Posted by Bill Blount

On this bright summer day at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay, President Don Zillman opened the meeting by welcoming 55 members, 2 visiting Rotarians and 6 guests. Kathy Grammer (at left) offered us the invocation by recommending that we accomplish our mission by helping others meet their goals. Bob Martin led us in the pledge to the flag and we sang “America The Beautiful,” with Kathy Grammer accompanying us on the keyboard.


President Don acknowledged the service of the Rotarians who made the weekly meeting happen and greeted our guests and visiting Rotarians. After the meeting last week, our speaker, Rotary District 7780 Governor Dave Underhill approached a couple of Portland Rotarians concerning two of his concerns for tree planting and the opioid crisis. Dave was amazed at the suggestions he received and very impressed with the resources available in our membership.


Talking about our Club’s resources, Dick Giles announced that when he previously called upon the membership to help with solar lights for the Dominican Republic, members contributed over $1200, including a generous $500 donation from member, Mark Millar. Thanks to Mark and all who are helping on this worthy project.



President Don called upon Amy Chipman to lead our song, who was assisted by Gracie Johnston, accompanied on the keyboard by Kathy Grammer. We sang “Side by Side” and absolutely nailed the key change. Way to go!
 



Past President Kris Rosado appealed for bequests and for employer-matching grants for the Rotary Foundation. Kris gave us a history of the “Happy Dollars” segment that really never developed in our Club because of time constraints. Kris proposed a new initiative.....”Happy Hundred Dollars.” If you have a reason why you’re overjoyed, then ask President Don for a moment at the podium, share your joy and donate to the Portland Rotary Charitable Fund, RI Foundation or Polio Plus. Kris then provided us with exemplary modeling behavior. Since the college education for both of his sons will be largely paid by the US government, with one son at West Point and the other a Navy ROTC, Kris then pledged $1000....$500 to our charitable fund, $400 to the RI Foundation and $100 to Polio Plus. Kris concluded by asking, “Why do we give?......to feel good and know that our donations are definitely going to a worthy cause."


President Don, speaking on behalf of Past President Bob Traill, encourages us to remember and attend a Vietnam Veterans’ remembrance in Augusta on August 17, 2017 (see separate story this issue).


Bruce Jones, conducting the weekly raffle with $611.00 in the pot, asked our speaker to draw a name from our holding vessel of all the tickets purchased that day. Mike Fortunato’s name was drawn, but alas, he drew the King of Spades. The pot thickens for next week’s drawing.