will your club support at RYLA next month?
Rotarians have two excellent ways to invest in the future: one is to support our Foundation, and the other is to support our Interact , RYLA, and Rotaract programs (and in some communities, Early-Act or middle school programs too.) The old-Rotary term for these is “youth services” or “new generations,” but I think of it as Continuous-Rotary.
PDG Drew Kessler reminds us that we’re all Rotarians: let’s stop talking about youth programs as though they were different, and instead make them the logical extension of our own clubs. An Interact student graduating next month may be off to college, or may be off to an apprentice work program, or a job down the street. They are ready to continue their Rotary Service: all we have to do is ask them to join us.
As I write this, we are getting ready for the five-district conference, the Rotary Summit at Mount Washington. I’m proud to report that we’ll have at least eighty next-generation Rotarians at this conference, some thirty Youth Exchange members and over fifty Interact and Rotaract members. This team is leading our Rise Against Hunger service project at the Summit during which, over 500 Rotarians will package over 20,000 meals for the hungry. We look forward to working with them, learning from them, and sharing that Rotary experience.
Rotary in Toronto
Coming up very quickly, the RI convention in Toronto June 24-27. You can still register here: http://www.riconvention.org/en
Our District Governor team and the district’s protection committee have updated the protection policy that covers Rotarians in District 7780. Included in this update, which was reviewed in a session at the recent District Training Assembly, are new provisions to assure that all Rotarians can serve in a respectful environment that is “Rotary-OK,” free from harassment, abuse, intimidation or sexual abuse. Please make sure all members of your club are up-to-date on these policies, and contact District Protection Officer Gregg Dowty if you’d like him to present a club program on this topic, or with any questions about these updates. Gregg can be reached at gdowty60@gmail.com. You can read the updated policies and the revisions suggested for your own club policy at this link:
Our district’s operations, finances, foundation funds and accountability are all posted in clear windows for every Rotarian to see. This week, we will hold our annual business meeting at Mount Washington, where every club can have delegates reviewing and voting upon our reports as well as proposed changes in bylaws. Every Rotarian can learn more about this, and read all the supporting information, at this link:
In addition, our district committees post periodic reports about their service, goals and progress. You can find these by going to the home page of rotary7780.org and navigating to the “committees” drop-down menu at the top right side of your screen, where you will see updates from all our district committees. We have worked hard this year to improve the communication and transparency of our district efforts.
Would you like to consider serving on a district team? Just raise your hand by talking to me, Governor-Elect John LoBosco, Governor-Nominee Andy Glazier, Governor Nominee-Designate Peggy Belanger, or with Michele Bois-Gilbody, our district director of people, networking and succession planning. We need you!
Thanks for your continuing Rotary Service …. we are Making a Difference in our local communities, and it only happens because of you.
First, the bad news. Sadly, we continue to discover new cases of wild polio virus in Afghanistan. The total there is now up to 7. Only one case has been reported in Pakistan in March. But, we have not had a case in Africa since August 2016, and you may remember, in 2017, we ended the year with 22 cases of wild polio virus in two countries (14 in Afghanistan and 8 in Pakistan). In 2016, we had 35 cases in three countries (12 in Afghanistan, 19 in Pakistan, and 4 in Nigeria.) Slow and steady wins the race.
The good news is clubs in our district are doing great in their support of Polio Plus. The cumulative club Polio Plus giving goals this year were $53,072 and, as of April 24, actual contributions were $52,344.58, or 98.6% of our goal. Good for you! Nineteen clubs have met or exceeded their club goals, and based on their past giving, I am sure a number of others will before the end of the year. We still have 4 clubs that have yet to give, and hopefully they will come through then, like last year, we will have 100% of our clubs contributing to this major cause.
A question I am often asked is, once we get to zero new cases, what will be the process of ensuring that we stay there? A recent email from Mike McGovern, chair of the International Polio Plus Committee, explained:
"The Post Certification Strategy of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was recently adopted by the Polio Oversight Board. It provides that bivalent oral polio vaccine will be provided for one year after certification. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) will continue to be provided for up to 9 additional years as part of routine immunizations. The world will continue polio cessation essential activities such as surveillance for at least ten years and there will be active monitoring of containment facilities where stockpiles will be kept just in case there is an unexpected outbreak. How is all of this to be paid for? Much will be absorbed by governments around the world. The Trustees of the Rotary Foundation recently agreed that after certification Rotary should continue advocating to governments for funds needed to sustain a polio free world. The relatively small amount of funding that will be needed to do this advocacy is substantially less than the amounts needed between now and cessation. It is anticipated that active fundraising from internal Rotary sources will continue through cessation and the advocacy thereafter will be paid for with bequests, budgeted funds and any funds remaining from earlier fundraising."
District Youth Exchange
PILOT PROGRAM TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER
The District just initiated a pilot program for Rotary Short Term Youth Exchange for this summer.
Short Term Youth exchange has two high school students and their families pair up. Student 1 travels to and is hosted by Family 2 for 3-4 weeks. Then the two students travel together to Family 1, where Student 2 is hosted for 3-4 weeks. Then Student 2 goes home. The students/families pay all expenses for travel, visas, insurance and spending money. Host families provide room, food and activities.
The club reviews applications and helps select students, and hosts the students at meetings, service projects and club activities. The club provides support for the family and students.
The district maintains its Essex membership, provides support for the district committee, and host students to a district sponsored activity if it occurs during the exchange time.
Through Essex, our deadline is May 1st for applications, but it can be extended a couple of weeks.
There are exchanges available for Italy, France and Ecuador (Spanish speaker only).
The pilot is chartered to:
Focus around the Portland area
Limited to Portland, Portland Sunrise, South Portland/Cape, Westbrook and Falmouth clubs.
Students from Rotary families, including grandparents in the definition.
1-3 students.
We are hoping to learn from the pilot and get more clubs involved next summer.
District Literacy Update
FOUR-WAY SPEECH CONTEST
Oscar Hennin presents his winning Four-Way Test Speech
At the District Training Assembly on April 7, 2018, the Four-Way Test Speech Contest, open to high school students residing in District 7780, was held and the winner announced. The Four-Way Test is a set of four questions that Rotarians use to assist in the conduct of their personal and professional lives. The questions are: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
District 7780 recognized Oscar Hennin, a freshman from Morse High School and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bath as the winner, and he was recognized with a certificates and presented with a monetary award of $750. Oscar presented his speech “The Relevance of Craftsmanship in Today’s World” during the closing ceremony to attending Rotarians. Oscar said his prize money of $750 will go towards his driver's license and a summer course at Southern Maine Community College.
We received a little thank you note from Oscar’s mom on April 8, 2018, and I'd like to share it with all of you. “ Thank you (and all the District 7780 Rotarians) for treating Oscar (and his parents) so well yesterday. It was a great learning experience for Oscar and I hope enjoyable for Rotary.”
AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR LITERACY ENTHUSIASTS
We invite literacy enthusiasts to serve as members of the District Literacy Committee. The committee will meet once a month (date, time, and location TBD). The major responsibilities of the District Literacy Committee would include, but would not be limited to, communicating the literacy goals to our clubs, identifying what are clubs expectations from a District Literacy Committee, and to evaluate the Four-Way Speech Contest and submit suggestions to the District Governor track team.
Camp Dates: Sunday June 24th to Wednesday June 27th
Cost Per Student: $375.00 (Same as last year)
Cost per Staff: $375.00 (clubs can sponsor a staff member or two or more) we have been doing this for the past several years in the district.
Value of Camp for a Student: $750.00 we are advertising the value of camp this year to students to show them the commitment of Rotary and to ensure they do not back out of camp or not show up. If we paid staff or did not raise money for staff to attend the cost would be closer to the $750.00
Important Dates:
May 1st – Club should be notifying accepted students and then send in the one-page registration/application form into RYLA staff along with a check for $375.00 per student payable to Rotary District 7780.
Once the paperwork arrives at the RYLA mailbox, we email and send out the welcome package and medical forms. Because of HIPPA requirements clubs should not be collecting medical information.
June 1st - Medical Forms are due back to RYLA from Campers and Staff
We will keep registration open after JUNE 1st if we are do not have a full 144 campers. It will be vital to communicate with Phil Giordano directly at philtastic7780@gmail.com if the club will be past deadlines.
ROTARIANS WANTED:
June 9th – Camp Hinds Clean up Day at Camp Hinds - 146 Plains Road - Raymond, Maine 04071
Time: 9:00 am to we finish. Jobs included Staining/Painting shed and New RYLA RIDGE Avery Pavilion. Spreading Mulch and Clearing Trails. Please bring wheelbarrow and outdoor tools for clearing trails, shovel, rakes. Send email to Phil Giordano if you are interested and can help to philtastic7780@gmail.com
Bring a boxed Lunch.
Sunday, June 24th – Camp Registration and RYLA Welcome - Camp Hinds
Time: 7:45 am to 12:30 pm – Lunch Included.
Need help with talking with parents, directing students and signing in students. Registration begins at 8:30 but students start arriving as early as 8:00. After Registration you can tour the campus and stay for the big RYLA opening at 11:00 followed by lunch.
Time 6:00 pm – 10:00+ or you can just stay for dinner at 6:00 – 7:45 pm. Join Campers for dinner. Cost is $10.00 and then join us for our Final Campfire ceremony. This will last until 10:00 or so. It will be dark and ends late, but you will get a great feel of how campers are experiencing RYLA.
If you are interested, please send Phil an email at philtastic7780@gmail.com. We will collect the $10.00 at camp that evening.
Wrap a Smile
Friends & Rotarians, below is a link to a letter from Terry Hodskins regarding the Wrap a Smile Project.
And here is a little reading about Wrap a Smile to give you some background
Wrap-A-Smile was started in 2001, while Terry Hodskins of Wells Rotary was at a Board of Directors meeting when our dear friend Bridget Burns was telling about her trips with Rotaplast and asking our Club for funds to help support the missions. During her presentation she mentioned that when a child comes out of surgery, they were wrapped in plastic "chucks".
Terry is a quilter. When she heard that, she heard no more of Bridget's presentation. All she could think of was these children needed to be wrapped in a warm quilt made from love. She went up to Bridget after the meeting and asked her if she would be willing to take some quilts on her next mission. She said she would love to take 10 - 12 quilts. Asked how many surgery were completed on a mission Bridget said about 90-100. "I want each child to take a quilt home with them" said Terry. Bridget's reply was "You can't do that." "Yes I can, I am a redhead and a Rotarian" says Terry.
At the time Terry belonged to 3 different quilt groups. She approach each group to get their feedback and support. By the time Bridget went on her next mission in January of 2001, she took with her 110 quilts.
Still working cleaning out old files! So for the next few months, there will be a quote out of an old club newsletters that I come across where I did a make-up. So here we go down memory lane!
The quotes below were in the April District Newsletter that I had taken from two different clubs newsletters!
August 14, 1987 Newsletter, this club “Chuck Andrews was in charge of the program and his guest speaker was Caspar Weinberger – on video tape – in a program called “Soviet Military Power”. 15-17% of the Soviet budget goes to the military whereas we spend 6%”
August 1988 Edition, what club’s newsletter was called “The Early Bird”. In this edition, Club President Ron Indorf welcomed 3 new members into this club. Chief of Police Pat Cote, Chiropractor Eric Bakke and Northern Utilities Representative Bill Myers. “As you know the $5.00 we pay for breakfast includes the breakfast, gratuity and the weekly drawing.”
What a deal! They listed 20 different locations for makeups in Maine, NH and even Boston. Unfortunately, this club is no longer.
Who can tell me the name of one or both of these two clubs? Once the winners are announced, I will provide the old newsletters to the club if they want them.
Well no one came through with even a guess!
August 14, 1987 Newsletter – “The Rotary Beacon” from the Rotary Club of York.
August 1988 Edition – “The Early Bird” from the Rotary Club of Somersworth.
Here are the quotes for May from two more newsletters from the past:
July 7, 1988 Newsletter, from “CLUB NOTES – Michael J. Asselin will take over as club treasurer beginning July 1st. This last minute change comes about when Mart Hart accepted a position outside our area. Best of luck, Mike.”
August 1, 1990 Newsletter – “This week our program will consist of a trip to Stephens Memorial Hospital and a tour of that facility as conducted by Chuck Frost.”
Let’s see if anyone reads the District Newsletter all the way through! The answers are really easy! Can you tell me the name of either of these clubs?
Send your answers to me at mawilliamspdg@comcast.net with your name and your club name. The answers will be in the June newsletter.
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
See you at The Summit!
The Rotary Club of Bethel
CLUB DONATES "SPEAKER" BOOKS TO SCHOOL
Pictured above: Rotarian Ellie Andrews presents a book to some 4th Graders and Librarian Jen Doyle at the Woodstock Elementary School
The Bethel Rotary Club asks each of our program speakers to write a short inspirational note in a youth book. When we have a number of messages, we then donate the book to one of the local elementary schools.
BETHEL THANKS ROTARY CLUB FOR THEIR SUPPORT
Pictured left to right: AG Chris Summers, Susan Brown, OHRC President Chris Weston and his wife/Rotarian Val.
Thank you Oxford Hills Rotarians for supporting our Spring Country Breakfast!
From your Bethel Rotary Friends
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
ROTARIAN HONORED IN CELEBRATION
Pictured: Doug and MaryJane Tigert
Doug Tigert of Bremen Maine was recently honored at Maine Health Care Association’s Annual Remember Me Celebration in Augusta. This is the day set aside each year to honor and recognize seniors from every corner of the state of Maine, to hear their unique stories and honor their achievements and all they have given of themselves to so many.
Dr. Tigert was chosen as on honoree for his many professional and personal achievements. He was born and raised in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. His parents were both high school teachers and he and his three siblings were expected to go on to college. Douglas struggled in his first year of college at the University of Toronto and transferred to Queens University in Kingston, Ontario where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. He received his Masters at Northwestern in Chicago, and his PHD in marketing from Perdue.
ORGANIZATIONS JOIN FORCES TO PACK MEALS FOR AREA FOOD PANTRIES
On Saturday, April 14, fifty-five volunteers from Rotary, Lions, the YMCA, and the community gathered on the basketball court of the CLC Y to pack 20,000 meals for area pantries. The bulk, dry mac and cheese and tomato-basil pasta was supplied by the non-profit EndHungerNE, using funds raised locally between Thanksgiving and Christmas by volunteers from the local Rotary and Lions clubs. The food was then packed into individual bags that serve 6 people. Hunger, especially childhood hunger, continues to increase in Maine.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SHARE IMPRESSIONS OF MAINE AND USA
International students attending Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, shared their impressions of Maine and USA at a recent Rotary meeting, and spoke about their impressions of school and people in Maine. Students pictured were from Africa, Jamaica, China, the Czech Republic, Germany and Holland.
The Rotary Club of Hampton
FOOD SHOPPING SPREE
This past Saturday, April 28th, approximately 50 Hampton Rotarians, family, and friends met at Market Basket in Seabrook, NH at 8am for another successful Food Shopping Spree. This is the 5th year holding this event, which had us shopping for seven local food pantries/soup kitchens in our service area. Each "shopper" received gift cards, along with a wish list from one of the seven receiving organizations, which they then used their savvy shopping skills to purchase as much as possible and deliver the purchased items to the organization.
For just over an hour, the aisles of Market Basket were swarming with "Rotarian at Work" t-shirts. So impressed were the "regulars" with us and what we were doing, that many donated gift cards or cash during the event which allowed us to purchase even more than the original $5,000 contribution.
Thank you to Market Basket of Seabrook, NH for allowing us to "take over" the store, and a special thanks to DG Dave Underhill and wife Linda for coming down and joining us!
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
CLUB RECAP
A representative from the Seacoast Community Lunch Program accepts a check from President Ben Wheeler.
The club donated $1,500 dollars to the Seacoast Community Lunch program. This effort launches in May at the Middle Street Baptist Church. Plated meals and live music is contemplated. Ramona Dow is coordinating the Club’s participation…Our club generously supported the Interact Club’s Polar Plunge led by Joanie Dickinson. With the way our weather is going, we may be holding these kinds of events in July!
Warm-weather mention would be incomplete without plugging our club golf tournament set for Friday, June 22 at the Pease Golf Course. Peter Grace is again tournament director and there’s plenty of room for new foursomes and sponsors.
Speaking of money, President Ben Wheeler encouraged us to give to the Rotary Annual Fund. Through the years, our club has contributed more than $776,000.
A two-year Paul Harris pin went to James Petersen while six-year pins were awarded to Richard Lyons and Leonard Seagren. Leonard tells us that the Tall Ships are on their way back to Portsmouth July 25.
We observed our annual toast to the late Andrew Jarvis. Andy, a Greek immigrant and former Portsmouth mayor, came through Ellis Island and struggled with menial jobs in New York City. Moving to Portsmouth, Jarvis became hugely successful. He was one of the original donors to the Piscataqua Foundation. He left a substantial gift to Rotary just before he passed at age 99. There was only one string: that a toast in his name be observed every year at his birthday. We have kept that stipulation.
The club continues to welcome new members. Jess Kellogg and Laurie Watkins joined us.
One of our own Fellow Rotarians was the guest speaker on Monday, April, 9, 2018, at our River Valley Rotary Club luncheon held at HOPE Association. Greg Trundy, Fellow Rotarian and Local Sanitation Engineer gave a presentation on the town’s sewage system.
He spoke about the Rumford-Mexico sewerage district where he has been the superintendent for the past 35 years, and gave a history of the district and explained that a "special district" was created and the advantages of that arrangement. He recalled how polluted the Androscoggin was before Ed Muskie's Clean Water Act required treatment of discharges to the river, and provided funding for the construction of treatment plants including ours in Mexico. He described the various treatment processes, including the composting system that takes care of excess bio-solids. He ended by talking about the challenges we faced from excess water entering the system when it rains or the river floods and how the towns were working to make that better.
Seen in the photo (left to right) are Fellow Rotarian Greg Trundy, current Club President Randy Therrien
The Rotary Club of Saco Bay
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
A murder mystery dinner, Murder at Deadwood Saloon, was recently put on by the Rotary Club of Saco Bay on April 14. This is their third such event in the past few years. The cast is made up primarily of Saco Bay Rotarians, with some spouses, and community members. Club members serve as wait staff, and the meal is prepared by The Chef and the Gardener, which is owned by Saco Bay Rotarians, David & Maureen Glidden.
ROTARIANS RECOGNIZED AS PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS
At their March 29th meeting, Saco Bay Rotary members David LePauloue and Steve Boissonneault were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. John Tarbox was also recognized as a Paul Harris +2 and presented with his pin.
The Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale
PEOPLE OF ACTION
"Sanford-Sprinvale Rotarians are people of action and in this case, the action is scrubbing down rooms at the new Layman's Way Recovery Center, a substance abuse rehab center adjacent to the York County Jail. The center will be operated by York County Shelters Program and is supported by York County government. For more, go to www.ssrotary.org #PeopleofAction"
Create your own club’s customized People of Action campaign ad! Go to https://brandcenter.rotary.org/en-GB/App/Approval. Have fun putting together your ad and get the word out about all the great things your club does in your community.
The Rotary Club of South Berwick-Eliot
GEOGRAPHY QUIZ NIGHT
The Rotary Club of South Berwick-Eliot recently held a Geography Quiz Night on March 23rd, to benefit Daisy’s Children in Honduras and various other club initiatives.
This was another successful evening and although the numbers are not yet in, we believe we surpassed $5000 raised at the event.
The Marshwood High School Interact Club also worked with us, sending 20 volunteers to help in so many ways. They also held a 50/50 raffle of their own to help fund their upcoming international service project in the Dominican Republic.
CITIZENS OF THE YEAR HONORED
From left to right: Lydia Goodwin of the William Fogg Library, and Karen Edgar of the South Berwick Public Library, show just a sampling of the many "hats" they must wear as Library Directors.
On April 20th, The Rotary Club of Eliot and South Berwick honored two women as their 2018 Citizen of the Year, both library directors.
In a ceremony held at Berwick Academy, Karen Egar of South Berwick Public Library and Lydia Goodwin of the William Fogg Library were honored for their work at their respective libraries and for service within their communities.
Because one of the focuses of Rotary International is literacy and education, both women were a perfect choice to receive such distinction.
In attendance were citizens from both Eliot and South Berwick, and state representatives Mark Lawrence and Jennifer Parker, who provided a declaration on behalf of the state of Maine to the honorees.
Ready, Aim, Cast: Teams Compete at Maine Outdoor Challenge to Benefit Local Non-Profits
Put your outdoor skills to the test at this year’s 7th Annual Maine Outdoor Challenge held June 4-6, at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Center in Freeport. Compete for the top prize, participate in corporate team building, or simply come try a new skill during this round-robin style tournament.
At the Maine Outdoor Challenge, 45 teams will compete for the coveted Maine Outdoor Challenge Bronze Boot Trophy over the course of three days. Each five-person team will be outfitted, receive professional training and compete on ONE of the assigned days for three hours. Teams will be scored on three main events including fly casting, sporting clays, and archery, with additional team-building activities available. Experts and novices are welcome to show off their skills; no equipment or experience is required.
Registration is now open for individual, corporate, and fundraising teams. Team registration is $1,000 or commitment to fund raise a total minimum of $1,500. Produced by the Portland Rotary Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, all proceeds generated from the Maine Outdoor Challenge will go to benefit community service and youth programs within the two non-profit organizations.
Registrations are filling up quickly, so please contact Kris Rosado at Kris.Rosado@morganstanley.com or (207) 771-0843 to sign up.
For general information on the event, please contact Lauren Farina at develop@bgcmaine.org or (207) 874-1069 x 236.
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
Ed Lyons passed away at his home on April 17,at the age of 85. He was one of our ‘corporate members’, and faithfully attended every meeting that he could, representing the Oxford American Legion Post 112 ever since the Post joined the club in August of 2015.
Ed was a great guy and his weekly presence will be sorely missed.
Have Something You'd Like to Share with Us?
Updates and short articles with images or videos, and the names of new members and those who have passed, may be submitted to our Newsletter Editor, Deb Marsolais, at deb.marsolais@comcast.net to be included in our Monthly Newsletter. The District Newsletter is a means of communicating to other clubs in our district; items of interest, upcoming events, fundraisers, opportunities of service, or member news.
Deadline for June Newsletter Submissions: May 24th
PLEASE NOTE:
As a precaution, unless you have obtained a written consent from a parent/guardian, every child’s face which appears in a picture submitted for the newsletter or website, will be edited so that it is blurred out in the picture. Since there may be situations involving abuse, neglect, custody dispute, etc., and parents wouldn't want their child's picture to appear in public, this is being done for the child's privacy and protection.
If you have a submission for the newsletter or website, and would like to have us post a picture with a child (children) in it, please let us know if you have received a consent, otherwise we will edit it accordingly.
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