Kevin Hancock is the President of Hancock Lumber Company. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber operates ten retail stores and three sawmills that are led by 475 employees. The company also grows trees on 12,000 acres of timberland in Southern Maine.
Hancock Lumber is a multi-year recipient of the ‘Best Places to Work in Maine’ award. The company is also a past recipient of the Maine Family Business of the Year Award, the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, and the MITC ‘Exporter of the Year’ award.
Kevin is a past chairman of the National Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association as well as the Bridgton Academy Board of Trustees. Kevin is a recipient of the Ed Muskie ‘Access to Justice’ Award, the Habitat For Humanity ‘Spirit of Humanity’ Award, the Boy Scouts of America ‘Distinguished Citizen’ Award, and Timber Processing Magazine’s ‘Man of the Year’ Award. Kevin also spent 20 years coaching middle school basketball for the Lake Region school district.
Kevin is a graduate of Lake Region High School and Bowdoin College. He is also a frequent visitor to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. In 2015, Kevin published a book about his experiences with the Oglala Sioux Tribe titled, "Not For Sale: Finding Center in the Land of Crazy Horse." The book won the 2015 National Indie Excellence Award, the 2016 Independent Authors Network Award and the 2016 New York Book Festival Award.
Kevin is an advocate of strengthening the voices of all individuals—within a company or a community such as Pine Ridge—through listening, empowering, and shared leadership.
(Photo: Roxane Cole, Dana Totman and President Laura Young.)
Last Friday, at a crowded Holiday Inn, Roxane Cole introduced Dana Totman to our club. Not only is Dana the President of Avesta Housing, he is an accomplished mountain climber, having recently returned from hikes in Alaska and Colorado.
Founded in 1972, Avesta has 125 employees, an annual budget of $30 million, $250 million in assets (held mostly in their 82 properties) and provides housing for 3200 people in 35 cities and towns in Maine and New Hampshire. With mottos of “good housing equals good health” and “improving lives and strengthening communities through affordable housing,” Avesta works within a variety of areas in helping those in need to obtain not only housing but information regarding both rentals and home ownership.
In working with governmental agencies and municipalities, developing new properties, managing their existing locations, running a home ownership center and advocating for the elderly, Avesta is continually working to come to the aid of those in need…and there are many in need. As recent media reports have outlined, there is a major housing shortage in Maine in general and in Portland, in particular. Rentals average $1426 for a two-bedroom apartment in Portland, which means (using the standard “30% rule”) that a renter should earn about $57,000 per year to afford that rental. However, the average income is just $33,000, which means that the average renter can only afford $827 per month. So, the question is: should rents be dropped or should income rise? Dana feels that the answer is not black and white but a cooperative effort is needed.
With homelessness up 18% in the past few years and 10,000 seniors on waiting lists for housing in the state, there is certainly a need for new, affordable housing in all areas of the region. Dana ran through a long list of new construction projects that are attempting to address some of this glaring need. But Avesta alone cannot provide the relief needed. Towns and cities need to donate properties, housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF’s) need to be implemented, the $15 million senior citizen housing bond that was voted in two years ago needs to be released by the governor, and the mortgage interest deduction bill that sits in committee in Washington needs to be passed, the result of which would free up 20 billion dollars to help with the housing crunch.
There are no easy fixes, for sure, but we should be proud to have an advocate like Dana Totman looking out for those seeking what we all take for granted: a place to call home. As Jane Austen said, “there is nothing like staying home for real comfort.”
President Laura convened the meeting at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay with 50 Portland Rotarians, 2 visiting Rotarians and 2 guests. Bruce Jones provided the invocation with a different Irish blessing that makes no mention of wind. Dave Putnam led the Pledge, then Russ Burleigh played 'God Bless America' and we dined on Tex-Mex fare.
(Photo: President Laura Young and Jodie Boutilier of Flower Mound, TX.)
Laura welcomed our visitors, as noted above, exchanging a banner with visiting Rotarian Jody Boutilier of FlowerMound, TX and the Cross Timbers Rotary Club. Kirk Duffy, visiting Savannah, GA Rotarian has a few more weeks to spend with us. Laura read two thank you notes - one from Bob Clark for Rotarian volunteers to the Boys and Girls Club 'Steak and Burger Dinner' - the second from Rotary Youth Leadership scholarship recipient Keegan Gunther, who hopes to return next year as a counselor volunteer. Laura thanked the Meeting Day helpers, then Bill Blount was called up for our song 'Viva Le Rotary' accompanied by Russ.
President Laura announced a luncheon sponsored by the Maine Community Foundation on November 1, about "Privilege, Power and Difference." For more information and to sign up, go to: http://www.mainecf.org/AboutUs/MaineCFInauguralSummit.aspx
As previously reported, for those of you concerned about our 3-H Team in the Dominican Republic exposed to Hurricane Matthew’s wrath, be at ease as the storm ravaged the western portions of Hispaniola, the area where they are doing their good works for H2O, hearing and hands received mostly heavy rains and minimal flooding.
Bruce Moore provided the Rotary Moment, making us aware of his involvement in Rotary since 1963. (This prompted a member to question his age!) Bruce participated in his high school’s Interact Club. Then in his professional career at Mark Stimson Real Estate, office manager Meredith Small correctly assessed the content of Bruce’s character, telling him “You are a natural Rotarian,” invited Bruce to a meeting and he’s enjoyed every minute of his involvement ever - since convincing his wife, Jan Chapman, to join in the fun also.
It being the first meeting of the month, October Birthdays were celebrated with the rousing Happy Birthday song (listed in last week's WJ issue). Tom Nickerson ran the Raffle, with Jerry Angier being called to draw a card for the $830 jackpot, but the wrong heart (10) was chosen and the Queen resides for a future drawing.
Paul Tully encouraged members to attend and invite a veteran to Rotary’s Veterans' Lunch on November 10, 2016 noon at the Italian Heritage Center. Senator Susan Collins is our keynote speaker and the Don Campbell Band will be entertaining us with their music. Please register online at: portlandrotary.org or call 899-6342 to sign up.
Membership Co-Vice-chair Leisa Collins spoke of a focus on membership. Leisa explained the life cycle of membership. Rotarians give their time and expertise and are rewarded with fellowship and a satisfying sense of engagement for new and veteran members alike. Last year, our 100th anniversary, was a banner year for our club’s growth. Keep the enthusiasm rolling! The aging demographics of our club is challenging to promote growth. Your recruitment efforts might be directed within your generation demographic. Generations tend to bond over events, WWII, Vietnam, or 911. Club members with 0-5 year tenure value networking; 5-20 years - service opportunities; 20+ years - fellowship. Leisa announced a new twist on mentoring to promote membership retention - Mentoring Duos - and asked for volunteers to mentor newer members. To help mentor your favorite newer Rotarian, contact her: leisa.g.collins@gmail.com.
President Laura brought our attention to the current year’s new member tally. Laura has brought in three new members, whereas, Don Zillman, Jan Chapman, and Janelle LoSciutto each brought in a new member.
Visiting Rotarian, Kirk Duffy, from Savannah, GA, cited an example of 'Service above Self' where Rotarian displacement evacuees from Hurricane Matthew were offered temporary lodging, courtesy of his own Club and district.
On October 19th from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in their gym, Deering High School will host the Life's Dollars and Sense financial literacy fair for the senior class. This fair simulates creating a balanced monthly budget in the life of a typical 22-year old in Maine. The goal of the fair is to help students develop a basic understanding of sensible financial planning and an awareness of how each income and expenditure component impacts the budget's balance.
They are looking for volunteers to be at a booth and help students identify potential areas of overspending, as well as encourage students to make more affordable choices.
For more information and to volunteer, contact Tom Nickerson by clicking his following email address: thomaswnickerson@gmail.com
The International Service Committee's 3-H (Hearing, Hands and H2O) Project Team will be traveling to the Dominican Republic (DR) early in 2017.
(Photo: Dick Giles demonstrating a portable solar light.)
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.
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: Julie L'Heureux Program Reporter: Erik Jorgensen Bits & Pieces Reporter: John Marr Registration/Greeter: Katie Brown Sell Meal Tickets: Paul Gore Raffle: Jake Bourdeau Badge Box: Adam Shepherd Collect Meal Tickets: Larry Gross* Song Leader: Don Lowry Pianist: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Bruce Moore Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Jake Bourdeau
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through
the end of this calendar year:
2016: Oct 14 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Oct 21 - Clarion Hotel
Oct 28 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 4 - Clarion Hotel
Nov 11 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Nov 18 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 25 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 2 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 16 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 30 - No Meeting - Happy New Year!
BlueBOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
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)
John Lock Salvation Army (Jim Willey)
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.)
Erik Greven
Game Night Last Tuesday ea month
Cedar Unit Mike Fortunato
Kevin Hancock is the President of Hancock Lumber Company. Established in 1848, Hancock Lumber operates ten retail stores and three sawmills that are led by 475 employees. The company also grows trees on 12,000 acres of timberland in Southern Maine.
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Membership Co-Vice-chair Leisa Collins spoke of a focus on membership. Leisa explained the life cycle of membership. Rotarians give their time and expertise and are rewarded with fellowship and a satisfying sense of engagement for new and veteran members alike. Last year, our 100th anniversary, was a banner year for our club’s growth. Keep the enthusiasm rolling! The aging demographics of our club is challenging to promote growth. Your recruitment efforts might be directed within your generation demographic. Generations tend to bond over events, WWII, Vietnam, or 911. Club members with 0-5 year tenure value networking; 5-20 years - service opportunities; 20+ years - fellowship. Leisa announced a new twist on mentoring to promote membership retention - Mentoring Duos - and asked for volunteers to mentor newer members. To help mentor your favorite newer Rotarian, contact her: 
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