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January 2020 - ISSUE 7
 
Upcoming Events
International Assembly
Jan 19, 2020 – Jan 25, 2020
 
Mid Year Dinner
Fireside Inn & Suites
Jan 27, 2020
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
NEPETS Comm Mtg w/ Facilitators
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
Feb 01, 2020
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
 
GrowRotary! Zoom Meeting
Zoom 0n-line Meeting
Feb 01, 2020
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
E-Club Planning Meeting
Feb 04, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
DG Track Mtg
Feb 10, 2020
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
World Understanding and Peace Dinner
Sheraton at Sable Oaks
Feb 20, 2020
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
AG Zoom Mtg
Feb 26, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Grow Rotary Workshop
Freeport Community Center
Feb 29, 2020
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
 
NEPETS
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
Mar 05, 2020 2:00 PM –
Mar 07, 2020 1:00 PM
 
View entire list
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
 
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GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
 
Happy New Year!
 
Wow!  A New Year!  Already!  Yikes!  Whew!
 
Pam and I hope you, and your family and friends, had enjoyable holiday time.  Maybe now things will slow down a little?
 
January is Rotary’s Vocational Service month.  It’s a month to consider, or perhaps reconsider, how your profession integrates with Rotary, and mentoring of others in their professional development.
 
 
Goals.  Around this time of year, many of us reassess our personal and business goals for the coming year.  This might also be an opportune time to reassess our Rotary goals for the coming year, for both our personal and our financial involvement --- how can we best maximize our effectiveness?
 
Club goals.  We are now halfway through our Rotary year.  The next few weeks would be an excellent time to evaluate your club’s progress on your club’s 2019 – 2020 goals.  How is your club doing?  Should you adjust some priorities?
 
Reallocate some resources?  Adjust some goals?  (Adjust higher of course, lol).  How is your club doing with completing the requirements for RI President Mark Maloney’s Presidential Citation
 
 
Save the date, February 20th WUPD.
 
Pam and I hope to see all of you at our big-bash-gala World Understanding and Peace Dinner, Thursday evening, February 20th, at the Sheraton at Sable Oaks, in South Portland.  This event’s theme is Emigration, Migration, Immigration, Asylum, Refugees, and how we can help.  We will have club display tables and breakout sessions re what we are doing now, discussion re what we can do going forward, a world-class speaker, and outstanding mingling and networking.  See you there!
 
Thank you for all you do to make our world a kinder, better place!
 
Andy  ;-)
 
Andrew Glazier
District Governor, Rotary District 7780
 
District 7780
WPUD - SAVE THE DATE!
 
What:  Gala World Peace and Understanding Dinner - An evening to learn what YOU can do to help immigrants and support diversity!
Why:    Celebrating Rotarians involvement in immigration and Refugee issues
When:  Thursday evening, February 20
Where:  Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks - 200 Sable Oaks Drive, South Portland, ME  04106
 
A gala evening celebrating immigration/diversity and the interconnectedness of our planet!  Come be part of the action!
 
Our keynote speaker will be Rachel Leya Davidson, a Rotary Peace Fellow and staff attorney at The Door, a New York City-based organization committee committed to smoothing the path for new immigrants to our country.  Rachel has worked extensively with Latino and African refugees, and she will focus her remarks on migration and why American immigration policies developed as they did and how they impact children in particular. 
 
The evening would not be complete without displays by Rotary and Interact clubs throughout the district that are doing projects with immigrants and refugees. Come!  Learn what’s happening!  Get involved!
 
Do you (or your Interact club) have a project dealing with immigration that you would like to share?  Contact Governor Andy to secure your table!
 
Evening to learn what YOU can do to help immigrants and support diversity!
 
Registration will be active soon!
 
ANNOUNCING … GROWROTARY! WORKSHOPS
 
Workshops designed to help you and your club welcome diversity.  Do you want to:
 
-- Start a satellite group? (A group that remains part of your club but meets at a different time and place?)
 
-- Welcome millennials (really welcome them!) into your club?
 
-- Consider a special interest offshoot of your club?  (For example, a subset of your club that specializes in clean water or women/children issues?)
 
-- Get serious about special membership types (family, organizational, youth categories?)
 
-- Start a Rotary Community Corps? (Community members who aren’t Rotarians but turn out to help at major fundraising and service projects.)
 
-- Learn more about e-clubs and passport clubs? (clubs that meet entirely or mostly online)
 
-- Something else? 
 
WE’RE HOLDING WORKSHOPS! The District Growth team is sponsoring two workshops in February for hands-on training on what it takes to welcome diversity into tried-and-true traditional clubs.  The workshops are FREE and the agenda is up to YOU, depending on what you are interested in learning.  Reach out to one of us; help us set the agenda! We look forward to tailoring these events around your needs!
 
Workshops:
 
Saturday, February 1, 8:30-12:00 noon, Garrison Room, Wentworth Douglas Hospital, 789 Central Avenue, Dover, NH.
 
Saturday, February 29, 8:30 – 12:00 noon, Community Center, 53 Depot Street, Freeport, ME.
 
There is no charge for these workshops, but we need YOU to help set the agenda.  Let us hear from you; please contact:
 
Marty Helman, District Growth Chair, martyrotary@gmail.com
Marion Cheney, District Growth Team, macheney@comcast.net
Michele Bois-Gilbody, District Growth Team, michele@bois-gilbody.com
Andy Glazier, District Governor, andyglzr@gmail.com
 
 
The Rotary Foundation
BE A DISTRICT GRANT AWARDEE
 
Saco Bay provided beach access with a beach wheelchair and walker as part of an effort to make the community more age friendly; Bethel expanded a school/community trail at the local high school from 3K to 5K for Nordic skiing - much hands-on trail clearing by the club was involved; and, Sanford-Springdale partnered with their local public library and constructed “Little Free Libraries” in locations around town to encourage take a book, leave a book.
 
Yarmouth, together with Kosovo Rotary Clubs to carry on future work, provided prosthetic hands by using technology for 3D printing; Kennebunk helped develop a sustainable chicken farm at an orphanage in Uganda; and, Westbrook-Gorham provided trauma bags and emergency medical supplies in rural Guatemala.
 
Does your club have a project idea like any of those above that involves its members and is meaningful to the community it’s intended to benefit? If yes, then apply for a District Grant. It’s not that hard – complete the club qualifications and follow the application process as described on the District 7780 website by June 1st. District Grants increase the capacity of projects and award amounts are usually in the $1,000 - $5,000.00 range.
 
District Grant projects are encouraged to be new and lead to sustainability while being hands-on or provide an essential item to the project. Completing a project assisted with District Grant funds highlights Rotarian involvement so that others may be encouraged to support Rotary and recognize our role in the local and global community.
 
Happy to visit your club and encourage application.
 
District Grant Coordinator: Betty Hughes
District Grant Coordinator (2020-2021 Designee): Michele Cole

New Generations Conference
MARCH 21, 2020
 
 
PLANS UNDERWAY TO CHARTER DISTRICT-WIDE E-CLUB
 
Preliminary phone meetings to assess interest in a District-based e-club began in November, and will continue the first Tuesday of December.
 
The e-club is a response to a common dilemma: Rotary is great … but some people just can’t attend their local club meetings, either because of work/family schedule, because they travel or spend considerable time outside of the district, or perhaps because of the cost.
 
The plan is that through the Rotary e-Club of District 7780, members can feed their Rotary passion…enjoy Rotary friends and fellowship....get involved in service projects and grants…and “meet” only bimonthly or monthly via a phone call – with no concerns about schedule, attendance or makeups. 
 
Members of the e-club of District 7780 will take advantage of international projects via Rotary Action Groups and they will visit local clubs for hands-on involvement in community projects. Meanwhile, the traditional clubs in the District will profit by having extra Rotary “hands” available to help out with their service projects and fundraisers.
 
Right now, the e-club is in its formative stage, with a plan of chartering toward the end of this Rotary year. The next planning meeting will be held via our Zoom teleconference service on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. PDG Sheila Rollins, who is leading the charge for the new club, has asked all prospective participants to do a bit of thinking prior to the phone call to be ready to suggest potential service projects for the club and also potential speakers for upcoming meetings – potentials that they are excited about!
 
For more information, contact Sheila Rollins, District Rotaract chair (who hates getting up for breakfast meetings) @ 207-958-3786; wwwings@megalink.net or,
 
District Growth Chair Marty Helman (who travels too frequently to be a good meeting-attender)
207-233-8741; martyrotary@gmail.com
Call-in info: Marty’s online club Zoom meeting.
 
Tuesday, December 3, 2019; 7:00 pm ET
 
 
Or, to dial in:
*1 646 558 8656 US
Meeting ID: 820 925 2012
 
Or, with iPhone One tap mobile:
+16465588656,,8209252012# US
 
This club is open to everyone based on passion for service  … not where members live or how often they come to meetings.  And it’s all possible thanks to Rotary International’s recognition that it is service, fellowship and involvement—not meeting attendance—that makes a Rotarian.
 
 
New! Rotary Affinity Groups
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 January 2020
 
 
No one shared any stories this past month so...a little bit of History from yours truly. November and December were very busy months for all clubs.  any clubs sell Christmas trees and or wreaths as a fundraiser before Christmas. Many clubs, also, make a difference in their communities by giving donations of money, food, toys, clothes or even a Christmas tree to those less fortunate than they are. They participate in Christmas parades or provide refreshments for the parade goers. They may have a special meal for those in need. Some even have a social event for members and their partners. This is the time of year when we are all very thankful for what we have and want to share and help those less fortunate. 
 
For instance, my own club of Kittery made cash contributions to the Kittery Holiday Baskets, Footprints Food Pantry and Table of Plenty. For many years we gave a small donation to Kittery Holiday Basket plus members donated clothes, (underwear and PJs were and still are greatly appreciated) and toys. They told us that the cash contributions come in very handy this time of year as there are always several families that are added to their list at the last minute before Christmas when most of their items have already been allocated so it allows them to purchase what is needed.  They give the children an outfit of clothes. They have even had winter boots and/or sneakers donated so every child got a new pair of boots or sneakers, a winter coat and they even have some ladies that knit hats and mittens for the children! The Food Pantries in many towns are really very busy this time of year.  The winter months are hardest on those in need because they now need to pay for heat which is an additional strain on their budgets! The club has provided hot chocolate and cookies to the participants and attendees after the Kittery Holiday Parade for more years than I can remember (that is a lot of years)!
 
PLEASE tell me what your club did for the less fortunate this past holiday season 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!
 
Be sure to check out the District History if you haven’t done it before.  I am always adding to it and I currently have lots of information to add. 
 
Hope you all had a great holiday season and a wonderful new year ahead!
 
Marie
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
 
Welcome New Members!
 
The Rotary Club of Bethel
 
 
Three new members were inducted in December! Pictured left to right: Rotarian Bruce Powell, new member Craig Harris; former Rotarian Melinda Remington and her daughter and new Rotarian Bridget Remington, Rotarian Robin Zinchuk and new member Erin Martin.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bethel
ROTARIANS DISTRIBUTE TURKEY DINNERS
 
 
 
Rotarians gathered after a meeting on Tuesday, to pack 38 complete turkey dinners to distribute to families throughout SAD #44
 
CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN
 
 
Pictured above right:  Steve Etheridge, co-owner of Rooster's Roadhouse, presents Robin Zinchuk of Bethel Rotary a $1,000 donation for the Christmas for Children program.
 
CLUB SUPPORTS LITERACY PROGRAM
 
 
President Tim LeConey presented a check to Crescent Park School PTA member Jenn Doyle, to support their literacy program.
 
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
CLUB HELPS BATTLE FOOD INSECURITY
 
 
Rotarian Hugh Riddleberger helped the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Damariscotta-Newcastle. Maine raise funds to combat food insecurity in Lincoln County. In spite of the cold winter weather, Rotarians, Lions, local businesses and individuals cheerfully greeting folks at two locations: Main Street Grocery and the U.S. Post Office (Damariscotta) in the month of December. There is no overhead deducted from funds collected, and the money helps our neighbors. Thanks to all!!!!
 
PDG MARTY HELMAN VISIT
 
 
PDG Marty Helman of Boothbay was finally successful in visiting the Damariscotta-Newcastle club this month to talk about GrowRotary opportunities. The first two attempts resulted in weather-related cancellations, but this time the temperature got up to 50. Thank you Marty.
 
FESTIVAL OF TREES
 
 
Damariscotta-Newcastle held their second annual Festival of Trees, December 5-7. Local businesses decorate trees with ornaments, lights, gift certificates, presents, toys, etc. Admittance is free; funds are raised through the sale of raffle tickets. Folks "vote" by placing their tickets in candy cane tubes in front of the tree they'd like to win. At the end of the event, tickets for each tree are drawn, and the winners get the decorated tree (or they can return to us for re-use next year), all the gifts and gift cards. Our club tree had almost $800 worth of gift cards from local merchants. Volunteers included Rotarians, family of Rotarians, and even an Assistant Governor of District 7780. The American Legion Auxiliary at the venue sold soup and sandwiches, so it was a real community event. And, fulfilling the 5th Test of the 4-Way Test: It was fun!
 
 
The Rotary Club of Dover
ROTARIAN PRESENTED PAUL HARRIS RECOGNITION
 
 

Congratulations to Jerry Daley as he accepts his Paul Harris recognition from our Foundation Chair, Jim Munro. It is a honor to recognize Jerry for his contribution to the Foundation as a member of the Rotary Club of Dover and the good you are doing for the world. #paulharrisaward #serviceaboveself

 
ROTARY VETERAN RECOGNIZED
 
 

Rotarian, Ken McCann asked to talk about the program going around the country to honor Vietnam veterans, recently there was 150 people at the Elks and about half were Vietnam veterans. Each were recognized with a pin and a scroll.  Ken had asked Rotarian, Phil Rinaldi if he had received his. When he found out that he had not, he wanted to recognize and present Phil with a framed scroll for his service.  Ken read some of the articles on the scroll and presented Phil with his own framed scroll. Thank you for your service. #recognizingourveterans #fromoneveterantoanother #serviceaboveself

 
10TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES
 
The ladies of the Rotary Club of Dover worked like elves to create and prepare the ornaments and decorations for the upcoming Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce 10th Annual Festival of Trees. Excited to share our tree that focuses on countries around the world as we follow the Rotary theme this year, "Connecting the World.” Bid high and bid often and our tree can be yours. #rotaryclubofdover #doverchamberofcommerce #festivaloftrees #serviceaboveself
 
 
The Rotary Club of Exeter
10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY AUCTION
 
 
The Exeter Rotary Club's 10th Annual Holiday Auction was a great success this year with the help of community sponsors, club members, UNH Rotaract and Exeter High School Interact students. The event raised a net of ~$25K for the evening, and collected $4K for the special appeal - Connor’s Climb. 
 
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Hampton
ROTARIANS RECOGNIZED AS MULTIPLE PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS
 
Congratulations to several Hampton Rotarians who were presented their PHF+ pins at our Holiday Party in December. 
 
 
Pictured left to right: Larry Marsolais +3, David Longo +4, Ann Kaiser +6, and Caren Ferris +1.  Not pictured: John Catizone +2, and Paul Rothman +7
 
BELL RINGING FOR THE SALVATION ARMY
 
Every Saturday during the month of December, Hampton Rotarians stand outside the Walmart in Seabrook, NH ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. 
 
 
Pictured above:  PDG Brad Jett and Rotarian Penny Jett ring the bell for the Salvation Army, complete with Christmas music as they greeted shoppers.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
CLUB IS IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
 
The Rotary Club of Oxford Hills has been busy getting in the holiday spirit. They have finished up their annual Rotary Cheese Wheel fundraiser, selling more wheels than last year, and want to thank Rotarians and friends all around District 7780 for continued support of this event!
 
They assisted the Oxford Hills High School Interact Club who hosted the refreshments at the Christmas for Teens annual concert where Interact was able to raise over $300 for Christmas for Teens. The Rotary Club also donated 180 pillows, as well as  some blankets, remote control cars and craft kits to the Christmas for Kids program. Lastly they hosted the Oxford Hills Choir who provided their annual Christmas concert to the members and guests, and donated $200 towards their group.  It’s been a busy December, now on to 2020!
 
 
Pictured above: Dennis Boyd, director of the Oxford Hills Choir along with President Pat Cook.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Portland
ROTARIANS SERVE THANKSGIVING LUNCH
 
 
Pictured from left to right: Bruce Moore, Community Service Chair Gracie Johnston, Paul Gore and David Small
 
Portland Rotarians served at the St. Vincent de Paul annual community service 2019 Thanksgiving lunch on the Wednesday before the holiday. This annual service provides clients with a hot traditional turkey dinner, including all the trimmings and desserts. Rotarians volunteer each year, to provide the daily staff and volunteers at the Portland soup kitchen with an opportunity to be with their families on the day before Thanksgiving.
 
CULTIVATING COMMUNITY - EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH FOOD
 
 
Pictured above: Rotarian Mike Fortunato
 
Portland Rotarians volunteered service to provide gardening assistance to help with mulching fruit trees in one of the city's community gardens. Rotarian Mike Fortunato was one of the volunteers who worked during the day of community service with Cultivating Community. 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER DISTRICT REPORT
 
 
Christmas tree sales were well underway as we went to press. The first of two truckloads of New Brunswick trees went quickly. Inclement weather slowed sales of the second delivery, stretching the effort into a third week. Already, the club seems to be on pace to raise a record amount. Rotarians each pulled three, three-hour shifts as the operation, under the direction of Justin Finn, ran seven days a week.
 
The annual Thanksgiving Dinner, a luncheon actually, went off without a hitch. Betsy Scott and newcomer Ann Bliss did a flawless job leading the effort. About 100 people were served at the Greek Orthodox Parish Hall. Another 190 meals were delivered by a fleet of volunteer drivers. Portsmouth Hospital donated 28 turkeys, each cooked at home by a Rotarian and brought to the Parish Hall. There numerous volunteers served food, stuffed meals-to-go in bags and performed kitchen duty.
 
Poor weather and a power outage led to the cancellation of two meetings, including the annual Senior Holiday Dinner.
 
The club mourned the passing of Bill Mortimer, an icon not only to Rotary but to the community. Before leaving this earth, Bill requested that Auld Lang Syne be sung at our next meeting. It was. He also prepared a bag of all past Rotary Christmas Tree ornaments going back through the years. Bill wanted the collection to be auctioned and that also was done. Former District Governor Mort Schmidt stepped up with a winning $1600 bid.
 
The late Ray Jones was again honored as Mort paid $100 for the #1 2019 Christmas Ornament which will be presented, as it is every year, to Ray’s widow, Marlene.
 
Mort is also leading preparations for the club’s 100th Anniversary dinner March 23, 2023.
 
Bill Hurley coordinated a volunteer effort to pack a container for Crutches for Africa...Ted Alex, Bob Herold, James Petersen and Kevin Schultz are going to India on a Rotaplast mission. Ted seems to go abroad almost every year….Joanie Dickinson’s Portsmouth High Interact group boasts impressive numbers and  serves food at the Salvation Army, among other activities.
 
New members joining the club during the period are Don Chick, Gina Fulginito, Attorney Ken Murphy, Joann Neumann, Families First director of development and Heath Wilson.
 
Paul Harris Awards went To Ralph Woodman, Jr. and W. Peter Torrey, long-time members of the Chase Home Board of Directors. Rotary has been involved with numerous hands-on projects at the Home which services children in crisis.
 
 
Pictured on left: Dr. Donald Birx, and on right: Sarah Chaffee
 
Guest speakers November include Plymouth State University President Dr. Donald Birx and Paige Farmer, executive director of Home for All. Also presenting was Andrea Amica, one of the founding members of Testing (water) for Pease. Sarah Chaffee, head of the Green and White Council of Girl Scouts for New Hampshire and Vermont, spoke to the club in October.
 
 
Pictured above: Tulsi Gabbard
 
Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Meme Wheeler, Chase Home Executive Director, were December’s guest speakers.
 
 
The River Valley Rotary Club
LOBSTER LUNCHEON FUNDRAISER
 
The River Valley Rotary Club held a lobster luncheon fundraiser at the All Hope Association in Rumford, ME, on December 9, 2019. Delicious lobster salad sandwiches, as well as chicken salad sandwiches, along with a bag of chips, a brownie and a can of soda were prepared and delivered throughout the River Valley area. Over 300 sandwiches were sold!
 
 
Pictured above are Fellow Rotarians Dave Duguay, Rich Allen, Patti Duguay, Dick Lovejoy and Joe Sirois
 
ROTARIANS HONORED AT CLUB'S HOLIDAY PARTY
 
Greg Trundy presided as MC at The River Valley Rotary Club’s annual Holiday party Monday evening December 16, 2019 at “49” Franklin Street.
 
There were close to 50 Rotarians and guests in attendance to celebrate the many accomplishments of the club, as several awards and certificates were given out to membership for their contributions to local communities and the world.
 
Fellow Rotarian, Joe Sirois gave a brief presentation of where all the funds go, through donations raised from various fundraising events, and spoke primarily on the Paul Harris Awards, their meaning and importance!
 
Fellow Rotarian and retired dentist, Jerry Cohen spoke on a project near and dear to his heart, Rotoplast, which is a project to correct folks born with a cleft lip. He pointed out how proud he is of our club, and how we sponsor on average 2-3 cleft lip operations a year.
 
 
Rich Allen presented River Valley Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year 2019 to Fellow Rotarian Randall Therrien (pictured on left), for his many involvements throughout the River Valley communities, particularly the Grow Rumford Group
 
Jerry Cohen announced the River Valley Club’s Rotarian of the Year, Rich Allen (pictured on right). Rich is always sitting in a capacity as needed and most recently took on the role as Treasurer as a result of the unexpected passing of a well respected and life long Rotarian, Paul Jones. A moment of silence was held for Paul out of respect.
 
 
The Mexico Town Manager, Jack Gaudette was a guest speaker, who definitely surprised Roger Whitehouse, Owner and Designated Broker of Riverside Realty, with a Business Recognition certificate from the Town of Mexico for being such a positive influence in the townand donating resources to several projects. The biggest was paying for all the American Flags to be flown through the summer and fall, as a reminder and thank you for Veterans from the area!
 
Congratulations to all !
 
The night ended with everyone singing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas!”  Though, we also recognized and wished a Happy Hanukkah as well!
 
 
The Sebago Lake Rotary Club
CLUB DISTRIBUTES HOLIDAY GIFT BAGS
 
 
The Sebago Lake Rotary Club partnered with the Greater Windham Business Exchange to fill holiday gift bags for over 80 local senior citizens. 
 
Items came from collection boxes which where distributed in local businesses through out Windham and Raymond areas, as well a stuff the bus event in December, and contributions from local businesses. The bags were distributed through the Windham Food Pantry in time for the holidays. The bags included items such as socks, gloves, cookies, toilet paper, candy, scarves, hats, paper towels, shampoo, personal care items, and more.
 
 
The Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
CLUB "ROCK" ANOTHER TREE SALE
 
 
The SPCE Rotary Club continues the tradition of selling Christmas trees and wreaths starting the day after Thanksgiving. Our Tree Sale Chair, President-Elect Mike Geneseo, has done an outstanding job coordinating the various committees from setup to finish. Last count is two thousand trees and hundreds of wreaths; but it's not all about the money! Our patrons have come for generations, seeking the "perfect tree" and to tell their holiday stories. Plus, we have a chance to engage with each other as members of a dynamic club that includes physical work, creative energy and personal bonding. This remarkable fundraiser continues to be a great success on many levels.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Wells
CLUB HOSTS DINNER TO BENEFIT LOCAL FAMILY
 
 
The Wells Rotary Club hosted an “Italian Murder Mystery Dinner” on November 21st, to a sold out crowd! The proceeds benefited the family of a Wells Firefighter who’s granddaughter is recovering from Stevens-Johnson T.E.N. Syndrome. As you can see from the pictures, a fun time was had by all. 
 
 
At our December 16th meeting, we presented the St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry a check for $1,000. Also, at the same meeting, we heard from the Wells-Ogunquit Interact Club about their trip with District 7780 to New York City. Our future is in good hands with these young adults.
 
 
Have Something You'd Like to Share with Us?
 
 
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 February Newsletter Submissions: January 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.
 
 
www.rotary7780.org … or follow us on Facebook!
 
 
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!
 
 

- Click to: Download on iTunes App Store (free)

- Click to: Download on Android App Store (free)