As we look forward to 2017 I am guessing there will be times when we all get really busy or frustrated and we will question why we are Rotarians. No matter how long you have been in Rotary there will be times when your commitment is tested. If you do ever have those thoughts think of all the good our club did at the end of 2016 and I think you will be convinced that being a Rotarian is actually an important part of your life.
Think of the fact that on December 16, 2016, clearly the coldest day of the latter part of 2016, a bunch of Biddeford Saco Rotarians braved the cold to raise over $2,000 for the Salvation Army absolutely kicking the ass of the Saco Bay Club. It was pointed out that it was so cold the Fausto wore sleeves and Heather MacLean wore long pants (I am sure she had on her stylish long black gloves on for extra warmth). Hell, it was so cold I was eyeing some of the larger Walmart Shoppers. I was going to drop one right in the parking lot, field dress him or her and crawl into the caress to get warm. Of course, then I realized I could just go inside to warm up so I abandoned by Dancing with Wolves scenario though I did encourage Lucie to shoot me since I had to spend an hour with her.
The fact is we had a bunch of Rotarians spend one to two hours outside in the dangerously cold temperatures to help others. I would submit that such an effort is what Rotary is all about.
I would also suggest that the efforts of our Club, Lucie, Karen, Peggy and others to provide Christmas to over 100 kids was a Herculean task that clearly captures the essence of Rotary. Our Club is filled with people who have a hard time saying no. So many Rotarians took time from their families and/or jobs to get information about children, find the money to fund the gifts or provide their own and then did the shopping and wrapping necessary to give the kids some kind of Christmas. Frequently, these efforts are not really appreciated or perhaps the people are so down and out that they simply do not know how to express their appreciation. In other instances the parents were incredibly thankful because Rotary provided their kids with something for Christmas and they realized that there are people out there who care. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Finally, there are times when Rotary is truly a family. Ralph Bean, husband of long time Rotarian, Peggy Bean passed away. Our club showed its support for Peggy by showing up in large numbers to pay our respects. Fausto wore a shirt and tie and Heather MacLean when to her first visiting hours ever. Of course, we learned later it was because she thought there would be snacks and we did have to watch her to make sure she acted appropriately (don’t touch the pillow!), but she was there to pay her respects. That kind of support for a member of our Club is what we are all about.
So when you get sick of shoveling, or you are frustrated because you cannot get your new electronic device to work, or you’re standing in long return lines, or you are sick but you have to drag your ass into work, remember that you were a large or small part of making the holidays a little brighter for a whole bunch of people who really needed our help. That should make you happy to be a Rotarian and inspire you to stick with it.
Our fearless President Lucie once again promptly started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Joe Boyle worked his way through the 4 Way Test and Joe Moreshead, along with the help of Past President Karen Chasse, provided the invocation.
As is our custom during the first meeting of the New Year, the Rotary Club of BIDDEFORD Saco toasted our sister club in BIDEFORD England (not a typo).
Announcements:
The next Auction Committee will be meeting on Friday, January 13, 2017, at the Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution Community Room in Saco, 7:30 a.m. All members are welcome. If you are new to Rotary, this is a good meeting to attend to see behind the scenes of the most incredible fundraiser that you will have an opportunity in which to participate.
Auction Kick-Off Meeting will be held on Thursday morning, January 19th, at 7:15 a.m. at Duffy’s (the old Captain Galley’s). This will be a joint meeting with Saco Bay. We will NOT be having a meeting on Wednesday, January 18th. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and the most spectacular! It will take all hands on deck to continue to make this the best event of the year. Please do your best to attend this meeting and support our co-chairs for this year, Bernice Wood and Dave LePauloue (Saco Bay).
Rotary T-Shirts: The t-shirts have arrived! Please see either Bernice Wood or Mark Nahorney to pick up (and pay if you haven’t already) your shirt. Please note that this isn’t what the shirts look like. It’s the only picture I could find.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing Results: We did it again….on the coldest day of the year, no less….we helped raise over $2,000.00 for the Salvation Army! Thank you Joe Bassett for helping to coordinate this bell ringing effort! Saco Bay also helped out by bringing in $1,100 on their day. Not quite what we accomplished but still a respectable amount.
Video for the Auction: Joe Genender will be working with Jim Godbout on a new video of the vocational house for this year’s TV auction.
(I’ve recently discovered Disney’s “Handy Manny” and he reminds me so much of Jim Godbout-you have to check it out! )
Wine Tasting Fundraiser: Conrad Welzel and Heather McLean (co-chairs)
Needs: Lot of People; Make Money (ticket sales); Have Fun; Sponsors & Silent Auction Items
Cost: $500 for a Major event sponsor and $100 for Table sponsors
Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. They can be purchased ahead of time from any Rotarian and will also be available on Event Brite up until the last minute. If you have someone coming and haven’t been able to get them a ticket, get the name to either Conrad, Heather or Steve Morin and they will put the name on a list at the door. There will be a 50/50 drawing so make sure you bring someone with long arms!!
Table Talks: Jim Godbout is looking for facilitators for the “Table Talks” program. This program is strictly working with adults and is curriculum based. Typically 8-10 people meet to talk about the effects of alcohol or drugs and making healthy choices – learning life skills. Through Project Alliance and UNE, there is a 3 hour training session offered. They are looking at growing the facilitator base so they can spread the word. If you are interested in learning more about this program or becoming a facilitator, please contact Jim Godbout.
The $27.00 50/50 pot was won by Chief of Police, Ray Demers! It was hard to hear but I believe Ray donated the funds back to the Red Ribbon Committee.
Next up was the SAA team of Fausto, Matt and Sarah to help Lucie reach her budget goal.
Dr. Joe was happy to visit with his grandson. Joe Moreshead was happy that the Saco Police Department was under such awesome new leadership as he got pulled over on Friday. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear what the outcome was. It must have been okay because new Police Chief Ray Demers gave a happy dollar for possibly having another chance at Joe! Fausto gave a happy dollar for the “Christmas drop-off eye opener”. Past President Bill was happy to have snow in the mountains but not much here. Matt Simmons was happy to see that on the coldest day, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, Fausto was wearing sleeves and Heather M. was wearing long pants. Bronwyn was happy to be back and to not be pregnant any longer. President Lucie was happy that Past President Karen helped her out with Dottie while Lucie was away. That was enough happiness for this group so the SAA’s started doling out the fines. Joe Moreshead (I have to list last names because there are 5 Joe’s in our club in case you haven’t noticed.) was fined for wearing a winter coat, with something on the hood, in 50 degree weather. PP Bill was fined for promoting business at a funeral. Fausto was caught parking in front-again! Brian was fined for insinuating Fausto was a Queen and also for enjoying a gift that he had received to the fullest. Brian had the gift on hand to demonstrate. Lucie was fined for the “tease” of having a very small amount of beer for the toast to our sister club in Bideford England. Jim Audiffred gave a late happy dollar for a magazine article in the Parade magazine entitled “Throw Acts of Kindness Around Like Confetti”. He is willing to email this story to anyone who is interested-just let him know. He said the nicest thing is to do something for someone who can’t possibly return the favor. He highly recommends the book “All the Light We Can Not See”. $1.00 was collected from all in attendance as an act of kindness. “To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world.” (Quote from Bill Wilson)
Julie Villemaire needs more volunteers!Please remember it is up to the TACK coordinator to ensure that someone is taking the minutes each week during your assigned month. If you aren’t able to take the minutes yourself, please reach out to fellow members for volunteers. Please forward the minutes to Julie Villemaire and Brian Dallaire so they can get them posted for the rest of the members.
Invocation: Joe Bassett
PROGRAM IDEA???? PLEASE CONTACT Bill Kany, PROGRAM CHAIR or a member of the Program Committee. Remember it is the responsibility of every member to help get Programs for our meetings.
Energy: Saved enough energy to light 43.0 lightbulbs—24 hours a day—for a year.
Emissions: Saved the emissions equivalent of driving a car 8,144 miles.
Volume: Diverted enough containers to fill 298.1 lobster traps.
Emissions: Saved the emissions equivalent of driving a car 8,144 miles.
Volume: Diverted enough containers to fill 298.1 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.
.jpg?&time=635731032561782875 "VenueMap"){kind=small}
.jpg)
As is our custom during the first meeting of the New Year, the Rotary Club of BIDDEFORD Saco toasted our sister club in BIDEFORD England (not a typo).
The next Auction Committee will be meeting on Friday, January 13, 2017, at the Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution Community Room in Saco, 7:30 a.m. All members are welcome. If you are new to Rotary, this is a good meeting to attend to see behind the scenes of the most incredible fundraiser that you will have an opportunity in which to participate.
.jpg)
