New President Justin Lamontagne opened his first meeting in front a large crowd. Katharine Nagle led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Paul Tully provided the Thought for the Day by stating our gratefulness for Justin’s willingness to lead to serve, and to encourage him to smile through the many agendas this year. Paul also asked for a blessing for our new president and for the club to continue its service above self.

MAKE IT OFFICIAL: Tom Talbott asked for point of order and came to the podium to present Justin with his President Pin and administered the Presidential oath of service.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:  The Club celebrated the many member birthdays with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday Dear Rotarian and noted all the July anniversaries. Doug Packard recognized his father’s would be 100^th birthday and Patty Byers celebrated her mother’s would be 104^th birthday.

RAFFLE TRY: Jack Schraeter ran the raffle. Cyrus Hagge won his first ever chance to win the raffle, but alas he did not choose the winning card. More money for next week!

WELCOME: Katharine Nagle presented the many guests in attendance: Kate Miller and Tom Haushalter, and Justin’s family Marce, CJ, Will, and his parents Marc and Sharon.

FLAGS FOR HEROES:  Charlie Frair thanked the club for the great success of the Flags for Heroes Project launch. The Seadogs presentation was flawless and the set up at the Mall went smoothly. The presentation really shows how we help the community celebrate all kinds of heroes. Charlie also emphasised that it takes a village, and as our single largest fundraiser, individual participation is key. Through our collective efforts, we are enabled to provide the support we do to community projects. Key dates to remember – Monday 7/20 we need help to take down the Flags, please be at the mall at 5:45PM. 

MORE FLAGS! Tom Talbott echoed Charlie’s strong points about participation, noting it is the backbone of club membership. To that end, Tom is eager to recruit as many club members as possible to hold a flag for us on July 29^th at Pedro Field, 30 Baxter Blvd. 125 volunteers needed to hold our 250 flags for a photographic tribute to our country’s 250^th birthday. It’ll be fun, and fast. Arrive at 4:30, and we’ll be off before the Little League game at 5:30! 

DREAM TEAM:  Before Justin’s presidential presentation, he invited CJ Smith from the “Dream Team” to tell us about the group’s work. The Club made a $5,000 donation at the end of last year to support the group’s feeding project. The Dream Team is a regional nonprofit that helps youth is public housing access opportunity. The goal is to eliminate the opportunity gap between being able to do something and being capable to do it. The group emphasizes outside recreation, educational field trips, and mentoring with college students. Portland is the group’s first site in Maine.

HAPPY DOLLARS! The club enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to recognize family achievements, personal milestones, and the many connections to Colorado University (Thanks Charlie for starting us down that country road).

READING RIGHT: David Patterson gave a Youth Service Update: The Summer Reading program at the Boys and Girls Club is up and running. Volunteers are needed, please reach out to David if you are interested. (Photo)

HEAR THIS: Roger Fagan provided an update for the International Service Committee: He thanked the club for the continued support and the investment is enabling the project to reuse donated hearing aids. To date 43 people have been fitted with hearing aids from the clinic.

HARD HEADED: After the Sea Dogs Flags For Heroes presentation, Charlie was hit directly on the head by a foul ball, Down goes Frair, down goes Frair! In the moment it wasn't so funny, but after checking out the noggin at Mercy, Charlie was deemed to be ok. “Funny thing” he said. “I can now play the piano.” Here's Charlie with “the ball”, describing his head's up play to Kathryn Nagle. 

TAKE TWO: Roxane Cole (R) introduced our newest member two weeks ago, but we didn't get a picture, so here's Dee Dee Fusco! She's an active Rotarian transferring from the Sarasota Sunrise Club in Florida, and works as the Director of Planned Giving for the USM Foundation. She has jumped right into club activities with great enthusiasm. Great to have you here Dee Dee!

LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER: New Club President,       Justin Lamontagne "Raising Our Hands -A Vision For The Rotary Year

At his first meeting as president of the Rotary Club of Portland, Justin Lamontagne introduced a central theme for the coming year: engagement through the simple but powerful act of raising our hands.

Reflecting on Rotary International’s theme of “Creating Lasting Impact,” Justin noted that meaningful change begins when people volunteer, accept responsibility and step forward to serve. He thanked the club’s board members, committee chairs, past presidents and the many members who quietly make meetings, projects and fundraisers possible.

Justin emphasized that he is not stepping into an organization that needs to be rebuilt. Rather, he is inheriting a strong, historic club with deep roots in Portland, a proud tradition of service and significant momentum. His goal is to strengthen that foundation, support the work already underway and help position the club for continued success.

The primary focus of his presidential year will be engagement. Justin described an engaged club as one in which every member feels invited, needed and empowered to contribute. While membership growth remains important, he believes authentic engagement and inclusivity are the keys to both attracting new members and retaining current ones.

Justin also introduced himself through the “Four H’s”: History, Heroes, Heartbreak and Hope. He spoke about growing up in Portland, his career in commercial real estate and the importance of his wife, Marce, their children, KC and William, and his extended family. He recognized his parents, Marc and Sharon, as his heroes, crediting their compassion, work ethic and commitment to community service with shaping his own values.

For heartbreak, Justin reflected on Marce’s Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in 2016 and the network of family, friends and Rotarians who supported them. Nearly ten years later, Marce is not only a survivor but is helping other women through an online support community and her new nonprofit, Tatas and Tapas.

Looking ahead, Justin said the club will focus on listening, expressing gratitude, supporting committee leaders, sharing Rotary’s story, creating opportunities for fellowship and expanding hands-on service.

The club will continue building on signature initiatives such as Flags for Heroes and the Lobster Raffle while exploring additional fundraising and service opportunities.

Justin stressed that engagement does not mean perfect attendance or equal levels of participation. It means extending a 100 percent invitation and recognizing that, while not everyone can do everything, everyone can do something.

“I have raised my hand in inspiration of all of you,” he concluded. “I hope you will raise yours too.”   (Photo: The Lamontagne Family - Marc, Justin, William, Sharon, KC, and Marce) 

What is a Paul Harris Club? This designation recognizes that all members of a club are Paul Harris Fellows. It is given only once and clubs receiving this distinction are given a banner.