No club meeting this Friday, Nov 24th ....Happy Thanksgiving To All!
Last Week's Meeting: Martha Bentley - Helping Maine's Proprieter's Buy and Sell Businesses
| by Tom Nickerson
On Friday, the members heard from Martha Bentley on her efforts to help build a sustainable community for small businesses looking to sell and for prospective buyers and operators. Her latest venture is “Proprietor” – an online platform that connects small business sellers with those interested in buying a small business. Ms. Bentley and her partner are in the design/move to market phase and is looking to recruit a “Founding 100” to test the product and provide feedback.
The concept behind Proprietor is to create an online community that targets non-traditional small businesses and prospective buyers. She envisions building relationships among sellers and buyers. The community will target support services for the seller to get appropriate valuations and help screen prospective buyers to help them understand the market for a small, local business. The model is to get the business ready to sell, match buyer and seller, and support the buyer during the transition.
(Photo: John Thompson, Martha Bentley, Dick Hall)
Ms. Bentley comes from the entrepreneur and small business development field. She was with the State of Maine during the pandemic and helped guide the state’s efforts to support small businesses. As a result of her work during the pandemic, she had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of small business owners and to hear from those looking to start or buy a small business. From this experience, Ms. Bentley noted a gap in the support and valuation services for small business owners who gross less than $1 million and want to stay a small, local business; as well as for those local businesses who are looking for a viable plan to continue the business into the next generation.
She found that typical business brokers and valuation firms were not well positioned to help these small firms and especially those who want buy a small community business. She gave examples of home businesses that have a viable business model but want to stay local rather than grow and expand. Helping those owners tell their story and correctly value the business and then finding and supporting the new owner will be the core of Proprietor. By helping prospective buyers narrow their choices and fully understand the value of a small, local business, Ms. Bentley is confident that she will help grow a valuable segment of the economy. FMI Click for Website
Bits and Pieces | by Laura Young
To start the meeting President Dick played a musical video of the Star-Spangled Banner followed by the Club reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Larry Gross presented the Thought of the Day about beauty and being thankful for friendship.
VISITS: After lunch, Zach Newell (photo) presented the many visitors to the Club and announced that it was Kirk Duffy’s last meeting. Safe travels, Kirk, and we will see you next Spring!
CUT THE DECK: Bill Blount led the $400 raffle. Paul Tully lucked out with his name being drawn but didn’t luck out with his selection of a card. Bill’s loquaciousness at the podium led President Dick to comment, “Bill, we have another program today.” The rest of the announcements included playful jabs to other Past Presidents on their length of speaking as well.
RINGERS WANTED: Tom Ranello gave an update on this season’s bell ringing for Salvation Army which includes new locations and a match! Club members are asked to pick a timeslot for ringing the bell on Mondays through Thursdays for two weeks in December, 11:30-2 pm at North Gate Plaza. On Fridays, Tom and Jim Willey will ring the bell at the entrance to Portland Rotary meetings at the Italian Heritage Center and will match Rotarian donations in the kettle up to $500. They are hoping Portland Rotary will be the number one service club raising funds for the Salvation Army.
SPIRIT OF YOUTH: Jim Willey (R) led the Youth Services Award presentation to Cheverus High School senior Carolyn Bolduc.(Center) Director of School Counseling at Cheverus, Andrew Digan (L), spoke about Carolyn who is involved in the Cheverus Key Club and leads the drive providing turkeys for Thanksgiving to 400 local families. She’s also involved in 4 sports even though there are only 3 seasons a year. Carolyn thanked the club and said her Rotary charitable donation will go to the Maine Cancer Foundation. Proud parents Ann Marie and Tim Bolduc, along with sister Hannah, were all smiles.
NEW MEMBER: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson introduced new member Mark Shinners. Mark is a busy man running two businesses, NE Food Safety and Boston Harbor Trading Services. He lives in Scarborough and is fluent in Spanish. Welcome to the club, Mark!
THANKSGIVING DINNER: Nannette also announced that clean up helpers are needed for next Wednesday’s St. Vincent De Paul Thanksgiving meal. She thanked Cisco for donating the food each year. Nannette also called “last chance” to order Rotary swag, i.e. shirts, sweatshirts and jackets with the Portland Rotary logo. Great gifts for the holidays!
NEWEST MEMBER: Peter Goffin also introduced a new member to the club, Tricia Toms. Tricia was born and raised in Maryland and is a professional photographer. She has lots of interesting stories that Peter didn’t have time to share but said to ask her about the time she was locked overnight in a chocolate factory. Yum! Welcome to the club, Tricia!
STUDENT EXCHANGE: Jan Chapman was excited to share the news that we have a Deering High School student who is applying for a long-term student exchange through Rotary. She and Dick both said it has been a long time since we have had a long-term exchange. Jan asked if a Rotarian would be willing to serve as the host family for the incoming exchange student. She shared the story of a South African exchange student staying with her family which has led to a lifelong friendship.
AMY DOES IT: Dick thanked Amy Chipman for organizing the recent Community Gardens outing to put the gardens to bed. They also delivered boots to Rowe school. Dick spoke to the school about Portland Rotary painting a flag outside of the school as a spring project. Amy announced that Portland High School is looking for coats and asked Rotarians to contact her to donate gently used coats. She thanked Dave Small for alreadt bringing in coats.
SUNRISE NIGHT PARTY: Portland Rotary's Sunrise Satellite Club gathered with friends at Coals Pizza on November 15. It was a fun evening full of laughter, friendship, and good food. Around the table, left to right: Roger Fagan, Bob Gravino, Andre Nzeyimana, Art Howe, Kathy Gravino, Kath Hall, Quinn Slayton, Sam Heck, Dick Hall, Patty Byers, Jocelyne Kamilkazi, Bill Blount, Liz Fagan.
LEADER SEEKERS: Jan Chapman, Bill Ross, Dick Hall, and Patty Byers are joined by RYLA co-director, Emily Rumble and staff members Max Rawson and Jenna Rumble at the RYLA Coordinator Summit on November 18. Start looking for future leaders and helpers who are now sophomores in high school and encourage them to apply to the RYLA leadership program January-February and see the details at ryla7780.org.
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HISTORY: 60 Years Ago Today, 11/22/63. We don't usually bring in outside news, but for those who were around, it's one of those, "Where were you and what were you doing" days. Your WJ Managing Editor was 5, and watching Romper Room on WPIX TV, NY, when the news cut in. Vivid memories, nonetheless.
NEW MEMBERS:
First Notice: Laura Green Rothermel of Falmouth has been sponsored for membership by Nannette Ranger-Duncanson. Laura is the owner of Design Practice Group, LLC located in Portland. Her name will be published a second time and then her application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
First Notice: Andre Nzeyimana of Westbrook has been sponsored for membership by Arthur Howe. Andre is the owner of Burundi Star Coffee located in Portland. His name will be published a second time and then his application will be voted on by the Board of Directors.
If any Portland Rotarian would like to offer a comment on a proposal, please send it to our Club President, dickhall7780@gmail.com. It will be shared with the Board of Directors prior to a vote on the application.
Speaker Schedule
December 1- Eben Sumner, CEO Casco Bay Hemp
December 8 - Paul Drinan, Exec. Directior, "Friends of Fort Gorges"
December 15 - Derek Volk, President, Volk Packaging Company
December 22 - Quinn Slayton, "Holiday Karaoke!"
December 29- No Meeting - Happy New Year!
January 5 - Carolyn Delaney, Journey Enterprises Media - Journey Magazine
January 12 - Rich Brooks, Artificial Intelligence
Club Executives President Dick Hall President Elect Patty Byers Vice President John Thompson TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Bruce Jones,
Ben Millick, Quinn Slayton, Zachary Newell,
David Ertz, Maggie McGauley Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Erik Jorgensen,
Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair Doreen Rockstrom Managing Editor Tom Talbott
build a sustainable community for small businesses looking to sell and for prospective buyers and operators. Her latest venture is “Proprietor” – an online platform that connects small business sellers with those interested in buying a small business. Ms. Bentley and her partner are in the design/move to market phase and is looking to recruit a “Founding 100” to test the product and provide feedback. 
Ms. Bentley comes from the entrepreneur and small business development field. She was with the State of Maine during the pandemic and helped guide the state’s efforts to support small businesses. As a result of her work during the pandemic, she had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of small business owners and to hear from those looking to start or buy a small business. From this experience, Ms. Bentley noted a gap in the support and valuation services for small business owners who gross less than $1 million and want to stay a small, local business; as well as for those local businesses who are looking for a viable plan to continue the business into the next generation.
RINGERS WANTED: Tom Ranello gave an update on this season’s bell ringing for Salvation Army which includes new locations and a match! Club members are asked to pick a timeslot for ringing the bell on Mondays through Thursdays for two weeks in December, 11:30-2 pm at North Gate Plaza. On Fridays, Tom and Jim Willey will ring the bell at the entrance to Portland Rotary meetings at the Italian Heritage Center and will match Rotarian donations in the kettle up to $500. They are hoping Portland Rotary will be the number one service club raising funds for the Salvation Army.
NEW MEMBER: Nannette Ranger-Duncanson introduced new member Mark Shinners. Mark is a busy man running two businesses, NE Food Safety and Boston Harbor Trading Services. He lives in Scarborough and is fluent in Spanish. Welcome to the club, Mark!
NEWEST MEMBER: Peter Goffin also introduced a new member to the club, Tricia Toms. Tricia was born and raised in Maryland and is a professional photographer. She has lots of interesting stories that Peter didn’t have time to share but said to ask her about the time she was locked overnight in a chocolate factory. Yum! Welcome to the club, Tricia!
School student who is applying for a long-term student exchange through Rotary. She and Dick both said it has been a long time since we have had a long-term exchange. Jan asked if a Rotarian would be willing to serve as the host family for the incoming exchange student. She shared the story of a South African exchange student staying with her family which has led to a lifelong friendship.
AMY DOES IT: Dick thanked Amy Chipman for organizing the recent Community Gardens outing to put the gardens to bed. They also delivered boots to Rowe school. Dick spoke to the school about Portland Rotary painting a flag outside of the school as a spring project. Amy announced that Portland High School is looking for coats and asked Rotarians to contact her to donate gently used coats. She thanked Dave Small for alreadt bringing in coats.
HISTORY: 60 Years Ago Today, 11/22/63. We don't usually bring in outside news, but for those who were around, it's one of those, "Where were you and what were you doing" days. Your WJ Managing Editor was 5, and watching Romper Room on WPIX TV, NY, when the news cut in. Vivid memories, nonetheless.
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