News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine | May 20, 2020
Downtown With Casey Gilbert
Casey Gilbert is the Executive Director of Portland Downtown, the organization that stimulates a vibrant and sustainable downtown community by working collaboratively with local organizations and community leaders to create a clean and safe area.
Gilbert graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in community development and applied economics, and earned her masters from Carnegie Mellon in public policy and management. Prior to moving to Maine, she was the Director of Melbourne Main Street in Melbourne, Florida.
Recruiting Maine's Future Workforce
Nate Wildes, Executive Director of Live + Work in Maine, described the efforts of his organization to recruit people to Maine. Where Maine & Company focuses on moving businesses to the state, Live and Work in Maine is a private-sector initiative designed to increase awareness about career opportunities that exist in the state and promote the quality of life Mainers enjoy. (Organization link here.)
“Maine is a beacon on a hill,” he said. “The exciting part is going out and connecting with people and telling them that.” Wildes shared some of the results of a survey conducted two years ago by the state’s Office of Tourism which measured perceptions of non-residents about life in Maine as part of an effort to find ways to encourage people to relocate to the state. Wildes said that one of the key challenges the state faces is replacing its aging population. Live + Work in Maine has set a goal of increasing the state’s workforce by 70,000 over the next ten years. “The challenge for Maine employers is to recruit the whole family,” he said.
Using direct survey methods and focus groups, the Office of Tourism study determined that Maine ranks 10th among all states as a desirable place to live, (notably tied with Massachusetts) and that half of all “potential movers” believe Maine offers “most” or “everything” they would want in a place to live. The key attractors were “quality of life” and “access to nature.” While Maine’s life quality and natural environment are motivators, detractors to potential residents include job availability, particularly for the “trailing spouse,” lack of economic growth, and educational opportunities.
“All in all,” he said, “we believe people would choose to move to Maine tomorrow if they knew the facts.” Wildes said that the employers who are part of his organization are committed to providing competitive wages to potential employees. Companies that are a part of Live + Work in Maine include WEX, LL Bean, MaineHealth, and ProSearch, a local recruiting firm. Asked to comment on the organization’s efforts to improve Maine’s diversity, Wildes responded that his group does not drive a diversity strategy but leaves that up to the employer group. “Maine historically has not done a good job with diversity,” he said. “It’s something we have to do.”
Further information on the study referenced by Wildes is availablehere. The data is under “Workforce Research”.
Bits & Pieces | by Tom Talbott
Forty-four members signed-in to our Friday Zoom meeting, with President Amy Chipman calling the Hollywood Squares to order. Tom Talbott provided the Moment of Reflection, citing the words of philanthropist Chuck Feeney who noted that “what you achieve in life has a lot to do with the people you surround yourself with and the opportunities you’re given as a result.”
Juliana L’Heureux encouraged members to email her pictures she can use for our Facebook page, as well as the Windjammer. Of interest are any new hobbies or accomplishments you created during this “stay-at-home” era. Also, look for the “Letter to the Editor” in the Press Herald penned by Juliana, describing a “situation” that took place at a local supermarket. Link here.
Jan Chapman extended thanks to Bob Martin for providing the link to an article that outlines the risks of Covid-19 written by Erin Bromage, a professor at UMass Dartmouth. (Link here if you missed the story.)
We remained in mute mode rather than sing Happy Birthday to 12 Rotarians born in the month of May: Matt Wolcott 6th, Bill Blount 7th, Mark Foster 12th, William Ross 12th, Tom Saturley 13th, Howard Herodes 17th, Bob Martin 17th, Thomas Sukley 17th, Patricia Erickson 18th, Brian McDonough 18th, Jonathan Young 22nd, and Nicholas Lotfey 23rd. HBTY, HBTY, HBDR, HBTY. Celebrating membership Anniversaries: Nathan Cermelj, 1; Laura “LL Cool” Young, 13; Tony Manhart, 14; and Bill Blount, 28 (34 counting his years in the Utica club!)
Bill Blount is actively recruiting for the Rotary Tennis League, set to restart in September. Five spaces available for the 34-week session. Bill says, “It’s always a great time, and all levels can find a spot on the roster.” Call, text, or email Commissioner B.
Amy noted the Portland Sunrise online meeting with Rotary International President Mark Maloney was excellent, and she was glad to see a good number of Portland Rotarians in attendance. Mark said that Polio Plus continues more than ever, and he is amazed at how Rotary clubs around the world are stepping up. The RI International Conference, slated for June 20-26, will be held online.
We received letters of thanks from the Maine Recovery Fund for our donation of $1200, and from USM for our donation to the Student Emergency Fund.
Roxanne Cole, who is on the University of Southern Maine Board of Visitors, brought us up to date on our club’s commitment to the university’s “Promise Scholarship Program”, a new recipient of the Club’s Youth Service Award. Roxanne thanked John Curran, for his vision during his presidency to reach out to USM after The Maine Girls Academy (formerly Catherine McCauley) ceased operations. (One door closes; another opens.) John thought to align the Club with USM and create a pathway for further relationships with the school. Roxanne connected John’s idea with the Promise program, which assists Maine students aspiring to earn a college degree with the means to accomplish that goal. Whereas our typical Rotary “Student of the Month” goes to a high achieving student, the Promise program pays specific attention to students who have hardships or real challenges. Without a scholarship, they have virtually no resources to attend. The Promise program works quietly, often funneling money discretely without fanfare. Roxanne indicated that our recipient this year will join us for a meeting to tell of her experiences.
Russ Burleigh’s wife, Joan Steinberg, was thanked by the Portland Schools for her donation of 40 pairs of mittens that she personally knitted. Two thumbs up to that!
It was great to see how money we raised is being disbursed in our community. Amy listed the following:
Maine Medical Center Covid-19 Emergency Fund: $1,000
Portland Recovery Community Center: $1200
USM Foundation: $500
Milestone Recovery: $1200
Maine Recovery Fund: $1200
Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough: $1,250
Preble Street Veteran’s Homeless Project: $1,250
Total contributed by Portland Rotary over the past month – $7,600.
Gracie Johnston brought news from our District Governor Andy Glazier that Rotary International provided a $25,000 grant to our District, which will be shared equally between all the clubs in the District at $600 per club. Bravo!
Gracie also announced plans are underway to revive our volunteer work at Preble Street, making packages for those in need. However, we will be restricted to only 3-4 volunteers at a time. More details coming.
Amy asked all Committee Chairs to prepare a summary of the things that your group achieved this past year. We have BC “Before Covid” and AC “After Covid”. Despite this setback, we still have accomplished many of our goals this year.
Megan Peabody graduated from the University of Southern Maine’s Extended Teacher Education program with a certificate for teaching K-12 Spanish. She has been teaching Spanish online with middle schoolers. As chair of the Youth Services Committee, Megan has continued the Lyseth School reading program during the COVID-19 quarantine by enlisting Rotarians to record themselves reading a story to share with the school. “To keep the reading theme going, I was contacted by Carolyn Johnson from the Yarmouth club to read a story and share it on Facebook. Save the Children and Rotary International partnered to create reading opportunities for children at home. I chose my favorite story and read it in Spanish and shared it on my personal Facebook page.” For information about the Save the Children and Rotary International program, see the link here.
Watch for Club Survey As part of the planning for next year’s budget and programs, the Board agreed to conduct a brief online survey of the members on several topics, including determination of members intention to remain a part of Portland Rotary. The importance of this information stems from the requirement to submit a list of members to Rotary International in June that will determine the Club’s dues obligations. Please respond to the survey when it arrives. If you do not wish to respond online, please contact Bob Martin.
Guide to Opening Up Social Circles
A very neat tool to create the framework for deciding how you want to engage in opening up your social circles as restrictions ease and social distancing becomes a bit closer. There are no uniform rules to follow in a day when some desire more separation and others prefer less. This helps in developing a risk matrix to provide a personal level of comfort and safety and become mindful of those most at risk. See Link here.
Moment of Zen
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
― Wendell Berry, The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry
Speaker Schedule
May 29 | Devin McNeil, Owner of Flowfold
June 6 | Julie Butcher Pezzino, Executive Director, Children’s Museum of Maine
News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine | May 20, 2020
Committee, Megan has continued the Lyseth School reading program during the COVID-19 quarantine by enlisting Rotarians to record themselves reading a story to share with the school. “To keep the reading theme going, I was contacted by Carolyn Johnson from the Yarmouth club to read a story and share it on Facebook. Save the Children and Rotary International partnered to create reading opportunities for children at home. I chose my favorite story and read it in Spanish and shared it on my personal Facebook page.” For information about the Save the Children and Rotary International program, see the 
deciding how you want to engage in opening up your social circles as restrictions ease and social distancing becomes a bit closer. There are no uniform rules to follow in a day when some desire more separation and others prefer less. This helps in developing a risk matrix to provide a personal level of comfort and safety and become mindful of those most at risk. See 
