THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER:  Susanna Liller and Karen D'Silva

weheroines, Helping Women Tell Their Stories 

During 25 years as an organizational development consultant, executive coach, and mediator,Susanna Liller noticed how often women overlooked their own capabilities. In 2007, she adapted Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey to women’s experiences, helping them recognize their strengths.Her 2019 book, You Are a Heroine, explores everyday acts of courage and personal growth. Her coach training course is recognized by the International Coaching Federation for continuing education credits. She also offers workshops, retreats, and speaking engagements. Susanna lives on a small farm in Woolwich with her husband, Robin.

Karen D’Silva led creative teams at major content licensing companies and lectured internationally on creativity, trends, and marketing strategy. She later established her own consulting business. Karen met Susanna while developing a social media strategy for Susanna’s book. Their professional relationship became a friendship, and Susanna introduced Karen to the Heroine’s Journey framework. That experience led Karen to weHeroines, a Bath-based nonprofit helping women tell their stories. As CEO, Karen leads its programs, including the November 7 In Her Words conference in Yarmouth.

Last Friday at USM, First Vice President Jake Bordeau got to pinch hit for President Justin and, unlike the Yankees and Red Sox, this pinch hitter came through in clutch!

A solid group of about 35 was led in The Pledge by Ben Lowry and some stirring inspirational words by Bruce Jones, who ran us through the founding of our Rotary Four Way Test. This 24 word pledge was first used by Chicago businessman Herb Taylor in 1932 to motivate his employees in his cookware factory, and then adopted by Rotary International in 1943 and, in 1954, Herb became the President of Rotary International.

HAPPY DOLLARS: Jake noted that the cans on the tables looked lonely and asked for some happy dollars. Tom Talbott was thankful for reconnecting with high school friends at their 50th reunion, despite losing power and drinking beer in the dark. Joe Gray proudly shared that his son and daughter-in-law ran the Berlin Marathon. Larry Gross thanked a Moosehead Lake neighbor who donned waders to haul out Larry’s dock, sparing him a frigid chore! Ben Lowry tossed in $10, grateful as he and his wife juggle selling their Portland condo, moving to Bridgton, and buying a winter home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ben also looks forward to knee replacement surgery that should get him back on the disc golf course!

UN-CARD: Marla Keefe was on raffle duty and called up Amy Chipman to pull a card, with the Queen of Hearts worth $222. Sadly, Amy pulled the two of clubs. The pot thickens…

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS: Our Foundation chair, Jerry Wall, called to the podium our latest Paul Harris Fellows, reminding the audience that the recognition represents a donation to the Rotary Foundation of $1000. This donation can come personally, or come as a gift from other Rotarians. The Rotary Foundation works both worldwide as well as local, and is one of the high rated and most respected Foundations in the world. On this day Tom Ranello (+3), Bill Milliken (+1) and Paul Tully (+3), who were given a standing ovation for their ongoing contributions to the Foundation. Thank you all! 

ROAD TRIP!  The District Foundation Celebration is coming up on October 17^th at Port City Air in Portsmouth. As of this newsletter, Tom Talbott pointed out that we’re over 150 registered attendees, including 16 members of our Portland club. Also noted was that the event started off with the first District-wide Foundation Grant of $4000 which has now grown to over $30,000! That included a $1000 donation from Portland, thank you!  At this rate we are closing in on purchasing 5 Companion Dogs for veterans who have been diagnosed with service-related stress issues. It cannot be overstated what a life-changing moment this is, well documented.  FOR MORE DETAILS and TICKETS - Click our Eventbrite Link.  Only $20, and under 18 no charge. Bring a young person, they'll always remember the day!  

CHOP CHOP: The Preble Street Kitchen is looking for volunteers. 

Step One -  REGISTRATION

Step Two -  Orientation Video  (Click Photo) (Only 6 mins) 

THE CURTAIN GOES UP:  Roger Berube shared an invitation from the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club to attend a fundraiser at The Lyric Theater in South Portland on November 7th. The production of “You Can’t Take it With You” is $25 per ticket and there will be a get together prior to the show at Evie’s Tavern on Sawyer Road.

LOBSTER’S ROLLING:  A quick update on our ongoing Lobster Raffle was given by Larry Gross, who reported that all of the upcoming volunteer slots have been filled and our efforts thus far have been excellent! Any time slots that were originally scheduled to start at 8 AM should start at 9 AM, as traffic doesn't really get rolling until that time. To see the dates and who you can work with, just CLICK HERE.

WORLD POLIO DAY: Acting President Jake reminded the group that our monthly social meeting will take place on October 22nd, with our annual “Walk for Polio”. Our group, hopefully sporting our red polio tees, will meet at The Armillary (at the entrance to The Maine State Pier) at 5:30 sharp, then march down Commercial Street and back to Brickyard Hollow at 9 Commercial where a social hour will occur, beginning at 6:00. Join us for any portion of the event. For the record, World Polio Day is Sat the 24^th, and Rotary clubs around the world are having events of all sizes. We’re so close to..let’s End Polio Now! 

LISTEN TO THE BAND!  The Westbrook Community Band, a group that includes Jerry Wall, will be performing at The Westbrook Community Theater at the middle school on Stroudwater St. at 7:00 on Tuesday. All are welcome to this entertaining event!

LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: Deidre Nice, The Hill Arts and Church Transformation | By Tom Nickerson

Deirdre Nice, the Executive and Artistic Director spoke with us today about The Hill Arts and the planned transformation of the former Congregational St. Lawrence Church into a vibrant community artistic space. The story began in 1993 when founder Deirdre Nice purchased the vacant St. Lawrence Church on Portland's Munjoy Hill to rescue the 1897 building from destruction. Nice spearheaded, with the help of fellow Rotarian Bill Milliken, the establishment of a nonprofit organization that successfully renovated the historic parish hall into a functional 110-seat performance space, which opened in 2001. Following the 2008 demolition of the adjacent main church sanctuary due to severe structural deterioration, Nice championed a decades-long restoration effort to raise the funding necessary to build a state-of-the-art 400-seat theater complex on the empty footprint. Under her continued leadership, the organization rebranded to The Hill Arts in 2023.

Nice reported that the organization’s capital campaign has raised over $11 million toward their goal of $21 million. Since the planning approvals are close to expiring, the group is amending their plans to fit the funds raised so that they can begin construction. Nice explained that the Hill Arts does not perform its own shows, they will constantly seek to host local and national groups. By creating a 400-seat stage, they fill the need in the area for groups that need the smaller venue. According to Nice, 400 seats are the break-even/profit point for most performances. The Hill Arts story is one of courage, vision, tenacity, and perseverance. We are all looking forward to attending the performances in the future. For more details, visit The Hill Arts.

Does my club or my district have to provide most or all of the funds required for a District grant? No, contributions can be shared among clubs and/or districts. Individual districts may use their annual DDF. The amount of DDF is linked to prior club contributions to the Annual Fund. Smaller-scale, short-term grants can be local or international and could be directly funded through a private club foundation without district involvement.