News from The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine June 10, 2020
Cubicles, Private Offices, or WFH?
 
     Rebecca Costigan is a Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years of energy and building engineering experience as both a lead field engineer and a project managing engineer. She currently works with Criterium Engineers and is an experienced consultant performing site engineering and troubleshooting of systems as well as thermal energy analysis of industrial systems and buildings. Costigan is an adjunct in the Mechanical Engineering Technology department at the University of Maine and currently serves on the Industrial Advisory Committee for the University of Maine Department of Engineering Technology.
A licensed Professional Engineer with Certified Energy Manager, LEED AP, and Green Building engineering certifications, she also holds a real estate license. She earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine, and is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers as well as Member of ASHRAE, the US Green Building Council, and Society of Women Engineers.
     She will share her observations on office designs in a post-COVID world.
Portland's New Playhouse | by Dick Hall
 
  Justin Lamontagne introduced Julie Butcher Pezzino who immediately responded by sharing that Justin was instrumental in getting the project to move ahead by selling the existing Children’s Museum building to the Portland Museum of Art, with the ability to stay for up to two years. The sale is what has allowed the Children’s Museum to start construction.  Butcher Pezzino said that the project is more needed now as something to look forward to after COVID-19.
 
  The Children’s Museum moved from Stevens Avenue to Free Street in the ‘90’s and merged with Children’s Theater of Maine in 2008.  After the merger, everyone realized that the theater portion of the facility needed to be emphasized to make it a more important part of the museum.
Construction is now underway on the 30,000 sq. ft. facility located at Thompson’s Point.  The three-story building is designed to encourage children to express creativity and fit into the world around them.  The task of raising $14 million is nearly complete, with $13 million raised to date.  Butcher Pezzino said that the last million is often the hardest.
The entire Museum and Theater building has been named the Joseph and Anna Marie Petrin Complex by philanthropist Dorothy Suzi Osher, in honor of her parents.  The museum is also grateful for support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for assistance with this brownfield site, and now all soil has been remediated.
 
 
  The Thompson’s Point location provides access and exploration to the river and to the outdoors, which was lacking at Free Street.  Prior to COVID-19, the museum was planning for an expected 250,000 visitors per year, but now expects that target could take several years to achieve.  Prior to COVID-19, they hosted 100,000 at Free Street so Butcher Pezzino believes this target is still reasonable.
  Upon entry into the facility, there will be a gross motor exhibit, with the balance of the first floor devoted to the Theater and support space behind it. The Museum plans to welcome small community groups into the intimate 100–seat theater.
  The second floor is an Our Town exhibit, inspired by the current Free Street museum but greatly enhanced.  It will include land, oceans, mountains, trains, and the airport.  Visitors will be able to listen to control tower communications while being able to see planes landing.  There will be a kitchen, not just for cooking, but also to host a wide range of cultural programs.  This floor will also have arts programming but may have to forgo the maker’s space due to the sanitary needs caused by COVID-19.
The third floor is the location for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) classroom, created with the support from IDEXX to be a learning hub.  Originally conceived to be focused on animal husbandry, the COVID-19 situation stimulated an expansion to include epidemiology, and more to come.  The Physics area is designed for a wide age range.  The Nature Exploration space includes a 2,000 square foot aquarium, which will feature aquaculture ranging from the mountains to the sea. The entire building is designed to meet or exceed all ADA standards.
  The new museum is being made possible by generosity of donors, from big donors to a lemonade stand which raised $100. Butcher Pezzino invited the Club to join as an entity, or as individuals with naming opportunities still available. Recruitment is starting for volunteers and partners in the new space.
  The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Free Street building to close on March 13, and all Museum summer camps have been cancelled.  A determination on whether to reopen Free Street is being reviewed on month by month basis.  Butcher Pezzino said she hopes the new museum will open in the Spring of 2021 and her staff is working with the Governor’s office on new guidelines for children’s museums.
Bits & Pieces | Jake Bourdeau
  • President Amy Chipman called the meeting to order over Zoom and called on Tom Talbott to give the invocation.  Tom read part of President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, which included the following food for thought:
“Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility–I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it–and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
  • President Amy celebrated Rotarians with June birthdays: Peter Goffin, Laura Young, Rusty Atwood, Roger Asch, Paul Gore, Ralph Hendrix, Tom Ranello, Alex St. Hillaire, and Justin Lamontagne. Happy Birthday!
  • Rotarian Anniversaries were also listed and included: Roger Asch, Roger Fagan, Larry Gross, Tom Talbott, Julia L’Heureux, Eric Grevens, and Doreen Rockstrom. Happy Anniversary!
  • Bob Martin announced the unfortunate loss of Alain Nahimana, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center who was a benefactor to Maine immigrants, and worked closely with Mariella Uwimana, Ben Millick, Steve Mortimer, Mark Foster, John Curran, and Bob in the Immigrant Center’s Greenhouse project, which helps immigrant business startups.  A native of Burundi, he was known to become close friends with most everyone who met him and was extremely influential in Portland.
  • Laura Young forwards an invitation from the Waterville, Lewiston, and Waterville Sunrise clubs to a virtual training in collaboration with the Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) to help combat the opioid crisis. Full information at this link.  
Tim Huber Introduced as New Member
 
     Past President Chris Rosado introduced Tim Huber as a new Portland Rotarian.  Tim Huber worked long ago with President Amy Chipman at the Harbor Fish Market and worked his way up through the Press Herald, Pierce Promotions, and most recently as a successful business owner of a communications and security firm with operations in 44 states and 24 countries.
      After selling his company, he searched for a new opportunity and purchased AEC Engineering in Freeport from Patty Erikson’s husband who was looking to retire. Tim lives in Falmouth with his two daughters, and his wife of 20 years, Abigail.  Tim also likes to play ice hockey, he mountain bikes, and fishes recreationally for lobsters in Casco Bay. He also fancies himself as a gardener with a backyard farm and goats.  Past President Chris Rosado met Tim playing hockey, and while attending the Maine Outdoor Challenge.  Once Tim heard about Rotary, he got involved.  Please welcome our newest member Tim Huber to the Club.  
Rotary Tennis Recruiting Members           
     For 25 of 28 years, the Portland Rotary tennis league has operated with 24 members.  The tennis league plays on most Monday nights at 5:30-7 from September to May at the Apex tennis courts on Congress Street.  The league sets up generally even teams in the fall and spring, and Rotary Fellowship is one of the primary goals.  If you or someone you know enjoys tennis and would like to be a teammate, or sub this year, please do not hesitate to reach out to Bill Blount or Erik Jorgensen to discuss the opportunity. There are several full-time openings available, and subs are also welcome. 
     Considering many of the Rotary league players also play outdoors in the summer, if you would to hit around before committing, please reach out to Bill, and he can likely set you up with a game.    
USM Promise Scholarship
 
     At the June 5 meeting, Roxanne Cole introduced Corey Haskell, President of the University of Southern Maine Foundation and Alumni Programs, and an alumna of USM.  Ms. Haskell shared a video about the Promise Scholarship, a program designed to help underserved young achievers from Maine overcome financial, academic, social, and cultural barriers, remain in school, and graduate in four years with little or no debt — prepared to make their own contributions to Maine’s social and economic well-being. 
     The Promise Scholarship is supported largely by peers and advisers.  Haskell said that recipients say they cannot explain the wonderful feeling they experience when they find out the different people who are investing in them. Portland Rotary is supporting this program and contributes to it as part of the Youth Services Award program.
Per the USM web page, the Promise Scholarship Program opens the door to Maine students who face very real challenges. The average Promise Scholars are:
  • all first-generation college students;
  • 65% of eligible students receive Federal Pell grants for low-income families;
  • 100% could not afford college without scholarship aid.
     Ms. Haskell shared presentations from two current Scholars who joined the meeting virtually:  Gianna Beninati is the first in her family from Sanford, Maine to go to college. A USM freshman, she wants to be a mid-wife and help with family planning and deliveries.  She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing and could not afford college without the scholarship.  She recalled the excitement of the moment when she realized that did not have to worry about the financial stress and that she could focus on her education.    
     Dorcas Ngaliema, a Promise Scholar from the Republic of Congo, is also an asylum seeker.  She told us about how she went to Southern Maine Community College, earned an associate degree in political science, and is now pursuing her bachelor’s degree at USM with the intention of going to law school to become an immigration lawyer.  Without the scholarship, she would not have been able to go to school.  She is very grateful for the scholarship and the opportunity to learn in the US.
Member Survey Results | by Bob Martin
 
     At its May 15 meeting, the Club Board agreed to conduct a membership survey to determine the likelihood of membership renewal and other items of concern related to COVID-19 shutdown issues. The survey was launched on May 21 with 127 members invited to respond, and by June 3, 70 members (55%) had responded.
 
     Key findings:
 
  • Likelihood of membership renewal was 97%;
  • Over 56% of the club have attended at least two Zoom meetings, and 71% indicated they were likely to increase their attendance via Zoom;
  • The greatest barrier to virtual attendance was increased work conflicts due to the COVID-19 situation;
  • Over 70% of respondents indicated that the Friday noon meeting time was the most preferable meeting time now;
  • Over 88% stated that they were open to a change in meeting day and time post-COVID;
  • Over 65% indicated that they would like to have the Zoom meeting option continue when in-person meetings resume;
  • One question sought to determine the kinds of meals members would prefer once in-person meetings resumed, with the assumption that the typical buffet-style option would not be used for safety reasons. Of the five options given, clear preference was given to pre-packaged lunch (salad, sandwich).
  • A question seeking to discern fundraising and service priorities stimulated a wide range of responses. The most frequent responses for fundraising methods:
    • Create strategic partnerships or collaborations with existing organizations who know the community and have the capacity to address needs;
    • Continue the Flags for Heroes project;
  • The top service priorities mentioned were:
    • Hunger or food insecurity;
    • Youth Scholarships;
    • Unspecified “local needs” related to COVID-19, homeless, New Mainers;
    • Substance use disorder recovery efforts
    The survey results will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting.
A Moment of Reflection
 
Nigerian-born Angela Okafor, has lived in Bangor for 13 years, owns a law practice, an international food market, and is also Bangor’s first African-born City Councilor. She spoke in Bangor on June 1 at a rally urging changes in race relations:
 
We have a black son who has a friend that is white, who loves our son back – from what I have seen and heard. I have made countless, failed efforts at setting up play dates outside school for them, to this kid’s parent.
 
Last week, our son asked me again if this parent had gotten back to me, and I said, “No.” He was sad.
 
Then I told him, “You know we are black, right? And some people may not want to associate with us, just because we are black.” I had to say that to my less-than-10-year-old son. As a last possibility and a reason why we needed to stop trying. In Bangor, Maine. In 2020. Because we have explored every other reason, from our experience and the experiences of others.
 
Our son melted in tears and asked me, “Mommy, does it mean I can’t be friends with —- anymore?” I told him that is not true because I am sure if it was left to his friend alone, they would play every second. But his friend is under the control of his parents, so they get to decide.
 
I cannot breathe, not because your knee is on my neck, but because adults have refused to educate and let kids be kids.
 
It has been asked why we are protesting. After all, George Floyd was not murdered here in Bangor and our Bangor is generally safe.
 
Yes, our Bangor has been relatively safe, but let me tell you why we are here.
 
We are here because parents of white kids are still keeping their white children away from their young black friends.
 
We are here because I have been followed around “to ensure I paid for” goods in Bangor, Maine.
 
We are here because, while I campaigned in 2019, I was followed around in a neighborhood where I went campaigning. A white lady married to a black man, with biracial kids, who lives in that neighborhood, had to post on the neighborhood social media page that I was not a threat but was only campaigning.
 
We are here because in the same 2019, I was shushed away while campaigning until people saw my palm card. And I campaigned with fear and extreme caution in mind. In Bangor.
 
We are here because our kid has been spat on in the school bus, right here in our Bangor.
 
I can’t breathe because your silence and inaction is killing me.
 
I love my community and I don’t want violence, but it is not our place to judge people’s anger and how they show it.
 
Please, I can’t breathe because your white privilege is causing me so much pain.
 
I can’t breathe. I need air. Please, I need water to quench the thirst caused by the gross injustice against my kind.
 
I can’t breathe until you understand that it is not okay to tell me at a job interview that I am overambitious and that it is concerning.
 
I can’t breathe until you understand that, given the same opportunity, I will thrive and our wider community will thrive.
 
I can’t breathe until we understand that if one of us can’t breathe, all of us can’t breathe.
 
I can’t breathe until our schools start to teach our kids with appropriate, diverse books to understand that everyone is only a human being, with different but equal history and beauty.
 
I can’t breathe until our community is safe and free to talk about color and differences. When you say you don’t see color, it offends me because I hear “you don’t see me.”
 
I can’t breathe until we all understand that our social media posts and campaign promises are not enough until they are backed with actions.
 
We appreciate your standing with us, but we need actions beyond protesting.
 
I cannot breathe until we truly are able to hold our elected officials accountable.
 
Encourage people of color to run for office and help them.
 
I am a black woman. Yes. But I am an immigrant. And I can’t speak to the experiences and pains of blacks rooted in slavery. That is why we need them to speak to their own experiences. We need Native Americans to represent their interests, and so on.
 
November is coming and we need to vote.
 
Vote like George Floyd was your son. Vote like George Floyd was your brother. Vote like George Floyd was your husband. Vote like George Floyd was your best friend. Vote like your life depends on it – because it does.
 
“Please, I can’t breathe. I need air. I need water. I can’t breathe.”
 
The mission of Racial Justice and Equity is ‘to spread awareness on racial issues and equity. We hope to help pave the way for other black and brown people to survive and thrive with more equality and opportunities.’ Their website is: racialequityandjustice.org
Speaker Schedule
June 12 | Rebecca Costigan
June 19 | Portland Mayor Kate Snyder
June 26| Amy Chipman
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