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Our May 29, 2019 meeting, started like all previous meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Sabine’s rendition of the Four Way Test which President Joe seemed to surprise her with much like the Socratic method frequently used in law school. Sabine passed, though I think she was looking to phone a friend. Joe Bassett led us in an invocation and then we got down to business.
Our President Elect, Fausto, made a cameo appearance and introduced Carol Deschambault. It must have been a big anniversary or something if Paul was bringing her out for a Rotary lunch.
Instead of President Joe counting his number of elapsed weeks he kind of summarized the four he has left. He impressed upon the reasonably sized group to try and make the Past Presidents’ meeting on June 12 at which we get to thank our past leadership for building the foundation of our club. Sabine pointed out the real significance of that meeting is that we get lobster rolls. Joe also asked people to attend the Awards Day meeting on June 19. For those of you who have been in hibernation for the last few years, Awards Day is when we get to thank people in and out of the Club for their good work in helping those less fortunate or otherwise making our communities better. It is also the opportunity of the President of the Club to give out a few club awards to thank people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the club and the people we help. So, while we will not be giving out free stuff that day (unless you are an award winner), please try and attend to help honor the people who do win awards.
I should also note that the loudest applause of the day came when Joe reminded us that his presidency is winding down. I suspect in the next few weeks we may start to hear about the budget and committees for next year as we transition to President Fausto, or maybe not.
Carol Deschambault then drew the 50/50 and I won and gave it to stand-in Sergeant of Arms, Heather McLean who was concerned that she did not have a lot of material. As it turns out a lot of people were happy including:
- President Joe because he said after his last trip to his urologist “he does not have to go anymore”. I am not sure how you can go the rest of your life without peeing. Do you sweat a lot? I think all creatures need to pee, but apparently not our President Joe.
- Dr. Joe was happy to give out a distinguished Maine Humanities Award to a Cape Elizabeth sophomore last week.
- Fausto was happy about something Dr. Joe gave him (not sure what).
- Brian Dallaire was happy that after our Foundation Day we have raised $6,630.00 toward our $7,000.00 Foundation giving goal and more than half of our club has donated.
- Mark Nahorney was happy that he saw Earl and he seemed to be doing well.
- Reegan was happy that June 5th is the United Way Day of Caring and if anyone would like to help on that day from 9:00 to 3:00 you can reach out to Reegan and she will help to assign you to a project.
- Conrad had another successful Memorial Day BBQ despite his failure to invite Heather.
- Denis Elie was happy that his daughter Emily got her driver’s license and that he had an eco-cardiogram and they confirmed he has a heart notwithstanding rumors to the contrary. Of course, it was suggested that his heart is cold and black, but it is there nonetheless.
- Carl Goodwin was happy about this trip to Italy to go to his niece’s wedding.
Heather did have a few fines including fining Fausto who apparently only has to wave and he gets whatever beverage he wants delivered to him and because when the sun comes out the guns come out. I have not seen the sun so I have no idea what she is talking about. She fined Sabine for needing help with the 4 way test and she fined Brian for being adorable at which point I threw up in my mouth just a little.
The rest of the meeting focused on thanking people for donating to the Rotary Foundation. We had a good crowd which President Joe suggested was because there was free stuff to give away (though it was technically not free because you had to donate to the Foundation to get into the drawing). Club members brought in some nice stuff from shower heads, to small trees, to wedding magazines to gift bags. Numbers were drawn and people could either select an item from our vast selection or steal an item already selected and the exchanges were spirited. Heather McLean’s Whimsical Me canvas bags changed hands more than, … well it was stolen a number of times as was Morgan’s Stoner and Company sweatshirt. Everyone (or almost everyone) seemed to have a good time and most people there seemed to have donated. So miss a meeting and you can miss a lot including a good time.
Since I have the pen, I would like to echo President Joe’s appeal to have club members try and attend the meetings on June 12 and 19. June 12 is Past Presidents’ Day. We have had some very impressive and dedicated past presidents who have done so much to make our Club what it is. The least we can do is show up and thank them.
Awards Day is our chance to use two of the most powerful words in the English language – “thank you”. There are so many people who do great things for others and who never get recognized for their contributions. They don’t do what they do for recognition. Their motivations are varied but the end result is that they make our communities and/or the lives of others better. They deserve our thanks and they deserve our presence at the meeting without a bunch of members scooting out on them. At the same time, Awards Day is a chance for our president to thank members of the Club who have stepped up during the year. These awards recipients are the ones who pick of the slack for the rest of us. Again, they deserve all of us being there to thank them for what they have done. So, if you are one of those members of the club who finds it hard to make meetings, please make a little extra effort to be there on June 12 and 19. You will be glad that you came.