Welcome – all Rotarians and Jordan Friends
Pledge of Allegiance
4 Way Test led by: Martin Grohman
Invocation by: Joe Bassett
Announcements:
- Maple Syrup Fundraiser - $1808 raised 36% of goal ($5000) Share through social media; fundraiser through end of March. If customers need the products shipped to them they should let Rotarian know and then Rotarian will ship products out and will ask for customers to make a donation to Rotary to cover the costs. Don encouraged all to get selling! Several Rotarians have not sold any. If you need any help selling contact Don Pilon and he will help. Brenda Pollock will send out Press Release to help with this effort. Don will pay $100 credit to top 2 Rotarians that sell the most syrup.
- Center of Technology/Rotary House -Open house 518 Main St - March 6th 9-11AM - Can park at the Center of Technology (COT) parking lot. Come check out the great work done!
- Clynk bags – help fund school in Kenya – if you need any bags please contact Don
- Blood Drive – March 5, 2021 New Life Church – has plenty of volunteers, NEED donors! Sign up today or advertise on your social media ttps://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Biddeford%20Rotary
- Mary’s Walk – team of 4 – virtual walk. If you are interested in participating connect with Marty- Goal is to raise $500 for Maine Cancer community. $350 raised
- COVID Committee - Community Family Garden – looking for participants – organizations or folks that are food insecure. Contact Conrad or Ken Farley
- Grant application to address organization needs
Dan Reed – new member, sponsored by Jim Labelle. Don inducted & welcomed Dan into Biddeford-Saco Rotary.
SAA Happy Dollars & Fines:
Sad dollars – Joe $5
Happy dollars – Conrad - $1; Don Pilon $5; Brenda Pollock $5; Marty $1; Roland Gagne $1;
Jen Fullmer$5;
Fines – Conrad $1; Bill Patterson $1; Bill Kany $1; Jim Labelle $1; Mike Burman $1; Roland Gagne $1;
Dan Reed $1; Paulette Bonneau $1;
Guests – Steve Dalvet – friend from Melissa Cilley teaching at Kings Academy in Jordan
Speaker Summary: Nasir Robadi/Ibrahim Kattan – Jordan Twin Club
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to all Rotarians 116 years!
Jordan is a haven of peace in the troubled Near and Middle East. Jordan maintains good relations with all of its neighbors. It is about ¾ the size of PA.
Ahlan wa Sahlan - in English “welcome” “make yourself at home”
Population 10.2 million 98% are Arabs 2% ethnic minorities 2.9 mill not citizens
2nd poorest country in world in terms of water – shortage is worsening year by year, under the effect of population growth and global warming (other contributions chronic drought; high consumption of water by agriculture To find out more about the National Water strategy: http://www.mwi.gov.jo/sites/en-
Every few years they get snow in Jordan.
Olive Tree – most important tree in Jordan 10.5 million olive trees planted in Jordan. 24,000 tons of olive oil in 2020. Plays an important role in their food
Jordan national dish Mansaf – rice/lamb/special sauce – dry yogurt/water
Civil war in Syria has caused a mass influx of Syrian refugees - 1.2 million Syrian people have moved to Jordan mostly woman, children and elderly. Al Zaatari Refugees camp is considered one of the largest refugee camps in the world.
Jordan diplomacy- 3 pillars:
- Alliance with US which provides significant militart and economic aid
- Cooperation with Israel signing of a peace treaty in 1994
- Relationship with gulf countries
Very advanced health care services in the country. They have built field hospitals to help deal with the COVID pandemic- only for COVID patients. These field hospitals are very modern and were built in only 2 months.
Unemployment rate 23.5% with COVID
Excellent friendship between US and Jordan and our clubs!
Rotary of Amman Cosmopolitan – 6/23/1995 – only English speaking club in Jordan
20 members -7 females, 13 males
