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GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
February!
February is Rotary’s Peace and Conflict Prevention month. And, February 23rd is Rotary International’s birthday – Paul Harris formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905.
Here, we acknowledge and observe these two events with our District’s World Understanding and Peace Dinner (WUPD). Our dinner will be Thursday, February 20th, at the Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks. This is a wonderful event; you’ll certainly want to be part of it.
Our theme for our dinner this year is refugees and asylum seekers. More broadly, we will be discussing:
Emigration, Migration, Immigration, Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Work Visas, Green Cards, and Citizenship.
We will have pre-dinner breakouts with local speakers and experts giving an overview of the global situation and a recap of local efforts to help those in need. After dinner, our keynote speaker will be Rotary Peace Fellow Rachel Davidson, a high energy, passionate, compelling, immigration attorney practicing in NYC, working every day to assist refugee families and children in need.
Our event also incorporates a pre-dinner Major Donor Appreciation reception hosted by our District Foundation Chair Lawrence Furbish. If you are a Major Donor, and/or a member of our Paul Harris Society, you are invited to that reception.
Here’s a link for more information and to register to attend:
Eighteen District 7780 Clubs received awards at the Mid-Year Dinner in recognition of their clubs’ giving last year to the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus. The full list of the clubs and their awards can be found in the November District Newsletter. Congratulations!
WRAP-A-SMILE
Wrap-A-Smile reports that over the last 12 months, 1028 quilts were donated by quilters from all over the country, and all have been delivered to the Rotary-related medical teams of Rotaplast, Alliance for Smiles and Faces of Hope.
The more important number, of course, is the number of people who were comforted by our quilts. One thousand and twenty-eight individuals, plus their families and communities, benefited from the work we do.
Touching souls and creating immeasurable international goodwill. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this effort possible!
As a reminder of why our founder, Terry Fullam, was inspired to start Wrap-A-Smile, pictured below are some before and after photos of children who have been treated, and to the right, a photo of a "quilt in action." These all-volunteer medical teams truly change lives. Our quilts are the frosting on the cake.
Special thanks to the following Rotary clubs for their financial contributions over the past 12 months: Boothbay Harbor, Bath, Bath Sunrise, Exeter, Hampton, Portland, Portland Sunrise, Portsmouth, Wells and York. Thank you to all the Rotarians who helped our cause!
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.
Peace,
Claudia Frost, Foundation Committee, Peace Scholarships Chair
At its January meeting the District Foundation Committee voted to change several of policies regarding Foundation grants and fund distribution. The changes are as follows:
1. District Grants will no longer have to fall within one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. A District Grant can be in any area as long as it meets the other criteria for a grant - have a positive impact on the community, be new to the club, be sustainable, be Rotary-led and have active Rotarian involvement, include a club financial commitment, and have a PR plan. For complete "District Grant Criteria" see District Grant dropdown under Rotary Foundation & Grants on the District Website. Note - Global Grants will still have to fall within one of the six Areas of Focus.
2. If the District Grant application includes International travel, the traveler no longer has to have "professional expertise directly targeted" to the grant. Travelers must still agree to and sign the District Travel Policy and travel is subject to RI’s International Travel Ban List.
3. If, at the end of the Rotary year, there is left over District Designated Funds they will no longer automatically be split with 60% going to Polio Plus and 40% to the Peace Centers. The new policy is as follows: "In the final quarter of the Rotary year, the District Foundation Committee may retain any unreserved DDF for future or anticipated projects or allocate such funds to Polio Plus, the Peace Centers, or any other TRF fund as the committee deems appropriate." The committee made this change for several reasons: first, believing that DDF should be spent first on District and Global Grants, second that an occasion might arise where a grant project was planned for the ensuing year and DDF needed to be held in reserve for that project, and third, the new policy will give the Committee maximum flexibility. It might decide one year to give all of the left over funds to Polio Plus or to the Peace Centers rather than splitting them.
New Generations Conference
MARCH 21, 2020
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 February 2020
One response from
Deb Marsolais, Rotary Club of Hampton, NH
Deb Marsolais (District Newsletter Editor) from the Rotary Club of Hampton, NH shared a couple of things that her Rotary club does over the holidays for their community members right after she got my article for January! THANKS, DEB!
Deb shared the following: “Every year, for as many years as I’ve been in the club anyway, the Hampton Rotary Club has delivered hundreds of poinsettia plants to the elderly and shut-ins in our community. Each plant is wrapped in beautiful metallic paper, with a card attached wishing the recipient Happy Holidays from our club members. Also, members of our club ring the bell for the Salvation Army for 3 shifts, every Saturday in December leading up to Christmas!!!”
THANKS, DEB, for sharing!
The January Newsletter had many pictures of the things that the different clubs in the District did for those less fortunate for the holidays. This was fantastic to see so much good being done for those less fortunate than we are!
ONE MORE TIME: How about taking the time to send me a write up explaining in a little more detail exactly what you do, how long you have been doing it and why! I will post each one I get on the club’s page under District History.
PLEASE send 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 have lots of information that I will be posting over the next few weeks – Check it out!
Hope you all have a wonderful new year!
Marie
Marie A. Williams, PDG
District 7780 Historian
Welcome New Members!
The Damariscotta-Newcastle Rotary Club's President-Elect, Roberta McLaughlin, and Past Assistant Governor Wilt Jones welcomed the club's newest Rotarian, Stephen Searles. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Stephen works remotely from his home in Sheepscot, Maine as a Senior Software Engineer. Welcome Stephen!
The Rotary Club of Bethel
CLUB RECAP
Rotarian CriCri Gorycki presents a check to President Tim LeConey for more than $500 that was raised by Gould Academy students to support the Christmas for Children program.
Bethel Rotary welcomed our newest member, Austin Bear, a former Telstar HS Interact member and St. Joseph’s College Rotaract member.
Rotarian and scholarship committee chair Kevin Finley presents scholarship checks to four 2019 graduates of Telstar HS. Pictured l-r: Emily Hanscom, Emily Harrington, Kayla Jones and Reese Rosenberg.
Our club hosted the Telstar HS Interact Club. What a fantastic group! Pictured here, Rotarian and Youth Services Chair Jean Benedict, Evan LeConey, Lilly Johanson, Ryan Nivus, Alexis Hoyt, Katelynn Tyler, Megan Cox, Janna Botka, Keaton Chapman, Mia Johanson, Autumn Thompson, Alexis Cannon-Powell, and Interact Advisor Tara Pocock. Members not present are Izzy Casey and Emily Fraser.
SCHOLARSHIP CHECKS PRESENTED TO HS GRADUATES
Rotarian Kevin Finley presented scholarship checks to Sarah Anne Wright and McKinley Braley, both 2019 graduates who are now college freshmen. The annual Rotary Auction and Yard Sale proceeds are dedicated to our scholarship program.
The Rotary Club of Dover
CLUB GIVES THE GIFT OF WARMTH
We started with a project idea from fellow Rotarian, Jim Munro and it turned into an overall effort of all our club members. We came together to fill a need in our community as the Rotary Club of Dover heard from organizations that come in contact with those that are without warmth during the winter and homeless.
Over the past couple of weeks, our club decided to step up and help as we gathered 9 bags of hats and mittens that were dropped off to Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.
This past week our club reached into our community funds and Jim Munro, Pam Munro, Cate Ouellette Rafferty, Noreen & Frank Biehl, Melissa Lesniak and her little sister Kristen, shopped yesterday with $1,000 at Ocean State Job Lot, where Store Manager, Dan gave us a generous discount and we had the opportunity to share our shopping with Ruth Griffin, who loved what we were doing for the Dover community.
We were able to help our local homeless people with:
15 - headlamps
10 - warm women’s hats
22 - 10 x 12 tarps
102 - protein bars
90 (3 cases) - hand & body warmers
12 - full coverage balaclavas
30 - pairs of men’s socks
30 - pairs of toe warmers
20 - pairs of women’s socks
60 - $5.00 Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards
It’s about hearing what our community needs are, asking others to help and we get to work to make those that do not have Winter clothing a little warmer. #rotarianscomingtogether #thankyoutoourcommunityforyoursupportofrotary #serviceaboveself
CLUB PRESENTS DICTIONARIES TO 3RD GRADE STUDENTS
Members of the Dover Rotary Club recently visited 3rd graders at the Portsmouth Christian Academy and presented them with dictionaries.These students had so many questions and loved that we brought Miles the moose. We are grateful that our Rotary Club of Dover can give each student the opportunity to learn without using a computer or cell phone. What did they love the most about their dictionaries? The new book smell! #pca #rotaryclubofdover #literacyprograms #serviceofself
The Rotary Club of Exeter
INSPIRING HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
The Exeter Rotary Club held eight training days for the Inspiring Hope Scholarship students. Thanks to the generous donations during the 2018 Exeter Rotary Auction, 24 students have received recovery coach worker training and 11 have taken all the courses to qualify to test for certification. Scholarship recipients are from Exeter Police, Good Samaritans, student counselors from SAU 16, family members of people with substance use disorder, people in recovery, SOS recovery centers, sober houses, community centers and recovery friendly workplace programs.
It has been a remarkable experience getting to know these very motivated people with a passion to help those suffering with substance use disorder. Each attendee brought stories that led them to these classes. It might have been their own recovery, those of family or friends, or because of their work. The group and environment allowed for honest and humble sharing. It is anticipated that they will spread the knowledge they received like a pebble rippling in a pond and the effects of it will support recovery initiatives for years to come.
ROTARIAN NAMED PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
Paul Sullivan, one of Exeter's dedicated members and longtime distinguished Rotarian, has received his first Paul Harris Recognition. President Tressa Bickford presentied the recognition in our first week of 2020.
The Rotary Club of Hampton
EVENING MEETING AT EDGEWOOD CENTRE
Members of the Hampton Rotary Club recently held an evening meeting at the Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth, NH, where a long-time, beloved member of our club, John Adams, is currently a resident.
During our Happy Dollars session, it was evident how much John has touched so many of our lives not only through Rotary, but also on a personal level, as several club members reminisced with stories from the past.
From the smile on his face, you could see John enjoyed the visit from his many friends and fellow Rotarians from our club.
The Rotary Club of Kennebunk Portside
BISSELL BROTHERS BEER ON TAP
Throughout the month of February, Alisson's Restaurant in Kennebunkport has partnered with Bissell Brothersto donate $1 from each Bissell Brothers tap beer to theKennebunk Portside Rotary Club!
To help promote this and celebrate our community, we will be holding a networking and community interest meeting on February 25th at Alisson's upstairs, from 5-7 pm. This meeting will be open to all members of the community interested in learning more about our club, our goals, and our involvement in the community.
There will be a cash bar, Bissell Brothers beer encouraged, and club provided snacks and appetizers. Please feel free to reach out to us at portsiderotary@gmail.com, or any member of our club for more information, or drop by any time the evening of the 25th!
The Rotary Club of Portland
CLUB PRESENTS YOUTH SERVICE AWARD
The Rotary Club of Portland Youth Service Award was presented to Portland High School student Lovde Vompa, on January 10, 2020, by Rotarian Jan Chapman (left). The purpose of this award is to recognize a student for community service activities and accomplishments.
Loyde is goal-oriented and determined. She is planning on becoming a surgeon or emergency doctor, and has tested these aspirations by volunteering each week over the summer at Maine Medical Center, learning Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), shadowing medical professionals, and volunteering at a nursing home.
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth
JANUARY DISTRICT REPORT
The club ended 2019 by closing out a hugely successful Christmas Tree sale effort, netting an impressive $45,000. We sold about 1400 trees along with various and sundry wreaths (with or without bows,) ornaments and bird-seed wreaths.
We gave away six Paul Harris Fellowships. Rick Wallis and Nick Aeschliman were first-time recipients. Four-year pins went to Ed Mallon, Aileen Duggan, Dennis Moulton and Richard Lyons.
Pictured above on left: Rick Wallis, pictured on right: Nick Aeschliman
We continue to grow, as new members Charlie Yduate and Elizabeth Buss joined us. Charlie is a Notre Dame grad with a Michigan MBA. But he mainly roots for the Irish - especially when they take on the Wolverines. Elizabeth is a development specialist who has worked for Great Bay Services and Crossroads.
Leonard Seagren donated $5000 to Friends Forever, a program that began in Portsmouth and has since grown exponentially.
We heard from Jacey Chavez, president of the UNH Rotaract Club. Last year Jacey and 10 fellow Wildcats traveled to Puerto Rico and helped rebuild storm-damaged homes.
Pictured above: Jacey Chavez, president of the UNH Rotaract Club
Past president Budd Watt passed away at the tender age of 91.
The River Valley Rotary Club
SPEAKER
Pictured above left to right: Club President Dave Duguay, Jason Law, and fellow Rotarian Patricia Duguay
The featured speaker at the River Valley Rotary Club fellowship luncheon held January 27, at HOPE Association was Jason Long, Principal of Dixfield Middle School.
He spoke to the membership about the needs of his school, not only monetarily but voluntarily. He is seeking any assistance anyone can provide and has a desire to.
The Rotary Club of Scarborough
ROTARY CLUB AND UNE DENTAL STUDENTS QUILT FOR WRAP-A-SMILE
Pictured above: Katelyn Pierson (front row, far left) along with UNE dental students, proudly display the quilts they made for the Wrap-A-Smile program
Katelyn Pierson, Scarborough Rotarian, RYLA Alumni, and RYLA Senior Staff Member for the past 10 years is currently in her second year of the dental program at the University of New England. During a regular club meeting, Katelyn became interested in learning more about Wrap-a-Smile and the connection to Rotoplast.
Upon researching, Katelyn discovered that Wrap-A-Smile provides quilts to children in foreign countries undergoing cleft lip cleft palate surgery through another Rotary program called Rotoplast. As a future dentist, Katelyn states that “this touches my profession greatly and is helping me find the link to between my long connection to Rotary and my fellow dental students.”
Katelyn soon presented an idea to Scarborough Rotary to have her classmates join her in a quilt making event. The Scarborough Rotary board approved a $500 budget to support the initiative. Katelyn reported, “I hosted an event at UNE to see how many quilts we could make in a two-hour time frame. What seemed like a very difficult task, my classmates took in stride as we made 20 quilts! We had a blast. I am thankful for my connection to Rotary and the ability to show others what great works we can do. To finish the quilts, we hosted a second event with fellow Scarborough Rotarians Deb Pease and Reyleigh McKay to finalize the project. Another great time.”
Katelyn continues, “None of this would have been possible without all of the support from my club and my school. I can’t wait to send these quilts off with Rotoplast to help make a difference in these children’s lives. I also want to thank Terry Hodgkins for starting such an amazing program 25 years ago, and Dr. Ann Demeranville for continuing to keep it going.”
Scarborough Rotary would like to thank Katelyn Pierson for her leadership and dedication to Service Above Self. Even with the demands of becoming a dentist, she has made time for Rotary. We believe Katelyn is helping to bridge Rotary of the past to the Rotary of the future by making Rotary relevant to the lives of people in the present.
South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
WINTERFEST 2020 - FEBRUARY 1
SPCE Rotary WinterFest: A Great Collaboration!
On Saturday, February 1st, activities at Wainwright Field, Mill Creek Pond, Hinkley Park and the South Portland Golf Course create the signature event called WinterFest 2020. This is a Rotary collaboration with the City of South Portland, and features FREE family outdoor activities designed to promote healthy winter recreation at City facilities. Wainwright Field includes a cardboard sledding contest, a sledding hill, horse-drawn wagon rides, Touch the Trucks, ice skating and outdoor games. There are evening fireworks…and food trucks! Mill Creek Pond hosts open skating most of the day, and an opportunity to play hockey with the South Portland High School team.The South Portland Golf Course has a Children’s Story walk, snowshoeing, geocaching, and Dog Sled rides. Whew! . .a full slate of fun for all. Many local businesses will be sponsoring these events. Any proceeds will be used by SPCE Rotary to help feed the hungry, assist Maine’s homeless veterans, provide scholarships, sponsor youth leadership training, and many other charitable projects in our local communities.
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle
KARL'S KIDS - MARCH 6 & 7
Portland Sea Dogs
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - JULY 24TH
The Portland Sea Dogs will be hosting Rotary District 7780 on Friday, July 24, at 6 PM. This game is fireworks night too, after the game!
We have 100 seats available at this time. Tickets are $10 each, and are together in the reserved sections. Food and drinks are not included!
You may purchase your tickets, first come first served, using the following link.
The Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle sadly announces the death of member Edwin Stelzer. Ed was born in Riverhead, Long Island, N.Y. After graduating from Riverhead High School, class of 1959, he went on to graduate in 1963 from the New York State Maritime Academy at Fort Schuyler, with a degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture.
Ed was always a committed and patriotic employee, working as a civilian for the Navy at the Supervisors of Shipbuilding office in Bath. He retired after 35 years of service to pursue his favorite hobbies, including boating, fishing, gardening, and spending quality time with his family.
Ed was a member of the Damariscotta Board of Selectman as well as an enthusiastic Rotarian.
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 forMarch Newsletter Submissions: February 21st
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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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.
