DG Claudia reconnects with Lusaka Rotarian John Kanenungo, on February 27, 2023
Vacation or Mission?
Seven Rotarians from District 7780 traveled to Zambia from February 24 through March 5. Supported by District Designated Funds and the personal funds of the travelers, the purpose of this trip was to witness the growth of a District 7780 Global Grant called Healthy Learners. In addition, the goal was to meet with Rotarians from Lusaka and Livingstone to observe their projects and see how District 7780 might help with new or ongoing projects.
So was this a vacation or a mission? Rotarian Kathi Flygare struck a bell for me when she said “you know, we really are diplomats from the US.” Kathi shared information on our District initiative on Substance Use Disorder. PDG Carolyn Johnson gave a quick tutorial on Foundation giving and grants when we visited clubs. She spoke about our District Global Grants - both approved and in the pipeline.
Our fearless leader, Richard Donhauser, was nicknamed ‘daddy’ as he took our contributions for the cost of the trip and paid for drinks and dinners. This made lunch and dinner a true social time as well as an opportunity to talk about the projects we were visiting. We were saved from converting kwacha and figuring out the tip.
The one current club president was Marilyn Kellogg from Exeter, NH. One of the Livingstone Rotary Club presidents asked Marilyn to speak to his club after a side conversation between the two presidents. She presented at their evening meeting with her very famous smile. Marilyn smiles more than all of us put together!
Flying in from South Berwick-Eliot, David Spahn not only served as a photographer and blogger for the group, but he was also a constant source of information regarding the health of all the animals - including the human ones. Meanwhile, Helen Goransson focused on all the questions we hesitated to ask. Helen’s openness and curiosity benefitted all of us as she made hard questions sound simple.
Be inspired by other clubs. Learn about Rotary alongside your club members.
Presidents-Elect. This is your final training session. We will be reviewing important dates, and discussing best practices for club budgets and you will be voting on the 2023-2024 district budget.
Do you have questions about navigating the district website?
Club Treasurer, record keeping, budgets best practices, and more,
What’s Public Image and how do we tell our story?
Wondering how to collaborate with other clubs, Global Grant Cadre teams, or outside community organizations?
Start here with Global Grants. Meet our district foundation team who will guide you through the ins and outs of qualifying for grants.
Club protection officers…who are they and required Club policies.
What does DEI mean?
Opioid Recovery Initiative. Rotarian involvement and learning how to administer medication that could save a life.
Plus International Committee update, Club Visioning, 7 areas of focus, Youth Services, Club Secretary, beyond your club Leadership, PYLA update, and club secretary workshop
This is just a sampling of some of the 32 sessions being offered in addition to guest speakers Marty Helman and Mike McGovern.
Who should attend?
All District 7780 Rotarians interested in getting involved, strengthening their clubs, and looking for new ideas and information: new Rotarians, long-time Rotarians, and potential Rotarians.
$25.00 registration fee includes Continental Breakfast, box lunch, and an all-day coffee station. Register here.
By: Brenda Pollack, President, Rotary Club of Biddeford & Saco
The Rotary Club of Biddeford & Saco, with help from Rotary Clubs of Kennebunk Portside, Saco Bay, and Saco Bay Sunset, is hosting delegates from Ukraine who are experts in the field of Renewable Energy. They hope to learn about our systems and identify projects we can help come to fruition when they return to Ukraine.
All are Invited to:
Welcome Gala “A MISSION of HOPE” for our Ukrainian Guests, high-ranking government officials in the renewable energy sector. It is the first trip to the U.S. for all.
Saturday, April 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Thornton Academy
Admission: $5
All proceeds will be donated to the Ukrainian Delegation
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
National Anthems (USA & UKRAINE)
Keynote Speaker Senator Angus King
Welcome Video Presentation by John Hewko – General Secretary and CEO of RI
Meet the Ukrainian Delegation
Presentation of Keys to the City
Parade of Club Presidents
Musical Entertainment
Please email here if you are interested in participating in this event, both attending or donating to the Parade of Club Presidents. For more information on the Ukrainian Program, click here.
By: Sarah MacGillivray, Secretary, and Public Image Coordinator, District Foundation Committee, Rotary Club of Bath Sunrise
Another busy month with lots of information to cover, but I wanted to start by thanking Christine Johnson for her winning bid on the Imagine print, proceeds from the auction have been sent to PolioPlus. A great way to show support for OUR Rotary Foundation, thank you, Christine!
1. Did you miss the District Grant Training that was held last month? Not to worry, there are still options for your club to have at least two members take the training, which is one of the requirements if your club wants to submit a District Grant this spring. Click here and read the full article below for details!
2. Don’t miss the District Assembly on April 15! Click here to register.
3. Our District Governor-Elect, Marion Cheney, with the Dover Club, asked me to remind our PEs to please enter your Club’s Foundation goals into RI Club Central asap. Please reach out if you need any help.
4. Bob Gravino, District 7780 Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair and member of the Bath Sunrise Rotary Club, wanted to make sure that we have some important information on Rotary Peace Fellowships. See the full article below for Bob’s message and his contact information if you have any questions.
5. And lastly, click on the full story below for a lovely video that you might also consider sharing at a club meeting, and other information that was shared from OUR Rotary Foundation.
By: Emma Bodwell, DISC Chair, DGND 2025-26, RC of Bridgton-Lake Region
On Saturday, March 4, a major snow day, we had an amazing International Café call with 36 people! One of the benefits of Zoom and a positive outgrowth of the pandemic. If you can get an internet connection, you can get Zoom. And folks were able to participate from Brazil and Columbia as well as the USA.
By: Carol Madsen, Editor, District 7780 Newsletter, PP Rotary Club Bridgton-Lake Region
When I saw Maryna’s Name associated with the new eat-in/drive-through Aroma Joe’s in Naples, Maine, I wondered if it was the same woman I’d had an opportunity to meet on the District Public Image Committee. Well, lo and behold, it was. How I’d missed hearing more about her over her four-year career as a Rotarian I don’t know. When I asked if she would be able to work with me on a piece for the newsletter, she was happy to participate.
Carol – I’d love to hear a little about your background, Maryna.
Maryna - I arrived in the United States from Belarus in 2007, speaking no English. I was only planning to stay long enough to make $5,000 before returning home. Then I met Adam and those plans changed. We married three months later and have been together ever since. We have two daughters, Nellie 12, and Nadia 4, and live in Eliot, Maine.
It wasn’t long before I learned English while pursuing my education and involving myself in the community. Raising my girls gave me a good way to be involved. Working with local parent-teacher organizations, or awarding student achievements through social media, I was constantly heading up fundraisers; working, studying, doing community work, and family. Those things filled my life. The structure kept me focused.
President of the Kennebunk Rotary Club from 1983-84 and a Paul Harris Fellow, Richard was the longest-tenured member of the club. He was a friend and mentor to many and one of the most loved and respected community members in the Kennebunks. Click here for more.
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NEEDED:
Storage Space for
Toys for Tots Donations
As you know, Toys for Tots distributes toys and other items to less fortunate children at Christmas. The Rotary Club of Saco Bay Sunset, the sponsor for northern York County, needs your help. We are in immediate need of a space to house the donated items for children. We hope to find a 2000 SF space in northern York County. It does not need to be heated, but easy accessibility would be good. A donated space would be better. Call Leo Menard at 207-229-7525 if you can help.
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Rotary International believes that exemplifying and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be a part of everything we do at Rotary. As a member of District 7780, the District 7780 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee would like to support you in accomplishing this Rotary International vision. All Rotarians in the District are invited to complete this survey. The feedback will be a guide in providing you with resources related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Respectfully,
District 7780 DEI Committee
Carol Marcotte, Rotary Club of Saco Bay Sunset
Jim Munro, Rotary Club of Dover
Marion Cheney, DGE & Rotary Club Dover
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District 7780 Protection Policy and Club Responsibilities
By: Gregg Dowty, District 7780 Protection Officer,
Rotary Club of Dover
As Rotary Year 2022-23 approaches its final quarter and we anticipate the arrival of the new Rotary year, now would be a good time to check on some of your club’s responsibilities. Fortunately, we have the District Training Assembly scheduled for April 15, 2023. This provides a great opportunity for club leaders to refresh their knowledge and gain insight into important activities in the year ahead.
The District Protection Policy is one such area that leaders should review. There will be a session on the District Protection Policy presented at the assembly. It will be an opportunity to ask questions, understand the importance of the policy, and gain information that can be brought back to your club. Club leaders, especially Presidents-Elect or Club Protection Officers should plan on attending. You can find the policy under the Youth Services/District Protection tab on the District 7780 webpage.
As a reminder, each club should appoint a Club Protection Officer (CPO) and if not, the Club President serves in that capacity. Annually, each club’s board needs to complete a resolution that the club is in accordance with a District 7780 approved policy (Appendix A of the policy).
Certification of that action should be sent to the District Protection Officer (DPO), Gregg Dowty here or by mail to 3i Bittersweet Lane, South Berwick, ME 03908. Also, as per policy, all club members and volunteers must receive protection training at least every three years from the CPO or DPO.
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Rotary Indigenous Partnership Committee Update
By: Jud Knox, Committee Chair,
Rotary Club of York
The Rotary Indigenous Partnership Committee perseveres in relationship-building with the Wabanaki People. Discussions regarding a Healing Garden with the Penobscot Community, opportunities to support the Wabanaki Youth in Science(WaYS) Program, and enhanced cultural awareness continue.
Related to the latter, the Wabanaki Reach website offers excellent educational resources. Two specific presentations of interest are screenings and panel discussions of the Emmy award-winning DAWNLAND, a film about the work of Wabanaki Reach and the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
April 13, 6:00 pm at Hannaford Hall, University of Southern Maine, Portland;
April 26, 5:30-8:00 pm at The Bangor Public Library, Bangor.
Both showings are free and open to the public.
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SAVE THE DATE!
District 7780 Celebration
June 10, 2023
Click here to check out this year's location: Bailey Island.
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