LUNCH CHECK-IN: Please try to bring $22 exact change or your written check to help our check-in process go smoothly. You can also pay using the Venmo App before you get to the check-in table:
@dickhall7780 (207) 749-9186.
Just advise the check-in person that you paid by Venmo.
This Week...
Members who joined the Portland Rotary Club in the past year will be commandeering the meeting, overthrowing President Bruce Jones, and setting the agenda for some fun. What will they have up their sleeve? What ever the plan, we're sure it will an engaging time for all. Please support them and join in the fun!
Meeting of April 28th: Martha Stein, Hope Acts
| by Bruce Moore
Martha explained that Hope Acts provides housing, English classes and other resources that support immigrants in transitioning to life in Greater Portland and in achieving their goals for a successful future. Behind the numbers are individuals and families, each with their own story of hope and fierce determination to restart their lives in the U.S. It isn’t easy. The affordable housing crisis, a very complex and backlogged immigration system, and a myriad of other challenges make the journey long and difficult.
There are two populations needing help navigating the difficult immigration process, refugees and asylum seekers. A refugee applies for protection prior to arriving here. Many are from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Asylum seekers enter by crossing our border and then asking for asylum. Many of them are from war torn countries in Africa. (Photo: Bruce Jones, Martha Stein, and Doreen Rockstrom)
She described how Hope Acts helps them apply for asylum which can take one to two years to get. Once they apply for asylum they have to wait six months before they can get a work permit.Hope Acts volunteers provide one-on-one assistance to individuals and families to help them access much-needed food, housing, healthcare and many other resources. They also work with clients to submit their applications for work permits.She said they need volunteers to help these new Mainers so they can become self-sufficient and help us grow our labor force.
Many members had questions and wanted to know more about why the work permits take so long. Martha encouraged us to contact our congressional delegation and to volunteer at Hope Acts.
Bits and Pieces | by Tom Talbott
This Sunday May 7th, 12:30pm Deering Oaks Park
FENTANYL AWARENESS CONCERT - FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Co-Sponsored by the Portland Rotary Club and the
City of Portland Health Department
FEATURING The DON CAMPBELL BAND!
There is a national Fentanyl crisis, and it's just as much in Maine as it is in any other part of the country. This event, spearheaded by Tom Ranello, intends to raise awareness for the problem, with public health and opioid support organizations on site to provide education. Combative tools including fentanyl test strips and Narcan will be showcased. Proceeds benefit our club's Recovery Task Force and other social service providing partners like Preble Street, Milestone Recovery, Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, Maine Works, Providence Place, Portland Recovery & Community Center and Recovery Magazine. Sponsors include The Ranello Group, Port City Graphics, Roxane Cole Commercial Real Estate, Young's Found Furniture and Goods, The Dunham Group, Portland Press Herald, TRSS Wealth Management, and individuals Cyrus Hagge, Jim and Barbara Willey, and Erik Greven. Thank you all!
Now to the Meeting!
President Jones "clanged" (his words) the bell and the meeting got underway, with Dick Hall leading the Pledge of Allegiance and David Small providing the message of the day.
Bruce thanked everyone, at least 25+ members, for turning out at last week's Thursday night social at the Taco Trio, South Portland. Hoping next month we can take it outside!
HELP WANTED: Charlie Frair stepped up to recruit members for our Sunday Concert. Please, we need a full crew, so reach out to Charlie and Tom Ranello with your desire to support!
TRAINING: Dick Hall announced that the District Training Assembly held at Westbrook High was very successful, with 162 Rotarians from District 7780 in attendance. Good show!
PURPLE BAGS: Amy Chipman reported that our club successfully packed 300 Purple Bags for the Locker Project, with 11 Rotarians providing assistance. Each bag is filled with healthy snacks and staples of nutrition for children and family with food-insecure situations. it is then delivered to over 40 preschools, schools, and community sites in Cumberland County.
GREET THUMBS: Wed May 10 and Wed June 14, we will be planting 10 trees each day, on Cove Street, Portland. so we need a good turnout. The rain dates will be the following Thursdays. Q's?, contact Ellen Niewoehner.
PATTY IN PARIS: Patty Byers attended the weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Paris, France (not Maine!) with her French-speaking, translator husband Reid. This is the oldest Rotary Club in France, founded in 1921. Patty and Reid are pictured in front, with club President Ardavan Amir-Asiani behind them. Banners were exchanged, and Patty extended greetings from our club to the Parisiennes.
Merci Patty et Reid!
Speaker Schedule
May 12, Erin Cooperrider, Former Mercy Hospital Redevelopment
May 19, Norm O'Reilly, Dean UMaine Graduate School of Business - Maine
Brand Study and Hockey Book
May 25, Thursday Night Club Social
May 26, No Meeting
June 2, Cynthia Dill, Esq, Affordable Housing Initiatives in Maine
June 9, Bill Nemitz, Acquisition of Portland Press Herald and Sun Journal
June 16, Portland Mayor Kate Snyder
June 23, President Bruce Jones Farewell Address
June 29, Thursday Night Social
June 30, No Meeting
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Bill Blount Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-ArmsJake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux,
Ben Lowry, Zach Newell, Bruce Moore,
Tom Nickerson, Dave Patterson,
Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair:Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
LUNCH CHECK-IN: Please try to bring $22 exact change or your written check to help our check-in process go smoothly. You can also pay using the Venmo App before you get to the check-in table:
Members who joined the Portland Rotary Club in the past year will be commandeering the meeting, overthrowing President Bruce Jones, and setting the agenda for some fun. What will they have up their sleeve? What ever the plan, we're sure it will an engaging time for all. Please support them and join in the fun!
system, and a myriad of other challenges make the journey long and difficult.
PATTY IN PARIS: Patty Byers attended the weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Paris, France (not Maine!) with her French-speaking, translator husband Reid. This is the oldest Rotary Club in France, founded in 1921. Patty and Reid are pictured in front, with club President Ardavan Amir-Asiani behind them. Banners were exchanged, and Patty extended greetings from our club to the Parisiennes..png)
