Biddeford – Saco Rotary Club
Meeting Notes – May 27, 2020
President Fausto called the meeting to order at 12:00
Heather G. – Four Way Test
Joe B. – Invocation
We had three people join the meeting:
- Dr. Samuel Kakish – Past president twice 20 years a Rotarian
- Ibrahim Kattan – President Elect of Amman Cosmopolitan Rotary Club
- Nasri Rabadi – Committed Rotarian & past president with the Amman Cosmopolitan Club
- Ghada Fanek, President of Amman Cosmopolitan Rotary Club
Sargent Of Arms Heather: There were several HAPPY DOLLARS at this meeting. Thank you to everyone who did take a moment to find something to be grateful for during this trying time. Fines and Happy Dollars are to mailed to Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club – PO Box 298 – Saco, ME 04072.
All thanked Marty for his work to organize the Flags for Veterans event last Friday. Well done Marty!
No announcements today.
Ghada gave a brief overview of their Rotary Club.
25th anniversary of the club. Founded 25th of June 1995.
They have 22 members of their club.
Working on anti-drug workshop.
Planted over 100 olive trees for Arber day.
Results of the COVID-19 Pandemic in their country meant a strict curfew went into effect on March 19th. To date Jordan has:
718 confirmed cases
479 recovered
9 deaths.
Because of the full curfew and quarantine, 45% of the nation’s workforce were unable to work. For most, it was their only source of income.
60% of laborers work in the private sector and work remotely. These are some of the hardest his people who need the very basics to survive.
The Rotary Food Boxes help to support those families. The club raised $3,400 which covered the cost to prepare 102 food parcels.
Tito’s Vodka made a $5,000 donation to this project.
Roland Gagne, Beverly Edwards, & the Biddeford Saco Rotary club donated another $1500.
Samuel thanked the club for the opportunity to speak and to share their story of this project. There were many people who had no income. With the strict curfew imposed in the country, it did keep the deaths down, but it was catastrophic to the economy and to the people of Jordan. They were very insistent on putting the Rotary label on all the boxes and giving credit to this international organization.
Samuel shared some very heartwarming stories about the need of the hardest hit people in Jordan.
Nasri spoke of Al-Awen Jordanian Society for Widows $5350 to supply sewing machines so they could make a living for themselves.
$1400k health and nutrition for children in Bani Kinanah.
$3150 Disaster response Grant for supplies to help hospitals in North Jordan.
Building a hospitality school in Jordan is the next big project. Roland is actively involved in this project. Regrettably, the crisis has limited their ability to move forward for now but they all are excited about the opportunity it will bring to their country.
Roland extended an invite to our esteemed guests to join us as we celebrate our 100th Anniversary scheduled for May 2021.
Joe Moreshead reminded everyone to please vote on a slate of officers. We are looking for 2 board members. Please have your votes in to Joe by Friday, May 29th if possible.
President Fausto reminded everyone the next Board meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2020 at 7:45 am.
Meeting adjourned at 12:55.
Respectfully submitted: Brenda Pollock
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