Christmas came early for 15 men in the Dominican Republic. This week’s program features Dean Rock and John Curran, who will talk about “3-D Printed Prosthetic Hands: A Look Into How These Devices are Made and the Impact for Patients."
Portland Rotary’s John Curran knew what he wanted – more realistic prosthetics for people in the Dominican Republic who were missing a hand or arm – but he needed someone with the knowhow and technology to make the vision a reality. That someone, Dean Rock, who is retired and lives in Cumberland, owns a 3-D printer and is part of a global group of volunteers (e-NABLE) who literally “print prosthetics.”
e-NABLE describes itself as a global network of “passionate volunteers” who are using 3-D printing to “Give The World A Helping Hand.”
There were challenges along the way, such as getting accurate measurements and making designs specific to the user’s purpose, which John and Dean can describe more fully this Friday.
Dean accompanied the Rotary team that went to the Dominican Republic in October and fitted 15 men with their new prosthetics. He said in a 'Forecaster' article this past August, “What I’m really looking forward to with this trip is the look on one man’s face of the difference this will make in his life. That will be my reward.”
Sounds simple. Looks easy. But, wait, as we will learn this Friday, there’s more to the story.
President Laura Young began by briefly explaining all the major line items in the Club Operating budget....pointing out that the Operating Budget is how we run Portland Rotary. She then went on to talk about the Charitable budget, again with a discussion on the sources and uses of funds. The Charitable budget has now been expanded to include an Endowment Fund.
The Maine Outdoor Challenge is our largest fundraiser for the Charitable budget. Expenditures from this budget include International service in the Dominican Republic, youth services (primarily directed to education/literacy), and community services (primarily directed to feeding hunger programs).
Laura informed us of a proposed bylaw change and an email being sent to all with the details. The change to the bylaws will address the termination of the Service and Memorial Fund and the creation of the Endowment Fund. In the same email will be a copy of the endowment investment policy.
CHE Reading: Focus is on 3rd grade reading scores. Danielle Conway, Dean of School of Law, wanted law students to join with Rotarians for a reading program in the schools. We have a new partnership with Lyseth Elementary School where we will read monthly to grades K-3, along with law students. In addition to reading to the children, we will give each child a copy of that book to take home each month. There is a need for Spanish-speaking Rotarians to work with the Spanish-speaking law students, as there are three Spanish immersion classrooms. Please contact Lili Brown at lilinbrown@gmail.com if you want to read. There are 8 slots left. The Club needs to raise $5,000 to pay for the books for the year. Laura and Kris Rosado are looking for volunteers to help approach others for this worthy ask.
The literacy PSA was shown to the club, to demonstrate good reading techniques, which is circulating on social media. Rotarians are asked to share it or link to it at: https://vimeo.com/180732144.
Portland Rotary Endowment Fund: Past President Kris Rosado presented the new "fund's" objective. The goal is to raise money for long-term planning. The club wants to create a pot of money to fund $30-40,000 per year. To do this we will need $1 million. Several people have already pledged, including the entire Board of Directors. With this being the end of the year, please consider a commitment to this 501(c)3 tax deductible charitable endowment fund. Kris explained how funds can be accepted in a number of ways. Feel free to contact him or Laura if you want to discuss non-cash giving.
Rotary Foundation: Presented by Amy Chipman. November was Rotary Foundation month. Sustaining members will get a reminder letter in the next two weeks to make year-end donations. The Rotary Foundation, as part of its 100th anniversary, is also trying to expand its funding. The District has set a goal of 100 new commitments of $10,000 by the International Convention in May. Several in Portland Rotary have made the commitment.
George Crockett talked about how Portland Rotary is really exciting right now...with a new energy in our club. It is a great place to meet, especially as we move around to different locations for our meetings. George gave a Paul Harris Fellow to Eric Greven, our Community Service Chair, for all the work he has done in organizing the volunteers to help feed the homeless at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen each month.
Rob Chatfield said that he appreciates Bill Blount’s choice of songs, including “I love to Sin.” Rob reminded us that the friend raiser "Holiday Beverage Bazaar," will be held on Dec 14, 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Maine Craft Distilling...and he encourages you to invite a friend. This is an easy and fun fundraiser. You may register online at: portlandrotary.org
Recap of the Veterans' Appreciation Lunch: A thank-you note was read from John Houghton’s brother. Paul Tully reported that this was a successful and outstanding event. 300 seats were reserved, and 260 were filled. We received many letters of appreciation. We have a net profit of $2,200-$2,500 in funds to distribute - 25% will go to the Maine Vet portal and 75% to SMAAA for the Vet-to-Vet program. The committee is already planning for next year, so if you are interested in participating on the committee, contact Paul (ptully@maine.rr.com) or Charlie Frair (cfrair47@yahool.com).
Laura played two podcasts featured at MPBN, Voices of Giving:
Did everyone see Jan Chapman's incredible photo she took of the young girl in La Romana (shown here) that was featured on page 20 of the December 2016 Rotarian magazine?
The Club Assembly concluded with Leisa Collins explaining our mentoring program with new members within our club and then having a new member at each table conduct a "getting to know you" Q&A for their table. Very informative!
President Laura welcomed 48 members and 5 guests. Russ Burleigh gave a moving invocation by quoting a passage from “All the Gallant Men,” a book written by Donald Stratton in honor of those who served on December 7, 1941 – nearly 75 years ago:
The whistling of another bomb, and we braced for impact, but it hit the neighboring ship, Vestal, instead. It seemed to catch much of the fury that had been aimed at the Arizona. The repair ship was in flames, and its crew was furiously trying to extinguish them. As it burned, a bomb went through our aft, near the propeller, but it didn’t explode. Another stroke of fortune, but I knew our luck was running out.
Yet another bomb came whistling down, and we felt a hard smack against the aft. The weapon penetrated the deck, exploding in a meat locker. We were sitting ducks....not just the Arizona, but every ship in the harbor.
Not many survivors remain of that “day of infamy,” but we have one right here in Portland Rotary – our own hero and Pearl Harbor survivor, Earle Leavitt. (Photo: Earle Leavitt and Jim Willey.)
Russ pulled triple duty by doing the invocation, taking the picture of Earle, and then leading us in “God Bless America.”
President Laura introduced visiting guests and Rotarians and thanked all those assisting in any way with the meeting, as well as those volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving dinner event and those who signed up in record time for our annual bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
George Crockett announced a warm-clothing collection drive at St. Dominic’s Church at the corner of Sherman and Mellen Streets, Portland on December 17th. They will be accepting donations for warm items for all ages from 9 am-12pm on Friday the 16th. If anyone has a small/light contribution of articles, call George at 781-5299. He may need help in getting it there.
A card was available for signing, which expressed our good wishes and hope for a speedy recovery to Steve Stromsky who had heart surgery.
Rusty Atwood gave us a 'Rotary Moment,' explaining that he likes the great food, fun, and fellowship of Rotary so much that he’s joined the club 3 different times! Rusty explained that for one reason or another he’s had to end his time with Rotary, but keeps coming back – having been sponsored at various times by Don Lowry, Dave Putnam and Paul Gore. Rusty went on to explain that as a child he received a small scholarship to take music lessons with the New England Music Camp and that experience stuck with him. He reminded us that no gift is too small – a good message to hear during this holiday season.
The weekly raffle was conducted by Janet Butland, with Mike Fortunato graciously picking the wrong card – thus letting the pot of $1,010 grow for the next hopeful contestant.
We sang Happy Birthday to our December-Birthday Rotarians and then Bill Blount led us in music with our old standby “Rotary My Rotary,” sung to the tune of “O Tannenbaum.”
One of the many trips the International Service Committee's 3-H (Hearing, Hands and H2O) Project Team will be making to the Dominican Republic (DR) will be in early 2017.
The Batays in the Dominican Republic are located some 15-20 miles outside of the city, where night darkness is intense. Access to electricity is very limited and without light, the safety of the inhabitants is an issue. The 3-H team would like to take 70-100 collapsible portable lights with them on their upcoming trip and are looking for volunteer donations of $15 per light to help fund this important project.
(Photo: Dick Giles demonstrating a portable solar light.)
For further information or if you would like to help, please contact Elise Hodgkin atportlandrotary@maine.rr.comor 899-6342. You may bring your cash/check to a meeting or mail your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104. Please make your check payable to Portland Rotary Charitable Account. Make a memo note on the check: for DR solar lights.
Invocation: Kathy Grammer Program Reporter: Bob Martin Bits & Pieces Reporter: Julie L'Heureux Registration/Greeter: Chris Thomas Sell Meal Tickets: Katie Brown Raffle: Jean Murachanian Badge Box: Patty Erickson Collect Meal Tickets: Jake Bourdeau* Song Leader: Bill Blount Pianist: Russ Burleigh Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Mac Collins Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Charlie Frair
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 Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor)
Ben Millick Clark Insurance (Justin Lamontagne)
Michel Kanyambo Catholic Charities (Danielle Conway) of Maine
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
Soup kitchen 4th Wednesday ea month
Preble Street (4-6:30 p.m.) Oct 26th
Erik Greven
Bell Ringing Dec. 5 - 22
Salvation Army weekdays at noon
Erik Greven
Game Night Last Tuesday ea month
Cedar Unit Mike Fortunato or
Christmas came early for 15 men in the Dominican Republic. This week’s program features Dean Rock and John Curran, who will talk about “3-D Printed Prosthetic Hands: A Look Into How These Devices are Made and the Impact for Patients.".JPG)
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Portland Rotary Endowment Fund: Past President Kris Rosado presented the new "fund's" objective. The goal is to raise money for long-term planning. The club wants to create a pot of money to fund $30-40,000 per year. To do this we will need $1 million. Several people have already pledged, including the entire Board of Directors. With this being the end of the year, please consider a commitment to this 501(c)3 tax deductible charitable endowment fund. Kris explained how funds can be accepted in a number of ways. Feel free to contact him or Laura if you want to discuss non-cash giving..JPG)
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Recap of the Veterans' Appreciation Lunch: A thank-you note was read from John Houghton’s brother. Paul Tully reported that this was a successful and outstanding event. 300 seats were reserved, and 260 were filled. We received many letters of appreciation. We have a net profit of $2,200-$2,500 in funds to distribute - 25% will go to the Maine Vet portal and 75% to SMAAA for the Vet-to-Vet program. The committee is already planning for next year, so if you are interested in participating on the committee, contact Paul (
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Rusty Atwood gave us a 'Rotary Moment,' explaining that he likes the great food, fun, and fellowship of Rotary so much that he’s joined the club 3 different times! Rusty explained that for one reason or another he’s had to end his time with Rotary, but keeps coming back – having been sponsored at various times by Don Lowry, Dave Putnam and Paul Gore. Rusty went on to explain that as a child he received a small scholarship to take music lessons with the New England Music Camp and that experience stuck with him. He reminded us that no gift is too small – a good message to hear during this holiday season..JPG)
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