David D. Pearce, recently retired career diplomat in the U.S. State Department will discuss "Thirty-five Years in the U.S. Diplomatic Service: Rules to Live By."
Mr. Pearce was born in Portland, Maine, the son of Mary Jean and Duane Pearce, a highly-respected former member of our club, who passed away in 2014.
David has lived and worked in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East for ten years as a journalist and 35 years as a diplomat, including service as U.S. Ambassador to Greece and Algeria. He is a graduate of Cheverus High School, Bowdoin College and the Ohio State University School of Journalism. Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service in 1982, he worked as a reporter and foreign correspondent for the Associated Press, the Rome Daily American in Italy and United Press International in Brussels, Lisbon and Beirut. He moved on to the Washington Post, as copy editor on both the foreign and metro desks and was a writer-editor for National Geographic.
Mr. Pearce has served in prominent and distinguished diplomatic positions in many countries, to include:
Vice Consul and Political Officer in Riyadh
Watch Officer in the State Department Operations Center
Country Desk Officer in Greece
Political Section Chief, U.S. Embassy in Kuwait
Liaison Officer with the Kuwaiti Government-in-exile, Saudi Arabia
Special Assistant to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
Consul General in Dubai
Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Damascus
Director of the State Deparment's Northern Gulf Affairs (Iran/Iraq)
Served with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad
Mission Chief/Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General, Jerusalem
Minister Counselor for Political Affairs U.S. Embassy in Rome.
President George W. Bush nominated him to be the ambassador to Algeria in 2008 and he became the Assistant Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. After serving as the Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, he was nominated by President Obama to become Ambassador to Greece from 2013-16.
David is married to Leyla Baroody of Beirut, Lebanon, and they have two children and two grandchildren. Now based in Maine, they expect to divide their time between California and Maine. David has written a book on diplomacy and the media, entitled: "Wary Partners: Diplomats and the Media." He wants to continue to write and pursue life-long interests in drawing and painting. As a self-taught artist, he has been painting actively since 2008....his medium being watercolor. To observe some of his beautiful work, visit his website: daviddpearce.com.
A summer day brought sunshine in the form of Mike Smith, Development Director for Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. Mike, a Paul Harris Fellow from the Lakes Region Rotary Club, duly noted how in 1997 Rotarians from multiple Maine clubs in District 7780 cedar shaked (and stained) a 25,000-square foot building in just 2 days, enabling the camp to open on schedule.
A technical glitch interrupted a video presentation, but Mike deftly switched to manual pilot. He spoke of the Camp’s humble beginnings in 1984 - space donated from the owners of Point Sebago Campground, Anna and Dr. Larry Gould. They had seen a TV program about a summer camp for children with cancer, and decided to offer the same opportunity.
43 children and their families attended the first session in June 1984. Arrangements were made to increase the services to 2 weeks at the beginning and end of summer, but it was soon evident that a permanent facility be established to meet the popular demand. In 2001, using 24 acres of land donated by the Goulds, a year-round facility opened.
Today, 28 sessions are offered annually, with 40 families each session. Camp Sunshine has provided services and support to families from 50 states and 27 countries. Weeks are set up to be specific to particular illnesses, cancers, blood disorders, and so on. This is done to enable people to come together who are sharing and dealing with a common issue. The goal for the families is to regroup, reenergize, and restore.
2500 annual volunteers, ages 16-90, with 80-90 volunteers per session, handle every aspect from maintenance, kitchen/food service, hospitality, and activities. Essentially, it’s a hotel with 90 rooms, and a new staff every Sunday. New volunteers go through several hours of training on Sunday morning, prior to the guests arriving that afternoon.
Over 100 treatment centers across the U.S. refer patients to the camp. In addition, Sunshine is well known for creating special events! They hold two Guinness World Records – the most lit Jack O’Lanterns in one spot (30,128 on Boston Commons) and the World’s Tallest Sandcastle (35 feet). Events like these have landed the camp on the Today Show and Good Morning America. Google picked up the theme by spelling Google in the form of a sand castle – with credit to the camp. That’s world-wide! On Friday, Sept 22, it’s the Maine Suitcase Party! A private hangar at Portland JetPort will turn into a nightclub. One winner and a guest will board a private Lear Jet, fly to NYC, get limo service to a luxury hotel in Times Square, receive $500 in spending cash, an unforgettable weekend and returned to the Portland Jetport the same way pm Sunday! Tix are on sale now at www.mainesuitcaseparty.com.
When asked if the camp had a religious leaning, Mike noted that the Camp has no markers for religious convictions, or economic status. There is no cost for families, including meals, housing, and recreation. There is transportation assistance coming from approx. $125k-$150k donated per year.
There is no transfer of data to track the recovery rate of the visiting children. Bereavement programs are available for families who have lost a child. Some parents return to volunteer, to both remember the good moments they shared, as well as help others who are going through similar circumstances.
Camp Sunshine has earned a 4-star rating on the National Charity Navigator, which grades fiscal responsibility and transparency. This recognition does lead to more donations, such as $1 million per year from the Tropical Smoothie Café’s 600 stores. 56% of donations received are $500 or less, but it all adds up to a $3.8-million-dollar budget.
There are many ways to contribute and to be a part of Camp Sunshine. You’d look good in a yellow volunteer shirt! FMI: www.campsunshine.org/
(Photo L-R: President Don Zillman, Mike Smith and Linda Varrell.)
President Don Zillman opened the last of our official summer Friday’s meeting days by welcoming 51 members and 4 guests.
Charlie Frair offered an invocation prayer dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the damage caused by flooding. With our thoughts on the storm that brought devastating floods to Houston and the Gulf Coast, President Don reported on Rotary plans to support relief through donations to a special Rotary Foundation fund, as presented in a communication by District 7780 Governor Dave Underhill (FMI, go to: www.rotary.org/en/rotary-districts-collect-emergency-funds-hurricane-harvey-victims) or by donating to the American Red Cross at: www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey.
We pledged our allegiance to the American flag and sang our patriotic song, accompanied by Past President Russ Burleigh on the keyboard.
Portland Rotary was awarded the Service Club Cup for the sponsorship of a boat in the 36th Multiple Sclerosis Harborfest Regatta 2017 held on August 19th on Casco Bay. It was a perfectly beautiful day for the regatta. Gus Karlsen thanked everyone who helped him to raise $2,000 for this year’s regatta’s two entries in the evente.
“Happy Birthday” was extended and sung to September-born Rotarians, followed by recognition of Rotary-anniversary members who joined our club during the month of September over the years. Special recognition was noted for Austin Harris, who joined Rotary 55 years ago!
President Don announced the opportunity for Rotarians to donate blood on Wednesday, September 6th at Back Cove Financial, 56 Depot Road, Falmouth from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Blood supply is at a dangerous low. Please help! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Portland Sunrise.
Past President Don Lowry led us in our weekly sing-along with "You Are My Sunshine," as PP Russ Burleigh tickled the ivories to keep us in tune with the melody.
Jerry Angier led the weekly raffle drawing for the $752 prize. Although Past President Loretta Rowe won the chance to draw the Queen of Hearts, she missed picking the right queen and drew the Queen of Spades. Nevertheless, thanks to the guest speaker Michael Smith, Development Director of Camp Sunshine, she received a consolation prize of two tickets to the Camp’s “Maine Suitcase Party” on September 22nd from 7-11 p.m. at the MAC Air Group (private hangar), 100 Aviation Drive, So. Portland. If Loretta wins the drawing at the party, she will be packed and ready to fly to New York City for the weekend!
Past President Loretta was back up at the podium (hard to keep past presidents away from the microphone) had the honor of introducing John Thompson as our club’s newest member. John is joining Rotary as a way to be more involved in the local community. John is the CFO of ICON LNG (Liquified Natural Gas). He has over 20 years of experience in finance, investments and management throughout the US and Latin America. He holds a BA degree from Stanford University, and an MA degree in Real Estate Finance and Investment from Cornell University. John enjoys sailing, tennis, hiking and practicing his Spanish language. Join us in welcoming John to Portland Rotary!
Invocation: Russ Burleigh Program Reporter: Bob Martin Bits & Pieces Reporter: Tom Talbott Registration/Greeter: Deb Lavoie Sell Meal Tickets: Loretta Rowe Raffle: Matt Wolcott Badge Box: Tiel Duncan Collect Meal Tickets: Jean Murachanian* Song Leader: Andreea Paine Keyboard Player: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Setup): Jim Willey Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down): Russell Voss
If you would like to mark your calendars, we are scheduled at the following locations through December 2017:
2017 Sep 8 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Sep 15 - The Clarion Sep 22 - Bayside Bowl Sep 29 - The Clarion
Oct 6 - The Clarion Oct 13 - TBD Oct 20 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Oct 27 - TBD
Nov 3 - TBD Nov 10 - Italian Heritage Center (Vet Lunch) Nov 17 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Nov 24 - NO MEETING - HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Dec 01 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 08 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 15 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay Dec 22 - NO MEETING - HAPPY HOLIDAYS Dec 29 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
BlueBOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
The following items are needed on an on-going basis. Please feel free to bring them to a meeting where we will collect and distribute them.
Crutches4Africa - Crutches, canes, folding walkers and wheelchairs to be shipped to Africa.
Toiletries for the Shelters - Collect those tiny bottles of toiletries you are paying for during your next hotel visit and bring them home for members of our society who find themselves staying at a shelter and in need of personal hygiene products.
As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com. Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS (Sponsor) Eileen Skinner Retired CEO (David Small) Mercy Hospital
Adam ScheppardNorthpoint Mortgage (Brian McDonough)
A summer day brought sunshine in the form of Mike Smith, Development Director for Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. Mike, a Paul Harris Fellow from the Lakes Region Rotary Club, duly noted how in 1997 Rotarians from multiple Maine clubs in District 7780 cedar shaked (and stained) a 25,000-square foot building in just 2 days, enabling the camp to open on schedule..JPG)
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Portland Rotary was awarded the Service Club Cup for the sponsorship of a boat in the 36th Multiple Sclerosis Harborfest Regatta 2017 held on August 19th on Casco Bay. It was a perfectly beautiful day for the regatta. Gus Karlsen thanked everyone who helped him to raise $2,000 for this year’s regatta’s two entries in the evente..JPG)
Past President Loretta was back up at the podium (hard to keep past presidents away from the microphone) had the honor of introducing John Thompson as our club’s newest member. John is joining Rotary as a way to be more involved in the local community. John is the CFO of ICON LNG (Liquified Natural Gas). He has over 20 years of experience in finance, investments and management throughout the US and Latin America. He holds a BA degree from Stanford University, and an MA degree in Real Estate Finance and Investment from Cornell University. John enjoys sailing, tennis, hiking and practicing his Spanish language. Join us in welcoming John to Portland Rotary!