The 2016 District Conference was held at the Tarry A While Resort in Bridgtonr. This beautiful property is located on the shores of Highland Lake, with views of Shawnee Peak. Tarry A While

 

  

 

Friday morning, a group of Rotarians met at the Maine Lake Science Center in Bridgton and blazed a new trail for the facility. Maine Lakes Science Center

 

 

In the afternoon, it was off to set up for the Conference.  As attendees and guests arrived, they were greeted by live music, a solo guitar, and some delicious appetizers. Opening remarks were made by District 7870 DG Sandra McGonagle and key note address for the evening was delivered by David Lee.  David, a management consultant and thought leader in the field of employee engagement and performance, spoke to the power of storytelling as a means of attracting and engaging new members.   What is YOUR Rotary story?  Share that story with your fellow Rotarians, friends, neighbors and business acquaintances. 

 

            

 

Throughout the conference, the Hall of Friendship highlighted service projects and initiatives underway in many clubs across the District. Westbrook-Gorham highlighted our relationship with My Place Teen Center.  

 

 

There was also an ongoing silent auction to raise funds for Polio Plus.  Our club contributed a Maine Wine & Chocolates bag that was well received and bids exceeded our expense to provide that item.

 

 

 

On Saturday the first Plenary Session subject was Human Trafficking, with panelists that included law enforcement, social workers and a local survivor of trafficking. The moderator, Jennifer Morin of Not Here Justice in Action Network, led the discussion on working collaboratively across a multi-disciplinary network to combat human trafficking and exploitation.  

 

The second Plenary Session was on Peace & Conflict Resolution. Marilyn Kellogg, Founder and Director of Open Minds based in Manchester NH, led a discussion with two young people who have worked in her program - one of whom grew up in a refugee camp and the other who grew up on military bases across the US.

 

The third Plenary Session was a presentation by the District Vocational Training team who recently visited Argentina and the four-member Argentine team that was on the last leg of their exchange trip to our District.

 

After hours in the Rec Hall with the Argentine

Vocational Group and hosts

 

Bridgton Rotarian Mody Botros (L) with

Bridgton Interact & Earlyact students

 

The final Plenary Session was a presentation by local Interact and Earlyact students who participated in a recent  international service trip to Dominican Republic where they installed toilets and created a safe playground at a local school.  For more information, and to hear from the participants: Bridgton Interact Service Project - DR  .  After lunch we heard from Exeter Club President Rachael Ela MacDonnell about the recent District Grant trip to Cuba to install water filtration systems and delivery medical supplies.

 

That evening, Julia  Phelps, Rotary International Director for Zones 24 & 32 shared her Rotary story with us. After a wonderful dinner prepared by A Fine Kettle of Fish, awards for the year were presented.  We then adjourned for a dance demo and some lessons in the rec hall.

 

 

L-R: Linda & Jason Beever; Steve & Patty Rand; 

 Christine Johnson

 

 

The conference ended on Sunday morning with a nice remembrance of Rotarians from District 7780 who had passed in the past year. 19 Rotarians, with over 350 years of service were remembered with a candle lit and a bell run as each name was read. We concluded by signing Amazing Grace.