We welcomed Matthew Arrants, ISHC, CHAM, Founder and Principal of the Arrants Company, a hotel investment and advisory firm.

 

 

President Bruce opened the meeting on 2/3/23 by noting how grateful we were to be in the heat with the temperatures in the teens outside and getting colder by the minute.

Bowen Depke stood in for Zach Zimmerman by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance

 

For the invocation Larry Gross, days away from leaving for a month in New Zealand, repeated the following words from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”

 

Zach Zimmerman led the raffle with a pretty full deck, but Roger Fagan beat the odds and pulled the Queen of Hearts earning a cool $330!

 

Amy Chipman announced that we donated the $4789 from the Clynk bags to the Keep Maine Warm Fund. President Bruce thanked Amy for her efforts connecting us to WCSH Channel 6, through her son Sam, which led to a nice mention of Portland Rotary’s donation on air on Saturday morning. Bruce showed a clip of that segment to the members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Bruce called everyone’s attention to index cards on the tables with the following District 7780 Upcoming Events:

• Midyear Dinner, District & Club Officers and Peace Concert for all Rotarians, Hannaford Hall, 88 Bedford Street, USM, Portland, February 14, 4-8 pm, concert only 7-8

• District Assembly, April 15, 8 am to 3 pm, Westbrook HS, 125 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook

• District Celebration, June 10th, 10 am to 3 pm (flexible) at Cook’s Lobster and Ale House, 68 Garrison Cove Rd, Bailey Island

• RYLA Registration, June 25, 7:30am-10am, Camp Hinds, 146 Plains Rd, Raymond, ME

• District Changeover, June 25, 10am, Camp Hinds, 146 Plains Rd, Raymond, ME

 (Please note that the index card had an error on the date, and what is listed here is correct.)

 

On behalf of the Youth Services Committee, Laura Young introduced Deering High School’s Guidance Director Asia Alexis who spoke about Rose Heric, the senior they selected to receive Portland Rotary’s $1K Youth Services award. Rosa is at the top of her class and gives her time to Greater Portland community youth. Rosa volunteered with children carving pumpkins, participated in several social awareness campaigns, put together early childhood injury prevention kits, assists with freshman orientation, etc. Rosa thanked Rotarians for the award and spoke about her passion for animals and selection of the Refuge League of Greater Portland as her recipient for the $100 from Portland Rotary. Congratulations Rosa!

Photo: Laura Young, mom Amy Heric, Rosa Heric awardee, dad Jacob Heric, Deering HS guidance Director Asia Alexis.

 

Patty Byers announced that there will be a District Foundation Training session on Tuesday, February 7 at 7 – 8 pm about Foundation basics. It will be a one-hour zoom session about how we can support the Foundation and its life changing work around the world. This session is open to all.

 

Bruce Moore spoke on behalf of the Recovery Task Force. They are looking for more members. He also shared that Maine has broken a record again of the number of overdoses in a year. Rotarian Sam Heck who works at Milestone Foundation said they have been forced to turn away 10-12 people a night. Bruce and Jan on behalf of Portland Rotary are collecting winter coats, hats, gloves, sleeping bags, tents, etc. Bring items to Rotary the next two Fridays or call them to pick up. The Portland Rotary board also voted to donate $1K to Milestone for this need from our Portland Rotary Charitable Fund. (Photo)

 

Amy Chipman invited all members to a Community Services Committee meeting this Friday Feb 10th at 11 am to discuss a new project with the Locker Project, supporting kids who are food insecure. John Thompson will lead the project.

 

Ellen Niewoehner announced that there will be a meeting this Friday Feb 10th at 1:30 of the Environmental Committee to develop a plan for the year and potential new projects.

 

President Bruce shared the results of the survey of members on our reasons for joining and staying at Rotary. The top reasons for both were fellowship, community service, giving back and socializing. Some quotes: A member who has been in 4 Rotary Clubs said, “Portland Rotary Club is the best of all four!” “Wonderful group of like-minded folks” “Friday meetings are the high point of my week” “The Club excels in people and values.”

 

Justin Lamontagne introduced our guest speaker.

 

Bruce Moore, chair of our Opioid Task Force has brought to our attention that the items most needed at Milestone Recovery (65 India Street, Portland)  to help the homeless and those in recovery include men’s winter coats, long underwear, hats and gloves, and cold-weather sleeping bags and tents. Please check your closets and basements to see if you have any of these items you no longer need. 

 

Please bring any items you wish to donate to our Rotary meeting this Friday, the 10th or our Social on the 16th or call Bruce Moore at 207 318-9424 if you have anything you’d like to have picked up.  We want to get the items to Milestone as soon as possible so they can help protect folks against winter weather.  Thanks for your help with this project!