President Don Zillman welcomed 48 members and 2 guests to our meeting on Friday at the Clarion Hotel.
Ellen Niewoehner did her first invocation ever in 20 years, by sharing the Irish Blessing.
Bruce Moore led us in the pledge and Kathy Grammer led “My Country Tis of Thee.”
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Dick Giles, at his first Rotary meeting back from sunny Florida, was awarded his Paul Harris Foundation +6 pin, signifying $7,000 total giving to the Rotary Foundation. Dick was proudly wearing his PHF +5 pin at the time, and asked “Is this going to cost me more money?”
Past President Dick Hall then gave a summary of the District Conference, that was held last weekend. Six districts attended, with over 600 people. Speakers included
• Rotary International President Ian Riseley
• Shirley-Pat Chamberlain – Multiple Library Projects in British Columbia
• Razia Jan - Razia’s Ray of Hope education project in Afghanistan
• Travis Roy inspirational address
• Karen Wentz, RI Past Director
Breakout Sessions were held on Rotary Foundation, Literacy, Human Trafficking, Rotaract, Vibrant Clubs, Polio – Gates Foundation view, Opioid Crisis, Youth Exchange, Hands to Honduras, End 68 hours of Hunger, and Interact, Earlyact, RYLA.
Dick awarded the "Pyramid of Peace Award," given to President Don Zillman, for the club’s efforts in meeting all six Rotary Areas of Focus. Although 25 clubs won the award, it was reported that Portland Rotary had the highest number of volunteer hours for the year.
The District 7780 Total Impact was very Impressive!
Cash Funding of Service Projects - $940,972
In-Kind Funding - $957,176
Number of volunteers - 4,743
Volunteer Hours - 34,531
Mike Reed was looking for 4 more volunteers for the Deering High School Mentorship workshop, and quickly had four volunteers, so he has a full team of 13.
As incoming chair for the Maine Outdoor Challenge, Mike announced we have 32 teams so far and only 13 openings. The auction has 60% of the items needed. We need 30 more items. Mike was able to get a client to donate a tuna or shark trip valued at $1200 to the live auction.
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Jan Chapman announced that we have wrapped up the reading program for this year. She thanked the Rotary Club and the Maine School of Law. She has received bags of thank you's, some in Spanish. John Thompson was given he bag of thank you's in Spanish. Don chimed in with a funny story showing how dedicated the teachers are at the schools.
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Jerry Angier handled the raffle and Erik Greven was the winner of the first drawing but his two of hearts did not win the $512 jackpot. Better luck next time, Erik.
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Liz Fagan presented a check for 3-H hearing aids, donated in by a local audiologist in memory of James Roger Fagan, Roger’s dad.
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Amy Chipman reminded everyone to sell their raffle tickets for the Maine Outdoor Challenge. Winner gets a $500 gift card for LL Bean.
Amy also announced a pre-trip meeting at the Cumberland Club for all going to the International Convention in Toronto. Donated apps, cash bar, and money.....past conference attendees to share the “ropes.” She also mentioned the two-district party in Toronto, at second city.
Don announced a Board meeting immediately following, to discuss the location for our meetings next year. He mentioned budget issues, meal prices going up and the fact that we have paid $2400 so far this year for meals not eaten, because we did not make our 50-person meal guarantee. He promised a report later.