Last week 19 Rotarians joined in for our meeting sharing thoughts about our club reaching 100 years. It was great to see everyone again.
Meetings will be held up to 45 minutes in length.
Our next club meeting on May 20, 2020 will again be held as a virtual video meeting on ZOOM. Meeting will be most likely held this way through May. We will be celebrating our 100th club anniversary but having each of you share (within 2 min) why you joined Rotary.
I have previously sent you an email invitation with the ZOOM link. Simply click on the link starting at NOON. This will give you time to check your computer for connection, and to see if your camera and microphone are operating. To avoid stray noises and feedback on the mic, it is recommended that you use an earpiece with mic.
Also at the bottom of the email, there is a link for you to register or decline so that we know to expect you.
If you need any help, feel free to give me a call at 207.289.8375
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.
Due to the Coronavirus and the recommendation for social distancing, we will not be meeting in-person 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.
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.
I've confirmed that Ralph Goulet will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery (on West Street, entrance across from Marion Avenue) next Friday morning the 22nd at 8AM. He will have flags for us to put out on Veterans graves. If you can dedicate an hour or two that would be great.
We'll work on some kind of social distancing protocol. All the work will be outside. (I can pretty much guarantee it will be raining, because it always does.)
MINUTES OF THE 100th-ANNIVERSARY of the BIDDEFORD SACO ROTARY CLUB
May 13, 2020
Marty opened the meeting at 12 noon with the Pledge of Allegiance
4-way test – Mark N.
Invocation – Roland – Moment of silence
Sargent of Arms: HAPPY DOLLARS
Alecia for the weather
Brian is heading back to Maine on Sunday
Dr. Joe the dock is going in the river
Ken is happy to be here for the 100th Anniversary
Mark N – Due to bad internet connect, we were unable to hear Mark. ☹
Conrad – is working around the house
Bill – happy to see everyone and Tyler graduated from UNH
Marty – Held a webinar with businesses Maine Street Biddeford all supportive and hopeful about the future.
FINES
Brian for his backgrounds
Brenda for calling Marty Martin
Alicia – for being cute
Don Pilon joined the meeting and resumed the duties of President Elect.
Announcements:
Conrad – COVID 19 committee meets on Thursday afternoons. This week we’ll discuss the international request. We’re at the $4000 with another $2400 in the account.
Roland Grants – Only the district grants have a deadline of June 1st. We have to submit the application by June 1st and sign a memorandum of understanding. Brian will sit through the volunteer process.
David Underhill reached out to Roland to remove the DDF grant until July 1st.
Conrad updated that 10 bags of food to the Saco food pantry and they were appreciative regarding the donation we made.
Volunteers are needed at Biddeford Food Pantry.
Bill asked about opportunities to help the food banks.
On the 100th Anniversary of the club, Rotarians stated why they belonged to the club.
Brian – Joined at the invitation of my boss in San Diego in 2000. When I was young I was impressed with the work our club did with building the bike path down the Ferry Road.
Brenda – Originally joined in the 90’s. Being a Rotarian gives me a bigger purpose - To do good in the community and hopefully inspire her grandchildren to become Rotarians.
Dr. Joe – In the 70’s he was introduced and felt it was good for his business but it was the Youth Exchange Program that moved him.
Marty – Enjoys giving back but especially enjoys working with the youth.
Alicia – Was always a Girl scout as a child and Rotary allows her to continue what she believes in: giving back.
Roland a Rotarian for 21 years was struck by an article of a Little girl in Mexico – The club purchased a wheelchair for her and has been hooked on international service since.
Bill – Felt at home at the club – love the work we do and the club is like an extended family.
Kaitlin –Didn’t know how to get involved in community giving and is grateful that Rotary gave her the path to get involved and help others.
CJ – Rotary was what she was looking for to volunteer and allowed her to make our communities better.
Don – A Rotarian In Connecticut in the 80’s prior to when women were allowed in the club. After his years of public service, he joined the club for fellowship and community service.
Ken – A Rotarian since 2006 he joined the lunch club to make a difference to help others and quickly recognized he was working with great teams of likeminded people.
Karen A Rotarian for about 20 years now – inability to say no most grateful value most taught her the true value of giving back and the friendships.
Conrad – Joined 5 years ago, and thoroughly enjoys everyone’s friendships and all of the good we do around our communities.
Fausto via Conrad – He’s enjoyed being president in this anniversary year. He thoroughly enjoys the fellowship and enjoys the good will.
Haley - A 14-year Rotarian, the club was so important because her family moved from town to town a lot due to her husband’s military career. Rotary was a way to connect in every community they lived in both personally and professionally.
Please send Happy Dollars, Fines and donations to the Foundation to:
Biddeford – Saco Rotary Club - PO Box 298 - Saco, Maine 04072
Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club continues serving local communities
Members meet through Zoom.
SACO — This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. As they learn to navigate through this crisis, meeting regularly to discuss ways to continue their spirit of giving, changed. Like many businesses and organizations, since the state shutdown, the club continues to connect weekly using the Zoom meetings platform. Club President Fausto Pifferrer stated, “Meeting every week keeps our Rotarians engaged and informed. It is important for us to continue the foundation our forefathers established and reach out during to our communities in this time of crisis”.
The club reallocated funds and organized a COVID-19 subcommittee with a mission to provide financial help to those organizations who characteristically are first line providers. Conrad Welzel, chair of the COVID-19 committee, announced $500 was allocated to Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford. The group has been distributing free Healthy and Active Care Packages to area families every Friday for the past four weeks. Items such as food, personal care products like soap and toothbrushes/toothpaste, a physical activity to help keep kids moving, and an at-home service project. “All year long, Apex Youth Connection is getting area youth ‘out there,’ connecting with their community, the outdoors, and their futures,” said Melissa Cilley, executive director of Apex. “We are still connecting remotely with our youth, but it became clear very quickly that area families needed more support — especially around weekend food needs and personal care items. We are so grateful to the Biddeford-Saco Rotary, Biddeford Walmart, and other area businesses and organizations who have helped make that support possible.” The packages will continue at least through the month of May every Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. at Apex’s satellite location at 46 Sullivan St. in Biddeford.
“Unquestionably, providing $500 to the Biddeford food pantry and the Saco food pantry was important,” Welzel said. “They already serve our communities and the closure of some of the smaller pantries due to the pandemic, they have both seen increased traffic at their respective facilities.”
They also approved purchasing ten $50 in grocery gift cards to help local families living in Old Orchard Beach.
An additional $1,000 in funding was approved for Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford. “They support everyone who passed through their doors. They know the immediate needs of our citizens and are able to stretch every dollar donated to their organization,” Welzel said.
The club meets every Wednesday from noon to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom. For more information on becoming a Rotarian, visit Biddeford-sacorotary.org.
The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club awards a Scholarship of $1,000.00 for either a four (4)-year or two (2)-year degree to a Senior graduating from Biddeford High School, the Regional Center of Technology, Thornton Academy and from Old Orchard Beach High School who is planning to continue his/her technical or academic education at an accredited certificate or degree granting, post-secondary school and who is not an immediate family member of a Biddeford-Saco or Saco Bay Rotarian.
SELECTION PROCESS
An Application form shall be completed by the candidate and submitted to his/her guidance department no later than Monday April 27, 2020. All applications will be submitted to the Scholarship Committee by all Guidance Departments by Monday April 27, at 2:00 p.m.
The Scholarship Committee will select three seniors from each school and notify the Guidance Offices of their identity by FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020. The final selection will be by personal interviews of the three Finalists done by Members of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club's Scholarship Committee.
The Guidance Offices will be notified of the specific day and time for each Finalist to be interviewed, which will be either Tuesday, May 19 at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. OR Wednesday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.*Please note these interviews due to COVID-19 may need to be conducted via Zoom or Skype. If we meet in person, the personal interviews for two schools will be held in the Conference Room of Bangor Savings Bank, located at 270 Main St. in Saco.
The Guidance Offices will be notified of the Scholarship Recipient by Friday, May 22nd, 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Candidates will be selected based upon:
1. Community activity and involvement;
2. Academic Standing;
3. Interview rating; and
4. FINANCIAL NEED - a photocopy of EFC Determination should accompany the application, providing the “Estimated Family Contribution” (EFC).
CONDITION OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Scholarship Recipient shall furnish a transcript or other proof of successful completion of the first semester of post-secondary education for each year. That documentation should be mailed to: Sue Gajewski, Treasurer – Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, P.O. Box 298, Saco, ME 04072. A check for the $1,000.00 scholarship awarded will then be forwarded directly to the Student at his/her home address for payment toward the Student’s second semester.
These same Guidelines also apply for the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club Scholarship of $1,000.00 to a student who attends York County Community College as a full-time student the fall semester of 2020.
A pdf Application may be downloaded by clicking link on left side of Home Page under downloads: Scholarship Application Form
All – this email is part of a series of emails that I routinely send to club presidents. In consideration of these challenging times, this email is being sent to all members of our District.
Our Covid-19 situation precludes us from holding our annual June Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp. Currently, our RYLA Leadership Team is hoping to hold a smaller, condensed version of camp on Labor Day weekend.
The attached letter from Sam Klemarczyk gives an excellent inside look into the thought processes of and a sample of some of the planning taking place by our RYLA Leadership Team.
We are blessed in our District to have such a strong RYLA program, a program that has had such an amazing and positive influence on so many. Our RYLA Leadership Team, Sam, Emily Rumble, and Phil Giordano, and their entire staff, are absolutely superb.
We invite you to make a contribution in any amount to the Rotary Foundation. We have a goal to increase the rate of participation in this year's campaign. Even a $1 will help. We realize that these are difficult times, but the Foundation is responding to the Covid-19 crisis. As a result of social distancing we will be conducting this years appeal remotely.
The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$1billion. It has one of the largest and most Donating to Rotary means clean water and sanitation. Health and hope in areas that were once ravaged by diseases like polio. Economic development and new opportunities. Your financial help makes all this happen, and more.prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.
Donating to Rotary means clean water and sanitation. Health and hope in areas that were once ravaged by diseases like polio. Economic development and new opportunities. Your financial help makes all this happen, and more.
It's quite easy. Make your checks to the Rotary Foundation or even better yet, you may contribute on line directly on the RI website. (link is found on our website home page or at www,https://my.rotary.org/en/donate). Please designate the Annual Fund- Share so funds come back to our District. If you use this method, please let Sue G at (biddsacotreasurer@gmail.com) know about your donation as recording on the RI system will be extremely delayed.
Please make you contributions to Sue G. by the end of April so they may be recorded for President Fausto's year. Under current circumstances checks should be mailed our PO Box 298 in Saco, ME 04072. Just put foundation in the memo area.
As an added benefit, the club will match your contributions up to $100, accelerating your achieving year-after-year total contributions towards the $1,000 mark with the recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow.
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!
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.
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: $2,633.00
Containers CLYNKed: 47,919
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.
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