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Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
Speakers
Jan 19, 2018
Opioid Crisis in Maine
Jan 26, 2018
Feb 02, 2018
Feb 09, 2018
Feb 16, 2018
Feb 23, 2018
Mar 02, 2018
Reschedule from earlier date
Mar 09, 2018
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
First Vice President
 
Second Vice President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Immediate Past President
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Director Term End 2018
 
Director Term End 2018
 
Director Term End 2019
 
Director Term End 2019
 
Community Service Chair
 
International Service Chair
 
Vocational Service Chair
 
Youth Service Chair
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Club Protection Officer
 
Vision Champion
 
Communications-WJ Bulletin Ed
 
Communications-PR External
 
Constitution/ByLaws Chair
 
Fund Raising Chair
 
Good Cheer Chair
 
Invocation Chair
 
Meeting Day Chair
 
Music Committee Chair
 
Program Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Web Administrator
 
Administrative Coordinator
 
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Portland, Maine!
Portland Rotary
Service Above Self
We meet Fridays at 12:15 PM
Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
88 Spring Street
Portland, ME  04101
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Rotary This Week
Portland Rotary Club
will meet this Friday,
January 19, 2018
at the 
Holiday Inn
By-the-Bay
88 Spring Street
 
*01/19/18 Robert MacKenzie, Kennebunk Chief of Police

Bob MacKenzie is a 29-year veteran of law enforcement, currently serving as Chief of Police with the Kennebunk Police Department. Chief MacKenzie began his law enforcement career in 1988 with them and rose through the ranks, being promoted to Chief of Police in 2008.

Chief MacKenzie is a graduate of the 243rd FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice through Husson University. Chief MacKenzie is the producer of the “Point of No Return,” a 30-minute movie which depicts the consequences of underage drinking and has been shown in 34 states. Chief MacKenzie is a Past-President of the Kennebunk Rotary Club in which he has served for the past ten years and is the Chair of the Rotary District 7780 Recovery Initiative.
 

01/12/18 Peter Van Allen, Editor, Mainebiz

“A lot has changed; a lot has stayed the same.” That was Peter Van Allen’s response to David Clough’s question in his introduction of our speaker, noting that Van Allen first addressed our club in 2015 just after he moved to Maine to assume his managing editor role at Mainebiz. “I’ve been on the road a lot,” he said. “From Kittery to Fort Kent, participating in Mainebiz events," some of them sponsored by our own Peter Moore.

He pointed to examples of changes around Portland: WEX’s announcement to move their corporate headquarters to the Portland waterfront; Tilson Tech’s new offices and the heavy condo development in the India Street area; and the growth of Maine’s craft beer industry. “Craft beer adds a lot of sizzle to the Maine economy, but it’s never going to replace the larger industries the state has lost like paper,” Van Allen cautioned. He also commented on the thriving real estate industry and the contributions to his understanding of it by experts like Justin Lamontagne. “The rest of the state, however, is clearly in a different situation,” he said. Invoking a metaphor attributed to the peripatetic editor Tony Ronzio, Van Allen pointed to the “Volvo Line” that tends to divide the states demographic makeup.

The best gauge of change Van Allen suggested was captured in the most recent issue of Mainebiz where five economists offered their prognostications about the state’s future growth, along with comments from four business leaders. “Most offer cautious optimism,” Van Allen reported. “But there are some warning bells about problems ahead. We want change, but not too much.” He quoted Jim Damicis, an economic consultant, who told the paper that “far too many projects take too long to come to fruition.” He said a good sign was that there are 600 more construction workers on the job now versus a year ago, and employers are continuing to look for people. “Maine Med is on the cusp of a $500-million expansion and is seeking 75 additional doctors.” But he pointed to Jeff Zauchau, President of Zauchau Construction, who warns that while he is “cautiously optimistic…I fully expect at some point [the economy] will turn again after a strong 2017.”

Van Allen shared a personal anecdote to indicate some of the pent-up demand in the economy. “We wanted to add another heat source to our house after the recent big storm, but we had to wait three weeks for someone to come out and look at the house, then another six weeks for installers to show up, but they wouldn’t go up on the roof in the ice. So, we waited another three weeks for another company to show up, and then they said all the stove companies were backed up until spring before they could make and deliver a new stove.” He said the state has shortages of installers and retailers, shortages of younger workers, and a need for younger people to become more involved in political leadership.

Peter also talked about some reorganization within Mainebiz to help the paper focus more on different geographical areas in Maine. He also touched on the two areas he sees that will continue to grow in the state: healthcare and marijuana. “We may not like it, but there it is.”

 
(Photo L-R: 2nd Vice President Amy Chipman, David Clough and Peter Van Allen.)
01/12/18 Bits & Pieces

President Don Zillman opened the meeting with thanks to First VP John Curran who had filled in for him on 12/29 while he was in New Mexico. 2nd VP Amy Chipman was set to fill in for the 1/5 meeting, but due to the inclement weather, it was cancelled. Don graciously said he would cede the podium to Amy for the remainder of the meeting after one brief announcement. The Assistant District Governor (John LoBosco) has asked for some “best of” news and info from each club. Don noted there was a lot we can draw from, but recommended our Veterans Lunch, our extensive Community Service projects, and the number of new members who have joined the club. Without further ado, 2nd VP Amy Chipman took the helm. David Clough led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kathy Grammer tapped out “America The Beautiful” on the keyboard.  

Amy (at right) welcomed 61 members, 6 guests and congratulated our members with January birthdays and Rotary anniversaries. 


Jake Bourdeau conducted our weekly raffle. Guest speaker Peter Van Allen was all business as he drew the hopeful contestant, PTG, who needs no introduction. Well, OK, Paul T. Gore! Not this time for the savvy player of odds, as he drew the 9 of Clubs.


Past President Dick Hall reported on Portland Rotary’s progress in Rotary Foundation giving. Since July 1st, we are at $11,885 toward our goal of $20,000. 49 club members have contributed to this number. 34 members are currently Sustaining Members with $100 per year pledges. We have 8 “Circles of Five,” where five members join together with $200 donations each for $1000 Circle. (We have 2 members who want to start a new circle - need 3 more.) 7 members have designated $1000 in their will (Sustaining PHF) or made a direct contribution to the Permanent Fund. 2 Members have bequests of $10,000 or more in their wills. Thank you one and all!  Portland Rotary encourages all members to contribute at least $25 to the Foundation every year.  

(Photo: PP Dick Hall and Mike Reed.)

Dick capped off his report announcing that Erik Jorgensen was now a Paul Harris Fellow +2, and Mike Reed a Paul Harris Fellow +6, presenting Mike with his new pin. Erik was unable to attend, and will receive his PHF pin at a future meeting. Thanks to both!

 



Bob Martin announced the Maine Medical Center Community Action Council will meet on Jan 15th at 5pm to address the needs of homeless with medical needs. See flyer below. If you would like to attend, please reach out to Bob.


(Photo L-R: Rusty Atwood, 2nd VP Amy Chipman, Alexis Pathwick-Paszye and Dan Costigan.)

Rusty Atwood, Youth Service Committee, introduced Dan Costigan, Asst Principal at Cheverus High School, who introduced our Youth Service Award recipient.... Alexis Pathwick-Paszye. We are proud to recognize her and her parents Christopher and Deborah, with a check of $1000, plus $100 donated in her name to the Kennebec Valley United Way.


(Photo L-R: Paul Tully, Kristina Sabasteanski, and Bruce Jones.)

Paul Tully and Bruce Jones were armed with good news for VAST, the Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training program at Pineland Farms. The duo presented VAST Director Kristina Sabasteanski (2x Olympian in biathalon) with $2000 in compound pulley bows. This was a follow up from our Veterans Lunch back in November, where the donation was first announced.  VAST provides veterans with disabilities a host of different physical activities and sports. It is free to those who are disabled, or those who provide volunteer support. 
 

This Week's Duty Assignments

Invocation:  Russ Burleigh
Program Reporter:  Alan Nye
Bits & Pieces Reporter:  Dick Hall
Registration/Greeter:   David Clough
Sell Meal Tickets:  Terri St. Angelo
Raffle:  Matt Tassey
Badge Box:  Tiel Ducan
Collect Meal Tickets:  Ellen Niewoehner
Song Leader:  ___?___
Keyboard Player:  Russ Burleigh
Sgt-at-Arms (Setup):  Jerry Angier
Sgt-at-Arms (Take Down):  Mac Collins

Rotary Meeting Locations

If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are scheduled at the following locations
through March 2018:

2018 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jan 19 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Jan 26 - Clarion Hotel

Feb 02 - Clarion Hotel
Feb 09 - Clarion Hotel

Feb 16 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Feb 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay

Mar 02 - Clarion Hotel
Mar 09 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Mar 16 - tbd
Mar 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Mar 30 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay


Blue BOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.

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

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
 

                          When
Project              Who to Contact


Preble Street        4th Wednesday ea month
Resource Ctr        4-6:30 pm
Soup Kitchen        Gracie Johnston
                           gracie.johnston@wcsh6.com


Game Night         3rd Tuesday ea month
Long Creek          Mike Fortunato
Youth Center        michael.k.fortunato@gmail.com
                           or Jim Willey
                           jimandbarbarawilley@gmail.com                       

 

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.
 
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.
 
Prospective Rotarians

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)                                                                           

Xavier Botana              Portland Public Schools
(Don Zillman)

Kim D'Amaro               The Salvation Army
(Jim Willey)

David Ertz                   DBE Consulting Services
(Bruce Jones)

Jesse Harvey               Journey House Sober Living
(Gracie Johnston)

Alex Kappelman           Locations Real Estate Group
(Ben Millick)

Megan Peabody            Learning Works
(Laura Young)


Thank you.