Margo Walsh founded MaineWorks in 2011 to provide jobs and stability to people who are in recovery from substance abuse, have previous felonies, or are facing other barriers to employment. While attending substance abuse recovery meetings at Cumberland County Jail’s Pre-Release Center, Margo saw that inmates planning for their releases were struggling to find jobs.
Around the same time, she attended a talk in Portland by attorney F. Lee Bailey about the need to provide employment for felons. With a professional background in recruiting, she thought that if companies wouldn’t hire felons, she would. “I was motivated by the needs of my family and what I saw as an incredible opportunity to help change and build lives for people who were ready to work hard and support themselves,” Margo says. “I would say the operative and guiding principle of this company is empathy.”
Construction companies hire MaineWorks to provide workers for projects across the state. It’s a for-profit company, but it also has a social mission. One of her proudest success stories is the recent hiring of one of the company’s first-year temporary employee as crew leader for MaineWorks’s new Property Services Division. In March, the U.S. Small Business Administration honored Margo with the Small Business Person of the Year award for Maine.
“Federal fiscal issues are totally tedious and boring,” warned our speaker last Friday, and he was right. Chase Hagaman, the New England Regional Director for the Concord Coalition, joined us to talk about his organization, and its efforts to increase candidate and voter awareness about the fiscal issues confronting the U.S.
The Concord Coalition is a non-partisan organization that advocates for responsible fiscal policy. Founded in 1992 by U.S. Senator Warren Rudman, former Secretary of Commerce Peter Peterson, and U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas, the group prides itself on being a credible source of information and analysis on the federal budget. Currently, according to Hagaman, the group is urging voters and candidates to “look out for the nation’s fiscal future,” and calling on candidates for office to engage in meaningful discussions on ways to curb the growth of the federal budget. “Spending and revenue generation are out of synch,” said Hagaman. “Our total debt exceeds $19 trillion dollars and has the highest impact on economic growth and our standard of living.”
Hagaman pointed to the rapid increases in mandatory spending programs—26% in 1966 to 65% in 2026—as one of the root causes of the imbalance in federal spending. “Discretionary spending is declining,” he said. “But mandatory spending in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security continue to increase.” On top of that, he also pointed to increases in the cost of borrowing, with interest expense rising to over $1 trillion. “That’s wasted money,” he said. Part of the spending/revenue imbalance is created by the aging population, he pointed out, and said a key reform needed to help improve our fiscal situation related to changing these social security programs to fit the revenues available.
But, despite the fact that his organization is apolitical, the questions from the audience quickly zeroed in on why fiscal discussions are sometimes contentious, and sometimes boring: it depends on definitions. As Juliana L’Heureux pointed out in her question, the military expense budget may be seen by some as “discretionary,” but retired veterans may not agree that their pensions are “discretionary.” “The veteran’s wife would argue that they ‘paid into’ the system,” she said. “So getting the pension payment to pay for food isn’t discretionary.”
For those seeking more information about the Concord Coalition and its explanations of federal spending, or to learn more about the organization’s “Look Out” campaign, visit www.concordcoalition.org.
(Photo: President Laura Young, Chase Hagaman and member, Rusty Atwood.)
The International Service Committee's 3-H (Hearing, Hands and H2O) Project Team will be traveling to the Dominican Republic (DR) early in 2017.
Dick Giles, team member, described to the Club how he is involved with the project by helping with the installation of clean water filters in the Batays where the Haitian workers live.
(Photo: Dick Giles demonstrating a portable solar light.)
The team wants to bring collapsible portable solar lights to the inhabitants of the Batays, located some 15-20 miles outside of the city, where night darkness is intense. Access to electricity is very limited and without light, the safety of the inhabitants is an issue. The team would like to take 70-100 lights with them on their upcoming trip and are looking for volunteer donations of $15 per light to help fund this important project.
For further information or if you would like to help, please contact Loretta Rowe:lrowe@maine.rr.com or 883-5432. You may bring your cash/check to Loretta at a meeting or mail your check to: Portland Rotary, P.O. Box 1755, Portland, ME 04104. Please make your check payable to Portland Rotary Charitable Account. Make a memo note on the check: for DR solar lights.
President Laura Young opened the Rotary meeting on the Friday before the Labor Day weekend.
Paul Tully presented an invocation about the importance of Labor Day from Amy Freedman (AmyFreedman.net):
Labor Day weekend is not an ordinary time
as we do not rush headlong into our usual labors.
The sacred is found not only in houses of worship, but in time set apart.
Let us turn our attention to what is sacred in our daily living.
For the rewards of work and all those ancestors
who boldly advocated for safety, fair wages, and better working conditions,
we lift our hearts in gratitude.
May this time of recreation energize us to bring forth
an even more just and sustainable world.
We had two Rotarian guests: Richard Hyde from St. Helena, CA and Angie Bryan from Washington, DC.. Angie exchanged club banners with us from her Rotary Club of Dupont Circle, Washington, DC.
A 'Rotary Moment' was presented by Bob Martin. His earliest experience with Rotary was through the dedication of his grandfather, Charles Robert Martin, who lived in Brunswick, Maryland, where he worked for 48 years for the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad and was a Rotary member who attended Thursday dinner meetings that "were not to be missed." He was a member in Brunswick, Maryland, where Rotary was a way to help people and to make a difference in his community. When Bob was serving in the military in Germany, his grandfather sent him a banner to exchange with clubs visited, because he could speak German, so he was often asked to be a guest speaker. Bob has been a member of several Rotary Clubs. "For me, Portland Rotary is not just about the 4-Way Test, but about the 4 corners of the world and connectedness. Rotary is about family and the values I learned from my grandfather and how I share these experiences with others," he said.
As stand-in for our newest member's sponsor (Bowen Depke), President Laura was pleased to introduce new member, Danielle M. Conway, Dean and Professor of the University of Southern Maine School of Law. She is also a military veteran, having served 20 years of active duty and reserve with the U.S. Army and is now a Lt. Colonel in the Maine Army National Guard. Please welcome our newest member, Danielle Conway.
(Photo: President Laura, Danielle Conway and member/former Dean of the University of Southern Maine School of Law, Don Zillman.)
(Photo: Matt Wolcott and Julie L'Heureux.)
Being given a chance to try and win the $688 raffle, Julie L'Heureux's name was picked out of the pot by our speaker, but the King of Spades was the card she drew. Better luck to the next person to win a chance at the growing jackpot. Matt Wolcott conducted the raffle.
Paul Tully advised us that the Rotary Veterans Lunch is scheduled on Friday, November 10, 2016, 12 noon at the Italian Heritage Center. Charlie Frair is the co-chair of the committee putting this event together. A team is working on obtaining sponsorships for the lunch with several businesses having already dedicated their support, along with a private individual donor. Team leaders include: Kris Rosato, leading sponsorship; Larry Gross, leading Veterans' recruiting; Julie L'Heureux, Gracie Johnston and Tom Talbott working on the community relation communications. We are looking to host a successful luncheon and also create a wonderful annual sustainable event. This year's luncheon will be hosted on the day BEFORE our regular weekly meeting, which is canceled (11/11).
Invocation: Russ Burleigh Program Reporter: John Marr Bits & Pieces Reporter: Erik Jorgensen Registration/Greeter: Jennifer Frederick Sell Meal Tickets: Jerry Angier Raffle: Matt Tassey Badge Box: Larry Gross Collect Meal Tickets: (Standby) Chris Thomas Song Leader: Amy Chipman Pianist: Russ Burleigh Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Charlie Frair Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Mac Collins
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through
September 2016:
2016: Sep 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Sep 16 - Clarion Hotel Sep 23 - Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine
Sep 30 - Clarion Hotel
Oct 7 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Oct 14 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Oct 21 - Clarion Hotel
Oct 28 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 4 - Clarion Hotel
Nov 11 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Nov 18 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Nov 25 - No Meeting - Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 2 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 16 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Dec 30 - No Meeting - Happy New Year!
BlueBOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
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 Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor) Andrew Cook People's United Bank (Steve Stromsky)
The following is a list of projects happening within our club that you have an opportunity to volunteer and help with. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com
When
Project Who to Contact
Soup kitchen 4th Wednesday ea month
Preble Street (4-6:30 p.m.)
Erik Greven
Cedar Unit Dates & Times, contact
Games Night Jim Willey
Margo Walsh founded MaineWorks in 2011 to provide jobs and stability to people who are in recovery from substance abuse, have previous felonies, or are facing other barriers to employment. While attending substance abuse recovery meetings at Cumberland County Jail’s Pre-Release Center, Margo saw that inmates planning for their releases were struggling to find jobs. .JPG)
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Dick Giles, team member, described to the Club how he is involved with the project by helping with the installation of clean water filters in the Batays where the Haitian workers live. 
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As stand-in for our newest member's sponsor (Bowen Depke), President Laura was pleased to introduce new member, Danielle M. Conway, Dean and Professor of the University of Southern Maine School of Law. She is also a military veteran, having served 20 years of active duty and reserve with the U.S. Army and is now a Lt. Colonel in the Maine Army National Guard. Please welcome our newest member, Danielle Conway..JPG)
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Paul Tully advised us that the Rotary Veterans Lunch is scheduled on Friday, November 10, 2016, 12 noon at the Italian Heritage Center. Charlie Frair is the co-chair of the committee putting this event together. A team is working on obtaining sponsorships for the lunch with several businesses having already dedicated their support, along with a private individual donor. Team leaders include: Kris Rosato, leading sponsorship; Larry Gross, leading Veterans' recruiting; Julie L'Heureux, Gracie Johnston and Tom Talbott working on the community relation communications. We are looking to host a successful luncheon and also create a wonderful annual sustainable event. This year's luncheon will be hosted on the day