President Bruce announced that for our meeting on Friday, November 11th you can bring a Veteran to our meeting and their meal will be free.
This Week's Speaker: Christopher Wolfel
Chris Wolfel, our guest speaker, from the Roux Institute of Northeastern University, is Associate Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation. In getting us acquainted with Roux, Chris will emphasize the mission and accomplishments so far, the future plans to catalyze and grow the new Maine startup ecosystem, and the remarkable $200M investments that have launched this initiative. Chris Wolfel leads strategy and implementation of entrepreneurship and venture creation programs across the Northeastern global university system. He is tasked with maximizing each region’s unique strengths, coordinating Northeastern’s robust entrepreneurial programs, and developing new opportunities to create a dynamic global ecosystem that impacts the entire Northeastern community. In addition, Chris leads Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation at the Roux Institute and is the Managing Director of the Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education.
Meeting of October 28th: Mike McGovern, Polio Eradication Update | by Dick Hall
Mike, hailing from the South Portland Cape Elizabeth Club is responsible for the Worldwide Polio Eradication efforts of Rotary International, and as such is the most knowledgeable person, in the world, about the status of this program.
Mike confirmed that the # 1 Humanitarian Priority of Rotary International is the Global Eradication of Polio. Mike is still very confident that 2023 will the year that the last wild polio case (WPV1) is reported anywhere in the world, and that at the end of 2026 there will be a world certification of WPV1 eradication. He is also optimistic that 2023 will be the year that circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) will be interrupted, but it will be a few years later before it is eliminated.
In the last two years Rotarians purchased 391,710,071 doses of oral polio vaccine for children under 5, at 14 cents per dose, $54,839,410. In the last 2 years Rotarians have enabled responses to outbreaks of vaccine derived polio in nearly all locations where they have occurred with investments to the World Health Organization and UNICEF $ 74,073,216. This included funding front line workers to deliver polio vaccines, transportation and actions to convince parents of the importance of providing polio vaccines for their children. It also included funding in Malawi and Mozambique where there have been wild polio virus cases.
Both the government in Pakistan and the de facto government in Afghanistan cooperate with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. More areas of Afghanistan are accessible for house-to-house vaccinations than ever before. Pakistan has reduced cases to 3 Districts. All but two cases of wild polio occurred at the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, inside a geographic circle only 21 miles in diameter.
The Rotary eradication effort has defined a very specific set of goals to achieve its success. Goal #1 is to eliminate polio in Afghanistan through a house-to-house campaign focused on the south. Goal #2 is the continued worldwide vaccination effort needed to maintain the progress in the rest of the world. Mike mentioned that the cases reported in New York City and Israel were the same genetic strain, probably brought by a traveler, and finding a community with low vaccination rate. Mike showed maps of the city of London, where there are areas with vaccination rates less than 50%. These communities are very vulnerable. Rotary will continue to encourage governments worldwide to vaccinate all communities at risk.
"One in a Million" Rotary Foundation Celebration
This Friday, November 4th, 5pm, at The Halo, Thompson's Point, Portland!
Patty Byers announced that we are celebrating the Rotary Foundation...the projects we do in our district and around the world, the funds we raise, our commitment to end Polio. This is a special event with live music, lots of passed hors d'oeuvres, cash bar option, and the first big party we've been able to have since you-know-when. Special announcements and news, no long speeches (promise!).
Our club is the Host Club for the event, so we hope to see many fellow Portland Rotarians there. Tickets are just $35, thanks to generous sponsors and district support: NO Rotary Foundation Funds are being used for this event.Registration Link
Bits and Pieces | by Bill Blount
President Bruce began the meeting promptly at 12:15, calling upon Paul Tully to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. David Small came forward with a moment of thanks. The subject of Dave’s remarks centered upon how lucky our Club is to have Mike McGovern in our district, doing great things. See more in the write-up of Mike’s visit. Bruce then asked us to enjoy our delicious Italian Heritage meal.
Upon resuming the meeting Jake Bourdeau recognized several visiting Rotarians and guests at our well attended meeting. Jake also recognized his zooming associates Gervin Kah and Dick Hall for their dependable efforts to create a "hybrid" meeting. Thanks Jake, Dick and Gervin!
Talking about the value of zooming, Mike Fortunato spoke about our members who may snow-bird away from Maine this winter. Keep current with our club’s activities on Zoom and think about visiting other Rotary clubs during your travels. Remember to bring some of the Portland Rotary Club’s banners to give to the clubs you visit. Ask Mike or the Sargent-at-Arms Jake Bourdeau for a few banners to take along with you. Don't leave home without it. Paul Tully, Mike, and Paul Gore show their colors.
While he had control of the podium, Mike also spoke about his visit earlier in the week to the Long Creek Youth Center by Portland Rotarians including Don Lowry, Jim and Barbara Willey, and Tom Talbott, painting pumpkins which were then donated to grateful seniors in a nursing home. Thinking of volunteering at Long Creek? Talk to Mike, Dave Putnam or Jim Willey.
"Mr. Sunshine" aka Bowen Depke came forward to remind us that new members receive a free Rotary shirt. Also, the first quarter contest recognizing Portland Rotarians who sponsor the most members was won by Paul Tully. Congratulations Paul, you win a t-shirt! Who be our second quarter winner?
Patty Byers spoke about last week’s Pints for Polio Bridge Walk. About 25% of our club members participated with some “civilians” and members from seven other Rotary clubs, about 70 folks in all, raising over $400 for Polio Plus. Way to go Patty and Rotary!
In accordance with our club by-laws President Bruce announced the members of the Nominating Committee charged with selecting next year's club officers. Ellen Niewohner chairs with members Paul Tully, Larry Gross, Erik Greven, Laura Young, Jack Schrater, and Peter Goffin.
After Mike spoke Bruce apologized for time constraints telling the assembled that he would forgo his prepared "What Do You Know" segment. A boisterous clamour arose from the objecting crowd. Bruce relented, then explained the between Active Membership and our club's highest distinction, Honorary Membership. Honorary membership is granted for meritorious service that embodies Rotary ideals, or for permanent support of Rotary’s causes. They can attend all club events, are exempt from dues, but may not vote. Here are our distinguished Honorary Members: Mark Stimson, David Parsons, Betty Parsons, David Walsh, Liz Fagan, Bob Traill, Peggy "Queenie" Wescott, and Elise Hodgkin. Salute!
Boots, Bring in Boots!
Amy Chipman came forward to update our "Boots for Kids" outreach and fundraiser. Monetary donations as well as new or gently worn kids boots, children sizes 5-14 are what we are collecting, and for a very good reason!
We are partnering with the Portland School System to provide warm, waterproof winter boots to underserved Portland Middle Schoolers. The school system is looking for 175 pairs of boots to meet current needs.
We are looking for 150 boots for K through 5th grade (ages 5-11) and 25 pairs of boots for 6th through 8th grades (ages 12-14).
If you would like to donate money to the cause, click the donate button HERE. Portland Rotary will use these funds to purchase boots. If you would like to buy a pair of boots for the cause, go to Goodwill and purchase a pair and bring them to an upcoming Rotary meeting. Wish to drop off? Our friends at Lamey Wellehan Shoes will be accepting boot donations at their stores in Falmouth and Scarborough. Boots can be donated now through November 27th.
Imagine a world without polio.
With your help we can eliminate this devastating disease! Please join us.
November 11 - Chip Morrison, Building Bridges, Minimizing Political Division
November 11 - Bring a Veteran to our lunch, and they will be served a free meal.
November 18- Tatsiana Thomson "Everything You Want to Know About Birds"
November 25 - No Meeting. Enjoy Your Thanksgiving!
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
"Mr. Sunshine" aka Bowen Depke came forward to remind us that new members receive a free Rotary shirt. Also, the first quarter contest recognizing Portland Rotarians who sponsor the most members was won by Paul Tully. Congratulations Paul, you win a t-shirt! Who be our second quarter winner?
.png)
