By: Carol Madsen, District 7780 Newsletter Editor, Member DISC, Bridgton-Lake Region RC
Each year for the past decade, District 7780 has sent a team of people to an international destination to forge relationships with other Rotary Clubs and pursue opportunities for joint projects. This year’s destination is the Philippines. Previous destinations have been to Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America and Africa. During Covid the focus was on Indigenous peoples of Maine and the Maritime provinces of Canada. The District International Service Committee (DISC) which takes the lead with the DG has been wanting to do something further afield and the Philippines seemed like an excellent opportunity for a variety of reasons. Rotary’s work with Polio began in the Philippines decades ago.
The country has a rich and longstanding history of Rotary Clubs. The district we are visiting incorporates 400 clubs, for example. In addition to visiting clubs and hearing about and seeing their projects, especially projects where they could use some help, we will attend their District Conference which generally hosts 400 people. A formal ball one night and a costume party are among the socials. A little different than our celebrations here in Maine and coastal New Hampshire, but the team is “game”.
Who are we? The team consists of three Rotarians in the District, much smaller than most teams which travel representing the District.
PDG Dick Hall, Portland RC, will be our Team Leader. Other members of the team are:
ADG Joanne Landry, Saco Bay RC
PP Carol Madsen, Bridgton-Lake Region RC
Carol, as District Newsletter Editor, has promised to communicate regularly during the trip with Rotarians in the District. The medium is the question. Easiest is likely to be Facebook and Instagram, both dynamic social media sites with which she is familiar. The District has a Facebook Page, People of Action. If your Club’s website has activated Club Runner’s ability to post Facebook on your site, then even those not on social media might find us there. We could even put something on the District website, but people tend not to go to websites for the latest news. If you have preferences or ideas or want to help, please contact Carol at her personal email address: carjmad@hotmail.com.
A Plea – This journey is going to be much more expensive than most of our District trips. The District sets aside certain amounts of money and the travelling Rotarian generally matches that or more. This journey is considerably more expensive. If any clubs or individuals would like to support the team in doing this work, please reach out to me, again at carjmad@hotmail.com. We will have a place where we can put those donations. They would be much appreciated.