News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine
March 30, 2022
This Week: Brian Elowe, CEO Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern ME.
Brian Elowe became CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine in March of 2020 after serving on the board of directors for several years. Previously, Brian was Chief Client Officer for the global professional services firm Marsh & McLennan Companies, where he was responsible for overall client management across 52 offices in North America. In his career at Marsh, Brian held a variety of strategic, operational, sales, and senior management roles.
 
Brian has a strong background in non-profit leadership, having held board positions at various agencies in both Massachusetts and Maine. Most notably, Crossroads for Kids, a program supporting and mentoring over 1,000 children from the Boston area, where he was both a long term board member and Chair of the Board.
 
Brian received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology from Connecticut College where he also previously served on their Board of Trustees. He and his wife Liz live in Portland. They have two grown sons, Ben and Josh.
The "Mud Sale" is an ONLINE Auction that will take place April 8-15.  We are collecting
items NOW! Something you have gently used that you're not using anymore, but it still has value - help us out by donating it.  Or, donate a gift certificate to a restaurant, sport, theater, or music tickets. If you have something to share, like a lake cottage, a fishing trip on your boat, a beer tour...what ever you can think of...donate it and have some great fellowship!
 
 
We Need Your Donations!
To donate, provide a description of the item, and a photo. Put down a fair value, and if applicable, a minimum bid.  (If you donate a weekend at your cottage, you expect a certain quality donation.) If there are other points, such as delivery or pick up needs, include that as well. Email it all to Dick Hall.
 
To see what we have so far...you can now check out the Auction site!
Thank you Dick Hall for setting this all up!
Blueprint for 100% Clean Energy - Phil Coupe, Revision Energy | by Jacob Bourdeau
Phil Coupe is one of the founders of Revision Energy, and he shared his optimism for the global, and Maine’s, renewable energy sector at our meeting on Friday.
 
Phil told us that fossil fuels are absent under Maine’s soils, and as Mainers we export 6 billion dollars each year from the Maine economy out-of-state to import fossil fuels for energy, to heat our homes, and run our vehicles. As Maine builds local clean energy in the form of solar and wind energy, we keep those dollars in Maine working towards a more resilient economy. Mainers use an average of 800 gallons of oil per year per home, and we cannot see the carbon dioxide (CO2) being discharged from the combustion. Similarly, for the catalytic converters in our cars clean the un oxidized exhaust and discharge CO2 as a result of fuel combustion.
 
Per NASA, scientific data shows that CO2 and the earth’s temperature have gone up and down together over hundreds of thousands of years. More recently as we look at the earth’s global biosphere, CO2 and temperature have been rising in tandem from 1880 to 2019 to unprecedented levels not previously measured. NASA calculated the earth’s biosphere temperature has risen 1.2 degrees C (at 1.98 Degrees F) over the last 140 years and has been rising more quickly than was calculated in the past.
 
Phil is optimistic that society as a whole can come together to solve problems such as climate change. Phil has been working in the renewable energy sector for 20 years. He offered the example of how the world came together to reduce the use of HFCs and CFCs in refrigerants to protect the ozone layer.
 
Phil showed us a graphic showing the abundance of various forms of energy in relation to our global energy usage. The image showed us that while there are fossil fuels available now for us to use, the largest energy source is the sun. The sun in 1 hour delivers all the energy humans use in an entire year. Phil reminded us that the sun also makes the trees grow and the wind blow.
 
From a local standpoint, Phil let us know that Maine has a good solar resource and our latitude is similar to Monaco, Spain and France typically considered as warm. Germany as a reference point is further north in latitude and received less sun, however they are trying to convert to 100% renewable energy usage to reduce energy reliance on other countries. Unfortunately, Germany reduced their nuclear power generation before their renewables caught up with energy production, and so they are reliant on other countries for fuel and power. In comparison, Maine received 33% more sunshine than Germany.
 
Counterintuitively, Phil reassured us about Maine’s solar arrays which currently generate energy output similar to rates observed in Houston Texas. Apparently, solar panels are more efficient at lower temperatures with 40 degrees being close to the maximum yield. Phil let us know that the cost of solar technology has fallen drastically and he believes we have reached a tipping point for costs. He thinks our society can adopt solar power in a relative hurry just like we have adopted cells phones and computers.
 
Phil let us know that even fossil fuel companies such as Irving are adopting renewable energy, and gas stations are installing solar panels. Gravel pits like Shaw Brothers in Gorham have converted to electric powered rock crushers and loaders powered by their solar panels.
 
It seems as though everything has an electric power alternative to combustion engines including tractors, snow mobiles, motorcycles, and agricultural equipment. Norway has an electric powered ferry, Scandinavia has an electric cruise ship, and there are electric jet prototypes. Portland, Maine recently purchased two electric buses for their fleet which can dually be used for energy storage in the summer when not in use.   
 
Besides batteries, Phil let us know that hydroelectric dams largely store the renewable energy generated. At low periods of energy use, water is pumped to upper reservoirs and it is released when energy usage and rates are higher during the evenings. The largest hydroelectric facility in the world was recently completed in China with the storage behind the dam capable of powering 100,000 homes for an entire year.  
 
Phil let us know about various solar projects we see daily including town landfills, farmland integration, housing communities, and building roof tops. He let us know the results of a study showed that if we converted 1% of the farmland on earth to dual use solar/agriculture, it would generate enough electricity to power the world’s use.
 
Revision Energy has installed solar arrays, charging ports, and reduced the energy costs for low to moderate income communities, and Phil told us about new communities that start with solar reduce their energy costs from day one.  He also told us about a Rotary Project where they built and supplied multiple solar powered trailers to Puerto Rico to help first-responders power medical refrigerators, cells phones and computers.
 
What about car batteries and end of life? At least one company in California is using batteries from old electric cars to buy and store power at low demand, and release it when the grid needs more power.
 
FMI on ReVision Energy, visit their website.
Bits and Pieces | by Bill Blount
With a strong hint of spring in the air, our third in person/hybrid meeting was held in the DaVinci room at the Italian Heritage Center. The Meeting Day Committee, largely consisting of Mike Fortunato, made the room our own, putting up our Rotary Banners. Past President (PP 2002-2003)Tom Talbott presided ringing the bell calling the meeting to order. Mike Fortunato led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Brian Nickerson leading the patriotic song “America the Beautiful.” A descendant of the author of the song, Katharine Lee Bates (not the actress) was a member of Brian’s previous Rotary Club. America The Beautiful.

Photo: Guest Meeting Host Tom Talbott, PP Bowen Depke, Guest Troy Moon, and Speaker Phil Coupe. Troy is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Portland,  so knows a thing or two about the donation we make each meeting to the City for the planting of shade trees, in the name of our guest speaker. Troy was a guest of Laura Young.
 
PP Cyrus Hagge did the invocation recognizing a sure sign of Spring. Baseball season is upon us with a reading of "Casey at the Bat". What fictional town did this take place? Can't remember? Keep reading.....!
 
Tom made another pitch for our fundraiser, "The Mud Sale", an online auction that will be live April 8-15. Right now we are asking everyone to make a donation or two of either new or gently used items that have value but you are not using. You can also donate something new like a gift certificate, or tickets to an event.  There's also the angle of creating a fun fellowship event,  perhaps a dinner, a boat cruise/fishing trip, a round of golf, or a weekend stay at your cabin, something you can provide that can be put up for bid. Look for another email coming your way this week!  Mike Fortunato is pictured with two of the interesting items that have been donated so far!
 
 
PP Laura Young came forward encouraging us to update our Rotary wardrobe with Rotary wear available through PP Paul T. Gore!  Paul would be happy to take your order by phone 207-450-1142 or Paul’s email.  Laura is pictured here with her guest, Troy Moon.

Second Vice President Patty Byers comes forward reminding the Foundation Committee that we are having a meeting at 11:00 AM at the IHC before the April 1 meeting. Patty also reminds the assembled that we will be celebrating Paul Harris Fellow Day at our April 8 meeting.
 
PP Ellen Niewoehner reminded us that there will be a board meeting next week after our regular meeting. 

Yours truly, PP Bill Blount was asked to lead us in song out of the song books on the tables. We sang #19 “Rotary My Rotary” to the tune of “Oh Tannenbaum.”

PP Paul T. Gore arose to announce that the oncoming weekend, March 26-27 is Maine Maple Syrup Weekend, encouraging those assembled to go out and get your syrup supplies and treats, preferably at Dunn Family Maple in Buxton. Paul quickly reached for his wallet to contribute to “the cans” for the marketing plug of his son-in-law’s business! Duly noted, Scott Dunn was a guest speaker at our club back in March 2019, pictured then with Paul Gore (L) and  PP John Curran on the right.

Second Vice President Patty Byers conducted the raffle where the purchaser of a ticket has their name drawn for a chance at about $250 this week. Jon Young’s entry was selected by the program speaker, in this case Phil Coupe, as is our custom. Jon then had a 50/1 chance to select the Queen of Hearts but unfortunately grabbed the 10 of Clubs. The pot thickens as the elusive Queen remains ensconced within her 49 member retinue. Bowen Depke comes forward to introduce our guest speaker for the meeting. 
Rotary Tennis update:
After week 12, with six weeks left in our 18 week season, here are the current league point standings:

Team 1- 19    Team 2- 8     Team 3- 25    
Team 4-16     Team 5-9     Team 6-16

Team 3 Jake Bourdeau /Dave Seddon, John Duncan, Andy Damon and Alex St. Hillaire have had quite the run. In 16 matches they have dropped 7 sets, taking 25 out of 32 possible points for an impressive 78% winning percentage. Teams 1, 4 and 6 are within possible striking distance should the wheels fall off the Team 3 steamroller for their remaining 8 matches left in the schedule.

Restaurant dining has resumed after tennis! Six of us went to Coppersmiths last Monday night for a good meal and great fellowship. At the repast, Roger Asch agreed to host our annual tennis social event. It is our 29th celebration of Rotary Doubles Tennis. It will be at his Portland home on Monday May 23 SAVE THE DATE for the awards ceremony and barbecue. Present and past members of the league are welcomed. RSVP to me Bill Blount 207-774-2584. An invitation and food assignments will be forthcoming to the teams in the next few weeks.
 
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Day
On April 8th, in honor of this special event, Foundation Chair Patty Byers asks all our Paul Harris Fellows to proudly wear your Paul Harris lapel pin to the meeting.
 
    
Mighty Casey
played in Mudville.
 
Don't be like Casey
and strike out at our
Mud Sale Auction!
Speaker Schedule
April 8 |Andy Kaplan, History of Hard Cider in ME.
     April 8 - Bidding begins for the Mud Sale Auction!
April 15 | Brian Nickerson, "Disaster in the Sea of Japan- 31 Killed - April 15, 1969"
     April 15 - Bidding closes for the Mud Sale Auction at Midnight!
April 22 | Dean Norm O'Reilly, U.Maine Grad School of Business
April 29 | Jonathan Culley Redfern, Tallest Building in Portland
May 20 | Kevin Hancock, Hancock Lumber
 
President-Elect Bruce Jones will turn over the bell to these Past Presidents to guest host the following meetings:  April 22nd: Larry Gross  April 29th: John Marr • May 20th: Bowen Depke May 27th: Ellen Niewoehner • June 17th: Roxane Cole  • June 29th: Ben Lowry
 
Friday Meeting Food Reservation Due Every Wed, 10am!
To make a reservation, please email our Administrative Assistant, Alice Alexander.
Club Executives
President-Elect  Bruce Jones
1st VP  Dick Hall
2nd VP  Patty Byers
Treasurer  Howie Herodes
Secretary  Michelle DiSotto
Board of Directors  Ellen Niewoehner, Mark Foster, Bob Clark, Roger Fagan, John Thompson
Sergeant-At-Arms  Dave Putnam
Club Administrator  Alice Alexander
The Windjammer
is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
 

Contributing Editors
Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
 
4th Q Program Chair: Roxane Cole
       Managing Editor  Tom Talbott
Co-Production  Alice Alexander
Thank you North43Bistro, South Portland, for your generous support!
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