Sixty-seven million children worldwide have no access to education and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Did you know?
If all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths. *
A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five.*
If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, which would be equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty. *
Please take a moment to see what your District Literacy Committee is doing to celebrate literacy throughout 2016-2017. Literacy
Marge Barker, DG
*UNESCO Global Monitoring Report 2013/14
DISTRICT HISTORY - WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
One response to my request for “your” story or
Memories of Camp Sunshine!
Last Month’s District History Request:
I would like to receive stories from our many members about their experiences in Rotary projects and this month we are going to focus on Camp Sunshine. I told you “my” story which was lengthy and it is now up on the District History page under Camp Sunshine. I want to post “your” story there as well.
If you were there that weekend, PLEASE Share your “story” with me and the District. Also, if you see Lee Hanson from the Wells Rotary club thank him for going back and putting the sunburst design over the front door of the activity building. ROTARIANS ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!
I got one reply last month from Nancy Hawes from the Rotary Club of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth. See her reply below:
Monday, August 1, 2016 9:29 AM Nancy Hawes wrote:
Thanks for the memories your story brought back. What I remember from that day:
It was the same day as Princess Diana’s funeral and I was sobbing on the way to Camp Sunshine;
Dan Mooers wanted me to get something out of his car and he tossed me his keys from the top of a ladder so I could go get it for him. I thought that was a little unchivalrous of him until I found out later that he was so sore he could hardly get down!
Hope you’re having a good summer!
Nancy
This Month’s District History Request:
Once again I am asking our many Rotarians in the District to share their story or memories of working at Camp Sunshine in the fall of 1997 or the fall of 1998. There is still plenty of room for Camp Sunshine memories in the District History page! PLEASE share “your” story about this great district project.
PLEASE send your stories to me at mawilliamspdg@comcast.net along with your name and the name of your Rotary Club. The names of all those who share “their Camp Sunshine Story or other stories” will be in next month’s newsletter and their “stories” will be posted to the District History under a related page for everyone to read. If you have any District History information, please share it with me so it can be posted to the District History page on your District’s Website.
We, as District Literacy Co-Chairs, will send your submission to the Literacy Rotarian Action Group (LITRAG), and hope one of our clubs' projects will be showcased on the LITRAG website.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY
Now more than ever, the help of Rotary Clubs is needed to support the teachers and schools to get students proficient school supplies by end of September for the upcoming school year. All members of District 7780 will have a hands on opportunity to help out at Ruth's Reusable Resources (www.ruths.org) in Portland on September 17, 2016 from 9am -2pm. We will work in two shifts:
1. shift from 9-11:30am, arrival from 8:45am-9am
2. shift from 11:30am -2pm, arrival from 11:15am-11:30am
Location: Ruth's Reusable Resource, 39 Blueberry Rd., Portland, ME 04102
The day will be very busy because school year started, and teachers will shop for the supplies they need to help their students succeed. Volunteers’ tasks will be taking loaded carts out to teachers’ cars, passing items out the loading dock door, restocking popular items in the teacher store, helping at sign in and check out, or stocking in the warehouse if we have Rotarians with muscles.
Three cheers for the combined efforts of District 7780, 7930 and 7790 on the approval of a Global Grant (#1637992) which supports Healthy Kids/Brighter Future in Lusaka, Zambia! The Rotary Club of Ipswich is the International Sponsor and the N’Kwazi Club of Lusaka serves as the Host Sponsor. This grant continues the good work of the Global Grant of 2014, sponsored by District 7780 and the Rotary Club of Brunswick, which began the process of educating class room teachers to recognize and treat common childhood illnesses in N’Gombe, a very poor section of Lusaka.
Lonnie Hackett, a 2014 Graduate of Bowdoin College who grew up in Bangor, continues to oversee the project while living in Lusaka. The original Global Grant for $35,770 trained 69 teachers working in 56 schools and helped 11,000 children. The new Global Grant will bring $125,000 to another, larger area where the poorest and most vulnerable children live and attend school.
You have been hearing for some time now that we are "This Close!" when it comes to Rotary International’s number-one priority, ending polio. We are getting closer all the time, but occasionally a nasty reminder comes along that we still have a way to go. After two years without a polio case in Nigeria and with many people hoping that the continent of Africa was now polio free, we have the disturbing news of two new cases of wild polio virus in Borno state in northern Nigeria. They occurred in an area where the separatist terrorist group, Boko Haram has made travel by polio plus workers extremely dangerous. The two paralyzed children came from separate villages but analysis of the virus show it to be derived from a strain last seen five years ago in this area of Nigeria. A response plan is being finalized that will consist of three large-scale immunization drives.
Meanwhile, outbreaks in the other two endemic countries continue to be lower than last year. Thus far in 2016 there have been 6 cases in Afghanistan and 13 in Pakistan, compared to 20 and 54 respectively last year.
This should bring home to all Rotarians the importance of participation in the End Polio Now activities Governor Marge is encouraging in October and for clubs and individuals to contribute financially to the Polio Plus effort. We can and must finish what we started!
The Rotary Foundation CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION - 100 FOR 100
Let’s Celebrate!
Join us November 10th, 2016
District 7780 Centennial Celebration ~ 100 for 100 Dinner Event!
Marriott Sable Oaks - South Portland, ME
What is a 100 for 100 campaign? To honor the mission of our Rotary Foundation and all the good it has accomplished in 100 years, we are seeking 100 passionate, generous new donors.
Want to support The Rotary Foundation on an ongoing basis but always forget to write the check?
Not to worry – Rotary has an automatic deposit system that allows you to decide how much you want to give, how frequently you want to give, and which of The Rotary Foundation’s funds you wish to contribute to.
Rotary Direct allows you to donate monthly, quarterly, or annually. Monthly gifts are charged on the first day of the month. Quarterly gifts are charged July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1. For annual gifts, you choose the month, and your card is charged on the first of that month.
And Rotary Direct allows you to decide how much you want to give. Because Rotary pays processing fees for credit card contributions, the only requirement is a minimum of $10 per transaction (i.e., $10 per month, $10 per quarter, or $10 per year).
Just think of it: For $25 quarterly, you can be a Sustaining Member at the $100 level. Or, for $83.50 per month, you will give $1000 per year and be a Paul Harris Society member. Just like that.
Signing up is easy as well: Go to www.rotary.org/give, and click on “recurring contributions,” then follow the prompts to determine the frequency and size of your gift.
Vocational Training Team TRIP TO UGANDA
The Rotary Clubs of York Maine and Kampala Sesse Islands (Uganda) collaborated on a Global Grant (with involvement and support of seven clubs in D7780 and twenty clubs in D9211) that shipped two containers of medical equipment and supplies (cost of approximately $50,000, market value of nearly $500,000) and supported a VTT to travel to Uganda to assist the staff of Nsambya Hospital to develop their program, and a VTT from Nsambya who will travel to Maine for additional training on best practices in patient treatment and program management.
Pictured on Left: Peter Johnson with just some of the medical supplies that were loaded on to the 1st container
Picture on Left: Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Kasenge consulting with oncology staff at Nsambya.
Picture on Right: And what would a Rotary visit be without exchanging banners?
The team from D7780 recently returned from their time in Uganda. The two weeks we were there consisted of long days, though the time truly flew by. Our team consisted of Team Leader Carolyn Johnson (Yarmouth), three doctors (an oncologist - Rotarian Rob Horowitz of York, a surgeon, and an internist), three nurses (oncology and hospice expertise), and a professor of radiology. Our goal was to work with the staff to support them in developing a cohesive, collaborative team approach to patient care. We offered programs each day in a variety of aspects of cancer treatment and worked alongside the medical staff to better understand the challenges they face, provide acknowledgement of their strengths, and offer practical suggestions to improve their approach to patient care.
The shared knowledge and technical skills that resulted from this VTT are quantifiable and will positively impact the quality of patient care. But the long-term, lasting impact of this grant is the change that results from the person to person connections that were made: two surgeons working side by side who developed a life-long friendship; young nurses that, through mentoring by veteran nurses, developed the confidence to participate as contributors to their medical team; and doctors who learned they have colleagues - though half way around the world - with whom they can consult and collaborate to improve patient care locally.
YORK, Maine — Dr. Robert Horowitz, an oncologist at York Hospital, recently returned from a two-week professional visit to a cancer clinic in Kampala, Uganda. There, he said, due to poverty and lack of resources too many people are waiting too long to be diagnosed and they are faced with too few options by an overburdened medical system.
“People who can barely afford to survive can’t spend money on screening tests,” he said. “And even if you’re screened early, you may have to save up for six months or a year for a cancer operation, then chemo afterward. How do you pay for it all?”
Into this difficult situation, Horowitz and a team of health care professionals from Maine and Massachusetts worked with the medical staff at the St. Francis Nsambya Hospital in Kampala, in an exchange program that will see a Ugandan team arrive here in October.
The professional exchange is in turn part of a larger effort to provide medical equipment and supplies to a new cancer clinic at Nsambya Hospital, in a joint effort of 20 Rotary clubs in Kampala and seven Maine Rotary clubs including Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunk Portside, Yarmouth, Falmouth and Brunswick Coastal. The lead club was the York Rotary Club, which donated $15,000 toward the project.
DISTRICT WIDE VISION EVENTS TO BE HELD STARTING IN SEPTEMBER
There is some exciting news afoot! The District Vision/Planning Committee has been asked to work with District Governor Marge Barker, DG Elect Dave Underhill and DG Designate John Lobosco to implement a series of Visioning Events to move our district and clubs forward to the future by developing a District long term plan!
These Visioning Events will follow a similar club vision process, but with input from a wide and diverse cross section of our membership. The goal is to inform the District of how it can help build stronger clubs, (through membership support, District and club leadership support, succession planning, enhanced public relations and inter-club collaboration). THEN, a long term plan to implement those newly identified goals, and to help build a stronger organization, can be developed!
David Barker (far right), President of The Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region, welcomed new members Lisa Ryan (center) and Nel Elly (second from right) at the August 4th meeting. Club members Carmen Lone (left) and Mody Botros (second from left) served as their sponsors.
The Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise, welcomed two new members into their club, Alexandria (Alex) Driscoll from Bath and Gwyneth Arrison. (Bath Rotary was incorrectly identified as the club in the August newsletter)
The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham
GUESTS OF WESTBROOK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Left to Right: Jason Beever – President Rotary, Mike Sanphy –President Westbrook Historical Society
The Rotary Club of Gorham/Westbrook met at Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Community Center. Jason Beever donated many items to the Society from his late mother Jane Beever’s collection, including a box of items from the time of Ken Brook’s term as Rotary District Governor.
The Rotary Club of Wells
HARBORFEST RECAP
The Wells Rotary Club sponsored their Annual HarborFEST on Saturday, July 30 at Wells Harbor Park. The day included the famous Chicken BBQ as well as a myriad of family-friendly events including a Lumberman’s Challenge, Lobster Trap Toss and a Doughnut Eating Challenge. A great time was had by all!
Wells Rotarians and spouses line up to serve the Annual Chicken BBQ (l-r) Rick Coyne, Ron Collins, Cathy Hansen, Bob Foley, Terry Hodskins, Barbara Finkelstein, Gloria Charlton, Patty Carleton, Jeanne Wolfson and Pam Coyne.
Photo on Left: Meanwhile, the “cookers” finish the chickens (l-r) President Doug Bibber, Nick Poli, Lee Hansen, Dennis Hardy, Howard Libowitz.
Photo on Right: Rotarian Gary Leech of Congdon’s Doughnuts congratulates Louis Altuz, the winner of the Doughnut Eating Competition.
Photo on Left: Past President Ryan Liberty and the winner of the Women’s Division of the Lobster Trap Toss Wendy Bucaccci.
Photo on Right: “Friend of Rotary” Markus Diebolt and Ted Hession, winner of the Lumberman’s Challenge.
The Rotary Club of Sebago Lake
MISS MAINE VISITS ROTARY CLUB
The Sebago Lake Rotary Club was recently visited by Miss Maine, Mary Beth Noonan, a home town native of Windham. Miss Noonan will be heading to Atlantic City for the Miss America Pageant being held on November 11th. At our meeting, Miss Noonan spoke on the benefits of the pageant through scholarships, and other opportunities that the pageant offers. The Sebago Club made a donation to help with her expenses, as she represents her home town and state of Maine.
Miss Noonan is seen here with Rotary Club President, Mark Wasowski.
The Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale
USA MAP PROJECT
On Saturday, August 20th, the Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale painted two more USA maps on the grounds of two schools in their school district. This brings the total number of maps painted up to four, in as many years. The two newest maps were painted at the Willard School and the Sanford Junior High School. Doing this map project right before school starts is especially exciting, because it gives the students and faculty something extra-special to look forward to upon arrival back to school in September.
All the schools, where these maps have been painted, have been given a packet of fun learning activities to incorporate into their curriculum, so it is not just a piece of painted playground equipment but a valuable teaching tool. Danielle Treadwell, secretary of the club, has two sons that make sure they report home each and every time their class uses the map during school hours; they refer to it as "their" Rotary map, because they helped during the map project!
The painting of these playground maps are a great way to get Rotarians and their families and the school PTA involved. It only takes 4-6 hours with optimal weather, but the gift of this map to a school is absolutely invaluable! The club was fortunate to have the district 7780 literacy co-chairs join them to see how the project is done, and hopefully get some more of these maps in our district. It is, overall, a great, fun and beneficial project, if you club has not yet done one, please consider it!
Sanford-Springvale cont'd
ROTARIANS AT WORK
Sanford-Springvale Rotarians at work packaging meals to feed 11,172 people and having fun in the process. According to End Hunger Northeast, there are 28,000 hungry people in York County – about 14 % of the population. Of the total, 9,000 are children. Club members and volunteers used their meeting time Thursday morning to put a dent in that statistic by packing macaroni and cheese meals that will be turned over to York County Shelter Programs food pantry. In turn, the pantry will dispense them to hungry families.
Our guest speaker on August 15, 2016, at the River Valley Rotary Club fellowship luncheon was Marge Barker, District Governor District 7780 from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She was accompanied by Assistant District Governor, Cathy Sullivan.
Marge spoke about Rotary's Literacy Program, the Polio project, and the Paul Harris Foundation.
The River Valley Rotary Club donated $500.00 ($100.00 to each library in the towns of the River Valley) in her name.
Seen in the photo are Assistant District Governor Cathy Sullivan, fellow Rotarian and Past District Governor Tim Placey, District Governor Marge Barker, and current River Valley Club President Dave Duguay.
During the River Valley Rotary Club Fellowship meeting, Marge Barker, the District Governor did the honor of presenting Dave Duguay with a Paul Harris Award!
District Governor Marge Barker, President Dave Duguay, his wife and fellow Rotarian Patty Duguay
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
AUGUST RECAP
Our club launched August with its second annual Rotary 5K Cross Country Race. The event, chaired by Justin Finn and Dennis Moulton, drew more than 80 runners to a steamy Portsmouth High School cross country course. Backed by a gung-ho team of volunteers and well-sponsored, the race made money and was loads of fun. Still, there is work to be done and the race committee will be looking at ways to grow participation.
The Club is already talking about its annual Christmas Tree sales which seem to set sales records year after year. Incoming President Ben Wheeler is the chair…Peter Grace takes over as chair of the Golf Tournament, the club’s premier spring/summer fund raising event.
Guests and visiting Rotarians have included our new District Governor and a host of politicians. US Congressman Frank Giunta (R-NH) visited us as did Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Gatsas. Gatsas is the mayor of Manchester, the state’s largest city and former state senate president. Considered by many to be the front runner, Gatsas seeks to turn around the state’s opioid and heroin epidemic. Also on his list: resolving New Hampshire’s high energy and health care costs. Public education reform, especially to efficiently train / retain skilled workers is another Gatsas issue.
Of course the Democrats will have something to say about all that. Gubernatorial candidates Colin van Ostern and former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand were due to speak on successive Thursdays.
Finally, our numbers continue to grow at a healthy pace with a recent influx of youthful new members.
The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside
REDEMPTION CENTER BENEFITS TOWN DEPARTMENTS
Eight years ago, former town Kennebunkport Manager, Nathan Poore, was a member of Kennebunk Rotary Club. He suggested the idea for a club fundraiser: a beverage container redemption program similar to one he had seen in his former community of Camden. The club embraced the idea and under the leadership of Harvey Flashen, project director since its inception, a location at the Kennebunkport Police Department was selected for collections.
Harvey Flashen at Rotary Bottle-Can Redemption Center, Kennebunkport
1.Presentation of checks: Judy Barrett, Director of Public Health, Alison Kenneway, Assistant Director of Public Health, Harvey Flashen, Rotary’s Project Director, and Kurt Moses, Deputy Police Chief.
Pictured: District Governor Barker (seated in center), with Exeter President Rob McGregor and Hampton President Rich Gibadlo (standing left to right), enjoying the summer evening.
The Hampton Rotary Club, in a joint effort with the Exeter Rotary Club, was honored to co-host a welcome reception for District Governor Marge Barker on August 8. The event was held at Castaways Seafood & Grille in Seabrook, NH overlooking Hampton Harbor. This was Rich Gibadlo's first reception as Hampton's new president, and the event went perfectly. Good food, great friends, and a stunning view all contributed to a memorable and fun evening for all. Thank you to all who were able to attend.
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
RAFFLE HELD TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY
The Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Community Service Committee held a raffle this summer to raise funds to be used to help combat food insecurity in Lincoln County Maine. On August 6th, Rotarians Hugh Riddleberger and Bill Vaughan, assisted by their grandchildren, drew the winning ticket for a fabulous paddle board and paddle.
Damariscotta-Newcastle cont'd
DG SIGNS BOOKS FOR LOCAL LIBRARIES
The Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary has many seasonal visitors: some come every year and consider us their “home away from home” club. Others visit just once as they pass through Mid-Coast Maine. District 6220 Governor Elect Tina Hall joined us for breakfast this month on the day that our DG was present! District 6220 areas are northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. Tina is a member of the Marquette Breakfast club and joined us in welcoming District 7780 Governor Marge Barker.
After her presentation DG Marge signed 3 books for 3 local libraries. The Club gets a request list each year for non-fiction books from the libraries, orders them through Skidompha Library in Damariscotta, and places a Rotary faceplate in each book. Our program speakers sign a book each week and then it is presented to the requesting library in honor of that person.
This is a great program to help local libraries, encourage reading/support literacy and thank our speakers.
The Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region
HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE
The Rotary Club of Bridgton-Lake Region again hosted the American Red Cross for their annual blood drive in Bridgton. Rotarians Therese Johnson, Pat Webber and Mike Daley prepare to register donors. By the end of the day, a total of 47 units were collected which exceeded the base goal of 39 by 20%.
The Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise
We had a VERY busy meeting the morning of July 15th. The largest group of visitors and guests and members in a long time!
The Odyssey of the Mind team from Woolwich, their parents and coaches, shared with us about their fabulous trip to the International competition, earlier in the year.
ADG Claudia Frost, PDG Bob Gravino from Ipswich and PDG Joe Hahn (our club's "godfather") also graced us with their supporting presences, as well as guests of members who came just to check out what we do.
Thanks to everyone for making an informative, fun and enjoyable breakfast!!!!!
(Bath Rotary was incorrectly identified as the club in the August newsletter)
L to R –Cliff Plummer, Judy Reidman, Kate Wight, Jack Kivus and Steve Rand
The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham invites you to the 22nd Annual Rotary Classic Golf Tournament. The event will be held at the Gorham Country Club on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.
The 18 hole four ball scramble will begin with a Shotgun Start at 12:00 noon. Please arrive no later than 11:30A.M. for check in and assignments. Prizes will be awarded to the top foursomes, closest to the pin, longest drives, and many others.
Participation is open to everyone. Players may sign up individually or as a team. A number of sponsorship packages are also available for individuals and/or business who wish to contribute with a cash and/or prize donation.
The proceeds will benefit the Rotary’s local high school and vocational scholarship programs as well as the 3 Day Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Programs and other local community programs in the Town of Gorham and City of Westbrook.
The public is invited to join us for this fun-filled event. Registration forms are available from any Rotary member or contact Jack Kivus at 207-333-0892 or Steve Rand at 207-653-6092. The Rotary Club of Westbrook-Gorham thanks you for your support.
“Free Long Sleeve SportTek Tee Shirt for Those who
Register Before September 20th”
The Rotary Club of Wells
17TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
It's that time of year . . . . the 17th Annual Chuck Cumming Memorial Golf Tournament is happening Monday, September 12th, at Old Marsh Country Club. Join us for a great fundraiser and event.
Links to Registration and Sponsorship forms can be found at that bottom of this page.
Members can contact Biddeford Saco Rotarian CJ Dubois-Cote @ cjduboiscote@kw.com for tickets or information.
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 October'sNewsletter Submissions: September 23rd
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.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpeg)
.png)
.jpg)
By 
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Guests and visiting Rotarians have included our new District Governor and a host of politicians. US Congressman Frank Giunta (R-NH) visited us as did Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Gatsas. Gatsas is the mayor of Manchester, the state’s largest city and former state senate president. Considered by many to be the front runner, Gatsas seeks to turn around the state’s opioid and heroin epidemic. Also on his list: resolving New Hampshire’s high energy and health care costs. Public education reform, especially to efficiently train / retain skilled workers is another Gatsas issue.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
