Michael Romy Greer is the current Executive Director at Portland Ballet and previously General Manager at Sino-European Recycling Resources in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
A native of St. Charles, Missouri, Michael spent the early part of his life at some of the world's most prestigious dance institutions. Graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy as a dance major. Michael also studied at the Joffrey Ballet School, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet school, and The Royal Ballet School in London, England. Upon completing his training, Michael continued on to dance professionally with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, Utah, for six seasons under the direction of Jonas Kage. During this time with the company, he danced many soloist roles.
After retiring from performing, Michael went on to complete a degree in economics with a focus in industrial organization as an Arturo Schomburg Scholar at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He also received an opportunity to continue his economics studies at Stanford University, but chose to gain experience in international business in India as a Gilman Scholar (US State Department). Michael continued to work with companies in both India and China over a nine-year span, managing teams and operations at several multinational corporations.
Michael will give a brief overview of his time spent in mainland China and some of his personal perspectives on doing business and investing in the region. In particular, the relationship between cultural expectations, regulations, real estate, and the stock market. While Michael is not by any means a China scholar, his eight years living and working in the region allow a unique perspective on the country.
There are probably quite a few Maine citizens who are unaware of the size and success of the Maine Community Foundation (Foundation). However, Portland Rotarians are now well informed thanks to a visit and insightful presentation by the Foundation's, President and Chief Executive Director, Steven Rowe. Appropriately, Steve was introduced by Don Zillman who, in the not too distant past, guided the University of Maine system in Presque Isle. The day before Steve came to see us, he was in the "County” meeting with business and community members to determine what the Foundation might be able to do to help them to reinvigorate their economy.
The Maine Community Foundation is the second largest foundation in the state and has an ambitious goal to double the current asset base to close to a billion dollars, in the not too distant future. One of the attractions the Foundation has for donors is the ability they have to designate and direct donations. That attraction is somewhat of a dual edge sword since it can be constricting, while not limiting. The Foundation is a natural fit, under the leadership of Steve, with the Rotary Club of Portland’s focus on Childhood Hunger and Education (CHE). During an illustrious political career, Steve was always well known for championing the need for early intervention and assistance for the youth of Maine.
The Foundation is committed to assisting our state to recover and restore the reasons that Maine is the “way life should be.” Wishes, however, are not going to restore the vibrancy of rural Maine or restore the manufacturing base that was the hallmark of times past. The closing of mills and deep pockets of poverty that are plaguing Maine have some common sources and are issues we hear about routinely; the demographics and scourge of the opioid addiction epidemic. We know that we are one of the oldest states in the Union, but do we know just how profound the impact is? The news reports of opioid abuse, crime, and deaths are so frequently sounded that they have become common and may not be getting the attention they need, if the State of Maine is to succeed. Mr. Rowe spoke passionately and profoundly to the need to stop the leakage in the human capital pipeline if we are going to reverse the downward spiral. Steve offered up a couple of frightening statistics to underpin the foundation of the need to focus on the “human capital” if we are going to recover and survive. For example, in Aroostook County the population in the 70’s was a robust 110,000, but now despite being a beautiful, albeit a hardy place to live, the population is down to 70,000, due to the out migration of the young and educated. Even more sobering and heart rending is the fact that with a strikingly shrinking birthrate of only 12,000 live births last year, one thousand of those babies were born with an addiction due to the drug plague which is ravaging our young.
Knowing what the problems are is only a start, according to our speaker. The need to take definitive, insightful, and bold initiatives to turn this around is not so simple. How do we get drug addled young minds to seek and seize hope over the syringe so they can become proper models to their offspring? If we understand that need to grow the number of young in our population, we know that no young life can be lost. However, we are not going to “birth” our way out of this demographic, we have import human capital and that requires that we reach out and embrace those of cultures far different than the current composition of the state.
Our immigrant population has already shown that they are resilient, resourceful, and anxious to become part of the American dream by starting up new businesses and helping to keep our life the way it should be. If we do not throw off the shackles of “structural racism” and find ways to accept and certify the academic credentials this new population bring, we are in trouble. Mr. Rowe, ever the optimist, is convinced that we are going to catch fire with enthusiasm and turn things around one community after another and leave no valuable resource under-utilized.
(Photo: President Bowen Depke, 2nd Vice President, Don Zillman, Steve Rowe, MCF, and 1st Vice President Laura Young.)
President Bowen welcomed 46 members and 7 guests to our meeting last Friday. Russ Burleigh provided an invocation regarding numerous quotes about "Fools and April Fool’s day." For instance, “Believe everything that is on the internet - by Abraham Lincoln.”
Rob Chatfield led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kathy Grammer kept us in tune singing, "God Bless America."
President Bowen discussed our fund raising goals towards $100k this Rotary year and has put forth an idea for a calendar, whereby some people in the club could be photographed in compromising positions. The discussion was passed as April Fool's trickery.
Alex St. Hilaire presented a history moment from the July 1960-June 1961 era. That year was a time of change and international strife in world history: from the cold war, to civil rights, to technology and rock and roll. JFK won the election, and the Cuban Bay of Pigs and Missile Crisis were discussed. Of possible interest to some, Alex noted that the chimp sent into space lived for 17 more years after returning to earth. At the time, Rotary meetings were held at the Lafayette Hotel and the Scarborough Club was started that year. Alex found that there were several notable speakers that year, including Clint Rose, FBI Director, who had a whopping draw of 133 Rotarians and 87 Guests. Mr. Rose spoke about criminals and spies, a naval officer spoke about our cruise missiles, and another spoke about the use of trucking and railroads during the cold war.
Never having the chance to sing it on the appropriate day, the St. Patrick’s Day song, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" was led by a group that included Amy Chipman, Russ Burleigh, Kathy Grammer, and Bill Blount. Before the song, Bill honored Emily McEntee for her 34-year career at Amica Insurance, as she was retiring that very day from the company.
Jake Bourdeau shook the can for at least 20 minutes, then asked our speaker to pick a raffle ticket from the can for a potential shot at +$1,300. Loretta Rowe'sname was selected, but unfortunately we will all have to wait at least another week, as the Queen of Hearts remained in the deck.
1st Vice President Laura Young commented on the President Elect Training Session (PETS) she had attended and discussed the differences between some of the local clubs. She found out that the Portland Rotary Club is one of the largest clubs in the district: being 2nd only to the Portsmouth, NH Club. At the training, she had to learn all the new Rotary acronyms, and her humor was shining during those descriptions. Laura indicated that Portland Rotary is considered among some in the District to be the "Big and Rich Club." This is in part to the efforts of Amy Chipman who helps our club raise funds for the Rotary Foundation of $15-$20k per year. Laura found it interesting to learn that the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary club members have played a large role in Rotary leadership above the club level over the years. This year is also the Centennial of Rotary Foundation which is another to reason to celebrate. More on this subject will follow in the upcoming months.
(Photo: Deering High School Principal, Ira Waltz and YSA student, Maryan Isack)
Principal of Deering High School, Ira Waltz, presented Maryan Isack as the student selected to receive the Portland Rotary Club's Youth Service Award (YSA). Maryan is an active humanitarian and an honor roll student. She is involved in our community, including helping groups such as 'Seeds of Peace,' 'Rippleffect,' the University of Maine's SMART program 'Cultivating Community' and by being a moderator. Maryan wants to pursue international relations and health sciences and plans to put her awarded $1,000 scholarship towards this effort. She also designated the $100 donation given in her name to the American Diabetes Foundation.
(Photo: Rob Chatfield, Patty Erickson, and Jennifer Frederick.)
Two new Rotary members were brought into the club by Rob Chatfield. Rob introduced Jennifer Frederick and Patty Erickson. Jennifer is a Branch Bank Manager of Bath Savings Institution, has an accounting degree, helps at Wayside, and enjoys spending time with her family. Rob Chatfield introduced Patty Erickson and told us a story about how he introduced Patty to a client at a business meeting, and how her banking prowess at Bath Savings Bank, helped her “seal the deal” later, as the client became her husband. Please welcome Jennifer and Patty to the club.
In recognition of Portland Rotary’s 100th Anniversary Year, the club is organizing a return home visit to its Parent...Club, The Rotary Club of Boston. Formed in 1909, the Rotary Club of Boston was founded only four years after Rotary's first club in Chicago, IL. It was the 7th Rotary Club!
The Boston club meets from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM at Fisher College, 118 Beacon Street. We will go there on Wednesday, April 6th for an exceptional program about one of Boston's treasures, the Old North Church, presented by Rev. Stephen Ayres.
Invocation:Alan Nye Program Reporter: Dick Hall Bits & Pieces Reporter: Erik Jorgensen Registration/Greeter: Jean Murachanian Sell Meal Tickets: Lili Brown Raffle: Erik Greven Badge Box: None Collect Meal Tickets: Carol Aten Rotary Moment in History: Erik Jorgensen Song Leader: Bill Blount Pianist: None Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Scott Blakeslee Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Mac Collins
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(S) Vantiel Duncan American Red Cross Laura Young
Matthew Wolcott Safe Passage Bowen Depke
Leisa Collins ME Comm College Sys Tom Nickerson
ROTARY DOUBLES TENNIS LEAGUE Winter/Spring Session 2016
It’s time to start thinking about our annual celebratory post-season event. We had a great time at Kathy Grammer’s last year. Would any of you consider hosting the event this year? Please let me know.....thanks, Bill.
Michael Romy Greer is the current Executive Director at Portland Ballet and previously General Manager at Sino-European Recycling Resources in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China..JPG)
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Alex St. Hilaire presented a history moment from the July 1960-June 1961 era. That year was a time of change and international strife in world history: from the cold war, to civil rights, to technology and rock and roll. JFK won the election, and the Cuban Bay of Pigs and Missile Crisis were discussed. Of possible interest to some, Alex noted that the chimp sent into space lived for 17 more years after returning to earth. 
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1st Vice President Laura Young commented on the President Elect Training Session (PETS) she had attended and discussed the differences between some of the local clubs. She found out that the Portland Rotary Club is one of the largest clubs in the district: being 2nd only to the Portsmouth, NH Club. 
