This Week's Speaker: Gregg Dowty ACES, Adverse Childhood Experiences and Rotary's Relationship
Gregg Dowty, Ed.D., will be presenting ACES, Adverse Childhood Experiences and how Rotary has helped spread this important information. The discussion will include Trauma Informed Care, Positive Childhood Experiences, and the role of Rotary.
Gregg retired after serving as the President and Executive Director of the Children’s Home of Easton in Easton, PA. He also served as the Deputy Executive Director and then Executive Director of Good Will-Hinckley Homes for Boys and Girls located in Hinckley, ME. These positions followed a career in education and various administrative and teaching positions in Maine schools. Gregg holds a doctorate from the University of Maine with a dissertation focused on Significant Adults as Protective Factors in the Lives of At-Risk Youth. His professional and community service totals over 45 years working with children and families. Gregg has been a Rotarian for 16 years in Easton PA and Dover, NH. He served as Dover's President 2000-2001. He is currently the Assistant Governor for District 7780 Region 2 and he is the District Protection Officer.
Greg will be joined by Brittney LaShier, also a Rotarian and Master Trainer for ACES. Brittney is the Assistant Director of Recuperative Care at Preble Street in Portland.
Meeting of January 13th: USM President,
Dr.Jacqueline Edmondson |by Dick Hall
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson joined USM in June and has now completed her first full semester as president. She has spent the last 8 months meeting people and getting to know all about USM. She previously had experience with a Rotary Club and formed a Rotaract Club. She mentioned that she and her husband always wanted to live on the coast of Maine, and during winter break, they travelled along the coast all the way to Machias.
Move the university to be the best public regional comprehensive university. These are known also as people’s universities because they open their doors to the community. The university embraces its identity formed from longer standing excellent programs as well as several newly created offerings. She has four strategic priorities:
Building relationships, by meeting with 100s of people who are committed to USM
Communicate strategically by telling its wonderful stories about its excellent programs.
Create a sense of belonging so all can thrive, with a special interest ensuring rural students feel connected and become part of the community.
Expand and enhance excellent and signature programs at USM. These include premier music, nursing and engineering programs. Signature programs are not available elsewhere like the OSHA Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education, The Chapel Center for the Arts, and the Franco-American Collection at the Lewiston Campus Library.
She also plans to create a presidential leadership academy and she will be teaching that course herself. The goal is to prepare students to become community and civic leaders.
Doreen Rockstrom, Peter Goffin, Jacqueline Edmondson, Juliana L'Heureux
During Questions and Answers:
Jacqueline stated that enrollment is the major challenge, and this is coupled with the fact that many do not understand the value proposition of higher education.
The building program includes Portland Commons, a 590-bed student housing facility, due to open in the fall. Connected to it is the Student Center for Student Excellence. There will also be green space with the LL outdoor lounge. She welcomed us to visit and hold a meeting when it opens.
USM and Southern Maine Community College have been working together to make the transition to USM for the last two years, seamless. Some students take classes at both colleges in the same semester.
Students now require different support. Students struggle with deadlines as there were fewer deadlines during Covid. Students do not seem to have the energy to make it through a whole workday. Students are now attending events in record numbers which shows eagerness to engage with one another. Student mental health issues still continue to be problematic, and as a result more services are provided.
Jacqueline is open to creating a way for students to be able to drop in to Rotary meetings and become acquainted with our members and get a better understanding of the community.
Bits and Pieces | by Laura Young
President Bruce called the meeting to order and invited Tom Ranello to lead the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Charlie Frair in his invocation said, “Please be seated” Someone asked, “Is that your message?” Bruce joined in by saying, “Thanks Charlie. Enjoy your lunch.” But, kidding aside, Charlie proceeded by providing a history of Friday the 13th. He said the day occurs from once to three times a year. In Western cultures, the number 12 is associated with completeness but 13 is bad luck. In the Bible 13 guests attended the Last Supper and it is considered a bad omen to have 13 guests for dinner. Jesus was crucified on the 13th. Eve gave Adam the bite of the apple on the 13th. Cane killed Abel on the 13th. The Thirteen Club was founded by Captain William Fowler as an effort to improve the image of the number 13 and five former US Presidents were members of the club. Charlie shared that the social impact of Friday the 13th is vast including $8-900 million in lost business that day. 17-21 million people are affected by fear on this day and some stay in bed all day. Friday the 13th negatively impacts 1:18 people a year. But, this bits and pieces editor considers the 13th a lucky day as it was her birthday!
Membership co-chair Bowen Depke (photo) asked members to answer the following questions: Why did you join Portland Rotary? What keeps you coming? New member meeting next Friday, January 20th at 11 am with President Bruce.
Paul Gore led the raffle and shared “it’s a lucky day for you as I’m not in the raffle!” Bruce Moore was the lucky one who was called to pull a card. Nevertheless, we all lucked out that the $340 pot continues to grow as he didn’t pull the queen of hearts. President Bruce thanked Bruce for letting the kitty grow.
Charlie Frair announced that one of the best things to hear is how great we are! He proceeded to share a thank you letter from World’s Central Kitchen for the $3,200 they received from Portland Rotary from 1/3 of the tally from the Flags for Heroes project.
Amy Chipman, chair of Community Service, announced that Clink Bags are available for members to use and fill with returnable bottles. The money will be contributed to Channel 6’s Project Heat fundraiser. Bruce shared that 2/3 of Maine residents use oil for heat so this money is certainly needed.
Brian Nickerson (photo) announced that Vocational Services Committee has been busy. In May 12th we will have a meeting at PATHs for a presentation and tour of facilities. On May 19th the new youth scholarship will be presented.
Patty Byers, chair of the Foundation Committee, announced that a meeting will take place next Friday at 11:15 and all are welcome.
Board Meeting will be after next week's meeting.
Everyone is invited.
Next Week - Rotary Social Thursday, January 26th!
Portland Rotary and the Sunrise Rotary social next Thursday, 5:30pm at the Salvage BBQ, 919 Congress Street.
Self Service - so order a drink or food at your leisure. No meeting, just camaraderie. For that, we need you!
Remember, this takes the place of our regular Friday meeting, so do your best to attend.
Imagine a world without polio.
With your help we can eliminate this devastating disease! Please join us.
Thursday / January 26 - Rotary Social at Salvage BBQQ
January 27 - No Meeting (Because you all went to the social!)
February 3 - Matt Arrants, Principal/ Arrants Company - Hospitality Industry
February 10 - Quincy Henztel, CEO Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
Thursday February 16 - Rotary Social
February 17 - No Meeting
Club Executives President Bruce Jones President Elect Dick Hall Vice President Patty Byers Treasurer Dick Hall Secretary Bruce Moore Board of Directors Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark, John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton Sergeant-At-Arms Jake Bourdeau
The Windjammer is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
Contributing Editors Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux,
Ben Lowry, Bruce Moore, Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
Program Chair:Dave Putnam Managing Editor Tom Talbott
Gregg Dowty, Ed.D., will be presenting ACES, Adverse Childhood Experiences and how Rotary has helped spread this important information. The discussion will include Trauma Informed Care, Positive Childhood Experiences, and the role of Rotary.
Charlie Frair in his invocation said, “Please be seated” Someone asked, “Is that your message?” Bruce joined in by saying, “Thanks Charlie. Enjoy your lunch.” But, kidding aside, Charlie proceeded by providing a history of Friday the 13th. He said the day occurs from once to three times a year. In Western cultures, the number 12 is associated with completeness but 13 is bad luck. In the Bible 13 guests attended the Last Supper and it is considered a bad omen to have 13 guests for dinner. Jesus was crucified on the 13th. Eve gave Adam the bite of the apple on the 13th. Cane killed Abel on the 13th. The Thirteen Club was founded by Captain William Fowler as an effort to improve the image of the number 13 and five former US Presidents were members of the club. Charlie shared that the social impact of Friday the 13th is vast including $8-900 million in lost business that day. 17-21 million people are affected by fear on this day and some stay in bed all day. Friday the 13th negatively impacts 1:18 people a year. But, this bits and pieces editor considers the 13th a lucky day as it was her birthday!
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