Dave Putnam reminded us that in lieu of our Friday meeting, this Thursday August 13, 5-7 PM we will be having a social meeting. We'll be under the tent at the Italian Heritage Center, with a $20 appetizer donation and some trivia fun hosted by Mike Fortunato. Appealing subjects include “America’s Team- The New York Yankees”, “All Things Brooklyn”, “Fake News” and “Very Fake News.” Remember - no meeting Friday!
Meeting of August 5, 2022:
Growing Maine’s Workforce Through Partnerships
Jason Judd, Ed.D., Executive Director, Educate Maine
| by Dick Hall
Jason told us that the mission of Educate Maine is to develop and augment educational resources to allow more Mainers to benefit from meaningful and worthwhile post-secondary education and value-added employer recognized certifications. To explain this he cited the negative example where a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) certificate does not result in a job which can support a family. (Photo- Dave Putnam, Jason, Judd, Bruce Jones)
Educate Maine has partnerships with four other organizations which share common goals:
In 2020 87% of Maine students graduate from high school in four years. This is much higher than the national average. In 2020 55% of Maine high school graduates enroll in post secondary education the fall after graduation. This is markedly lower than the national average. 53% of working-age Maine adults (25-64) have post-secondary degree or credentials. The goal for this category is 60%, because Maine Educate has found that Maine employers need more workers with post-secondary degree or credentials
In a survey done by Educate Maine, the State Chamber of Commerce, and the Maine Development Foundation, surveying Maine employers, the results indicated that three labor categories were listed as top business priorities. These were Entry Level Workers, Shilled Technical Workers, and Professional Workers. Jason told us that the key recommendations in the survey report were:
Increase participation in the labor force
Help workers upskill
Create more diverse, welcoming workplaces
Attract new talent to live and work in Maine
Educate Maine is working very hard to increase Programs around Interns, Apprentices and Co-op Students to achieve these recommendations. For more information, visit their website. Jason can be reached via his email.
Be a Proud "Flags For Heroes" Sponsor - Share The Opportunity!
Christine Force delivered a message on our fundraiser, Flags for Heroes and how to go about contributing. Christine shared with us that she is honoring someone she holds dear as a hero, fellow Rotarian, Nan Heald. Nan was in line for Club President, but sadly passed away earlier this year.
We have 100 flags available to sponsor, and right now we are 66% towards that goal. Please ask a friend, work associate, a neighbor, if they have a hero they would like to honor. Go to our website for easy instructions on how to be a sponsor. Remember, the event starts September 7th, and runs thru the 14th. Now is the time to act!
Bits and Pieces | by Bill Blount
On Friday August 5, Portland Rotarians both zoomed and met face-to-face in real time at the Da Vinci Room in the Italian Heritage Center. According to hallowed tradition the bell was struck at 12:15 PM by President Bruce Jones calling the meeting to order. Dave Ertz lead us in the pledge and Charlie Frair (phot0) led us in a moment of reflection with hot summer day quotes. First and most notably: “Dearest Summer, stop showing off! We know you’re hot.” President Bruce exhorted us to enjoy our meal.
Bruce shortly reconvened stating our active club has a full agenda for the meeting. Jake Bourdeau announced our visitors, who included Rotary 7780 Assistant District Governor, Fran Bagdasarian who presented our club with the current Rotary International flag from RI’s first female president, Jennifer Jones. This year’s flag portrays her theme: Imagine, a world that deserves our best. (Photo: Fran and Bruce)
Brian Nickerson conducted the raffle where our speaker chose Bruce Moore’s name for a chance to win $440 by picking the Queen of Hearts from about 40 remaining cards in the deck. Alas, Bruce drew the eight of spades, and the pot thickens.
President Bruce announced August Birthdays followed by the birthday song, then Rotary Anniversaries. Matt Tassey earned the longevity prize with 37 years of devoted service to our club.
Our club’s dynamic duo of Jan Chapman and Bruce Moore came forward with information on the District 7780 Recovery Conference in Eliot, Maine, on September 8, 8am-4pm. The cost to attend this meeting will be $25.00 and will take place at the Regatta Banquette & Conference Center. Kennebunk Rotarian and Police Chief Bob MacKenzie will be leading the conference. Read more about the program at our District 7780 website. Please join us if you can and please pass this on to any & all in your circle of influence as it can help save a life. You can use this link for Registration. (Photo Jan and Bruce)
Bruce Moore spoke about our previously successful, and now ongoing effort to fill backpacks donated by Goodwill of Northern New England. Our goal is to fill them with toiletries and other personal items, which in turn are provided to people in recovery. We also are accepting cash donations for Hannaford Gift Cards and Metro tickets. Please make checks payable to Rotary Club of Portland Maine, put 'Backpack Project' in the memo and bring it to a Club meeting, or snailmail to:
Jan Chapman, 1108 Sawyer Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107.
What to donate? Use this handy SignUpGenius for a list/quantity needed. If you have more questions, please email Jan Chapman!
Next, Jan reminded us of the volunteer opportunities at Maine Works. Margo Walsh addressed our club the week prior, asking for volunteers to help transport their clients, folks who are in the process of recovery, to work at their construction jobs. Click for more info on Maine Works.
Laura Young appealed for volunteers to read to youngsters at Lyseth Elementary School, Portland. We have a few weeks left and slots to fill! Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-1:30 PM. Email Laura, or text/call her at 207-232-7322.
Gus Karlsen Memorial Service - Sat, August 13
This coming Saturday, August 13th, 11:30am, out on Peak's Island, there will be a small service for Gus's ashes interment. Gus passed away last September. There is a 10:15am boat to Peak's. For more information, please reach out to Mike Fortunato, either by email, or call/text 415-9762 Sail On.
New Member Welcome Meeting - Friday, August 19
Prior to next week's club meeting at the Italian Heritage Center on August 19th, we're having get-together with all new members who have joined since 2020. Come and join us at 11am, to welcome, chat, answer and ask questions, celebrate Rotary and our club. Members are encouraged to bring prospective members too!
President Bruce Jones and the co-chairs of the membership committee, Bowen Depke and Laura Young invite everyone to attend, and make it festive. Please RSVP to Laura Young!
Help Needed Loading Supplies - Saturday, August 20th
Support our District's Crutches4Africa Campaign!
Saturday August 20th, 9am, Rotarians will be loading the 12th container for shipment of mobility devices to Nigeria.
Loading will take place at 128 Saco Ave., Old Orchard Beach. If you can help for any amount of time, it would be greatly appreciated.
The storage facility presently does not have forklift capabilities so we will need many additional bodies. Dennis Robillard, our District Chair for this program, will be leading the charge. If you can help, please send Dennis an email, risc@maine.rr.com or text at 207-468-0443. Many thanks! Crutches4Africa Website
Portland Sunrise Satellite Zoom Meetings
Join in on the 1st and 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 AM for Portland Sunrise Satellite via Zoom. Update: new Zoom link for meetings! This will be the same link for every meeting. If you'd like to be included on the calendar invitation, email Quinn Slayton.
August 12 | No meeting with club social the night before
August 19 | Stephanie Netto, Long Creek Youth Development Center -
August 26 | Portland Recovery Community Center
September 2 | No meeting - Enjoy Your Labor Day weekend!
September 9 | At the Maine Mall - Flags For Heroes
September 15 | Thursday Night Social at Italian Heritage 5p-7p
September 16 | No meeting with club social the night before
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers Treasurer Dick Hall Secretary Bill Blount Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-Arms Jake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
1st Q Program Chair: Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Jason told us that the mission of Educate Maine is to develop and augment educational resources to allow more Mainers to benefit from meaningful and worthwhile post-secondary education and value-added employer recognized certifications. To explain this he cited the negative example where a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) certificate does not result in a job which can support a family. (Photo- Dave Putnam, Jason, Judd, Bruce Jones)
On Friday August 5, Portland Rotarians both zoomed and met face-to-face in real time at the Da Vinci Room in the Italian Heritage Center. According to hallowed tradition the bell was struck at 12:15 PM by President Bruce Jones calling the meeting to order. Dave Ertz lead us in the pledge and Charlie Frair (phot0) led us in a moment of reflection with hot summer day quotes. First and most notably: “Dearest Summer, stop showing off! We know you’re hot.” President Bruce exhorted us to enjoy our meal. 
Bruce shortly reconvened stating our active club has a full agenda for the meeting. Jake Bourdeau announced our visitors, who included Rotary 7780 Assistant District Governor, Fran Bagdasarian who presented our club with the current Rotary International flag from RI’s first female president, Jennifer Jones. This year’s flag portrays her theme: Imagine, a world that deserves our best. (Photo: Fran and Bruce) 
Brian Nickerson conducted the raffle where our speaker chose Bruce Moore’s name for a chance to win $440 by picking the Queen of Hearts from about 40 remaining cards in the deck. Alas, Bruce drew the eight of spades, and the pot thickens.
Our club’s dynamic duo of Jan Chapman and Bruce Moore came forward with information on the District 7780 Recovery Conference in Eliot, Maine, on September 8, 8am-4pm. The cost to attend this meeting will be $25.00 and will take place at the Regatta Banquette & Conference Center. Kennebunk Rotarian and Police Chief Bob MacKenzie will be leading the conference. Read more about the program at our 
Prior to next week's club meeting at the Italian Heritage Center on August 19th, we're having get-together with all new members who have joined since 2020. Come and join us at 11am, to welcome, chat, answer and ask questions, celebrate Rotary and our club. Members are encouraged to bring prospective members too! 
.png)
