Okay, now we’re serious. The auction deadline to get your items in was February 26. That is a distant memory now. Then we said please get you items in by March 4. Well that date is now well in our rearview mirrors and at last count we are at 355 items with 55 items still needed. We really, really (note the begging) need to get all of your items this week so please get them to Jackson, Joe Moreshead, me or anyone on the auction committee. Your help will be appreciated.
The Red Ribbon Committee is working toward a week of activities and programs during the week of April 25 at Biddeford High School, Thornton Academy and Old Orchard Beach High School. There is no question that the schools’ enthusiasm for this effort is growing daily and there is also no doubt that the Red Ribbon Committee is the true catalyst for that growing excitement. Frankly, the statistics from 2015 are scary. Drug overdose deaths were up by 31% in this state. Five people died every week from drug misuse. While there are some good changes being proposed in Augusta, there is no question that cultural changes will lead to the greatest reduction of the misuse of drugs. The activities during the week of April 25 will be a great first step in a very long and we hope fruitful journey.
With the assistance of Jeremie Sirois, the principal of Biddeford High School, we will also be bringing to the three area high schools a dynamic speaker named Tony Hoffman (look him up) to kick off the 2016-2017 school year. Our Red Ribbon Committee will be sponsoring Mr. Hoffman. Raising awareness early in the school year should help the schools gain momentum for programs throughout the year so that the students are receiving regular messages about healthy life choices.
I mentioned last week that we are talking about working with the Center of Technology Honor Students to complete a community project. We had thought that a cleanup of Clifford Park would dovetail with our funding of the iron gates for the park, but the information that Andy Greif has acquired would indicate that Clifford Park is in good shape so Andy is communicating with the City to see if there are alternative projects we could work on with the students during the weekend of April 9. Please stay tuned.
Past District Governor and Polio Plus chair, Lawrence K. Furbish updated the club on Polio Plus.
Lawrence K. Furbish
District Governor 2014-15
District 7780 - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/2014-2015#sthash.61pQRzH3.dpuf
Lawrence K. Furbish
District Governor 2014-15
District 7780 - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/2014-2015#sthash.61pQRzH3.dpuf
Lawrence K. Furbish
District Governor 2014-15
District 7780 - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/2014-2015#sthash.61pQRzH3.dpuf
Lawrence K. Furbish
District Governor 2014-15
District 7780 - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/2014-2015#sthash.61pQRzH3.dpuf
ROTARY AND POLIO FACT SHEET
Polio
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable.
PolioPlus
In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has contributed more than $1.5 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $9 billion to the effort.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, formed in 1988, is a public-private partnership that includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments of the world. Rotary’s focus is advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and awareness-building.
Polio Today
Today, there are only two countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Less than 370 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2014, which is a reduction of more than 99.9 percent since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases per day.
Challenges
The polio cases represented by the remaining one percent are the most difficult to prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks.
Ensuring Success
Every dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication will be matched two-to-one by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation up to $35 million a year through 2018. These funds help to provide much-needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. Governments, corporations and private individuals all play a crucial role in funding.
Rotary in Action
More than one million Rotary members have donated their time and personal resources to end polio. Every year, hundreds of Rotary members work side-by-side with health workers to vaccinate children in polio-affected countries. Rotarians work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.
‘This Close’ Campaign
Rotary has a growing roster of public figures and celebrities participating in its “This Close” public awareness campaign, including Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; actresses Kristen Bell and Archie Panjabi; WWE superstar John Cena; supermodel Isabeli Fontana; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; action movie star Jackie Chan; boxing great Manny Pacquiao; pop star Psy; golf legend Jack Nicklaus; conservationist Jane Goodall; premier violinist Itzhak Perlman; Grammy Award winners A.R. Rahman; Angelique Kidjo and Ziggy Marley; and peace advocate Queen Noor of Jordan. These ambassadors help educate the public about polio through public service announcements, social media and public appearances.
Check out this new video about the efforts to end the disease in Pakistan, one of the two last countries in the world with endemic polio.
Check out this new video about the efforts to end the disease in Pakistan, one of the two last countries in the world with endemic polio. - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/polio-plus-1#sthash.x7I4y8VC.dpuf
Check out this new video about the efforts to end the disease in Pakistan, one of the two last countries in the world with endemic polio. - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/polio-plus-1#sthash.x7I4y8VC.dpuf
Check out this new video about the efforts to end the disease in Pakistan, one of the two last countries in the world with endemic polio. - See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/polio-plus-1#sthash.x7I4y8VC.dpuf
The PolioPlus Society is a District program to promote individual giving to PolioPlus. Members of the Society agree to give $100 per year toward polio eradication until polio is wiped out of the world.
It's as simple as that!
Please click on the PolioPlus Society downloads, at left, to obtain a copy of the Society application form. Be sure to email the completed form to Lawrence Furbish, Polio Plus chair, lkfurbish@mac.com.
- See more at: http://www.rotary7780.org/SitePage/polio-plus-1/polio-plus-society#sthash.yId5PIIX.dpuf
The PolioPlus Society is a District program to promote individual giving to PolioPlus. Members of the Society agree to give $100 per year toward polio eradication until polio is wiped out of the world.
It's as simple as that!
Please click on the PolioPlus Society downloads, at left, to obtain a copy of the Society application form. Be sure to email the completed form to Lawrence Furbish, Polio Plus chair, lkfurbish@mac.com.
Below is the final copy of the Mission - Vision Statement and Guiding Principles of the Red Ribbon Committee as primarily authored by Andy Grief. We have also revised the Red Ribbon logo to address Rotary requirements. I thought it was important to share this with all of you.
Mission – Vision – Guiding Principles
Red Ribbon Committee
Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco
Mission Statement
The Red Ribbon Committee of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club exists to mobilize the community to encourage healthy and thriving behaviors without the influences of illegal drugs and other misused substances.
Vision Statement
As a result of the efforts of the Red Ribbon Committee, members of the Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach communities will lead healthier lives free of the harmful influences of misused substances.
Guiding Principles
Rotary has the power to effect positive change through its leadership and resources.
Rotary believes in the necessity of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention efforts.
Rotary believes in the importance of information to effect positive change.
Rotary believes in the power of positive experiences to effect positive outcomes.
Rotary believes in the power of people sharing their personal stories to effect change.
Rotary believes in the power of caring mentoring relationships to empower people.
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 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 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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