News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine August 12, 2020
Finally: RI Breaks Gender Barrier
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23. She will be the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history. Amy Chipman shared the news during the Club’s August 7 meeting.
As the first woman to be nominated to be president, Jones understands how important it is to follow through on Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion … begins at the top and for us to realize growth in female membership and members under the age of forty — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.”
Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact.
“As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.”
Jones is founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Jones holds a Doctor of Laws (LLD).
A current Rotary Foundation trustee, Jones has been a Rotary member since 1997 and has served Rotary as RI vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary’s Advisory Group. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts. Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society, Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society.
Susan T. Goodfellow to Speak on Naval Operations
Dr. Susan T. Goodfellow is the senior civilian responsible for five programs directly affecting Fleet and Shore readiness for the U.S. Navy: Environmental Compliance, Environmental Readiness and Planning, Radiological Controls, Readiness Sustainment and Compatibility, and Foreign Direct Investment. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Goodfellow served as the Deputy Director, Energy & Environmental Readiness from 2016 to 2018, and as Head, Facilities Planning and Conservation Section, at Marine Corps Installations Command/Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Land Use and Facilities Branch from September 2012 to November 2016.
Over her career, Dr. Goodfellow has held positions in both the public and private sectors. Before entering federal service, Dr. Goodfellow worked in the private sector in cultural resources and environmental planning. From 2002 to 2005, she served as Regional Cultural Resources Manager for the Army National Guard (ARNG), where she was responsible for the cultural resources management program for the Massachusetts ARNG and served as cultural resources technical advisor for the Rhode Island ARNG and Connecticut ARNG. In the private sector, she has also held positions as Principal Scientist, Principal Investigator, Project Manager, Project Director, and Laboratory Director. She has taught undergraduate courses in archaeology and anthropology at Cornell University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Hawaii-Hilo.
Dr. Goodfellow earned her BA in Anthropology and Archaeology from Cornell University and a PHD from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Distinguished Academic Graduate of the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University, where she received her MS in national resource strategy (2016).
Bits & Pieces | Bob Martin
President Ellen Niewoehner called 30 Rotarians to order at the Friday, August 7, 2020 meeting on Zoom. The last time the Club met in person was March 6, 2020.
Tom Nickerson led the invocation, saying “it’s a joy to have Rotary fellowship again, to take a moment to be thankful for each other, and enjoy the last few days of summer.”
Patty Erickson announced that the Flags for Community Heroes event will be the Club’s primary fundraiser for the year and looks to everyone for support. A Flag for a Hero can be sponsored through the Club website by clicking on Flags For Community Heroes in the middle of the Club website home page, or the link here.
Bill Blount reminded everyone of the August 21 outdoor meeting at Hadlock Field. A Public Relations person from Seadogs will be the speaker. The covered pavilion has plenty of room for social distancing. Thus far, only 30 people have signed up. Need Rotarians and Rotarian friends to register on the Club website. Bring masks to wear when not eating.
Ellen extended thanks to those committees who have taken initiative to get up and running. Meetings open to everybody. As a side note, she said she is looking at a number of outdoor meetings we can do in September.
All Hands Hold Books—labels are on order to affix in books indicating they are gifts from Portland Rotary Liz Fagan will let everyone know as soon as they are available. Donors are to place them in books before delivering to Portland Housing.
August birthdays: Julie Chase, (Aug 03); Asheesh Lanba, (Aug 03); Bowen Depke, (Aug 05); Mike Fortunato, (Aug 05); Bruce Moore, (Aug 09); Roger Fagan, (Aug 10); Chris Thomas, (Aug 10); Ron Bennett, (Aug 13); Chris Force, (Aug 13); Bruce Jones, (Aug 16); Dick Hall, (Aug 17); David Ertz, (Aug 19); Mariella Uwimana, (Aug 24); Jan Chapman, (Aug 29); Scott Blakeslee, (Aug 30). August Rotary Anniversaries: Olivier Ndayirukiye, (1 year); Katie Brown, (5 years); Eric Lusk, (13 years); Ben Lowry, (25 Years); Bob Spohr, (26 years); Matt Tassey, (34 years).
Peggy Belanger Shares Vision
by BobMartin
Peggy Belanger, Governor of Rotary District 7780, shared her vision of how Rotary opens opportunities at our August 4 meeting. Introduced by Laura Young, Belanger said that she had been a nurse for many years. “One of the things we learn is to prepare for the worst, and plan for the best.” Noting that COVID has transformed almost every Club activity, she shared Rotary International Past-President Maloney’s comment that Rotary was built for these times. “We can sit back, or we can choose to strive,” she said.
Belanger shared the actions of clubs in the district, from securing disaster grants to a wide variety of service projects, particularly those related to food insecurity. “I’m grateful for clubs continuing to stay in touch virtually. That’s kept us together, kept us still meeting–we are people of action.” She said “RI President Holger Knaack asked us to be revolutionary, look beyond our comfort zones, work beyond our boundaries. District 7780 clubs are not letting this time go to waste.”
“Rotarians know how to do community service projects. Now we have to be more mindful to do what we know how to do. Kennebunkport & Kennebunk clubs coordinate volunteers for community food pantry. Kittery After Hours will do a street clean up next Tuesday. South Portland/Cape Elizabeth has its Food cupboard every Friday morning. Things are happening.”
Belanger said, “people of action can consider these six calls to action to be transformative.”
We develop acquaintances and relationships with each other and the people we serve that are thoughtful, meaningful, relevant and impactful;
We work at retaining our current membership;
We think creatively to serve virtually;
We incorporate creative thinking for fundraising and support of our mission to eradicate Polio;
We build capacity by growing Rotaract, Interact, and RYLA.
We explore avenues to include more diversity, inclusion and equity.
“We have endless opportunities as Rotarians,” she said. “Hands down, Rotary has stepped up to the plate. Together we have made a difference. This will be a great year.”
A Moment of Reflection
We now have a woman designated to be the President of Rotary International in 2022.
This is long overdue.
Women were first admitted to Rotary in the U.S. as a result of the 1987 Supreme Court decision in Rotary Int’l. v Rotary Club of Duarte (481 U.S. 537) Among the arguments advanced by RI was the assertion that “the admission of women will impair Rotary’s effectiveness as an international organization.” The Court did not agree. The Rotary Club of Portland has elected seven women as President since 1987. The first, Loretta Rowe, served as President in 1998–1999, which meant she was selected in 1995, eight years after Duarte. Jennifer Jones had a longer wait.
In thinking about Rotary’s effectiveness as an international organization, something we hold in high regard given our work in the eradication of polio, water filtration, prosthetic hands, hearing aids, we overlook the fact that the decision in the Duarte case only applied to the United States. The fact that it took RI 33 years to recognize a woman as President is emphasized by the reality that in many countries, women are still not allowed to be members of Rotary. They are relegated to the role of “Rotary Anns.” What does that say about our organization in this day and time? How long will RI let that continue?
The other news of significance in the last few weeks is the decision of the Rotary Foundation Trustees and International Board of Directors to add a new area of focus–supporting the environment. Finally, a recognition that the health and future of our planet is worthy of our collective concern as Rotarians.
That decision is long overdue.
Right now, the Rotary Club of Portland is challenged by declining membership and a shortage of younger members. If we’re truly serious about growing our organization, retaining members, and being relevant, we need to embrace the realities and challenges of today and do something about them, whether RI is on board or not. We need to set the course. History is not just about what happened and when; it’s about what didn’t happen. History is the study of missed opportunities. The Duarte case came about because a local club wanted to change Rotary. They chose not to miss an opportunity. The climate crisis affects everyone on the planet. It is a problem as severe as polio.
The symbol of Rotary is a cog wheel. A gear. By itself, a gear is useless. The only way to make it function is to connect its cogs to other cogs. If we do not connect as an organization to others, if we do not connect to the issues of today, if we do not connect to all those things that give us purpose and a rationale for our service, then our gear is just spinning by itself.
Speaker Schedule
August 14 | Dr. Sue Goodfellow, Director of Energy & Environmental Readiness, US Navy
August 21 | Portland Sea Dogs
August 28 | Musical Program with Nannette Duncanson
September 4 | No Meeting
September 11 | Flags for Heroes
September 18 | Kevin Hancock on his new book
September 25 | Earle Shettleworth on John Calvin Stevenson
October 2 | Jonathan Sahrbeck, Cumberland County DA
Environmental Readiness and Planning, Radiological Controls, Readiness Sustainment and Compatibility, and Foreign Direct Investment. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Goodfellow served as the Deputy Director, Energy & Environmental Readiness from 2016 to 2018, and as Head, Facilities Planning and Conservation Section, at Marine Corps Installations Command/Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Land Use and Facilities Branch from September 2012 to November 2016.
Belanger said that she had been a nurse for many years. “One of the things we learn is to prepare for the worst, and plan for the best.” Noting that COVID has transformed almost every Club activity, she shared Rotary International Past-President Maloney’s comment that Rotary was built for these times. “We can sit back, or we can choose to strive,” she said.
