The Co-founder of OPAL Architecture, OPAL Build, Timber HP by GO Lab and GO Logic, Matthew O’Malia is an entrepreneur and award-winning architect with a nationwide reputation for innovation and expertise in the design of high performance residential and institutional buildings. A leader in Passive House design in North America and named to Architect Magazine’s Architect 50 list in 2018, he is a frequent speaker at sustainable design conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Matthew has pursued a career based on exploration and innovation, working for architecture firms in New York and Germany, where he gained a thorough understanding of sustainable design and construction systems.
In a field with outsized impact on the environment, Matthew embraces innovation to address the pressing climate and resource challenges we face. His conception of developing the next generation of buildings that can help improve the environment is reflected in his work, which combines the highest levels of energy-performance and resource sustainability with aesthetic simplicity, clarity of form, and designs that have the capacity to spark delight.
Meeting of April 7 -Trevor Putnoky
AMERICAN HEALTHCARE-Why It’s Broken, Why You Should Care, and Opportunities to Fix It | by Dick Hall
According to our speaker, Trevor Putnoky from Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine, we spent $4.3 trillion on healthcare in 2021, and then he explained how misaligned incentives were the major cause. Patients lack access to information. Insurers are rewarded by higher costs. Providers have incentives to do more than needed. Employers lack expertise and are competing for employees. Policy makers are controlled by lobbyist and unable in general to agree on big items.
He further shared that it is price increases which are the cause of healthcare increases, not utilization, which is decreasing. The speaker said that the major reason for increased costs is consolidation and the lack of competition. He states that half of Maine’s hospitals and 80% of Maine’s primary care physicians are controlled by two large health care systems. He also showed examples of wide variation in cost for the same service across providers. According to the speaker, only 25% of the healthcare dollars are used for cost and clinically effective care.
The speaker showed graphs to indicate that the US is an outlier in healthcare, with the most expensive least effective system compared to Europe and Canada. This has the effect of hurting the general public which is paying higher unaffordable deductibles. As a result, healthcare costs are forcing families to reduce spending on other essentials.
The speaker claims there is reason for hope, primarily due to government mandated transparency in costs for services, as well as effectiveness information. With this power employers, state legislatures and consumers are beginning to act. The speaker encouraged us with a final remark, “When you have the power, you should use it.”
Respectful, polite questions and comments from the audience indicated that the message, data and conclusions were not fully embraced, especially as the presentation was not applicable to many in the room who get their own healthcare through Medicare or the Veterans Administration.
Bits and Pieces | By Tom Talbott
Bruce started the meeting and Tom Talbott offered an invocation, a soft collaboration between Easter Weekend and our upcoming Mud Sale Auction. “When a person gets their wagon stuck in the mud, God is less likely to assist the person who raises their voice in vivid “prayer”, and more likely to assist the person who gets out to push.”
Dan Fahey introduced our two guests, visiting District Governor Claudia Frost, and returning member, Nanette Ranger- Duncanson. Jake Bourdeau handled the raffle with $280 on the line. Brian Nickerson won the honor of drawing the Queen of Hearts, but came up unlucky on the draw with a Ten of Hearts. The pot will increase next week.
CLUB PROTECTION: Alan Nye, our club’s Protection Officer, introduced via Zoom, Greg Dowty, who is our District’s Protection Officer. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure that each club is in compliance with all protection policies of District 7780 and that vulnerable individuals. In his position, Greg was part of the March 2023 revisions on the overall policy to prevent the abuse and harassment of all children and youth, vulnerable persons, fellow Rotarians and volunteers with whom we interact in our Rotary activities.This shall include safety and protection from physical, sexual and emotional abuse or harassment and extends to all activities. It will be the responsibility of all members of Rotary Clubs in District 7780 to safeguard the welfare of persons with whom they come into contact during Rotary events. FMI, you can read the entire updated policy here: 7780 Protection Policy
EYE ON MUD: Tom Talbott provided a quick update on our Mud Sale Auction, which is now LIVE! Over 60 items, and some really nice ones to bid on. The items were donated by club members, and all proceeds go to our Portland Rotary Charitable Fund. Quite a few pieces of art, office equipment and furniture, Red Sox and Sea Dog tickets, household items, jewelry, the list goes on. Top items include a day of fishing with Jake Bourdeau in Casco Bay, or a round of golf on Frye Island with Bill Ross. Then, there’s the big elephant in the room – 2 trips for two for an African photo safari. Check it all out with this link to the auction. Bidding ends THIS Sunday, April 16th at 9pm!
POISON IN OUR MIDST: Tom Ranello spoke of the upcoming May 7th concert in Deering Oaks, to bring a higher awareness of the scourge of fentanyl. Tom read a passage from the Drug Enforcement Office: “Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.” said Administrator Anne Milgram. “Fentanyl is everywhere. From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison. We must take every opportunity to spread the word to prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths and poisonings from claiming scores of American lives every day.” As Tom pointed out, "If we can save one life, then we’ve done a good job." So, Tom and his committee are counting on Rotarians, 100% participation from our club, be it as a volunteer, a sponsor, helping us find a sponsor, or just simply attending the event – we need you.(Photo Tom and Nanette Ranger -Duncanson)
ZACH SNACKS: Bruce recognized Zach Zimmerman for his good work in organizing a donation of snacks and other food goodies for the Veterans Clinic down on Commercial Street. This was nicely done in shared cooperation with the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary. It started with a donation of $355, which was then matched after Bill Blount spearheaded an impromptu collection at our preceding meeting. Zach, his wife and Carlo from the Westbrook club did the shopping and the delivery. Nice work! Zach was not in attendance to hear the kudos, but for good reason – today was the due date for his first child. Updates sure to follow!
TAKE ROOT: Dick Hall filled in for Ellen Niewoehner, promoting another Portland tree planting event off of Cove Street. Circle the date of May 10th and again May 14th, rain dates of the 11th and 15th respectively. 10 trees, ready to be rooted! (Photo)
TRAINING ASSEMBLY: Last Dick gave another shout-out to the District Training Assembly, Saturday April 15th, 10a-2p, at Westbrook High School. If you want to go, your registration fee will be paid for by the club. For all those looking to take on leadership opportunities, or those who just want to more deeply connect with all that Rotary offers, please join in.
ROTARY RUTH REPORTING!
A little Portland Rotary history and trivia sent in from our good friend, Rotary Ruth Fletcher....
Adam P. Leighton M.D, a charter member of Portland Rotary, owned & operated a "teaching hospital" for women in Portland in the 1920s. It was here that one Emma Bridge completed her nurse's training. In 1934, Emma married Dwight W. Leighton (no known relation of Adam P.). On December 26, 1935, their daughter Ruth-Helen Leighton was born, Adam P. the delivering physician. Dwight,now 32, would leave his foreman's job at S. D. Warren and start on his long-dreamed-of journey of becoming an osteopathic physician. Emma took up a job in sales, not nursing, to finance the 7 years of that education. Dwight graduated from medical school in Kirksville, MO in 1951 and returned to Westbrook where they lived during his internship at the Osteopathic Hospital on Brighton Avenue. He set up practice in Yarmouth in the summer of 1952 on Lafayette Street. Ruth-Helen grew up to become our favorite "Rotary Ruth" Fletcher, Portland Rotary's Executive Secretary 1/4/88 - 10/23/98m forever known as "Rotary Ruth". It was very early in her tenure that she discovered Adam P.'s connection to the club. -- yet another fascinating coincidence ...Dwight & Emma were, for a while in the late 50s, close friends with our very own Peter Goffin's mother, Dorothy, and it was Dwight who delivered Peter into the world.
MUD SALE AUCTION - GOING ON NOW!
Now thru this Sunday, April 16th, 9pm. Great deals, and yes that includes this amazing African photo safari! Art Howe took the trip,and can vouch for how great it was, and certainly answer any questions. You have 2 years to use it, plenty of time to plan,and you can even extend that time frame if need be.
Remmber, you enter your credit card to make a bid, but you are NOT charged unless you have the winning bit on Sunday night!
Speaker Schedule
April 20 - Club Social
April 21 - No Meetin
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Bill Blount Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux,
Ben Lowry, Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair:Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
According to our speaker, Trevor Putnoky from Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine, we spent $4.3 trillion on healthcare in 2021, and then he explained how misaligned incentives were the major cause. Patients lack access to information. Insurers are rewarded by higher costs. Providers have incentives to do more than needed. Employers lack expertise and are competing for employees. Policy makers are controlled by lobbyist and unable in general to agree on big items.
CLUB PROTECTION: Alan Nye, our club’s Protection Officer, introduced via Zoom, Greg Dowty, who is our District’s Protection Officer. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure that each club is in compliance with all protection policies of District 7780 and that vulnerable individuals. In his position, Greg was part of the March 2023 revisions on the overall policy to prevent the abuse and harassment of all children and youth, vulnerable persons, fellow Rotarians and volunteers with whom we interact in our Rotary activities.This shall include safety and protection from physical, sexual and emotional abuse or harassment and extends to all activities. It will be the responsibility of all members of Rotary Clubs in District 7780 to safeguard the welfare of persons with whom they come into contact during Rotary events. FMI, you can read the entire updated policy here: 
POISON IN OUR MIDST: Tom Ranello spoke of the upcoming May 7th concert in Deering Oaks, to bring a higher awareness of the scourge of fentanyl. Tom read a passage from the Drug Enforcement Office: “Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered.” said Administrator Anne Milgram. “Fentanyl is everywhere. From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison. We must take every opportunity to spread the word to prevent fentanyl-related overdose deaths and poisonings from claiming scores of American lives every day.” As Tom pointed out, "If we can save one life, then we’ve done a good job." So, Tom and his committee are counting on Rotarians, 100% participation from our club, be it as a volunteer, a sponsor, helping us find a sponsor, or just simply attending the event – we need you.(Photo Tom and Nanette Ranger -Duncanson)
TAKE ROOT: Dick Hall filled in for Ellen Niewoehner, promoting another Portland tree planting event off of Cove Street. Circle the date of May 10th and again May 14th, rain dates of the 11th and 15th respectively. 10 trees, ready to be rooted! (Photo)
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