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Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
Speakers
Mar 22, 2019
Mar 29, 2019
Apr 05, 2019
Apr 12, 2019
Attacking Maine's Opioid Crisis
Apr 19, 2019
Apr 26, 2019
Building a Lobster Restaurant Business
May 03, 2019
Casco Bay and Gulf of Maine Health
May 10, 2019
Development Along Downtown Waterfront
May 17, 2019
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
First Vice President
 
Second Vice President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Immediate Past President
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Director Term End 2019
 
Director Term End 2019
 
Director Term End 2020
 
Director Term End 2020
 
Community Service Chair
 
International Service Chair
 
Vocational Service Co-Chair
 
Vocational Service Co-Chair
 
Youth Service Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Club Protection Officer
 
Communications-WJ Bulletin Ed
 
Communications-PR External
 
Constitution/ByLaws Chair
 
Fund Raising Chair
 
Good Cheer Co-Chair
 
Invocation Chair
 
Meeting Day Chair
 
Program Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Web Administrator
 
Administrative Coordinator
 
New Mainers Initiative
 
Opioid Task Force Co-Chair
 
Opioid Task Force Co-Chair
 
Friday, March 22, 2019
Welcome to the
Rotary Club of Portland, Maine!
Portland Rotary
Service Above Self
We meet Fridays at 12:15 PM
The Clarion Hotel
1230 Congress Street
Portland, ME  04102
United States of America
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Rotary This Week
 
 
 
Portland Rotary
will meet March 22, 2019
at the Clarion Hotel
1230 Congress Street, Portland
*03/22/19 Geoff Iacuessa, President/GM Portland Sea Dogs

Geoff Iacuessa was promoted to President & General Manager of the Portland Sea Dogs on September 10, 2018, after serving eight years as the Executive Vice President & General Manager. The 2019 season will be Geoff’s 20th season with the organization. He began his career with the team as an intern in 2001 and was hired as Director of Group Sales prior to the 2002 season. In 2004 Geoff became the Director of Sales and Promotions and after the 2006 season, Geoff was promoted to Assistant General Manager for Sales and Promotions.

Geoff was honored as the 2015 Eastern League Executive of the Year. In 2011 he was named to the Portland Press Herald’s “40 under 40” list, recognizing 40 local business leaders under the age of 40. Geoff is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a degree in sport management. In addition to his work with the Sea Dogs, Geoff serves on the PeoplesChoice Credit Union Board of Directors, the Maine Children’s Cancer Program Board of Directors, and the Portland Community Chamber’s Economic Development & City Affairs Committee.

Geoff lives in South Portland with his wife, Kristie and son, Hudson.
 

03/15/19 Beth Stickney, Maine Business Immigration Coalition

Rusty Atwood introduced our guest speaker, Beth Stickney, the director of the Maine Business Immigration Coalition (MeBIC). Her topic was to present information about the challenges with American immigration policies and how dealing with the subject affects Maine’s economy. She is the co-author of the leading legal treatise on how immigration laws impact families, check the link to Immigration Law and the Family at: https://www.amazon.com/Immigration-Law-Family-Charles-Wheeler/dp/1573702676.

In her presentation, Beth explained how Maine has four centuries of immigration history. America has enjoyed a national level of exceptionalism, the condition of being different, because of the influence of immigrants. Beth has been involved in immigration law for 34 years, but what is being seen today regarding this subject is extraordinary. Civil rights groups and faith organizations have been dedicated to helping the public to understand immigration issues. In the past, the business groups have not been there. Today, we need to care about immigration from an economic perspective.

Maine is the oldest state in the nation, but others are close with their aging populations. As baby boomers retire and birth rates are declining, the ability to attract people from other states has become less successful. It's important to keep people in Maine who are already here and that includes immigrants. Programs to help immigrants with their orientation to living and progressing in Maine are needed to help keep Maine’s workforce from leaving the state. Currently, the political leadership in Washington DC is making it increasingly challenging to attract immigrants to the US and this will have an impact on Maine. Advocacy for the economic benefits tied to integrating immigrants to Maine businesses can receive formal support in the legislature (LD 647), “An Act to Attract, Educate and Retain New State Residents to Strengthen the Workforce.” http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280071609 

Currently, challenges to attract and retain immigrants to the US and to Maine are negatively impacted because of administration policies. Among them is the reduction in the number of refugees authorized to enter the country. As less refugees are approved for immigration, this has the impact of reducing the number coming into Maine. A rigorous vetting of refugees is required before they can immigrate to the US. The travel ban has reduced the number of Somali and Syrians who can enter the US. There are long waiting lists for immigration applications to bring (a) parents (b) children under 21 years old, and (c) siblings of nationalized immigrants into the US. Visa denials, including those requested by native-born immigrants, have seen a 400 percent increase. International student visas have dropped by 22 percent and there is a 6.66 percent drop in enrollments. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are on the verge of losing their protection.

The world is watching what is happening on the US southern border. 

Immigration matters in Maine because the state’s population is not growing. Data supports how immigrants’ workforce qualifications increase to be equal with residents within 10-15 years of immigration.

MeBIC is Maine’s only resource dedicated to providing information, education and advocacy on immigration and related issues from and for the business and economic perspective. MeBic believes in and advocates for the economic value immigrants bring to helping the growth of American prosperity. For additional information, go to: https://mainebic.org/about

 

 


 

 

 

 

(Photo L-R: Rusty Atwood, Beth Stickney and President John Curran.)

03/15/19 Bits & Pieces

President John Curran (photo at left) opened the meeting by asking David Small to provide the invocation: quoting Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept and dreamt that life was a joy; I awoke and saw that life was service; I acted and behold, service was joy!” Megan Peabody led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and PP Laura Young started us off on the right note of ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’

John welcomed 42 club members, and then introduced us to 6 visiting guests.


President John noted Jesse Harvey was featured on a special NBC News feature on substance abuse, specifically in his role as a “harm reduction advocate.” Jesse has been a true leader in this field, and has raised our Club’s awareness and participation in this arena. (See separate article in this issue.) John also noted Bruce Moore and Jan Chapman are busy helping to build houses in Texas. 


DGN Dick Hall did the honors of presenting Erik Greven with his Paul Harris Fellow +2 award. Congratulations, Erik!

Dick also informed us that a Cultural Exchange Trip for 4 Rotarians is being planned in April/May, and more information will be forthcoming. 

(Photo at right: L-R - Erik Greven and DGN Dick Hall.)


PP Loretta Rowe conducted the raffle, and none other than Paul “I never met a card I didn’t like” Gore, tried his hand at the selection. $282 eluded him....this time.

Loretta gave an update on PP Russ Burleigh, who was hospitalized with symptoms that the doctors are trying to sort out and determine his prognosis. (He came home from the hospital over the weekend.) He would love to hear and see visitors, but please call ahead (222-0222), as he tires easily. For cards, etc., he is at home: 4 Sweetbrier Lane, Scarborough, ME 04074. 

Loretta asked for a moment to express her heartfelt thanks for the love and support she received from her Rotary family while she was fighting the big “C” over the past year. The fantastic news is that she has successfully overcome the disease, treatments are behind her, and she’s feeling stronger every day. It was an emotional moment for us all, one that we will always remember. Well done, LoRo!


Perfect timing for a song, with Music Chair PP Bill Blount (photo at left) at the helm, in a splendid green shirt in honor of St. Patricks Day. The easy choice - “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” rang out, and for a moment or two we were in tune. (Bill's ring tone on his phone is “Super Freak” by Rick James. We know this because it went off quite loudly during the meeting. Cries of a fine were heard, but believed not to have been carried out.)


President John announced our continuing partnership with Learning Works in Portland. Plenty of volunteer opportunities, particularly to help new Mainers who have immigrated here. English language literacy, financial literacy, after-school programs, and youth building. We are looking for industry experts to help on a regular basis, or if you can come once and share, that is more than welcomed.


PP Laura Young (photo at right) talked about our Reading Program with Lyseth Elementary School, Portland, which starts up again this month. While that program focuses on grades K-3, Portland Rotary was able to make a donation to purchase 95 books for 5th graders.


Laura brought a handful of thank-you letters (in photo at left) written by that group of youngsters, and they were appreciative and often humorous. “Thanks” said one, “I looked on the back, and the books aren’t cheap!

 

 


1st VP Amy Chipman (photo at right) has just returned from PETS -  Rotary’s version of boot camp for incoming club Presidents. The ensemble was holed up in a Framingham, MA hotel for some serious study and planning for the next Rotary year. Amy expressed her great appreciation, noting she was proud, honored and humbled to be our next President. We know you’ll do a great job, Amy! 

 


There will be a District Training Assembly on Sat April 6, 8:00am-1:00pm at York Community College. Everyone is invited, and you can sign up at the District 7780 website. The $20 fee will be reimbursed by the Club. A request has been made for photographs of Rotarians in action, working on projects. If you have anything, please get them to President John ASAP!  


Sat June 22 will be the RotaryFest District Conference at Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth.  9:00am-5:30pm. Free and lots of fun. Bring the entire family. On the 21st, instead of our regular Club meeting, plan that we will be at the site helping to set up. More to come! 


Joe Reagan touted the Maine Outdoor Challenge, June 10-12th, at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School, Freeport. We’re looking for 100% Club participation. You can help in many ways: help us sell sponsorships, sell 5-person teams, work on getting items for the auction, or volunteer to work during the event. The impact that this event has on our club is huge! It is our key source of funding for many of the organizations we support. We need everyone on board!
 

Rotarians In The News
President John shared that our very own Jesse Harvey (photo at right) was featured in a piece by NBC News on Jesse’s efforts around harm reduction strategies for those with substance use disorder (see link below). Jesse is passionate about this work and helping those fighting this devastating disease. President John recognized Jesse for his tireless efforts on this front, in addition to all the great work he does for Rotary in our focus on training recovery coaches. 
 
Volunteer Opportunities

Following is a list of our Club's volunteer projects. If you know of other opportunities, please contact Loretta: lrowe@maine.rr.com

 
Project
When
Who to Contact
Preble Street
Resource Center
Soup Kitchen
4th Wednesday ea month
3:30-6:30 pm
Contact Gracie Johnston
Game Night
Long Creek
Youth Center
 
3rd Tuesday ea month
Mike Fortunato
michaelk.fortunato@gmail.com
or Jim Willey
This Week's Duty Assignments
Invocation:  Paul Tully
Program Reporter:  Dick Hall
Bits & Pieces Reporter:  John Marr
Registration/Greeter:  Bob Fowler
Sell Meal Tickets:  Patty Erickson
Raffle:  Loretta Rowe

Collect Meal Tickets:  Larry Gross
Sgt-at-Arms:  Dave Putnam
Rotary Meeting Locations

If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are scheduled at the following locations
through
June 2019:

2019
Mar 22 - The Clarion
Mar 29 - The Clarion

Apr    5 - The Clarion
Apr  12 - TBD
Apr  19 - The Clarion
Apr  26 - TBD

May   3 - TBD
May 10 - The Clarion
May 17 - The Clarion
May 24 - The Clarion
May 31 - The Clarion

Jun   7 - The Clarion
Jun 14 - The Clarion
Jun 21 - The Clarion
Jun 28 - The Clarion

Blue BOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.

Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
 

Ongoing Item Donations Needed
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. Contact: Roger Fagan, drrogerfagan@gmail.com
 
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.