Dean Norm O’Reilly of The University of Maine’s Graduate School of Business spoke about the early findings from the “Maine Branding Study” that he is working on with an associated professor and a doctoral student. According to Dr. O’Reilly this is the first time that the data has been shared in public. The study was funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation and researched the term Maine as a brand. The concept of the study was initially meant retain and bring business talent to Maine. As people thought about Maine as a brand it became clear that it means many things to different people. For instance, Maine is known as a wonderful place to visit, but people are not generally moving to Maine to work here when compared to other states.

 

What comes to mind when words like Nike, Subaru, and New York City are mentioned? Then consider what comes to mind when Maine is mentioned? What your mind envisions is largely what branding is about. The research evaluated typical photos and attributes found in Maine to better identify what people envision when they hear the word Maine. The photos people identify with Maine are largely outdoors, clean, landscapes, etc., and rarely do people associate industry and non-tourism businesses in these common photos. One of goal of the branding study is to determine if changing the focus of the brand is necessary to draw in and maintain other businesses and workers. LL Bean’s “Be An Outsider” was one successful Maine business campaign noted as an example, and of the 56,000 Maine businesses, less than 0.5% Maine businesses have been queried at the onset of the study. Both Business to Business (B2B) interactions (160 surveys) and Business to Consumer (B2C) interactions (~300 surveys) were reviewed to obtain more information on the branding topic.

 

63% of the surveyed have been to Maine before. People are willing to pay approximately 22% more if the product is known to be from Maine. Most people (65% of respondents) come to Maine for leisure pursuits, 19% for friends and family, and only 6.9% on the non-tourism business side. Mainers may like to see a higher percentage for business pursuits.

 

Of the more interesting B2C answers possibly anecdotal to Mainers, the survey asked for a one-word answer about Maine and many of the respondents answered “cold’ as an adjective. Another question which allowed a description identified, “Snow in April, Expect it.”

 

Three main concepts have emerged from the data so far: 

-  Business leader's concept of the Maine brand and out-of-state consumers are not aligned in concept.

-  There is evidence of the power of the Maine brand.

-  Maine’s current brand attributes and related images could be updated to promote positive outcomes alternate to tourism.

 

Bruce Jones  belled us to in, Zach Zimmerman led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Larry Gross provided the Message For The Day.

 

No Luck: Paul Gore did drawing with $360 in the pot.  Bill Blount secured the chance to draw the Queen of Hearts, but fortunately for us he was not lucky. The Raffle continues to grow.

 

3-H Prosthetics: Eric Grevin provided an update on the 3-H program in the Dominican Republic.  He provided a couple of stories, such as one about a seventy-six (76) year-old woman who had been looking for a leg for years.  She was fit with a prosthetic leg thanks to the work that the Portland Rotary Club has been doing.  She says “No words can describe the joy I felt in that moment.” The other story Eric relayed is of a lower leg replacement for a forty-seven (47) year-old man who lost his leg at the age of 18.  Because of cost constraints, waited 29 years to get a prosthetic replacement. 

 

TREES: Ellen Niewoehner reminded everyone of the tree planting success from Wednesday, May 10^th. 10 trees were planted on May 10. Ellen invited everyone to participate from 9 am to 11am on Bayside Trail on Wednesday, May 24. Friends and family are welcome. Bring work gloves, extra shovels and work boots/shoes.

 

Youth Service Award: The Portland Rotary Club presented a $500 Vocational Service scholarship to Portland Arts and Technology High School  student, Cameron Parker. Brian Nickerson introduced the school's Director Kevin Stilphen, who did the honors. Cameron’s mother, Jessica, and grandmother,“Nana”, were on hand to honor Cameron in his reception of the award. (Photo: Jessica, Bruce, Cam, Brian, and Kevin)

 

Flags for Heroes: Charlie Frair invited club members to get involved in the Flags for Heroes Project, returning again this fall. The Portland Rotary Club provides the opportunity for both members and non-members alike to sponsor an American flag to honor a "hero" in our life. It can be anyone you wish- a parent, a sibling, son, daughter, teacher, coach, co-worker, friend, or someone in the community that you want to express your appreciation. It can be a police officer, a firefighter, EMT, a doctor/nurse...whoever! This is both an important fundraiser that supports many of our club's projects, while also an inspiring symbolic image. It is an emotional moment for the sponsor and the recipient, or a respectful posthumous memory. The planning committee interacts on zoom to organize and prepare, and then executes the setup and take down with precision at the Mall. It's fun!  Click here to reach out to Charlie.

June 2, Cynthia Dill, Esq, Affordable Housing Initiatives in Maine

June 9,  Portland Mayor Kate Snyder 

June 16, Bill Nemitz, Acquisition of Portland Press Herald and Sun Journal

June 23,  President Bruce Jones Farewell Address

June 29, Thursday Night Social

June 30, No Meeting