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Fausto Pifferrer
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Upcoming Events
Centennial Celebration POSTPONED
River Winds Farm
May 16, 2020
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
View entire list
Speakers
Apr 08, 2020
Essay Contest POSTPONED
Presentations
View entire list
Russell Hampton
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Club Information
Welcome to our Club! Rotary District 7780 -- Club Number 6294 -- Est. 1920
Biddeford-Saco
Service Above Self
We meet Wednesdays at 12:15 PM
Run of the Mill Public House & Brewery
100 Main St
Saco, ME  04072
United States
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
 
VenueMap
Venue Map
Executives & Directors
President
Fausto Pifferrer
 
President-Elect
Donald Pilon
 
Vice President
Martin Grohman
 
Treasurer
Susan Gajewski
 
Secretary
Julie Villemaire
 
Director
Alicia Girard
 
Director
CJ Dubois-Cote
 
Director
Conrad Welzel
 
Director
Heather Gendron
 
Director
Haley Thompson
 
Director
Jim Godbout
 
Immediate Past President
Joe Moreshead
 
Foundation Chair
Brian Dallaire
 
Youth Protection Officer
Ray Demers
 
Webmaster
Brian Dallaire
 
Program Chair
Conrad Welzel
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Brenda Pollock
March 2
 
Join Date
Susan Gajewski
March 6, 2013
7 years
 
Alicia Girard
March 7, 2018
2 years
 
Paul Deschambault
March 17, 1999
21 years
 
Elaine Palmitessa
March 21, 2012
8 years
 
Kathy Shea
March 28, 2018
2 years
 
President's Message
Fausto Pifferrer
member photo
Have a great day!
Stories
Meeting Cancellations Until Further Notice
Posted by Susan Gajewski on Mar 26, 2020
 
These are certainly crazy and scary times with many businesses closing, folks staying home, mixed messages on the news and the uncertainty of what we can buy for food and supplies. I hope everyone is feeling okay and helping neighbors and older folks as best as they can. Be safe. 
 
Fausto is still in the hospital with some complications but hopes to go home tomorrow. I spoke to him this morning and wanted to update everyone with what we know right now.
 
 
Due to the Coronavirus and the recommendation for social distancing, we will not be meeting until further notice.  We don’t know when the restaurants will be allowed to re-open or when the ban will be lifted concerning gatherings of ten or more people. I really miss all of you and miss our fun weekly gathering. 
 
Fausto hopes to work on having a ZOOM meeting for the April board meeting next week. There will be more information about that as details are nailed down.
 
Our 25th annual Essay Contest was to be held on April 8th will be postponed and is dependent on the school schedule and whether or not the students go back to school this spring. We haven’t made any definite plans yet. 
 
Our centennial celebration is postponed and will hopefully be scheduled this fall. Fausto is going to talk to Gina at the farm about their available dates and we will keep you posted. All of the Rotarians from the UK have had to cancel their travel plans to attend in May but I hope they can make it in the fall. 
 
Stay healthy and we hope you can enjoy this time with your families. 
 
I think that’s everything but if anyone has questions, please reply to this email and I’ll do what I can to get your answers.
 
All the best to everyone.
 
Susan
 
 
Biddeford Saco Rotary Club
 
 
 
Words of Encouragement from District Governor Andy Glazier
Posted on Mar 26, 2020
These are crazy times.
This is seriously testing the ability of all of us to adapt and substantially restructure our lives.  
But, we can do it.  We will do it.  We will survive!
  1. Our world has changed.
    Rotary North America and Rotary throughout most of our world has now ceased all in-person meetings.  Rotary has even cancelled our flagship event of the year, our Rotary International Convention.
     
  2. Rotary Clubs are still functioning.
    Many of your clubs have me included on your email lists.  Thank you; it’s fascinating to read about your brainstorming sessions.  Some clubs coordinated with emails and conference calls.  Other clubs promptly ramped up to to on-line board meetings, and to on-line club meetings.  Well done.
  1. And, clubs are now doing what?
    I am amazed at the creative and innovative ideas and ways you have come up with to continue our Rotary mission of helping those who are less fortunate and those who find themselves in need. Good for you! Kudos to your club; kudos to YOU! Pat yourself on the back!

    Some clubs are focusing on checking on our elderly and our vulnerable. Others on food insecurity; still others on supporting their local businesses. It all helps; it’s all good.
     
  2. Share what your club is doing.
    Please share what you are and what your club is doing to help, on our District Facebook page, Rotary District 7780.
    Oh, and, please like our Facebook page. And visit it often…
     
  3. Zoom, and more.
    For those clubs in need of an on-line platform for meeting, our District has two Zoom Pro accounts. Each Zoom account can support one meeting at a time. Our Zoom accounts are available on a first asked first served basis. For details, please contact me, andyglzr@gmail.com, or our District Technology Guru, Christine Johnson, cejinmaine@gmail.com

    Additionally, some members, and/or their businesses or employers, have Zoom and GoToMeeting accounts, and other on-line platforms, that they can share with Rotary. Conference calls work too.
 
                    BElieve
                    THEre is
                    GOOD in
                    The World
 
Thank you very much,
for taking care of yourself,
and for taking care of others.
 
Please remember, 
We, here on earth, are one family.
 
Elbow bumps and love to you all,
DG Andy
 
PDG Drouin in the News
Posted on Mar 22, 2020
 
Look at what appeared in the Maine Sunday Telegram this past weekend. I feel a big fine coming especially since it was on the top of the front page!
 
 
 
 
 
Week in Review 3/11/2020
Posted by Brenda Pollock on Mar 17, 2020
 
 
 
Covid-19 and The Rotary Foundation
Posted on Mar 26, 2020
These are trying times, both health wise and financially.  This is very evident at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, IL where personnel are not being permitted to enter the building.
 
Should you be able and willing to make a contribution to the Foundation at this time, Elizabeth Davis, our Rotary Annual Fund Giving Officer, has sent the following guidelines.
 
1. The Rotary Support Center does not have phone or contribution processing capabilities at this time.  They are only available to answer inquires via email.  Their email address is rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.   Members should not email contributions to this email address.
 
2. Any contributions sent to One Rotary Center will not be processed for some time.  Additionally, our capability for accepting faxed contributions has also been placed on hold indefinitely.   We highly encourage members who would like to contribute to do so online at myrotary.org/donate.
 
3. At this time, our lockbox address, The Rotary Foundation 14280 Collections Center Drive, Chicago, IL, 60693, listed on contribution forms is active.  However, should USPS discontinue service this will become an issue as well.  Again, the best place to make a contribution is online at myrotary.org/donate. 
 
 I also know that some of you are using Rotary Direct to make your contribution.  Others have already made this Rotary year’s contribution. I thank you very much for having done so. If you have not yet made a contribution, please consider doing so.  In this time of worldwide crisis, our Rotary Foundation needs your help more than ever.
 
The Rotary Foundation Trustees recently met and made a number of decisions regarding grant options to give clubs and districts increased flexibility in dealing with the pandemic. These changes involve both District Grants  and Global Grants and allowing Rotary Disaster Response Fund grants to be used in fighting Covid-19. (See separate story for details)
 
 
Meanwhile, despite the practical problems we are all experiencing regarding meetings, we want to strongly encourage clubs to go forward with planning for a District Grant application this year. A District Grant proposal can involve a Covid-19 response. I will shortly be sending out an invitation to join our live Zoom on-line Grant Management Seminar on March 31.
 
 
Stay safe and be well.
Lawrence  Furbish
District 7780 Foundation Committee Chair
 
 
Revised District Grant Policy
Posted on Mar 26, 2020
 
 

Request for Exceptions to Grant Policy to Allow Quick Response to Covid-19

 
Background:
The World Health Organization has declared the Covid-19 virus to be a pandemic. Rotary provides several options through which Rotarians can demonstrate their care and concern for their own communities and those around the world. Below is a range of grant options available to Rotarians to address this pandemic, including two decisions that allow flexibility to current policy.
 

District Grants

Districts can use district grant funds to support activities like the purchase of thermometers, masks, etc. Districts can use contingency funds from an open district grant, or repurpose previously planned activities for a Covid-19 response. Regional grant officers will be ready to answer questions to help districts with this option.
 
As of 12 March, US$30.3 million still remains unreported in district grant funding for 2019-20, indicating districts may have a substantial amount to immediately apply to Covid-19 projects if so desired.
 
As districts prepare to submit new district grant applications for 2020-21, we encourage them to designate funds for a Covid-19 response.
 
For those districts that may have exhausted their 2019-20 district grant funds, the decision below allows them to be reimbursed for Covid-19 related expenses dated back to 15 March 2020 out of their 2020-21 district grant funding.
 

Global Grants

Global grants are an excellent way to respond effectively to Covid-19. For example, if your community needs medical equipment, global grants offer a way to pay for these expensive items. The Rotary Foundation is expediting any applications for these types of Covid-19-related projects. Regional grant officers can be contacted to help.
 
In global grants, at least 30% of the financing must come from outside of the country where the project takes place. If the Trustees agree to waive this requirement for Covid-19 projects, it would greatly expedite the speed at which these grants can be developed.
 

Disaster Response Fund & Grant

Rotary’s Disaster Response Grants provide a fast and effective way to respond to local disasters. Districts can apply for up to $25,000 at a time, depending upon the availability funds.
 
The Rotary Disaster Response Fund makes funds available through Disaster Response Grants to help districts around the world respond to disasters. The fund accepts online and offline cash contributions and DDF. While the Foundation anticipates an increase in grant requests for Covid-19, this fund remains general and contributions of both cash and DDF will be used where Rotarians stand ready to respond to the disasters they are confronting.
 
The Philanthropy team will coordinate an announcement on Rotary.org alerting the Rotary world that Rotary supports districts in their efforts to address immediate coronavirus pandemic needs using Disaster Response Grants. This story can highlight Disaster Response Grants as a flexible resource in need of support by donors to encourage giving to supply funding for disasters around the globe. Philanthropy can also circulate a Covid-19 specific email appeal to generate giving towards this general fund.
 
We have seen some success with this approach over the past year; however, given recent economic turbulence and donor uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, an emphasis on gifts of DDF with secondary focus on giving from individuals is prudent.
 
Trustees may consider allowing districts to designate that their DDF contribution to the Disaster Response Fund is to be held exclusively for Covid-19 activities. This would not apply to cash contributions because at this time our system is not configured to direct cash contributions to a separate fund, and we want to provide options Rotarians can act on immediately.
 

Request to transfer $1 million from World Fund to Disaster Response Fund

 
Background:
The executive committee is giving consideration of steps to increase options for Rotarians to utilize The Rotary Foundations grants – including district, global and disaster recovery – to support Rotary’s response to COVID-19. Unfortunately, at this time, the disaster response fund has a balance of less than $10,000.
 
The general secretary recommends transferring $1 million from World Fund to the Disaster Response Fund. This decision offers the following benefits:
 
  1. demonstrates the Foundation’s ability to be nimble and responsive;
  2. expedites the Foundation’s processing of disaster recovery funds and grant requests;
  3. will inspire districts and individuals to contribute to the disaster response fund which will increase the financial resources available.
 
The impact on global grants budget and other budgetary implications are hard to quantify at this time. If global grant activity mirrors what occurred in FY19, global grants would require approximately $36 million (FY19PA) of the $42 million FY19 World Fund budget. As of last week, global grant World Fund commitments were on the same trajectory as last year. Although directing $1 million from the World Fund reserved for global grants seems like a safe reduction, if global grant activity accelerates, perhaps to provide medical equipment in response to Covid-19, the Foundation may not be able to keep up with demand. However, the $1 million being considered is likely to be used for Covid-19 response in either case and the Disaster Response Fund would allow grants to be made more quickly and help secure additional contributions
 
 
 Centennial Celebration
POSTPONED until the fall of 2020.
 
 
Charitable Funds Committee
Posted by Joe Moreshead on Mar 05, 2020
 
Happy March 5, 2020. I am writing to let everyone know that the Biddeford Saco Charitable Funds Committee is rising from the ashes like a Phoenix. At Wednesdays BOD meeting it was discussed to bring the committee back. Dennis Elie and I will co-chair the committee. We also have two members, our newest Rotarians- Jane Foley and Melisa Cilley- welcome! The board thought it would be a great way to get new Rotarians and give them a sense of what we do. But wait there is more, ( I love sales folks who keep using that phrase- but wait there is more ). The four of us want you to join us. If you have any interest in being on the committee just send me an email at jmoreshe@psmp.com . I will add you to the list. We plan on sending out our giving guide lines to committee members so they have a road map for giving.
 
It is pretty simple we have a budget that can be from $5,000 to $15,000+++ a year to use in support of our charitable requests. I’ll explain our funding sources at our first meeting. Our charitable request form can be found on our website http://www.biddeford-sacorotary.org/ , located in the top right hand corner of the front page. Check out the website, you can connect with other Rotarians, etc. Most folks will hear about us and get directed to the website to download the application and submit it. We will also regularly get requests from American Lung Association, Alzheimer’s, etc.- all of the big not for profits send appeals to our club.
 
As funds get requested, you will receive an email from the co-chairs that will have the filled out charitable application form,  ( just as an aside- you will see information, SSN’s, discharge papers, etc. This information must remain confidential ),  and any other supporting information. Read the request, do they mesh with our guidelines? Yes / No, not to worry that is what our meetings are for. If we have requests a meeting will be scheduled to follow a regular Wednesday meeting. Our regular meeting ends at 1:30 our committee will meet right after that. As co-chair I will send out a meeting agenda with a copy of all of the requests we will be discussing at least a week in advance. Our meetings usually last 10 to 15 minutes- not very long.  We only meet if we have business to vote on. On occasion there are those emergency requests where the above meeting guidelines will take too long. On those occasions the co-chairs will send out the requests and follow up with email votes, etc.
 
Lastly, as a committee we only have authority to grant a maximum of $500.00 per request. Any requests larger than that will go to the Board of Directors for approval. Please join the committee and see where your money is going. Don’t you know that it is better to give then receive!
 
Yours in Rotary,
PP’s Dennis Elie and Joe Moreshead
 
 
PS:  But wait there is more, I want to see how many people are reading the E-Tack- I have 25% discount on lift tickets at Sunday River- anybody want to go skiing?  
But wait there is more, discounts on food and beverage as well—MMMMMMMMMMM, cinnamon buns at North Peak mid morning!
 
 
 
 
 
Note From The Publisher
Posted by Brian Dallaire on Sep 19, 2019
 
 
 
To all Tack note takers,
 
As a favor since I am remotely compiling the tack, please shoot me an e-mail once you have taken the notes.  That way I will know who to anticipate sending me the typed up version later on.
 
Please submit your Tack notes to Brian Dallaire at bdallaire@usa.net and with copy to Julie Villemaire at Jvillemaire@maine.rr.com, no later than the Tuesday AM before the next meeting.
 
Thanks
Brian
 
 
CLUBRUNNER MOBILE
Posted by Brian Dallaire on Oct 08, 2019
 
 
Everyone’s Phone Number at Your Fingertips
Have you done the easy ClubRunner download yet?
 
How would you like to have not only your own Rotary Club members contact information but also the entire District at your fingertips? You can and so much more by downloading the new and improved ClubRunner Mobile App. You can also access club and district leadership, stories and events all with just a few clicks. Connecting to them is as easy as clicking on the phone number or email address.You can download it on the AppStore or GooglePlay and be on your way in minutes. Now would also be a good time to make sure that your profile is current, and if you do not have a picture saved, or your birthday listed, considering updating your information now! Reach out and collaborate with other like minded Rotarians from around our district and be the People of Action that your are!
 
 

Click to: Download on iTunes App Store (free) 

Click to: Download on Android App Store (free)

 
 
Front Desk Duty Roster
Posted by Heather MacLean on Jun 28, 2019
 
 
March 4: Heather M and Kathy Shea
March 11: Heather M and Jim L
March 18: Heather M and Haley Thompson
March 25: Heather M and Conrad
 
 
April 1: Joe B and Morgan
CLYNK Update
Posted by Julie Villemaire on Oct 01, 2013

Clynk

Our Club is in first place of 10 Rotary Clubs who participate in this program!  But Saco Bay is gaining on us.

 

Total Raised:
$2,620.85

Containers CLYNKed:
47,685

 

Environmental Impact:

  • Energy: Saved enough energy to light 66.2 lightbulbs—24 hours a day—for a year.
  • Emissions: Saved the emissions equivalent of driving a car 12,538 miles.
  • Volume: Diverted enough containers to fill 484.4 lobster traps.

 

 Fill up those green bags.  If you need more bags and/or labels, just let Julie Villemaire know and she can hook you up…no charge!

Simple fill with returnables and drop off at any Hannaford.

Alternately, if you already have a CLYNK account of your own, you can designate you funds as a donation.  Hit the Donate button and search for Rotary and you'll find our account.

 
Meeting Responsibilities
Meeting Registration
 
Greeter
 
Front Desk 1
LaBelle, Jim
 
Front Desk 2
MacLean, Heather
 
Coordinator
MacLean, Heather
 
Meeting Conduct
 
Announce Visiting Rotarians & Guests
Pilon, Donald
 
Invocation
Bassett, Joe
 
Invocations/Coordinator
Bassett, Joe
 
Speakers
Welzel, Conrad
 
Tack
 
Editor
Pifferrer, Fausto
 
Website Publisher
Dallaire, Brian
 
Sponsors

Neil's Motors

Pension Professionals

Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank

Saco Veterinary

Blue Elephant

Atlantic Federal Credit Union

the bean group

Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide