This Week's Speaker | Lisa G. Martin, Manufacturers Association of Maine
Lisa G. Martin has 20+ years in economic, workforce and business development. Since 1989, Lisa has had extensive experience with businesses, state and federal agencies, education institutes and Maine’s workforce.
She leads the effort to build the Manufacturers’ Association as an economically strong industry through partnerships and collaborations with other industries, with state and federal agencies and organizations and within the manufacturing industry.
Lisa sits on the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Precision Manufacturing Board, a member of the University of Maine, Advanced Manufacturing Center Board of Advisors, Robotics Institute of Maine Executive Board, CEI Capital Management (CCML) Board of Directors and is an Alumni of the Maine Development Foundation’s Leadership Maine Mu Class.
Lisa holds a BA from University of Southern Maine, a Master of Science degree in Community Economic Development (CED) from New Hampshire College and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Lisa lives in her home town of Portland.
A Farewell From President Bob| Erik Jorgensen
January 7th, the first meeting of 2022, marked the halfway point in our Rotary year, and served as a farewell for President Bob Martin, who is moving from Portland for professional reasons. Bob used the program period on Friday to reflect on where the club is now, and the progress it has made over the past six months.
Despite the continued need to meet remotely for the weekly meetings, Bob noted that our club has begun to meet in small in-person groups, for service projects and social occasions. Thanks to the work of Michael Fortunato and Paul Tully, we dedicated a granite bench in memory of Loretta Rowe in Rotary Grove. We resumed our tradition of serving the Thanksgiving meal at St. Vincent’s thanks to the efforts of Leslie Clark and Tom Ranello and a cast of Rotarians. We created backpacks with useful items for those in substance recovery through the efforts of Bruce Moore, Michelle DiSotto, Leslie Clark, and others. Patty Byers has invigorated our focus on the Rotary Foundation, leading our work to plant purple crocuses in Post Office Park in downtown Portland to raise awareness for our polio efforts. We increased our community impact and Rotary brand with another successful Flags for Heroes project, thanks to the work of Charlie Frair, Paul Gore, and others.
Portland Rotary is still Portland Rotary even though we have been mostly online. Bob reminded us that the world is changing, and that it “might be possible to forget to look up and see what’s happening”.
He then offered a frank assessment of the continued challenges we face going forward. There remain some discomfort and disagreement around the club’s decision to remain online. While everyone looks forward to returning in person, variants will likely continue to wreak havoc on us. COVID is not going away, and Bob urged us to hold our course, to reach out to people who have dropped out of sight, and to encourage their re-engagement. A strong social network is a key component of what we will all need in 2022.
Bob noted that all of the change and disaster we confront brings stress. Fear of being infected, fear of change, worries about inflation, politics, the increase in nastiness on the roads, learning that someone you know has become ill; all of these generate a cycle of stress. All of us are suffering some form of PTSD due to the pandemic. He urged us to find ways to manage the stress. We all need strong mental health to cope with the future.
Bits & Pieces | Dick Hall
Jim Willey, John Marr, Jon Young, Dave Putnam
all joined early to virtually socialize. John Marr was heard to say “Don’t be blue in 22.” Jan Chapman reports (13) flashing red cardinals at her feeders. Someone noted that Portland schools were cancelled today so our in-person meeting would have been cancelled anyway. Tom Ranello joined incognito as Dan McGovern. Bruce Moore told us he can say “HO HO HO” to his Tesla, to transform the car into a sleigh with 8 reindeer out front. Bruce Jones confirmed that he was making snow angels before the meeting. Dave Putnam reported 76º F today in beautiful Florida. The meeting was called to order by President Bob Martin.
Dave Small shared the New Year’s Prayer by the Reverend Marcy Sheremetta. Dan Reid was welcomed as a visiting Rotarian from the Kennebunk Portside Club. Ellen Niewoehner announced the next meeting of the Environment Protection Committee will be on Zoom next Friday Jan 14, 11:00 AM to discuss spring projects. Ellen, as chair of the Nominating Committee, announced that Patty Byers will be the Portland Rotary President 2024-2025. This announcement received very excited positive approval.
Tom Talbott told us that Patriot Subaru has named the Portland Rotary as their January designated local charitable organization which he estimates will be a donation of approximately $1000 to our charitable fund. Tom also announced that the planned Something Something Auction will be postponed until February so that we can have some in-person meeting fun around the auction.
Patty Byers thanked all for the Rotary Foundation support at all levels. Patty is now hoping that the club will achieve 100% “Every Rotarian Ever Year”, as support for District Governor Dick Hall’s year. Patty mentioned that the Foundation is focusing on education at all levels this year. Patty awarded a Paul Harris, plus one, to Jan Chapman. Jan Chapman told us she was born into the Rotary family as her father had 55 years of perfect attendance in his club. Jan told us that her amazing experience joining a hearing and hand trip to the Dominican Republic triggered her joining Portland Rotary. Jan feels the work of the Rotary Foundation is very important and Jan mention that with the Foundation getting a 100% rating from Charity Navigator, she is confident the money will be well spent.
Michelle Disotto, Portland Rotary Secretary, thanked all for sending their dues payments. Michelle will also be resending invoices to those who have not yet paid. Michelle apologized in advance if anyone gets an invoice who has recently paid. Larry Gross, chair of the Good Cheer Committee, told us that he has been contacting several members who have been absent to check how they are doing and inviting them to return. Tom Talbott thanked Tom Nickerson for joining the Windjammer writing staff and Ben Lowry for coming back. Tom said we could still use 2-3 more writers. Jack Carr advised that he is the presenter at the Rotary Club of Richmond VA on Jan 6. His presentation will be matching Old Virginia to Old Maine.
Foundation News | by Patty Byers
How to Donate to the Rotary Foundation
After last week’s meeting. Foundation Chair Patty Byers received several questions about how to make a donation to the Rotary Foundation. Patty wanted to make sure everyone is aware of three easy ways to contribute, so here we go!
1.) Call the Rotary Support Center at 1-866-976-8279. Give them your name and credit card number and they'll take it from there.
2.) Log on to MyRotary.org and hit the donate button at the top of the screen. Sign in using your email address and password so that you get credit for the gift.
3.) Send your check, payable to the Rotary Foundation, to Alice Alexander, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104-1755.
Thank you for your continued generosity and support of the Foundation!
Our New President | Bruce Jones
Bruce joined the Portland Rotary in 2002, sponsored by the late John Houghton. Bruce soon came to appreciate and embrace the fellowship and friendship while serving in numerous roles from Sergeant at Arms, committee chairmanships, fundraising and membership development.
Born in Newton MA, Bruce spent his early years learning the values of hard work and sibling rivalry with his three brothers. After graduating from UNH, he jetted to Tampa to work in marketing and public relations for Anheuser Busch. After 5 years, he returned to Boston and began a career in the commercial furniture business, taking one 10-year hiatus to work as a training developer for LL Bean, and VP Sales for Dale Carnegie Training. He returned to commercial furniture for several years with Creative Office Pavilion, retiring in early 2020.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Bruce was active with local Chambers of Commerce, the Advisory Board of the Casco Bay YMCA, and as Vice President of MEREDA (Maine Real Estate Developers Association).
This past June, Bruce and his wife, Sue, celebrated 39 years of marriage. They’re grateful to be regularly involved in the lives of their two married children and two grandchildren who reside in the Greater Portland area. He enjoys all things Maine including hiking, fly fishing, skiing, tennis and pickleball. On the side, he’s a partner in the family hard cider business.
Speaker Schedule
January 14 | Lisa Martin, Executive Director, Manufacturers Association of Maine
January 21 | Rick Schneider, CEO, Maine Public
January 28 | Christian Cotz, Executive Director, First Amendment Museum
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