November: Foundation month, Foundation Celebration, wind up of Polio Plus and approval of Disaster Grant for Ukraine, finishing up Official District Governor visits. So many wonderful ways to celebrate November!
But here was your faithful DG, with a broken washing machine, and dishwasher, and finally, my Blue Yaris will never be road worthy again. Add to that, ordering a new generator and gasping at the price. I was not feeling very ‘thankful.’
Just like there are little things that can put you in a funk, little things can also lift you up. I am incredibly thankful for the warm welcome I have received from every club. My District Track has been kind, helpful, and very supportive. Actually, neither of these are little things!
On Thanksgiving day, Bill and I drove to Essex for turkey dinner and a visit with four grandchildren as well as their parents. I was grateful for everything - their health, my health, and the love all around. I found “thanksgiving’ in the family love and hugs. In Rotary we say ”family first” and this is why. I sometimes think of Rotary as a ‘team’ or a ‘tribe.’ But to tell the truth, as we are all bound to do, the friends I have made in Rotary are very much like family.
“Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now!”
By: Sarah MacGillivray, Secretary and Public Image Coordinator, District Foundation Committee, RC of Bath Sunrise
The Foundation Committee has so much to be excited about as we come to the end of 2022. Here are some of the highlights that we’ll cover when you click for more at the end of this summary.
Last month we had the fantastic One in a Million Foundation Celebration, and a wonderful time was had by all! Photos and more details are in our full article, below.
Carolyn Johnson shares the exciting news on the awarding of the Disaster Relief Grant in Ukraine.
“Imagine One's Dream” a limited-edition print, signed and dated by Darren Jones, a Chicago artist, and brother to Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, is being auctioned to support OUR Rotary Foundation. Find more info below as well as the link to the online auction.
With the end of the year drawing near, many individuals are looking to make donations. We’ve included the email that was recently sent on #Giving Tuesday, in case you missed it, some information on our Polio Plus Society, and so much more! There is even a special thank you video at the end of the article that we hope you enjoy, so please keep reading!
By: Emma Bodwell, Chair, International Services Committee (DISC), RC of Bridgton-Lake Region
Greetings from your DISC!!!
We have a lot of great things happening within our committee!!
First - I am so pleased to introduce this year’s District 7780 International Outreach Team. These Rotarians will be traveling to Lusaka, Zambia, and the surrounding area in late February/early March 2023 to meet local Rotarians, listen, learn and discover ways that District 7780 can help those in need in that area!!
Rotary Indigenous Partnership Committee (RIPC) is alive and active! Want to learn more? Reach out to me here.
We are fulfilling our mission to build trusting relationships between Rotarians and the Indigenous Peoples of New England and Canada, and keeping our vision in front of us:
Nurturing relationships through:
Understanding Tribal perspectives;
Learning Indigenous People’s histories, cultures, beliefs, and issues;
Listening to Tribal member’s concerns and hopes;
Supporting Indigenous People's visions for the future;
Mutually engaging for lasting relationships;
Partnering on projects of joint interest.
RIPC continues to investigate support for Indigenous youth, partnering on environmental interests, and enhancing educational opportunities for Rotarians.
If you have any interest in hearing about our work or working with us, please contact me here.
By: Aileen Dugan, Chair, District Vision Committee, RC of Portsmouth
If you’re wondering what happened to Club Visioning, this is the update you’ve been waiting for!
Our District 7780 Vision Committee was largely sidelined during the pandemic and unable to continue their in-person Club Visioning activity. “Visioning” is the process by which Rotary International and our local Rotary clubs identify areas of focus for their clubs, address new initiatives as well as stumbling points, and create long-term strategic plans. Our District Vision Committee members are trained to facilitate this process through Rotary International as well as District hosted training and mentoring.
Click here to check out this year's location: Bailey Island.
More details to come!
-----
DEI Committee Surveys Club Presidents
By: Carol Marcotte, Co-Chair, District Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, RC of Saco Bay Sunset
The District 7780 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee recently sent out a DEI survey to all Presidents of 2022-2023. Part of the results identified that speakers, resources and supports were needed for Clubs to move forward in the RI initiative related to DEI.
The Committee is looking for your expertise and advice. If you have been to a workshop or conference or heard a quality speaker at your workplace, we would like to hear from you. We want to get resources out to all clubs. We are very excited that Presidents are asking for this information as well as members. Please contact Jim Munro or Carol Marcotte for survey results, speaker suggestions, or to join the committee.
All are welcome!
-----
Nominating Committee Selections
DG Claudia Frost recently announced the District Nominating Committee Selections:
Emma Bodwell from RC of Bridgton-Lake Region to serve as our District Governor for 2025 - 2026.
Gregg Dowty of the RC of Dover was named the "area A" representative on the district finance committee for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.
The District Newsletter Team wishes to extend its congratulations to
Emma and Gregg.
-----
Looking for a Great Community Literacy Project?
Consider this!
US Playground Map Project
By: Dick Hall, PDG, RC of Portland
Michael Nazemetz, formerly a member of the Portland Sunrise Rotary Club, left us with his wonderful description and detailed step-by-step instructions for the US MAP PLAYGROUND PROJECT. See more here.
All the stencils are stored in the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Fire Barn.
To reserve the stencils, contact PDG Dick Hall, RC of Portland here.