This Week's Speakers: John Lewis and Kevin Stilphen - Career & Tech Education / Skill Training
John is a co-founder and managing partner at Synergy Workforce Solutions, LLC, a firm specializing in recruitment and retention strategies. He also serves on the Employee Growth Services team at the Manufacturers' Association of Maine. For the past decade plus, John has been developing programs and strategies which have led to the creation of talent pipelines to industry as well as increasing employee retention. At the local level John has worked with employers in the transportation and manufacturing industries across Maine and New Hampshire to create awareness of employment opportunities as well as pipeline programs for talent acquisition for entry and mid-level jobs.
Kevin began his educational career at the Portland Public School in 2012 as Student Service Coordinator at Portland Arts & Technology. Mr. Stilphen is a second career educator who left the private sector in 1999 to pursue a career in teaching at Lewiston Regional Technical Center, a Career Technical Education (CTE) school in Lewiston, Maine. Kevin spent twelve years teaching Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Economics. Kevin served as the school's DECA advisor and coached football and lacrosse for Lewiston High School. His educational and private sector experiences have allowed him to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being in a CTE setting. Mr. Stilphen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Maine and his Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from the University of New England.
Last Week at Portland Rotary: Kerem Durdag - Equality in Internet and Banking | by Ben Lowry
John Thompson introduced our speaker last Friday, his friend, the President and COO of GWI Internet Services, Kerem Durdag. Kerem, who was born in Pakistan and educated here in New England, brought a very uplifting and Rotary-like message about internet and banking access for those who may be unable to afford many services that we take for granted. His message of “fairness” and “equality” was the major theme throughout his fascinating presentation.
In the United States, there are about 150 million people with no access to the internet, with about 90,000 in Maine. These folks not only can’t stream online services but are unable to gain access to Zoom meetings, educational opportunities and other uses that we all enjoy without much thought each and every day. Students end up sitting in their cars outside the local library to complete their homework. Parents cannot pay bills online or gain access to telehealth. And, even if WiFi or fiber optic services were available to all, which they are not, about 15% of Mainers could not afford to pay the steep prices set by the monopolies that dominate our region. This is where GWI and some of the smaller providers come in. Kerem states that GWI is “maniacal” about destroying the monopolies, with seven companies in this nation dominating 90% if the marketplace. In Europe, wifi and high-speed internet runs citizens about $25 per month. But there is hope in the US, with the new Federal infrastructure package providing 65 billion dollars for upgrades, often placing high speed fiber optic cables on telephone poles that were erected in the 1920’s. But, even with these funds, there are many immigrant and low income families that are not able to gain access, something that just isn’t fair, according to Kerem. He and his company are determined to fight for inexpensive access to all Mainers.
Banking is yet another area wherein the immigrant and low-income populations are treated unfairly, Kerem suggests. With 130,000 first generation immigrants in our state, and three to four thousand immigrant business owners, there needs to be a new way of providing loans to those who are not part of the affluent niche. Offering micro loans, GWI and angel investors who work with Kerem have been able to start the long process of bringing these loyal Mainers into the conversation, a process that may take decades to complete. With the goal of each branch of each bank offering 30 loans per year, all Mainers should be given equal access to loans and other banking opportunities.
Kerem Durdag was a passionate speaker, focusing on the themes that are represented in our pledge to do that which is “fair to all concerned”. Kerem acknowledged that these steps will take time, education and a greater understanding by us all, but they are possible, and even probable, if we can all realize that we’re part of a whole and that a society is made stronger when those with less are given access to more.
Dick Hall talked to the speaker after the meeting to clarify how we as a Rotary Club or as Rotarians could help. His two suggestions were to have individuals join the Maine Broadband Coalition to have us all encourage our personal banks to participate in The Indus Fund.
PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES FOUND
Bill Blount found a pair of prescription sunglasses at last week's meeting. He says he'll be back this week in search of the rightful owner.
BITS AND PIECES | by Erik Jorgenson
Paul Tully opened our meeting with a paean to Attitude by Charles Swindoll, providing something that we might see as a corollary to the Four-Way Test:
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes”
Zach Zimmerman introduced out guests -Scott Dube, Dan Fahey and Casey Carlson. Brian Nickerson managed the raffle and (of course) Paul T Gore got the call –but not the queen. The pot grows. President Bruce noted December birthdays and anniversaries.
Mike Robinson introduced Scott Dupree (photo) – who came to pitch Americorps. Scott is with the Goodwill Vista program, which does work with nonprofits to build their capacity to reduce poverty. Americorps volunteers are embedded in community organizations for a year. Scott was interested in helping to identify organizations needing volunteers, as well as people wanting to work in those organizations as volunteers.
Jim Vicenze (photo) spoke about the Keep Me Warm program. There are 145,000 Mainers in poverty, many of whom are making difficult decisions in choosing between food fuel and rent. Rotary continues its bottle initiative, and Clynk bags are available when you check in at Rotary. These pre-labeled bags, when filled with your bottles and cans, will be converted into money that will be presented to the Keep Me Warm fund at the United Way.
Leslie Clark reported in, and Bruce Jones gave the update, that the St. Vincent de Paul annual dinner was a huge success, with 135 meals served to people experiencing homelessness. Our club provided 3 shifts of cooking, serving and preparation – at least 15 members of our club helped. Thanks go to them and the generous sponsor, Sysco.
Quinn Slayton, (photo) chair of the Portland Sunrise Club, wanted to talk about her club’s Learning Works Gift Drive. Twenty-five lower-income students have created a Christmas wish list. They want things that any kid wants -- plus stuff like socks. For more information, or to help with gifts or with cash, contact cqslayton@gmail.com. And you can donate online to the Sunrise Club and specify Learning Works.
And finally, remember Phil Holt, who rode 4300 miles from Portland to Portland? He writes that he made it home. He reported on the success of his effort to raise clean water funds for a community in Kenya. He greatly appreciated everything that our club did to make his visit to Portland special.
December Birthdays! Emily Rumble 4th, Jake Bourdeau 7th, Katie Brown 8th, Rob Chatfield 18th, Dave Seddon 28th, and Cyrus Hagge on the 29th.
December Rotary Anniversaries! Number of years in our humble club....Katherine Hall 5, Ben Jackson 5, Mike Robinson 7, Christine Force 10, Jake Bourdeau 16, Jack Carr 19, Bruce Jones 20, Don Mackenzie 20, Erik Jorgenson 22, Greg Hansel 24, Jon Young 25, Peter Noyes 38, David Small 41, and Joe Gray, 45!
Portland Sunrise Rotary's Gift Drive for
Learning Works Students
Help make the season bright for students at Learning Works Youth Build program! Youth Build helps young people aged 16-24 transition to
adulthood through an alternative education model, preparing them for their current and future careers.
You can help the gift drive by donating items from their wish list, or by making a financial contribution at any level.
Sponsor Levels:
$10 – A pack of winter socks
$25 – Bedding and blankets
$75 – Vocational tools
$125 – Winter Boots or Coat
$200 - Full sponsorship for essentials and a special gift!
FMI, email Quinn Slayton for more ways to get involved!
December 16- Adam Costa with Lone Wolf Media, Documentary Filmmaker
December 23 - No Meeting - Merry Christmas
December 30 - No Meeting - Happy New Year
January 6, 2023 - Club Assembly
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers Treasurer Dick Hall Secretary Bill Blount Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-Arms Jake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
1st Q Program Chair:Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
ohn is a co-founder and managing partner at 
Kevin began his educational career at the Portland Public School in 2012 as Student Service Coordinator at Portland Arts & Technology. Mr. Stilphen is a second career educator who left the private sector in 1999 to pursue a career in teaching at Lewiston Regional Technical Center, a Career Technical Education (CTE) school in Lewiston, Maine. Kevin spent twelve years teaching Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Economics. Kevin served as the school's DECA advisor and coached football and lacrosse for Lewiston High School. His educational and private sector experiences have allowed him to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being in a CTE setting. Mr. Stilphen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Maine and his Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from the University of New England.
In the United States, there are about 150 million people with no access to the internet, with about 90,000 in Maine. These folks not only can’t stream online services but are unable to gain access to Zoom meetings, educational opportunities and other uses that we all enjoy without much thought each and every day. Students end up sitting in their cars outside the local library to complete their homework. Parents cannot pay bills online or gain access to telehealth. And, even if WiFi or fiber optic services were available to all, which they are not, about 15% of Mainers could not afford to pay the steep prices set by the monopolies that dominate our region. This is where GWI and some of the smaller providers come in. Kerem states that GWI is “maniacal” about destroying the monopolies, with seven companies in this nation dominating 90% if the marketplace. In Europe, wifi and high-speed internet runs citizens about $25 per month. But there is hope in the US, with the new Federal infrastructure package providing 65 billion dollars for upgrades, often placing high speed fiber optic cables on telephone poles that were erected in the 1920’s. But, even with these funds, there are many immigrant and low income families that are not able to gain access, something that just isn’t fair, according to Kerem. He and his company are determined to fight for inexpensive access to all Mainers.
Jim Vicenze (photo) spoke about the Keep Me Warm program. There are 145,000 Mainers in poverty, many of whom are making difficult decisions in choosing between food fuel and rent. Rotary continues its bottle initiative, and Clynk bags are available when you check in at Rotary. These pre-labeled bags, when filled with your bottles and cans, will be converted into money that will be presented to the Keep Me Warm fund at the United Way.
Quinn Slayton, (photo) chair of the Portland Sunrise Club, wanted to talk about her club’s Learning Works Gift Drive. Twenty-five lower-income students have created a Christmas wish list. They want things that any kid wants -- plus stuff like socks. For more information, or to help with gifts or with cash, contact 
December Birthdays! Emily Rumble 4th, Jake Bourdeau 7th, Katie Brown 8th, Rob Chatfield 18th, Dave Seddon 28th, and Cyrus Hagge on the 29th.
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