01/13/17 Bits & Pieces

Posted by John Marr

President Laura started right on time and welcomed 59 Rotarians and 6 guests to our meeting, then introduced Tom Nickerson to offer an invocation, who found the perfect piece for the time and atmospheric conditions and offered up a poem, “In the Winter.” Somehow our perfection was thwarted, since the U. S. flag was not in the room, but being ever resourceful, Russ Burleigh, grabbed the tiny flags we have on the podium and we pledged our Allegiance to the Flag(s).

President Laura identified those Rotarians who will celebrate a birthday in January (listed in the January 6th WJ edition) and a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' followed.

We welcomed back into our fold, Christine Force! We've missed you, Christine!

We learned that Ben Delcourt suffered a skiing injury last week, resulting in torn chest muscles that required surgical repair last Thursday. We wish him a speedy and uneventful recovery.

We were also given the sad news that Mary Jean Pearce, wife of the late Duane Pearce (previous member), passed away. Her services are being coordinated by Conroy-Tully Funeral Services. For more details, go to: www.conroytullywalker.com/notices/MaryJean-Pearce.

At a meeting in September 2016, Dick Giles and the 3H group showed us (at left) the solar lights the group wants to take to the Dominican Republic (DR) and give to the indigent workers in the Bateys during their next visit. Over the past four months, Club members have made donations (at a cost of $15 each) and we raised $630, allowing us to purchase at least 42 lights for this project. Way to go!

Every “Rotary Minute” is special, interesting and revealing. This week was further proof. Michel Kanyambo, a new member who came to the Rotary Club of Portland by way of Rwanda, where he grew up, but had to escape in 2010 to seek refuge in the United States. While living in Rwanda, he saw a sign recognizing Rotary International for building a library in his country. This thoughtful gift to his strife-ridden country was inspiring and etched in Michel’s mind. Consequently, when Danielle Conway invited him to join her for lunch at a meeting, it opened his eyes to the other charitable outreach services of Rotary and prompted him to get involved. Michel is looking forward to seeing more members of minority in the club as we move forward.

During 2016 we brought in 20 new members to the Club by introducing them to the good works of Rotary and showing them that we are friendly, inclusive and inviting. In an effort to keep them comfortably involved, we have created a mentoring/buddy program. We are succeeding in part with some of the thoughts written in a note from Past President Tom Saturley ('91-92), who recently rejoined our Club. He indicated the membership had changed over the years....we were extremely friendly and warmly welcomed him back. Along that line, new member Ben Millett has come up with a great idea to have monthly socials at local watering holes and he has volunteered to host the gatherings. This and other ideas were discussed at a special meeting of new members from the Class of 2016.

The weekly raffle was led by Jan Chapman, with an attractive pot of $1,194 up for grabs to one lucky contestant IF they could find the Queen of Hearts in the remaining 23 cards in the deck. Justin Lamontagne's name was drawn by our speaker, but Justin drew the Ace of Diamonds. So the pot continues to grow!

2nd Vice-President John Curran, one of our very active 3H Rotarians, told us about the “Gift of Life” Program at Maine Medical Center, which offers free life-saving surgery to impoverished children from third-world nations. A couple of children from Panama are currently recovering from heart surgeries offered by MMC. Their parents came with them and were in need of proper clothing to make it through the dramatic climate difference they were experiencing. Portland Rotarians came to their rescue and gave them clothing to help them get by. More is needed, so if you can help or need more information, contact John: curraj1@mmc.org.