A Tradition of “Remarkable Leadership”
As you read this, Boothbay Harbor Rotarian Martha Peak Helman – Marty – will have just completed a term as Rotary Foundation Trustee (2022-26) and is now beginning to serve on the Board of Directors of Rotary International. She reflected recently with 7780 Newsletter’s roving reporter on her experience as a Trustee and looked forward to her time as a Director.As a Foundation Trustee:
Marty was able to serve on the board with the most knowledgeable people in Rotary; she found it a “humbling and amazing experience to work closely with four Rotary International Past Presidents.” When asked what she was most proud of as a Trustee, Marty demurred, saying they were “seemingly little things.” But the “little things” could be life-changing for the people affected. Case in point – the Trustees considered “21st Century Issues,” among which is the environment and transitioning from fossil fuels.
So, the Foundation should be fostering efforts to establish alternative sources of energy such as solar panels. But the TRF rules discouraged expenditures for equipment (because many types of equipment can become useless if the users have no way to repair and maintain them), making solar panels ineligible for global grants. So, acknowledging this obstacle to making headway in the Environment Area of Focus, the Trustees changed the wording of the rules and immediately started seeing global grants for solar panels!
Another 21st century issue – availability of water; not just clean water but any water. But our Area of Focus was clean water, so the Trustees made a simple change and removed the word “clean,” – a small detail that allows clubs to support projects that would make life-saving water available for irrigation and other needs.
As a Director:
Marty said that she anticipates much of her time as a Director will be taken up with re-districting issues. Each of the zones that Marty will be representing (28 & 32) currently has 20 districts for a total of 40 in all; most RI directors represent only half that many districts. Our Zone is made up of an unusually large number of very small districts, thus re-districting is a much more common occurrence in our Zone than in other Zones.
When asked what she’s looking forward to, Marty mentioned the two Zone Institutes that she will be responsible for – this year’s will be in Cancun and next year’s in New York City (well technically New Jersey) and although it will not actually be at the UN, it will have a focus on the United Nations.
She is also looking forward to her “Impact Tour,” in which she plans to visit every district in her Zone (see above – that’s 40 in all!!). We were envious to hear about some of her planned activities – Canada Day (July 1) in Edmonton, followed by riding in the Calgary Stampede parade two days later; a cruise in September next year; being present at the start and finish of the Iditarod sled dog race in Alaska (well, that one sounds cold) and playing Santa’s elf in Labrador when she flies with Santa to deliver presents!!
As mentioned in the title of this article, Marty commented on the “remarkable leadership” in our district; she pointed out that several Rotarians in our district have served in Rotary roles at the highest level including:
Dan Mooers (RI Director 1994-96 and Aide to the RI President in 1999-2002);
Michael McGovern (RI Director 2006-08 & VP in 2007-08, and TRF Trustee 2012-16 & Vice-Chair 2013-15; currently RI PolioPlus Chair);
Julia Phelps (RI Director 2014-16 and TRF Trustee 2017-20)
Brenda Cressey (TRF Trustee 2017-21 and Chair at the end of 2018-19)
She concluded by saying she loves that after all her travels, she can come home to such a well-run district so that she can turn her attention elsewhere!
Congratulations, Marty, and have a blast on your Impact Tour!