Tara Jenkins is responsible for the team that defines and implements the key experiences and practices that will attract employees to IDEXX and keep them highly engaged and retained. Her team drives the employee engagement strategy, the strategic talent planning process, the employee value proposition, corporate social responsibility, talent planning & assessment, the IDEXX performance experience, the IDEXX competency framework, innovative talent product development and deployment using business product management methodologies, talent analytics, and employee marketing and communications. 

Prior to joining IDEXX, Tara worked in all areas of the HR discipline with increasing levels of leadership responsibility. After graduating from Cornell University with an Industrial and Labor Relations degree, Tara began her career in a large investment management company, The Capital Group Companies, based in California. Over the past 20 years she has worked in a variety of industries, including head of HR at one of the largest regional law firms in the Northeast US and at a national environmental engineering firm. While at IDEXX over the past five years she has been a Senior HR Business Partner, the leader of Total Rewards and Communications, and the HR leader for the international business, working in the Netherlands.   She received her master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership while working at IDEXX. 
 

On Friday, we had an update on passenger rail in Maine from Patricia Quinn, the executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. She was joined by her colleague Jennifer Crosby, and together they told the story of the rail-based success story that is the Downeaster. 

The Downeaster has steadily become more central as an element of the region’s transportation infrastructure. Ticket revenues have been outpacing cost increases, and this last summer marked the first time that income has exceeded a million dollars for a single month. 75,000 visitors to Maine have arrived here by train in the past year, enjoying the recently refurbished cars.

Trains always require subsidy in order to be feasible, and the Downeaster is currently recovering 52% of its $23 million annual costs in fares. This puts the train among the most economically competitive passenger lines in the Amtrak system, where it also garners some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any route. Most of the operational funds come from the Federal government. 

The Downeaster has been shown to have a positive economic effect on both ends of the line, from Thompson’s Point concerts to the Boston Garden, where the last northbound departure of the day is often pushed back to accommodate a late game, making the train a viable option for Maine-based sports fans. In addition, the line is making efforts to promote travel within the state. A new “Discover Maine Ticket” is available that provides 10 trips between any Maine stations for just nineteen dollars. There are also more people taking advantage of the train in commuting to Portland from southern Maine. 

Our speakers remarked on several innovations that have come online recently, including a new layover facility in Brunswick and siding improvements near Yarmouth. Both of these have opened the door for a better schedule and more runs to service the towns north of Portland. The train is aiming to reach Rockland at some point, but that remains in the future.

Another possibility in the future is a mini-link to Westbrook, featuring light rail cars that could run from “Becky’s Diner to the Kohl’s plaza in Westbrook in 10 minutes”.  Such a spur could feed the Amtrak station at Thompson’s point, while also easing congestion on one of the most crowded corridors in the state. 

At the end of a lively series of questions from the audience, our own Jerry Angier made a pitch for the volunteers who serve as “train hosts,” helping with onboard customer service between Portland and Boston.

(Photo L-R: Linda Varrell, Patricia Quinn, Jennifer Crosby and President John Curran.)

President John Curran opened the meeting and called on Bruce Jones for the invocation, which focused on mastering civility – an especially important topic in our current political climate. After the Pledge of Allegiance, PP Russ Burleigh led us with the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner." President John introduced visiting guests and Rotarians and also made note of the June Rotarian birthdays and anniversaries in the club. (Russ pointed out that it was his 80th birthday – and Bob Traill was heard to call him just a young whipper-snapper.)

President John (photo at right) introduced our newest member: Marissa Fortier. Marissa comes from Saco and is the Deputy Director for the Michael Phelps Foundation. Welcome to the club!

The Raffle was conducted by Patty Erickson and Mike Reed (photo at left) won the chance at the prize by drawing the lucky queen of hearts. Unfortunately for him, Mike drew the 5 of clubs. Good try.

Charlie Frair (Photo at right) then spoke about the Veterans Appreciation Lunch coming up on November 9th at the Holiday Inn By-The-Bay. Replete with slides and handouts, Charlie made clear that the rationale behind the Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon is as follows:

The purpose of the Annual Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon is to honor, appreciate, acknowledge and thank Veterans for the military service to our country.

The excellent handout listed the intentions of the luncheon, the actions needed to fulfill the overall purpose, and the goals of this year’s luncheon as well as the 5-year goals of the luncheon. It’s abundantly clear that Charlie, his committee and all the volunteers have a clear focus and keen understanding of why this project is important to Veterans, our Rotary club, and the community at large. Hats off to all the hard-working Rotarians and volunteers who have made this project so successful!

Bob Clark (photo at left) spoke about the 10th Annual Kids & Claws Dinner to be held Tuesday, October 30th at the Portland Expo. This is a time for everyone to meet the Maine Red Claws and even shoot some hoops. Proceeds benefit the Boy & Girls Club, so contact Bob or go online for more information.

First VP Amy Chipman (photo at right) spoke about the recent invitation by District Governor John LoBosco to attend a Special District Assembly to discuss Foundation, Membership, and International Service Opportunities. It is scheduled for November 3rd at Husson University in Westbrook and the cost is free. All Rotarians are welcome. (see separate article this issue.)

Imogen Fullager (photo at left) was in town on a tour of Maine partially sponsored by her Rotary Club in Tasmania. A Social Economist by training, she has been working lately on issues relating to aquaculture, especially sea urchins. She contends that since Tasmania and Maine have opposite summers and similar marine resources, it might be possible to develop a fishery that could provide a steady year-round supply of a product by taking advantage of the alternate growing seasons in the hemispheres.  Her visit to Maine has taken her from Portland to Augusta to Lubec, and included time hosted by both PP Bowen Depke and Erik Jorgensen.

And last but not least, President John pointed out to the club that Portland Rotary has had 7 members of our club go on to become District Governor. This was just a preamble to his announcement that PP Dick Hall (photo at right) has thrown his hat in the ring to become a District Governor. In order to become a District Governor, the member must be recommended by his or her own club and so after politely asking Dick to step outside, the club voted unanimously to approve Dick’s application. Good luck Dick in becoming the 8th member of Portland Rotary to hold this esteemed position!
 

Sessions start October 27 and will be held at USM. We are hoping to get a few Rotarians to do this training and become recovery coaches.

This training is free and open to anyone who wants to participate and help those dealing with substance use disorder. We encourage Rotarians to please share this opportunity with others you know who might be good candidates.

Invitation from District Governor John LoBosco to join us at a Special District Assembly to discuss Foundation, Membership, and International Service Opportunities and Strategies!

WHO: All Rotarians are welcome! We are hoping, in particular, for a good turnout from Club Foundation, Membership, and International Service chairs. WHEN: Saturday morning, November 3, 2018 from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.

WHERE: Husson University, 340 County Road, Westbrook, Maine.

COST: FREE

REGISTRATION: We need you to register so we know how many to expect. The venue can seat up to 135 people, so we will have a waiting list after we reach that number. Please register ASAP by either going to the District 7780 home page (under Events and Registration) or by going directing to https://rotary7780.org/event/joint-foundation---membership-seminar.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Julia Phelps, former Rotary International Director and current Foundation Trustee will share insights into current happenings in Evanston regarding the Foundation. Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Greg Roche, also will join us to connect with you and explain how he can be a valuable resource for us.

AGENDA:

8:00 - 8:30 Social (coffee and muffins)
8:30 - 9:00 Julia Phelps, "A Week in the Life of a Foundation Trustee"
9:00 - 10:30 Joint Session
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 12:00 Breakouts

The first half of the morning will be a joint session with presentations on the Foundation and Membership. After a break, we will have three concurrent breakouts: Foundation, Membership, and International Service. The International Service breakout will focus on opportunities for Rotarians to travel abroad to engage in hands-on service. On the Foundation side, we will be talking about District Grants, Global Grants, Polio Plus, the Peace Scholars Program, the Annual Fund, and Major Gifts. As for Membership, we’ll be discussing strategies to achieve our Governor’s challenge to increase membership throughout the district by at least 5% this year. We will have plenty of time for questions and dialogue among the participants.

This is a great opportunity to roll-up your sleeves and connect with your colleagues from around our district to learn and share. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information, contact the event chair, Lawrence Furbish at 207-490-6840, lkfurbish@mac.com.
 

Game Night             3rd Tuesday ea month
Long Creek              Mike Fortunato
Youth Center           michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com
                              or Jim Willey
                              jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com