The meeting began with President Ken leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Joe Bassett led the charge with our Patriotic Song. Brian Dallaire was inspiringly jubilant in leading the 4-Way Test. And Rob Moody wasn’t happy with one invocation, but said another for our upcoming Rotary Auction.
President Ken congratulated PE Bill Kany for successfully completing President-Elect Training (PETS) in preparation for his Rotary presidency that starts in July. We had no guests or visiting Rotarians.
The 50/50 was won by a Rotarian (didn’t jot down who it was).
Sergeant at Arms Josh Ellis received happy dollars and levied several fines, especially to our esteemed President Ken.
Lunch was served.
President Ken then introduced our speaker, our very own Sarah Neault.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30
This week’s speaker is Dennis King from Maine Behavioral Healthcare.
Front desk duty: for those of you that have signed up you can check the e-tack that goes out each week to find out if you’re signed up. Please show up early to setup and remember that you are also responsible to putting away the banners, badges, etc.
District Assembly will be March 28 at YCCC from 8 am to 2 pm. Incoming officers and leaders are strongly urged to attend.
Rotary Auction updates:
Lucie Kay announced that we have over 460 items and have added two extra boards to the auction.
Laurie-Jo Ready asked for more volunteers for the phone bank.
Keith Jacques asked that all auctioneers and mc’s show up early to prepare for their shift.
Auction set-up will happen on Saturday morning March 28. Brad Hold will have several UNE Hockey players at Joe Moreshead’s shop to transport items to the J. Richard Martin Community Center. Setup at the Community Center will begin around 8 am.
President Ken announced the second posting for new member Emily Frechette of The Bank of Maine.
President Ken presented Susan Gajewski the District #7780 award for Best New Rotarian. President Ken stated that Susan has jumped into Rotary with both feet and has always helped with almost every fundraiser we have had. She has also quickly joined the leadership of the club taking on the roll of Assistant Secretary. She was also nominated in the fall to become a board member for next Rotary year and was recently approved by the board to fill a vacant board position. Thank you Susan for all of your hard work. This recognition is well deserved.
President Ken then introduced our speaker, our very own Sarah Neault – an Attorney with Bergen & Parkinson in Saco to talk about legal planning for our elder years. Sarah explained that a power of attorney is an important document that allows for an appointed person to make decisions when we can’t or are incapacitated. She stressed to make sure that you have a “durable” power of attorney. She also explained that we should prepare documents and talk with family members about your wishes during an emergency. She mentioned do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, what measures should be used to keep you alive, advanced directives on where and how to be treated should you have failing health and what your wishes are after your death. She suggested that everyone should think about these matters and consult an attorney to best manage and see that your wishes are followed through.
I'm back from my President-Elect Training (PETS) which was 50% intense information and 50% attempted inspiration. PETS was well run and a seemingly ceaseless bombardment of information. I came away with some good ideas and a renewed sense of impending doom.
As my predecessors have observed, our club is in good shape organizationally. Quite frankly, our club is large by comparison, in that most clubs have less than 30 members. Most clubs have 50% attendance at best and most do not have our kind of money, our successful fundraisers or anything like our house project. We have a lot to be proud of.
Based on Rotary-speak, we would be characterized as more of a check-writing club than a service club. That is not a negative observation but is simply a description. It is, however, an indication that perhaps one or more additional hands-on service projects may be in order.
Our incoming District Governor is a dynamo whose strengths will be more inspirational than organizational.
As soon as the auction is completed, I will be reaching out to all of you to ascertain your wishes for next year, and I will be reaching out to the club to set the club's goals for next year.
I will promise not to break anything if you promise not to insist on doing things simply because it is the way we have always done it.
We should all be proud of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, because, by comparison, we have a lot to be proud of.
Thank you Jim McAllister for your becoming a sponsor for the 7th Annual Bingo Fundraiser!
My offer still stands, if you would like me (Julie) to take your turn as the TACK reporter this Rotary year, it will only cost you a $100 BINGO sponsorship J We are up to $400 so far J
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.
Hours of Auction Extended due to more items available. Will now start at 11:30AM.
