Minues of October 17

Minutes of October 17, 2016

 

President Bob Beaumont called the meeting to order promptly at 07:15, leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and, in the absence of Pastor Ron McLaughlin, followed with a nice invocation. He then welcomed Assistant Governor Christine Johnson (from the Westbrook – Gorham Club) as a guest and our guest speaker, Fin Nelson from the League of Woman Voters. He then called upon Club Sherriff Bill Gillespie for Happy / Sad dollars.

 

Bill, perhaps in deference to the current political referendum regarding gun ownership, related the story of a high school age female marksman from Turner , ME. Prez.Bob raved about taking a flight over the local area with past club member Earl Harvey in Earls extraordinarily well equipped four seat plane. Bob Davis thanked Guest Speaker Fin XXX for making the meeting and had several happy dollars for his beloved Cleveland Indians success in the playoffs – (he should have plenty of happy dollars available as the Indians have not given him any reason to use them for years). Joel had a happy dollar for the great fall weather and the scenes created by a little fog in low lying areas and on rivers and ponds. Guest Christina had a jibe with a happy dollar for the distaff (she being the only one) and for the fall foliage on a recent drive to Orono. Bill Brillant had a happy dollar for the weather. Russ Andrews related that a young nephew got a buck hunting recently. Fred had a happy dollar for a recent visit to the Coastal Botanical Gardens in Boothbay and for the Halloween decorations on Joel’s house. Cliff Hodges enjoyed a great weekend with outdoor family activities. Gordon sprung another presidential question on us, this one about the desk in the Oval Office – why is it known as the Resolute Desk? Bill Brillant had it – made from wood from the Revolutionary war naval ship, the Resolute.

 

Prez. Bob had a few announcements:

 

We are scheduled to fill backpacks for Hunger Prevention again Tuesday, November 15. There will be a sign up sheet next week.

 

Christina reminded us that our Club still has not filled the position of President Elect. The incoming District Governor is getting nerviuos. She also asked we take a look at the Literacy checklist on the District site and report our accomplishments to the District.

 

Bill Brillant gave an update on the Bowdoinham Food Pantry and the status of the Dollars for Diapers Challenge – will end October 31 but over $1,000 plus the $1,000 from the Bath special event in the past summer.

 

Bob Davis introduced or guest speaker, Fin Nelson from the League of Woman Voters. The League of Woman Voters is responsible for the educational aspects of Prop 5, Ranked Choice Voting, on the Statewide Ballot. Without taking an advocacy position they are working to ensure voters can make an informed decision.

 

Fin explained how ranked choice voting works, including visual examples The basic premise being that when there are more than two candidates ranked choice voting is used to ensure that the winning candidate must have a majority (more than 50% of votes cast) to be declared the winner. All voters have the opportunity to rank the candidates (but there is no requirement to do so). If, following the counting of the votes, no candidate has a majority of the votes cast (over 50%) the candidate with the least votes is eliminated from consideration with all that candidates ballots reviewed. Those ballots with a second choice noted are then distributed among the remaining candidates as they are noted to determine if (from the now combined totals) a candidate has over 50% of the votes and becomes the winner. Fin explained that this process is used in numerous cities across the county, including several in Maine – Portland among them – and also Ireland and Australia. Essentially Ranked Choice Voting serves as a run off election without requiring voters to return to the polls a second time – never as great a turnout as the original voting. Fin also explained that Ranked Choice Voting frequently has a moderating effect on the tone of campaigning, promoting more positive aspects since candidates hope to be at least considered as a second choice to many voters rather than be considered as an ”anybody but” candidate.

 

A very informative and interesting presentation.

 

Submitted:

 

Tom