The Club has been very busy with numerous projects, events and strategic planning. The strength of Portland Rotary has always been, and will always be, its engaged membership. This Friday, we will hear updates on what we have accomplished and what is planned moving forward.
The club completed it’s initial Visioning 5 years ago. We started Re-Visioning earlier this Rotary year and with the input of over 20 members, laid the foundation for our next Vision. This Friday will be the opportunity for all members to have their input and opine on the existing foundational work. Please be sure to come and help lay the groundwork for our next 100 years.
This is a great opportunity to invite guests. They will receive an overview of our activities locally and internationally.....across a variety of avenues of service.
There couldn’t be a better advertisement for joining our club!!
Our speaker on Friday was Phil Coupe, who is the managing partner and co-founder of ReVision Energy. ReVision is the largest solar energy company in northern New England and a B Corporation. Since 2003, the company has installed more than 5,000 solar energy systems in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts as part of its long-term mission to transition our region from a fossil fuel-based economy to a sustainable renewable energy-based economy. To support its core renewable energy-related mission, ReVision obtained a B Corporation Certification because they believe that the company should be utilized as a powerful force for positive social change.
Phil shared with us information on the solar industry in Maine. Of interest:
Maine has the highest per capita carbon footprint in New England, heated by oil at an average cost of about $800 per year and generating approximately 18,400 lbs of carbon dioxide per year.
Maine is the only state in New England without solar incentives.
Maine has strong solar resource with the same intensity as the French Mediterranean or Houston Texas, and it is only 10% lower than Jacksonville, FL.
The new Casco Ice Bay Arena in Falmouth is largely powered by solar power.
Windham’s Fire Department provides 75% of their power needs with solar power.
Falmouth has one of the first office buildings in Maine to be net energy positive, meaning the extra energy generated by the building components are sold back to the power grid.
Residential solar panel installation in Maine currently has a monetary payback of about 9 years, but the panels have a 25-year warranty and a useful life of 30-40 years of production.
Around the world, many solar and renewable energy projects are leaping forward due to more cost effective and more efficient solar panels. For instance, Denmark and Germany are more north in latitude than Maine, and on certain days when wind and sunshine are optimal, their industrial wind and solar power resources can provide 100% of their daily power needs. In Norway, the first all-electric commercial fishing boat was launched. Elsewhere, a solar powered vessel is making way around the world, and a solar powered airplane with ultra-efficient motors can also complete an around the world trip.
Phil also discussed micro-grids, and how micro-grids are quickly becoming an economical solution for use in small communities where peak or backup power can shave or reduce the need for more costly investments in peak demand, electrical transmission, or fossil fuel powered backup generator requirements. Phil noted that Boothbay Harbor is also partially powered with a micro-grid to provide backup power to the peninsula if the primary power is interrupted. He noted that General Motors is also using solar powered micro-grids and the energy is stored in recycled Chevy Volt batteries. Along those lines, ReVision has a policy to provide test drives of their electric fleet cars, so consider stopping by their office to try one.
President Bowen welcomed 57 members, 4 visiting Rotarians and 4 guests to the meeting last Friday. Kathy Grammer gave an inspiring invocation by evoking a recipe for the New Year filled with measurements of faith, courage, hope and love. Russ Burleigh led us in a rousing “God Bless America.”
Jan Chapman provided us with an interesting account of our Rotary history, focusing on the years 1947-49. She described these as years of prosperity after the war, with huge sales of cars, televisions and other consumer goods. But it was also a time of the Cold War, with fear of communism and the infamous Hollywood Black list the talk of the nation. McCarthy would be chastised by Senator Margaret Chase Smith in 1950. On a lighter note, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers; Columbia Records introduced a new 33 1/3 rpm vinyl record format; George Orwell wrote “1984” and gas cost 17 cents per gallon. In Rotary at that time, the club was led by President William Linnell who organized Maine Rotary Clubs to fill up a ship with 110 tons of food, clothing and supplies. The ship, called the St. Patrick, was built by Bath Iron Works and sent to Normandy as a good will gesture.
The staff at the Holiday Inn were acknowledged and thanked for all the hard work and dedication they put into making sure our food is hot and waiting, and our meeting room is set up and ready to go.
(Photo: Ian Sprague (HIBTB), Prez Bowen and Bob Fetter (HIBTB)
Kris Rosado spoke about the 2016 Maine Outdoor Challenge which will occur on June 6-8, 2016. The first meeting of the committee will be on January 25th from 12 noon to 1:15 at the Boys & Girls Club in Portland. This is the 5th anniversary of our major fundraiser and volunteers are needed. Please attend and help out in any way you can.
The weekly raffle ($932) was conducted by Katie Brown with Paul T. Gore given the honor of trying to find the Queen of Hearts – but drew the 3 of spades.
Ellen Niewoehner asked us to save the date of February 26th for our Rotary Auction, where members can both “re-gift” items received or donate items directly. This is a fun event that benefits the Operating Account of the Club.
Past District Governor 2014-2015 Lawrence Furbish presented a banner to the PP Kris Rosado as last year's Club President for the club in recognition as being one in 1100 clubs worldwide to reach an average of +$100 per person (EREY: Every Rotarian Every Year) towards the Foundation giving. The club also received a certificate for the club’s extensive contributions to end polio and our support of a Rotary Peace Fellowship.
(Photo: IPP Kris Rosado and PDG Lawrence Furbish)
PDG Marty Helman expressed the importance of having International Service projects and being connected with third-world countries to support them with projects helping their needs. This was a perfect segway to introduce a visiting Rotarian, Jason Blanchard.
Jason Blanchard, originally from Maine, is theChief Executive Officer of the
Malamulo Hospital and Clinic is now working in health care in Limbe, Africa hoping to form a partnership with our club and perhaps have our International Service Committee consider a project in Africa. He shared information about the Rotary Club of Limbe and exchanged banners with us.
(Photo: Int'l Service Committee Chair, John Curran, and Jason Blanchard, RC Limbe, Africa)
President Bowen noted that Portland Rotary has increased membership by 10 members – unfortunately our friendly rival club in Portsmouth has increased by 12. Give the gift of Rotary to someone – invite them to a meeting!
PROPEL began in 2006 and now, guided by its Board, is an independently managed affiliate of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Located at 443 Congress Street, Portland, PROPEL fosters the interests and careers of young professionals in Southern Maine. The young professionals of PROPEL engage in professional development, build relationships, and make connections in Greater Portland. Through networking events, they bring together people who care about the local business community and the future of Southern Maine.
PROPEL'S "In Focus Spotlight" series are after-hours networking events co-hosted with a nonprofit organization to promote collaboration, community engagement, and new opportunities for PROPEL members. They believe that community involvement is a critical component in members' development as future leaders, and these events help connect great local organizations with talented future volunteers.
Join the first "In Focus Spotlight" event of 2016 featuring The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine, hosted at Rising Tide Brewing Company! Network with PROPEL members, learn about opportunities to get involved with The Portland Rotary Club and enjoy snacks provided by PROPEL! And of course, Rising Tide will be serving up their yummy beer!
WHEN: Thursday, January 28th, 2015 | 5:30PM – 8:00PM
WHERE: Rising Tide Tasting Room | 103 Fox Street, Portland
Admission is free, but a suggested $5 donation is requested to be made at the door in support of The Portland Rotary Club and PROPEL will then match up to $700 of your donations, wow!
At our Dec. 18th meeting, George Crockett displayed a solar-powered light that the International Service Committee, by way of the 3-H Project in the Dominican Republic, wants to transport to that area to provide the people with much-needed sources of light. The lights cost $15 each and George was looking for supporters to donate the cost of one light. Many, many hands went up (you know who you are) and names were written down for those wishing to help.
If you have not submitted your payment, you have three options:
1. Please send your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104-1755 and put in the memo line: 3-H Solar-powered light for DR.
2. Give your check or cash to Elise at a Friday Rotary meeting telling her what it is for.
3. By credit card: we have a "Donate Now" button on our club website home page (upper right). You may pay for your support by credit card by clicking this button. After completing your information, near the bottom, be sure to click on the "drop down" menu option: CLUB DONATION and put in the comments box: 3-H Solar-powered light for DR.
For more information about how you can join in on the support effort, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
Invocation:Russ Burleigh Program Reporter: Dick Hall Bits & Pieces Reporter: Julie L'Heureux Registration/Greeter: Lili Brown Sell Meal Tickets: Emily McEntee Raffle: Maxwell Chikuta Badge Box: David Lee Collect Meal Tickets: Megan Devlin Rotary Moment in History: Bill Blount 1950-52 Song Leader: Music Committee Pianist: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Charlie Frair Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Matt Tassey (pack materials for on-road location 1/29)
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact the Club Secretary (Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com). Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS SPONSOR(S)
Courtney Bell HCA Healthcare/ Kathy Grammer
Parallon Supply
Chain
Jan Chapman provided us with an interesting account of our Rotary history, focusing on the years 1947-49. She described these as years of prosperity after the war, with huge sales of cars, televisions and other consumer goods. But it was also a time of the Cold War, with fear of communism and the infamous Hollywood Black list the talk of the nation. McCarthy would be chastised by Senator Margaret Chase Smith in 1950. On a lighter note, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers; Columbia Records introduced a new 33 1/3 rpm vinyl record format; George Orwell wrote “1984” and gas cost 17 cents per gallon. In Rotary at that time, the club was led by President William Linnell who organized Maine Rotary Clubs to fill up a ship with 110 tons of food, clothing and supplies. The ship, called the St. Patrick, was built by Bath Iron Works and sent to Normandy as a good will gesture.
The staff at the Holiday Inn were acknowledged and thanked for all the hard work and dedication they put into making sure our food is hot and waiting, and our meeting room is set up and ready to go.
