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Russell Hampton
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Speakers
Mar 03, 2020 11:30 AM
CITE accreditation - What is the NEASC?
Mar 10, 2020 11:30 AM
Maine Audubon Conservation
Mar 17, 2020 11:30 AM
Mar 24, 2020 11:30 AM
Donate Life - Organ Donation
Mar 31, 2020 5:30 PM
Apr 21, 2020
See you at the Road Race April 20
May 05, 2020 11:30 AM
May 12, 2020 11:30 AM
FBC Guatemala Project Update
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Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
WRVC Back Dining Room
Mar 10, 2020
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
 
Rotary Night Out
WRVC Dining Room
Mar 31, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Patriot's Day Road Race 2020
Riverbank Park
Apr 20, 2020
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 
View entire list
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The Four Way Test
 
Of the things we think, say, or do:
  First, Is it the truth?
  Second, Is it fair to all concerned?
  Third, Will it build goodwill & better friendships?   
  Fourth, Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
 
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Rotary Links
Rotary International
RI President Home
Rotary Global Rewards
Joining Rotary
Rotary History
Rotary Foundation
For New Members
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Next Board Meeting
March 10, 2020 10:00AM
WRVC Back Dining Room
All members are welcome at Board Meetings
Past Board Meeting Minutes available at:
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Milestones for March 2020
 
    Birthdays
      * Ted Rogers 3/1
      * Christine Johnson 3/8
      * Dick Labrecque 3/18
      * Scott Linscott 3/20
      * Aaron Paiton 3/22
      * Heather Douglass 3/28
   
    Rotary Anniversaries
      * Ted Rogers 3/1 – 37 yrs
      * Bruce Saunders 3/1 - 31 yrs
      * Aaron Paiton 3/19 – 1 yr
      * Jack Kivus 3/22 – 15 yrs
      * Hal Thomas 3/30 – 38 yrs
 
    Maine Statehood Day 3/15 - 200 years!!
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Education Leaders Experience
Wendy Harvey, Co-Principal at Westbrook High School spoke to us about Education Leaders Experience (ELE), a program of Educate Maine, which connects educators with businesses across Maine. Educate Maine advances education policies and practices that prepare students to be productive and engaged citizens.
 
ELE offers educators a professional development opportunity to meet community and business leaders across Maine.  Wendy has been to Bath Iron Works, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) at the University of Maine, local breweries, and other businesses small and large. At Cianbro, she learned about their programs to train their own workers in fields such as electrical, rigging and crane operation.  She was given the opportunity to try her hand and got high marks for her crane operating skills.  At Hinkley Yards in Trenton, she learned that they cannot hire enough workers to manufacture their motorboats.  At BIW, they’ll be looking for as many as 1700 workers by year end 2020, and we don’t have a pool of people in this state to fill that need.
 
To help meet the need, Westbrook High School is putting renewed effort into STEM programs, including a new STEM diploma.  Students who take additional courses in math, science and technology each of their four years will receive special recognition at graduation and STEM endorsements on their diploma. This new diploma is expected to be awarded as early as this spring.
 
Another area in which the high school is working with students is on “soft skills” – looking people in the eye, shaking hands, carrying on a conversation giving good customer service.  Skills that today’s kids are less likely to develop organically today than in the past. Wendy also mentioned that there are financial literacy classes about both WHS and WRVC, but they are not required courses. In addition, a technical math class has been developed for both freshman/sophomore level and junior/senior level. Finally, a “pre tech” program has started at the middle school which brings a group of students to the high school once a week for special programming.
 
The objective is to keep our kids in Maine, and also in Westbrook. Nicole Sturgis, Aspirations Counselor at WHS, works with kids to meet business needs in our community and match them with jobs at companies like Idexx, Wex and other interested businesses. If you have a need in your business, you are encouraged to contact Nicole directly at sturgisn@westbrookschools.org  Nicole and Wendy are interested in opening a dialog with local businesses to discuss the kind of student you need for your business.
 
Wendy Harvey was born and raised in Maine, although finished high school in Texas.  Her first connection to Rotary came when she was honored at her high school by the local Mount Pleasant TX club. Her career has included time at Thornton Academy where she engaged with the Interact Club there. The book I Am Rosa Parks was donated to the Walker Memorial Library in her honor.
 
For more information about the Education Leaders Program and Educate Maine: https://www.educatemaine.org/programs/education-leaders-experience
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A Health Partnership in Haiti
Konbit Sante Cap-Haitien Health Partnership works to strengthen the health system in Cap-Haiten, the country’s second largest city which is located only 600 miles from Floridan on the north coast of Haiti.  Konbit Sante (pronounced kone-beet sont-ay) is Haitien Creole.  Konbit means working together and Sante means health.
 
The organization works only at Haitian facilities with Haitian health care providers in facilities owned and managed by Haitians working towards long term solutions. These health care providers go out into the community to identify people who need care.  All paid staff are Haitian, with the single exception of Nate Nickerson, the current Executive Director who splits his time between his offices in Falmouth and Cap-Haitien.
 
Konbit Sante currently has five major partners including Justinien University Hospital, a partner since 2003, that has 300 beds and 140 residents. JUH is the largest teaching hospital in North Haiti and the second largest public hospital in Haiti. Other partners include smaller public and private hospitals and a private clinic that include a birthing center and a spinal cord rehabilitation center.
 
Konbit Sante has taken a holistic approach to building their network by asking “what do you need to make a health care system work?” The answer is in these five components: A workforce to train; adequate infrastructure including clean water & electricity; medicines, supplies & equipment; research, data & evaluation to analyze and monitor patient outcomes; and management & leadership including staffing support and inventory management. Konbit Sante brings in millions of dollars in donated medicine and supplies each year, sending only items that are specifically requested.
 
Konbit Sante does not provide direction.  Their role is to make sure that local providers have what they need.  Their approach is to work knowing they do not have all of the answers and that, in fact, Haitian problems need Haitian solutions.
 
Nate closed by mentioning that Portland is Sister City to Cap-Hatien.  He also noted that Dr Samuel Broaddus of Westbrook and now of Gorham is a past member of the Konbit Sante board and has traveled to Haiti many times as a volunteer. 
 
For more information: https://konbitsante.org/
 
Photo credit above left: In 2010, Nate Nickerson, Executive Director of Konbit Sante, talks with Pierre
Chevannes, Executive Director of Justinian University Hospital. By Gregory Rec PPH
Above right: Kathi Perkins, PE with Nate Nickerson and book donated to Walker Memorial Library. 
Read more...
Save these dates!
Gorham Business Exchange Marketplace – Saturday March 21, 2020, USM Field House, 10AM-2PM
 
Rotary Night Out - Special Dinner at WRVC - Tuesday March 31, 2020 6PM.  Join us for our annual dinner planned, prepared and served by the culinary students under the guidance of Chef Charlie Limoggio.  More details soon.
 
Patriots Day Road Race - For area high school runners - Monday April 20. 2020 at Riverbank Park Westbrook.  Volunteers arrive to set up by 9AM. Race at 10AM with awards to follow.
 
Lunch with the Trades - Tuesday May 5, 2020 11:30AM.  An opportunity to meet and recognize the students who work on the Rotary house project.
 
Update Relay for Life at GHS Track – Sunday May 3, 2020 – 7AM-7PM - Gorham High School Interact Club will be holding a Relay for Life satellite event to benefit the American Cancer Society again this year with a stretch goal of raising $10,000. Please consider a donation to this worthwhile cause: Gorham Interact Club Donation page for Relay for Life  Every gift — large and small — makes a difference.  Rotarians are welcome at any time throughout the day to walk the track for a bit or just cheer the kids on. Survivor and luminary lap at 6PM.
 
7th Annual Westbrook Strong 5K – Saturday July 18, 2020.  This race is in memory of Matthew Rairdon, a Westbrook HS Graduate and son of Councilor Gary Rairdon. Proceeds to nursing scholarships.  There is also a kids Fun Run and a Virtual Run for those who would like to make a donation. To sign up or donate go to: 7th Annual 5K Sign Up or Donate  You may also send a donation to: WS5K, PO Box 414, Westbrook ME, 04098
 
Run the Ridge Trail Race – Saturday October 10, 2020 9-11AM at Sunset Ridge 771 Cumberland Ave, Westbrook. $25 until summer. $30 after. To register: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=11231
 
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Upcoming District Events
 
To register for any of these events, visit the Calendar on the District Website:
 
 
Interact New Generations Conference - Saturday Mar 21 - 8AM-2PM Dover High School Dover NH. Students $10, Rotarians $15. 
 
District Training Assembly – Saturday April 4 – 8:30AM-1PM
 
Rotary Leadership Institute – Saturday April 25 – 8AM-3:30PM York County Community College, Wells.
 
District Changeover – Tuesday June 30 - 5PM Camp Hinds, Raymond
 
District 7780 at the Sea Dogs - Friday July 24 - 6PM. Limited reserved seating - $10.  Use this link for tickets: http://groupmatics.events/Rotary72420 
Current & Upcoming Opportunities
The Locker Project - TLP will be at Westbrook High School, 125 Stroundwater St, Westbrook, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, with some exceptions due to holidays or school schedule.  Arrive by 1PM for set up. Done by about 2PM after clean up. Check in and out at the front office.  Upcoming dates include March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22 (at Community Center), May 13 & 27 .  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Christine Johnson.  
 
Junior Achievement – In Westbrook, every student in grades K-8 will have a “JA Experience” this year. Gorham is planning for the same with every student in grades 2-7.  Since this programming is all done by volunteers, lots of people are needed to make this happen. To learn more about JA Maine or to become a volunteer, go to: www.jamaine.org/getinvolved
 
2020 Guatemala Mission of FBC -  If you'd like to support FBC Westbrook's work in Guatemala, go to http://www.fbcwestbrook.com/, Click on  button CLICK HERE TO GIVE Online, then select Fund from drop down options 2020 Guatemala Mission   Deadline to donate is March 15, 2020. 
 
New Rolling Thunder All You Can Eat Buffet - Saturday March 21, 2020 5-6:30PM - Fundraiser to help local veterans. $8 adults, $4 under 12.
 
Donate Life - Scott Linscott has been on the road visiting other Rotary Clubs in our district inviting them to join in on our District Governor's 100% Challenge. Our goal is for 100% registered organ donors in each and every club. District 7780 will then be having some fun recognizing top-achieving clubs at the district-wide training event in April. It's quick and easy it is to register at https://registerme.org 
 
Matching Gift Rotary Year 2019-2020 - Don't forget the matching gift opportunity to secure a match for $50 donated to your favorite charity in this Rotary year.   If you recently made a donation to a charity that you would like to have matched, and have not already taken advantage of the matching opportunity, please send a note to our Treasurer Michael Foley.  Please include the name of your charity with mailing address and the date of your donation of at least $50.
Available Program Dates
 
If you have an idea for a  speaker or program, look for a sign-up sheet and an upcoming meeting or contact Christine Johnson at cejinmaine@gmail.com  
 
We are also interested in ideas for service projects in lieu of meetings, or in-meeting service projects.
 
The following lunch dates are available in the 2019-2020 Rotary year for YOUR program.   Sign up today!!
 
    
 * 4/7/2020* 4/28/2020* 6/2/2020
 * 4/14/2020* 5/19/2020* 6/9/2020
  * 5/26/2020* 6/23/2020
    
    
Ongoing Opportunities
Children's Books for Pantries - We continue to supply new and gently used children's books to food pantries about every two weeks. We have been fortunate to obtain a regular supply of used books from Goodwill Buy the Pound.  We also periodically obtain new books from a couple of sources at little cost. However, the need is always greater than the supply.  If you, a family member, friend or colleague have children or grandchildren who have outgrown their books, we'd love to have them to share with children who will love them.   All ages from babies to young teens. We can also always use large print books for older readers. Bring to any club meeting or contact Christine Johnson for pick up. 
 
Can Tabs for Ronald McDonald House - Thank you for continuing to collect can tabs. It's and easy way to help a wonderful organization! Just keep a small plastic bag or small jar in your kitchen, on the counter or in a drawer.  As you go to toss your returnable can into your CLYNK bag, simply twist off the tab first. 
 
CLYNK for Literacy - Ongoing -  Don't forget to keep filling those bags to help fund the new children's books we ask our speakers to sign for the Baxter and Walker Libraries. Extra bags are always available at our meetings.  If you have been working on filling a bag for a very long time (6 months or more), please consider returning it and starting a new one.  Thank you for your ongoing support of this fundraiser!
 
Donate to our Club's Charity through Amazon Smile – Ongoing - If you order items from Amazon.com, even if not very often, you can help Westbrook Gorham Rotary Club Charities.  Go to http://smile.amazon.com/. Search for our Charity and select it. You may need to login to your Amazon account before being able to finalize your selection.   Then, when you shop Amazon.com (always starting from http://smile.amazon.com/) a portion of every purchase will be donated to our charity.