How is artificial intelligence affecting your life, your business and even your hobbies?Portland Rotarian David Patterson will help us take a practical look at AI—what it is and some of the ways we can use it in both our personal and professional lives.
David stepped in as our guest speaker on short notice. Fortunately, he had just prepared this presentation for the club and was originally scheduled to speak in October. Maybe he knew something we didn’t!
David lives in Portland and is Vice President of Business Development at Wastebits, a software and sustainability consulting company. Previously, he worked in sales and account management for MSC Industrial Supply Co., including managing government accounts throughout Maine.
David earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Kent State University and spent a year studying in Bordeaux, France. In 2025, he completed a master’s degree in Data Modeling, Warehousing and Database Administration at Northeastern University.
BITS AND PIECES | by Tom Talbott
Preble Street Kitchen Volunteers! In a new way, we're asking Portland Rotarians to volunteer at the Preble Street “Food Security Hub Kitchen”, 75 Darling Avenue, South Portland. The “new way” means you pick the days and times that fit your schedule. Our goal is to provide 100 hours of volunteer service between now and the end of October, which is very doable! Basically, we're prepping food and produce, which correlates directly with our Foundation District Grant supporting Farms For Food Equity.
Shifts run Mon-Fri 7am-1030am, or 12:30pm-3:30pm. Sat/Sun 11:30am-2:30pm
To volunteer, you need to register. We’re encouraging you, as well as family members and friends to take that step, using this link: REGISTRATION
You can watch this 6 minute Orientation Video posted below or you can sign up for a 1-hour tour of the facility/Orientation. You must do one or the other, there are important food and kitchen and safety rules to know and follow.
After steps 1&2, you can sign up online on the Preble Street website for a shift that fits your schedule. Team up with other Rotarians, combine with family – you manage your time!
Click video to watch the Orientation - a new Windjammer feature!
YOU TOOK ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME! Portland Rotarians, family and friends cheered on the Sea Dogs last Wed night, boosting the team to a 6-4 win!
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: Check out Sam Chipman’s short film, “Money Haul” tonight (Wed 8/26) at Oxbow Brewing, 49 Washington Avenue, 7:00 pm. $15 for three shorts! Click for a “Behind The Scenes” preview.
BACKPACKS: Amy Chipman is leading our Boys&Girls Back-to-School project, taking place on Thurs, Sept 10th, 4pm. We'll be assembling backpacks and school supplies. More info coming in upcoming weeks.
What are the Seven Areas of Focus that our Foundation addresses? Second is Fighting Disease which focusses on educating and equipping communities in developing countries to decrease life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria by creating expanded access to low-cost or free health care.
Speaker Schedule
Sept 4 - Labor Day, No Meeting
Sept 11- Michele Bois-Gilbody, Rotary District Governor
Sept 17 - Club Social
Sept 18 - No Meeting
Sept 25- Charlie Frair - Yorktown, The Trap That Won A Nation
Oct 2 - TBD
Oct 9 - Deirdre Nice, The Hill Arts (formerly St.Lawrence Church- Munjoy Hill
Oct 16- Susanna Liller & Karen DSilva, weHeroines
Oct 22- Club Social
Oct 23- No Meeting
Oct 30 - Tony Zell, Publisher/Editor, West End News
Club Executives President Justin Lamontagne President Elect Jake Bourdeau Vice President Bill Milliken Treasurer Ian Nagle Secretary Niki Merrill Board of Directors Bruce Moore, Laura Young, Mary Pat Donnelon, David Patterson Sergeant-At-Arms Zach Newell
The Windjammer is published online by The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine. Contributing Editors
How is artificial intelligence affecting your life, your business and even your hobbies?Portland Rotarian David Patterson will help us take a practical look at AI—what it is and some of the ways we can use it in both our personal and professional lives.
