banner
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Speakers
Jan 24, 2020
Jan 31, 2020
Innovating New Construction Materials
Feb 07, 2020
Feb 14, 2020
Feb 21, 2020
Feb 28, 2020
Mar 06, 2020
Mar 13, 2020
State of Mind - Becoming Maine
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Vice President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Immediate Past President
 
Director Term End 2020
 
Director Term End 2020
 
Director Term End 2021
 
Director Term End 2021
 
Club Admin/Coordinator
 
Club Protection Officer
 
Community Service
 
Communications - PR External
 
Communications - WJ Bulletin Editor
 
Constitution/ByLaws Chair
 
Fund Raising Co-Chair
 
Fund Raising Co-Chair
 
Good Cheer Chair
 
International Service Chair
 
Invocation Chair
 
Meeting Day Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Music Chair
 
New Mainers Initiative Chair
 
Program Co- Chair
 
Program Co-Chair
 
Opioid Task Force Co-Chair
 
Opioid Task Force Co-Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Sergeant -At-Arms
 
Web Administrator
 
Web Administrator Assistant
 
Youth Service Chair
 
Friday, January 24, 2020
Welcome to the
Rotary Club of Portland, Maine!
Portland Rotary
Service Above Self
We meet Fridays at 12:15 PM
The Clarion Hotel
1230 Congress Street
Portland, ME  04102
United States of America
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Rotary This Week
 
 
 
Portland Rotary
will meet Friday, January 24, 2020
at the Clarion Hotel
1230 Congress Street, Portland
*01/24/20 Nicole Avery, Ex Dir Big Bros Big Sisters
Nicole Avery has been the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine since September 2018.

A native Mainer, Nicole grew up in Bridgton, ME and graduated from University of Southern Maine. She has 25 plus years in non-profit management and development…..20 years in the United Way system, working with United Ways in Portland, ME, Lexington, KY and Baltimore, MD, where she led their $40-million annual campaign.

After serving on the board of the Cancer Community Center in South Portland for 6 years, Nicole took over as their Executive Director in 2015.  She led that organization through a merger with the Dempsey Center out of Lewiston in 2018.  When the executive director position opened at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine, Nicole was a natural fit. She had been a Big Sister during her time in Lexington, KY and believes strongly in the power of mentors.  She recently became a new Big Sister to a 7-year old girl from Gorham. 

In her spare time, Nicole is active in several sports including running, golf, and snowshoeing. She has traveled extensively, including climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
 
01/17/20 Jon Nass, CEO Maine Port Authority
Jon Nass, Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Port Authority (MPA) gave Portland Rotary an inside look at the history and development of the Port of Portland and the benefits to Maine of international trade, specifically ocean-based trade through our International Marine Terminal here in Portland.
 
Responding to John Thompson’s introduction about the Red Jacket, built in Rockland ME, which set the US clipper ship record for an Atlantic crossing, Jon Ness mentioned that Maine’s sea dominance is evident in all the stately sea captain homes up the coast of Maine.  Last year, with the Port of Portland grossing $460 million, we are returning to an important leadership position.
 
The mission of the Maine Port Authority is economic development based on rail, but mostly on the sea. The statewide agency made a critical $64 million investment in the crane for Portland, which was required to secure Eimskip moving here. Eimskip exports products from 12 counties in Maine, including scented candles, blueberries, lobster, and fish. Eimskip imports over $30 million in fish annually, and Portland is on the cutting edge of the resurgence of small ports.
 
Investments in the port included the crane in 2013, acquisition and cleanup of the adjacent property, building a new yard and rail link, moving the maintenance building and purchase of a second crane.  These were key to Eimskip committing to weekly calls. In 2013 the port moved 7500 twenty-foot container units (TCUs) and in 2019 the total jumped to 28,000 TCUs. 30% are fish destined for commercial, grocery, retail, and restaurants.
 
Looking at the Icelandic route map, we were walked through key routes, the CGM partnership, critical shipments to Halifax and reasons for each stop, but the important message is that Portland is growing.  To support this, workforce development is a long-term priority for the Port Authority and Eimskip and starts with a 5th grade program where the Maine Learning Standards are integrated through an exposure to port logistics, culminating in a visit to the port. The Maine Port Authority and Eimskip are partnering with the Maine Ocean School, UNE North and USM to create an enhanced connection to this Nordic country. There are also associations with Cruise Maine, Maine Beer Box, Iceland, England, and multiple alliances with industry, local/state/federal governments, and numerous other regional groups.
 
During Q&A, Jon told us that a refrigeration building is still needed, fish farming will not create a problem, the future of oil shipments in Portland is unclear, the northern route through the arctic will progress more slowly than is being publicly hailed and that key partnerships are on the horizon with the CN train connection for delivery from Searsport.
 
 
 
(Photo: Jon Nass)
 
 
 
 
 
 
01/17/20 Bits & Pieces
President Amy Chipman took advantage of a well-disciplined, but somewhat sparse, group of Rotarians and called the meeting to order, right on time. Perhaps it was the sparkling clear sunshine accompanied by seasonably comfortable weather that lured a few members to play hooky and take advantage of the wonders of the Maine outdoors. Unfortunately, there were far too many empty chairs than the interesting program, satisfying meal, and superb fellowship should have attracted. We have a healthy numerical roster, but the numbers lose their luster when the troops are called to muster! Please, do your part and show up and take part in making Rotary a magnificent reality. Remember, if you aren’t at the meeting and engaging in all the wonderful things the Club does, the number is just that. Furthermore, let’s not forget that we have to give a guarantee to the facility and if we don’t have a sufficient number of attendee tickets sold, we lose money that can be better spent on community services.

Those in attendance learned that Mr Charlie “Always-Ready-to-Help” Frair just celebrated another birthday and the number only expanded his sense of humor and he inspired us to take heart in the benefits of aging as put forth by poet John Barrows. Following our humorous inspiration we were led by PP Dick Hall in a sincere recitation of “The Pledge of Allegiance.”  We rounded out the “hat trick” by following PP Russ Burleigh in singing “America The Beautiful.” With our customary honorary recognitions tended to, President Amy advised that the books authored by our prior speaker were in and available to be picked up. An amazing woman, a phenomenal accomplishment, and a story worth keeping and passing along.

President Amy read us a letter of gratitude from Katie Fox thanking the Club for the help and support we provided.

PP Bowen Depke conducted the raffle and Jon Young had the chance to pluck the Queen of Hearts and take home $1292, but he, evidently, liked the energy the funds generate, so he just slipped out the six of spades and called it a day. The pot for the raffle continues to grow, so show up at the next meeting, buy plenty of tickets and enjoy the comradery of Portland Rotary.

“Service Above Self” is our motto and PP John Curran was busy getting things ready for our International efforts, helping in the Dominican Republic and this year we have a special program going to India to help them build a health clinic.

John Thompson (photo at right) spoke to the group about his recent visit with the young men in the Cedar Unit of the Long Creek Youth Development Center. John told us the joy he got by listening to the stories the kids have to tell and to expound on the satisfaction they get when a bunch of Rotarians take the time to come and bring them snack food (this week it was pizza, chocolate milk, cookies and munchies) and sit in on a few rounds of BINGO. One of the kids told John he's always amazed that these adults come in and never try to judge them…..only sit, talk, listen and play a few games.

John’s story of outreach was followed by Gracie Johnson reminding us that the Maine community of people in need is sizable and if you are free this Wednesday, January 22, between 3:30 – 6:30, please come to the kitchen at Preble Street and help to feed the many needy families that are within our midst and should not be ignored nor ever mistreated as outcasts. These are our neighbors who are struggling just to make it from one day to another, so don’t treat them with scorn when you can treat them to a wholesome hot meal that will satisfy their hunger and your sense accomplishment.

(Photo L-R: PP Kris Rosado, Phil Everett, Rebecca Everett and Mike Fortunato.)
 
A highlight of any Rotary meeting is when we can call forth the spirit, meaning and mission of our founder Paul Harris. The huge success of our Club’s Maine Outdoor Challenge is often associated with the hard work of PP Kris Rosado and Mike Fortunato, who gives the Energizer Bunny shortness of breath trying to keep up. However, they would be among the first to tell you that they had a supporting cast that created miracles. One of those, in the shadows miracle workers was former Portland member Phil Everett, who got his employer at the Oxford Casino to donate generously. In recognition, the Portland Rotary Club bestowed a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Phil while his wife Rebecca looked on by his side. It was another wonderful day of Rotary and all the reason you need to make sure that you show up at the next Rotary meeting.
 
Prospective Rotarians
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, their names will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share about the prospective members will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
 
PROSPECT                
(Sponsor)                   BUSINESS                                                                          
Leslie Clark                 Portland Recovery
(Gracie Johnston)       Community Center
 
Natalie Ladd                Portland Phoenix
(Bowen Depke)

Jennifer Sledge           Woodlands Senior
(Bowen Depke)           Living 

 
Ian Torrey                    Cross Insurance
(Brian McDonough)

 
Mariella Uwimana       Immigrant Welcome Ctr
(Bob Martin)

Thank you.
 
Volunteer Opportunities

Following is a list of our Club's volunteer projects. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com

Project
When
Who to Contact
 

 

Preble Street
Resource Center
Soup Kitchen
4th Wednesday ea month
3:30-6:30 pm
Contact Gracie Johnston
Game Night
Long Creek
Youth Center
3rd Wednesday ea month (note change in DAY)
Mike Fortunato
or Jim Willey
  
This Week's Duty Assignments
Invocation:  Paul Tully
Program Reporter:  Jake Bourdeau
Bits & Pieces Reporter:  Tom Talbott
Photographer:  Marissa Fortier
Registration/Greeter:  Larry Gross
Sell Meal Tickets: Justin Lamontagne
Raffle:  Bruce Jones

Collect Meal Tickets:  Jennifer Frederick
Sgt-at-Arms:  TBD
Rotary Meeting Locations

If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are scheduled at the following locations
through March 2020:

2020 
Jan 24 - The Clarion
       31 - The Clarion

Feb  07 - The Clarion
        14 - The Clarion
       
21 - The Clarion
        28 - The Clarion

Mar  06 - The Clarion
         13 - The Clarion
         
20 - The Clarion
         27 - The Clarion

Blue BOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.

Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
 

Ongoing Item Donations Needed
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.