When I went to the President-Elect Training Seminar in March, I was fortunate to hear a speech from the incoming President of all of Rotary International, Ravi Ravindran. Ravi is from Sri Lanka and he was a very down to earth speaker with a fairly effective message. One of the little tidbits that I wanted to share was his observation that no Rotarian should be fined for talking about his or her business or perhaps discussing business with another member of the Club. He indicated that one of the important functions of Rotary is networking. To be honest with you that observation was a significant change from what I have grown to learn about Rotary over the last 28 years. It was always taboo to talk about business during our Rotary meeting. It was frequently frowned upon to talk about Rotary as being a networking organization. I suspect, however, if you went back to when Paul Harris and his fellow founders of Rotary started to meet, they were really meeting for purposes of fellowship and networking.
So as we continue our efforts to recruit members, please do not hesitate to indicate that Rotary provides an excellent opportunity to network. We should be working with each other and we should make every effort to hire fellow Rotarians to provide needed goods and services. While networking may not be the primary goal of Rotary, it is certainly a benefit that we should promote and embrace and not whisper about at a corner table.
$33ish Winner: Jim Audiffred – will be donating the funds back to the club – via check.
Sargent At-Arms:
Lots of Happy Dollars (I have an IOU to the fund – left my wallet in the car – thought that was a good strategy)
Diane Leblanc is so excited the real estate market is booming; Bill excited to have District Governor present; Matt Simmons so happy he didn’t have to write the TACK this week; Bernice Wood’s son is flying home from Bejing; Earl Goodwin celebrating 51st wedding anniversary; Ken appreciated everyone’s support during this difficult time of losing his father;
And now the fines: Bill Kany was fined just because; Keith fined Jackson because it was his birthday and thinks he joined the club on his birthday; Karen fined Bill Kany for having the largest badge; Joe fined Brian Dallaire for having been a boy scout; Karen fined Ken for finding her brother on a remote island in NH; Keith fined Bill again not sure why? Joe fined District Governor for not handing him a pin (now that takes balls) – Karen fined Lucie for giving her work on her birthday. Keith fined Brian Dallaire for wearing too much bling and a Hawaiian shirt; CJ was fined for bringing one dollar in quarters – really? Joe fined Paul Deschambault for out dressing everyone; Karen fined Paul because he did not have enough strawberry juice in his dessert at the lobster bake; and lastly, Joe fined $2 for those scooting early.
Charitable & Program Committees – will meet after meeting today to set goals
Reminder: Tonight (07/15) at ROTM with District Governor Sheila Rollins 5:300-7:30
Fellowship Committee – Sue Gajewski sent a sign- up sheet around for 8/1/15 BBQ at Jim McAllister’s house. More to come on Saco River kayak/canoe - party starts at noon.
A Big Thank you from Ken Farley and his family for all those who attended the wake and funeral of his father. I learned that Ken is the baby of five brothers. (Hint to Bill Kany - this would be a good trivia on Ken). Also, a good test to see who actually reads the TACK.
Joe Moreshead reported that the lobster bake at Pine Point went fairly well except for Brian’s lobster equipment melting. Joe thanked Karen Chasse, Paul Deschambault, Brian Dallaire and Susan Gajewski for all their help with the event.
Bill announced that Ron Gagnon has resigned from the board due to health issues. The vacated board position, which is a two year term, will be voted on in August.
Bill Mann will be our guest speaker on July 22.
We have Governor Lepage comingon 9/16/15 (or we at least think we do).
Bill Kany introduced our District Governor, Sheila Rollins from Bridgton. She works at Bridge Crossing as the clinical coordinator of a residential treatment center for children. She served as Interact Chair for two years and President of her Rotary club. In 2013, she was the Group Study Exchange Team Leader in Nigeria. On a personal note, she is married to Merrill Rollins also a Rotarian, they enjoy dancing, skiing and travelling. They live at Scribners Mills in Harrison, Maine at the site of an historic water-powered sawmill. They have two dogs, four cats and two goats.
The club received a paddle and banner from Sheila Collins, District Governor
Sheila gave her presentation based on the this year’s theme: “Be a Gift to the World”
What we accomplish each day to make a difference; Wow, what a club as compared to some other clubs; she looked at our website and pulled some photos which speak to the work we accomplish each day. For example, Rotarian of the Year; Annual Auction where we collaborate with another club; we know how to have fun – oh yes we do! The work we do inspires her. She gave us a big Thank You.
Sheila proceeded to talk about all the various projects through the world that Rotarians participate in. She mentioned the water project, health, literacy, sanitation, seeds to success/economic development, polio/peace & humanity; (thanks for the chocolate as we get no dessert with our lunch at ROTM).
She went on to talk about eradicating polio, child slavery, anti-hunger initiative, polio walk, club collaboration, mental health, etc.
Sheila mentioned that the Rotary has Action Groups which any of us can participate in. There is a fundraiser event in Portland this October 30, 2015. More information will follow. She wanted us to know that as individuals we can get involved in any of these action groups. Follow our passion.
Lastly, Sheila wanted to touch base on Membership Retention; a team will be coming to work with us to grow our membership; a Rotary Fun Day; she’d like to engage young people and alumni as they are ready made sources of new members; The Quarterly Newsletter – Interact Bus Trip to NY for an Inbound/Outbound Exchange Program.
Our club is making a donation to the Foundation on behalf of our District
Imagine buying a house for only $32,500, qualifying for an $8,000 tax credit and helping students receive scholarships all at the same time. It may sound too good to be true but it is all part of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club’s House Project. Each year for the last thirty years, the students at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT) build an energy efficient modular home and all the proceeds from the sale benefit scholarships for Saco, Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach High School seniors.
“The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club currently gives $21,000 a year out in scholarships to local high school students who continue their education,” stated President Bill Kany. “The Rotary House Project is a substantial fundraiser to support these scholarships while helping the students at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology to learn valuable skills.”
This year’s house is 1,008 square feet (24’ x 42’) and features two bedrooms, one bath and is well insulated with an energy recovery ventilation system. The buyer is responsible for relocation (approximately $10-$20,000 depending on distance of the move), appliances, foundation, septic, flooring, paint and heating options.
For more information, contact Rotarian Carl Goodwin at 207-590-4644.
PROGRAM IDEA???? PLEASE CONTACT Brian Dallaire, PROGRAM CHAIR or a member of the Program Committee. Remember it is the responsibility of every member to help get Programs for our meetings.
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.
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