The current General Manager for Spectra at the Cross Insurance Arena, formerly known as the Cumberland County Civic Center, is Matt Herpich. Matt was born in upstate New York, and graduated from Canandaigua Academy, then went on to receive his AS in Sports and Tourism Management from FLCC before graduating with his BS in Sports and Entertainment Management from USC.
Throughout Matt’s career he has held many different roles with Spectra (formerly known as Global Spectrum) a management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. He began as an intern during his junior year at South Carolina, in the marketing department at the Colonial Life Arena, which lead to full-time employment during his final year at USC as the box office coordinator for the same venue. Upon completion of his degree, Matt moved to Aiken, SC, a satellite University in the USC system, where he began as the events and Operations Manager and finished as the General Manager. Matt moved on to manage the Wolstein Center, a 14,000-seat venue and 10,000-sq. foot conference center at Cleveland State University. Matt was one of four Spectra managers presented to the Board of Trustees, of the CCRC during the transition in early 2015 – ultimately chosen to run the newly-renovated Portland venue – he relocated in March of 2015.
Spectra by Comcast Spectacor is a food, venue and sponsorship management company that has over 400 accounts in the US and Canada. In the northeast region, Spectra manages the CIC in Bangor, the LMA and Tsongas Center in Lowell, MA, the Mullins Center at UMASS Amherst, as well as venues in CT, RI, NJ, NY and PA. Spectra was brought in to manage the Cross Insurance Arena, when the Trustees and the County decided that after renovation, it was time to go from an in-house operation to an operation with regional, national and international resources. Spectra’s original term of the contract was three years, plus an additional two-year option for a term date of March 8th, 2020. However, with the introduction/purchase of a hockey team by Comcast Spectacor, the Spectra agreement has been extended to March 9th, 2025, with additional years at the option of both parties.
Matt and his wife, Rachel, (a New Jersey native) have settled on Pine Street in Portland’s west end. They enjoy the wonderful food scene here, finding many “go to” spots within walking distance of the arena and their home.
President Don Zillman started off the Club Assembly and brought up an article by Time Magazine’s Nancy Gibbs that discussed where America has been and is presently. Her article discussed how unifying institutions like Rotary and churches are declining in attendance. She noted that major societal changes seem to be occurring, and President Don provided this as food for thought during the assembly discussions.
(Photo at left: President Don Zillman and Steve Mortimer, Chair of Visioning Committee.)
Steve Mortimer, Chair of the Visioning Committee, moved the conversation to the recent questionnaire sent to all club members.
Regarding music, the patriotic support components of the meeting will continue, however, the Music Committee is evaluating the current arrangement list in the club song book, and whether some more improvements can be brought about. Stay tuned until January….
Regarding the invocation, the Club input was regarding whether the time spent should be religious-based or more inspirational, since the times, the club, and societal makeup have grown more diverse.
There was a large consensus that as a club, we do not want to divert speakers from discussing public policy and affairs. Club members want to be careful to limit partisan political events and speakers, however. A written policy is being prepared which can help speakers with presentations when then are considering their speaking topics. The Club would like to leave open the possibility for finalists in state-wide political races, federal races, and even possibly local races, if pertinent. The Club is also considering debates, and/or for the lead candidates to come speak at our club during consecutive weeks. Since there are currently over 10 candidates for governor, the consensus is to wait for a few to drop out, or to stick to the primary party candidates.
Steve noted that the Club’s vision statement seemed a little long compared to others. He also noted that only 23 members of the club responded to the visioning questionnaire which served to start the conversations.
There was a question about whether the Club's vision statement would be revised. Approximately half of the respondents agreed; however, none disagreed. So why change the vision statement? Steve has worked on many vision statements over the years, and he noted the best ones are 15 words or less....ours has over 100 words. Many responses from the club following this topic discussed how the vision was developed in recent club history, questioned the need of a statement, and noted that the Childhood Hunger and Education (CHE) focus was voted to last for a minimum of a 5-year span.
Another question from the survey was regarding the Club's geographical focus? Portland, Greater Portland, and international were the reported ranked priorities.
The rest of the meeting was packed with goodwill, ideas, and opinions. Many of the club members shared valuable input.
Finally, the survey listed a number of different Portland Rotary projects, and it asked what projects members would give their time, money, both, or neither? Survey says:
1) Veterans lunch 2) Food insecurity 3) Local students on path toward financial independence 4) Improvement of early childhood education, such as reading programs 5) Helping new Mainers acclimate 6) Helping others
So where do go from here? The information shared will be discussed with the Vision Committee to prepare for that answer and they will report back to the membership.
President Don Zillman welcomed Julie L’Heureux to the podium for our meeting invocation, who quoted Gene Kelly’s 1952 song, “Singing In The Rain.” Wishful thinking as the first solid snow of the season is slated for the coming weekend! Ellen Niewoehner led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and we broke into a full-throated rendition of “America The Beautiful.”
Don welcomed and introduced 2 guests, who joined the 62 Portland Rotarians in attendance. If you follow the “society pages,” perhaps you saw Julie Chase partaking in a Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce event. Don then thanked the roster of Rotarians responsible for the implementation of our meeting.
A birthday tribute and a day of celebration for her majesty and Past President Peggy Wescott, affectionately known as “Queenie” to her subjects. To the tune of ‘God Save The Queen,’ our Queen was adorned with tiara, sash, and a bouquet of roses. Her wave, refined and graceful, let us know she appreciated us. Her royal court "ladies-in-waiting" attendants included Past Presidents Roxane Cole, Loretta Rowe and 2nd Vice President Amy Chipman. Rotary Poet Laureate Past President Alan Nye then read from his latest work, “Queen Peggy”:
Unlike over in England, There’s no need to curtsy, bow or preen, The etiquette here is more relaxed, For greeting our own Rotary Queen.
Across the pond they say “Your Majesty,” It shows respect, you see, But here in the good ‘ole USA, She’s fine with just “Hi Peggy!”
The Royal Queen of England, Is a ripe old 91, Our Queen is much younger than that, And I’d wager a lot more fun.
So raise a glass to our own Past President and Queen, And before you rush out the door, Offer good wishes to her on her Birthday, And wish her many, many more!
Gracie Johnston said thanks to all Rotarians who’ve been out ringing the bells for the Salvation Army in Monument Square. There is a spot open on the 15th and Matt Wolcott raised his hand. Thanks, Matt.
1st VP Amy Chipman is heading to the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, June 23-27, and she’s encouraging more Rotarians to join her! Tom Nickerson, Ellen Niewoehner, and Alan Nye have said they’re in, so it looks like it’s going to be a fun time! Interested? Early registration ends Dec 15th, and is $345. After that it moves up to $420. FMI: riconvention.org
Don reminded us that while it’s always fun to remember birthdays and anniversaries, today’s meeting was also an important day in history....a day to reflect and remember....Dec 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor. We are blessed to have with us at our meeting, Earle Leavitt, who was at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day 66 years ago. Thank you, Earle, for your service to our country, and 30 years of dedication to Portland Rotary.
Raffle! The elusive Queen of Hearts lingers in the dwindling deck. $1157 at stake. Raffle master Jake Bourdeau gave the honor of drawing a winning name to Queen Peggy, who plucked Past President Loretta Rowe’s ticket from the tin. Alas, the clever Jack of Spades came out to play, denying LoRo from the coveted bounty.
Our Club’s By-Laws state that the Nominating Committee shall announce it’s nominations for the new slate of officers for the coming year on the second Friday in December. The Committee is chaired by the immediate Past President, in this case Laura Young. Laura made it back in the nick of time from an early morning meeting in Augusta, and announced the following nominations for 2018-19:
President: John Curran 1st Vice President: Amy Chipman 2nd Vice President: Ellen Niewoehner Treasurer: Scott Blakeslee Secretary: Bruce Moore Sergeant-at-arms: Travis Parker Club Protection Officer: Nan Heald
Directors on the board:
Term ending 2020 - Patty Erikson and Erik Greven
Open nominations may be accepted from the floor at the December 15th regular member meeting. A vote will be taken to approve the nominations at that time.
On Friday, December 15th, please bring your slightly used gloves, mittens, winter wear and/or a multi-pack of new underwear to our meeting (men and/or women's)....we will collect and deliver to the Preble Street Resource Center.
Many of the Preble Street clients spend a big part of their day outside.....often not by their own choice. Rotary helped by donating over 100 pairs of good-as-new shoes and sneakers. Thank you !!!
Now with more cold weather upon us, the need is growing for the essential items to keep them warm.
If you have any of the above items you can part with, please bring them in this Friday. (You can always ask for fashionable replacements this Xmas). But if you can't part with your winter collection, please consider a donation of $10-20 and we will do the shopping for you!
Invocation: Tom Nickerson Program Reporter: Dick Hall Bits & Pieces Reporter: Alan Nye Registration/Greeter: Ellen Niewoehner Sell Meal Tickets: Loretta Rowe Raffle: Terri St Angelo Badge Box: Rusty Atwood Collect Meal Tickets: Deb Lavoie Song Leader: Bill Blount Keyboard Player: Russ Burleigh Sgt-at-Arms (Setup): Dave Putnam Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down): Mac Collins
The following items are needed on an on-going basis. Please feel free to bring them to a meeting where we will collect and distribute them to the appropriate projects.
Crutches4Africa - Crutches, canes, folding walkers and wheelchairs to be shipped to Africa.
Toiletries for the Shelters - Collect those tiny bottles of toiletries you are paying for during your next hotel visit and bring them home for members of our society who find themselves staying at a shelter and in need of personal hygiene products.
Winter Wearables, Shoes, Boots for Preble Street Resource Center - Gently-used shoes and boots to keep our indigent neighbors warm and dry. Please also collect warm outerwear clothing (all sizes), coats, gloves/mittens, hats, and scarves.
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) Ben Jackson North Yarmouth Academy (Transferring Rotarian)
Kim D'Amaro The Salvation Army (Jim Willey)
Alex Kappelman Locations Real Estate Group (Ben Millick)
Xavier Botana Portland Public Schools
Jesse Harvey Journey House Sober Living (Gracie Johnston)