Welcoming immigrant children from around the globe, the Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus helps restart young lives. War-torn villages, bloodshed, refugee camps, famine, and political turmoil were devastating realities for many of these young singers before being embraced by the warmth, companionship and harmony that Pihcintu provides.
The power of survival eases, but never erases, the memory of unthinkable atrocities, physical danger and personal tragedy. Portland, Maine, an ever-expanding international resettlement community, was fertile ground to bring together children from diverse backgrounds to sing as one. Con Fullam, award-winning producer, musician, and songwriter, combined his passion for music with a deep concern for the effect of world issues on children - creating "The Chorus" with the help of countless supporting souls from all walks of life. This unique chorus of young women from Cambodia, China, Congo, El Salvador, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Viet Nam, British West Indies, and Zambia, along with children whose families have been here for generations, have formed a powerful and permanent bond. Through the healing power of music, these vulnerable, yet brave, young women have learned to trust, hope and laugh again. The children and their music are transformative. Being in their presence is a life-enhancing experience and they touch the hearts of all who hear them!
An impressive career in education and school administration experiences are the special qualifications Mr. Xavier Botana brings to his position as Superintendent of the Portland Public Schools. During his first seven months leading the city's public schools, his responsibilities have been supported by the Board of Education's vision, mission and the comprehensive strategic plan. Mr. Botana outlined an interesting report for Rotarians, where he described the status of the measurable goals he is focused on achieving. He complimented civic leadership in Portland and the Board, for the tremendous passion he sees in the community for supporting public education.
Mr. Botana was a member of Rotary when he lived and worked as the associate superintendent in the Michigan City, Indiana school system. Extending on his professional biography, he described the immigration history of his family after they left Cuba, where he was born. He prefaced his report with a history about the challenges he and his Cuban family experienced when they left Cuba during the revolution led by Fidel Castro and applied to enter the United States. Mr. Botana'a family were able to send him and his siblings to Spain to live with his grandparents while they applied for US immigration. They were eventually reunited and moved to Chicago, IL and eventually to Lancaster, PA.
Portland Public Schools include one-third of students who are language minorities. Although many of the students themselves are proficient in English, it's not the language spoken in their homes. He noted the enormous organizational support from the community and service clubs that support the Portland Public Schools, including efforts to elevate the profile of many students who don't always receive the recognition they may deserve. Community engagement in school improvements are evident in Portland, as demonstrated by mentoring programs, some of which are supported by Portland Rotarians.
Mr. Botana is focused on four goals endorsed by the Board of Education:
(a) Achievement - students will graduate and be prepared for a path to the future including college.
(b) Whole student - social and emotional learning will prepare students to have habits of mind to make them well rounded and engaged in the community.
(c) Equity - "The Portland schools are only as good as the weakest link." Portland Public Schools do an "amazing job with students who are economically challenged." Mr. Botana compared Portland data about bringing economically challenged students in line with the educational outcomes of those who are above the guidelines for subsidized meals. The challenge is to ensure that the outcomes of students are not predicted by their zip code, their parents level of education or their first language.
(d) People - Recognition of education as a people-intensive industry and the responsibility to educate better human beings.
On the immediate School Board agenda is the building program to bring all four of the city's elementary schools into 21st century schools. If endorsed by the City Council, Portland voters will be asked to support the bond to rebuild these four elementary schools.
Regarding the support between Portland Public Schools and the Long Creek Youth Development Center and a question as to how students transition back to the community after they leave Long Creek, Mr. Botana responded that there is a direct relationship between himself and the Superintendent of Long Creek. "We're about building second, third and fourth chances," he said.
(Photo: Glenn Nerbak, Xavier Botana and VP Don Zillman.)
Each club president is offered advice during their year to take some time off and allow their successor time at the podium to prepare for their upcoming year. President Laura heeded this advice and headed to Florida for a week of leisure time, turning the podium over to Vice President Don Zillman. Don welcomed 55 members, 2 honorary members and 6 guests to our meeting. He also thanked all who were part of putting the meeting day together.
When it comes to offering up an invocation, you can be certain that Russ Burleigh will be on point and provide arcane bits which few knew. We pledged our Allegiance to the Flag and sang our patriotic song.
Every Rotarian has a story to tell when it comes to how they became part of the fold. Our minute this week was offered up by long-time, but still young, Past President Peter Goffin. Peter was enticed to join the Portland Rotary Club in the early eighties when the club was just starting to come into the light. He found himself surrounded by a cluster of “old men” and began to wonder if he had made a poor choice. In the ever-amazing fashion of Rotary fellowship, Cuddy Cohen, reached out to him and invited Peter to join them on the tennis court and the love affair began. Peter's minute proved the importance of our new effort to befriend our newbies and make sure they feel welcome, part of and involved in the acts of humanity that define Rotary.
Vice-President Don Zillman, recognized the members that are reaching out to the multi-national children at Lyseth School. The program is well subscribed by Rotary and additional support is found among Don’s students at the School of Law. Don had two students from China assisting him as he read to the third-grade class that he visits monthly.
Our weekly raffle to date has grown better than some 401k plans! With a pot that has increased to more than $1,370 and an ever-diminishing deck of cards (16), you’d think we’d be moving on. Loretta Rowe conducted the raffle this week, requesting that our speaker pull a member's name from the bucket. Embarrassing as it was, Mr. Botana pulled her name, but VP Don jumped in to assist in fanning out the cards, allowing her to honestly participate. She pulled the right suit-wrong card and was no more luckier than those before her. So the growth of money continues to go up, as the number of cards go down. Charlie Frair certainly has many faithful friends. Despite the winter storm last Sunday, Charlie's friends attended a fabulous birthday bash, which he designed to provide fellowship. In lieu of gifts, he requested that guests make a donation to the Rotary Club of Portland. Charlie, who is only 70-years young was flanked by his younger sister and his father, Paul, also a Rotarian. More than $2,000 was raised for Portland Rotary. Nice job, Charlie! Ben Millick reminded us of a fellowship opportunity. On the first Wednesday of every month, the Portland Rotary Club will host a "Happy Hour" gathering. These events will be open for all Rotarians and is an opportunity for us to get together and have fun. The event will switch each month to a different location in Portland. Please feel free to bring guests! This is a good chance to introduce guests to the members and explain ways they can assist us in our efforts to better the community. We will be hosting our first event at the Oxbow Brewing Company, 49 Washington Ave., Portland, on Wednesday, March 1st, at 5:30 pm. You may register online at: http://portlandrotary.org/event/rotary-club-social-event-at-ox-box-brewing/
For questions or more information, contact Ben at: bmillick@clarkinsurance.com.
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)
Brian McDonough Cross Insurance (Ben Delcourt)
Mike Robinson TD Bank (Jim Willey)
Andy Stone Artisan Angles Custom (Bill Blount) Carpentry
Invocation: Kathy Grammer Program Reporter: Alan Nye Bits & Pieces Reporter: Dick Hall Registration/Greeter: Tiel Duncan Sell Meal Tickets: Chris Thomas Raffle: Patty Erickson Badge Box: Matt Tassey Collect Meal Tickets: Jennifer Frederick* Song Leader: Janelle LoSciuto Pianist: Kathy Grammer Sgt-at-Arms (Setup): Dave Putnam Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down): Jim Willey