Meeting Notes from July 22

President Jen opened the meeting today with The Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America.  Wendy Russell said the invocation before lunch.

VISITORS:

Adam Dow announced visiting Rotarians in addition to District Governor Claude Martel and his wife Francine.  Assistant District Governor Larry Marcoux from the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Club and Gary Kennedy of the Hallowell Rotary Club and former member our club were in attendance as well as a visiting Rotarian from the Windham Rotary Club.

DRAWING & HAPPY DOLLARS:

The 50/50 Drawing was won today by Mr. Mac McPeake (again!)  and of course he had some Happy Dollars for that!

BUSINESS SHOWCASE:

A new focus this year is showcasing the businesses our Rotarians represent.  Today Jason Laplante showcased Shad’s Advertising which has been in business since 1961 specializing in promotional products.  Promotional products can be used to expand brand reach, improve recognition and reward employees.  Promotional products are cost effective as the product is kept for an average of 7 months.  Thank you Jason and Shad’s for the gifts of the colorful travel mugs left on the tables for each person!

FOUNDATION MINUTE:

Foundation Chair Peter Kowalski  gave us a brief history of The Rotary Foundation established in 1917 by Rotarian Arch Klumph, President of the Cleveland, Ohio Rotary Club, 1913-1914.  Klumph was Rotary International President 1916-1917.  The Foundation was originally started with the intention of “Doing good in the world.” The Foundation continues to be a financial source of doing good in the world through the different programs.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

President Jen reminded us of the Green Buckets for Polio Plus….to deposit our change and/or bills to help eradicate Polio.

Community Service Chair Shawn Wright announced that next week will be the last week to bring in donations for Androscoggin Humane Society.  We will present the donations to Sarah Libby when she will be here as our program speaker.

Pres. Jen reminded us to be on the lookout for Balloon Festival sign-ups to be in your email boxes soon.

SPECIAL PRESENTION by PDG SYLVIA PLOURDE

            PDG Sylvia Plourde made a special presentation to Immediate Past President John Belisle for Membership Recognition Award for 2009/2010 for minimum gain of net 1 members and 80% retention of existing members.

SPECIAL PROGRAM:

Vice-President Nancy Richard introduced our very special guest today….our brand new District 7790 Governor Claude Martel.

DG Claude spoke about our theme Building Communities/Bridging Continents.  He quoted Paul Harris who started the first Rotary Club in 1905,  “We live in a changing world and we have to prepare ourselves for change.”  We must be willing to do things differently to change our way to improve our communities.  He asked us to give the best of ourselves in 2010-2011.  We need to ask ourselves, “What can I do to help my club become BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER?  We need to be enthusiastic about Rotary so we can attract new members and retain ALL members.

Bill Gates has been quoted as saying that “Rotary is the best organization in the world.”  We should feel lucky and privileged to be part of such an organization.

Our goals should be to improve the ability of our club through the club Leadership Plan.  We should dream for the next 10-20 years so that our members our prepared to take over leadership roles in that time-span.  We also need to work on recruiting and more importantly retaining our members..

We should also continue to support The Rotary Foundation programs like EREY and Polio Plus.  We will also continue to support our district projects…this year’s project is a second year project in Equador to bring fresh water to the villages.

In order to be a successful club, Rotarians must be willing to give our time, talent and tenacity in order to boost our clubs.  If we all work together, we cannot fail.

The District Governor concluded with an open invitation to the District Conference in Quebec City June 3, 4, 5, 2011.