PDG Lawrence Furbish was born and brought up in Sanford, Maine. He attended Colby College, did graduate work at the University of Maine and Ohio State. He has a 30-year career in Connecticut as a non-partisan researcher for the state legislature. In 2004, he retired and moved back home to Maine, to a house his grandfather had built and where he grew up.
Lawrence joined Rotary in 2006, was President of the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club in 2011-12 and District 7780 Governor in 2014-15. He’s married to Barbara Sutcliffe (who is also a Rotarian) and they have two children, two step daughters and three grandchildren.
PDG Lawrence will explain why the Foundation is important to all of us….its history, basics, where the donated money goes, recognition, how to donate and will give us information about our own Club’s participation.
Our Valentine’s Day program began with an introduction from David Ertz of our guest speaker Jennifer Brennan, the Efficiency Maine (EM) Program Manager- Electric Vehicle Initiatives (EVI). Though no one’s fault, the program was momentarily short circuited with a few tech glitches, but engineer whiz PP Dick Hall had the capacity to find the right sequence of buttons to get us powered up.
Jennifer asked for a show of hands – how many people in the room today drive an electric car? Shockingly, not a single one, which makes for a great audience willing to learn more about EV’s – Electric Vehicles. It also turns out that Maine is a state that has many opportunities to be an EV leader. The EVI is charged to expand the availability of the vehicles, as well as the all-important infrastructure of charging stations throughout Maine.
Some quick facts. Cars/Light duty trucks account for 53% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Maine. An average gasoline vehicle emits 10k pounds of emissions per year, compared to 6k from a hybrid, or 0 from an all-electric. Note that in terms of making electricity, Maine is not producing high amounts of GHG, since our state receives the majority of power from green/efficient sources - 29% from hydro, 23% biomass, 21% from wind, and 20% natural gas. The remaining 7% is fossil, oil, coal, and solar.
So why get amped up over an EV? The best reason - no emissions. Maintenance costs are notably far less than gas engines. EV’s are quiet with fast acceleration – and they’re cool! Are they selling? When they first hit the ground in 2010, only 345 sold. Now there are more than 1.3 million EV’s on the road. However, in terms of annual sales, EV’s accounted for just 2.6% of all auto sales in 2019.
There is consumer resistance. Aside from a higher upfront cost, the larges current issue is “Range Anxiety”, or how far you can drive on a charge. Distances vary by models. The pricier Tesla leads the pack with a range of 240-370, but the entry level Toyota Prius Prime ekes out 25 miles and a Chevy Volt 53. Higher values are with a Nissan Volt 150-215, or Chevy Bolt 258. Anxiety compounds because charging stations are in short supply. There is also limited signage on the highway alerting travelers where to charge batteries, and there is also a time factor. Three levels of charging include: 1) Home outlet 120v, which charges at a rate of 3-5 miles per hour. 2) Public 240v set-up, 10-20 miles per charge hour, and 3) Fast-charge stations which delivers 80% full charge in 20-30 minutes.
Fueling the EVI is a $5.1 million settlement Maine received from VW for their violations of the Clean Air Act and unfair trade practice. From this, EM received $3.5 million to administer initiatives to promote EV’s and lower emissions. This includes a comprehensive education marketing campaign, encouraging consumers to test drive an EV. Dealerships are learning better ways to position the benefits, and aim to tie in manufacturer incentives and rebates to spike sales. Currently 46 Maine dealers are conducting the Accelerator Rebate Program, where consumers are relayed the rebates at the point-of-sale, no waiting for a check.
Improving the charging infrastructure is essential to the growth of the EVI. Level 2 (240v) systems and Level 3 Fast Charge systems are being installed in priority travel corridors throughout Maine. These include six, soon to be seven, Level 3 stops along the Maine Turnpike, and twenty-three Level 2 stations in busy public locations in high-traffic cities and towns.
There was a sea of hands when it came time for Q&A, but with time running short, we could only meter a few. One expressed surprise over the high-level hydropower accounting for 29% of our electricity, but between our rivers and Canada, that is the case. Another pondered what to do with an old EV battery, when we cannot throw our AA batteries in the trash. Turns out the Lithium-ion battery will outlast the car, and can be reused to store power. The last question probed whether Efficiency Maine would at some point offer financial assistance to home owners interested in solar roof panels, noting that the ROI is 11 years. While in demand, the answer was....unsure.
We all arrived to tables decorated with heart-shaped candies and a box or chocolates on each table.
President Amy Chipman called the meeting to order, and Julie L’Heureux brought tears to some eyes as she read excerpts from love letters between Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine, who were married for 56 years.
PP Peter Goffin led the pledge and returning member Nannette Duncanson led us in the Star Spangled Banner.
We had two Rotarian visitors: PDG Peter Johnson, Yarmouth Club and Paul Smith, Saco Bay Sunset Club.
Prez. Amy reminded us to sign up for the World Peace and Understanding Dinner, Thursday Feb 20, which will be focused on Emigration, Migration, Immigration, Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Work Visas, Green Cards, and Citizenship. https://rotary7780.org/event/world-understanding-and-peace-dinner/ Several from the club have already registered.
Prez. Amy reported that the Portland Rotary Club is halfway to its Rotary Foundation goal of $16,000. She advised us to be prepared for an email request to donate.
The weekly raffle pot was up to $1372. PP Paul Gore was asked if he bought a ticket, and he responded, “Paul Gore not buying a ticket is like rain that is not wet.” Matt Tassey held the raffle can and Prez. Amy’s name was called. With PPJim Willy questioning emoluments, Amy was not able to pull the queen of hearts.
We were treated to the introduction of two “new” members. President Amy introduced Patty Byers, who was formerly a member of the Farmington, ME Club. Patty is a past president of that club. Welcome to the club, Patty!
(Photo L-R: President Amy Chipman, Patty Byers, Nannette Duncanson and PP Peter Gofin.)
PP Peter Goffin introduced Nannette Duncanson, a former member of Portland Rotary, who has rejoined after a hiatus since 2005. Now with a new job and graduating son, she felt it was time to return. Welcome back, Nannette!
PP Bill Blount then popped up and asked Patty Byers to stay at the front of the room, so he could award her a Paul Harris + 4 pin, signifying she has donated $5,000 to the Rotary Foundation. Thanks, Patty!
Prez.Amy gave us the news that departed member George Crockett left $15,000 in his will to the Portland Rotary Charitable account to be used for International Service. We will never forget you, George!
PP John Curran gave a wonderful overview of the work during the last trip to the Dominican Republic to fit prosthetic hands. John was assisted by his son and Rotarian Bill Dunn of Yarmouth. John explained that the process has been improved by casting the recipient and then making a socket from fiberglass, which gives a much better fit. Then the 3D printed hand is attached to this socket. Patients included those who lost the limb from spousal abuse, electrical accident, auto accident, sepsis, and other violence. The new process gives the team the ability to better help those with above the elbow amputations. The new fitting process on site takes 2 hours start to finish. John also told us of the great support by Enable and the USM engineering college. He presented an award to the Club from Centro de Protesis & Terapia Fisica in Appreciation & Partnership.
Gracie Johnston gave us a reminder to bring mittens, gloves, hats, etc. to support our NEW Community Service Project that she originally introduced on 1/24/20: providing “Winter Survival Kits” to the kids at Preble Street Teen Center. Kits will include: mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, hand & foot warmers, hand lotion, lip balm and refillable water bottles. We plan on filling the “kits” within a couple of weeks, so please bring your donated items to us at the next meeting. Thank you!
Invocation: Tom Talbott Program Reporter: Jake Bourdeau
Bits & Pieces Reporter: John Marr
Photographer: Julie L'Heureux Registration/Greeter: Mark Foster Sell Meal Tickets: Terri St. Angelo Raffle: Jennifer Frederick Collect Meal Tickets:Bruce Jones Sgt-at-Arms: Mike Anderson
The following items are needed on an on-going basis. Please feel free to bring them to a meeting, where we will collect and distribute them to the appropriate projects.
Crutches4Africa - Crutches, canes, folding walkers and wheelchairs to be shipped to Africa. Contact: Erik Greven at: egrev95@gmail.com
Toiletries for the Shelters - Collect those tiny bottles of toiletries you are paying for during your next hotel visit and bring them home for members of our society who find themselves staying at a shelter and in need of personal hygiene products.
PDG Lawrence Furbish was born and brought up in Sanford, Maine. He attended Colby College, did graduate work at the University of Maine and Ohio State. He has a 30-year career in Connecticut as a non-partisan researcher for the state legislature. In 2004, he retired and moved back home to Maine, to a house his grandfather had built and where he grew up.
We all arrived to tables decorated with heart-shaped candies and a box or chocolates on each table.
PP John Curran gave a wonderful overview of the work during the last trip to the Dominican Republic to fit prosthetic hands. John was assisted by his son and Rotarian Bill Dunn of Yarmouth. John explained that the process has been improved by casting the recipient and then making a socket from fiberglass, which gives a much better fit. Then the 3D printed hand is attached to this socket. Patients included those who lost the limb from spousal abuse, electrical accident, auto accident, sepsis, and other violence. The new process gives the team the ability to better help those with above the elbow amputations. The new fitting process on site takes 2 hours start to finish. John also told us of the great support by Enable and the USM engineering college. He presented an award to the Club from Centro de Protesis & Terapia Fisica in Appreciation & Partnership.
Gracie Johnston gave us a reminder to bring mittens, gloves, hats, etc. to support our NEW Community Service Project that she originally introduced on 1/24/20: providing “Winter Survival Kits” to the kids at Preble Street Teen Center. Kits will include: mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, hand & foot warmers, hand lotion, lip balm and refillable water bottles. We plan on filling the “kits” within a couple of weeks, so please bring your donated items to us at the next meeting. Thank you!