There is so much to cover this month. I’ve been able to visit many clubs for their festivities and important activities. The theme for the month is Vocational Service and we will talk about that. Fundraising continues in spite of Covid. Some Clubs have told us about their successes. And, finally, a call for help for RYLA which is seeking registration volunteers.
December was an exciting month!
I had a great time attending club functions including two parades, two Christmas parties, and two fundraisers. I also attended two President’s gatherings and one AG holiday party. On Christmas Eve, I was lucky to help place and set up over 1000 luminaries in Exeter. I also got to drive around and deliver RYLA posters, RYLA brochures and present Foundation awards. It is a real treat to see clubs in action in person, and to observe the numerous ways we have figured out how to stay safe during Covid and still get things done. Thanks for all the invitations.
Nominations of New Club Officers
Hopefully all clubs have nominated and elected leaders for the future. Thanks to all who have agreed to serve.
January is Vocational Service Month on the Rotary International Calendar. The key element of vocational service is that Rotarians encourage and foster:
Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public.
Recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations.
Contribution of your vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community.
Some suggestions for Vocational Service month, from Rotary International Guiding Principles
The Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions (click for a copy) was adopted by the Rotary International Council on Legislation in 1989 to provide more specific guidelines for the high ethical standards called for in the Object of Rotary. A South Portland Cape Elizabeth Rotarian has had this posted in his office for over 30 years. The declaration is still very appropriate today.
Even as Covid continues to get worse, I am so impressed by all the club efforts to fundraise for all of your important Rotary Service. I asked clubs to share their successful fundraisers so that other clubs could get ideas to use in your own communities. Here are some of the ones that were shared, before the newsletter deadline:
Bethel - Annual Yard Sale in August - $21,000 and September annual 5k Race - $6,900
When Emily Rumble and Sam Klemarczyk began as the Directors of RYLA, Peggy Belanger and I committed to recruit Rotarian volunteers to manage the registration process, so they could focus on planning and training. When Phil Giordano was the RYLA director, he had to spend hours to ensure registrations were completed correctly, and it is not fair to expect a volunteer to be camp director and do registration.
We need a detail-oriented pair or trio for this task. Although campers and parents fill out the forms, there are always gaps which need to be addressed. Our worst fear in the registration process is that a kid gets to camp and must be turned away because of a registration issue. This year, in addition to the standard paperwork, we need to ensure that all 144 campers are fully vaccinated before they arrive at camp.
If you are willing to help or know a RYLA graduate willing to help, please contact me.
Cassandra Varanka, District 7780 Peace Scholar candidate and one of 50 winners of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Scholarship chosen by Rotary International this year, will speak to the Rotary Club of South Portland- Cape Elizabeth on Wednesday, January 19, at 6:30-7:30 pm via Zoom. Cassandra will talk about her work in Washington on Nuclear Disarmament and Peace and how it helped her land the coveted Rotary scholarship to continue her peace studies beginning in early 2023. The January 19th program is cosponsored by District 7780 Foundation Committee.
Speaker: Cassandra Varanka, a Peace Scholar Winner, will share her road to winning this coveted prize.
When: Wed., Jan. 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Sponsor: South Portland-Cape Elizabeth RC, District 7780 Foundation Committee
Rotarians and friends from throughout the District and beyond are invited to join Club members over Zoom to hear Cassandra's talk about her good work and the road to becoming a Peace Scholar. This talk will be inspirational for Interactors and other young people so invite them to register as well.
By: Lawrence Furbish Chair, District Bylaw Committee RC of Sanford-Springvale
District 7780 is governed by a set of Bylaws that can be found on our District Website at https://www.rotary7780.org under the Committee dropdown menu and the Bylaws Committee. The last time our Bylaws were amended was in 2018, although a new version was just added to the District Website to correct some out-of-date citations. The next time they could be amended will be at the District Conference in May.
Chair, District 7780 International Services Committee (DISC)
RC of Bridgton-Lake Region
Carol Madsen
Member, DISC
RC of Bridgton-Lake Region
Saturday, January 15th 9:30-11:00 a.m. marks District 7780 International Service Committee’s 10th International Café since these informal gatherings began nearly two years ago. During the pandemic, committee members realized a benefit of Zoom would be having speakers from around the world present their projects to us while in our homes with a cup of coffee. Since then, project leaders have zoomed in from India, Africa, South and Central America, England and from throughout the U.S. and Canada. One can get an indication of these café presentations on the DISC Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/7780DISC. Presenters may be seeking partners, participants, donations or merely sharing information about their work.