President Amy Chipman is in India, so First Vice-President Ellen Niewoehner opened the meeting. PP Tom Talbott gave an invocation in recognition of President George Washington, because of the observance of the first president's birthday (February 22, 1732).
Ellen attended the District 7780 World Peace and Understanding dinner and seminar held on Thursday, February 20, at the Sheraton at Sable Oaks. She praised the program speakers and gave a report about the theme being: "Emigration, Migration, Immigration, Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Work Visas, Green Cards, and Citizenship." The presentations focused on how Rotarians have long been involved with helping those who are less fortunate and who are in need. Every day, Rotarians have worked, and are currently working, to assist those in need, on both a global scale and locally. Who are these Rotarians; what have they done; how can we help them? A keynote speech was presented by Rachel Davidson, Esq., a Rotary Peace Fellow, who is a high energy, passionate, compelling, immigration attorney practicing in New York City.
Cards and messages are welcome to be sent to Loretta Rowe, who continues to receive care as an outpatient at Dana Farber. Tom Ranello will help to organize a Rotary goodwill contact schedule for Loretta, when she returns to recover at home, which looks like it won’t be until mid-April, as there have been some temporary set-backs in her condition.
A Rotary Ski Day is organized for Thursday, February 27th. A 9 AM meet-up is planned at Southridge at Sunday River.
Weekly raffle drawing - Jennifer Frederick led the raffle. PP Don Lowry drew the Jack of Hearts, so he just missed winning the $1,403 jackpot.
Fund raising and the Corn Hole Tournament. Patty Erickson updated the plans for the Corn Hold tournament. The 2020 tournament will be held at the sports Dome on Riverside in Portland on a Sunday in May, when more working people can be attracted to participate. This change in venue has the capacity for electronic scoring, plus food and beverages are sold on the site, making it easier for Rotarians to be involved in the activities, rather than in obtaining and serving refreshments. A site visit checked out the facilities. The intention is to request for the Maine Outdoor Challenge sponsors to support the Corn Hole tournament. Electronic registration will be offered. The goal is to fund raise, while accessing the availability of technologies and services. Other fund raising opportunities are being considered to include during the tournament.
Community Service- Gracie Johnston presented an excellent overview about Portland Rotary's active participation in Community Service projects. "Community Service is the life blood of the Rotary," she said. Supplies are currently being collected to fills bags for the Preble Street Teen Center's survival kits. Please help this important cause by donating tissues, gloves, mittens, hand warmers, lip balm or give a financial gift to help purchase the needed supplies. Contact Gracie for more information (gjohnston@portlandradiogroup.com).Annual ongoing Community Service project where Rotary volunteers are involved include:
- the annual Thanksgiving Dinner served at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. Last November, more than 40 Portland Rotary volunteers served 125 plated dinners and Sysco donated the food.
- Rotarians volunteer to ring Christmas Holiday Bells for the Salvation Army.
- School children received donated back packs stuffed with school supplies, and each one also included notes of encouragement and motivation from Rotarians.
- Cultivating Community was a project to help clean Portland's community gardens and mulch fruit trees.
- Stuff the Bus was featured in radio promotions.
- Portland Rotary is 3 years into the program for helping to educate the public about substance use recovery. The Opioid task force will now be called the “Recovery Task Force.” Another training program to educate more recovery coaches is being planned.