07/17/15 Inaugural Address - President Bowen Depke
Posted by Julie L'Heureux
on Jul 22, 2015
President Bowen Depke welcomed everyone to the 100th year of the Rotary Club of Portland. He presented a Rotary “State of the Union” report, using a series of slides to describe how the Centennial year will unfold.(Photo: President Bowen Depke)
Among the President’s goals is to grow the club membership to 150 members. He described many opportunities for Rotarians to work on several projects and club activities. Be sure to check the club website at portlandrotary.org and the club’s Facebook page for updates at facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Portland-Maine-USA.
A membership challenge has been raised with the Rotary Club of Portsmouth, NH, the largest club in District 7780. One of the best ways to recruit members is to ask people to attend a club service project. Also, wear a Rotary pin every day! In fact, President Bowen said if anyone finds him without wearing his Rotary pin, but the discoverer happens to be wearing theirs, then he’ll give a $100 donation to the Portland Rotary.
Centennial Sub-Committee Chairs for 2015-16 are:
Centennial Committee – Kathy Grammar
Gala Committee- Mike Fortunato and Christine Force
History Committee- Jim Willey
A composite of the Rotary membership satisfaction survey was discussed. A report of 78 Portland Rotarians who responded to the District 7780 survey showed how our club compared favorably with other club members that responded to the survey questions.
Portland Rotary exceeded district responses for overall club satisfaction, club welcoming of all non-members and for caring about its members.
Especially high responses on the questions “I feel welcome in my club” (88% agree, 9.33% somewhat agree, 0.0% disagree) and “I am proud of my Rotary Club (84% agree, 12% somewhat agree, 0.0% disagree). One question received attention about how our club membership does not reflect the demographics of the Greater Portland community (30% agree, 28.75% somewhat agree, 17.5% neither agree nor disagree, 13.75% somewhat disagree, 10% disagree).
In preparing for the spirit of the Centennial, President Bowen distributed tent cards on the lunch tables that explained the Roaring 20’s slang. He encouraged us to use some of the slang over the next year, just to feel what it might have been like when our club first started.
Some changes in club operations are planned. On-line payments are now in place on the website. Holiday Inn By-the-Bay has blocked out our meeting day 18 times this coming year; therefore, the club meeting locations will change and may not always be on Fridays. In fact, the Jewell Island cruise was an example of how we can meet on days other than on Friday.
Our Gala celebration will be a time to enjoy a period costume party in the theme of 'The Great Gatsby.' WCSH6 News Anchor Lee Nelson agreed to host as the Master of Ceremonies. Senator Angus King will be the keynote speaker. The band will be 'The Carbines,' a swing dance band. Ticket costs are $100 per person or $2,500 for a Table Sponsor. Recruiting event sponsors are ongoing, see Christine Force for information. Money raised by the Gala will be contributed to the Charitable Fund projects, especially Childhood Hunger and Education (CHE).
Save the date Saturday, September 12th at Holiday Inn By-the-Bay and spread the Gala news!
Among the President’s goals is to grow the club membership to 150 members. He described many opportunities for Rotarians to work on several projects and club activities. Be sure to check the club website at portlandrotary.org and the club’s Facebook page for updates at facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Portland-Maine-USA.
A membership challenge has been raised with the Rotary Club of Portsmouth, NH, the largest club in District 7780. One of the best ways to recruit members is to ask people to attend a club service project. Also, wear a Rotary pin every day! In fact, President Bowen said if anyone finds him without wearing his Rotary pin, but the discoverer happens to be wearing theirs, then he’ll give a $100 donation to the Portland Rotary.
Centennial Sub-Committee Chairs for 2015-16 are:
Centennial Committee – Kathy Grammar
Gala Committee- Mike Fortunato and Christine Force
History Committee- Jim Willey
A composite of the Rotary membership satisfaction survey was discussed. A report of 78 Portland Rotarians who responded to the District 7780 survey showed how our club compared favorably with other club members that responded to the survey questions.
Portland Rotary exceeded district responses for overall club satisfaction, club welcoming of all non-members and for caring about its members.
Especially high responses on the questions “I feel welcome in my club” (88% agree, 9.33% somewhat agree, 0.0% disagree) and “I am proud of my Rotary Club (84% agree, 12% somewhat agree, 0.0% disagree). One question received attention about how our club membership does not reflect the demographics of the Greater Portland community (30% agree, 28.75% somewhat agree, 17.5% neither agree nor disagree, 13.75% somewhat disagree, 10% disagree).
In preparing for the spirit of the Centennial, President Bowen distributed tent cards on the lunch tables that explained the Roaring 20’s slang. He encouraged us to use some of the slang over the next year, just to feel what it might have been like when our club first started.
Some changes in club operations are planned. On-line payments are now in place on the website. Holiday Inn By-the-Bay has blocked out our meeting day 18 times this coming year; therefore, the club meeting locations will change and may not always be on Fridays. In fact, the Jewell Island cruise was an example of how we can meet on days other than on Friday.
Our Gala celebration will be a time to enjoy a period costume party in the theme of 'The Great Gatsby.' WCSH6 News Anchor Lee Nelson agreed to host as the Master of Ceremonies. Senator Angus King will be the keynote speaker. The band will be 'The Carbines,' a swing dance band. Ticket costs are $100 per person or $2,500 for a Table Sponsor. Recruiting event sponsors are ongoing, see Christine Force for information. Money raised by the Gala will be contributed to the Charitable Fund projects, especially Childhood Hunger and Education (CHE).
Save the date Saturday, September 12th at Holiday Inn By-the-Bay and spread the Gala news!