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After awarding several Paul Harris Fellows to advancing members, Andy got us to immediately “think differently” and shook things up a bit by moving to the back of the room as he began his DG address to the Club. He noted that Mark Maloney of the Rotary Club of Decatur Alabama is our Rotary International President for 2019-2020. His theme for the year is “Rotary Connects the World” and Andy spoke about the power of connecting with others through Rotary. Andy and his partner Pamela Gray have had the opportunity to travel, meet people and see things they never would have otherwise. He spoke of a trip to 
Guatemala where they visited a community via a 2-track road. They were the only vehicle in town where health care was hours away. The school had shared desks and supplies. The two bathrooms – one for boys/men and one for girls/women – included a Rotary wheel on the wall and represented the only running water in the town.
Guatemala where they visited a community via a 2-track road. They were the only vehicle in town where health care was hours away. The school had shared desks and supplies. The two bathrooms – one for boys/men and one for girls/women – included a Rotary wheel on the wall and represented the only running water in the town.He also spoke of the opportunity they had to visit Cuba and what they saw there. Their clearest memory is of children laughing and playing – they sounded the same as they do in Guatemala and as they do here. He recounted talking to parents in both countries who just want the best for their children.
He then moved on to remind us about the upcoming Rotary International Convention in Hawaii in early June 2020. The number of attendees is capped at 25,000, a low number for a RI Convention, so it is likely to sell out. If you are considering going, be sure to register soon.
The key initiative for this year is to Grow Rotary - involve more potential Rotarian in our projects and activities – be creative. There is a pool of potential 
candidates in every community, but that pool is limited by how we run our Club. Only so many can attend a meeting on a Tuesday for lunch which can take up to 2 hours out of the middle of their day. Others may be challenged by the dues or the location. There are many things we control that can restrict the pool of those who can actually join. We do a lot, but how much more could we do if we had more members?
candidates in every community, but that pool is limited by how we run our Club. Only so many can attend a meeting on a Tuesday for lunch which can take up to 2 hours out of the middle of their day. Others may be challenged by the dues or the location. There are many things we control that can restrict the pool of those who can actually join. We do a lot, but how much more could we do if we had more members?Consider the example of the newest club in our District – New Voices Rotary Club. They were founded based on the common experience of RYLA. They are all under 30 and half are women. They live all over the US, with even a couple of members in Europe. They will meet in person only 4 times per year. They chartered in the spring with 33 members and have now grown to 46 in just two months!
Finally, he spoke about thinking outside of the box for the District Conference for this Rotary year. Instead of holding it in the spring, it will be a one-day 
event in this fall - Saturday October 5, 9AM-4PM at the Abromson Center of the University of Southern Maine. He asks each club to create a display table that speaks to the projects of our club. This event is ideal for both current and prospective members.
event in this fall - Saturday October 5, 9AM-4PM at the Abromson Center of the University of Southern Maine. He asks each club to create a display table that speaks to the projects of our club. This event is ideal for both current and prospective members.At the end of his remarks, President Michael Foley presented a small token of thanks to Andy and Pam - some elegant chocolates from Black Dinah Chocolatiers in downtown Westbrook.
To hear from Andy directly, watch this video on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/355574487