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Portland Rotary meets
this Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 at the
HOLIDAY INN BY-THE-BAY
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Posted by Kris Rosado
on Oct 16, 2015
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 Dr. St. Germain was appointed Director of MMCRI and VP for Research at Maine Medical Center in 2009. He received a B.S. degree (magna cum laude) in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1972 and subsequently attended the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he received the M.D. degree in 1976. He completed his clinical training in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology at University Hospitals of Cleveland in 1980, and subsequently served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC).
In 1981, he undertook a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Departments of Medicine and Physiology at Dartmouth Medical School where he trained with Dr. Valerie Anne Galton and Dr. Robert Adler. He was appointed to the faculty of Dartmouth Medical School in 1984.
Dr. St. Germain’s research program has centered on investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the metabolism and action of thyroid hormones, with a particular focus on the developmental and neurological effects of these native compounds. In this regard, Dr. St. Germain and his colleagues have developed and are studying a number of transgenic mouse lines with altered expression of the deiodinase enzymes, which regulate thyroid hormone levels during fetal and neonatal life.
In addition to his research efforts, Dr. St. Germain was actively involved in teaching and organizing several basic science and clinical courses at Dartmouth Medical School, and was the Director of the Dartmouth Community Medical School public education initiative. He is a former and current ad hoc member of the NIH Endocrinology Study Section, and maintains a consultative practice in general endocrinology with an emphasis on evaluating patients with thyroid disorders.
Dr. St. Germain served as Interim Chair of the Department of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School from 2001 – 2003 and was a member of the DHMC Board of Governors from 2008 – 2009. He is the recipient of the Dean’s Award from Dartmouth Medical School in 2003 for “contributions to our missions of excellence in scholarship, clinical care, education and service” and was awarded the Clinical Sciences Teaching Award from the Dartmouth Medical School Class of 2005.
Since being recruited to Maine Medical Center, Dr. St. Germain has overseen an expansion of research activities across the organization, including the institution of novel programs to support and foster translational and clinical research programs that are benefiting the patients of Maine and strengthening the academic stature and the national visibility of the institution.
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Posted by Dick Hall
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 Kris Rosado introduced our speaker today, as a good friend and fellow hockey player. Kaighn Smith leads Drummond Woodsum’s nationwide Indian Law Practice Group. He has represented Indian nations and their enterprises for over 25 years. His cases focus on jurisdiction and sovereignty disputes, labor and employment relations, complex transactional disputes, environmental matters, and fishing and water rights. He represents clients in the federal, tribal, and state courts and before federal administrative agencies across the country.
Kaighn started by telling us he enjoyed the group singing, as he was recruited to choir in boarding school as a Soprano. He also admitted that he was nervous about speaking to the group. Kaighn told us that being a non-native American in his field is a tall order. He explained the history of this practice of law. Felix Cohen launched the field in 1940. Prior to that, there was no Federal Indian Law. Since then, there has been an explosion of issues, Native Americans demonstrating clout due to the amount of money from gaming. Now Native Americans have money to protect themselves and their rights.
Tribes are stereotyped as only having casinos, which is a world myth. For a history of American Indians, Kaighn said that Nan Heald, a Portland Rotarian, is an expert. There are 562 tribes in the US, 4 in Maine. Indian Nations are sovereign nations, with authority over their members and their territory. Chief Justice Marshal defined their authority. Tribes predate the republic of USA, having treaties with foreign governments before the USA was formed. Tribal governments are not constrained by the US Constitution. Tribes are very protective of their sovereignty. Their ability to be self-governing is a recurring theme. States have no authority over tribes, except Maine. Tribes have the power to make laws and govern. Tribal courts have control over non tribal members, when they are on tribal land.
Federal policy has been schizophrenic. Our country has not been sure of what to do. First, it was assumed that tribes would just disappear. 1817-1886 was an era where removal to reservation was the policy; this failed and created poverty. In 1887 the Dawes Act ended reservations and tribal governments. This was also a disaster and resulted in the destruction of Indian culture. In 1934, Tribal self-determination was embraced by the Federal government. It became committed to the notion that Native Americans would do well under self-government. Tribes could provide health, welfare, and education to its members. This was the best situations that had ever happened for the tribes.
In 1915 tribes had no rights in Maine. Citizenship started in 1924 after World War 1. In other parts of the country, tribal members were allowed to vote in federal elections stating in 1948. In 1954, Maine granted the right to vote in federal elections. In 1967, tribal members were finally allowed to vote in state elections. 1915, Penobscot Indians were wards of the state. There was no bridge to mainland, from Indian Island, until 1950. The first contact with Native Americans happened in Maine first. In 1605, Captain Weymouth, kidnapped five Penobscot Indians and took them to England. In England, Sir Popham and Sir Gorgeous had control of them. The Spanish tried to get them to come to Spain.
Native Americans have experienced significant strife. In most parts of the country there has been a lot of watering down of the communities with marriages outside of tribal groups. In Maine, Penobscot people look like Native Americans. The same is true for Passamaquoddys. In 1842, the Maine Supreme Court stated that Indians imbecility requires subjection to our control. This attitude remained for 100 years. Maine tribes challenged that treaties with MA were illegal, because they were not approved by Congress. The Indian non-intercourse act required that all treaties must be ratified by Congress. The tribes sued the Dept of the Interior to force them to sue ME, in the case known as MA- Passamaquoddy vs Dept of Interior. In the US vs ME, tribes would recover 2/3 of state of ME. The case settled, during the presidency of Carter, and is referred to as the Maine Indian Claim Settlement Act of 1980. Now US v ME, where the scope of Penobscot jurisdiction in the river.
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Posted by John Marr
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Fortunately, our club is masterfully lead by President Bowen Depke, who is able to tuck the multitude of meeting events into a neat package, week after week. He had to get things going early since we had much to get done in order to get out by 1:30. Of course he was able to do it! He welcomed 53 members, 2 visiting Rotarians and 3 guests.
George Crockett was presented with a special Rotary pin backer for sponsoring a new member this year.
 Every year the club is intent on increasing our membership in order to have the strength to do the many magnificent Rotary deeds. This year we are in competition with our southern neighbor Portsmouth, NH Rotary and we seem to be doing well. Kathy Grammer introduced Jean Murachanian to the club. Jean is with the Conservatory of Music and will be a welcome addition to “the club that loves to sing.”
The second new member was sponsored by Paul T. Gore (PTG), who introduced Travis Parker. Travis comes to us by way of West Hampton, New Hampshire. He is the father of four boys and has to be a natural for an association with our youth services effort.
The weekly raffle was aptly run by Megan Devlin and when the ticket pulled could not be clearly deciphered, a second ticket was pulled, giving John Marr the opportunity to try and pull the Queen of Hearts, but he couldn't find it.
.JPG) Then it was discovered the original ticket drawn was not held at the correct angle to read that it belonged to P.T.G. To abide by the 4-Way Test, Paul Gore was given a chance to also try and find the Queen of Hearts, but he, too, couldn't locate the elusive queen....so the pot continues to grow.
When Maestro Russ Burleigh and Mizzo Soprano Kathy Grammer collaborate, you can be sure that it's going to be special and challenging. Russ, Meredith Small and Amy Chipman led us in a decent singing of “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” We are sure that our new members were amused and enthused to become part of our merry band.
.JPG) As our club celebrates 100 years, we look back over time, recall and reflect on what was going on during those formative years. This week's history teacher was Don Lowry, who told us what was going on during Rotary year 1934-5. Since all notes had to be recorded using that ancient technical instrument called a typewriter, details of presentations and discussions are somewhat limited, so a review of the contemporary events were included. Don did a little research and told us that during that Rotary year the nefarious Dillinger met his maker. On a much better note, aeronautic heroin Amelia Earhart took to the skies to circumnavigate the globe. Closer to home, the Club President was Neal Allen and it was mentioned that the club was quite proud to have raised a little more that $1200 in fund raising during the year....clearly a buck went a lot further during the desperate days of the Great Depression. Coming by funding was difficult at best, but the club endured. One of the guest speakers addressed, if you can believe it, the “problem of taxes in Maine.” I guess we can't blame Governor LePage for being the nay-sayer and it proves again that while the dates may change, there’s a consistency of problems and complaints.
President Bowen, explained to the Club the elements of our club budget. He explained the separation of the club and the Service and Memorial Fund (S&M), which has about $250K in the coffers to help with those special needs that fit the strictures that have been set on the fund. In addition to the S & M, we have the charitable budget and the budget that deals with the administration of the day-to-day activities of the club. As we are all from a business background we seem to be doing a fine job of managing our money according to the report.
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Posted by Amy Chipman
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In recognition of World Polio Day, held on October 24th, Rotary District 7780 and the Seacoast Rotary Club of Portsmouth, NH will sponsor the 2nd annual “Bridge the Gap to End Polio” walk. Hundreds of Rotarians, family members, friends and community members will walk the Memorial Bridge connecting Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME to raise awareness and funds for Polio Plus, Rotary International’s 27-year mission to eradicate this child crippling disease.
Register to walk with us on October 24th and take pride knowing that proceeds from your registration and all additional contributions that you make will be matched 2:1 by "The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation," making “Bridge the Gap to End Polio” an event sure to make a global impact.
Please bring your American, Rotary, state or country flag and join us on October 24th at 8:30 AM at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH to walk the Memorial Bridge as a supporter of this important cause. In support of those already affected by polio, we will be accepting donations of crutches and walkers on behalf of the organization 'Crutches4Africa.'
The event is rain or shine. Please note that dogs are not allowed at Prescott Park.
How to Register:
You can register on the District website: www.rotary7780.org. We cannot accept money in Prescott park due to park rules, please pay ahead. Tee shirts are available for $10 each - they are limited in number and sizes and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Oct 24, 2015 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The actual walk should only be about an hour or so.
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Invocator: Kathy Grammer
Program Reporter: Jake Bourdeau
Bits & Pieces Reporter: Erik Jorgensen
Registration/Greeter: Dick Giles
Sell Meal Tickets: Jake Bourdeau
Raffle: Erik Greven
Badge Box: None
Collect Meal Tickets: Larry Gross
Rotary Moments in History: Dick Hall
Song Leader: Gracie Johnston
Pianist: None
Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Charlie Frair
Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Ralph Hendrix
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If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through 2015:
Oct 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Oct 30 - Texas Instruments, 5 Foden Rd., S.P.
Nov 6 - Long Creek Youth Center
Nov 11 - Special Veterans' Breakfast
Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 13 - NO MEETING
Nov 20 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 27 - NO MEETING- Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 4 - The Clarion Hotel
Dec 11 - The Clarion Hotel
Dec 18 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 25 - NO MEETING - Happy Holidays!
BOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
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The meeting minutes of the Portland Rotary Club's Board of Directors are posted on our website the month following their approval. From the "Home Page," click on the "Board Meeting Minutes" in the listing at the left.
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