Christopher R.Sauer is a Co-Founder of Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC (ORPC) and has been its Chief Executive Officer and President since 2006. ORPC is an international industry-leading developer of technology and projects that generate clean, predictable power from ocean and river currents. A professional manager, energy entrepreneur, and strategic development consultant, Chris has more than 40 years of experience in executive management, engineering, construction, project development, marketing, financing, and startup company formation in the electricity, cogeneration, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. He has held senior management positions with two major U.S. corporations and led three startup energy/environmental technology companies. Involved in the energy transaction business since 1977, Chris has played an instrumental role in the development of more than $2 billion in energy assets and companies. He is a registered professional engineer in Colorado and a lifetime Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Bob Martin introduced our program speaker, Don Perkins, Executive Director of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). Don shared with us the workings of GMRI and the impact that it has on the state and the globe. “We live on an ocean planet,” he said. “two-thirds of the planet is water. The next century is an ocean century. How the ocean changes and adapts is the focus of our challenge.”
Don shared that GMRI has an operating budget of about $8 million annually, and is known internationally for its education and research programs. One of their major initiatives is a program for5th and 6th grade students to help them learn more about science and math. “We want to get them engaged before they reach middle school,” he said. “We are committed to driving Maine as a science and math state.” Don said that the GMRI program involves students in various labs to get them involved in world-class research. “Through the state’s laptop program, we can continue the lab work with the kids back in their classroom, so they can participate in efforts to solve problems in science.”
Don described the monitoring system GMRI maintains in Casco Bay as part of their effort to unravel the mystery of fishing stocks with the assistance of fishermen who volunteer to participate. “We have twelvelobstermen who volunteer to work at night to run a search for herring,” he said. “They are the key to the ecosystem.” Knowing the condition of the herring population helps to determine the future of lobster. “One of the outcomes of this work has been to help retool fishing gear. This has the potential of increasing the value of sustainable fishing in these waters by $160 million through redesign.” Don also reported that projections for increases in aquaculture revenues were substantial as the industry developed more sustainable methods of harvesting. “Kelp, mussels, seaweed are now a $3 million industry, but have the capacity to be $100 million.”
Don said that despite reports to the contrary, the ocean was very productive. “Even though some species, like cod, are declining, red fish, pollock, and others are abundant.” In response to a question about haddock, Don pointed out that haddock supplies were increasing, as were scallops, due to the combination of currents and temperature helping to create a situation where larvae were able to stay in one place long enough to grow and strengthen. “This is research that’s really important for us,” he said. “What sets us apart is the integration of skills from science, education and the community.”
GMRI’s research also helps to develop forecasting tools to help fishermen adjust their harvest times to avoid oversupply in the marketplace, which leads to lower prices. He also pointed out that fisheries are in transition. “We’ve traditionally thought about each kind of fishing separately. That’s old news,” he said. “The aquaculture industry is now driven to think collaboratively.”
Finally, Don said that while this is an ocean planet with global effect, GMRI is focused on creating solutions that have a local impact. “That means, however, we are involved in projects in Indonesia, Chile, the Gulf of Mexico, and are involved with technology transfer with universities in Texas. Maine is an unbelievable place to operate from in a global context.”
Alan Nye gave an invocation prompting everyone in celebration of the Easter holiday to resurrect an activity they haven’t done in a long time and do something this weekend for their fellow man – or woman!
President Kris Rosado introduced 1 guest and 2 visiting Rotarians...one Rotarian (Kelly Roberts) being from the Rotary Club of NYC, who exchanged banners with us and the other (Michael Dickel) being from Munich Germany!
(Photo: Kelly Roberts from NYC and President Kris Rosado.)
Jon Young asked our speaker to pick a name from the raffle bucket. He picked Gracie Johnson's name, giving her a chance to win $912 if she could find the Queen of Hearts. Gracie was gracious to the club by drawing the 7 of Hearts.....insuring a higher raffle pot next week.
Gracie pulled double-duty by then leading the club in a favorite from the "Sound of Music: My Favorite Things." (The movie is 50 years old this year.) We started slow, but finished strong.
Our "May Madness Auction" is coming up on May 1st. All you need is a donation with a $15 minimum to share. Contact Emily McEntee at emcentee@amica.com or Loretta Rowe at lrowe@maine.rr.com for more details.
President Kris then told the club that the Boys and Girls Club's annual auction was coming up this Friday, April 10th and could really use some volunteer support from Rotary. They need about 6-8 volunteers to help them from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. They could also use a couple of volunteers the next day (Saturday) at 10:00 a.m. to help with the cleanup. Contact Steve Stromsky for volunteering and/or additional info: sstromsk@maine.rr.com
(Photo: Lydia Maier, Helen Gray-Bauer and Laura Young)
Laura Young introduced Lydia Maier, the Dean of Students at Waynflete, who in turn introduced Helen Gray-Bauerfor our Youth Service Award. Helen is an amazing young woman who volunteers regularly, plays viola, and has performed service abroad in Nepal helping to build an orphanage. She is going on to school at Skidmore College where she will major in Music and Neuroscience.
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 the Club Secretary (Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com). Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS SPONSOR Bill Souter Dawson Smith Purvis & Bassett Loretta Rowe
Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark: 1. Don't miss the boat. 2. We are all in the same boat. 3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. 4. Don't listen to critics..just get on with the job that needs to be done. 5. For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 6. Stay fit. you never know when someone may ask you to do something really big. 7. Speed isn't always an advantage...the snails were on board with the cheetahs. 8. When you're stressed, float a while. 9. Remember, the ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals. 10. No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting.
THE ROTARY DOUBLES TENNIS LEAGUE Winter/Spring 2015 Season Finale
Rotary Tennis Spring Season 2015 is in the record books. Week 5 was postponed because of a snow storm. It was played May 11 as week 19. The victors had it in the bag. Despite taking no points in the final night, congratulations are due to Jake, Bruce, Peter Ingram and Laura. The social event at Kathy Grammer's is on May 18. Past, present and future members are invited. Please contact Kathy if you're planning on attending. Final Scores are posted below:
The meeting minutes of the Portland Rotary Club's Board of Directors are posted on our website the month following their approval. From the "Home Page," click on the "Board Meeting Minutes" in the listing at the left.
