Due to the continued spread of the Covid virus and protecting the safety of our members, we’re postponing our first in-person meeting at the Italian Heritage Club until at least March 4. The board will meet again on 2/18 and will make a decision.
This Week's Speaker | Joe Reagan, Wreaths Across America "From Stem To Stone"
Joseph Reagan is the Director of Military and Veterans Outreach for the national non-profit Wreaths Across America. He has almost 20 years of experience working with leaders within government, non-profit and Fortune 500 companies to develop sustainable strategies supporting National Security, and Veterans Health. Reagan served eight years on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army, including two tours to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. He is a graduate of Norwich University, and the University of Virginia.
Meeting of Jan 28 | Christian Cotz, First Amendment Museumby Tom Talbott
Introduced by Rusty Atwood, we welcomed Christian Cotz, CEO of the First Amendment Museum located at 184 State Street, the historic district in Augusta. This “Mediterranean Revival” style home was built in 1911, a neighbor to the Blaine House. It was lived-in by media mogul Guy Gannett, and after a recent restoration, presents not only a rich history of the Gannett family, it is also the perfect setting for a museum about the First Amendment. – the amendment that does the most to influence and make change in our government.
The museum is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that is not interested in presenting a basic timeline or “blow-by-blow” of first amendment history. Instead it exists to inspire people to “live their freedoms” by understanding the five fundamental freedoms expressed in our First Amendment: "Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition our government." Cotz explained that the goal is to help regular people realize how they are using their first amendment freedoms, every day, without necessarily even realizing it.
Cotz had previously worked 20 years at the historic James Madison’s house in Montpelier. Madison was our 4th President, father of the Constitution, the architect of the Bill of Rights, and the author of the First Amendment. Going to Princeton in 1769 was akin to attending Berkeley in 1969. Similar themes – political and social unrest, and participating in anti-government protests were parallel in nature. Madison became very involved in state and national government, heavily promoting freedom or religion, or as he called it “freedom of conscious”.
By 1789, Madison was in the first Congressional Congress, and by 1791, the body had ratified 10 of Madison’s 12 amendments to the Constitution, which became known as the Bill of Rights. The “Committee on Style” altered some of Madison’s wordings, specifically changing the language of “freedom of conscious” to “freedom of religion”, thinking that it would be easier to comprehend. To Madison, religious freedom was one aspect of the freedom of conscious. The ability to believe in a God that you cannot prove exists was an extremely liberal thought, and was heavily debated. If we believe in any god we want, we can certainly believe in anything else.
This included the right to free thought, the right to think, to imagine, to believe. Our ability to do these things undergirds every other freedom that we have. It has been at the root of every social advancement in history. The intention of the Bill of Rights is to ensure that the people’s voice is always protected, most critically, when opposing those in power.
This naturally led to the freedom of the press, designed to provide “unfettered commentary” on the actions of the government. The right to assemble has roots in all human society, as we voice collective displeasure with those in power because we feel safer and stronger in a group of like-minded people. However, a group of upset people can quickly turn into a dangerous mob, so the qualifier, “peaceably assemble” was added. The first amendment does not protect lawlessness. Civil disobedience is an American tradition, but it is not a protected right or a shield from the law. The right to petition is the means to put our complaints in writing and delivered to those inside the walls of government.
The Bill of Rights doesn’t so much tell the people what we can do, it tells the government what it cannot do. The entire goal statement of the Bill is aspirational – “To form a more perfect Union.” Our Union is not, and never will be perfect. The founders knew that changes would be made, and no enlightened person would say that nothing can be improved upon. Of course, the ability to shout for change is balanced by the ability to shout to keep things the same. Collectively, the Bill of Rights is how we improve our society, and it is the foundation of our democracy.
The average constitution in world governments lasts an average of 17 years. Ours is 234 years old. A real testament to a four-page document that now governs 330 million people.
Cotz spent his remaining time speaking in more detail about the Gannett family. Guy Gannett is Maine’s most famous publisher, a life-long proponent of engaged citizenship, and a champion of the free press. Gannett Communications became the largest media firm in Maine’s history, including newspaper, radio, and tv stations across the country.
The Gannett publishing history is immense, and it has been carefully archived and presented at the Museum. In 2010, Guy’s granddaughters, Genie Gannett and Terry Hopkins, created a 501c3 called the Gannett House Project and in 2015 they purchased the property which at the time was held by the state. Cotz praised them for creating a museum that was not just about the accomplishments of their family, but built around a concept that was more universal and relevant; our first amendment freedoms. Click here for the First Amendment Museum website.
Bits & Pieces | by Juliana L'Heureux
Anticipation about the nor’easter snowstorm Kenan was the subject of pre-meeting discussion. Good advice was shared about how to stay safe and warm. Bruce Jones convened the meeting. Patty Beyers led the Pledge of Allegiance and PP Don Lowry soloed with the patriotic “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.
PP Tom Talbott gave in inspirational history about the Rotary motto, “One Profits Most Who Serves Best”. In fact, Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best, are official Rotary mottoes, traced back to the early days of the organization. In 1911, the second Rotary convention, in Portland, Oregon, approved He Profits Most Who Serves Best as the Rotary motto. The wording was adapted from a speech by Rotarian Arthur Frederick Sheldon, who delivered it to the first convention, held in Chicago the previous year. This motto was modified to They Profit Most Who Serve Best in 2004, and to its current wording, One Profits Most Who Serves Best, in 2010. Rotary’s mottos emphasize the mission to support unselfish volunteer service.
Trifecta! Visiting guest Gervin Kah, a Rotarian living in Libreville, Gabon in Africa, attended our meeting, making it three in a row!
Liz Fagan's Project: "All Hands Hold Books"
Liz Fagan reported an update about the “All Hands Hold Books” efforts she has created for the purpose of distributing books wherever they can be collected and donated. This program began while she was providing academic leadership to a group of speech and language pathology students in Kosovo. They were particularly focused on helping people with hearing disabilities have access to books. In Maine, the Portland Housing Authority has been a point of distribution to the various residences where elderly, non-elderly disabled persons, and families that meet the low-and moderate-income criteria for the federal and state programs live. Most recently, the program facilitated the donation of 273 fiction and non-fiction books to Horse Meadow Senior Center in North Haverhill, NH. The concept of "All Hands Hold Books" is to get books off of shelves and into the hands of readers and learners. It was inspired by the global pandemic that restricted access to educational materials and books. Considerable concern is focused on child development, and mental and emotional health for all. The books that went to the Horse Meadow Senior Center were about to go into boxes after a nearby shop needed to close due to lack of business. Members of the senior center are encouraged to take them home and share when they are ready. That center also delivers Meals on Wheels so books will be delivered to homes by volunteers. Go Liz!
Youth Leadership Awards
Jan Chapman introduced two Youth Leadership recipients. First, Portland High School guidance counselor Marisa Emerson described the leadership attributes of Lina Wakati. A Portland High School student, she is a tutor, a nature photographer and a star on the school’s varsity basketball team. Her interest in learning about marketing inspired the creation of Lina’s Boutique. The charity she chose to receive the $100 donation is
“The Root Cellar”, a food, shelter and clothing non-profit organization where neighbors and volunteers come together to cultivate social, economic and spiritual wholeness. Lina thanked the Rotarians for the award and recognition. From the Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, Assistant Principal MaryKing introduced Paul Liwanga. She described him as a “star”, who is known and respected for his kindness, caring and volunteerism. Paul is especially active as a volunteer at the Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen and with his parish at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. The charity he chose to receive the Rotary donation is the Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen. Each recipient receives a $1000 award from the Portland Rotary and the charities they chose each receive a $100 donation.
Patriot Subaru Donation
PP Tom Talbott thanked Patriot Subaru in Saco for their generous $1,000 donation to Portland Rotary in recognition of the club’s many “neighbor to neighbor” community service volunteer programs. Tom took a screen shot picture of the Rotary Zoom meeting participants to send to Patriot as a club thank you.
Environmental Committee - Join In!
Patty Byers spoke about the support the Rotary Foundation is providing to projects that care for the environment and protect our planet. PP Ellen Niewoehner is chair of the Portland Rotary Environmental Committee and everyone is invited to join. This committee meets jointly with the Portland Sunrise Club environmental committee. “Eco-Maine” Senior Environmental Educator Katrina Venhuizen is invited to be a Rotary speaker about recycling. Moreover, Portland Rotary will adopt some part of the Portland Trails. Earth Day is on a Friday, April 22, and a “Rotarians at Work” project is being planned.
Windjammer Committee Request
We have the right to a free press, but someone has to write it. Our Windjammer requires two writers each week - one to write a summary of announcements, aka "Bits and Pieces", and one to write a synopsis of the guest speaker. Two more volunteers would be excellent, to spread out the assignments. The goal is to reduce the work load to two assignments per quarter. You don't need to be Shakespearean, just basic good business skills. Zoom is recorded, so you can easily work from that. In the old days, we frantically took chicken scratch short hand, so we've come a long way! Please reach out to WJ Editor Tom Talbott with an email.
Community Service Committee Meetings
Leslie Clark, Chair of the Community Service Committee wants to get the word out that meetings will be held on February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, Sept 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, and Dec 2. Location and time will be forthcoming.
Saturday, January 29, 2022
The L'Heureux Weather Sub-Station, Topsham, Maine
"Ice Station Zebra"
Speaker Schedule
February 11| Kathleen O'Donnell, SCORE Maine
February 18 | Nate Stevens, Boulos Company
February 25 | Club Assembly
March 4 | Katrina Venhuizen, ecomaine
President-Elect Bruce Jones will turn over the reigns to thesePast President's to MC the following meetings:March 4th: Amy Chipman • March 25th: Tom Talbott • April 1st: Bill Blount • April 22nd: Larry Gross • April 29th: John Marr • May 20th: Bowen Depke • May 27th: Ellen Niewoehner June 17th: Roxane Cole
Club Executives
President-Elect Bruce Jones
1st VPDick Hall
2nd VP Patty Byers
Treasurer Howie Herodes
SecretaryMichelle DiSotto
Board of DirectorsEllen Niewoehner, Mark Foster, Bob Clark, Roger Fagan, John Thompson
timeline or “blow-by-blow” of first amendment history. Instead it exists to inspire people to “live their freedoms” by understanding the five fundamental freedoms expressed in our First Amendment: "Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition our government." Cotz explained that the goal is to help regular people realize how they are using their first amendment freedoms, every day, without necessarily even realizing it.
NH. The concept of "All Hands Hold Books" is to get books off of shelves and into the hands of readers and learners. It was inspired by the global pandemic that restricted access to educational materials and books. Considerable concern is focused on child development, and mental and emotional health for all. The books that went to the Horse Meadow Senior Center were about to go into boxes after a nearby shop needed to close due to lack of business. Members of the senior center are encouraged to take them home and share when they are ready. That center also delivers Meals on Wheels so books will be delivered to homes by volunteers. Go Liz!
Jan Chapman introduced two Youth Leadership recipients. First, Portland High School guidance counselor Marisa Emerson described the leadership attributes of Lina Wakati. A Portland High School student, she is a tutor, a nature photographer and a star on the school’s varsity basketball team. Her interest in learning about marketing inspired the creation of Lina’s Boutique. The charity she chose to receive the $100 donation is 
write a synopsis of the guest speaker. Two more volunteers would be excellent, to spread out the assignments. The goal is to reduce the work load to two assignments per quarter. You don't need to be Shakespearean, just basic good business skills. Zoom is recorded, so you can easily work from that. In the old days, we frantically took chicken scratch short hand, so we've come a long way! Please reach out to WJ Editor Tom Talbott with an 
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