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GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
April 2020
Wow! So much has changed, and changed so much, in such a short period of time. We have a tragedy on our hands. Those of us able to help are needed more than ever.
Many clubs set up online meetings; some clubs ramped up their emailing; some clubs set up phone trees; some clubs are just taking a break as they wait for the situation to come into focus.
It's all good. It's all good because Rotary is so much more than weekly meetings. Rotary is a way of life. It's in our minds and our hearts; it permeates us through and through; it affects the way we think and live. Rotary is a way of living life where we always care about and help others who find themselves in less fortunate circumstances than we find ourselves.
We have before us an amazing opportunity to be of tremendous service to those who are, and to those who soon will be, struggling. This is an outstanding opportunity for us as Rotarians to reach out and be supportive of our neighbors and of our communities. Many of our extended community family, particularly those who are elderly and those with immunity issues or otherwise vulnerable, may find themselves isolated, alone, and perhaps frightened. They need our help.
While our first priority is always to our own health and to the health and well being of our immediate families, please pay attention to and look out for the well being of others in your sphere of influence.
This could be via formal club assistance programs that some clubs have set up, or it could be as simple as checking in on your neighbors. Please do what you can, without taking unnecessary risks.
"There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life The greatest gift of all."
Lyrics from "We Are The World" 1985
Thank you very much,
for taking care of yourself,
and for taking care of others.
Please remember,
We, here on earth, are one family.
Elbow bumps and love to you all,
DG Andy
Andrew Glazier
District Governor, Rotary District 7780
Global Grants
MAKE A ROTARY DIFFERENCE FROM YOUR HOME OFFICE IN APRIL!
By District 7780 Global Grant Coordinator Dave Underhill
Rotary Club of Portsmouth
Here we are, in our homes, social-distancing and missing the fellowship of our weekly Rotary meeting. What to do?
Connect with a Rotary partner anywhere beyond the U.S. borders and apply for a Rotary Foundation Global Grant!
Never did it before? Maybe that’s why, as this is being written, we still have matching-fund dollars available. These funds are known as “district designated funds” or “DDF” for short: they come back to our district to be used for Global Grant projects in District 7780, and they are based on how much money we (our Clubs and members) give to the Foundation each year. Here’s how you get started and perhaps get some of this DDF “free money” to launch your project.
LEARN about the ins and outs of Global Grant requirements. Start here:
Rotary Foundation Global Grant overview and resources:
TALK with someone who has done it. We currently have 25 Global Grant projects in draft or active form, with one or more district 7780 clubs participating. You can see them here, and see the names of the grant key-people. They will be delighted to hear from you and help you along your path.
PARTNER with another Rotary Club around the world. A Global Grant launched in District 7780 must have a partner outside the U.S. This opportunity might start with someone you met at a Canada Rotary meeting or while traveling anywhere in the world.
DO IT! Start drafting a grant, and check in with me to discuss specifics and funding available. The magic of global grant funding is awesome leverage for your project. If you don’t want to take on creating your own project, reach out to one of the grants in draft status and ask your fellow NH/ME Rotarian how you can help them with your Club’s energy and resources.
PUT YOUR FOUNDATION DOLLARS TO WORK. Here is an illustration of how grant dollars multiply with the addition of district-designated funds (DDF) and money from the Rotary Foundation World Fund:
International Project Host: District 7780 Club(s)
* District 7780 clubs A,B,C raise: $10,000
District 7780 matching funds from Rotary Foundation DDF: $10,000
Rotary Foundation World Fund matches District DDF: $10,000
Rotary Foundation World Fund 50% matches club funds: $5,000
Subtotal: $35,000
Local Project Host (in the country of the project): District (0000) Club(s)
District (0000) Club(s) raise: $5,000
** District (0000) matching funds from Rotary Foundation DDF: $5,000
Rotary Foundation World Fund matches District (0000) DDF: $5,000
Rotary Foundation World Fund 50% matches club funds: $2,500
Subtotal: $17,500
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING: $52,500
* Plus 5% administration cost from The Rotary Foundation.
** Assumes their rules match ours, some have different matching policies
All subject to grant review and approval.
Want to chat further? Email me, Dave Underhill, District 7780 Global Grant coordinator, dave.underhill.nh@gmail.com and we’ll set up a time to do a call. Odds are I won’t be far from home!
Stay safe, and keep doing good Rotary things in our world.
The Rotary Foundation
UPDATE REGARDING DONATIONS
These are trying times, both health wise and financially. This is very evident at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, IL. where personnel are not being permitted to enter the building.
Should you be able and willing to make a contribution at this time, Elizabeth Davis, our Rotary Annual Fund Giving Officer, has sent the following guidelines
1. The Rotary Support Center does not have phone or contribution processing capabilities at this time. They are only available to answer inquires via email. Their email address is rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org. Members should not email contributions to this email address.
2. Any contributions sent to One Rotary Center will not be processed for some time. Additionally, our capability for accepting faxed contributions has also been placed on hold indefinitely. We highly encourage members who would like to contribute to do so online at myrotary.org/donate.
3. At this time, our lockbox address, The Rotary Foundation 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL, 60693, listed on contribution forms is active. However, should USPS discontinue service this will become an issue as well. Again, the best place to make a contribution is online at myrotary.org/donate.
I know that some of you are using Rotary Direct to make your contribution. Others have already made this Rotary year’s contribution. I thank you very much for having done so. If you have not yet made a contribution, please consider doing so. In this time of worldwide crisis, our Rotary Foundation needs your help more than ever.
Lawrence Furbish District 7780 Foundation Committee Chair
EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR
What is Rotary’s EREY Initiative and How is it Related to the Annual Fund - SHARE?
During the past 100 years, the Rotary Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects throughout the world. Individual member’s contributions help Rotary International strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local economies, save mothers and children, and fight disease. Therefore, each year Rotarians are asked to participate in EREY or Every Rotarian Every Year by supporting our Rotary Foundation at Rotary International. Your gift to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs take action today to create positive change in communities at home and around the world.
The Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) initiative asks every Rotarian to support the Rotary International Foundation every year. A goal which many Rotarians set for themselves is a sustaining contribution of $100 per year. Your donation may be more or it might be less. This year let’s achieve a District Foundation goal of having 100% of the members from Rotary Clubs in District 7780 give at least $25 to the Rotary Foundation (TRF) and Rotary’s Annual Fund (AF). By meeting this goal, we are helping Rotary’s 35,000 clubs and their partners worldwide carry out sustainable service projects.
At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in the district are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund, or DDF. At the end of three years, our district can use the DDF to pay for Foundation, club, and district projects that your club and others in the district choose. Districts like ours may use up to half of their DDF to fund district grants. The remaining DDF may be used for global grants or donated to PolioPlus, the Rotary Peace Centers, or an emergency project. This amount is separate from Polio Plus contributions. A percentage of the Polio Plus money does not return to our district to be used as DDF. The DDF is used for our District’s smaller, local projects as opposed to minimum $30,000 projects which are Global grants. Let's support District 7780’s 2020 Annual Fund goal of $174,214.00 so that we can continue ask the district to support our club’s projects!
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.
Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund? Because your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world. Only if Every Rotarian makes a gift to the Annual Fund Every Year can the great work of Your Rotary Foundation continue. WHY? Because, the Annual Fund is the primary source of unrestricted funding for programs in more than 180 countries on seven continents. From within our district our clubs are promoting and saving the cultural heritage of the Zulu people in South Africa, providing equipment and staff training for a cancer care center in Uganda and drilling a well Guatemala to provide 3,000 inhabitants with clean water. During any given moment in a day thousands of Rotarians volunteer their time and expertise to ensure that all contributions given to the Annual Fund are spent wisely on quality Rotary projects.
If you are an EREY Member, thank you so very much for your support. If you are not yet an EREY Member, please consider becoming one. It’s so simple—if you can just contribute at least $25 to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund-SHARE by June 15, 2020. Remember no amount is too small. Can we please count on you to help with district projects such as educational support for native American children in rural school district in US, job training in hospitality and tourism in Jordan or closer to home mobility accessible walkways and food security for young people and older adults? You can make the difference!
Doing good in the world and making your EREY donation just got easier. Rotary Direct, Rotary’s recurring giving program, saves time, money, and lives. Contributions go directly to The Rotary Foundation, resulting in faster processing and quicker achievement of your district, club and personal charitable goals. Enrollment is as easy as one, two, three: (1) Select your fund, (2) choose your amount, and (3) indicate how often you wish to contribute. Sign uponce to give continuous support.
Donald MacRae Peace Award
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!
Do you know a Rotarian or Rotary organization that deserves plaudits for their international work?
Every year, a Rotarian or Rotary organization is celebrated in Zones 28 and 32 for outstanding achievement consistent with the ideals expressed in the Fourth Object of Rotary:
“The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through humanitarian activity of international significance.
Is this the year for you to honor one of your members?
Candidates for the awards will have demonstrated the advancement of international goodwill, understanding and peace through peace-making efforts or humanitarian activity of international significance.
The award is open to Rotarians and non-Rotarians, but the applicant must have a relationship with the Club or District that is nominating them.
The award honors the contributions of Halifax Rotarian Donald MacRae who, at the International Convention in 1918, proposed that Rotary become an agent for the promotion of goodwill and peace among nations. This was the first time that an international vision of Rotary was publically expressed.
Who has won the Donald MacRae Peace Award in the past? The list reads like a “who’s who” of our two Zones’ most active internationalists, and includes Safe Passage, the literacy support program in Guatemala, and Dr. Robert Raiche, founder of Friends Forever, a program that teaches Protestant and Catholic youth in Northern Ireland how much they really have in common.
While you are there, check out this year’s application form. Filling out the application to honor someone is easy, and recognizing the work of eligible deserving individuals is exceptional and just the right thing to do!
Deadline for receipt of applications is May 15, 2020, and they should be emailed to: PDG Marty Helman, martyrotary@gmail.com
Thanks for making it a priority and taking the time to say Thank-You to a deserving person or group.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE NOMINATION FORM HERE: https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000050077/en-ca/files/homepage/donald-macrae-nomination-2020/Donald-MacRae-Peace-Award-2020.pdf
Rotary Youth Exchange
Rotary Peace Scholarships
JOIN THE SEARCH FOR A PEACE SCHOLAR
District 7780 is active in a Rotary International program which awards 130 fully funded fellowships for peace leaders to attend Rotary Peace Centers. You can be part of this search for a candidate to represent our District. There is no cost to either the club or the District for sponsoring students.
If you know a non-Rotarian who is actively working in the pursuit of peace, encourage them to look at Peace Fellowships at rotary.org. The candidate must have a minimum of 3 years (36 months) of relevant work experience. Often, the candidates are in their 20’s and 30’s but there is no age restrictions. The candidate does not need to live in our District or our country!
This year, District 7780 has a candidate from El Salvatore who has a law degree and has been active both internationally and in the community in the area of peace. I have not met Mario, but we have been corresponding for several months. I look forward to assisting with this candidate.
Former Interactors and current or former Rotaractors are eligible and encouraged to apply. The District may sponsor multiple candidates in any year. The application process opens in February, and is closed on May 31.
The Rotary Peace Centers program began in 2002, and has trained more than 1,300 fellows who now work in more than 115 countries. These fellowships are fully funded, covering tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation and all internship field-study expenses.
Please keep this program in mind as you meet with people who work for peace.
For more information, go to rotary.org and look for Peace Fellowships under Our Programs. You can also send me your questions or suggestions regarding candidates.
Our RYLA Staff is hard at work preparing and designing RYLA 2020: Make Connections, Build Community. Here are some important dates you all need to know in order to best support us and the Servant Leaders you will be sponsoring!
Student Camper Registration: Camper’s must be registered for camp ASAP. Once you have chosen your students they must be registered online, just like last year. Please refer to your Rotarian Registration Guide for assistance, or reach out if you have questions. We are still planning on camp for this year and will adjust if we need to based on Covid-19.
Camper Welcome Packages: We will begin sending these to campers who have been registered by you on April 15th for students to return their Medical forms by June 1st if possible.
Hinds Clean-Up Day: Sunday, June 14. Rotarians are invited to help as we prepare camp with our annual clean up. Expect to clear trails, spread mulch, organize materials, and hang banners. Bring tools and dress to work!
Staff Camp Week Dates: Friday, June 26 - Thursday, July 2 (we usually leave around noon on Thursday)
New Staff decisions have been made and have already been sent out.
Camper Dates: Sunday, June 28th- Wednesday, June 1st
If you have any questions regarding any of the above, please reach out to Phil Giordano, Emily Rumble, and Sam Klemarczyk at the following contact information.
You choose as an individual how you are going to react to something.
I'm not going to sugarcoat anything; this pandemic happening right now is crazy. To some it might be that they have no toilet paper, or to others it might be that they have to file for unemployment. Everyone chooses how they are going to react and that is their perception. Your perception has a powerful ability to change situations and control your life, but with positivity you can change anything.
My perception has changed over the years. Before attending RYLA in 2017, I was constantly dwelling on little things. I was comparing myself to others, and most importantly I wasn't looking for positives out of situations. I never imagined RYLA to be a positive experience. I just thought it would be a couple days in the woods without my phone with some random people trying to make friendships. I was already being negative. I had already put a wall around myself creating a barrier to others which only made me communicate negativity to my Leadership Exploration Group (LEG) as a result.
RYLA broke down my wall and showed me how to not only value others but most importantly myself. During my final reflection at my camper year in 2017 my two awesome facilitators put our group into a circle and they read prompts like, tap someone on the shoulder that made us smile during RYLA, or someone who challenged us. This activity gave our LEG a new perception of each other. During the week we accomplished many elements but didn't focus on the improvements we made as a group; however, the final reflection pushed us to dig deep. I learned that during the week I was focused on finishing the task and the little things we did wrong, rather than focusing on the positives that came out of the elements, such as improvements in communication or taking care of our people. My LEG accomplished so much more than just the elements, but we needed our facilitators to make us recognize it. All along we were supporting each other and making each other smile, yet none of us could identify it. This final reflection led me to start to react to situations differently looking for positives, no matter how small; it changed my perception on life.
SHARE COMMON INTERESTS WITH OTHER ROTARIANS IN OUR DISTRICT!
We are setting up "affinity groups" for Rotarians who have common interests or hobbies. So far, we have the groups listed below. Let us know if you want to join one (or more) of them, or if you have an idea for a new group, by sending us a message at "Contact Us" on the district home page.
JAG Officers
Peace Corps Alumni
Rotary History/Technology
Diplomats, Foreign Service and Others Who Have Lived Abroad (including Missionaries, Teachers, Business people)
Paddling (SUP, Canoe, Kayak)
Running
Hiking
Sports Cars
(Local) Traveling Rotarians (to support fundraisers and events at other district clubs)
International Traveling Rotarians (interested in visiting clubs in other countries)
Healthcare Workers (doctors, nurses, etc.)
District History for April 2020
No Responses for March
I have added another Club History and our latest Service Above Self recipient to the District History pages.
1. Has your club’s history been added?If not, send me the information.
2. Has a member of your club received the Service Above Self award? This is a very prestigious award and very few are added throughout the Rotary world each year. If you have had one in your club, please share a little about this person that may not be in the article about them in the District History section under Service Above Self Awards.
I have added two new sections in the left-hand column under Related Information – World Community Service and Rotarians Share. The last one is the start of things you have shared with me as the result of my District History Trivia Questions. I have posted November 2019, January & February 2020 responses. I will add other ones going backwards as time allows. Will you send me something to be added for April 2020!
To check out the District History pages, go to https://www.rotary7780.org/ then click on ABOUT US, then on District History in the drop down. Then click on anything that is light blue and it will bring up the page. If you click on Rotary Clubs of District 7780, the list of all 41 clubs in the district will appear. Just click on the club name you want to look at and see what information there is about that club.
I know there is a lot more information/history out there about our District clubs – PLEASE SHARE SOMETHING WITH ME SO I CAN PUT IT IN THE DISTRICT HISTORY!!
PLEASE send me what you want to SHARE along with your name and your club’s name to mawilliamspdg@comcast.net. It will appear in the next newsletter. You will become part of District 7780’s History that will live on and may inspire someone else to share or take on a project in their community or around the world!
Everyone, stay safe!
Marie
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
Welcome New Members!
The Rotary Club of Portland
Portland Rotary Club welcomed new member Leslie Clark (center), pictured above with President Amy Chipman (right) and Gracie Johnston.
The Rotary Club of Dover
The Rotary Club of Dover welcomed our newest Rotarian, Naila Aslam of Dover Eyecare at our recent Club meeting. Our club looks forward to you getting involved with the Rotary projects and being a part of our community.
The Rotary Club of Bethel
CLUB UPDATE
At a recent meeting, Kirk Siegel, the Executive Director of the Mahoosuc Land Trust, offered a presentation on a recent land acquisition that they are busy building recreational trails on.
At another recent meeting, Maryvonne Wheeler, Director of the Bethel District Exchange, shared info on the school backpack program, providing weekend food for students in SAD #44 who need it.
We were also treated to a performance by the Mahoosuc Strings, a group of Crescent Park School 4th and 5th graders. They are pictured below with their teachers, Lee Smith and Chris Alberi.
The Rotary Club of Brunswick
BRUNSWICK ROTARY USES CLUB RESOURCES:CLUB MEMBERS
The Rotary Club of Brunswick has realigned all its priorities this month. While in the Dominican Republic on a 3-H Rotary trip, President Carolyn Bulliner, a retired Colonel and Army nurse, managed the cancellation of two spring fundraisers as well as all club meetings.
The most successful fundraiser for the Brunswick Rotary Club was Midcoast Maine’s Got Talent, which was headed for its ninth year. Last spring’s new addition, the Patriots’ Day Half-K, promised to increase in size and fun. Instead, Rotarian and club Vice President Fred Horch organized the Brunswick Rotarians to create a Care Team to take care of the needs of the club members and to consider how to help the community in the weeks to come.
President Carolyn returned and immediately quarantined herself because of her travel. She organized Zoom meetings for a Corona Virus ‘Tiger Team’ and prepared all the club members for the “long haul.”The Care Team reached all club members by phone and established contact information for any in need.
Keeping the Brunswick Rotary Club webpage and FaceBook page current may seem unimportant, but it is the way we communicate with our own club members and with others. Our website issues important information on closures while our FaceBook page is more whimsical. A visitor can read the Emergency Proclamation for the Brunswick Town Manager, and then listen to a country singing dog, read uplifting poetry or virtually visit a penguin in the Cincinnati Zoo. We are grateful to Rotarian Michelle Lester for her work on communications.
Several Brunswick Rotarians are carrying vital roles in sustaining the community. Rotarian Stacy Frizzle, Director of People Plus, provides daily updates on the People Plus FaceBook page and Harpswell TV14. Many senior citizens count on the services of People Plus. The Volunteer Transportation Network, the Good Morning Call-In program and the Meals on Wheels offerings continue to care for seniors.
Brunswick Rotary has actively participated in what is known as The Harpswell Food Truck program for the last two years. Managed by Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Project, this program will continue to provide food for members of the Harpswell community and beyond. Rotarian Don Kniseley is a board member for this organization and keeps the club in touch with the food needs of the community.
Tedford Housing, a homeless shelter for families in Brunswick, reaches the resources of the Brunswick Rotary Club through Rotarian and Director of Development, Jennifer Iacovelli. Jennifer keeps club members apprised of food needs and other supplies.
Mid Coast Hospital, led by Bath Rotarian and CEO Lois Skillings, reaches the Brunswick Rotary Club through two other Rotarians, Directors Lennie Burke and Sandy Morrell Rooney.
Rotarian Carlene Byron, Development and Marketing Manager of the Independence Association, offers the club insights into ways to assist adults and children with intellectual disabilities.
The Brunswick Rotary Club serves the community through their many initiatives, but during this difficult time, the club joins with many organizations to help the poor, the hungry, the elderly, the homeless, the sick and the disabled. Our members who are part of these non-profits are vital in the community as we find our way to be ‘beneficial to all concerned.’
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
GIFT CERTIFICATES TO GO TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Thanks to Judy and Past President Bill Silver, the Damariscotta-Newcastle, Maine Rotary Club found a way in these anxious times to support both local businesses and healthcare workers.
Most of the restaurants in our community have been forced to close, although some are still doing take-out. The restaurant business is tough in the best of times and now many will struggle to survive. They are an important part of any community and have always been ready to donate to Rotary events.
Rotarians offered to buy gift certificates from local restaurants of their choice in $25 increments. Bill and Judy took orders from everyone who wished to participate, bundled them and placed a group purchase with each restaurant.
Folks bought more gift certificates that they would use personally, and the excess are being donated to employees of Lincoln Health and EMTs.
The final total in orders from 34 people to 17 local restaurants is $4,950 and because anonymous Rotarians have matched all of the orders, the total economic benefit to the community is $10,950. 327- $25 gift cards ($8,175) will be going to employees of Lincoln Health and EMT workers.
Donors (Rotarians and other members of our communities) bought these certificates with no guarantee that all these restaurants will survive to honor the certificates. We hope this project is a meaningful encouragement to the local economy and to our healthcare workers.
RESTAURANTS DONATE TO FEED COMMUNITY
In the Damariscotta-Newcastle area, some restaurants that had to close shop and button up for the duration were able to donate all of their deli’s provisions, among other perishables, to D-N Rotary Past President Jane Gravel at Main Street Grocery. They are packing hot and cold meals for people in our community who are unable to leave their homes. These meals are anything from a couple of sandwiches and soup, to beef stew and macaroni and cheese. They have 18 volunteer drivers on hand to help distribute. Delivery for groceries is also still available to all customers Monday, Wednesday and Friday, without charge.
The folks at S. Fernald’s Country Store organized a 24-hour ‘Emergency Fundraiser for Local Food Relief.’ With all of the support from locals and from friends far away they were able to raise a total of $5,287.59 (after fees) in just one full day. Every last penny went into Jane’s meal program at Main Street Grocery. The order ended up being about 5 pallets worth of juice, water, milk, snacks, fruits, vegetables, cold cuts, beans, pasta, condiments, safety gloves, hair nets, microwaveable containers, snacks, peanut butter, JUST TO NAME A FEW!
These are in addition to Food Pantries, Meals at The Y, etc, already in place. Mainers have risen to the challenges of this pandemic and are taking care of each other.
The Rotary Club of Dover
PROUD TO BE A ROTARIAN
Proud to be a Rotarian as we spent the weekend at the NEPETS - Northeast President Elect & Assistant Governor Symposium. Was able to meet and connect with those in our District and in our Rotary Zone and to learn of where we are and going in our Rotary Clubs and in our District. Had the opportunity to meet the President Elects in my District that I will be partnering and growing with as I become their Assistant Governor starting in July.
One thing I will tell all incoming Presidents is to be a leader and have FUN!
Grateful for the opportunity to network and learn with our “dream team” of 2020-2021 that included the President-Elects, Assistant Governors, District Governors and District Governor-Elects and other Rotarians this week. Discussions and sharing of ideas and process as we start our new year in July. Preparing to make our Clubs and District the best we can be for each other and our Community through Service Above Self!
The Rotary Club of Exeter
ANNUAL STUFF THE BUS - POSTPONED
With the onset of the Coronavirus, the Exeter Rotary Club made the decision to postpone its Annual Stuff the Bus event on March 28th. This event normally helps support St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry with its needs for the summer months. However the need is real now with so many people not being able to work and kids out of school. With this in mind, the Exeter Club donated $1,000 earlier this month to help support the food pantry get the supplies needed. Once COVID-19 is under control, l the Stuff the Bus event will be scheduled to help fill the shelf once again. Stay safe and positive!
The Rotary Club of Hampton
CLUB HOLDS FIRST ZOOM MEETING
Members of the Hampton Rotary Club recently held their first weekly Zoom meeting. Some club business was conducted, but mostly it was friends saying hello and catching up with each other during these uncertain times.
The Kittery Rotary After Hours Club ANNUAL BOOK EXCHANGE
Kittery Reads Program: Annual Book Exchange for Horace Mitchell Primary School
The Kittery Rotary After Hours Club is kicking off their preparations for the Annual Book Exchange Project for Horace Mitchell Primary School in Kittery.
The Book Exchange began 5 years ago as part of the club’s Kittery Reads Program which was partially funded by a Rotary District Grant. The grant centered around a series of activities aimed at improving literacy in our community. The club has continued to sponsor this event collecting new and gently used books from friends, families and local community sources.
Each year in early June the club works with teachers and staff from Mitchell School to organize the book exchange. On the designated day, members are on hand at the school to help students in grades K-3 to “shop” for books that they will take home and keep as their own with the intent of encouraging summer reading. The event is not only one of our club members’ favorites, but a student favorite as well. A student attending last year’s exchange commented, “this is the best day ever!”
The club would welcome book donations from other clubs in the District. Books should be new or gently used and suitable for students in grades K-4. Please email us with any questions at kitteryrotaryafterhours@gmail.com.
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
CLUB ANNUAL DINNER
Pictured above: Immediate Past President, George Rice presented Peter Kaurup with a 2019 Rotarian of the Year plaque
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills recently held their Annual Dinner and enjoyed fellowship and meal provided by the Honey Badger of Oxford. After dinner, the club recognized Past Presidents in attendance, and also presented the Immediate Past President, George Rice, with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition for his outstanding leadership, guidance and support of the club. George is one of the original Club Charter members, and served his 2nd term as President, the first back in 1989-90. Past Rotarians of the Year were also recognized, as well as naming the 2019 Rotarian of the Year, Peter Kaurup. Peter has only been a member of the club for 2 years, but has been active since day one. When there is a need for someone to step up, he is one of the first to do so. He has helped with the Club’s Auction, Lobster- Steak Fest, and other activities such as the lobster for scholars, setting tents, and setting up for district events. He enjoys outdoor activities and supports our community through volunteering. The fellowship of Rotary is an important part of who he is. He has made many friends, explores his hobbies with others and volunteers regularly in our community and the Rotary district. This enhances the fellowship of our club. Congratulations to both Rotarians for their continued dedication to doing good in the world. Peter was also presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Award. For more info about the Rotary Club of Oxford Hills, go to www.oxfordhillsrotary.org or find them on Facebook.
The Rotary Club of Portland
ROTARIANS PACK SURVIVAL KITS FOR HOMELESS TEENS
Portland Rotarians organized survival kit bags for Preble Street homeless teens. Community Services Chairman Gracie Johnston led the collection of personal care items, hats, scarves and hand warmers and other items. Pictured with committee members Patty Erickson, Jan Chapman, Jennifer Frederick, Bruce Moore and Gracie Johnston. This timely humanitarian project, organized to meet the some of the personal needs of homeless teems, has certainly been well timed. This response from Gracie, on behalf of the Committee: "There’s never been a time when teens at the Preble Street Teen Center have needed survival kits. We delivered 40 kits thanks to the generosity of Rotarians plus additional gloves and hats. Preble Street was extremely appreciative."
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
DISTRICT REPORT MARCH 18, 2020
Like so many of our sister clubs, Portsmouth was preparing for its first virtual meeting via Zoom on March 19. The scheduled digital gathering, necessitated by the Corona virus pandemic, was slated to run for a half hour. Thus far, as far as we know, Covid-19 has spared us.
We are gearing up for our 100th Anniversary celebration under the leadership of Past District Governors Mort Schmidt and Dave Underhill….The club was invited to clean out collective closets April 2 and donate clothes to Durham’s Friends in Action. This was a tremendously successful project last year.
Portsmouth Rotary is growing. New Portsmouth City Manager Karen Conard, past president of the Peabody, Mass., Club, became an official new member. Also joining was Chris Oberg of Portsmouth, business partner of Past President Bill Hurley.
The club is actively involved in combating substance abuse through the future training of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) counselors. We have already donated $10,000 to the cause. Pine Tree Institute Executive Director Dr. Larry McCullough spoke to us about the project.
Pictured above: Karen Conard, Portsmouth City Manager and Dr. Larry McCullough, Pine Tree Institute Executive Director
Other programs included UNH Senior Haley Burns, winner of the New Hampshire Social Ventures Innovation Challenge. She invented, among other things, a healthy snow cone (“Vice”) that was successfully field tested in Haiti.
We also heard from Jill Gravink, founder and executive director of Northeast Passage. The program, which has merged with UNH, seeks to empower the disabled through the purposeful use of sports and recreation involvement. Northeast has already produced seven Olympians and treated clients as young as three and as old as 96 years of age.
Pictured above: Haley Burns, winner of the New Hampshire Social Ventures Innovation Challenge and Jill Gravnik, founder and executive director of Northeast Passage.
Finally, former Portsmouth Rotarian Russ Grazier, Jr. proudly explained the amazing success story that is Portsmouth Music and Arts Center. PMAC has grown from an enrollment of 10 students ten years ago to about 1,000 students today.
Pictured above: former Portsmouth Rotarian Russ Grazier, Jr.
The River Valley Rotary Club CLUB LOADS TRUCK FOR CRUTCHES4AFRICA PROJECT
On Friday, March 13th, members of the River Valley Rotary Club, along with Region 9 Driver Instructor Ed Naples, loaded up a Region 9 truck full of canes, crutches, walkers and wheel chairs to deliver to Biddeford for the Crutches4Africa project. Clubs across the state make these deliveries, and then the Biddeford Rotary Club, headed up by Dennis Robillard, ships them by the millions to Africa.
Pictured above: Ed Naples
Pictured from left to right: Fellow club members Rich Allen, Greg Trundy, Dick Lovejoy, Jim White, Roger Whitehouse, Joe Sirius and Club President Dave Duguay.
Pictured above: Dennis Robillard of the Biddeford Rotary Club receiving the truck load with Ed Naples helping unload the truck.
The Sebago Lake Rotary Club
"HOOKED ON FISHING" ICE FISHING DERBY
Over 200 excited junior ice fishermen ascended onto Range Pond State Park Saturday, March 7th, for the Kittery Trading Post's "Hooked On Fishing" Ice Fishing Derby hosted by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club.
Allyssa DiShan of Gorham is this years winner of the life time fishing license sponsored by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club and awarded at the Derby.
Pictured on left: Chase and Cole Hopkins take instruction from their grandfather, Gary Coyne of Falmouth, on how to set their trap for a promising day of ice fishing. Pictured on right: Andrew Peterson of Gardiner shows off his catch.
The Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
CLUB ASSISTS MAINE VETERANS
The South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club has had a program in place for seven years to assist the unmet needs of Maine veterans and homeless veterans. The Club has provided more than $40,000 in assistance to veterans programs during that time.
In mid-March the club received a call to help with an emergency. Huot House in Biddeford, which provides transitional housing for qualified veterans while they look for employment, had had a fire that temporarily displaced several veterans even as stay-at-home orders were being issued across the state. The affected vets were put into local hotels while repairs were being made but the Huot House director, Michael Merrill, only had a restricted funding source that did not cover all of the hotel costs. The Rotary Club, with a long history of working with veterans was called by a contact in the Maine VA to see if Rotary could help. And the club did. Money was approved the same day and provided to Merrill so the short-term hotel accommodations for the veterans could be covered.
WEEKLY MEETING GOES ONLINE DURING COVID 19 CHALLENGES
In order to comply with sheltering-in and shutdown guidelines, the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club conducted a weekly meeting on an online Zoom platform. Many thanks to President-Elect Mike Geneseo for organizing and communicating all the directives. During these challenging times, our members like the idea of continued club communication and maintaining some of our “business as usual” affairs. We used a simplified format from a typical meeting, including announcements, discussion and even happy dollars!
The Rotary Club of South Berwick
MARSHWOOD INTERACT CLUB
Marshwood students go on service-learning journey to Tanzania
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine - Seven teenage girls from Marshwood High School, hardly knowing each other, accompanied by three chaperones, went on a service-learning journey to Tanzania, Africa. When they returned, they called themselves the #sacred7 and their lives were changed forever.
The #sacred 7 are Estelle Cox, Eva Therrien, Katie Taran, Maddie Fjeld, Sophie Lusenhop, Mia Serrano and Stella D’Aran. MHS Interact Club adviser and chaperone Grace Spillane Jacobs was joined by her colleagues Nina Santora and Vicki Stewart.
Updates and short articles with images or videos, and the names of new members and those who have passed, may be submitted to our Newsletter Editor, Deb Marsolais, at deb.marsolais@comcast.net to be included in our Monthly Newsletter. The District Newsletter is a means of communicating to other clubs in our district; items of interest, upcoming events, fundraisers, opportunities of service, or member news.
Deadline for MayNewsletter Submissions: April 23rd
PLEASE NOTE:
As a precaution, unless you have obtained a written consent from a parent/guardian, every child’s face which appears in a picture submitted for the newsletter or website, will be edited so that it is blurred out in the picture. Since there may be situations involving abuse, neglect, custody dispute, etc., and parents wouldn't want their child's picture to appear in public, this is being done for the child's privacy and protection.
If you have a submission for the newsletter or website, and would like to have us post a picture with a child (children) in it, please let us know if you have received a consent, otherwise we will edit it accordingly.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Everyone’s Phone Number at Your Fingertips . . . and Much More!
Have you done the easy ClubRunner download yet?
How would you like to have not only your own Rotary Club members contact information but also the entire District at your fingertips? You can and so much more by downloading the new and improved ClubRunner Mobile App. You can also access club and district leadership, stories and events all with just a few clicks. Connecting to them is as easy as clicking on the phone number or email address.
You can download it on the AppStore or GooglePlay and be on your way in minutes. Now would also be a good time to make sure that your profile is current, and if you do not have a picture saved, or your birthday listed, considering updating your information now!
Reach out and collaborate with other like minded Rotarians from around our district and be the People of Action that your are!
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Thanks to Judy and Past President Bill Silver, the Damariscotta-Newcastle, Maine Rotary Club found a way in these anxious times to support both local businesses and healthcare workers.
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How would you like to have not only your own Rotary Club members contact information but also the entire District at your fingertips? You can and so much more by downloading the new and improved ClubRunner Mobile App. You can also access club and district leadership, stories and events all with just a few clicks. Connecting to them is as easy as clicking on the phone number or email address.
