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GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
December!
Thanksgiving, and Turkey Trots, and Rotary meals for the public, and meals with our friends and families, and lots of thanks for all of our blessings. November – what a whirlwind! Whew!
And now it’s on to Christmas tree sales, and wreath sales, and cheese sales, and fruit sales, and holiday baskets for the needy, and Toys for Tots, and Christmas auctions, and Christmas socials, and Christmas caroling, and, and, and…
You Rotarians are amazing! Always involved in activities that will help others. Thank you!
Congratulations to our District Governor Nominee Designate Claudia Frost, from our Brunswick club. Claudia will be serving as our District Governor from 2022 – 2023. Claudia, on behalf of all of us, thank you for stepping up and volunteering to take on this new Rotary journey.
Congratulations to Past District Governor Ann Lee Hussey, from our Portland Sunrise club, for being selected to serve as our District’s representative to our Rotary International Council on Legislation and Councils on Resolutions for 2020 – 2023.
Congratulations to Mark Mickeriz, of our Sanford – Springvale club, for being selected to serve a three year term on our District Finance Committee, 2020 – 2023.
December is Rotary’s Disease Prevention and Treatment month, to bring attention to Rotary’s year round work in this area of focus. Rotary’s top priority is the eradication of polio, but we do much, much more. At any given time we have hundreds of other health related projects, both large and small, underway locally, and around the world. We turn concern into action.
I am so happy that you are a Rotarian! Thank you for all the good you do!!
Andy
Andrew Glazier
District Governor, Rotary District 7780
District 7780
DISTRICT GOVERNOR, 2022 - 2023 ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to our future District Governor Claudia Frost!
Our District Nominating Committee has selected Claudia, from our Brunswick Club, to serve as our District Governor for 2022 – 2023.
Claudia's Rotary background is extensive. Here's a sampling of highlights: District Peace Scholar Chair, District Visioning Facilitator, Assistant Governor, global grants and international work, multiple terms as Club President, currently serving as Past President and Fundraising Chair.
While Claudia is involved with Rotary initiatives, she supports her husband Bill Allen’s work with Restorative Justice. Claudia also works locally with hunger prevention through Harpswell Food Truck, and literacy through the Reading Friends initiative.
Professionally, Claudia has degrees in Music Education, and Choral Conducting. She has conducted choirs at North Dakota State University, Hamilton-Wenham Regional Schools, Women Singing Out! in Portsmouth NH, and in several churches. She has sung in operas and musicals from Italy to Alaska.
We look forward to Claudia’s sharing of her energy, enthusiasm, and experience with us, and to her leadership.
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)
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.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE COMMITTEE UPDATE
The DISC is happy to announce this year's International Outreach Team:
Emma Bodwell, Bridgton Lake Region
Jeremy Gould, Freeport
George Wilson, Ogunquit
Leo Gagnon, Portsmouth
Deb Boxer, Scarborough
The team will be traveling to Colombia. The trip will begin with the Project Fair, in Cali, and then onto some surrounding towns to connect with local Rotarians. The team will end in the northern region of Colombia, including Cartagena & Baranquilla to meet with and assess some current projects being worked on. They are in the process of finalizing the details, but plan on traveling between January 27th to February 10th, 2020. When they return they look forward to sharing their experience with the clubs and the District!
Pictured Left to Right: Leo Gagnon (Portsmouth) Emma Bodwell (Bridgton Lake Region) Deb Boxer (Scarborough) Jeremy Gould (Freeport). Not pictured George Wilson (Ogunquit)
Also - the Committee is in the process of connecting with all the clubs in District 7780 to set up a time to come in and update them on what they are up to and how they can be of assistance. If you haven't heard from them yet - you will soon!
Finally - please visit the international page and check out the Interactive Map - showing all the projects around the world supported by our clubs!
Is your club and project highlighted? If not let us know and we will make sure it is!!
For questions on the map - please reach out to committee member Bill Dunn (Yarmouth) and he will be happy to guide you through the process to get your club listed!!!! Bill Dunn - wdunn@sunsetpoint.biz
Rotary Council on Resolutions and Legislation: 101
Lawrence Furbish
I am pretty sure a significant number of Rotarians in our District do not have a full understanding of Rotary’s Council on Resolutions and the Council on Legislation and their significance, and this short article is designed to help.
Rotary is governed by five documents:
Constitution of Rotary International
Bylaws of Rotary International
Bylaws of the Rotary Foundation Trustees
Standard Rotary Club Constitution
Recommended Rotary Club Bylaws
These documents are all in the Manual Of Procedure available in hard cover or on-line.
The RI Directors and Trustees have no power to amend any of these five governance documents. That power resides with Rotary’s "parliament" which is the Council on Resolutions and the Council on Legislation. It used to meet as one body every three years to consider Resolutions and Enactments, which can be proposed by any Rotary club or district. A resolution requests the Directors or Trustees to take some sort of action. A resolution, for example, might ask the Board of Directors to recommend guidelines for Rotaract Clubs. An enactment amends one or more of these governance documents, e.g. an enactment might extend the deadline for submission of the district’s annual financial statement.
Three years ago, as a cost saving measure, RI decided to split the COL process and have resolutions voted on yearly by electronic online voting while enactments are debated and voted on every three years at an in-person session in Chicago. For simplicity, I’ll refer to this "parliament" as the Council on Legislation (COL), even though it also encompasses the Council on Resolutions (COR).
The COL is made up of one elected representative from each Rotary District - 529 members. A COL representative must be a PDG and, in our district, they are selected by our nominating committee. They are selected for a three-year term, and participate in three CORs and one COL. I was selected three years ago as our District’s representative and recently our nominating committee selected PDG Ann Lee Hussey as our representative for the next three years. Past COL Reps in our District have included, among others, Peter Johnson, Bob Laux, George Rice, Mike McGovern, Jim Labrie, and Dan Mooers.
Supporting our Rotary Foundation With Structured Donations. Love what our Rotary Foundation accomplishes? Appreciate our Rotary Foundation's extremely efficient standards of stewardship, and the accompanying confirmation from third party reviewers such as Charity Navigator? Holding common stock with very low cost basis? Or a piece of real estate not consequential to future heirs? Or accumulated cash earning very little in bank deposit accounts?
Consider two alternatives:
The Charitable Gift Annuity. You make a donation of an asset or cash. You receive a lifetime income. You are eligible for a federal income tax deduction (for part of the contribution, if you itemize). Any residual value at end of lifetime goes to The Rotary Foundation, not your children. The most recent print of the annuity "rate" for a joint couple was 4.5%.
The Donor Advised Fund. Essentially, a charitable savings account. You make a donation of an asset or cash. Federal income tax deduction also applies. The Rotary Foundation provides the structure for the Donor Advised Fund. You retain the decision on which charities receive the contributions (The Rotary Foundation need not be the sole non-profit). Additional dollars may be added to the account over time.
Accounts can be established for modest dollar amounts (think $10,000 and up). Learn more about The Charitable Gift Annuity and The Donor Advised Fund at www.rotary.planmygift.org or call the Rotary Planned Giving staff directly at 847-866-3100.
Professional disclaimer: The actual rules can be a bit more complex than laid out in this article, and each individual's circumstance is different. I work with clients on these topics, but due to industry and company limitations offer no professional recommendation or tax guidance. Any individual considering a structured donation should consult with their personal financial advisor and tax consultant.
I would like to thank all those who sent me cards and well wishes concerning my recent medical procedure.
I had a brain aneurysm repaired by the most up to date technology through non invasive radiology. I want to thank Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Dr. Puri.
I look forward to more years in Rotary and helping the Portsmouth Rotary Club celebrate its 100 anniversary in March of 2023.
Morton T. Schmidt, PDG
1992-93
“Real Happiness is Helping Others”
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 December 2019
Two great replies to November’s History Questions
Pam Gray – Rotary Club of Kittery
Peter Kaurup – Rotary Club of Oxford Hills
I want to try this question one more time since we just had our District Conference in October this year so things should be very fresh in your mind. What did you/your club want to be involved in as a result of attending any District Conference including our most recent one on October 5th, Rotary Rocks. Look at these great responses!!!
Pam Gray stated – “As a direct result of Rotary Rocks, I am excited to promote and support Scott Linscott’s project to get most, if not all, Rotarians in the district to sign up to be an organ donor. He is in the Westbrook-Gorham club will be speaking at our club in early January. He is a recipient of an organ that saved his life.”
Peter Kaurup wrote – “You asked for our input on how any program shared at the recent Rotary Rocks District Conference made an impact on us.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Safe Passage/Camino Seguro table at the event. PDG Carolyn Johnson had previously sent out an invite to District members to travel in a small group to Guatemala in late October. The trip was to include performing volunteer work in a future school playground being built by Safe Passage in the neighborhood adjacent to the Guatemala City Dump. After that there would be travel to the cities of Antigua and Santiago Atitlan with visits to other schools and local Rotary Clubs I had some personal hesitation about traveling to Guatemala due to all of the US State Department Warnings/Advisories but after sharing these concerns at the table, my doubts disappeared and I committed to the adventure. I was part of a wonderful mixture of personalities from Rotary Clubs in Freeport, Oxford Hills, Portland Sunrise, and Yarmouth. I can honestly say that our "gang of 7" had the trip and experience of a lifetime! A late rainy season delayed the installation of the playground equipment so we were instead tasked with doing heavy labor of digging ditches and chipping concrete. One of our group members was an electrician so his expertise and advice was repeatedly called upon by local construction planners. Two of our group members also inventoried/categorized books at the school library. During frequent afternoon rains we headed inside to separate and pack donated clothing and personal hygiene supplies for the community. We had the opportunity to tour the neighborhoods adjacent to The Dump to see how the residents lived and coped in extreme poverty. Although most of the scenes were heart-wrenching, it was amazing to see so many smiling faces and grateful people, especially those that that were involved in Safe Passage programs. The trip has truly changed my life and attitude. As I departed on the flight home, my aircraft flew right over The Dump allowing me to think about how easy I have it and how challenging it is for others simply because they were born and raised in another country in poor economic conditions. I can no longer whine or complain about those things that I really don't need anyway. Thank you Rotary for this eye opening experience. And Guatemala - I will return (and hopefully be able to understand and speak Spanish!)”
This trip took place October 26 – November 2, 2019. Talk about getting charged about a project and jumping immediately into it! Peter shared some pictures that were taken at this project which I will post to the District History website along with his write up in the near future.
See how Sharing of ideas is what makes Rotary so great and so successful! Please share an idea or program that inspired you and/or your club, it may inspire someone else!
PLEASE send me your answers and 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 your project in their club/community!
Enjoy the upcoming holidays. I will see you in the New Year!
Marie
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
Welcome New Rotarians!
The Exeter Rotary Club
The Exeter Rotary Club welcomes new member Gale Wendell and our second corporate membership, Exeter Police Department – Michael Monck, Deputy Chief, Steven Bolduc, Lieutenant and Stephan Poulin, Chief of Police.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF HAMPTON
Congratulations Joe Perusse, a former member of our club who was reinducted at this morning's meeting. He was pinned by his sponsor Larry Marsolais, and congratulated by Larry and club president David Longo. Welcome back Joe!
The Rotary Club of Dover
CLUB SUPPORTS "COLORING BOOK" PROJECT
The Rotary Club of Dover recently assisted HAVEN with their “coloring book” project.
With this donation of $1,000, HAVEN will use these funds for this project to allow children to understand how to recognize and protect themselves from sexual violence.
HAVEN serves women, men, and children affected by domestic and sexual violence. HAVEN is the largest violence prevention and support services agency in NH. The need to eliminate domestic and sexual violence, while supporting individuals and families, is greater than ever. Your support will help us better serve Rockingham and Strafford Counties, ultimately making the Greater Seacoast a safer place to live. #endingviolencechanginglives #givingbacktoourcommunity #serviceaboveself
DICTIONARY PROJECT
Recently, the Rotary Club of Dover had the opportunity to visit the 3rd graders at Horne Street School to teach them about how the dictionary is a tool that they can use to help them learn so much in just 459 pages. #dictionaryproject #hornestreetschool #serviceaboveself
ROTARY VETERANS
In celebration of Veteran’s Day, our Rotary Club of Dover listened to the stories of our Veterans at this week’s Club meeting. Thank you for sharing. #rotaryveterans #thankyouforyourservice
The Rotary Club of Hampton
CLUB AWARDS DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
Congratulations Mike McMahon, who was recognized on December 14th, by the Hampton Rotary Club as our 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year!
Michael McMahon poses for a photo with Rotary President David Longo and Geoffrey Merrill after being recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year. (Matt Parker/Seacoastonline)
On November 8, over 200 veteran guests attended the annual Veterans Appreciation Lunch, hosted by the Rotary Club of Portland.
The program included a sit down lunch served by the Rotarians, with the help of the Seasons Event and Conference Center staff, as well as Patriotic ceremonies led by the U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard.
Pictured with Rotarian Rich Campbell (center) are Veteran Marine League members Scott Monroe (left) and Jay McKenna.
The River Valley Rotary Club
FREE WINTERIZATION PROJECT
The River Valley Rotary Club provides a Free Winterization Project each year for homeowners in Dixfield, Mexico, Peru and Rumford, who are 60 or older or disabled.
This year the event took place on November 8, 2019, as River Valley Rotarians went into homes to help prepare for the winter weather. We caulked, put plastic on windows, installed door sweeps, applied weather stripping, and put plastic around some foundations.
No person associated with the Rotary Winterization Project asks for, or accepts any money for conducting these services. River Valley Rotarians are pleased to offer our services, along with volunteers from local neighbors and organizations, to provide some weatherization, and to give out some literature to those we help, where further assistance may be found to get through the upcoming heating season. Although we may not be able to take care of all weatherization needs, it is our intent to assist in areas that our skills and time allow.
This needy program has been in place for well over a decade.
Seen in the photo are River Valley Club Rotarians: Roger Whitehouse, Rich Allen, Dick Lovejoy, Greg Trundy and Joe Sirois
The Rotary Club of Bethel
COUNTRY BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER - DECEMBER 1, 2019
The Rotary Club of Exeter
10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY AUCTION - DECEMBER 6, 2019
The Exeter Rotary Club is holding its 10th Annual Holiday Auction, Friday, December 6th from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm at The Exeter Inn, 90 Front Street, Exeter. The cost of a ticket is $50 in advance and $60 at the door and is open to the public. Invite your friends and join us to celebrate the season in our annual holiday fundraising event.
It's time for the annual Rotary Club of Oxford Hills Cheese Wheel Sales! The wheels are 2 pounds of Cabot Sharp Cheese and are $18.00 each. They come in a decorative box and make GREAT gifts! The first order deadline is 11/13/19, for delivery before Thanksgiving. The second order deadline is 12/11/19, for delivery before Christmas. We also can ship the wheels, and will add the postage cost to your order. FMI contact Patty Rice 207-890-2332.
The Brunswick Rotary Club honors deceased Rotarian Walter “Doc” Philips with a pledge of $20,000 to the Rotary Foundation. Twenty club members have pledged $200 for the next five years in honor of Doc. He was the Foundation Chair of the club for many years.
Doc was a shining example of a Rotarian supporting The Foundation. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a Rotary Benefactor. He began his Rotary journey by following his father into the Rotary Club of Newton, Massachusetts in 1953. According to his wife of 67 years, Doc immediately understood the importance of international giving, as he began his 66 years of dedication to Rotary.
Doc passed away at his home in Harpswell, on September 17. He was an active member of the Brunswick Rotary Club beginning in 1982 and was awarded Honorary Member status in July of 2019.
The Brunswick Rotary Club lost several members of the club during September and October of this year. Each member served the club as an officer or board member.
Here is the list of recently deceased members of the Brunswick Rotary Club:
Rev. R. Bricker Gibson, September 1, 2019 (Paul Harris)
Walter “Doc” Phillips , September 17, 2019 (PH + Benefactor)
Alfred “Al” Austin, September 21, 2019 (PH + Benefactor)
Captain Charles L. Mull (retired) September 30, 2019 -Paul Harris
Ron Swanson, October 1, 2019
Robert L. Morrell, October 13, 2019 - Paul Harris
Please join us in celebrating the lives of our fellow Rotarians.
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 January Newsletter Submissions: December 20th
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!
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Preliminary phone meetings to assess interest in a District-based e-club began in November, and will continue the first Tuesday of December.
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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.
