As we all know this is the season of giving (no Joe Moreshead it is not the season of getting). As Christmas fast approaches I want to take just a moment to sincerely thank each and every member of our club. As a group we give a lot to our communities and we should all be proud of that. I am given grief sometimes for all of my thank you’s. Let me assure you that they are all heart felt and incredibly well deserved.
So for all the giving you do week in and week out let me thank you by wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy 2016. Remember, we will not meet on December 30 so we will meet again on January 6, 2016. How time flies when you’re having fun!
President Bill Kany led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the 4-way test led by Ray Demers and Past District Governor Ron Drouin gave the invocation. President-Elect Lucie Kay and Vice President Jackson Brown were both MIA so President Bill introduced visiting guests Sabine McElrath, Don Pillon, Jane Foley, Lori MacDonald and Assistant District Governor Claudia Frost (who is also our speaker). The 50/50 was won by Jim Godbout who donated 100% of it to the Red Ribbon Committee Fund.
Reminder! No Meeting – There will be no meeting on December 30th!
Thank You! – Bill wanted to do a special thanks to the following Rotarians this week:
Jim Godbout for convincing his wife Lynn and her friends to help decorate the Rotary Tree for the Dyer Library Festival of Trees.
Lucie, Bernice, Paul, Julie for coordinating the holiday wrapping this year. Delivery will be 9-11am on December 23. We will meet at YCFCU in Biddeford.
PDG Ron Drouin for coming to visit us again!
Pierre Giroux, Chris “The Animal” Indorf, Jim Audiffred and Jim Godbout for their work on demolition of the Rotary House this week.
Jackson Brown for getting a head start in kicking off the Auction with our first meeting. The official kick-off meeting will be January 20 with packets coming sooner if you are able to solicit prior to the kick-off.
New Rotarian – Welcome to Conrad Weizel from the Turnpike Authority who was inducted today. He was sponsored by Jim Godbout and President Bill read the funniest speech incorporating many puns about tolls, highway, etc.
Wine Tasting – Mark your calendar for the 10th Annual Wine Tasting on January 30 (Snow date: February 6) from 6:30-8:30pm at the Community Room of Pepperell Mill. You enter to the door next to Portland Pie. Tickets are $25 each with none sold at the door. We will have a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and light hors d’ouevres by Blue Elephant Catering. Steve Morin is the Chair this year so see him for tickets or search for our event on Eventbrite.com.
Bell Ringing – Mark your calendar for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing on December 18 at Walmart (both doors). The sign-up sheet was passed around and will be send out via email.
Red Ribbon Committee– We continue to collect donations! We will be meeting with the School Administrators on January 5th to develop a curriculum and a formal plan of action moving forward.
Speaker – Today’s speaker was Assistant District Governor Claudia Frost. She spoke of the people in Zambia. She opened with, “As Rotarians we look for ways to help and sometimes it’s obvious – right in front of us – bit sometimes its simple things such as recognizing childhood illness in class.”
Founder Lonnie began this program in which a $35,770 grant was secured (a snowball effect in which $1,000 from each club became $3,500 through matching funds) to assist in Ng’ombe. There are 92,000 people in the compound with ¼ of the people HIV positive. They have no trash as everything is considered reusable – some dyer conditions. There are 99 students in a classroom; yet, all were very engaged, polite, well-behaved and respectful. This program taught the teachers to be aware of simple illnesses that may affect learning to ensure a healthy learning environment.
ADG Frost also spoke of the 2015-2016 priorities to refine the model:
More sustainability
Improve teacher training
Increasing capacity of local health centers
Monitoring and evaluating the results of the program
All clubs are invited to become a partner club of Global Grant #1637992 by contributing $1,000 which becomes $3,500 through matching funds. Your club is also given credits to the Foundation for your donation.
In closing, she urged anyone who travels to take a few extra days to enjoy the stuff around you. She was amazed by the safari and falls.
The below list of nominations were read. No nominations were heard from the floor. Paul Dechambault made a motion to accept the slate of nominations, Jeremy Ray seconded the motion and the club voted unanimous.
Peggy Bean needs more volunteers! Please let Sarah Neault know if you are available to serve as the Tack Reporter on October 14 and October 21. Thanks.
Invocation: Joe Bassett
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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