THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER: Our District Governor,     Michele Bois-Gilbody

This Friday we welcome our District Governor! Michele joined the Rotary Club of Freeport in 2009 and has served as President twice, i2013–14, 2021–22. Over the years, she has served as Treasurer, Fundraising Co-Chair, Environmental Ambassador, to name a few positions! 

At the district level, Michele has served in numerous leadership roles. She joined the District 7780 Visioning Committee in 2015 and the Indigenous Peoples Committee in 2021, helping build relationships and understanding with Indigenous communities. She served as Director of People, Networking and Succession Planning from 2016–19 and served as a District Trainer. Michele has also been a Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar discussion leader and Rotary Leadership Institute faculty member.

Internationally, Michele served as a Board Member/Treasurer of the Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group. She traveled to Guatemala with an independent team evaluating early-childhood education programs.

Michele holds a master’s degree in Educational Instruction and Leadership Development. Notably, she was the founding director and Principal of Cricket Hunt School, the private independent elementary school she created in Freeport. After selling the school, she began working with Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate, a “very sweet gig", first in Fundraising/Corporate Sales and then Wholesale Account Coordinator, retiring just this summer. 

Michele is a Reiki Master, practitioner and developing herbalist. She and her husband, David, have been married 37 years, have two grown daughters and six grandchildren, and live in Freeport.

Our lobster raffle is underway—one of the club’s most important fundraisers. Ticket sales support our local projects and “Lift All Boats,” helping high school students explore careers on the water.

Captain Bill Milliken sent the IMPORTANT sign-up sheet: CLICK HERE.  (Thank you Larry!)

Larry Gross and Charlie Frair covered the first cruise ship on September 8. The next ships arrive this Sunday and Monday, 9/12-9/13.  Click to see the 19 dates we must fill, ideally with three people per shift.

We sell on Commercial Street, across from Brickyard Hollow Brewery at 9 Commercial Street, during cruise-ship arrivals. Each shift needs one person familiar with setup, plus one or two others. Two can do it; three is better—one can register buyers while the others keep selling.

It’s a hoot meeting visitors from around the country—and seeing how many already know and support Rotary. Lobsters Roll!

The Foundation Event, Oct 17th, is going to be special. The first-ever District-Wide Grant will be used to pair Veterans who have been diagnosed with service related issues with companion dogs. There's much more, in a short, high-energy event that will open your Rotary eyes! Our Foundation Chair Jerry Wall, is offering the idea of a car-pool down to Portsmouth, and stopping for lunch. The Foundation has touched our club and many of our members in many ways, and in turn we've been strong contributors. 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!

Oh, and we'll have our 250 American flags there-  let's show them how to hold them!  

THE PREBLE ST. CHALLENGE: 100 Volunteer Hours To put our Farms For Food Equity /  Rotary District Grant into action, Portland Rotarians will be volunteering at the Preble Street Food Security Hub Kitchen, 75 Darling Avenue, South Portland. 

• Step One -  REGISTRATION                             • Step Two - Watch the Kitchen Safety/ Orientation Video                                                 • Step Three - Sign up online for a slot. Here's where it gets fun!  Team up with some other Rotarians on a date and time that fits your schedule. Choose a date and time and ask others to join you. Include your family. (Remember, every volunteer must register!)

• Shifts run Monday–Friday, 7:00–10:30 a.m. or 12:30–3:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Volunteering can start as soon as you are ready!  

SOCIAL OBSERVATORY:  Next week, our Club Social will be on Thursday Sept 17th, 5:30pm sharp for a tour of the Portland Observatory, followed by food and beverages right down the street at Low Key, 89 Congress Street. The Observatory has a $5 minimum donation entrance fee, and only by credit card, no cash. Bring your stair-climbing shoes. If you've seen it before and want to skip it, just join us at Low Key!  RSVP to Jake Bourdeau - text 207-232-9482. 

What are the Seven Areas of Focus that our Foundation addresses? Fourth is Improving Maternal and Child Health which focusses on problems resulting in annual worldwide deaths of 6 million children resulting from malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation.