These past few weeks, I have been astounded by the number of events, projects, services, and social activities our forty clubs have championed. I have often thought about my original presentation in September and October called “Official District Governor Meeting.” I felt like a Baptist preacher as I espoused the good news that a single Rotarian can start an avalanche of goodness. That single voice needs the support of the club to carry its suggestions to fruition. I warned against using the old adage, “We tried that back in '06 and it didn’t work.” I stick by my original thesis, all the important work of Rotary happens at the club level and usually with one or two Rotarians.
Most recently, I witnessed this goodness manifested in my own club in Brunswick. Ed Nolde transferred into the club and found members who supported his passion, Buffalo Bicycles. Built for the rough roads of Africa, Ed found financial support outside and in Rotary. The buffalo on a bicycle was very popular at the Bike Rodeo held in Brunswick on May 20. Thank you, Ed.
Moving to earlier in May, I received a phone call asking for support for a pair of pilots flying around the world to draw attention to the eradication of Polio. Just imagine: “Hey honey, my friend and I are planning a trip around the world in my single-engine Cessna.” Luckily, the two pilots carefully planned, and are now executing a trip around the world.
President Jennifer Jones presented Carolyn Johnson with an award in Guatemala in February.
While on her Imagine Impact Tour, current Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones traveled to the Western Highlands of Guatemala to highlight the important work being done by the Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) to combat illiteracy. At the GLP’s 25-year anniversary celebration at Hacienda Maria School in Guatemala, Jennifer Jones presented an award to Carolyn Johnson, Chair of BELRAG (Basic Education & Literacy Rotary Action Group). The award recognized Carolyn’s 18 years of service in certifying over 1,000 primary-school teachers in literacy instruction across Guatemala through the Spark Reading Program. “To learn to read is to light a fire,” reads the inscription on the sparkling crystal award, citing the famous Victor Hugo quote. Carolyn Johnson is PDG District 7780 and a member of the Rotary Club of Yarmouth, Maine.
The Spark Reading Program
The GLP’s Spark Reading Program [formerly known as the Culture of Reading Program (CORP) founded by Carolyn Johnson] trains primary-school teachers in effective reading instruction and provides them with a library of books. Teachers receive two years of intensive training combined with individual support and instruction through in-class visits.
Founded in 1997, the GLP is a network of individual Rotarians, Rotary clubs and districts, and the nonprofit organization Cooperative for Education (CoEd) with a common interest in improving education for underserved students in Guatemala. It is one of the largest grassroots, multi-club, multi-district projects in Rotary, with over 800 participating clubs, including many in District 7780.
Click here for more information on the Guatemala Literacy Project; for more information on the Spark Reading Program, click here.
Emma Bodwell (2nd from left) and Rick Welchel (2nd from right), are pictured with the administrative staff of a prospective school project.
By: PDG Peter Johnson, Member DISC, RC of Yarmouth
Rotary Project Fairs offer a unique opportunity for members to interact with Rotarians in another part of the world to discuss potential collaboration on International Service Projects, most frequently leveraging contributions via Rotary Foundation Global Grants. Our travelers, Emma Bodwell and Rick Whelchel, RC of Bridgton-Lake Region, along with Peter and Carolyn Johnson, RC of Yarmouth, reviewed the success of projects from earlier years with site visits in Barranquilla, Medellin, and Armenia, renewed prior friendships and made new acquaintance with Rotarians from Colombia, Canada, and several US states.
During the actual conference, approximately 60 different projects were presented, each one seeking an International Partner and funding sources. By attending Project Fairs in person, attendees enjoy the benefit of spending time with the people behind the scenes who will actually implement the project on the local level. Experience tells us this is invaluable in assessing how quickly and effectively the proposed project can be implemented.
By: Sarah MacGillivray, Secretary, and Public Image Coordinator, District Foundation Committee, RC of Bath Sunrise
1. As we come to the end of this Rotary year, I wanted to start with another impactful video of thanks from OUR Rotary Foundation.
2. The Foundation Committee met last month and some information was discussed that, as always, made us proud of our District and our generous Rotarians. Carolyn Johnson is the Foundation Committee Global Grants Coordinator, a member of the Yarmouth Rotary Club, and a Past District Governor (PDG). Carolyn shared an update on District Designated Funds (DDF) and the projection of year-end as of May 1 reporting. Click 'read more' below for full details.
3. & 4.) We sent a new incentive to Club Presidents and Club Foundation Chairs last fall. We called it our "Imagine PolioPlus Challenge 2022-23," and we were so impressed with how clubs around the District rose to the challenge! Click 'read more' below for full details on this challenge as well as one focused on Annual Giving.
Peace Fellow Cassandra Varanka sent this note to the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, her sponsoring club, upon arriving in Queensland, Australia to begin her Peace Fellow studies.
“My husband Hai and I are a few days into our Australian adventure. Please pass along this update to District Rotarians. Upon landing, we were immediately welcomed by my Rotary Host, David Frost, a member of my local club, the Paddington Rotary Club. I joined them for their meeting that first week where I and another Peace Fellow briefly introduced ourselves. The club has been incredibly welcoming, hosting us for a few nights in their homes and driving us around to help us set up our cell phones and bank accounts. Hai and I are now moved into our new apartment and getting everything in order at our respective schools. I promise to send more updates.”
Makili Matty (Kittery) in Italy with Dom and family
By: Kathi Perkins, Chair, District Youth Exchange, RC of Westbrook-Gorham
The District is at the midpoint of our long-term youth exchange program. Erika from Romania in Kittery and Dasha from Ukraine in Gorham are both settled into their second families. They have successfully completed their first semester and have begun the second, continuing with some classes and beginning new semester-long ones. Both are involved with their schools and have visited their host clubs (Kittery and Westbrook-Gorham respectively) several times.
While hosting a long-term student is a major commitment for a club, please consider the Short-Term program as an uncomplicated way to get involved in Youth Exchange. The Short-Term program is a true exchange! Our American students are matched with a student of similar age in one of their country choices. One student travels to the other for 3-4 weeks, then both return to the first country for another 3-4 weeks. The students get 6-8 weeks together, but each club and each family has only 3-4 weeks to host. The time and length of travel are totally up to the families involved.
Former (2011-2012) District 7780 District Governor and member of the Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle, Gary Speers of North Ft. Myers Florida died on February 18, 2023. His wife Judy (Past President of Damariscotta-Newcastle and District Secretary) was with him.
Gary spent much of his law enforcement career working with youth. He started by working with elementary school students as "Officer Friendly," and then worked with high school students as a Police School Counselor. As a supervisor, he headed up a Community Service Division, started programs for mentoring at-risk youth, and founded the Police Cadet Program.
wine/beer bar and complimentary appetizers and soft drinks!
Net Proceeds go to the
DISTRICT 7780 RECOVERY INITIATIVE
Sponsored by Rotary Club of South Portland - Cape Elizabeth
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District Public Image Committee Update
By: Brenda Pollock,
Chair, Public Image Committee;
President, RC of Biddeford-Saco
Let the District Public Image Committee help your club tell Rotary’s story in a compelling way and guide your club in marketing, media outreach, and social media campaigns.
Our recently updated website page gives all Rotarians easy access to logos, social media information and downloads, information on how to write a press release, and easy access links to the Rotary International site, without having to login.
A positive image will help your club raise awareness of Rotary; attract, and engage members; increase contributions for your club and The Rotary Foundation; and garner partnerships, volunteers, and support for your club’s projects and activities.
The newly updated Public Image webpage features easy to access information on anything Rotary. Whatever you’re looking for regarding advertising, partnerships, licensing, merchandise, logos, using the Rotary name, and so much more, can now be accessed easily from the Public Image home page.
Each month has a separate theme and we suggest that you consider adding the monthly theme to your Club's website and Facebook page, much like the District Newsletter does each month, see upper left hand corner right above “Club News” information. This month’s theme is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
District 7780 is governed by a set of Bylaws that can be found on our District Website under the Committee dropdown menu and the Bylaws Committee. The last time our Bylaws were amended was in May 2022.
Any club can propose amendments to the Bylaws by submitting them to the District Governor no later than 75 days prior to the Annual District Business meeting. This year's deadline is March 27, 2023.
All proposed amendments are reviewed by the District Bylaws Committee to ensure that they are consistent with the Rotary International Governance Documents and are in keeping with the spirit and principles of Rotary.
The District Governor must forward copies of all proposed amendments and any recommendations of the Bylaws Committee to each District club president no later than 30 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting. This meeting is currently scheduled for June 10. To be adopted, proposed amendments must receive a three-fourths majority of the votes cast at the Annual Business Meeting.
The current members of the Bylaws Committee are Lawrence Furbish, chair; PDG John LoBosco, and Bob Stephan of the Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club. In addition, DG Claudia Frost and District Parliamentarian Dan Fitzpatrick are ex-officio members, and our Council on Legislation and Council on Resolutions representative, Ann Lee Hussey, is a non-voting member. Feel free to reach out to any of these Rotarians if you have questions.
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District Training Assembly, Saturday, April 15
Don’t Miss This Event!
By: Marion Cheney,
DGE, RC of Dover
WESTBROOK HIGH SCHOOL
Saturday, APRIL 15, 2023
8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
District Trainer Michele Bois-Gilbody, Facilities Chair Dick Hall, and I have been working feverishly on program content for this year’s District Training Assembly.
Marty Helman and Mike McGovern will be this year’s keynote speakers.
We will be offering 32 breakout sessions PLUS a continental breakfast and lunch.
Here’s a sampling of the breakouts:
Training for Club Secretaries, Treasurers and Club Protection Officers;
The future of Youth Exchange;
Public Image…Tell your Rotary Story;
Opioid Recovery;
Navigating the World of Club Runner;
Rotary Indigenous People’s Committee;
Club Visioning and Vision Workshops;
Youth Services RYLA;
Youth Services Interact and Rotaract;
Membership Engagement;
International Committee-travel opportunities and programs;
Club Collaboration-hints and tips for success.
Presidents-Elect will be having a separate breakout session at 9:45-10:30 a.m. to discuss the 2023-2024 district budget.
Thank You to our Host Clubs:Westbrook-Gorham, ME and Dover, NH.
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