Please join us this Friday for another lively and engaging Club Assembly at the Holiday Inn By-the-Bay. It will include updates on our service and fundraising activities, a check-in on our Club Vision, and some surprises along the way.
Please invite a potential new member to join you, as this is a perfect opportunity to learn more about our active and fun club.
Derek Langhauser, President of the Maine Community College System (MCCS), was introduced by David Clough. Derek became president in March 2016. Dave highlighted the direct connection between business and the community colleges.
MCCS serves 1700 students and provides training to an additional 13,000 people, with an average age of 26. Most attend a college within 25 miles of their home. 92% of the MCCS graduates stay in Maine. 75% of what is offered by MCCS is not offered by any other institution. The biggest challenge for MCCS is addressing the changing needs of the Maine workforce. There are 7 colleges, from Wells to Presque Isle, offering 300 certificate options.
Derek noted that education levels and income levels match. By 2020 66% of all jobs in Maine will require at least a one-year certificate. In Maine only 38% of high school graduates go on directly to college. Maine high school graduates are losing out on significant income potential. Dislocated workers from the paper industry are coming back to school, and upon graduation secure good jobs, like building Hinkley, and other yachts. 1000 graduates each year transfer on to the University of Maine system.
MCCS has the lowest tuition in New England, at $3600 for tuition and fees.
78% of applicants seek financial aid and 60% qualify for Pell grants. 60% work while studying, because they must....half of these students work 30 hours per week....40% more work 20 hours per week. Some students are desperately poor. MCCS discovered a male student who had not eaten in 8 days!
The Maine workforce is stressed. There are more deaths than births in Maine. The priorities for MCCS are student retention and building a skilled workforce for Maine. Community College and Correctional Facilities cooperate to assist Long Creek residents leaving the correctional system. A significant number of returning veterans are enrolled in college, with special service needs and MCCS coordinates with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to serve their needs. MCCS is trying to assess military training and give veterans credit for it.
President Don Zillman opened the meeting by welcoming 56 members and 6 guests. Bruce Jones (at right) led the invocation about “shared optimism.” He borrowed a commentary by the author David McCullough, delivered in 2004, to the graduates of Ohio University: “When bad news is riding high and despair in fashion, when loud mouths and corruption seem to own center stage, when some keep crying that the country is going to the dogs, remember, it’s always been going to the dogs in the eyes of some; and that 90 percent or more of the people are good people, generous hearted, law abiding, good citizens who get to work on time, do a good job, love their country, pay their taxes, care about their neighbors, care about their children’s education and believe, rightly, as you do, in the ideals upon which our life is founded.”
We pledged our Allegiance and sang a patriotic song, accompanied on the keyboard by Past President Russ Burleigh. Happy Birthday was sung to celebrate December birthdays, led by Past President Bill Blount. Following the birthday tributes, Bill also led the singing of “The More We Get Together.”
Chair of Community Service, Gracie Johnston (at left) reported that our annual Thanksgiving event at the St. Vincent De Paul was a successful project, with 37 Rotarians and family members helping 135 people who were served a hot Thanksgiving meal. Sysco Corporation donated about $1,000 in food for the meal.
Gracie also reported that all the time slots for the Salvation Army bell ringing were filled. Bell ringing times are from 11:30 am- 1pm at Monument Square. Locate and return the Salvation Army kettle at the “Others” coffee house on the Square at 15 Monument Way. Watch for a followup email.
President Don asked Rotarians who helped in the many club service projects to please stand for recognition (photo), to include: those who travel to the Dominican Republic for the “Hearing, H2O and Hands” project, as well as the volunteers who read at Lyseth Elementary School, those participants in high school mentoring, the Salvation Army helpers, the Friends of Long Creek Youth Development Center, the St. Vincent De Paul Thanksgiving meal service and the Veterans appreciation luncheon. Everyone was enthusiastically thanked.
Congratulations to Past President Kris Rosado for receiving his 4th Paul Harris Fellow pin. Past President Dick Hall, the Club’s Foundation Chair, presented the award and Kris received a well-deserved standing ovation. The Rotary Foundation promotes World Understanding and Peace.
Erik Greven (at right) thanked all who supported the Preble Street “almost-new, gently-used” sneakers/footwear collection. Portland Rotarians contributed 70 pairs of sneakers to the collection. Requests continue for slightly-used shoes, boots, winter scarves, sweaters, mittens and yes, unused or very clean underwear to be given to mostly young adults who rely on Preble Street for assistance. Collection will be held at Friday’s December 8th meeting and Club Assembly. Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase new underwear. (See separate article this issue.)
Rotarians Mike Fortunato and Past President Bowen Depke are considering ways to improve on the Andrews plaque, in recognition of the first Maine casualty of a World War I veteran from Maine. Next year, November 11, marks the Centennial of the end of World War I. Rotarians want to consider ideas for bringing more recognition to the Andrews plaque. Three years ago, the Rotarians unveiled a restored flag pole on the site. An article at this site published in the Bollard, reported the story about Harold Taylor Andrews: thebollard.com/2017/11/05/when-world-war-knocked-on-portlands-door/. To share your ideas or to become involved, contact Mike (michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com) or Bowen (bowen.depke@spireexpress.com).
Jake Bourdeau ran the weekly raffle, where Past President Laura Young’s name was drawn, but the generous pot of $1,122 was not won, as the Queen of Hearts remains hidden in the deck of cards.
An international program at Portland Rotary is helping folks in the Dominican Republic (DR). The club’s 3H program stands for Hearing, H20 and Hands. There’s medical services offered for people in the DR who are hard of hearing, filters are installed to provide clean water and amputees are fitted with prosthetic limbs. The hands and arms are created with a 3D printer in Dean Rock’s Cumberland basement. He joined the 3H program’s efforts in 2016.
(Photo L-R: Dean Rock and 1st Vice President John Curran.)
Hundreds of prosthetics have been fitted during the 19 trips the 3H program has taken to the DR. The look and function of the limbs, that are provided at no charge, have changed a lot over time. Dean spends around $50 dollars in materials for each limb, but he expects nothing in return. It’s charity work he chooses to be a part of because of the impact it has on others. His next ambition will be to teach 3D printing.
The Club’s next 3H trip to the Dominican Republic is scheduled for January 2018. Dean Rock has made around a dozen prosthetic limbs to take during that trip.
For more information on Portland Rotary’s efforts and involvement in the Dominican Republic, contact Roger Fagan at: drrogerfagan@gmail.com or the Club's First Vice President John Curran at: curraj@mmc.org
On Friday, December 8th, please bring your slightly used gloves, mittens, winter wear or a four-pack of new underwear to our meeting....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 last week by donating over 70 pair of good-as-new shoes and sneakers. Thank you !!!
Now with more cold weather upon us, the need is growing for gloves, underwear (new) and good winter outerwear.
If you have any of these items you can part with, please bring them in this Friday. (You always can ask for fashionable replacements this Xmas). But if you cannot part with your winter collection, please consider a donation of $10-20 and we will do the shopping for you!
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.
Shoes and Boots for Preble Street Resource Center - Gently-used shoes and boots to keep the feet of our indigent neighbors warm and dry. Please also collect warm 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)
Bruce Jones (at right) led the invocation about “shared optimism.” He borrowed a commentary by the author David McCullough, delivered in 2004, to the graduates of Ohio University: “When bad news is riding high and despair in fashion, when loud mouths and corruption seem to own center stage, when some keep crying that the country is going to the dogs, remember, it’s always been going to the dogs in the eyes of some; and that 90 percent or more of the people are good people, generous hearted, law abiding, good citizens who get to work on time, do a good job, love their country, pay their taxes, care about their neighbors, care about their children’s education and believe, rightly, as you do, in the ideals upon which our life is founded.”
President Don asked Rotarians who helped in the many club service projects to please stand for recognition (photo), to include: those who travel to the Dominican Republic for the “Hearing, H2O and Hands” project, as well as the volunteers who read at Lyseth Elementary School, those participants in high school mentoring, the Salvation Army helpers, the Friends of Long Creek Youth Development Center, the St. Vincent De Paul Thanksgiving meal service and the Veterans appreciation luncheon. Everyone was enthusiastically thanked.
Congratulations to Past President Kris Rosado for receiving his 4th Paul Harris Fellow pin. Past President Dick Hall, the Club’s Foundation Chair, presented the award and Kris received a well-deserved standing ovation. The Rotary Foundation promotes World Understanding and Peace.
Erik Greven (at right) thanked all who supported the Preble Street “almost-new, gently-used” sneakers/footwear collection. Portland Rotarians contributed 70 pairs of sneakers to the collection. Requests continue for slightly-used shoes, boots, winter scarves, sweaters, mittens and yes, unused or very clean underwear to be given to mostly young adults who rely on Preble Street for assistance. Collection will be held at Friday’s December 8th meeting and Club Assembly. Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase new underwear. (See separate article this issue.).JPG)
Jake Bourdeau ran the weekly raffle, where Past President Laura Young’s name was drawn, but the generous pot of $1,122 was not won, as the Queen of Hearts remains hidden in the deck of cards.
On Friday, December 8th, please bring your slightly used gloves, mittens, winter wear or a four-pack of new underwear to our meeting....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 last week by donating over 70 pair of good-as-new shoes and sneakers. Thank you !!! 
Now with more cold weather upon us, the need is growing for gloves, underwear (new) and good winter outerwear. 
If you have any of these items you can part with, please bring them in this Friday. (You always can ask for fashionable replacements this Xmas). But if you cannot part with your winter collection, please consider a donation of $10-20 and we will do the shopping for you!