I’m honored to be your President for the 2020-2021 year and look forward to a year of fun, participation and accomplishments. On Tuesday, June 30 I attended the online inauguration of our new District Governor, Marguerite (Peggy) Belanger as well as the swearing in of Assistant District Governors for District 7780. All new club presidents for the district were sworn in at that event. I wanted to share some of Peggy’s goals with you below, with the expectation that you will all want to support her mission for her presidency.
This year’s Rotary Theme is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” We can do this by my asking that you consider 6 Calls - To - Action:
1. That we develop acquaintances and that our relationships with each other and the people we serve be thoughtful, meaningful, relevant and impactful.
2. That we work at retaining our current membership
3. That we incorporate creative thinking to serve virtually
4. That we incorporate creative thinking for fundraising and support of our mission to eradicate Polio
5. That we can build capacity by growing Rotaract, Interact, and RYLA.
6. That we explore avenues to include more Diversity, Inclusion and Equity into our clubs and District.
These Actions are not about changing, but about being transformative.
OUR MOST URGENT NEED…
is the upcoming 2nd Annual Family Fun Mini-Golf event on August 8 and 9. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF EACH OF FOUR LOCATIONS FOR TWO-HOUR SHIFTS OVER THOSE TWO DAYS. Last year, in spite of the fact that only six to eight members staffed three locations over the two days, we were able to raise $12,000. With your help we can drive the ball much further this year. Without member participation this year, however, we won’t be able to continue this as an annual event. There will be an online sign-up sheet to help you plan your times to volunteer for this fun and important event. If you have any questions please contact Don Pilon at donpilonmaine@gmail.com or 207-590-0507 OR Haley Thompson at haley.thompson@thorntonacademy.org OR Joe Moreshead at moreshead@psmp.com.
Start signing on at 12:00 PM. Meeting starts at 12:15 PM.
Hi All
I’ve received a number of responses back from the survey Julie sent out regarding in person meetings or Zoom meetings. The opinion of members leans slightly to continue the Zoom meetings. Although the governor has begun to loosen regulations in the state the data indicates the number of cases has increased and I suspect as vacationers come back to Maine the numbers will increase. Unless anyone strongly objects I suggest we continue Zoom meetings until after Labor Day.
Best
President Don
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Don Pilon
In addition, from the District Governor:
There is pressure from some to restart in-person Rotary meetings and activities.
The current official guidance from Rotary International is that there will not be any mandatory in-person Rotary meetings this calendar year.
The current advice from me is that it is too early – too high of a percentage of our membership is vulnerable, for a variety of reasons.
In any case, it is good for all of us in leadership positions, in and out of Rotary, to be familiar with our current state guidelines. These two websites update daily.
President Don opened his very first meeting with a welcome to our guests over the pond; Jill and Jacquie. Thank you for joining us and we look forward to meeting you in person next year.
He spoke of his previous involvement as President of a Rotary Club in Connecticut. It was prior to 1987 when women were allowed in the club. He was always an advocate of allowing women to join.
President Don - Per Board meeting, some of the GOALS during this year:
Increase membership
Don, Jim LaBelle, and Brenda will be working on developing a document that will provide a consistent unified message.
We all are part of this committee. We should all be looking to invite someone to our meetings and be part of the good work of Rotary.
Conrad is leading up a new Speakers Committee to our club. Bill P and Alicia will be joining Conrad to help further develop our programs.
Joe M. will be the new Sargent of Arms. Hope you raise lots of funds for the books. Heather will be the assistant to Joe. Thank you to both.
Honor flight Maine – This is something we will be working on this year. Flying veterans to Washington, DC memorials is a wonderful honor for our veterans. We hope to identify individuals in our communities who can participate in Honor Flight Maine.
American Red Cross – looking to host a Blood Drive in our communities. We will need some volunteer assistance for this. Watch for correspondence from Marty.
If anyone would like to be more involved in our Rotary activities, please reach out to Don. This organization needs everyone to be part of Rotary. Regardless of how much time you have to participate, stay active.
Conrad Update
Meeting regularly. We’ve taken the next two-weeks off but will resume our regular Thursday 3 pm Zoom meetings on July 16th. Reach out to either Conrad or Kaitlin if you’d like to be added to the invite list.
$5,500 to a variety of organizations
Vet to Vets in Maine made a $800 contribution from Company B. They were very happy and appreciative.
Wounded heroes – Will work with us on other projects.
Our group is reaching out in the communities to see if there are any current needs this pandemic has brought about at this time. We are cautiously holding on to some of our resources and preparing to be in a position, financially, to be able to help into 2021.
Second Congregational Church in Biddeford is in major kitchen renovations in order for them to be able to open up in the fall. We are in need of volunteers to help paint their kitchen. Our club will coordinate with a group of Rotarians willing to help, to assume this project. A signup sheet has been sent out. If you have any questions, see Jim G. or Conrad.
Brenda – Essay Contest An official ZOOM event of the Essay contest will be held on July 16th at 6:30 pm. Please be watching for an email invite. Brian and Brenda will work to come up with an agenda for the meeting. Participating students, teachers and parents will also be invited to participate. Please try to attend. It will be great to have our club well represented for this 25th Anniversary of this event.
Conrad – My Teen House in Biddeford
Westbrook is feeding 500-700 people each week so the time they’ve been able to donate has been limited.
Looking for a board member from our area. My Teen Centers.
The mayor and a select group met to identify
They still need some big donors to make this project a reality.
Tough time to raise funds but we are still looking for someone to help.
Mini Golf Tournament
Last year, this event raised approximately $12,000
Looking at August 8 & 9
Will be looking for hole sponsors & Event sponsors.
$4000 for sponsors
$7200 for hole sponsors
We need to have a commitment from this clubs members to make this event possible.
Our options:
We do not do it at all
Bring another club in
Need more participation
Joe will reach out to volunteers and asked all Rotarians to participate
Bill encouraged us to move forward. It was a great experience last year.
Club will move forward with the event.
Don introduced Joe M. who will serve as the Sergeant At Arms for his presidency.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Brenda Hit 1st million in sales in June 2020.
Dr. Joe – 10 happy dollars – after 3 months of quarantine, they spent 8 days with his children and grandchildren.
Jim – Chamber officially opened doors today – within 40 minutes, their first walk in customer was a homeless person. It was great to be open again and to be able to reconnect with folks.
Bill P Happy B-day Canada – His mom was from PEI and had a happy dollar to honor her.
Conrad - $5 for family visiting and staying over at their home.
Roland – Thank you Jacquie from across the pond for suggesting a Rotary white water rafting event to celebrate our 101st Anniversary of the club.
CJ – It has been such a busy market and she looked forward to taking a few days off to spend with her daughter’s family and little grandson.
Mark – Just returned from a road trip to N. Carolina. He and his wife brought their daughter where she will be attending college and Med School.
Don – Celebrated their 41st Wedding Anniversary – Joe suggested he pay $41 for his fine. Don suggested setting up a payment plan.
ROTARY FINES
Don – 1st meeting of his Presidency began with No Pledge of Allegiance, No Grace, No 4-Way Test, … Fined $5 for this violation.
Conrad – Fined because he was pacing during the Zoom call – “Stop moving Conrad, you’re making me dizzy and don’t call me Kaitlin”.
Brenda – For sucking up by presenting the PVSA awards. (Actually, that was a very nice gesture)
Heather M. – Missing the biscuits and seeing you. You’re fined.
Fausto –Father’s Day picture in the paper. $2
Kaitlin T. – Fined for doing such a great job.
Marty G – Fining him for inviting me on his radio show.
Sue G. – Zooming from her Car. We could see the UHAUL trailer behind you the entire time. Fined for UHAUL promotion.
Jane F – Her son is a mechanical engineering student who has been on the job at PSMP for only 2 days – doing a great job. He came to me and told me ‘Hey, my mom just called. We all have to get a COVID test’. ugh
Kristin – Fined for eating before grace.
Jim – A dollar for the beard he’s sporting.
Roland – Taking a vote. Raise your hand if you think Roland looks like Fausto. Majority voted NO. No fine.
Joe M. - Thank you Don for asking me to serve as Sergeant At Arms this year. It’s for the kids!!!
President Don asked Joe M. to recite the 4-way test – Joe M deferring that duty to Dr. Joe
The presentation of the 25th Rotary Essay Contest video was played. The video can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/9QfkGKBCqoY
And the winners are:
From St. James School in Biddeford, First place, Madelyn Gelinas. Second place, Matthew Gonneville and third place, Jeffrey Lafrance.
From Saco Middle School, First place Maia Gustafson, and second place, Lindsay DesRoberts.
From Thornton Academy Middle School, Julie Elie, Second, Caleb Morin and third, Rose MacWhinnie.
From Biddeford Middle School, first is Hannah Grohman, second place is Tyanna Caron and third place is Brooke Girard.
Loranger Middle School winners are, Madison Bell in first, Asher Hubert in second and Makenzie Stadig in third.
The charities the students selected to donate to are; Hospice of Southern Maine, The Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation, Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Biddeford Food Pantry, The Ronald McDonald House and the Biddeford-Saco Rotary COVID-19 Crisis Project.
In March of 2020, the Rotary Club of Biddeford Saco launched a COVID-19 Crisis Subcommittee to address the immediate needs the pandemic caused in the communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach. In phase one of their response program, the committee addressed the immediate need for food and PPE supplies for the elderly, at-risk youth and for our veterans.
In the second phase of their crisis project, the committee will continue their focus on ensuring food and PPE supplies are available to our seniors, at-risk youth, and veterans. In addition, the project will support organizations and small day cares that will be overwhelmed by an increased demand for basic needs: PPE supplies, food and other requirements or changes to their facilities as a result of executive orders. They will also add an education initiative for children and at-risk families, that will address food insecurities by teaching small scale agriculture in the production of crops and livestock.
To volunteer, donate to the Rotary Club or for more information on the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, please email us.
To apply for crisis assistance and consideration for help with food, PPE supplies or for more information regarding the agriculture education initiative, download the COVID CRISIS Subcommittee Request Form.
As a committee we only had a total of 12 applications, approx. 3 per school. Due to COVID-19 and the small amount of applications, we decided to forgo the interview and choose the final candidates as a committee by reviewing their applications together. When choosing the final candidates we are reviewing/discussing: academics, community service/volunteerism, financial need and overall application preparedness/write up. Each student that applied excelled academically, committed to their communities through volunteerism and have great aspirations. We are happy to share with the club the following scholarship award recipients are for this year fiscal year:
Biddeford High School- LillyAnne Melton-attending Michigan Technological University- a 4 year college pursuing an Engineering degree. She has been an active Interact member, VP of Studnet Council (12 grade), Debate Team member and athlete-Cross Country, Hockey and track. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society.
Center of Technology Student-Kurtis Edgerton-attending Maine Maritime and studying Marine Engineering. He was an Interact member his senior year, a 4 year athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. Kurtis is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.
Thornton Academy: Christine Casvikes plans to attend Clark University. She has been a 4 year Interact Club member as well as additional voluntaeering in the community at Saco Meals Program and a Literacy tutor; She is a National Honor Society Member.
Vernon Wells: OOB- will attend the University of Pennsylvania, He is a musician and a member of the Ocean Park Brass, volunteers at the Ocean Park Ecology School and Ocean Park Association. He is a National Honor Society member and an AP Scholar with Distinction.
I am sad to announce that we have to cancel RYLA 2020 due to the pandemic.
Attached are two letters. The first is to Rotarians explaining the decision and to prepare for RYLA 2021.
We are looking to expand RYLA to 192 campers from 144, as well as, open RYLA to both sophomores and juniors in high school. The letter also announces two new RYLA co-directors that will be joining me officially for 2021. They are both staff members with over 10 years of RYLA experience and Rotarians with our New Voices Club. In anticipation of cost increases, we also will potentially be increasing the cost per student by $25.00 for RYLA 2021.
The second letter is the communication that is being sent to students that have been registered this year.
We held a virtual RYLA for our staff over the past week and I am pleased to say that our RYLA community is active and helping to create positive change in this world even in the midst of the pandemic.
The RYLA staff will be updating the www.ryla7780.org website with information over the next few weeks as we book RYLA 2021. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
UPDATE: Clynk requests that you hold you bags for 3 days before dropping them off and tie a string or ribbon to show compliance.
Our Club is in first place of 10 Rotary Clubs who participate in this program! But Saco Bay is gaining on us.
Total Raised: $2,672.30
Containers CLYNKed: 48,304
Environmental Impact:
Energy: Saved enough energy to light 66.9 lightbulbs—24 hours a day—for a year.
Emissions: Saved the emissions equivalent of driving a car 12,668 miles.
Volume: Diverted enough containers to fill 491.4 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.
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ROTARY MEETING 
